I have been married for over fifty years to a wonderful Christian husband, and  have three children and five grandchildren who all love the Lord.  We feel overwhelmed by His many blessings. 

Love of the Lord and Poetry

I accepted the Lord and was baptized when I was nine years old, and I have loved Him and tried to serve Him all my life. I started writing poems when I was a child, and when I was in High School I was on the school paper staff and wrote poems for the school paper. I attended Biola, and wrote poems for their school paper also. I have had many poems published in books, magazines, papers and periodicals (even had one published in 'Dear Abby'). I have won several prizes for my poetry. I have sold many personal poems written for special occasions, and for some time I sold poems in decorated frames to Christian Bookstores around Southern California (even Knott's Berry Farm.) But mainly I use my poems as a ministry to help hurting people and to share my faith with them. My poems are mostly all traditional -- just simple words with the simple Gospel of Christ -- and they are dedicated to the Lord. If anyone can be blessed by them, there is nothing more I could ask.

Important Lessons the Lord has taught me!

Many times the things that seem to be our greatest tragedies turn out to be our greatest blessings. Our times of adversity are times when the Lord wants to show us His love and comfort, and to help us learn the lessons He wants to teach us.

As I look back over my life, certain events stand out, and from them I have learned many important lessons that have helped to shape the way I live.

I was born during the Depression Years when money was scarce. But I learned during those lean years that the Lord will always take loving care of me and supply my needs; and I can depend on His help in every situation. "My God shall supply all your needs, according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19

As a child the thing I most desired was to have a father who would love me and always be there for me, but my father abandoned me when I was very young. Nevertheless, I learned that the Lord is the most wonderful and loving Father anyone could ever have, and He will never leave me nor forsake me. "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." 2 Corinthians 6:18 "I will never leave you nor forsake you." Hebrews: 13:5

When I was seven years old I barely escaped a sexual predator and kidnapper, and I realized the Lord had sent His angels to protect me and keep me from harm. "He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. They shall lift you up in their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone." Psalm 91:11,12

When I was nine years old I committed my life to Jesus. I learned about forgiveness, and that He is able to keep me close, and will give me faith to believe all His promises. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." I John 1:9 "For by grace are you saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8,9

My childhood included attendance at several sorrowful funerals, but death became especially real during High School. Five of my closest friends were killed instantly when a train hit their car. I was reminded that life is fleeting, and we must redeem the time so we will be ready to meet the Lord. "Man is like a breath; his days are a fleeting shadow." Psalm 144:4 "See that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time because the days are evil." Ephesians 5:15,16

I once thought my heart was broken because of the loss of a young love, but I discovered the Lord never takes something away unless He gives something better in return. So he blessed me with the precious man who has been my loving husband for over fifty years. And my children have had the wonderful, loving father that I never had. "Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4

Recently our house was robbed, and a short time later my car was stolen and never recovered. But I found that earthly possessions are not important, and our true treasures are hidden in the Lord. "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Matthew 6:19,21

I have suffered the alienation of a sibling because of some vicious lies that were told about me, but I now foresee that even though we suffer on this earth, some day God's books will be opened and the truth will be known. "For Christ's sake I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:10

Three times I have observed personal problems of pastors I have loved, and I have watched the body of Christ suffer because of them. But I now understand how important it is for me to pray every single day for our church and for our pastor, so Satan will never be able to gain a foothold. This is my prayer for my Pastor: "I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe." Ephesians 1:16-19

I have said goodbye to many family members and friends who have gone to be with the Lord, but I know Heaven will be even more wonderful because I will meet them some day, and we will all live forever in Heaven with the Lord. "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints." Psalm 116:15 "Absent from the body. present with the Lord." 2 Corinthians 5:8. "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love Him." I Corinthians 2:9

Yes, I have watched tragedies turn into triumphs, losses become gains, and defeats emerge as victories. I am now being prompted with each disappointment to say: "Lord, what would You have me learn from this?" "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto you own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your
paths." Proverbs 3:5,6


Betty Jo Mings

Back to Main Index Page

You are visitor

FastCounter by bCentral