God with Us—Fifty True Stories of God's Faithfulness

GOD WITH US—

Fifty True Stories of God’s Faithfulness

JoAnne DeSerio Jones

Copyright © 2013 JoAnne DeSerio Jones.

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Unless otherwise noted Scripture references are taken from The Holy Bible: New International Version.

ISBN: 978-1-4497-7908-5 (e)

ISBN: 978-1-4497-7907-8 (sc)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012923501

WestBow Press rev. date: 01/18/2013

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all Your works

and consider what Your hands have done.

Psalm 143:5

Dedication

Foreword : Dr. Jo Anne Lyon

Acknowledgements

Introduction

God With Us In Danger

God With Us In Healing

God With Us In Revelation

God With Us At Work

God With Us In Need

God With Us In Comfort

God With Us In Guidance

God With Us In Transformation

God With Us In Loss

God With Us In Sharing His Love

Where Do We Go From Here?

DEDICATION

I dedicate this book to my husband, Rev. Dr. Kelvin S. Jones, who supported and encouraged me in the writing of this book.

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING

The stories of the miraculous are here. Yet, they have not been trumpeted in best-selling books, but by people simply living the Jesus-life! The stories of word and deed are here. People would experience the deeds of God and then were ready to hear the Word—yes, even signs and wonders. All of these are noted in these stories.

Dr. Jo Anne Lyon

General Superintendent, The Wesleyan Church

Founder, World Hope International

There is nothing more encouraging and compelling in our own journey of faith than to hear the personal stories of God’s faithfulness to others. The power of the New Testament disciples’ witness was in the simple telling of what they had seen and heard. We are indebted to the author of this collection for bringing together these contemporary stories of witness, and trust that the Holy Spirit will speak through them as He spoke through the witness of the first century disciples so long ago.

Shirley A. Mullen, Ph.D.

President, Houghton College

If you want a real-life glimpse of some ways God actually shows up in human affairs, JoAnne Jones’ Fifty True Stories is the book to read. Then prepare to build a bigger box for your faith. I predict you will likely need it.

David L. Thompson, Ph.D.

F. M. and Ada Thompson Professor of Biblical Studies

Asbury Theological Seminary

We do walk by faith, and not by sight. But every once in a while, God gives us a uniquely grace-filled experience that gives us a sacred glimpse of His hand and presence in our lives. As you read these stories of God-sightings, your faith in our invisible God will be deepened and enriched.

Dr. Jack Connell

Executive Vice President

Roberts Wesleyan College and Northeastern Seminary

The Bible is the account of the many ways God made Himself known to His people, speaking in a variety of ways through the centuries and finally fully disclosing Himself in Jesus, the Christ. God With Us is an exciting account of God continuing to make Himself known in a variety of ways: answered prayer, guiding one’s steps, providing for personal needs, giving protection, and physical and emotional healing, to name a few. The real-life stories of the book are contemporary evidence of God being the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. They stir one’s faith and expectation that God will respond to prayers and generously meet our needs. They illustrate afresh the divine promise, that if we call upon His name, God will answer our prayer and do so in such a way that we know His presence is with us, giving us great confidence to face the future and many challenges of life.

Rev. Wayne B. Wager

District Superintendent, The Wesleyan Church

Central New York District

As I read some of these stories I thought, These are real stories about Psalm 23:4. "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me." Thanks for collecting these inspirational accounts of God’s protection.

Rev. Larry Nemitz

Social Worker, The Salvation Army

Member of Community Wesleyan Church, Kirkville, NY

FOREWORD

Dr. Jo Anne Lyon

This generation has discovered story. Through story, we are able to interpret theologically, philosophically, and even biblically, new lessons for life. A new style of preaching has even emerged known as narrative preaching. But in a sense, none of this is new—because it is the method Jesus employed to communicate. When one reads the parables of Jesus, there is always a new truth, a new light, a new angle that transcends time and culture.

Reading JoAnne’s stories does the same thing. I am struck with a theological theme through the stories—the power of the grace of God—which was present in the lives of people before they even discovered it was there. This is known as prevenient grace. What joy is expressed throughout the stories when people become aware of the presence of God in their lives: the great intersection of grace and forgiveness! But these narratives don’t just stop at a one-time experience; they move us through the mundane daily tasks of life which take on new meaning as one is walking with God.

JoAnne and Kelvin have pastored this congregation for many years. Most pastors are unable to tell these stories, because they do not stay with people over this many years. Therefore, this is very unique in that they have shared life in the strictest sense of the word with these folks. This is not hearsay!

As you read these stories, you will more fully understand the word Paul uses various times in his letter to the people of Colosse about being complete or bringing to completion. For in these stories you will begin to see how the dots connect in people’s lives and in many stories something of a full circle that God is orchestrating as they yield to Him. The stories of the miraculous are here. Yet, they have not been trumpeted in best-selling books, but by people simply living the Jesus life!

The stories of word and deed are here. People would experience the deeds of God and then were ready to hear the Word—yes, even signs and wonders. All of these are noted in these stories. Paul also told the people of Rome that Christ accomplishes His work through word, deed, miracles, and signs and wonders through the power of the Spirit (Romans 15:17-19).

All these stories are from the same local church over the years. I don’t believe there is another book like this one that verifies the importance and value of the call and perseverance of the local pastoral ministry. JoAnne weaves the tapestry of ministry in a local church through the lives of broken, regular people culminating in beautiful threads through knots that bring texture and dimension that we may behold Jesus.

I ask you as the reader: how is Jesus revealed in the lives of the people in your own community of believers? He is moving! Have you inquired? I invite you to journey the book and then begin your own journey in your congregation. You will be affirmed, rewarded, and ultimately give glory to God for what He is accomplishing.

Thank you, JoAnne, for challenging us to celebrate what God is doing right under our own eyes and be aware that He has only begun what He wants to do!

Dr. Jo Anne Lyon

General Superintendent, The Wesleyan Church

Founder, World Hope International

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Many thanks to my husband, Rev. Dr. Kelvin S. Jones, for his hours of help and advice. He served as my first editor, reading for clarity and content, offering insightful comments. Many a morning, he found a page or two of manuscript lying on the arm of his chair or at the breakfast table, waiting for his editing. I am blessed to be married to such a loving, helpful man who seeks to encourage the Body of Christ.

A big thank you goes out to the fifty people who had the courage to share a personal part of their lives in order to bring honor to God and to encourage you, the reader. Without them, this book would not have been possible! Their struggles and joys serve to show us that God really does care about the things close to our heart and is always with us to give comfort and hope.

I am grateful to God for His help, guidance, and insightful thoughts given me during the interviewing and writing process.

I thank my prayer partners, Judy Pazdzierski and Kim Ouderkirk, and my Sunday school class for their weekly prayers and encouragement.

I would like to thank my daughter and her husband, Keely and Mark Stater, and all my extended family, for their love, support, and prayers.

I also want to thank the people of Community Wesleyan Church in Kirkville, New York—my church family—as we celebrate Fifty Years of God’s Faithfulness together. They truly are a caring group of people who seek to Love God

love Others

and make Disciples.

JoAnne DeSerio Jones

INTRODUCTION

The stories in this book are about people who have seen God do unusual things. Some are miraculous. Others are about perseverance or finding God’s strength in a difficult time. Many of us struggle with frustration, disappointment, or pain, as we wait for the ah-ha moments, the inspiration to see the bigger picture. But if we look closely at our past, we can see that it wasn’t our own strength, wisdom, or even luck that got us through. It was really the power of Christ standing unseen beside us, helping us. If we can see God’s hand in our past as these people did, we can anticipate Him in our future.

The people in this book are real people: those who walk the grocery aisles with you, sit beside you in church, teach your children. They are ordinary people who have seen an extraordinary God act on their behalf in their personal lives. They have agreed to share their stories to encourage you and to give credit to God for all He’s accomplished.

I love reading true story collections. However, I’ve never found one like this: everyone included in this book attends or has at some point attended Community Wesleyan Church in Kirkville, New York. If God has done all these things in just one church family, imagine what He’s doing in the towns around you, in your state, your country! God is working all around us and will continue to write the story of His love on the lives of ordinary people.

I began this book project by asking people to share an incident when God had answered a prayer or met a need in an unusual way. Right away, I recorded some exciting accounts of near-death experiences and healings. Then, to my surprise, it became harder to find those who reported seeing God’s hand in their lives. Perhaps they felt their experiences too ordinary, nothing spectacular. But as I investigated further, I uncovered divine coincidences and victories in everyday life that were truly God’s doing.

I wondered, How do we discern when God is at work? How much do we attribute to luck, fate, chance, generous friends, modern medicine, or our own natural abilities, when it’s really God bringing us good? These stories help me remember that the world is not on automatic pilot, as some would suppose, but kept in sync by our Creator’s sustaining power (Colossians 1:17). Every breath we take is a gift from Him. Our ability to work (Deuteronomy 8:18), even put two feet on the floor in the morning all comes from Him. What better Person to be in control than an all-loving, all-wise, all-powerful God!

From these stories I learned:

1. God uses infinitely creative ways to solve our problems. Some have told me, I never could have imagined this! It encouraged me to be ready for what God can do in my own life.

2. I also learned that I need reminding of the importance of seeking God’s advice through the Bible and prayer. He hears the smallest request and really does care about the little things.

3. I also discovered that even when we don’t see God’s activity, He’s working for our best in His time, and He is honoring our trust.

If you have difficulty seeing God working in your life, I hope you’ll find yourself in one or more of these stories. I hope it will encourage you as you discover how much God loves you and wants to help you through whatever you’re experiencing. His presence will give you hope and strength.

JoAnne DeSerio Jones

GOD WITH US

in Danger

1. ANGEL INTERVENTION

FRAN FILMER’S STORY

For He will command His angels concerning you

to guard you in all your ways.

Psalm 91:11

Angel encounters are not limited to Bible characters or foreign missionaries. When we pray to God in times of trouble, still today, His help sometimes comes in the form of an angel. Here’s Fran’s true story.

It was an ordinary spring day in 1968. But for Fran, the ordinary was about to become extraordinary.

Fran’s father, Adan, who lived just down the road, had driven over to show off his new Chevy Malibu. Want to take my new car for a spin? he asked, dangling the keys in front of Fran’s nose.

Sure! Fran answered, excited to try it out. She needed to go out anyway to deliver to Pat Harvey a packet of notes for a church progressive dinner.

Janine, do you want to ride along? she asked her nine-year-old daughter.

For more than a week Janine had been ill with the measles. This was the first day she’d felt well enough to go outside. Like any housebound child, she was more than happy to get out. Janine grabbed her jacket and followed Fran to the door.

It had rained heavily the day before, but the sky was clear, as mother and daughter headed out the driveway in Adan’s new car. Fran drove to the end of Kinderhook Road and turned onto Bolivar Road. Passing the canal on her right, she noticed that the water level was high from yesterday’s rain.

Within a few minutes, they came to a curve where water was flowing over the road, as it often did in that spot after a downpour. Fran was familiar with road and was sure that the water was not more than four or five inches deep.

It should be perfectly safe, she thought, as she carefully forged ahead across the flooded area.

About a half mile down the road, railroad tracks came into view. An express train was speeding across the intersection. As soon as she saw the train Fran applied the brakes, but the car didn’t slow down. Apparently, the brakes had become wet and weren’t working.

Fran’s heart began beating faster as she stomped on the brakes, pushing the pedal all the way to the floorboard. Still, the car kept rolling. She was fast approaching a car waiting for the train dead ahead. Fran was panic-stricken.

Lord, help me! she prayed aloud as she frantically kept pumping the brakes.

Then Fran did the only thing left to do: she turned the wheel hard and swerved to the left, avoiding the car in front of her. Now she was headed directly toward the train.

What happened next took only seconds. Suddenly she saw a huge whitish form shaped like a person whisk in front of the hood, and the car came to a halt almost immediately. Fran and Janine sat staring in disbelief as the freight train went whizzing by, just six inches in front of their car! They could feel the breeze from the train and its vibrations shaking the car.

Holding the wheel with both hands, Fran laid her head on the steering wheel. The adrenalin was still pumping, and she was breathing heavily.

God, please don’t let me pass out, she silently prayed.

She looked over at Janine, who sat quietly crying beside her, her seatbelt securely fastened. She hadn’t said a word.

Are you alright? Fran asked.

Yes, are you?

Yes, I think so.

Finally the last boxcar rumbled by, following the train on down the tracks. The crossing bars lifted.

The driver of the other car motioned for Fran to go first, but she was too shaken. She waved him on, and he proceeded across the tracks. Fran looked down and noticed her foot was still resting on the brake at floorboard level. She put her foot on the accelerator and eased the car over to the right side of the road. Pumping the brakes as she went, she drove across the tracks. Her pulse was still