Here I Am - Send Me!

Tonight was the last night of the Beth Moore - Houston Connection Bible Study of the book of James. This has been an incredible study and one that has challenged me to grow and be transformed. It has been an 8-week study. Each week lectures urged me forward as I attempted to reach the goal that God has placed before me...to be a more holier person. While the transformation has not been without "some" discomfort, God has already been quick to encourage and to affirm . I believe that the changes are not only necessary but, in the end, would make me resemble His nature.
Tonight, after the praise and worship time, Beth called all the young ladies that were 25 years of age and under. We all sat and watched as hundreds of these young ladies streamed forward to meet Beth at the front of the sanctuary. They knelt (at least 4-5 people deep) and I couldn't count how many across the bottom of the floor. We, who are more than 25 years sat in awe as these precious children of God came forward. Beth laid her hands (symbolically) on one of her daughter's, Melissa, as she prayed for the entire group of young ladies that knelt before her. We, who were seated, were asked if we could reach someone in front, to lay our hand on them and pray with her. If we could not reach them, we extended our hands to uphold them from where we were seated. The prayer was an exchange of honor, respect and promises. Once again, I was challenged - to be a source of wisdom, hope and prayer. It was more than a moving experience: it was holy!!!
What God showed me that was kneeling before me and the others was the next generation of faith. I have to admit I was awestruck by their faces. They gleamed with God's radiance. What a honor and priviledge to be apart of "anointing" the next generation of faith. And then, I felt it...God's call. He was sending me out again.
There would be no corner that I would be able to sit and observe, no chair in the back of a room so I could be uninvolved. God had made it perfectly clear: He was calling me out.
You might find it interesting that all the other weeks the group I have been riding with was safely tucked near the back section. However, tonight I found myself on the 2nd row and it was no mistaking that God had ordained our seats. I knew without a doubt...God was done with my "extended" time of separation from His children. He wanted me front and center to see them personally.
What is it, Lord, that you are calling me to do? How will I help them grow into what you have called them to be? In a voice so tender and quiet, if I had not been intently listening to hear, I would have missed it. I heard, "For now, seek me with an uncumbered heart. Continue to write and share His movement in your life and the lives of your family. " How else can you offer hope if you are not willing to share it? " That was my directive.
In the wee hours of this morning, I am opening my heart again. For now, there can be no bars on the windows, no doors locked, no windows closed...my assignment has been given and accepted.
Did I mention that I am also Isaiah said, "Woe is me, I am a man of unclean lips." After being purified by God, Isaiah was then able to say with an open heart and cleansed heart, "Here I am, Lord, send Me!" So, Lord Jesus, I've accepted your call. May I walk confidently into your perfect will. Please help me not to miss your movement or your directions...a billboard, if necessary, Lord.
I would ask for your prayers as I begin writing the book God has been after me to write for several years. May it bless the reader and draw him/her to the "Giver of Every Good and Perfect" gift.
One of the gifts God has given me is to minister to others is through cooking. Today I am sharing a recipe I made for a friend and her husband. He had been injured and was recovering from a major surgery. She needed help with meals. I made them this meatloaf from a recipe I found and decided to give it a try. It has a bit of a Cajun flavor. Enjoy!!

A Touch of Zip Meatloaf
Makes 8 servings

Meatloaf:
1 cup milk (I used 2%)
6 bread slices (I used whole wheat bread)
2 pounds ground beef (I used 96/4 ground beef)
1 cup grated Parmesan Cheese
1tsp. salt
¼ tsp. seasoned salt (Lowry’s)
Freshly ground pepper
¼ to ½ cup minced flat-leaf parsley
4 eggs, beaten
8 to 12 slices bacon slices (I didn’t use this)

Tomato Gravy:
1 ½ cups ketchup
6 T. brown sugar
1 tsp. dry mustard
Dash or two of hot sauce (Tabasco, of course)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Pour milk over the bread and allow it to soak in for several minutes. Place the ground beef, milk-soaked bread, Parmesan cheese, salt, seasoned salt, black pepper, and parsley in a large mixing bowl. Pour in the eggs. With clean hands, mix the ingredients until well combined. Form the mixture into a loaf shape and place on a broiler pan, which will allow the fat from the meat to drain. A tip is to line the bottom of the broiler pan with aluminum foil. I learned that you need to have the meat drain away from the pan. By doing this, you avoid the juices from the meatloaf hanging out with the meatloaf instead of draining into the broiler pan. And, if you line the broiler pan, it makes cleanup a whole lot easier. Lay bacon slices over the top of the meatloaf, tucking them underneath the meatloaf. I did not do this as I was trying to keep the meatloaf relatively lean and healthy. Prepare the tomato gravy in the order listed. Divide the grave into 1/3’s. Pour 1/3 of the gravy over the meatloaf. Bake for 45 minutes then pour the second 1/3 of the gravy over the meatloaf. Bake for an additional 15 minutes. Serve the remaining tomato gravy on the side as a dipping sauce. I served this with potatoes augratin, homemade bread, whole steamed green beans and homemade gingerbread with a cream cheese frosting.

The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord make His face to shine upon you

and be gracious unto you. The Lord lift up His countenance

upon you and give you peace.

Deuteronomy 6:26