Words from the heart of our ministry
Faith reflections by Pamela Otts on loving our neighbors, trusting God's provision, and the everyday miracle of the widow's oil.
Lately from the heart
If You Are Looking for Me, You Will Find Me Over Here in Ecclesiastes
If you are looking for me, you will find me over here in Ecclesiastes.
Read Entry →Bear with Me on This One
Bear with me on this one.
Read Entry →Honestly I Don't Usually Pay Much Attention to Criticism
Honestly I don't usually pay much attention to criticism.
Read Entry →Browse the journal
Somedays It Takes Everything You Have Left
My challenge for you today and in the coming days is just this..... Change seats.
Read Entry →What Will It Take to Satisfy You?
What will it take to satisfy you?
Read Entry →Got a Minute? I Have a Thought, Maybe More
Got a minute? I have a thought, maybe more. Why did you become a follower?
Read Entry →The Harvest Is Plentiful, but the Workers Are Few
The harvest is (indeed) plentiful, but the workers are few.
Read Entry →Good Morning, the Sun Is Peaking Out
Good morning!! Yes, the sun is peaking out, checking to see if all is well.
Read Entry →Are You a Procrastinator?
Are you a procrastinator? Do you intend to do something, go somewhere, talk to someone, lose weight, eat healthy, call a friend, visit your grandparents?
Read Entry →My Devotions Lately Have Had a Recurring Theme
My devotions lately have had a recurring theme or so it seems.
Read Entry →My Grace Is Sufficient for You
Today no matter what the circumstance is. No Matter what. This is what God has to say about it.
Read Entry →The Holy Spirit Comes and Will Not Be Refused
I have realized that I have made myself an exoskeleton, a hard covering to protect the soft vulnerable, painful parts of me.
Read Entry →Have You Ever Had Hands Laid on You?
Have you ever had hands laid on you? In the biblical sense.
Read Entry →Time to Come Out of the Shadows
Time to come out of the shadows, declare our faith, take back the world we live in for Jesus' sake.
Read Entry →The Best Words of Wisdom I Have for Today
The best words of wisdom I have for today, if I have any wisdom is - Surround yourself with people who know you and aren't afraid to tell you what they think.
Read Entry →Just a Glory Hallelujah This Morning
They all had their own reasons for showing up on a Monday. What they didn't know was that they were what I needed.
Read Entry →I Wasn't Feeling It This Morning
I wasn't feeling it this morning. Just could not find a lot of inspiration to wake up my get up and go mode.
Read Entry →Sometimes the Most Powerful Thing You Can Give Someone Isn't a Handout
Sometimes the most powerful thing you can give someone isn't a handout. It's a seat beside you.
Read Entry →Today Is Friday!! How Did Your Work Week Go?
Today is Friday!! How did your work week go? Get lots accomplished? Were you happy to see your paycheck or did you feel disappointed?
Read Entry →How Good Are You at Being Compassionate, Kind, Humble, Gentle and Patient?
I get frustrated, aggravated, I am not the gentlest person I know, I will forgive but it might take me a minute. I definitely struggle with patience.
Read Entry →Are You a Praying Follower of Jesus?
I pray for you. Sometimes it's good to know that someone is fervently praying for you.
Read Entry →Y'all Got Time for a Story This Morning?
This week has been a doozy! So much going on, so many things calling for my attention, so many in desperate need of what they don't have and cannot provide for themselves. Rush, rush, rush!
Read Entry →Short Moment This Morning
Jesus still comes to us, he still shows up, he still has a plan for us. Don't give up, don't lose hope. ASK the Father.
Read Entry →Discussion Question: When You Read the Old Testament
When you read the Old Testament, do you read it as written for people long ago, or as alive for us today?
Read Entry →What Keeps You Up at Night?
What keeps you up at night? For me it's the "What ifs?" A long time ago it did for me. All of it.
Read Entry →God Is Good
Want to know what is a wonderful thing? When things go completely sideways and you give a desperate shout out to your network and neighbors, and they show up immediately.
Read Entry →We Have Been Up to Something
We have been up to something big and so desperately needed. Help us pray over this building that it will be greatly used by God, in his way and in his time. Please hold those furniture donations for just a bit.
Read Entry →Want to Know What I Have Come to Realize?
Want to know what I have come to realize? Well here goes nothing. Life is not fair. It is not equal. It's hard and wrong in so many ways.
Read Entry →Sometimes I Share Too Much
Sometimes I share too much, this is probably one of them. I had been putting on hold several projects that I needed to do and wanted to do.
Read Entry →God Is Love — Unpacking My Faith When Family Walks Away
I've been struggling with an issue within my life. I have been feeling like a failure that some of my family are so agnostic, atheist even. My response was that all that was the reason I believed so certainly that he was God, has to exist, was the very same thing.
Read Entry →The Garden Looks Good — Nothing to Complain About
The garden looks good but looks can be deceiving. Too little of this. Too much of that. Too hot. Too cold. We till, we plant, we nourish but God sends the harvest. We are content with that.
Read Entry →Waiting Is Hard — The Old Mule and the Harvest
Waiting is hard. It just is. No matter the wait whether good things or bad things or long worked for things and prayed for things. The question is what do we do with that stretch of time?
Read Entry →I Am Your Order — Almost Skipped Devotions
I almost skipped devotions this morning.....I needed an early start to my day..... I told myself I'd get back to it in an hour or so when I got things in order. Then that still small voice whispers, 'I am your order.'
Read Entry →Fully Armed With a Cheeseburger — Romans 12
Today I find myself in Romans chapter 12. If you haven't sat down with that one lately, I suggest that you do. Just know that today I am fully armed... with a cheeseburger and a cold drink... we will see how the enemy likes that!!
Read Entry →World Cuisine Dream — A Girl Can Dream
Here's what I want... a restaurant that caters to all types cuisine except Chicken, Mexican, and Chinese. I want to get to choose from around the world and I do NOT want it Americanized. I want authentic.
Read Entry →Bottle Cap Pet Peeve
I have a brand new pet peeve!!! I hate these new bottle caps that will not come off! I don't like being forced to have a bottle cap smack my nose every sip I take.
Read Entry →The Familiar Stranger — Holy Spirit Deep Dive
A while ago I told you that I was deep diving into learning about and having a deeper understanding about and relationship with the Holy Spirit. This has been a huge adventure and most days I'm left with more questions than I started with. I consider that a good thing.
Read Entry →Women Pastors — Called by God
Soooo... here are my thoughts, wanted or not, on the debate over women being allowed to become pastors. The one thing I am is a follower of Jesus. Period. I'm not a theology major, bible college educated, nor do I hold a divinity degree. I'm just Pam.
Read Entry →The Big Cauldron — Soap Making With Grandma
My therapist has agreed I'm good to go for a little while. Who knew that when I was "helping" my grandmother make soap in her big cauldron in the back yard that it would someday be my safe place to be.
Read Entry →100 Bars of Soap — Therapy and Suds
I finally decided that a therapy session was needed. I am happy to report that we should be good to go on soap for a while. 100 bars currently on hand and another 20 on tap for tomorrow.
Read Entry →Nine Times Jesus Retreated — No Days Off Since January
I realized that I have not had a single day nor most nights off since January. Not a single day, seven days (and nights) a week for months. I am more than physically tired, and I am much more spiritually tired.
Read Entry →Shine Like Stephen
They saw his face shine like the face of an angel. They knew they were telling lies. They thought his death would fix their problems. It didn't.
Read Entry →Believe It Before You See It
The man believed what Jesus said and started home. He had not seen it. Did not hold the miracle in his hands. But he turned and headed home — because he believed. That's the thing that activates your miracle.
Read Entry →He Knew What Was Coming
Jesus asked Peter three times. Peter was justly upset. But Jesus knew what was coming for Peter — and he wanted him to remember that conversation.
Read Entry →Heard Any Roosters Lately?
The city won't allow roosters, so I've heard. I might need to test that one day. But not today. Today I'm thinking about Peter.
Read Entry →I'd Still Choose Jesus
What if someone proved it all wrong beyond any shadow of a doubt? I don't have wisdom to impart here. I just know that even then, I'd still choose Jesus. Every single day.
Read Entry →Whatever God Sends Us
When asked 'What do you do?' the only answer I have is: Whatever God sends us. There's lots of wants that show up. But God sends the needs.
Read Entry →Are You a Disciple or Just a Christian?
Do you believe in him, or do you just know about him? There's a difference. A friend is someone you'd take a bullet for. Jesus called his disciples friends — and literally died for them.
Read Entry →He's First. Every Single Day.
I fall so short of what I need to be and do and act and think, all 7 days of the week. My constant 'sorry' is not okay. He gets all that I am. He is first.
Read Entry →I Have a Shepherd
I have a Shepherd — someone I can keep my eyes on, follow, trust. I know his voice. The only time it's bad to be a sheep is when you are not guided by the right one.
Read Entry →I Want to KNOW Know Him
I've always thought of the Holy Spirit as a benevolent space-saver between the resurrection and the second coming. I think I may have missed the boat on this one. I think I owe him an apology.
Read Entry →What Would It Take?
What miracle would it take for us to drop all of our doubts and be all in? Take a look in the mirror. If you are a true believer, you have already seen a miracle or two.
Read Entry →I Can't Wait to Meet John the Baptist
His passion, his steadfast devotion to his mission is just awesome. When I get to heaven I want to sit with John and hear his stories.
Read Entry →Then Came the Dawn
I do not ever watch a sunrise and not think of that long-ago morning. Early morning is always filled with a promise.
Read Entry →Be the One — Crying in the Parking Lot
I don't usually share these stories; most are just that stories. Today I feel like I should share, so give me grace. Once upon a time a long time ago and far, far away this was me. Single mom, 3 kids working 2-3 jobs and crying in the parking lot.
Read Entry →Bare Feet and His Hand Upon Me
I love sitting at my desk in my bare feet and pajamas. My spirit knows I'm not hurried. My mind is focused. And I'm excited to begin my day with the Father.
Read Entry →What Did Jesus Say to You — Get Behind Me Satan
What did Jesus say to you this morning? I often wish that I had lived in the time of Jesus, that I could have walked those dusty roads beside him, sat and listened to everything he had to say.
Read Entry →Crisis After Crisis — The 43-Year Confession
Yesterday was crisis after crisis after crisis. It has been 2 weeks of 'If it could, it did.' My cry was 'Lord! I can't do this anymore!'
Read Entry →Comes to Find Me — Solace in Sleepless Nights
I get up early because I need and cherish my time with God. I find solace in the sleepless nights that he has provided that time for me to seek him.
Read Entry →Now Doris — Buttermilk Biscuits and the Word
Making my granny proud this morning. Buttermilk biscuits and sausage gravy. Coffee is hot, black and honey. Reading God's words and hearing my granddaddy's voice.
Read Entry →Sewing Machines for Uganda — From Middle Georgia
A few months ago we were asked if we would help with this project. We immediately responded with a big yes and purchased 5 Machines and today they picked them up. Including our 5 the ladies now have 15 new machines.
Read Entry →Worry Is Such a Waste — Overflow Freezer
I don't know why I do it. I don't. There are few days that even give me the opportunity to do it. I seem to insist on doing it. Worry is such a waste.
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