Betty Danner

I thank God for the privilege to tell the old, old Story and that it is real to me. I have proved it for a number of years and have never found anything that looked bright enough to take me away from God’s service.

My blessings began early in life. About fifty years ago, my parents heard the Gospel. They were living in a coastal town, when one of the members of the Apostolic Faith Church came out there telling the old story of Jesus. My folks pulled up stakes and we moved to Portland, Oregon. My mother’s health was bad, but God healed her when she was very low with heart trouble and asthma. He gave her many years in this place.

I was brought up in the light of the Gospel, and as I went on through life I found that it takes more than being born into a Christian home to make a Christian out of a person. The temptations and trials of life are more than anyone could bear without Jesus. I am glad I found that out early in life.

One day, on the campground, during a children’s meeting, I experienced a heavy load of conviction. I cried out to Jesus from the depths of my heart and said that if He would make a change in me that I could see—something that would prove real—I would give Him the longest day I ever lived.

God has helped me to keep that vow. Through happiness, sadness, and whatever came my way, I have never found that I wanted to turn Jesus aside.

I have had many joys, and there have been times of sorrow too. I had some severe illnesses when young—scarlet fever, diphtheria, several kinds of measles—but we had the Great Physician. He was always there and brought me through.

I found that I could live a Christian life in school, among other young people. I have also found that Jesus is able to keep me living that life out in the business world every day. I work with many other young women and men. I can never cease to thank God that I had the privilege of being brought up in a Christian home, for when I look at other young people around me at work, it seems as if they have not had the chance that I had. Their homes seem to be full of trouble, and consequently, they have gone out into sin. They have practically ruined their lives. God has shielded me from many things, and I thank Him for that.

A relative has, many times, tried to get me to go the way of the world with them. They would be glad if I joined them in worldly pleasures, but I have found joy, peace, and happiness in the Gospel. I have friends in the Gospel that I wouldn’t exchange for a million friends in the world.

It makes my heart leap with gratitude to the God of Heaven that He has saved me and put this joy and peace in my heart. I have found satisfaction in serving Jesus that the world could never give me. I wish everyone could have it. I can recommend it to any young person.

I thank God for His healing power that I have felt in my body many times. He healed me when the doctor turned from the room and walked out and as much as said that there was no hope. God’s people held on for me and God healed me. I believe He raised me up so that I could be of service to Him. I do not want to fall down on the job, but want to consecrate my life to God as I never have before and be used of Him. He has showered my life with blessings.

About a year ago I had whiplash. Someone hit the back of our car. I didn’t realize at the time that anything was wrong, but after a few days, I was getting up at night and walking the floor with terrific headaches. I could barely stand it, but I put off being prayed for.

One Sunday night, I went up on the platform and two ministers prayed the prayer of faith, and that night the Lord gave me rest. The pain was gone; He had healed me. My neck is better than it has been for years. For years it seemed as though I had arthritis in my neck and I could hardly turn my head. But I haven’t had any problem since that night that they prayed.

Recently my husband was very ill, writhing in pain. Again we called on Jesus. It took a little while, but our faith held on, we kept praying, and Jesus undertook. I was sick the last week of camp meeting, and then an ugly growth appeared. It was very painful and something I had never had before. I asked the ministers to anoint and pray for me as we are instructed in James 5. I wasn’t healed right away and went the second time to be prayed for. Then, at the ordinance service of the Lord’s Supper, near the close of camp meeting, God touched me. It took about a month for it to clear up entirely, but now it is all gone but for a little scar.

I have found in Jesus One whom I can trust—someone to lean upon. I want to serve Him as long as I live.