"In the Cross, in the Cross, be my glory ever....'til my ransomed soul shall find, rest beyond the river."  A song that brings me peace.  Just to sing this phrase, ever so softly, meditating on the gentleness of our Savior, holding its meaning in my heart, puts my mind at rest.  I am a Christian woman who has been walking with Jesus for 32 years.  And for 29 of those years, I have been a Southern Baptist pastor's wife, raising three children, and enjoying 2 grandchildren (thus far).  All my children have grown into adults.  The years have been good to me; they have also been very trying at times.  My heart has rejoiced exceedingly; and my heart has ached with sorrow.  You hear Christians talking about living on the mountain top with God, and then finding themselves walking in the valley.  The valley.  The lonely, tearful valley.  You also hear many Christians say that as they walked through the valley, they found that Jesus is there too!  And it is true.  Jesus is always with us no matter where we are!  He watches over us, walks with us, and always holds His arms of comfort out to us.  His Holy Spirit resides in us to give us direction at all times.  He is our Refuge and our Strength.  Jesus has proven Himself over and over to me.  I have gone in the valley, several times, finding Him there; finding His comfort and strength, finding His answers to my particular situations.  He then takes me to the mountain top where I have enjoyed wonderful fellowship with Him in victorious ministries, and good times with family and friends. And then it will happen again....something will test my faith, and I am ashamed to say that I too easily forget how our Wonderful Savior has proven Himself to me in the past.  I will fall into self-pity, and withdraw from the life He has given me.  I accomplish nothing in those days.  I eventually become depressed, and in the valley I go.  BUT the great I AM is there, lifting me up, reassuring me of His love for me and of His plans for me.  I am so grateful!  So here I am, 54, a pastor's wife, and life experiences that have taught me how big our Savior is.  He has saved me from eternal death in hell,  He has broken the chains of fear, despair, and anguish that were wrapped around my heart, and He has filled me up with His Love.  He makes me complete and fully content.  I write this blog because I am done with keeping Jesus a secret.  Yes, I am guilty of not telling the good news about Jesus to anyone.  Oh, I do in the church setting.  I have taught youth and children in Sunday School and Wednesday evening classes.  But my life outside the church doors I have kept busy with work, errands, and family-time.  My reason has been "busyness".  But God knows better.  I have been worried about the response.  I was afraid of rejection.  Meanwhile, I have watched our nation steadily reject God and His principles, as I shook my head, prayed "God, help us!",  and marched my soon-to-be-judged message to my fellow Christians where?  Inside the church walls of course!  Well, no more chicken-little!  I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ.  He is the Light and Hope for everyone who believes.  He is our Hope!!!!!  There is no doom for the believer!  I am committed to living out Jesus, in my actions and my words.  It is not too late for America!  Oh how I love America!  As long as our country exists, it is not too late.  God promised us, "if my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."  Brothers and Sisters in Christ:  we need to rise up!  We need to lift our voices and tell of His wonderful grace and mercy!  Too many of us are guilty of keeping Jesus a secret and are stagnant in our life.   Bloom where you are planted.  Reach out, and pray for God's Spirit to sweep your community with His salvation and revival to the saints.  Let us witness Christ to be Lord of America!  Start now, not later, now!  My hope for this blog is to ignite a fire among the Chicken Littles out there.  Will you join me?  May God be your Hope!