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