... About Giving Thanks

    Allentown: Emmanuel UMC. Follow on Facebook. Sunday Morning Worship Services at 9:15 am are live streamed.
 

... About Sharing the Sermons I have preached

As a Certified Lay Minister I have had the awesome privilege to preach at several United Methodist Churches.  Some of the services were live streamed on YouTube and Facebook.  Here are links to three of those services.

My message "How Does Your Garden Grow" - starts at approximately 15 minutes into the service and is 30 minutes long.  To listen click here.

My message, “God’s Valentine.” - starts approximately 22 minutes into the service and is 15 minutes long. To listen click here

My message "Do You Love Me?- God" starts approximately 52 minutes into the service and is 20 minutes long. To listen chick here.

... About Giving Thanks

    

 

I was asked to share my testimony at my church Faith Alive on November 22, 2020.  Below is a written copy.  To listen on Facebook Click Here - This is the Contemporary Service. My testimony starts at 24:60.

My Testimony:

With Thanksgiving Day just a few days away, I been thinking it’s easy to give thanks in the best of times; but what about in the worst of times?  I will never forget three statements that were made during some of the worst times of my life.

1.     “Lela, I am so sorry.  We did ever thing we could.  Your baby is dead.”

2.     “Lela, you need surgery.  Without it you will die a slow horrible death.”

3.     “Wilbur, there is nothing more we can do.  Eventually, you will lose your sight.”

50 years ago, I left the hospital with empty arms and a broken heart.  My dreams of being a mom had been shattered.  Wilbur’s and my baby girl whom we named Jessica had been still born.  For three years I struggled with our loss and questioned if God was a God of love, why had this happened to me?  I had a hard time believing He loved me.

When I was told that I needed surgery, I was at death’s door.  Knowing there was the possibility I might not make it, I was very apprehensive.  I was in so much pain I was unable to pray; but others were praying for me.  On my way to the OR, God gave me peace and I knew no matter what happened everything would be OK.

In October of 2003, I found myself in the hospital with the same pain I had experienced in 1995 when I had my surgery.   It was over the anniversary of when I had lost Jessica.  I was in the same hospital, on the same floor and just a few rooms from the room where I had experience such heartbreak.  My thoughts turned to Jessica and I wept.  

In January 2004 Wilbur experienced a detached retina in his right eye and had to have surgery.  He had already lost his sight in his left eye. It was during follow-up visits that he told he will eventfully lose his sight.

In Romans 8:28 we read, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”  So what has been the good from what I have gone though? 

Three years after the loss of Jessica, God whispered to my spirit. He said, “Lela, I love you.  If you were the only person living, I would have still sent my son to die for you.  I had my reasons for taking Jessica.  You must give her to me.”  From deep within my heart I relied, “OK, God. I give her to you.”  A deep peace came over me and nine months later, exactly nine months later, my daughter Melissa was born. Twenty-two months later, Amy was born. Recently Melissa asked me, “Mom, would you have had me if Jessica had lived?  She told me she is so glad I had her.  She loves her life and her family. Once when Wilbur was in the hospital, I met one of his caregivers.  I learned she had been my hospital roommate when I had loss Jessica.  I had the joy of sharing with her the Good News of Jesus Christ and how God had blessed me with my daughters and granddaughters

While I was in the hospital in October of 2003, as I wept thinking about Jessica, God showed me a vision.  Jesus was facing me, His arms open wide.  I ran to Him and He wrapped His arms around me.  I felt such love and I knew that He loved me. God was preparing me for the days ahead as Wilbur dealt with his vision loss.  To help him, I took him for car rides and took photos of awesome scenery.  I have made hundreds of cards from those photos. What a joy it is to give those cards to others.  Here is a copy of one of those cards original size 2x3.5. (below) Little did I know when I started making the cards that during a pandemic the encouragement they would bring to others.  My surgeon summed it up when I gave her a copy of this card, “Thank you.  This is what we truly need.”  I wonder if I would have started making my cards if Wilbur hadn’t experienced the deterioration of his sight.   

“Yes, I have learned to thank God in the worst of times.   He was with me thought all of them and has given me great joy!

... About Discouragement

Photo taken by Lela Hartranft

The other day I became discouraged.  While I was paying some bills I noticed that someone had committed fraud in my name maxing out one of my credit cards.  I spend hours trying to work through all the issues that were created by the perpetrator’s act. I was annoyed that I had to deal with the incident and was using up time when I could have been doing something else.

I believe Satan wants us to get discouraged. He certainly doesn’t want us to be doing what God wants us to do. Consider this - In my post …about Encouraging Thoughts for Today – Trusting God I wrote that I make little cards from photos I have taken and give them to people I encounter when I am out-and-about.  Here is what happened the other day - One of the local stores I shop at from time to time gives out coupons for $5 off for purchases totally $25 or more when purchased on a certain day.  So I decided to take advantage and went to the store on the designated day.  I handed the clerk the coupon before he began ringing up the items.  When I arrived home and checked my receipt I noticed the $5 had not been deducted from the total cost of the items. Later in the day I returned to the store and waited in line to see the cashier. A gentleman ahead of me noticed the mask I was wearing and he commented about it.  I told him I had taken the photo and made the mask.  I told him I also made lots of little cards from photos I take.  I took one out of my purse and handed it to him.  He thanked me, read it, and put it in his pocket.  But then I noticed as he waited while the clerk was ringing up his items he had taken the card out of his pocket and was reading it again.  I could have gotten annoyed and discouraged about having to go back to the store to get the $5 discount or not even gone back to the store.  Instead a gentleman had been encouraged by a little act of kindness.  What if I would have gotten my $5 discount earlier in the day or what if I had not made my mask?

copy of mask made by Lela Hartranft

Now two more people have been added to my prayer list, the perpetrator and the gentleman in the store. I pray that somehow they will come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Of course Satan does not want me giving out my cards and praying for other.   I overcame my discouragement and my heart is filled will joy!  Have you been discouraged lately? Consider the words (especially "We should never be discouraged") of the hymn What a Friend We Have in Jesus (below.)

copy of card given to the gentleman in the store

What a Friend We Have in Jesus 

by Joseph M. Scriven

All photos taken by Lela Hartranft

 

…about Encouraging Thoughts for Today – Trusting God

With the Presidential Election only days away, it has become apparent that people are fearful, worried and concerned about the future.  The Bible is clear as to how we should live and how we should face the future. In the days and weeks ahead, I will be sharing Scriptures and words of hymns and songs regarding HOPE, WORRY, FEAR, TROUBLES, NEEDS, etc. to encourage you as we live during these uncertain times.

I make little cards from photos I have taken and give them to people I encounter when I am out-and-about. Recently I gave my surgeon and her assistant a copy of the card shown below. Their eyes lit up and with much gratitude my surgeon said, “This is what we need.  Thank you so much.” 

We need to trust God.  Here are some verses about trusting God. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him (Psalm 37:5 NIV.) Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord (Psalm 40:4 NIV.) When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid. (Psalm 56:3-4 NIV.) Whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe. (Proverbs 29:25 NIV.) God will take care us.   Below are the words to the hymn Day by Day and the Bible verses Proverbs 3:5-6.  Be encouraged!

… About the best part of my return trip to Grand Cayman

Knowing my pastor enjoys going to the beach and swimming in the ocean, I was not surprised when he said he would have liked to have been “packed into our luggage” when Wilbur, Melissa and I went to Grand Cayman.

As much as I like the beach and ocean there were four things I wanted to do that were a top priory
for me.  I wanted to reconnect with Lena’s and my nanny, Rachel, go to the church property where we had lived and attended church where my parents had been missionaries, see my childhood friend, and go to North Side.  A member of the church had started a church in North Side and I wanted to see it.

I had so much to do before our trip that I didn’t have much time to think about the trip or get excited about it before hand.  When the plane landed on the island, it was like coming home.  I was thrilled to have finally gotten back.   I was two years old when I had first arrived there.  So there is where my memories began.  We left when I was six.  It had been a very happy time for me.

We spend most of Saturday sightseeing.  We drove from one end of the island to the other end.  We

A stop along the Caribbean Sea

included a stop in North Side but we didn’t find the church.  We walked on isolated beaches and looked for seashells.  We enjoyed watching the sunsets. Saturday night we meet Rachel and she and one of her friends took us to an awesome restaurant by the sea.  What a joy it was to have been able to see her again and to give her a hug.  We had a wonderful time reminiscing.  Rachel no longer drives; so her friend took us on a tour of George Town.  She showed us the hospital where I had spend time when I had diphtheria and when I had played in a patch of maiden plum and my eyes had swelled shut.  All too soon our time with Rachel and her friend ended.

But the most awesome experience of all was going to church on Sunday morning.  My life-long dream had come true.  The buildings are different than when our family had lived there.  As much as I like walking on the beach, walking down the aisle of the church

Rachel and Lela inside the church

was much more wonderful than the walks we had taken on the beach.  As much as I like the sound of the of the sea waves hitting the shore, I enjoyed hearing the choir and congregational singing so much more.  As much as I like watching the sun set over the water, observing the worshippers praising God and communing with Him meant so much more to me.  During the service the pastor introduced Wilbur, Melissa and I to the congregation, telling them that I was Rev. and Mrs. Marion Walker’s daughter.  He asked how many people still remembered my parents.  I was amazed when almost half of the people raised their hands. After the service we chatted with a lot of those people.  One lady said she had been my sister, Elda’s best friend.  Elda was 10 when we had left the island.  One gentleman told me he had gone to school with my brother, Lee who was 12 when we moved.  Now 60 years later, they were still part of the church.  They had remained faithful to God all these years. How incredible it is that they, their children and grandchildren make up the church. I had one disappointment.  I did not get to see my childhood friend due to a funeral in her family.

The pastor then gave me a tour of the church property. The church the congregation is now using for

The church on Grand Cayman

worship is the fourth that has been built due to destruction caused by hurricanes.  How resilient are God’s children!  As I stood outside the church, I thought the property had been much larger than I was now seeing it.  I decided that was because I had been small when we had lived there and everything was larger than life.  But then we walked behind the church.  What I saw took my breath away. Ah yes, the property was as large as I had remembered.  However, a Christian Academy for grades 1 to 12 occupies the yard where my siblings and I had played. There was even an apartment building for members of the staff.

On February 12, I led Prayer Meeting at my church.  For my text I had chosen the Scripture, “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’  We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”  (Matthew 25:40; Romans 12:6-8 NIV)

As I presented my message I could not help but think about the trip I had just taken and about the time my family had lived on Grand Cayman. I thought about my parents serving as missionaries

Walker family on Grand Cayman

back - Rev. Marion and Elda Walker

front - Lela, Lee, Elda, Lena

there. I talked about the different gifts St. Paul had listed. For prophesying I discussed the verses, “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’ But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, ‘Lord, who has believed our message?’” (Romans 10:14-16) “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.” (2 Tim. 4:2 NIV)  And that’s what my daddy had done on the island.  He had preached and he loved to preach! The pastor of the church on Grand Cayman had the same passion and enthusiasm that my daddy had when he preached.  Melissa remarked had much alike the pastor and her grandfather were. How cool is that?

For Serving I had chosen these Scriptures: “Serve one another humbly in love.” (Galatians 5:13 NIV) “Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do.” (Ephesians 6:7-8 NIV) “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”’ (Rom.12:1 NIV)

I realized that my parents had truly made a sacrifice to go to an obscure island (only 21 miles long and 7 miles wide) to proclaim the gospel to a group of people who needed to know God loved them.  My parents were away from everything that was familiar to them.  There was no electricity (other than some lights we were able to have from a portable generator) no hot running water, no indoor bathroom, no air conditioning, etc., and no phone to call home!  We lived in West Bay, where the seven mile beach starts.  Our home was less than a block from the sea.  My daddy went swimming almost every day to cool off!

On our flight home, we were first to board the plane due to Wilbur’s limited eye sight.  The pilot was still in the cabin when we entered.  I told him a bit about our visit.  I will never forget the four words he said to me when I concluded telling him about all the people in the church who remembered our family - “Wonderful people are remember.”  My daddy had preached well and my parents had served well. Little did I know when I had chosen the Scriptures for the lesson for February 12th, how our trip to Grand Cayman would bring those verses in perspective regarding the time our family had lived there. I know my daddy has received his reward and it won’t be much longer until my mother joins him in heaven and she receives her reward.  I am grateful to the pastors who came after our family left the island and had ministered to all the wonderful people (I had remembered many of them) attending the church.  Their service to our wonderful Lord and Savior will be rewarded.

Our trip to Grand Cayman was way beyond anything I could have imagined.  Walking on the beach, wading in the sea, hearing the waves, and watching the sunsets had been amazing; but being with the people of the church was absolutely incredible.  God’s church made up of people who love Him is thriving on the island of Grand Cayman! I am so grateful I got to go back to my childhood home.  My heart just overflows with joy!   I look forward to seeing all of them including my childhood friend in heaven!  “Be faithful, even to the point of death, and [Christ] will give you life as your victor’s crown…The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.” (Revelation 8:10-11 NIV)

…about Encouraging Thoughts for Today – 002

I am writing this on Wednesday April 1^st.   Under normal conditions, I would have gone to Prayer Meeting at my church this evening.  Instead I spend some time in prayer, spent time with my husband and called my mother who is alone most of the time.   I pass along prayer requests to my mother especially for people she knows and ask her to pray for them.  For those of us who are following the stay-at-home policies, it’s very easy to get bored and wonder what we can do.  I encourage you to pray for others. We read in the scriptures, “Pray for each other... The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16 NIV)  There are certainly a lot of people who could use our prayers, those on the front lines who are aiding the sick, those who are providing services for others, those who have gotten sick, those whose loved ones are sick, those who have lost loved ones, those who have lost their jobs or their business, those who are alone and cannot have visitors and those who cannot visit loved ones. We can pray for our family members, our church family, our friends and our neighbors. We can prayer for our leaders in government and for the leaders in our churches. The hymn When you Pray (words below, I was unable to determine the author) encourages us to pray for each other.

At the close of the day, when you kneel to pray Will you remember me?
I need help every day, this is why I pray Will you remember me? 
When you pray, will you pray for me For I need His love and His care 
When you pray, will you pray for me Will you whisper my name in your prayer?

At the close of the day, when I kneel to pray I will remember you 
You need help every day, this is why I pray And I will remember you 
When I pray, I will pray for you For you need His love and His care 
When I pray, I will pray for you I will whisper your name in my prayer