John 10:10 I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
What you may not know about Pam is that she came to faith as an adult. This is her story.
Pam grew up a shy and timid child. She struggled with the normal issues of kiddom. She graduated from college and then moved into Corporate America. She married the man of her dreams and pursued a ma-volous career in high finance, banking in Las Vegas, NV. That is where Pam and I met (story for another day).
During her years working she was also waiting. Pam and John wanted children. She waited eleven long years. However, year-after-year proved disappointing. She endured treatments for infertility, one after another, with each passing month of failure; the bitterness grew like a cancer in her soul. She desperately wanted a baby.
Amazingly throughout this barren wilderness, God was busy setting the stage for her redemption and freedom. Christian friends surrounded her at work. As her disappointment mounted she asked questions about God, demanding to know why He would deny her a child. Those questions led to honest discussions. Pam discovered, "The reason I was unhappy wasn't because I didn't have a child. The reason I was unhappy was because I didn't have a relationship with God."
Pam met Jesus at an Amway alter call. She went toward the front with her heart pounding and tears flowing. She met Jesus. Immediately the pain in her life ceased. She became whole, healed by the Great I AM. Her anger and bitterness melted away and she has never looked back. She says, "At that moment it no longer mattered that I didn't have a child. I had Jesus."
Pam and John returned home from the Amway event. Pam knew her fertility treatments would not work. They didn't. The next day she telephoned a local Christian adoption agency.
The rest is history. Nine months later Pam and John adopted Coner.
Pam's life verse is:
Isaiah 40:31
But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
MEET KATIE
Katie works as a nurse in Labor and Delivery at Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women in San Diego where she has been for 15 years. This fall she also joined the Women's Ministry team and brings with her some amazing spiritual gifts especially in the area of hospitality. If you have attended any women's event in the last several years it is likely you have enjoyed her behind-the-scenes handiwork through the decorations, warmth, and wonderful food.
Raised in a Christian home and at the age of five, Katie heard the Lord calling her and was baptized at age eight. Katie was educated in a Christ-centered school throughout her primary education. College followed and she graduated from Biola University in 1991.
Katie would tell you that in her early adult years while her girls were small she found herself disillusioned with the many masks Christians wear including herself. She fell away from church attendance for several years although never away from Jesus.
After a time of healing in her life, she became involved with church life once again. However, she promised herself that she would never wear a mask. It is her greatest desire to live out her faith as authentically as possible.
Today Katie is head-over-heels in love with Jesus. She is gifted to serve in Women's Ministry and enjoys everything she does to make our church body grow in their love for Jesus.
Katie's Life Verse:
Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version)
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
MEET LYNN
I am that child. I am a prodigal daughter.
In 1999 I married my best friend. We married during a time I was far away from God. As a typical young person, I wanted to take on the world and live on my terms. I had little regard for the teachings of the Bible. I believed I was saved; however, I lacked a vibrant, personal relationship with Christ.
Three years into our marriage the Lord began to woo me, calling me to return home. Living the way of the world was proving shallow. I felt lost and desperately unhappy. Jesus beckoned to me and I heard his voice. I returned to the faith of my childhood.
The prodigal daughter came running home to her Father. I arrived dragging my unbelieving husband kicking and screaming all the way. He wasn't happy about the new Man in my life.
Through the years of our marriage, my faith has grown while my husband has remained a nonbeliever. We are spiritually mismatched. Our marriage has been a wild, fantastic journey, completely unexpected. It is just like God to surprise both of us with more than we could ever dream. We are enjoying the abundant life God promises even though we remain unequally yoked. We have found peace and a profound love for one another through the life-changing power of Jesus Christ at work in our marriage.
Today I devote my time to my family and ministry. I serve as a Bible study leader at Sunridge and help with Women's Ministries. I also am a freelance writer and speaker and I contribute to several publications including Christian blogs. Prior to my writing career, I worked in Corporate America for 23 years. I retired as a banking executive in 2003.
I meet many believers who also find themselves on the road behind me in an unequal marriage. It has been a humble privilege to offer hope and encouragement to them through my online ministry, Spiritually Unequal Marriage.
My marriage is the cradle where God grew my faith. The Lord has done amazing work in my soul and character through my unbelieving spouse. I am deeply grateful. I am also a spectator in the grandest drama of life. I have a front row seat where I watch God Almighty pound on the door of my husband's soul. My husband and I share a rich life together and are completely head-over-heels in love. With his permission and encouragement, I write to encourage believers so they also can thrive in marriage. More importantly, I am able to do nothing apart from the Lord Jesus Christ. It is for Him that I live.
My life verse: John 15:5b apart from me you can do nothing.
