DEVOTIONAL
You Are Always There
God said to Israel and He also says to us: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” Jeremiah 31:3 (NIV). God loves us more than we can even imagine, and the greatest demonstration of His love was when Jesus died on the cross to save us for eternity.
God said to Israel and He also says to us: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.” Isaiah 43:1 (NKJV). God not only knows each of us by name, He knows everything about us and He takes great delight in watching over us.
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
Psalm 139:2-3, 9-10 (NIV)
Wherever we are, God is always with us, embracing us with His love—through the good times and the bad.
I think about some of the happiest days of my life. I know that God was right there with me, rejoicing as I rejoiced, being glad when I was glad—like these times when my heart was overflowing with happiness:
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on my wedding day to my beloved Lin;
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when Lin received his first kidney transplant;
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at special times with family and friends, such as vacations, family reunions, women’s retreats, and holiday gatherings;
- at baptisms, which were testimonies of God changing lives; and
- when I adopted the sister I never had.
I know that God has always been there for every happy time in my life!
But I know that He has also been there, and drawing very near, in all the sad times, the hard times, the scary times, and especially in the very darkest times of my life.
For me, those sad times included the death of my father, and ten years later the death of my mother.
One of my hardest times was watching a close friend die of cancer.
Some of my scariest times included narrow escapes from death in car accidents that miraculously didn’t happen.
But then shortly after we returned to our room, as Lin was standing at the foot of the bed getting something from his suitcase, he suddenly collapsed and fell backward to the floor. I just thought he had had a fall, and so I knelt beside him and was talking to him, but he didn’t answer. I kept saying, “Lin, are you okay?” but he was unresponsive.
I then called 911 and the person on the other end instructed me to administer CPR and guided me through it until the paramedics arrived. Once they arrived, they shocked Lin’s heart and got it beating on its own again and put him on a ventilator, but he never regained consciousness and he died three days later.
David said in Psalm 23:4 (NLT): Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.
That Monday night was by far the most traumatic time in my life, but I know that God was right there beside me. He has been my comfort and my strength, and I live with the certainty of the promise that I will be reunited with Lin at the resurrection at the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
No matter what life has thrown at you, I hope you will rest in the assurance that God has been and will always be by your side. He is always near to you! And I know that He is also anxiously awaiting that day soon when Jesus will return and we will be able to enjoy face-to-face communion with Him for all eternity.
Sandy Powell
Pastor of the Gratz Church in Kentucky
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“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned. Nor shall the flame scorch you.”
Isaiah 43:2 (NIV)
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From the Pen of Inspiration |
God has bound our hearts to Him by unnumbered tokens in heaven and in earth. Through the things of nature, and the deepest and tenderest earthly ties that human hearts can know, He has sought to reveal Himself to us.
Ellen G. White, Steps To Christ, Chapter 1, 10.3
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"Heaven is open to our petitions and we are to come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace in time of need."
E.G.White, Prayer, p. 15.4.
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An anonymous sister in the midst of health challenges. |
Note: You may send your prayer praises or requests to ministerialspouses@kytn.net. |
The North American Division will be publishing a devotional written by pastors' children and is looking for willing writers. If your child is interested in being a published author, please submit to: ministerialspouses@kytn.net. These will be sent to our Southern Union representative for the Division. |
Amber and her husband Jacob Strang come to us as he has completed his sponsorship for his Master's of Divinity at Andrews University, and is now serving the South Louisville and Elizabethtown, Kentucky, churches.
Amber was born in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, and attended General Amherst and Kingsway College for her academy years, then St. Clair College and University of Windsor where she studied early childhood education.
Amber says the following about how she became a Seventh-day Adventist: "I was born and raised within the SDA church, and have attended multiple Bible study and small group sessions throughout the years. I was baptized on October 15, 2016."
Amber shares that she and her husband met through online dating. We started talking with each other and soon realized similarities. We then ventured into video chatting and then met in person. He came to visit me in Canada after realizing I lived within a couple hours of Andrews University where he was attending at the time. After meeting, we realized how much we both enjoyed spending time with one another and started dating soon after." They were married April 16, 2023!
Amber's hobbies include baking, hiking, singing in a choir, and playing clarinet in a band.
As a couple they like to go for nature walks, go for drives, and play board games.
A couple of Amber's favorite Bible verses are Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV):
“Fear not, for I am with you. Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." and Psalm 139:23-24 (NKJV): "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties, and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."
Amber, we welcome you to the Kentucky-Tennessee Conference and are happy you are now a part of our team! May God bless you in your new home for ministry.
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Baby Girl
Briggman
Madison Analise
6 pounds 0 ounces
19 inches long
January 25, 08:04 a.m.
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April
Nancy Barera
6
Mayrellis Garcia
15
Yosca Monterosso
17
Ashley Anobile
18
May
Becky Reis
1
Shirley Clark
3
Ashley Briggman
7
Debbie Hill
12
Charmon Dennis
17
Ciin Cing Mang
17
Carly Hadley
23
Michele Milano 27
Lynne Burk
27
Mary Long
30
June
Brittan Hewitt
1
Bonnie Hoffman
7
Malinda Haley
19
Sandra Fagre
23
Abigail DeLeon
29
Cherryl Sharp
29
Kelli Sellars
29
Kristina McFeeters
30
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Take a moment to wish a friend happy birthday, congratulate her on a life event, or just let her know that you are thinking of her using the contact information linked below and the card shop links above.
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Send address updates to ministerialspouses@kytn.net |
April
Becky and Nathan Renner
12
April and Jacob Strang
16
Geraldine and Michael Foraker
17
May
Becky and Denilson Reis
1
Kartini and Benjamin Maxson
14
Charmon and David Dennis
17
Shirley and Dennis Clark
21
Ciin and Thang Mang
23
Florence and Cliff McIntyre
25
Carly and Brian Hadley
28
June
Mary and Wayne Long
3
Mayrellis and Hector Garcia
18
April and Nelson Silva
22
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Note: Did you know you can submit counseling fees for full reimbursement (less Co-pay) from your insurance company? |
In the Kitchen with Sandra |
Since we emigrated, arepas have been part of our food to remember and to teach our girls where we come from. Also, it has been exciting for us to share our culture with the rest of the world and see how other people try to make them and learn to cook something new!
AREPAS
(a corn pancake)
Ingredients:
2 cups HARINA P.A.N.(cornmeal)
2 1/2 cups water
1 tsp salt
Filling: Avocado, cheese, beans, eggs, or your favorite stuffing.
How to make Arepas
The cornmeal is mixed with water and salt to form a dough and then shaped into a circular disc like a pancake. It is cooked on an oiled griddle or skillet until crisp on the outside with a moist center. The arepas are split in the center and then filled with beans, cheese, or your favorite filling. If the corners crack easily or the dough feels too dry, moisten with a little additional water.
Tender, moist arepas can be made by adding a little oil to the dough. By shaping a bit of the dough to verify its consistency before adding extra water, you can avoid dense and gummy arepas.
You’ll need a nonstick griddle or skillet for this recipe. If you do not have one, you can use a cast-iron skillet and lightly grease it before cooking each arepa.
Use a knife to cut arepas down the center but leave the back ends attached and stuff your favorite stuffing. Before stuffing an arepa, it’s common to smear butter inside. It’s completely optional, but it’s highly suggested.
Tip: To make arepas healthier you can add sesame seeds, oats, shredded carrot, or wheat germ to the dough. Also adding nutritional yeast to the water is a delicious option.
Also, you can cook half way the arepas in the griddle and finish in the oven between 350-380F until they get inflated!
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Camp Meeting
Ministerial Spouses'
Annual Gathering
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Come prepared for food and fellowship and be encouraged! |
Main Camp Meeting
Oasis Church Fellowship Hall
Breakfast
Sunday, May 26
DeAnn Bragaw
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Hispanic Camp Meeting
Oasis Church Fellowship Hall
Luncheon
Friday, June 7
Katherine Hernandez
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