A Clean Heart

Psalm 51 is one of my favorite psalms. Eighties Christian singer, Keith Green wrote a song based nearly word for word on Psalm 51. This morning as I spent some quiet time with Jesus, the devotional I read and the guided prayer time I joined were centered on this same topic—wanting to give up sin and follow Jesus wholly. And to top it off, the music set I had playing on Amazon brought up Keith Green singing Psalm 51!

I think Paul, in Romans 7:14-25, probably felt like David did when David wrote Psalm 51. Paul said, “I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. . . Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” Just like David, Paul wanted a clean, obedient heart.

In her devotional “Frustrating” on Lutheran Hour Ministries, Dr. Kari Vo writes, “My sin nature is still running around like a chicken with its head cut off. . . So, I need the Holy Spirit’s help to get through this time—the rest of my life, really, without forgetting the reality, which is that Jesus has made me a new creation through His suffering, death, and resurrection.”

Those are words of hope—the same hope that David and Paul held onto in the face of their own struggle with sin. It’s the same hope you and I hold on to! What must we do? Confess our sin and ask God for forgiveness. Part of a prayer from SacredSpace.ie says, “Conscious of Your presence, Lord, I look over my recent past. Let me be honest about how I have been and what I have done, because I know You love truth in the heart, and accept me just as I am.”

Like the mighty Christians of the past, we can pray, “Create in me a clean heart, Oh God, and renew a right spirit within me!” (Psalm 51:10)

Be encouraged!

©2026 Pamela D. Williams

Comments welcome at writepam71@gmail.com

Rescued

For the last month or so, Dick and I have been visiting the cats at a local animal shelter. We lost Watson a little over a year ago, so now we are ready to adopt another kitty.

Like every humane society, this shelter has rescued cats from places of loss, neglect, abuse, regret, grief, abandonment, and greed. The cats come in all sizes, colors, and ages. They come in various types of personalities, too—demanding, vocal, timid, afraid, loving, friendly, grumpy, bossy—and every combination. Many of the cats in the shelter are afraid, anxious, and lack trust in humans. But these shelters work hard at helping the cats overcome these fears.

Our visits have made me think about our different personalities and how Jesus wants us all to be rescued—whether we are timid or bold, bossy or mousy, friendly, shy, loving, selfish—and every good and bad combination thereof! What is it we all need rescued from? Jesus wants us to be rescued from sin—those things we do and think and say that we know are wrong but do, think and say anyway!

So, He stepped into our selfish, hurtful, nasty situation and willingly gave His life for us on the cross. “God rescued us from the power of darkness and brought us safe into the kingdom of His dear Son, by whom we are set free, that is, our sins are forgiven.” (Colossians 1:13-14)

How do we gain this forgiveness? Simply by asking God for it and putting our trust in what Jesus did for us. (Acts 16:31)

Do you need rescued?

Be encouraged!

©2026 Pamela D. Williams

Comments welcome at writepam71@gmail.com

God is Calling

God’s call on our lives is individual and yet is bound to others. Our service to God intersects with our service to one another. When God calls us, it isn’t just for our good—it’s for the good of all.

1 Corinthians 12:4-7 says, “There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit gives them. There are different ways of serving, but the same Lord is served. There are different abilities to perform service, but the same God gives ability to all for their particular service. The Spirit's presence is shown in some way in each person for the good of all.”

1 Corinthians 12 goes on to list many gifts God gives individuals for ministry. He is still calling individuals today to serve Him by serving others.

The ministry to which God calls us may not look like the ministry of our neighbor or our friend or our pastor. We are not all prophets or healers or interpreters or teachers or nursery workers or builders, but every Christian IS called.

God’s call is also fluid and relevant. We need to be open to His leading for today. What He has called us to in the past, may not be what He is calling us to now. As our life stage changes, as we mature in our walk with Jesus, God’s call changes.

Following retirement, I have been seeking God’s leading for this stage of my life. It is a process, sometimes of trial and reassessment. Currently, I feel God is calling me to encourage older adults—active retirees who still want to serve, the homebound who feel left out, the elderly who are hospitalized and frightened. I want to see older adults who, though they may no longer have physical strength, have great insight and experience, connect with younger adults, who are physically strong but need wisdom and guidance beyond their years. And it starts right in my own neighborhood.

How is God calling you to serve today? Is it changing? Pray for wisdom and listen as God speaks to your heart.

Be encouraged!

©2026 Pamela D. Williams

Comments welcome at writepam71@gmail.com

Happy Together

At our May Christian Writers’ Club meeting we were asked to listen to our favorite (most meaningful or most memorable, or etc.) song and then write a reflection about the song and how it relates to our life at this very moment. I chose "Happy Together", written by Garry Bonner and Alan Gordon and recorded by an American rock band called the Turtles. It was released in January 1967 and became the band's first and only chart-topper.

In 1967 I was 14 years old. Two years later, I met Dick Williams through a joint youth fellowship formed by the churches in our community. Our group would go from church to church doing youth-led worship services called “Folk Mass”.  It was somewhat of a precursor to what is now known as “Contemporary Christian Music”, although the message was more about love and kindness than knowing Jesus as Savior and Lord.

From our frequent association in youth, Dick and I quickly became a couple and married in 1974. Somewhere along the way we both decided “Happy Together” was “our” song, mainly because the words were, and continue to be, so true for us:

Imagine me and you, I do. I think about you day and night.

It's only right to think about the one you love and hold them tight

So happy together!

And if I call you up, invest a dime,

and you say you belong to me, you ease my mind.

Imagine how the world could be so very fine,

So happy together!

I can't see me loving nobody but you for all my life.

When you're with me, baby, the skies will be blue for all my life.

Me and you, and you and me,

No matter how they toss the dice, it had to be.

The only one for me is you and you for me.

So happy together.

From the very beginning, God orchestrated our relationship. I truly believe it was, as they say, “a match made in Heaven.” I will never love anyone as much as I love Dick Williams. He is my soulmate. Our love was meant to be! This week we celebrated 52 years of being “happy together”!

©2026 Pamela D. Williams

Comments welcome at writepam71@gmail.com

Are You A Cracked Pot?

My favorite flowerpot was shaped like a pot-bellied cat. Unfortunately, I didn’t bring it inside last winter and it cracked from the freezing temperatures.

We put flowers in pots of various sizes and shapes for many reasons. These containers provide a place where the plants are supported properly, can get the water and attention they need, and can be moved around to various places.

A cracked flowerpot isn’t much good. The vessel loses water before the plants can absorb it, leaks soil onto the surfaces around it and is precarious to move from one location to another.

Sometimes we are like cracked flowerpots. According to 1 Corinthians 3:16, we are God’s temple —the vessel of His love and grace. And, at times, we aren’t very good at it.

Maybe it’s because we spend too much time under the harsh influence of the world and not enough time in the loving, renewing presence of the Lord. After a while our resolve to follow Jesus and His teachings begins to crack. We cave in to the constant barrage to accept society’s ways of thinking and living. Although Romans 12:2 warns us not to conform to the standards of this world, we cave in to the constant barrage to accept society’s ways of thinking and living.

When we allow our Christian values to be overrun and corrupted by the world, we are as useless than a cracked pot. When we don’t take the time to immerse in God’s Word, prayer, and fellowship with other believers, fissures form in our relationship with Jesus, and the peace and joy of being in His presence leak away.

We are called to tell others what God has done for us. (Psalm 40:10) We can only help others find a relationship with Jesus when we maintain our own relationship with Him. We can only support and refresh our fellow believers, and be an influence on the world, when we take the time to be refreshed and renewed and supported ourselves—through prayer (Ephesians 6:!8), Bible study (Joshua 1:8), and Christian fellowship (Hebrews 10:25).

Let’s not be cracked pots.

Be encouraged!

©2026 Pamela D. Williams

Comments welcome at writepam71@gmail.com

Just a Reminder

I grew up going to church. I went through three years of Confirmation classes. During my Junior and Senior years of high school, I was part of a youth group that went to various churches and led worship using folk songs, guitars, and “love and peace” messages.

I believed in Jesus. I believed He died on the cross because of the sins of the world. But I thought that just meant sin in general. I didn’t know I needed to trust Him as the One who died because of MY sin. I still thought I needed to earn my way to heaven. I had to do good deeds and avoid bad stuff, in the hope that at the end of my life the good would outweigh the bad. Going to heaven or hell was solely dependent on me and my efforts.

It was a worrisome way to think. What if, when I died, I hadn’t done enough? I would end up in Hell! In my mind, there was no way to be sure, so I just did my best to be “good” in the hopes that God would be pleased.

While the youth group I was in backed up part of our “messages” with a Scripture or two that we found in a concordance under “love” or “peace”, I had never really read the Bible. I knew a few of the famous stories from Sunday school, like how David killed the giant, Zaccheus climbed the tree, and Baby Jesus slept in the manger, but it was just a book of stories about God, not a guide for finding a relationship with Jesus.

It took the witness of a couple who not only believed in Jesus, but who had a living relationship with Him before I realized He died on the cross for MY sins, not just sin in general. This couple believed the Bible was the living word of God, shared with us so we could trust that Jesus paid their way, my way, and your way to Heaven. Our own good deeds are never going to be enough, but Jesus’ death is!

God’s greatest desire is for everyone to be with Him for eternity, so He made it simple: Believe that Jesus died on the cross to forgive your sins. There are days, even now, when I need a reminder that it is God’s gift. (Ephesians 2:8-10) The life that I live after that is my gift to Him.

Be encouraged!

©2026 Pamela D. Williams

Comments welcome at writepam71@gmail.com

Sometimes Jesus Looks Like Roger Purdum

Sometimes Jesus looks like Roger Purdum—He has a broad smile and extended arms, drawing me into a much-needed hug. Other times He has looked like Debi Decker—cheerful and encouraging in the face of unsettling news. For a while Jesus resembled Bill and Peggy Williams (unrelated to us biologically but our brother and sister in Christ)—speaking spiritual truth that cuts through the fog of misunderstanding. And daily I see Him in Dick Williams—always present, always listening, always faithful, always supporting, always loving.

Each person showed me different aspects of Jesus’ personality. How? It is Him working through them to share the gospel with me, to reassure me, to minister peace to me, to mourn with me, to rejoice with me, to challenge me, and stretch me. Jesus shows me His sacrificial love in a multitude of ways through a plethora of people.

Jesus loves us so very much that He will use His believers and every circumstance to get our attention, to share His message of salvation through Him, and to meet our spiritual needs. He has many followers who are His hands and feet and voice.

Our ministry to each other as Christians not only upholds and encourages each other as brothers and sisters in Christ, it also shows the world we belong to Jesus. and draws others to Him. (John 13:35) I remember hearing a young girl testify that she became a Christian because of the love and support and encouragement she saw a Bible study group show her mother during a rough divorce. Her comment was, “You all really love each other! That’s not how the world works! What makes you guys different?”

How we meet and greet and treat one another as believers in Christ can create a hunger in others to know why—and that will lead to Jesus. All that we say and do in His name reflects back to Him. (Matthew 5:16)

What can I do today to minister to a brother or sister in Christ and help carry their burden? (Galatians 6:2) We don’t know who may be watching or listening. Just maybe, someone else will say, “You all really love each other! That’s not how the world works! What makes you different?”

And we can answer, “The difference is our relationship with Jesus.”

Be encouraged!

©2026 Pamela D. Williams

Promises, Promises!

“I promise I will be on time!” says the one who is consistently late.

“I promise to eat ALL my dinner if you let me have a cookie now.” says the child who rarely finishes their plate.

“I promise this car will last you for years. Those 100,000 miles are all good miles!” says the used car salesman.

“Promises, promises!” Have you ever said that phrase in doubt and skepticism? I have! When an untrustworthy person makes a grandiose promise or pledges to never do “that” again, I have trouble believing them. Promises offer little comfort or assurance when they come from someone who has proven in the past that they don’t keep their word.

I recently read a devotional that asked, “What are the promises of Jesus?” I typed that question into Google and found this list of just some of the key promises Jesus made:

Jesus promised believers . . .

. . . will have everlasting life (John 3:16).

. . . will be purified and forgiven by confessing their sins (1 John 1:9)

. . . will be set free by the Son (John 8:36).

. . . will be raised from the dead (John 10:28).

. . . will have their needs met (Matthew 6:33).

. . . will find rest when they are weary (Matthew 11:28–30).

. . . will find purpose and spiritual fulfillment (John 10:10).

. . . will receive help and strength (Isaiah 41:10).

. . . will have Jesus with them forever (Matthew 28:20).

. . . will be held securely in Jesus’ hand (John 10:28).

. . . will receive Jesus’ peace (John 14:27).

. . . will be taken to Heaven with Jesus when He returns (John 14:2-3). 

. . . will be given the Holy Spirit to teach and guide them (John 14:26).

. . . will receive power from on high for ministry (Acts 1:8).

Wow! That’s quite a list! And all these promises come from Someone we CAN trust! Jesus will do what He says. Jesus’ Word is true and reliable and trustworthy! Jesus keeps His promises!

Be encouraged!

©2026 Pamela D. Williams

The Ground Crew

Have you ever heard of Poppy Northcutt, Glynn Lunney, Ed Smylie, or John Aaron? These individuals, and thousands of other unnamed support staff, ensured the "successful failure" of the 1970 Apollo 13 moon mission after an oxygen tank exploded 205,000 miles from Earth. The NASA ground crew worked tirelessly to manage dwindling resources, including building a CO2 scrubber from spare parts, plastic bags and duct tape (think "MacGyver"). The faces of those individuals on that ground crew may not have made the evening news, but their behind-the-scenes efforts saved the lives of the three astronauts on board.

Throughout my life I have been among the “ground crew”—one of many who have worked with those in charge to reach a goal, meet a need, or pull off a project. And that’s just how I like it. I feel it is where God has called me to serve. I don’t want to be the director, the leader, or the head. There are others who are called to those positions, and I love supporting them in any way possible.

Our church is on a Mission. We are gearing up for Vacation Bible School. Our goal is to reach and teach kids about Jesus. Miss Gina is in charge, but she will tell you it takes dozens of “ground crew” to achieve VBS “lift off”.  There are registration collectors, prayer partners, snack servers, craft preparers, lesson teachers, music makers, and a host of others I am not even aware of! Miss Gina knows she needs each one of us, working behind-the-scenes, to make this a successful mission.

Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as though you were working for the Lord and not for people.” In all we do, as the “astronauts” or the “ground crew”, we can give God glory by doing our best in the areas where we are called to serve. Sometimes that includes putting on the mantle of leadership, and other times it is the hands-on effort of divvying up animal crackers, cutting out sheep shapes, or herding children from one destination to another. God sees, God knows, and God blesses when we “work at it with all our heart”!

Be encouraged!

©2026 Pamela D. Williams

Fingerprints in the Petals

Alexander Rath

Spring is the time to rejoice in God's creation. God’s fingerprints are on all His amazing creation if we’ll just look for them—and flowers are no exception. Luke 12:27 says: "Look at the lilies! They don't toil and spin, and yet Solomon in all his glory was not robed as well as they are.” If we want to know God better, we should follow Jesus advice and look at the flowers.

Flowers range from vivid reds to soft whites and everything in-between. What could be more beautiful than a sea of bluebonnets, a carpet of multi-hued tulips or miles of sunflowers with their faces all turned upward? Flowers are a reminder that God is a God of detail—so why should we ever worry that He doesn’t care about the details of our lives when He cared enough to create so many kinds of flowers?

There are small flowers like snowdrops and bigger blooms like hydrangeas. Some flower petals are round, like daisies, and some are spiky, like birds of paradise. Each of them is beautiful in its own way. God feels the same about each of us. We might look in the mirror and think we’re ugly, but why should we be so hard on ourselves when the God of the universes looks at us and sees beauty?

What could be more awesome than the aroma of an Easter lily or the sweet fragrance of honeysuckle? Each of them brings us pleasure. We bring pleasure to God as well. We’re His blooms and He wants us to blossom so we can share the sweet-smelling fragrance of Jesus with a world that needs it so badly. (2 Corinthians 2:15)

May we open our senses to see God’s fingerprints in every petal, every leaf, every bud, and every heady scent. As we enjoy these amazing blossoms, we can thank and praise Him for His incredible handiwork and ask Him to help us to share His love and care with others.

Be encouraged!

©2026 Pamela D. Williams

Declutter and Clean

Warm Spring days encourage trees and plants to shed the detritus of Winter. Likewise, media often encourages us to declutter and clean up our homes and yards at this time of year.

I am somewhat of a minimalist and a bit of a fanatic about cleaning. To really clean a room, I first clear the clutter—remove the things that don’t belong, store for later those things that aren’t needed right now and put in their proper places the things that have gotten shifted around. Every few months I sort through stuff and donate or sell what we haven’t used in a very long time.

Then comes the cleaning—vacuuming the carpet and dusting the furniture, scrubbing at stains, and mopping the bare floors. I can now see everything clearly and recognize what is needed.

Spiritually, I find I need to Spring clean—and not just occasionally!

When I sit down to spend time with Jesus, praying and reading the Scriptures, I find I need to declutter my mind. I must set aside distractions, both external and internal, and intentionally concentrate. Hebrews 12:1 says, “Let us rid ourselves of everything that gets in the way, and of the sin which holds on to us so tightly.”

Time with Jesus also requires that I be honest and realize there are things I have done or failed to do that I need to ask forgiveness for so Jesus and I can start our time together with a clean slate. Only then can I see and hear clearly what He is saying to me and asking of me. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Yes, Spring is a good time to physically declutter and clean our homes and yards, allowing room for new growth and change. But spiritually, every day is a great time to clear our minds and cleanse our souls so we can grow in our relationship with Jesus.

Be encouraged!

©2026 Pamela D. Williams

Hands

"Within Our Grasp" by Jay Bryant Ward

Have you heard people say, “He talks with his hands.”? I have had friends for whom words just aren’t enough to convey what they are thinking, so they use their hands to further express their thoughts and feelings.

We all do it. We clap when we are delighted with something or someone. We cover our face with our hands if we are embarrassed. We clench our hands into fists when we are angry. We grasp the hands of those we love and hold on tight when we are afraid. We all talk with our hands—including Jesus!

Yes! Jesus spoke volumes with His hands! The scars of the nails in His hands (John 20:25-27) articulate not only to Thomas but also to us, the sacrificial love that Jesus has for us. “He was humble and walked the path of obedience all the way to death— his death on the cross.” (Philippians 2:8) When we look at His hands, we see the physical expression of the lengths He was willingly went to save us from the penalty of our sins.

Isaiah 49:16 says our names are engraved on the palms of God’s hands, assuring us that God will never forget us; we are always on His mind. When something is engraved, it is cut deeply and permanently into a surface; it is not just ink applied to paper. This verse about God’s hands is a profound declaration of His enduring love for and commitment to us.

There are literally hundreds of verses in the Bible that mention God’s hands. I especially liked Psalm 139:9-10. “If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”

I find it interesting that God expects us to lift our hands in praise (Psalm 134:2), in prayer (1 Timothy 2:8), and in helping others (Deuteronomy 15:11). Our hands do speak volumes—both to God and to others!

What are our hands saying?

Be encouraged!

©2026 Pamela D. Williams

The Easter Song

Our church’s Easter service was AWESOME this past Sunday! The praise team sang with enthusiasm, the worship leader was on fire, and the energy was contagious! The congregation joined in and praised God with joy and excitement! It was truly a celebration of Jesus’ resurrection and the new life that He bought for us!

Our pastor shared with clarity and passion, God’s step by step plan for our salvation. The children participated in the message, bringing a sense of wonder and expectation. Pastor Rob concluded the service with communion and a call to trust in Jesus as Savior and follow Him as Lord. I left with a profound sense of awe and gratitude to God for His great love and awesome power.

Keith Green, an influential Christian pianist, singer, and songwriter, who was a trailblazer in contemporary Christian music, wrote one of Dick’s and my favorite Easter songs, appropriately named, “The Easter Song”. The words to the song speak volumes:

 Hear the bells ringing, they're singing that You can be born again.

Here the bells ringing, they're singing, “Christ is risen from the dead!”

The angel up on the tombstone said, “He has risen, just as He said!

Quickly now, go tell His disciples that Jesus Christ is no longer dead!”

Chorus: Joy to the world! He has risen, Hallelujah! He's risen, Hallelujah!

He's risen! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Hear the bells ringing, they're singing that You can be healed right now.

Hear the bells ringing, they're singing, “Christ, He will reveal it now!”

The angels, they all surround us, and they are ministering Jesus's power.

Quickly now, reach out and receive it, for this could be your glorious hour!

(Chorus)

Let all of us who know Jesus as Savior join in singing! Joy to the world! He has risen, Hallelujah! He's risen, Hallelujah! He's risen! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Be encouraged!

©2026 Pamela D. Williams

Planting Seeds

“Lord, please prepare the soil of my heart to receive the seed of Your Word. May it take root and grow and produce a bountiful harvest for Your glory and my good.” (SacredSpace.ie 4.6.26)

I love this prayer I found on SacredSpace.ie. It seems especially appropriate for this time of year. People are beginning to plow up their fields and gardens in preparation for planting their grain, vegetable, and flower seeds. Some have started their plants in small containers indoors and will transplant them once they are rooted.

It’s a lot like reading, studying, and applying God’s Word to our lives. God’s Word can only take root if we prepare ourselves—making God’s Word a priority, setting aside distractions, investing quality time. To grow in our faith, we need to allow God’s Word, not just to go in one ear and out the other, but to marinate in our minds, giving the Holy Spirit time and permission to influence our thinking. To produce a bountiful harvest for God’s glory and our good, we must submit to, commit to, and obey God’s Word, walking the walk as well as talking the talk.

When we take those steps, the seeds of God’s Word will sprout. Our lives will be changed for the good by the Holy Spirit. Others will see the difference and wonder. Through our witness, God will receive the glory. Others will be brought to Him, wanting to know what has changed us and seeking to gain what we have.

2 Corinthians 9 encourages us that the seeds planted in us will not only bless us but will multiply and bless others, bringing thanks and praise to God. Let us join the writers of SacredSpace and pray, “Lord, please prepare the soil of my heart to receive the seed of Your Word. May it take root and grow and produce a bountiful harvest for Your glory and my good.”

Be encouraged!

©2026 Pamela D. Williams

God's Gift

For our last Wednesday evening Bible study of the season, we were asked to bring one of our favorite Scriptures. I chose Ephesians 2:8-9: “It is by God's grace that you have been saved through faith. It is not the result of your own efforts, but God's gift, so that no one can boast about it.”

My favorite Bible verses almost all center around salvation. I chose Ephesians 2:8-9 because, until I was 24 years old, I thought entrance to Heaven was based on being and doing good. It was something that we earned over a lifetime of trying to please God. Things like going to church, following the ten commandments, helping others, etc. earned me points in my heavenly bank account, and at the end of my life, God would add it up and decide if I had done enough to enter His Heaven.

But that’s not true. I cannot amass enough good deeds to enter Heaven. Salvation is a gift from God—a gift with a price that Jesus paid with His life, not the result of my efforts.

Whew! That’s good news!

So, where do good works fit in. In the very next verse Paul writes, “God has made us what we are, and in our union with Christ Jesus He has created us for a life of good deeds, which He has already prepared for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)

The key phrase is “in our union with Christ Jesus”.  A life of good deeds follows our union with Christ Jesus; it doesn’t precede it.

God has plans for our lives. There are things He has prepared for us to do—and He prepares us to do them. But they don’t save us. Only Jesus can do that.

Be encouraged!

©2026 Pamela D. Williams

Seasons and Times

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

In two days, it will be the beginning of Spring, a time when new life sprouts up everywhere I look. Snowdrops and crocuses are blooming. Daffodils are pushing up through the ground. Buds are appearing on the trees and bushes. Baby rabbits are hopping about. Groundhogs are emerging from burrows. Lambs are being born. Birds are singing their springtime songs. And shelters are talking about “kitten season”.

It is a time of awakening after a season of slumber and rest. There is a warmth slowly building with each day. Shuttered windows and closed doors are flung open to let in the sunlight. Inactivity is gradually giving way to walking and biking. The detritus of Winter is being cleared away as planting and building begin.

In our Christian walk, we all need that season when we take time to just be with Jesus—not talking to anyone, not rushing here and there, not worrying about responsibilities or wondering about this upcoming event or that rocky relationship—just allowing God’s love, acceptance, and peace to flow over us. It is like the earth’s need for a restful Winter season before the energy required by Spring. How can we expect ourselves to keep going with strength and enthusiasm when we haven’t recharged?

So, let’s take a little time this Spring to enjoy the beauty emerging around us. Let’s sit in the sunlight and allow God to speak to us through His Word. Let’s slow down and really take note of His incredible handiwork! Let’s thank Him for carrying us through the struggles and challenges of life. If we do, we will experience joy welling up within us, clarity returning to troubled minds, and strength building within weary souls.

“The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus; it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing… They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God. Strengthen the weak hands and make the feeble knees firm. Say to those who have an anxious heart, ‘Be strong; fear not!’” (Isaiah 35:1-4)

Be encouraged!

©2026 Pamela D. Williams

Pam's Faith Journey

This week I have been editing my testimony for a writers' group that I belong to. I also had to submit it to the ordination committee when my husband Dick met with them a few weeks ago. You can find the updated version at the tab entitled Pam's Faith Journey just under the blog banner. I pray it blesses you and challenges you to follow Jesus and share your own journey with others.

©2026 Pamela D. Williams

God's Artwork

Nature is God’s beautiful artwork—even in winter! Pristine fields of blindingly white untouched snow, branches glistening with a coating of ice, fog swirling under streetlights and hovering over the mountains—so many unframed canvases shouting, “The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display His craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make Him known. They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world.” (Psalm 19)

Nehemiah 9:6 declares “You alone are the Lord. You made the skies and the heavens and all the stars. You made the earth and the seas and everything in them.” Romans 1 explains that, through everything God has made, His eternal power and divine nature can be clearly seen. Even the rather depressing book of Job encourages us to look at animals, birds, and the earth to better understand the Lord’s hand in our lives. (Job 12:7-10)

And yet, as loud as nature speaks of God, we can’t find the means of forgiveness from sin there. We need the truths of the Bible and the testimony of those changed by God’s power to realize "God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."(Romans 5:8) “Salvation is to be found through Jesus alone; in all the world there is no one else whom God has given who can save us.” (Acts 4:12)

A life transformed by an encounter with Jesus is the greatest masterpiece God paints!

What “masterpieces” have you seen lately?

Be encouraged!

©2026 Pamela D. Williams

Called to Serve through Ordination

Dick and I want to thank everyone for their prayers for him as he met with the ordination committee this past Saturday. Participants asked him tough questions about his beliefs and, in direct answer to what we asked people to pray for, the Lord helped Dick to clearly articulate his responses. At the end of the nearly three-hour session the committee voted to ordain Dick as a Southern Baptist pastor.

In the Southern Baptist denomination “ordination is the local church’s public affirmation of God’s calling on a man’s life for pastoral ministry. It recognizes his character, doctrinal faithfulness, and readiness to serve as a shepherd of God’s people. Ordination is both a celebration and a charge—to faithfully preach the Word, care for His flock, and serve Christ wholeheartedly.”

During the worship service on Sunday, Pastor Rob and the deacons of Greencastle Baptist Church ordained Dick and then announced his position as the new Assistant Pastor. Following the church service, we celebrated with our church family at a dinner that overflowed with delicious food and warm fellowship.

Dick’s and my hearts are overflowing with joy and awe at what God has done and is continuing to do in our lives! The other day we were reminiscing about all the times we have experienced God’s unmistakable involvement over the years. The list goes on and on, amazing us and humbling us. This past Sunday was one of those culminating moments when we witnessed the results of God’s intervention.

We look forward with great expectations to working alongside Pastor Rob and the deacons at Greencastle Baptist Church. To quote Pastor Rob, “The heart of pastoral ministry is serving with joy, laboring faithfully, and depending fully on Christ’s power at work within us.” Dick and I can resoundingly echo, “AMEN!”, to that description!

Thank you again for your prayers! God is always faithful!

Be encouraged!

©2026 Pamela D. Williams

God's Call

From the time he was in high school, my husband Dick wanted to be a pastor. However, the idea of all the schooling involved was a huge deterrent and he enlisted in the Air Force instead, hoping to be trained as a chaplain’s assistant. Somehow that never materialized and he became an Arabic linguist instead.

However, the Lord kept tugging on his heart. Dick went to work full-time for the National Guard after his four years in the Air Force. We joined a local United Methodist Church and led the youth fellowship. Within a year the leadership in the church recognized God’s call on Dick’s life. He was encouraged to take a lay speaker’s course and was appointed to speak at a church every other week.

At the end of a year, Dick was asked to quit his job and begin the process for ordination. In the UMC, that meant college, seminary, and a three-year internship—all while serving as a student pastor to at least two churches and sometimes three.

Although the educational requirements were daunting, the real challenge was trying to pastor while not knowing Jesus as Savior! Our relationship with God was distant and based on our efforts to be good enough. But God was at work! During our first pastorate, He led us to a couple who helped us understand salvation by faith in Jesus alone. (read the full story here) It was the pivotal point in our lives as we truly understood the sacrifice Jesus made to forgive our sins. We spent the next 47 years in pastoral ministry within the United Methodist Church.

After Dick retired, doctrinal changes within the UMC led him to resign his ministerial credentials. We joined Greencastle Baptist Church and began serving as laity. However, once again, the church leadership recognized God wasn’t finished calling Dick Williams and asked him to consider ordination.

Dick meets with the ordination committee this Saturday. Your prayers are greatly appreciated as we begin this next step on our journey.

We never know how and where God will use us as His followers. May we all stay open to His call!

Be encouraged!

©2026 Pamela D. Williams