I Can Hardly Imagine 

Author: Pat Aman

May 28, 2019

Tonight Joe and I watched the movie, “I Can Only Imagine.”

The first time I heard this song, I had to pull the car over and praise God, as tears of joy and love over-poured from my spirit. 

I did not even know the meaning or heart break and restoration that the writer of the great song went though, in his life. 

As we watched the movie, ‘I Can Only Imagine’ movie, we learned that the lead singer of MercyMe, Bart Millard shares his journey which inspired the famous song. Bart’s past became a defining and controlling factor in his life. In order to become spiritually healthy, he had to recall the past: his mother’s absence, his father’s abuse, and his own leaving. 

On some level, we can all resonate with Bart’s past and had hurts growing up. Romans 14: 11 It is written: “‘As surely as I live,’ says the LORD, ‘every knee will  bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.'” Philippians 2:9-11Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10that at the name of Jesus every knee  bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is LORD, to the glory of God the Father.

So, what is God like?

First, John says that God is a father. By sending “his one and only Son,” God demonstrates that fatherhood is central to his identity and being. He has eternally existed as a Father, and the Son, Jesus Christ, has eternally enjoyed the fellowship of a good and perfect Father.

Second, John twice writes the famous words: God is love. God is not simply loving or full of love; He is love. In other words, love is not the primary thing and God secondary; “love comes from God,” meaning love can only be understood as an offspring of God’s nature.

Third, John tells us that God is for us. The Father did not wait for us to find our way to Him; we could never make it on our own, not given our sin against Him. God demonstrates his love for us—you and me and the whole world—by sending his only Son, so “that we might live through him.”

We must realize that we are adopted into our Heavenly Father’s family. But, for us to be adopted it required the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross. Adoption came at a great cost to the Father. We were adopted by God for the same reason that any parent adopts, out of sheer love. We are adopted “in love” and “to the praise of his grace” (Ephesians 1:4-6). God is not just full of love; God is love. Love is just an expression of God being God.

In his great love, he plans adoption, pays the cost, becomes our Father, unites us to a whole family of brothers and sisters, offers us his immeasurable wealth, and gives us the assurance that nothing can separate us from him.

He is our:

• Elohim (God)
• Yahweh (Lord, Jehovah)
• El Elyon (The Most High God)
• Adonai (Lord, Master)
• El Shaddai (Lord God Almighty)
• El Olam (The Everlasting God)
• Jehovah Jireh (The Lord Will Provide)
• Jehovah Rapha (The Lord Who Heals You)
• Jehovah Nissi (The Lord Is My Banner)
• El Qanna (Jealous God)
• Jehovah Mekoddishkem (The Lord Who Sanctifies You)
• Jehovah Shalom (The Lord Is Peace)
• Jehovah Sabaoth (The Lord of Hosts)
• Jehovah Raah (The Lord Is My Shepherd)
• Jehovah Tsidkenu (The Lord Our Righteousness)
• Jehovah Shammah (The Lord Is There)

Can we even realize or imagine what it will really be like when one day we return to our Heavenly Home?

What will we do when we stand before Father God?

I myself, can only just imagine. Because Father God has shown me more grace and mercy than I deserve.

On my, I can hardly even imagine….

I Can Only Imagine

MercyMe

I can only imagine what it will be like

When I walk by Your side

I can only imagine what my eyes will see

When Your face is before me

I can only imagineSurrounded by Your glory

What will my heart feel?

Will I dance for you Jesus?

Or in awe of You be still?

Will I stand in Your presence?

Or to my knees will I fall?

Will I sing Hallelujah?

Will I be able to speak at all?

I can only imagineI can only imagine when that day comes

And I find myself standing in the Son

I can only imagine when all I would do

Is forever, forever worship You

I can only imagineSurrounded by Your glory

What will my heart feel?

Will I dance for you Jesus?

Or in awe of You be still?

Will I stand in Your presence?

Or to my knees will I fall?

Will I sing Hallelujah?

Will I be able to speak at all?

I can only imagine

Yeah, I can only imagineSurrounded by Your glory

What will my heart feel?

Will I dance for you Jesus?

Or in awe of You be still?

Will I stand in Your presence?

Or to my knees will I fall?

Will I sing Hallelujah?

Will I be able to speak at all?

I can only imagine (can you imagine?)

I can only imagineI can only imagine (can you imagine?)

I can only imagine (I can imagine)I can only imagine.

I can only imagine.©1999 Simpleville Music(ASCAP)

Devotion Written By: Pastor Pat Aman Book © 1996/2019“Coffee With Pat Daily Devotionals”and Christian Faith Publishers”

And Respective Authors

How About A Steak?
Author:Pat Aman
May 25, 2019

2 Peter 3:18, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

We can gain understanding of spiritual growth by comparing it to natural growth. There are many similarities.

We do not start out as adults. It takes time, nurture, and experience to learn and develop.

When a baby is born, it’s nutrition is liquid. Either a Mother’s milk or bottle formula.

Some babies have problem with digestive issues. The parents will work with the Pediatrician to select exactly what satisfies the baby and gives the precious one the right formula to help it grow and be healthy.

As the baby grows they will start eating rice cereal mixed with it’s formula and with little applesauce.

Each step in the little ones growth, more food with consistently will be added. But, always carefully, so they will not have an upset stomach or allergies.

Giving a baby the wrong type of food to soon can cause the baby to be fretful or sick.

That is the same thing with adults. We put the wrong things in our physical or spiritual bodies we can become sick.

Yes, physical food is needed for both infants and adults. Food gives strength to our bodies. The correct food help our bodies immune system. The correct nutrition keeps us healthy.

In the our spiritual life the food required for strength and growth, is the Word of God.

As a new Christian we may start our off with the milk of God’s Word. And as we grow in Christ, God pours move of his word into us. As we study and read God’s Word, we soon realize that we have gone from milk to a thick piece of juicy steak.

Matthew 4:4, But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'”

Our spiritual growth is part of the God’s plan for us. God’s Word is our spiritual food. Not only do we need to read it, but also to speak it and meditate on it.

If you are not growing in your spiritual life, what are you putting in your life?

Ephesians 4;15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head — Christ —

A new-born Christian has the same authority over the devil and all his forces, even as he is starting to learn God’s Word. Because when they become saved, they have authority in the names of Jesus. They also have the same righteousness which is a gift from God. Yet they have the same potential, which over time can be developed.

1 Peter 2:2, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,

So keep feeding your spirit on the Word of God and act on what you learn. Just like a child, you will fall down a few times while learning how to walk. But you must get up and try again. God will watch over you and protect you as any good parent should, so you don’t have to be afraid.

Devotion Written By: Pastor Pat Aman Book © 1996/2019“Coffee With Pat Daily Devotionals”and Christian Faith Publishers”

I’m Tired and Weak Lord!
Author: Pat Aman
5/20/2019

This devotion is long. And it only tells about one-fourth of the circumstances of my journey, but I hope it helps you to hang on…

God’s got this……..

Have you ever felt this way?

I have felt this way many times. And it was not because I did not have faith in God, but my body had been ravaged with sickness and pain.

Judges 6:14-16 The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?”“But Lord,” Gideon asked, “how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” The Lord answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites together.”

I had been extremely active in my younger days. I played on our church softball team. Antioch Baptist Church for many years. I was the catcher. And this is hard. You are constantly up and down. You legs and knees are working overtime. As well as your arms, catching and throwing the ball.

I was also very active in my church, teaching Sunday School, youth ministries and Girls Auxiliary. And had a full time job.

In 1976, I met my husband and we then worked together in our own business, and were involved in our community, church and even sponsored a local baseball team. They were called Aman’s Auto Parts.

I also became the women’s coach for a local community team called Archie’s Angels. Named after Mr. Archie Parrish who owned the first Drug Store in Newton Grove, NC. The drug store is now under ownership of dear friends, Thomas and Son, Joey Williford.

I also was a full-mother, as well as working alongside beside husband.

We were active in our local church and active 4-H leaders. We were awarded Leaders of the year, by Governor James Hunt for our work with youth in the state of North Carolina.

I myself, also went to seminary studies through the International Pentecostal Holiness Church and received my Mission License, Minister License, Christian Education Credentials, and Ordination Credentials. In others words many long years of studies and going through the Local Conference of the North Carolina IPHC, to take my tests. As well as going before the conference board to be accepted.

And back then you did not have computers to read and do testing on. You studies and read the books required and went personally to the conference office classroom and took your test in person.

I am not telling you this to brag, but to show you how active we were.

But, life started changing. We sold our business and my husband went to work with Best Access Systems, and now going on 31 years, he still works for the same company. I started teaching in the local county school systems.

God allowed me to also start a pre-school, school, After School Care, and Summer Camp for a local church.

But in 2002 my life started changing. I started teaching GED for a Community College. Everything was great, but then my health started changing. My colon rupture. I wore a colostomy bag for a while, but praise God, I was able to have it reversed.

But, I no longer was able to work full time, due to my body slowing down because of my chronic illnesses with my intestinal issues.

From 2004-2006, I suffer through surgeries again. I ended up living over two years with surgical MRSA, then surgical E-coli. I had open wounds that had to be packed and dressed daily. I had drain tubes from several places in my abdomen.

But, again, the grace of God bought to through.

God allowed me to physically be able to travel back and forth to Louisiana to help my sister with my mama and her declining health. And the last six months stay a majority of that time with my sister and mama. Then our precious mama made her Heavenly Journey home in October 2008.

After then my health did pretty good. I was still able to visit my sweet sister in Louisiana and help her when needed.

In 2012 my body came to a screeching halt! Life as I knew it had ceased to exist, again. I was forcing myself to go and be active, but I felt like crap… There is no other word for it…

By this point I have had a total of over 12 surgeries. Hoping that there would be no more.

But, I started seeking a doctor to see why, I had gain up to 321 pounds.

Every doctor I went too, said they would not you touch me with a ten foot pole. That there was no help for me.

But, the last doctor finally said, “I know a doctor who I think can help you. He gave me his name, I made an appointment and when I entered his office, he looked and me, and said I was walking death.

He sent me straight to the hospital for tests. And the very next morning, I went into surgery.

The surgery lasted about 10 hours. I came out of surgery a very sick women.

They told my family my stomach had adhered to my liver. And everything I ate was going out of my stomach, into my small intestines, and then returning back into my stomach a fistula. I was literally being poisoned by my own body.

I stayed in the hospital over three weeks. They did not expect me to ever leave.

And on top of this, they were giving me a medicine that was making me have hallucinations.

My daughter keep telling then, that is not my mama in that bed.

They realized it finally. Narrowed down the cause, and I was able to think once again.

When the doctor came by one morning I told him I wanted to go home. They did not want me to go, but I was determined.

Now folks, God was still on His throne. He was working in the background.

My family was tired. My family was upset. They needed help. And God knew it.

We had good friends who were in the ministry. They were the Evangelist Singing Group, “Still Amazed.”

They called Joe and said that they had a couple weeks open in their schedule and they wanted to help. So, our precious friend took her time of rest, by flying up and taking care of me. And it was not an easy task.

I was not walking steady, not eating, and I was very depressed.

I felt defeat. I thought my life and ministry was over because of my chronic illness.

I was weary and tired. I was too weak and no longer as “stable are clear” minded as I used to be.

I had trouble remembering scriptures. I gave up.

But Praise God, he had other plans. He let me know that he was not finished with me.

2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

God has allowed me me continue to do His work.

Coffee With Pat, is a glory to God. And writing books. Who would have ever thought I would write children’s books, and devotional books.

So, as I read in Judges tonight. I realize, when I am at my weakest, is when God is at his strongest. He is working overtime for me, and YOU!

Judges 6:14-16 we read that Gideon could only see his limitations and weaknesses in spite of God’s clear promise for strength, in so doing he failed to see how God could work through him..

Even though God promises us the tools and strength we need to serve Him, like Gideon, we often make excuses. When we remind God of our limitations we are implying that He does not know all our circumstances and challenges.

When life claps us in the face due to health or other difficult situations in our lives, God will always open another path for us to continue to serve Him.

I still have one more surgery to go through. Well, maybe not. I know God will continue to heal my body.

I am so glad the Lord opens doors for me to serve Him in my life’s journey.

It does not matter how depressed, oppressed, weak, poor, sick, or whatever the challenge we may have, God will give us the ability we need right now to help us, build others up, and share to them, His saving grace and mercy.

Devotion Written By: Pastor Pat Aman Book © 1996/2019“Coffee With Pat Daily Devotionals”and Christian Faith Publishers”

How Hard Do You Want Your Mountain Climb To Be? Author: Pat Aman

I really do not know where to begin this devotion.

The last few days have been a merry-go-round of events. 

God has led me too places to help different people in their times of decisions, concerns, difficulties and circumstances. And even special occasions that should of been beautiful, but because of misunderstandings and communication turn out terrible.

Some just happened and others caused them, or bought the problems on themselves, by making a fast decision.

They did not  pray and seek God first, so events in their lives tumbled out of control.

All I can say, is this world needs Jesus. 

Yes, we all make mistakes and have hills to climb. 

Well, maybe I should say, “mountains to climb, that the peak seems out of reach.”

But, when we do not watch our step going up that mountain we slip and fall, even roll all the way back down to the bottom.”

Why does this happen?

Because we take our eyes off our Heavenly Father. We do not take the time to pray, wait and listen. 

Sometimes we miss God’s vision for our lives because we are waiting to see a lightning bolt from Heaven, when we should of been able to recognize and hear the small still voice of God.

How do we overcome these obstacles?

First decide, that you will not take your eyes off  God and the Vision He has for you. 

Second,  make a decision to spend daily time with God, listening to His voice and following God’s plans, not yours. 

I have an office/prayer room upstairs. And in my prayer room is where God can speak to me, as I sit quietly not letting TV, radio, or anything else cloud my vision or stop me hearing. 

And sometimes, I sit on the back porch, watching the Hummingbirds and praying. But, wherever I am, I make sure God has my full attention.

“Do not sit around and have a pity party too long, God has a new vision for you, so get to work.” Pastor Pat Aman

(Jeremiah 29:11) “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.”

(Genesis 28:5) I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have Promised you.”

(Isaiah 40: 28-29) Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom. He give strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”

Where do you spend your quality time with God each day? 

Each day God longs for us to visit with Him. He longs for us to sit and talk with Him. And He longs for us to LISTEN. We miss out on so much, because we do all the talking and not enough listening.

This morning I was reading about Judah in the Old Testament. They like us needed a rude awakening. 

Maybe,  I need to say like me. Yes, even I have rebelled against God, because I lost the vision, or wanted my own way, instead of what He had for me. That is called rebellion.

Just like Judah needed to be chastise, there are times maybe when we ( I ) need to be also, but instead God with all of His wisdom just opened my eyes, just as He did theirs.

(Isaiah 54:2) Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes;

God told Judah, that their vision was to small because of their pain. He told them, “You have focused on your lack.” He told them to expand their tent pegs out a few notches and live as if you have it all. Because you do. You have my undying love, My forgiveness, My power, and you have Me!”

You know I can see in myself in the same position. There have been times I needed just that kind of vision. The eye opening kind. A Word from God. Because there has been times when I just I wanted to go into my “tents” of pity and frustrating and even anger. I sit there awhile in the dark and even feel comfortable, but it does not last for long. Because God desires my companionship under a larger tent that I might expand His kingdom with Him. And as I do so, I find, the fresh breeze of new strength to deal with my self pity, frustration and anger. I feel renewed, to enlarge my vision, and have a better perspective on my life. 

Just because things did not work out in the past, does not mean, they will not work out in the future. God’s timing, is not my timing. 

So as I sit in my prayer room or on my porch and feel the cool breeze of the Holy Spirit encamped about me, as I pray and study my Bible, I know that my spiritual eyes are being open, and my vision renewed, and God is pleased.

Today, STOP!

Today, LISTEN!

Today, God wants to put you on the correct path. His path. 

But, it will be up to you, as to how hard you want your mountain climb to be.

Devotion Written By: Pastor Pat Aman Book © 1996/2019“Coffee With Pat Daily Devotionals” and “WestBow Publishers”

Being Thankful While Trying Too Find Your Tail…

Are You Eeyore?
Author: Pat Aman
November 21,2003

We all go through junk! And, maybe I was sheltered as a child, but I never remember hearing the word drama then, as much as I do now.

It seems people live for drama in their lives. Some bring it on themselves and some get it uninvited.

The definition of drama-drama noun
dra·​ma | \ ˈdrä-mə

Definition of drama
1 a. literature : a composition in or intended to portray life or character or to tell a story usually involving conflicts and emotions through action and dialogue and typically designed for theatrical performance
b. a movie or television production with characteristics of a serious play broadly : a play, movie, or television production with a serious tone or subject
a police drama
2 literature :art, literature, or affairs
English drama
3 a: a state, situation, or series of events involving interesting or intense conflict of forces
the drama of the past week
dealing with some family drama
b: dramatic state, effect, or quality
the drama of the courtroom proceedings.

Gracious, in reading the definition, I see the words theatrical performance.

Could that be someone trying to get attention, love, and maybe someone who needs friendship, but does not know how to just be themselves.

Maybe something happened in their life that had made them feel low self esteem and they just do not know how to truly be just themselves.

People are under so much pressure to be something they are not capable of being.

When I counsel with these individuals, the first thing I do is get them to love themselves. See, if you cannot love yourself, you cannot love others.

Depression and Anxiety can also cause low self – esteems. And I am afraid to say a lot of our churches look down on people who are depressed, or going through anxiety.

Friends, life happens. Circumstances happens. Hopelessness happens.
Body changes happens.
Hormonal changes happen.

And each of these things not only need prayer, comfort and love for the individual, but sometimes they have to seek medical treatment for depression.

And there is absolutely nothing wrong or bad in seeking medical help.

As fellow Christians we should be building one another up and not looking down on someone who maybe going through depression.

Isaiah 40: 28 Do you not know?
Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. 29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 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.

I myself feel like Eeyore in the Winnie The Pooh Book. I wonder if I can be truly thankful because I have lost my tail. I have lost my way.

I asked you, can you be thankful while trying to find your tail…

Life has become so busy. When it gets too busy, I think a couple of days I lost mine.

Have you ever felt like Eeyore. You know the little gray patched up donkey in the Winnie the Pooh series. They lived in a beautiful 100 acre woods Eeyore use to say, “Is my tail still on?” Then he would say, “let’s have a look, and he turned slowly round to the place where his tail had been a little while ago, and then, finding that he couldn’t catch it up, he turned round the other way, until he came back to where he was at first, and then he put his head down and looked between his front legs, and at last he said, with a long, sad sigh, “I believe you’re right, Pooh, it is still there.”

Sometimes I feel the same way, I feel I have lost my tail, and cannot find it. I think that we sometimes go to that 100 acre woods, a beautiful place, but it becomes our gloomy place just like Eeyore.

When you are in that gloomy place it is hard to give praise and thanks when we feel like Eeyore that we have lost our tail.

Even though Eeyore had great compassion for others, and was always trying to help people, he still at times felt, Oh, poor me. See, he lost his love for life. He some how lost the sense of a positive attitude. His fire had gone out.

In our lives we all at times may think, I am burned out, woe is me.

We still truck along trying to do our best, but we have to continually put patches on our lives just to hold us together.

See, God speaks of this very thing in Revelation chapter two. He tells the church at Ephesus, that He knows all their good deeds, but He is getting a little disappointed in them, because they have lost their first love. “Him.”

Again, I myself sometimes feel tired, even though I keep getting up from being knock down, that my first love is getting depleted from my life. I need to get that fire back, the fire that helps build my faith up. Yes, that is when I need to get down on my knees and look up to God and find my tail.

God promises to give strength to the weary, and I tell you now, I have to stand on that promise.

So, if today, you are feeling like Eeyore, and you have lost your tail, and are sitting in your gloomy place look up to the Heavenly Father.

Yes, get back on your knees, and look up to God and say, “I think you are right God, I still have it together.”

And then begin singing, praising and thanking God and see your life turn around, as we become thankful instead of woe is me.

In others words, you may have to be like Eeyore, turn around, check things out, and see if you may have to let some things go that maybe clouding up your way.

The way God wants you to go. You may as Eeyore, have to get in a downward position on your knees, so God can show you that your tail is still on and your headed in just the way He wants you to go.

You just need to turn around and follow God with Thankfulness and Praise.

For I promise you will find you tail
-your purpose-

Devotion Written By: Pastor Pat Aman Book © 1996/2019 “Coffee With Pat Daily Devotionals”and WestBow Press a Division of Thomas Nelson Publishers

Sudden Quiet
Author: Pat Aman

Have you ever read something and it just seemed routine, and you forgot about it shortly, and then later you read it, and wow, it popped off the page to you, and seemed so meaningful?

I mean we often are so busy, that things just don’t sink in, because our mind are going in so many different directions.

I often think this could be part of the problem not only with our relationships but with our spiritual life. We get wrapped up in everything except something that profits our soul.

Suppose for a minute we could clear our mind of the clutter. Suppose we shut off the problems filling our heads and worrying us, suppose we shut off the thinking about things we need to do, suppose we shut off thinking about others, or how upset we are or what they did, or what they should have done. Suppose we held up a mental stop sign and said Quiet everyone… I’m cleaning house. Sudden quiet.

Now… I can take time to listen for God.
Nothing else.
Just Him.

If we did this each morning, even for a brief time we would see immediate results in the way we deal with life, others, and most certainly it would give God time to impart peace into our spirit. And hope, and inspiration.
And…reassurance.

What if you made this your goal this week? Just a quiet time with God every day. Where you raised a stop sign and quieted everything in the world, but meditation upon God. And listen for that precious still small voice. Oh how we need this my friend.

Think about it, don’t you need refreshing in your spirit? Don’t you need fresh hope? Don’t you need encouragement? Well what are you waiting for? Don’t neglect the One who loves you more than anyone else does, and has the answers to all you need. Take time for God!

Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart Wait, I say, on the Lord! Psalm 27:14

Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage, and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait and hope for and expect the Lord.

But those who wait for the Lord — who expect, look for and hope in Him — shall change and RENEW their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up (close to God) as eagles (mount up to the sun); they shall run and not be weary and walk and not faint or become tired. Isaiah 40:31

Remember your source of strength is Christ, you cannot run the race of life successfully without a close, enduring, daily, ongoing vital relationship with Him.

With our God we shall do valiantly!

Written By: Pat Aman June 4, 2009
©1996/2019
Coffee With Pat Ministries and WestBow Publishers/Division of Thomas Nelson..