Monday's Encouragement

This weekend really turned out despite the rain and cold weather. Though our youth missed out on most of the activities at the event, we were able to bond by just spending time together. In our own private Sunday morning service at the hotel, my husband talked to the youth about unity, about our hope being in Christ and in the end He encouraged the teens to pray for us as a ministry and for our relationship with our Lord. Each one of teens came to the front of the room and got on their knees before our Lord. They did get to see Jesus this weekend even though it didn't go as we had planned. It went as God had planned. We didn't get in the way with "the schedule" of the event. Thank you Jesus.

I don't know why but I have awaken with a discouraged heart. Though many good things surround me, some troubled areas are weighing heavy on me today. My scripture reading came from I Corinthians chapter one and I was reminded that even though there are areas of my life that need fine tuning, prayers that need to be answered, it is only through the power of the cross that I am to walk into each day-despite the heaviness that seems to be with me. I give this piece of scripture to any reader who stops by today as an encouragement for your week:

"For Christ didn’t send me to baptize, but to preach the Good News—

and not with clever speech, for fear that the cross of Christ would lose its power."

~1 Cor. 1:17

Like Paul, the author of these verses, let us enter into this week not on our own accord but on God's accord, being a testimony of the power of the cross. It is not of ourselves that we journey through each day but through the power of God's mercy and grace. May we walk in boldness of the cross (Ephesians 6:19) and yet in humility of who we are in Christ. As you look at your calender and all this week holds for you, do not be discouraged or overwhelmed by all you need to do and or sadden by what didn't happen from the past week. God has called us to be where we are, to face whatever comes our way and to meet it head on in His power. A testimony of His love and grace.

Claim the attitude of "Yes Lord" today. I am.

In His Graces~Pamela

Young Christian Weekend

Prayer Request...for anyone who happens to stop by...we are in Branson Missouri for the "Young Christan Weekend" with our church youth group we lead. We have had fun so far, the main events are today. The kids are pumped about meeting new teenagers, pray they will be pumped about seeing Jesus here. Pray we will be "young" enough to keep up with them and pray this rain will go away!! I am vain when it comes to my hair...ughhh!!

Thank you guys!!!

In His Graces~Pamela

Living Passionately for Christ

My sweet blog friend Yolanda (http://yolanda-highergrounds.blogspot.com/) sent me a prayer calendar. It has a characteristic to pray for within yourself for each day of the month. This calender has been such a blessing to me and to those I have sent it to (a big thank you Yolanda!!). What has also been sweet is how each characteristic I have prayed for according to the day has tied into my daily scripture or devotion reading. Today's word was PASSION-passion for the Lord.

A white-tailed deer drinks from the creek;

I want to drink God, deep draughts of God.

I'm thirsty for God-alive.

I wonder, "Will I ever make it— arrive and drink in God's presence?"

Psalm 42:1-2 (The Message)

On Monday March 24th in my blog entry "Do We Get it" I referenced how in Christ most critical moment of His life (Garden of Gethsemane), his disciples failed him and were not there for Him. Yet Jesus forgive them and they went on to experience God working powerfully through their lives. If you are like me, you too find times in which you fail Christ. The Blackaby's in their devotion for today from Experiencing God Day-By-Day stated "God is gracious; He forgives, and He provides other opportunities. He even uses our failings to bring about good, but it is critical that we respond in obedience to every prompting from God. God does not need our obedience; He has legions of angels prepared to do His bidding when we fail Him. The loss is ours as we miss what God wants to do in our lives".

Responding to God requires that we live passionately for Him. I know in my heart I am passionately in love with my Lord and I pray daily to love Him more but I was challenged to look at my actions..my words..my thoughts. Do I actively live passionately for Him? Obedience is a result of passionately loving and living for our God. An abundant life results from passionate acts of service and devotion for our Lord. If we are to be "YES" women for God, we are called to live spiritually passionately in body, mind, and spirit today, tomorrow, and in all things.

Lord help me to live in passion for you. Help me to reflect the inner love of my heart in my actions. In this world of evil and darkness, help me to radiate the light of you and your salvation, forgiveness, grace, mercy and love. I love you but I want to love you more. I want to see you today. I want to hear you today. I want to know you and live radically for you today and always. Amen.

In His Graces~Pamela

Saying Yes to God

In my friends Lelia's blog Bible study http://leliachealey.blogspot.com/ from What Happens When Women Say YES to God by Lysa TerKeurst (http://lysaterkeurst.blogspot.com/), a question was posed in the first chapter "A Soul that Longs for More":
What is holding you back from going deeper in your relationship with God? Time? Intimidation? Not feeling like the Bible applies to you everyday life? Seems to hard?

I must say without pride or conceit, time is not a problem. Since I fell in that pit 4 years ago I have consistently started each morning in quiet time with God-reading scripture, reading devotionals, praying and journaling. I know that every time I open my Bible, there will be something there that applies to my life. And yes the Christan life is hard but it is full of so much joy. What I struggle the most with in this question is intimidation!

Intimidation is to "to make timid; fill with fear, to force into or deter from some action by inducing fear". That is what prevents me from going deeper...the fear of doing what God calls me to do. The fear that I can do it, to know how unworthy I am and though forgiven, why would God use me? How can I be a testimony when I have sinned as I have?

My devotional today referenced Peter's failure to stand with Christ at His most critical time-His walk to Calvary. Jesus knew Peter would fail Him but He made provisions for Him just the same. And He drew Peters attention not to the failure but to what He was calling Peter to do: "When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep." The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep" (John 21:15-17).

God knows my every thoughts, my every action, even before I act or speak. He has known all my failures before they occurred and He continues to love me to call me to "Feed My sheep". It is not about my failures, it is about what I can allow God to do "in and through me". He can take my unworthiness, "my ordinary life and do extraordinary things". Intimidation will have no hold on me if I "live in radical obedience to God", that is "Biblical obedience"-seeking Him daily, loving Him more, becoming more like Him. This has become my daily prayer:

"God, I want to see You.

God, I want to hear You.

God I want to know You.

God I want to follow hard after You.

And even before I know what I will face today,

I say YES to YOU."

~Lysa TerKeurst

"Whatever God says do, DO IT!"

In His Graces~Pamela

PS: I am registered for the 'She Speaks' conference with Proverbs 31 Ministry in NC. The cost is going to be well over $1000 for me. I have been nominated for a special recognition in an area I am professionally and personally involved in. The money-$1000!!-I would receive from this can be used any way. Pray that I will be awarded this recognition/scholarship so I can use it towards this conference!! Thanks!!

Do we really get it?

I have had the opportunity to return back to my roots of nursing this weekend. Instead of teaching nursing, I returned to the bedside, to be Jesus to the ill. It was such a blessing. But my mind is tired. I have chosen to do the night shift once a week or so to "keep up with my skills" and so as I have awaken to this day, I am feeling a bit numb. This 44 year old body isn't use to this schedule change.

What an emotionally and spiritually draining weekend this Easter was also. I wonder if we need to be reminded daily of what Christ physically went through in His journey to the cross. Would it help us to "get it"? Would if help us to be more faithful, more devoted, more obedient to Him? In my devotional today I was taken to Mark 14: 35: "He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed".

The Blackaby's wrote in today's reading from 'Experiencing God Day-By-Day' that some Christians are satisfied with only having a surface relationship with Christ. I thought about our Easter morning church service. There were so many there. Families had gather together in the house of God, many came through the doors that cannot seem to make it any other time then the holidays and my heart breaks for them. Do they not get it? Can they not feel God's tug at their heart that says "Hey-I am here for you, I want you to get to know me. Let me love you!".

These authors then went on to describes Christ sacred prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. Though His followers had gone into this garden with Him, they were indifferent to His needs. They did not comprehend the urgency of the hour and the fact that Christ needed them and their support. They didn't get it and they were close enough to Him to touch His flesh and sense His emotions. "At the greatest moment of intercession in human history", Blackaby writes, "there was no one willing to go with Jesus and watch with Him". Jesus ended up praying alone in His anguish. In reading this, the Spirit's voice asked my heart, would I have been any different? Am I any different today? Oh, how I would hope that I would have been right beside Jesus, lifting Him up to His father praying "Abba, Father... everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will." (verse 36).

Would I have been willing to go with Him? Isaiah 59:16 states: "He saw that there was no one, he was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so his own arm worked salvation for him, and his own righteousness sustained him". Am I willing today to yield everything to Him? Am I willing to go deeper in my prayer life with Him? Am I willing to sacrifice sleep to spend time in His word so that I might love Him deeper? Am I willing to serve Him with a servants heart?

"Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men.."

Ephesian 6:7

God, grant me a servants heart that I may serve wholeheartedly. Help me to take You into every moment of my life, to experience the sacredness of You as the angels experienced you in that garden on that night you said Yes to God, "Your will be done".

Let us not forget what Christ went through for us. I am tired from being up all night, I can only imagine where Christ strength came from as He walked out of that garden. Let us not turn our thoughts away from the physical and emotional suffering He endured so that we might have eternal life. Let not a day go by in which you are not grateful for the blood that leads to our redemptive grace. Get it! Live for Him! What more can we do because of what He did for us?

In His Graces~Pamela

PS--Ladies, if you want to be a "yes" lady for your Lord, I encourage you to go to my friend Lelia's blog-"Write from the Heart" (http://leliachealey.blogspot.com/) for a blog Bible study she is starting tomorrow from the book "What Happens When Women Say Yes To God" by Lysa TerKeurst. It is a life changing book and you can get it easily at most Christain book stores, Proverbs 31 Ministries (http://proverbs31.gospelcom.net/index.php) or amazon.com! Don't miss out!!

The Easter Lily

My mind was drawn to the Easter lily this morning. I am not sure why except I plan to put some artificial ones in my new brick planter in the front of my house this morning. It's a beautiful flower. I looked up it's significance for the Easter holiday as I am not fully aware of it (and if I was, I had forgotten). So, I will share with you what has been laid on my heart in this.

The Easter Lily is the beautiful trumpet-shaped white flower which symbolizes purity, virtue, innocence, hope, strength, and life—the spiritual essence of Easter. History, mythology, literature, poetry and the world of art are full of stories and images that speak of the beauty and majesty of this elegant white flower. Easter lilies have been called the “white-robed apostles of hope,” as they were found growing in the Garden of Gethsemane after Christ’s agony. Tradition has it that the beautiful white lilies sprung up where drops of Christ’s sweat fell to the ground in his final hours of sorrow and deep distress. This is why churches continue to bank their altars and surround their crosses with masses of Easter Lilies during the Easter season.

It is a commemoration to the resurrection of Jesus Christ and hope of life everlasting. Is He not all the things that the Easter lily represents and more-love, purity, virtue, innocence, hope, strength, life, grace, forgiveness? It is the reflection of the cross which symbolizes God's abundance in our life.

And God is able to make all grace abound to you,

so that in all things at all times,

having all that you need,

you will abound in every good work.

~2 Corinthians 9:8

When you seek to serve God in whatever area He has called you, you will find God's grace there to support you, to lift you up, to carry you and to strengthen you-abundance. Is that not what we want, what we seek each morning when we open our Bibles and pray-abundance of God in our life?

Donna Partow in her book "Becoming the Women I Want To Be" stated the following:

"If we want love, then we must be loving

If we want to find our life purpose, then we must lose our lives

If we want power, the we must pray

If we want peace, then we must trust

If we want wisdom, then we must study God's Word

If we want spiritual growth, then we must cultivate spiritual discipline

If we want emotional healing, then we must forgive others and repent of our sins

If we want joy, then we must be grateful

If we want health, then we must care for our body

If we want financial security, then we must tithe, save, and stay out of debt

If we want victory over sin, then we must establish accountability and actively fight temptation

If we want abundant life, then we must walk in obedience"

You can't get your "wants" without the "doing", they go hand-in-hand. We were created by the the same maker of the Easter Lily and we are called to be just as radiant. As you glaze on these beautiful flowers this Easter season, humbly reflect on the sacrifice of Christ and the abundance God has provided for you in your life. Reflect on on your spiritual journey and the beautiful relationship you now have with Him. Be thankful for Christ blood, His resurrection and this gift of redemptive grace.

As I have surfed through these sweet blogs over this spring break, I have been blessed by so many women who are spiritually alive, seeking to serve God, and ministering to others. Your hearts remind me of the beauty of the Easter Lily. Each one of you encourage me with your heart of love, purity, virtue, innocence, hope, strength, life, grace, and forgiveness. In this season may you "Give to the LORD the glory due His name..." and may you "...Bring an offering, and come before Him... and ladies, we are called to "...Oh, worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness! (1 Chronicles 16:29).

Have a blessed Easter celebration in Christ!

In His Graces~Pamela

In Other Words....

I am joining in the "In Other Words meme" having been blessed by Kelley's comments on her blog at http://aromaofjoy.blogspot.com/. As I read this quote I was immediately taken to thoughts of the testimony of God's grace in my life and the time when I found Him. Due to actions of my own will, I found myself very much alone and in brokenness and with a desperate cry out to God, He showed Himself to me in a way I have never known Him before. I longed for a friend to help me through the tough time and instead I heard Him say "No, you need ME". So I searched to know Him better by reading scripture, digging into Bible studies that related to my situation and journaling. It wasn't until I allowed God to be center in my life, my heart, that He sent me a very dear friend (Shelby) to help me walk the rest of the way through that painful journey. Sometimes those times of loneliness are the best times because it is where we find God and learn to depend on Him. His amazing grace broke my chains, lifted me out of the pit I had put myself into and set me on new ground with Him, a new place to serve Him, a new life to serve Him in. My testimony now serves to glorify Him and I am so humbled. As long as life endures-I hold onto this amazing redemptive grace and I thank my God for loving me so much to allow me to find Him like I have. God is good-God is great! If He can transform my life-how much more can He do in your life?

I waited patiently for the LORD;

He turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire;

He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.

Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.

~Psalm 40:1-3

In His Graces~Pamela

Being a Women of Influence

I read a quote over the weekend that I want to share with you this morning...

When I stand before God at the end of my life,

I hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left

and could say. "I used everything You gave me."

~Erma Bombeck

Now that describes a women of influence, don't you think? So the big question for this week is, "Am I using everything thing, every talent God has given me, to influence others towards God?". Does my life speak of one that would define what it is to be a contagious christian, a women of influence? Do I constantly stretch myself towards the heavenly? Am I growing each day to be more like Him? Do I make myself available to Him, seeing life as He has called me to see it? Do I believe that God can do anything in and through me?

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,

according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory...

~Ephesians 3:20, 21a

No matter the journey we have been on and the journey we are in, God knows us, He knows our needs and He is motivated on our behalf. He cares about our heart, our ministry, our family and He will lead us in each of these. When our family or friends let us down, He will be there. When we are feeling struck down or in despair, He is our strength and our power.

But we have this treasure in jars of clay

to show that this all-surpassing power is from God

and not from us.

We are hard pressed on every side,

but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;

persecuted, but not abandoned;

struck down, but not destroyed.

We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus,

so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.

~2 Corinthians 4:7-10

Only in God and God alone can we find our satisfaction in life. Only in God and God alone is contentment. It is in relying on Him, laying ourselves down before Him and admitting we are nothing without Him that we can experience His true workmanship in our lives and be an influence for His glory. A women of influence is a women of integrity and integrity is measured not by other peoples standards but by God's standards. When no one else is looking and God is, what does He see?

"It's never too late to be what you might have been"

~George Eliot"

This weekend my husband and I had a wonderful time of renewal in each other as we celebrated our anniversary in a remote log cabin but we also had a wonderful time of renewal in Christ as we spent many hours in spiritual study. Satan was quick to hit us with his ugliness once we returned home-but I have to be careful to not let these obstacles of Satan sidetrack me from whom I am in God. He has called me to first of all love Him with all my heart and mind-and I do. He has also called me to serve Him and my family as a women of grace, a women of influence, a wife, a mother and a stepparent. He has called me to be Jesus in this world, despite the obstacles, despite the roadblocks, despite anything negative I am faced with. God loves me. He has shown me His mercy and grace and it is only in this I can move forward and know that I can be a women of influence through Him! I can refuse to be blindsided by Satan's actions against me and live in the joy of Christ. Today, I choose to be Jesus in this cold and ugly world. I choose to be a women of influence to all those I am around.

What do you chose today? Will you allow Satan's negativity to ruin your day-the kid's attitudes, the housework that seems to never give you relief, the illness that is trying to steal your strength, the weariness of the weather or those hormones we have been blessed with? Or will you choose to be a women of influence and be Jesus in your world today?

In His Graces~Pamela

"Preach Jesus. If necessary, used words"

~Jo-Anne Cinanni

It's my anniversary!!

On this date, three years ago, God blessed me with a most wonderful friend, lover, and spiritual mate. It was a painful journey to this blessed marriage but well worth it. We have experienced so much together-I hope I can capture 50+ more years with him!! We are living proof of God's grace and how He can turn something bad (two failed marriages and divorce) into a work of His art. It reminded me of Psalm 31:7&8 "I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles, and you care about the anguish of my soul. You have not handed me over to my enemies but have set me in a safe place". Instead of living in the bitterness of what was before, we now live in the love, mercy, grace and forgiveness of Christ and in the blessings of a marriage only He could orchestrate. Gods love is so evident in our lives and we are so grateful to be serving Him together!

This weekend, my husband and I will run away to our favorite cabin in no-man's land for a little spiritual retreat and a little time of renewal for the love God has placed in our hearts for each other. This cabin is surrounded by tree's, an acre lake and is totally secluded. We will not only celebrate each other but we dedicate our time to celebrating Christ and what He has done in our life. Though there will be a lot of time appreciating each other, we will spend uninterrupted time worshiping, praying, and praising our God. If the weather is right, we will be soaking up His creation and breathing in the purities of our "Garden of Eve". It is our little taste of heaven and God is there. I can't wait to go! We won't take much-a change of clothes, our Bibles, and a book that will help us build our love relationship with Jesus. What more will we need?

I am honored to love and serve my husband. He is more of a man of integrity then he has ever been. I see God work in and through him and it gives me goose bumps! I watch God speak through Him at our youth meetings-I can tell when it's Joe speaking and when it's God-and I am humbled. I see a man being used by God and I am awed to be his helpmate. Joe tells me I compliment him, I pray that to always be true. Though God is his anchor, it is my prayer that I will be that object that steadies him as he journeys through life. I pray that I will forever meet Joe's needs and be his encourager. I see a man being called by God. He is being transformed for God's ministry and it is my prayer that I never get in the way but only support him to this calling.

A spiritual helpmate, a lover, a supporter, a wife, a mother and step-parent...this is my calling as Joe's wife. I pray God will give me the power and grace to be all these things, all the time, and to stand beside the man He has blessed me with.

Thank you Lord for such a wonderful husband and marriage. Use me and guide me in this marriage. Help me to always love Joe as You have ordained. You loved me and created me for this and it is in You only that I have learned how to truly love. I thank you for all the blessings You have given to us in this relationship, despite who we have been. I love You and I want to love You more. Help me to to also love and care for Joe as You meant when You created Eve for Adam. Guide Joe and I in this calling of service in ministry, and in our blended family-to be Your beacon of light in this dark world.

In Your graces~

Pamela

A Prayer from Isaiah 63

You, O Lord are my Father, my Redeemer, and I praise You (vs.16b). With shouts of praise from my heart and my mouth, I praise You. In Your mercy and love You have redeemed me. You have lifted me up from the pits of my past, You have carried me into the safety of Your redemptive grace (vs.9). You have led me into the plains of Your calling-an open field full of people who need to know about You. (vs.13) In You I have been given peace. In You I have been given rest (vs.14). I will tell of Your kindness to all You place in my path today. All that You have blessed me with must be told (vs.7). All that You have done in compassion and kindness in and through my life serves as a testimony of Your glorious name. Today I walk as a testimony for You and You alone Lord. I love You but I want to love You more!

Isaiah 63

(7)I will tell of the kindnesses of the LORD, the deeds for which he is to be praised,

according to all the LORD has done for us—yes, the many good things he has done

for the house of Israel, according to his compassion and many kindnesses...

(9)In all their distress he too was distressed,

and the angel of his presence saved them.

In his love and mercy he redeemed them;

he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old....

(13) Who led them through the depths?

Like a horse in open country, they did not stumble;
(14) like cattle that go down to the plain, they were given rest by the Spirit of the LORD.

This is how you guided your people to make for yourself a glorious name...

(16b)...O LORD, are our Father, our Redeemer from of old is your name.

Be blessed! If you are visiting from the "Ultimate blog hop" (http://www.5minutesformom.com/3055/ubp-08-party-post/)-stay a moment and get to know my heart and love for our God!! I will post more later for this!!

In His Graces~Pamela

I Corinthians 15:58

Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Recipe Exchange

Lysa Terkeurst from the Proverbs 31 Ministry has challenged us to bless each other with our favorite recipes. This is one of my families favorite meals. It sounds simple but it is oh so tasty!!

Italian Meatloaf Surprise

1lb ground turkey

1 lb ground beef

1 cup ketchup

2 Tbsp spicy mustard

2 egg whites

2 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp salt

Worcestershire sauce (to taste)

Soy sauce (to taste)

6 oz mozzarella shredded cheese

Combine all ingredients except the cheese. Press the meat mixture on greased wax paper into rectangular shape, approximately 1/2 inch thick. Top with cheese leaving a 1/2 inch border. Roll meat mixture from one end to the other-press ends and pat sides-should have a log appearance. Bake at 375 degrees for 55-60 minutes (thermometer inserted into middle should read 170 degrees). Top with ketchup and bake 10-15 minutes longer. Set for 15 minutes before serving. When cut, will resemble a jelly roll but has a pizza taste.

Serve with salad, grace and .....

Oven Baked Cheesy Ranch-n-Bacon Potatoes

8 oz sour cream

1 pkg Hidden Valley Ranch (dry mix)

8-10 medium red potatoes

4 tsp butter

1/2 C real bacon bits

1 c shredded Colby jack cheese

1/2 C chopped onions (optional)

Salt and Pepper to taste

Mix sour cream and Hidden Valley Ranch dry mix together. Set aside. Quarter potatoes; place in baking dish with melted butter. Add salt and pepper. Cover and bake at 400 degrees for 35-40 minutes until potatoes are cooked. Add bacon, cheese and sour cream mixture to cooked potatoes. Bake an additional 15-20 minutes uncovered. Serve warm.

This is a family pleasing meal! Enjoy!!

Go to http://lysaterkeurst.blogspot.com/ for more great recipes and to share your own!!

In His Graces~Pamela

"Get Ready-Get Set-Go!"

Today's scripture reading fell on that beautiful chapter of Isaiah 61. God must have known I would need this today. What a sweet reminder of the grace I have been clothed in and no matter the scars, the past mistakes and failures, He is redressing me in His jewels of mercy, love, forgiveness, justification and righteousness! He is growing me, blossoming me for His purpose, His calling-to be Christ in this world to those who are suffering. Oh how I delight in my God!

I delight greatly in the LORD;

my soul rejoices in my God.

For he has clothed me with garments of salvation

and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness,

as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,

and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
For as the soil makes the sprout come up

and a garden causes seeds to grow,

so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness

and praise spring up before all nations.

~Isaiah 61:10-11

Today's reading made me think of all us women who are going to "She Speaks" this June. We have said "yes" to His prompting in this-we have been planted. Though we will no doubt have fun and find new support and new friendships though this event, we are setting forth on a journey of transformation-a blossoming to being 'named ministers of our God' (Isaiah 61:6) in a new way. Though we serve Him now, we will serve Him more fully with the equipping of this conference. I'm ready-body, heart & mind ready. Whatever the cost, whatever the call. A minister for my God.

I am praying for all of us ladies. I am cheering us on..."Get ready-Get set-Go!" towards God's calling. We are in the get-ready phase. Lots of prayer, daily time in Bible study, complete commitment to preparing for this role. Before we know it, we will be entering the get-set phase as we board planes or travel by cars and take in all the blessing and training God has commanded Proverbs 31 to bring to us. I'm excited for us all!! I am excited for what He will reveal to each of us when we return home and "go!". Can you taste it? Do you envision it? Only though God and not of ourselves. I am praying for you!


In His Graces~Pamela

Stingy for God...Craving God

Do you ever go through times in which you feel "stingy" for God? I don't mean this in a bad way but in a way in which you just can't get enough of His goodness? I especially go through these times after God has done something special to show His grace, His love, His work in my life. Like last Friday. I am still humbled. I wish every day would be like that. Or can it?
I was almost in a "dumpy" spiritual mood, questioning if God's goodness was still as apparent as it was last Friday. I am not sure why except I realized that I wasn't looking at my life through the spiritual eyes He has given me. How easy it is to look away spiritually, if even for a second. But in one of my devotional readings this morning I was reminded of the verses He had given me to claim for this year from Isaiah 61:1-3:

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,

because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the LORD'S favor and the day of vengeance of our God,

to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—

to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,

the oil of gladness instead of mourning,

and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.

They will be called oaks of righteousness,

a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.

Though these verses describe Christ job description, it is the goal of my life this year to become more like Him. I felt Him say to me within these verses at the beginning of this year, "I have called you to minister to the broken hearted, to help them see how the ashes in their life can be beautiful though My grace". I know, I have experienced it fully in my own life. I want to be an oak of righteousness to display His splendor, to be planted for His service and to grow in Him, honoring Him in my words, in ministry, and in my heart. I am more of an introvert than an extrovert so this will require me to step out of my comfort zone. But whatever the cost-Here am I Lord.

Oh what a sweet reminder of what He has called us to do, to share His grace, His love, His Word. As I was reflecting on these verses, He reminded me of the situation Sunday at church in which He placed me in another women's path to minister to her in her pain. Lord I pray my words were Your words and she can see there is hope in You and You alone. Readers, please pray for my friend Vicki and the pain she is in right now. Pray for God's presence to overwhelm her in her loneliness of her failed marriage. Pray for her please.

My scripture reading this morning came from Isaiah 60 and the first few verses in this chapter warmed my heart out of the mood I was trying to fall into: "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you". We are called to be Jesus in this world. Whether it is to our husband, our children, or those who cross our path, we are to radiate Jesus. We are to be the light of His grace, His love, His healing, His salvation in this dark, dark, world. And what will that gain us? Read verses 5 "Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy..." His joy! Is He your joy? No matter the circumstances I stand in or am placed in, He is my joy! It continues to be my prayer that I will radiate His graces. It is my prayer that all who read this today will radiate Jesus.

Arise ladies, show forth the goodness of Christ in your life! I challenge everyone, myself included, to be a blessing today, despite everything around us in this dark, dark world!

In His Graces~Pamela

Detoxifying the Body, Mind & Soul, Part 3

Detoxifying the Soul
Having examine how lemon has the potential effects of detoxifying our body, what serve as the lemon for our soul? As we look into the mirror of our inner being, how healthy is our soul? What controls our inner being? The warm lemon water for our soul is God's word. Scripture is the detoxifying element of a healthy soul. Look and see......

• Deuteronomy 6: 5&6 instructs us to " Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts".
• Proverbs 4: 20-22 instructs us to listen closely to God's words, to be near to His instructions, to keep His word in our heart because His words are health to our body, mind and soul..... "My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to a man's whole body".
• Deuteronomy 30:6 states that by loving God with all out heart and soul will give life not only to us but also to our future generations: "God, your God, will cut away the thick calluses on your heart and your children's hearts, freeing you to love God, your God, with your whole heart and soul and live, really live" (the Message).
• Job 21:25 implies a bitter soul leads to unhappiness and death: "Another man dies in bitterness of soul, never having enjoyed anything good."
• Scripture revives the soul: "The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple". Psalms 19:7
• It is in scripture that we find rest for our soul can only come from a relationship with God: "My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him." Psalms 62:1
• David refreshed his soul by leaning and relying on God: "Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed". Psalm 57:1
• It was in remembering God's blessing in his life and praising God that Daivd was able to refresh his soul and be satisfied in life: "I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night". Psalm 63:4-6
• When life is full of anxiety, God can calm the soul: "When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul". Psalm 94:19
• Psalm 133:8 states our souls will be lifted up if we trust in God and get into His Word: "Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul".
• The scripture brings us wisdom for our souls: "For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul". Proverbs 2:10
• Pleasants words have a healing affect on our souls: "Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones" Proverbs 16:24. What unpleasant things do we allow ourself to encouter each day?
• Proverbs 22:5 warns about protecting our soul: "In the paths of the wicked lie thorns and snares, but he who guards his soul stays far from them".
• Isaiah 55:3 "Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live". It is in Listening and obeying God's word that our soul finds life.
• Commitment and surrender to God brings rest to the soul: Matthew 11:29 "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls".
• A pure heart results in a soul that brings God glory: Luke 1:46 "And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord".
• God's word is the hot lemon water that detoxifies our soul: Hebrews 4:12 "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart".
• IPeter 2:11 "Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul". A healthy soul avoids anything that is not from God.

Indeed, living daily in the truth of scripture results in a healthy soul. It requires committment and a sincere desire to follow God, to rely on Him in every area of your life. And if you find you fall short, as we all seem to do, go back to Christ, go back to His Word and begin again. God, knows your heart. He will be your strenght-your soul food!

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ~I Thessalonians 5:23

In His Graces~Pamela

P.S. Your thoughts on how you refresh your soul are invited here! Please share!

Spiritual Sight

"But blessed are your eyes for they see and your ears for they hear"

~Matthew 13:16

Yesterday was an incredibly blessed day for me, for my family. I am so humbled at how God showed His presence in our life. And why wouldn't He? I had asked for Him to show His presence, it has been a really tough week. But even in all the madness of injustice and wrong doing that I perceived, God was there. As I struggled with the issue of my daughter, it seemed as though God wouldn't take the burden from me. Daily I prayed for Him to carry it, but the heaviness just lingered. I felt Him saying, "You need to carry this just a bit longer. It's part of my plan". On Thursday, my attitude became that of acceptance for whatever the outcome might be, good or bad. A huge weight lifted from me. My husband will tell you I was back. So I proceeded to walk in faith. I started to look at this situation through "spiritual eyes". I started seeing God's activity in our life circumstances .

"I have seen his ways, but I will heal him;

I will guide him and restore comfort to him,
creating praise on the lips of the mourners in Israel.

Peace, peace, to those far and near,"

says the LORD. "And I will heal them."

~Isaiah 57:18-19

God allowed me as a mother to mourn for my child's wrong action. In mourning for my child, I also had to mourn for my past because I had made the same mistake, with the same consequence, when I was her age. In my emotional pain, God was there and through this He said to me "This is how I have loved you throughout your life when you have made bad choices and when you have served me. I have loved you." My love for my child, His love for me. He has given me so much peace. He has humbled my heart. He has healed so much pain. I looked at my situation through His eyes and in doing so, I saw Him in it and I heard Him.

"Whether or not we like the concept,

Christ loves to respond to us

according to our faith."

~Beth Moore

I walked in faith this week. It wasn't easy as the journey was paved with so much clutter. Satan attached my child and then tried to attach me as a mother but I overcame him in faith. My God who has carried me this far will carry me much further. He allowed me to mourn for a little while so that I could fully experience His goodness and grace once more. Yesterday, I heard God say "Women, you have great faith! Your request is granted" (Matthew 15:28). Yesterday my husband and I lived through three answered prayer request. Three in one day! We had just finished praising Him verbally for the first two request and felt so blessed and content when He reached down and said "here, one more. Because you have been faithful". Our God is so good!

Lord, help me to walk daily with spiritual eyes. It is with this spiritual sight that I see Your goodness in both the good and the bad circumstance. Help me to always see you in everything so that I might hear you like I did yesterday. Teach me to walk more in obedience and faith because in it I learn to love you more. You are able to do more than I can imagine-You proved your goodness yesterday and I thank you! I thank you with a humbled and reverent heart for helping me to grow my faith. Flourish my faith Lord! And I praise You Lord, from my mouth and my heart, I praise you!

In His Graces~Pamela