The future remains a dream

0-Michel-COVER-Kindle-ThumbnailAh, my God. My life is like a flower I think.  I started out as a seed in my mother’s womb, the promise of a breath, a heartbeat, a soul. Then as a bud with promises of things to come in my parents’ arms, I wrinkled my nose at them, puckered my mouth, blinked, and cooed. Next came the excitement of slowly opening up as I gradually grew through childhood. I tried to be lovely and sweet, but that’s when the thorns appeared. Sometimes I stuck myself with those thorns. Eventually I reach adulthood and have been in pure water full of life, but other times in murky water that interfered with my growth. As I look back, it was all a sigh.  The future remains a dream. A dream of being with you forever like a flower that never fades. I long for that day. Until then, I will continue to praise you, the sunshine of my life and soul. I worship you.

Lord, thank you for the morning. It is so beautiful. It is a little nippy outside, but the sun is strong and warm. I see squirrels scampering about preparing for winter. I see people out jogging and enjoying the autumn breeze. I think of my garden and all the food it produced ~ more than I need. Thank you for such a bounty that I have plenty to give away to other people.  And thank you for the newspaper that reports on people with problems. It is as though they are calling out to me. I can look them up in the phone book and write them a letter of encouragement and say a prayer for them. Thank you for newspapers. And parts of the internet.

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MICHAEL: THE FOURTH WISE MAN sits in the palace just north of where the Garden of Eden had been.  As a descendant of Jewish Daniel in a pagan world, he longs to restore the garden in hopes that God will walk the earth again as he did with Adam and Eve.  But he is interrupted by a star.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this………. https://bit.ly/Michel4thWiseMan

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God left his creation unfinished

CLC-Genealogy 1&2

The scripture for today, October 26 (10//26), is 1st Corinthians 10:26 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

“For ‘The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.’ “

This is a thanksgiving scripture.

The beautiful part of God’s creation is that he left a lot of it undone for us to finish. After all, we are created in his likeness.

He left the stones and clay in the ground so that we could dig it up and build cities. He left the wool on the sheep so we could shear it and make warm garments. He left the trees growing tall so we could hew them and build barns and houses. He left the gravel in the ground so we could harvest it and build roads.

He left the ore in the ground so we could mine it and make skyscrapers, airplanes, ships, trains, automobiles. He left the water in the lakes and seas so we could capture it and create power and transportation ways. He left the beautiful stones unseen, so we could dig them up, shape them, polish them, and make beautiful decorations.

Yes, we were created in the likeness of our Creator. He loved to create. So, do we. So, whenever we make something good from his creation, we honor him.

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CLC-Genealogy 1&2GENEALOGY:  HOW TO CLIMB YOUR FAMILY TREE WITHOUT FALLING OUT.  Volume 1 is Beginner to Intermediate, Volume 2 is Colonial to Medieval.  Takes the reader step by step in finding unexpected evidences in family documents and pictures and cemeteries all the way to how to read census records, Middle English and wade through ancient Latin church records. Includes directories to American state archives, international archives, church archives. To  BUY NOW, click a book cover or PASTE THIS:  https://bit.ly/FamilyTreeFallingOut

You make me look good

0-Stephen-Cover-Kindle-MediumAh, Jehovah God, my Father and Maker, you love me so. You enchant me like a beautifully faceted diamond ~ love on this side, joy on that side, mercy on this other side.  You are my jewel, my precious pearl, my frame of gold. Silver strains of you sing forth from my heart. You are strong when I need you to be, tender when I need you to be. You are the epitome if everything good, thus making life on this earth ruled by Satan bearable.  Oh, that’s right! That’s why I am here ~ to smile when he wants me to frown, to love when he wants me to hate, to act when he wants me to sit idly by. How I delight in defying Satan and winning one more skirmish for you.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for your example and staying-power while walking on earth. Never sinning, never doubting, never quitting. All for us even while sinning against you.  You knew we’d continue to sin even after we became Christians. We are so fickle, you are so faithful. We are so deceptive even to our own selves, you are so true. Thank you for your undaunting example and loving me even when I do wrong. Thank you for making me look so good. It is your reflection in me.  How I worship you.

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00-Stephen-Cover-Kindle-ThumbnailSTEPHEN: UNLIKELY MARTYR was always sticking his foot in his mouth.  From his youth, he had wanted to make his parents proud of him, but more, he wanted people to learn about the true God.  It seemed everything he tried something to spread the word, it backfired on him.  But, as he matured…  To BUY NOW, click a good cover or paste this:  https://bit.ly/StephenUnlikelyMartyr

https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/books-more-biblical-historical-novels/book-7-stephen-unlikely-martyr/

 

Searching for Answers

Ah, how I ever long to praise you, God, for you are the Sovereign Lord over00-1st Century Worship KINDLE-COVER-Thumbnail all that exists and the only God. You formed me with gentleness and delight and I think perhaps a song in your heart. So many plans you made for me. How am I doing, Lord?  Your expectations are high, but I am trying, Lord. I am trying.  You inspire me, you rouse me from resting too much, and you revive my heart. Oh, how I love you.

Father, I try to convince people to be saved and that requires me to have the opinion they are not saved. I try to encourage other saved ones to reach out to the lost but that requires me to have the opinion they are not doing it. How far should opinion go? Forgive me if I have inserted my opinion above yours. Help me keep searching the scriptures for answers.

Thank you, Lord, for giving us a book that reveals your thoughts, points of view, and opinions.  How fortunate Christians are. No other so-called god has done so. And the Plan! It took so long to convince people we couldn’t stop sinning or save ourselves. But you stuck it out. You were so patient over those thousands of years and are still.  Thank you. I worship you. 

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00-1st Century Worship KINDLE-COVER-ThumbnailWORSHIP THE FIRST-CENTURY WAY includes one chapter for each form of worship. It begins with quotes from famous theologians and ends with quotes from famous second-century Christians.  In between is gentle step-by-step progression beginning with what we all agree with and ending with what God agrees with.  Give to denominational leaders.  Use as a class book.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  https://bit.ly/ApostleWorship

https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/1107-2/my-book-worship-the-first-century-way/

And sometimes I will whisper to you

changes-in-worship-cover-mediumLord, an old friend years ago was in a coma for weeks. One day, she opened her eyes, sat up in bed, held out her arms, smiled, laid back down, and died.  My old aunt was bedfast with a long-term fatal disease. The last few days of her life, she kept holding out her hands and whispering, “Why are you hovering so far from me?”.  Another friend was in her livingroom and her husband heard her say, “Well, hello there.” When he went to investigate who had just arrived at their house, his wife was slumped in her chair, gone. Ah, my Lord God, you do not leave us to die alone. Is it an angel who comes to get us when our time has come? Is it you, Jesus?  All I know is that I will not be alone, and slipping from this world to yours will be the whisper of a breath, an enchanting holy moment. The moment I have lived for my whole life, for then I will suddenly be home. There I will praise you forever.

It is morning and nippy outside, but I am cozy in my robe looking out the window at the dawn. I see birds hopping around eating, perhaps getting their fill before setting out on their long journey to a warmer climate for the winter.  Is that frost I see on the ground?  I will eat some cereal and drink some juice, then get dressed for the day.  My quiet time with you will be over.  But you will continue with me through all the noise and hustle and bustle of the day, and sometimes I will whisper to you with a smile, “Thank you for adorning my life.”

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00- Worship Changes KC COVER-thumbnailWORSHIP THE 1ST-CENTURY WAY is 2nd in the series WANDERING SOUL, ENTITLED HEART, AND THE SIDETRACKED CHURCH.  It gently takes the reader from what we all agree on to what they had not thought of before and gradually works them through accepting the way the apostles worshiped.  A great gift for someone who worships differently and is an avid reader.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste thishttp://bit.ly/ApostleWorship

 

https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/1107-2/my-book-worship-the-first-century-way/

Unrealized Blessings

OldOldTunes-mediumMy life, Lord, is like a small boat on a vast ocean. I cannot walk on anything solid, but your heaven has streets of gold.  I cannot see anything beyond the vast waters of time, but you can see the future.  When waves of verbal and physical attacks threaten, you steady me and say, “Peace!  Be still.”  I cannot tell what is lurking below me, ready to swallow me up, but you surround me with an impenetrable shell.  I am thirsty, but you give me the water of life. I am hungry and you give me the bread of life. My life is not my own because you are my guide, my protector, my defender. For all this and more, I praise you.

Thank you for the mentally handicapped, especially those who are adults. They are so trusting and smile so easily when they talk to me.  They have the innocence of a child while in an adult body. They are a wonderful reminder to me that I need to be more child-like in my attitudes.  I love talking to them and hearing their plans and dreams. Oh, to be that innocent again.  And loving. They love everyone and are happy to share their stories with anyone who will listen. Thank you for these special people you have sent the world. They are such a blessing.

OldOldTunes-ThumbnailTHE OLD OLD STORY SET TO OLD OLD TUNES is a fun way for young people to learn the Bible with 40 songs of the Old Testament and 40 of the New Testament.  All are set to old folk tunes.  Try not to giggle too much as you sing.  Great for classes, get-togethers, homeschoolers and for grandparents who know those old tunes best.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  https://bit.ly/OldStoryOldTunes

 

https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/links-to-some-of-my-fun-bible-stuff/the-old-old-story-set-to-old-old-tunes/

How many times?

I praise and adore you, Lord God of the unfathomable  universe. You are my 000-COVER-KINDLE-MediumKing, my Maker, my betrothed. All glory and majesty belong to you. This is your world and no one ese’s. You are willing to fight Satan and get him away from me because he is too strong for me.  I give in to him so often, especially with my attitudes and use of my time. But you run after me and snatch me away from him again and again and again. You never tire of returning me from unknown and unsuspected danger to the safety of your everlasting arms.  I do not comprehend such love. All I can do is praise and worship you every day from the depths of my heart and the heights of my spirit.

Thank you, Jesus, for loving me so much. You have been so good to me ~ far beyond what I deserve. I have salvation from Satan and peace of soul.  I have freedom from sin and fulness of life. When I think of so many people without you, without hope, without understanding, all wondering what this hard life is all about, my heart aches. How much more does your heart ache for them? Thank you for my time on earth when I can work along side you to seek and save the lost just as you did me those days long ago.

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000-COVER-KINDLE-ThumbnailLAZARUS THE SAMARITAN covers 45 years of Zarus’ life.  Each chapter he lives one of Jesus’ parables.  When he marries a Jewish girl, no one comes to the wedding, so her father sends to the highways and byways for wedding guests.  His son grows up to be the prodigal son. His daughter’s wedding maids are the ten virgins whose lamps flicker at midnight.  He becomes rich, but while in a far country, his servants turn on him. He is the Good Samaritan and at the end he is the beggar who dies and is carried away by the angels.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  https://bit.ly/LazarusTheSamaritan

 

https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/books-more-biblical-historical-novels/more-biblical-historical-novels/

Noble magnificence

My God, whether my last days on earth be amid turmoil or peace, I will Rhoda Book Cover KINDLE-thumbnailpraise you. Whether my last days are from sickness or injury, I will praise you. Whether my last days are amid friends or enemies, whether they are in a hospital or a prison, whether I die from natural causes or am slain, I will praise you. Forever in this life and the life I will have with you on the other side, I will praise you.

Father, there are some children that would go to church with me if I asked them. They like me and I think their parents would let them go with me.  What am I waiting for? Why do I keep putting it off?  One of them could be a great missionary someday. One of them could be a doctor someday. One of them could be a preacher someday. Get Satan away from me and make me go see those children and ask them.

Ah, my Lord, in gratitude I fall before your throne. You made it possible for me to join you and live with you someday. Yes, I know you are with me now. But, when you give me a glorious body like Jesus’, I will be able to see you with new spiritual eyes.  Oh, to see you face to face. To behold your noble magnificence and divinity with my own eyes. It remains my heart’s desire and my spirit’s dream. Until then, my Lord, my soul will bow down to you and worship.

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Rhoda Book Cover KINDLE-thumbnailA CHILD’S BIBLE KIDS: RHODA.  She’s nearly a teenager and gets silly sometimes. But she has a good heart and helps support her and her mother. People don’t always understand her,  but everyone loves her just for being her.  Come along and spend a day with Rhoda.  Think & Do at the end of each chapter.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  https://bit.ly/KidRhods

https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/a-childs-bible-kids-book-8-rhoda/

You follow me around

You, Lord God, travel through time at your ease. Time means nothing to you. I am confined to seeing and hearing on a single highway as I travel through life. But you are above that highway and can see and hear everything going on around me, both past and future. It is all the same to you. Perhaps time is good for me because it offers me forgetfulness of pain that ever lurks in the shadows of eternity and anticipation of the exciting that rises with each son. You need none of that because you are everywhere at once and have been from eternity to eternity.  Some day you will dissolve time when all is well and I am home with you at last.

Thank you, God of my heart, for following me around, even when I am not thinking about you. You guard me. You guide me. You surround me. You are in me. I am never away from you, for I am your child. You hover over me, turn me around, stop me. You do whatever is necessary to keep me on the path to heaven. I am never alone. In sadness and joy, in danger and safety, in sickness and health, in poverty and wealth. How can I thank you? I cannot adequately. Still, my puny gratitude flows from my heart and soul to yours.

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CHRISTIANITY OR ISLAM: THE CONTRAST.  One third quotes from the Qur’an and Bible on the same subjects w/o comment.  One third explains misunderstandings Muslims have about Christianity.  One third is 100 quotes from some of my Muslim students who have decided Jesus was the Son of God and not just a prophet.  Can be given to a Muslim w/o offending.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  https://bit.ly/3-IslamContrast

 

https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/1107-2/my-book-christianity-or-islam-the-contrast/

Faith in us

01-Adam&Eve-KindleMediumAh, God of Creation, you made all this for us ~ for my delight, my provisions, my protection. All this to delight in while I try to live a life that proves love is superior to hate, good is superior to evil. Love is all might and all mighty, all power and all powerful. You put so much faith in us to help you win over Satan. Working together with you?  We can do this! How incredible that you chose frail humans to help you in the race. What a grand and exciting Plan! You have never changed and never will.  Satan cannot change you any more than darkness can become light. You, mighty God, are my fortress, my shield of faith, my sword of Truth. The demons and their leader fear you. The universe praises you.

Thank you for all these ways of communicating electronically that did not exist when I was a child.  To project my voice and image to someone on the other side of the city and even the other side of the world is astounding. I could have never imagined such a possibility. When some people spoke of it, it was like a fairy tale or science fiction. But today it is a reality. Thank you for these new inventions. And for the air I breathe, the food I have to eat ~ so many things I tend to take for granted. May I never take you for granted. You are my heart, my soul, my life. And you love me. How can I thank you for all this?  I fall at your feet and worship.

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01-Adam&Eve-KindleThumbnailA CHILD’S BIBLE HEROES:  ADAM & EVE.  How could these two scoundrels be heroes?  Counting Adam’s age when he had Seth, and allowing for two older brothers, Adam and Eve were in the garden over 100 years. One hundred years of not sinning!  Can you or I go one day without sinning?  They were not all bad; no one is all bad.  Large print for early readers.  Understood ages 3-12.  “Think and Do” at the end of each chapter.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  https://bit.ly/BibleHeroes-AdamEve

 

https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/a-childs-bible-heroes-1-adam-and-eve/