Please Pray

I just got home about 30 minutes ago.

My Mom was taken to the emergency room, because she was not responding normally. She is being admitted with an infection in her leg. Her level of consciousness is back to normal, but will need to stay in the hospital for a few days for IV antibiotics.

Please pray for complete recovery of the infection and the leg itself, as there has been much damage done to it over the years. That's why it is prone to becoming infected.

Bless you all!!!
Beautiful Grace

God Story: "I Am Changing Your Genetic Structure" Part 1

"Magnetic forces at the center of the galaxy have twisted a nebula into the shape of DNA, a new study reveals. The double helix shape is commonly seen inside living organisms, but this is the first time it has been observed in the cosmos."

"Nobody has ever seen anything like that before in the cosmic realm," said the study's lead author Mark Morris of UCLA. "Most nebulae are either spiral galaxies full of stars or formless amorphous conglomerations of dust and gas—space weather. What we see indicates a high degree of order."

"These observations, made with NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope, are detailed in the March 16 (2006) issue of the journal Nature."

As I mentioned in "Besiege My Heart" and "Sing a Song of Joy", I have struggled with the inward pull of *depression. The article above was one of the ways the Lord used to encourage me of His intention to break the bonds of this inward pull. Relating this story of God's miraculous intervention may encourage others who may be struggling with a similar bondage. No matter what imprisons us, God liberates us by breaking ALL of the chains that bind.

I knew *depression was not the legacy God gives His children. Knowing that, I began a three day fast starting April 11, 2005. By the second day, I was feeling a little woozy, even though I was still drinking fruit juices.

Suddenly, a "visual disturbance" appeared before me. "It looked like the twisted-ladder (double helix) structure of a DNA molecule. I felt the Lord say, "I Am changing your genetic structure." The "DNA" was twirling and moving, sparkling red and gold...awesome!

My nurse brain (flesh) initially said, "My blood sugar is low from the fast and has irritated my brain causing this 'vision'." Immediately, my spirit rose up to say, "My blood sugar is low, which decreases my higher brain functions allowing my spirit to be sensitive to hearing God's voice." I chose to believe the latter.

On April 29, 2005, I awoke to hear, "Din and Dirge", over and over again.

On April 30, 2005, my family and I were watching a movie. I was not fasting or praying at that moment. All of a sudden, the DNA molecule appeared before me. It was so clear that the spiritual vision interfered with my natural vision.

I placed my hands over my eyes, which allowed me to see more clearly. Strongman turned and asked me what I was doing. I told him the DNA vision was back, as I started to describe to my family what I was seeing. Fire came over to me and placed his head on my shoulder as I spoke of the alternating red and blue waves spreading over the twisted, turning image.

I asked the Lord what the colors meant and felt He said that the blood (red wave) of Jesus continually washes and cleanses me, while his Holy Spirit (blue wave) continually empowers and strengthens me.

As I continued to watch the double helix shape, I noticed it had three-dimensional perspective, and its end appeared small as if it was far off. The end began to appear green, which the Lord told me represented new life and new beginnings. The edge of this image sparkled gold representing the glory of God.

Some of you may feel that I am "off my rocker," but I assure you it really happened. My heavenly Father was declaring His intent; No longer would His daughter be bound by *depression. His declaration was for me, but I stress, if you cry out to Him, He WILL break off ANYTHING that hinders you from fulfilling your destiny...anything which places a barrier between your heart and His. I implore you to receive my promise as your own.

*Merriam-Webster online Dictionary defines as (1): a state of feeling sad : dejection (2): a psychoneurotic or psychotic disorder marked especially by sadness, inactivity, difficulty in thinking and concentration, a significant increase or decrease in appetite and time spent sleeping, feelings of dejection and hopelessness, and sometimes suicidal tendencies

Please see "Changing Your Genetic Structure" Part 2"

Poetry Place: "Sing a Song of Joy"

On April 29, 2005, I awoke to the hear the words, "Din and Dirge" over and over again. I had heard the words before but wasn't certain of their meanings. According to Webster's Online Dictionary din is (1). a loud, continued noise, especially a welter of discordant sounds. (2). a situation a condition resembling a din. Dirge is (1). a song/hymn of grief or lamentation- accompanies funerals (2). a slow, solemn, mournful piece of music (3). a poem that has the qualities of a dirge.

It was true, the previous five years had been ones of "discordant sounds" rising and falling like waves over me. My response to this din had been a mournful / sorrowful song (bouts of depression), but a daughter of the King of the Universe should be joyful and not sorrowful!

"Sing a Song of Joy" was written as a prophetic declaration of my intent to sing joyful songs of praise to my King regardless of life's discord and sorrow.

Sing a Song of Joy
Beautiful Grace
5/4/2005

Soul full of discordant noise
Goes on and on.
Loud, soft, never ending
Rising and falling like waves.
Crashing and smashing
The fragile soul.

Mournful song of woe
Rises on the crest of each wave
Retelling each ache.
Each minor note with no ray of hope.

A child of the King,
Empowered by His Spirit,
Sings for the joy placed there in heart’s center.
Joyful, songs of praise
To the One Who reigns there.

Songs of the Spirit drive away the dirge
Empower in the midst of life’s dins.
Songs of the Bridegroom,
Heard by His bride.
She responds with harmony,
Beautiful, because it follows the lead of her Beloved.

Sing songs of joy, soul.
Spirit rise in bubbling sound
Life giving, empowered
Songs of life set the soul free.

Farewell, dirge, no more to be sung.
Songs of joy replace you!


"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed and qualified me to preach the Gospel of good tidings to the meek, the poor, and afflicted; He has sent me to bind up and heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the (physical and spiritual) captives and the opening of the prison and of the eyes to those who are bound, To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord (the year of His favor) and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, To grant (consolation and joy) to those who mourn in Zion- to give them an ornament (a garland or diadem) of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment (expressive) of praise instead of a heavy, burdened, and failing spirit- that they may be called oaks of righteousness (lofty, strong, and magnificent, distinguished for uprightness, justice, and right standing with God), the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified" Isaiah 61:1-3 (Amplified) Emphasis mine.

Restaurant Adventures: Brownstone Cafe

Strongman took me out for a belated birthday lunch yesterday. Since I like to try new restaurants, Strongman and I decided to try the Brownstone Cafe in Middletown, PA.

The architecture of the Brownstone building reflects its age... approximately 200 years old, and it functioned as a bank under various names for the majority of those 200 years.

More recently, it was transformed into the cafe now known as the Brownstone Cafe. Its ornate wood trim and high ceilings give a sense of elegance to the dining experience, but it is a cafe and tends to get a little loud at peak times.

The food was great and for a reasonable price. The service was efficient and the staff friendly.

If you are looking for a pleasant and casual dining experience at an affordable price, I recommend the Brownstone Cafe.

Correction: "One Heart Given"

In the posting, "One Heart Given," I referred to Mary Magdalene as the woman who anointed Jesus. The Biblical text does not support that claim. According to the text the anointer was "a woman of the town who was an especially wicked sinner."

I am sorry for any confusion I have caused.

Recipe Raves, "Sour Cream Apple Pie"

This posting is dedicated to my Betty Crocker, award-winning sister, Auntie MA. I love you, Sissy!!! Thanks for loving me!!!

Sour Cream Apple Pie

1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust

5 large tart apples (Granny Smith works for me)

1 tablespoon lemon juice

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened

1/2 to 3/4 cup sour cream

Prepare pie crust. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Peel apples and cut into thick slices. Arrange slices in overlapping rows in pastry-lined pie pan; sprinkle with lemon juice. Blend sugar, flour, cinnamon, and salt. Cut in butter with pastry blender or fingertips until mixture resembles coarse meal; spoon over apples. Spread sour cream over top. Bake 45-50 minutes, until apples are tender. If during baking the edges of the pie crust are becoming too dark, shield with tin foil.

This recipe is a favorite of Consecrated, Strongman and myself...enjoy!!!

Poetry Place: "Besiege My Heart"

Did you ever wonder what purpose suffering could serve? Why does God allow temptation? Why do we need to endure heartache, trial and persecution? I submit to you that we are sharing in the sufferings of Christ, and He is building in us...endurance, steadfastness and patience. The Lord, Himself, is giving us the privilege of proving our faith to Him.

Various trials, temptations, and heartaches have crossed my life's path. Suffering and persecution have been my companions. At first, comprehension of what was occurring escaped me. My merciful heart was turned in on itself, and I began to struggle with depression. I did not realize that I was being given the opportunity to be transformed into the image of Jesus, a vessel of His choosing.

This transformation does not occur instantaneously, but it is a process in which ALL Christians are in the midst of. Some of us look more like Jesus than others, but the simple fact remains, if we belong to Jesus, He will change us, transform us, to mirror Him. My accelerated transformation began seven years ago, when I prayed to Jesus, "Show me my sin as You see it." And then prayed, "Grow me quickly."

"Besiege My Heart" is my personal account of realizing my heart's condition and receiving revelation of the "tools" that God uses in order to transform me into Beautiful Grace, transform us into sons and daughters of the Most High God. He loves us so much that He refuses to allow us to be anything less that what He dreamed. He loves us so much that He will allow circumstances less than pleasant to come into our lives. We will fulfill our destinies, if we embrace God's work!!!

I pray in the great name of Jesus that we allow Him to do His holy molding and shaping. We will fulfill the destiny He has planned for us!!! In Jesus name!!! Amen


Besiege My Heart
Beautiful Grace
June 14, 2005

Besiege my heart, Holy Spirit of God.
I give consent to Your overthrow.
Incapable am I to rule it
For deceitful and wicked it is.
No man can know.

You, oh Conqueror, of base desires
Know the art of subjugation.
You war against fallen desires
Which block the full reign of Kingship of one heart.

You employ methods far too wonderful for comprehension
In accomplishing Your goal.
Trials become a chisel,
Whittling away self-love.
Self-love seeks protections from life’s inflictions,
But Love’s King has said, “embrace them.”

Allow Love to make you into the vessel of His chosen type.
His Love, holy, selfless and true, refuses to allow undoneness.
Be not hesitant to embrace Love’s power,
God’s depths are found there.


“Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations. Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience.” James 1:2 & 3

Addendum to "I've Been Tagged"

I tag Speaking Freely!!!

I've Been Tagged

My sister-in-law Plain and Simple, aka "Simply Beautiful," tagged me. I believe I am to write eight random things about myself. Here it goes.

1. I used to dream of being a "rock star" (and the first nurse in space and a hair stylist and a research scientist). It was the singing that actually attracted me, not the "rock star" persona itself.

2. I was born on my Mom's birthday, July 1st. She told me that I was the best birthday present she ever received (spoken like a true Mom).

3. Although I worked in nursing for 20 years, I don't consider myself a physical nurse. Spiritual nursing is my true call (still asking God what that one looks like).

4. My dream is to one day sing, dance and pray at Succat Hallel (Hebrew for “Tabernacle of Praise”) in Jerusalem. If not in this life, I will in New Jerusalem.

5. I married my high school sweetheart, Strongman. Strongman actually IS a strong man. He placed third in his weight class for a strongman competition seven years ago at York Barbell Club. He threw a sixteen inch truck tire fifty-one feet, ran one hundred fifteen feet for time with six hundred pounds of weight in a wheelbarrow and pulled a 10,000 pound truck for 85 feet.

6. I used to take ballet lessons as a little girl. My little brother, Plain and Simple's DSH (isn't he cute?) helped me practice my positions.

7. I played the French horn in high school.

8. Did you know that in 1982, I was the First Lady of the United States of America...or at least my character, Mary Turner, was in the musical, "Of Thee I Sing". President John P. Wintergreen married me (Mary Turner) because I (she) could make corn muffins. That's me on the upper left side, complete with lots of stage make up.

Poetry Place, "Glory to Glory...Changed"

This poem was born out of my personal relationship with Jesus. He speaks, encourages, empowers and shares His heart to those who desire more than just the form of religion (a mechanical ritual).

Without You, I would be dead in my sins and have no hope. Thank you, Jesus, for your gift of eternal life! Thank you, Jesus, for not leaving me in this world alone! You guide, You lead, You hold my hand. Praise be to You my Friend, my God, my King!!!!

Holy Spirit I ask that you would draw all of those who read this to Your heart that they too might hear Your voice and be empowered and encouraged...saved!!! All for Your glory, Jesus. In Your great name. Amen!!!


Glory to Glory...Changed
Beautiful Grace
7/7/07

My Heart swells with love for a Friend
Who froze a moment to reveal a sunset
And declared it was for me.
Doves cooing to woo my affections toward Him.

This same God picked me up
Bloodied by stones flung by the Accuser's consorts.
He shouted, "You're beautiful, you're clean.
Take My glory and wear it as a sign.”

A Queen, a Bride being prepared for King Jesus,
Royalty, nothing less.
With purple turban on my head,
And golden gown shimmering,
I stand before my King.
My one desire…to please Him.

Yearnings of this world grow cold
Passion for the One I love burns brightly.
Weakness turned into Strength,
Fear transformed into Boldness
From glory to glory...changed.

Poetry Place, "To What Can Your Glory Be Compared?"

Colors of light,
Streaming in black night.
Glorious display for all to see.
Yet, the glory lacking when compared with Thee.
To what can Your Glory be compared?