I saw the milky way

I saw the milky way in the sky last night for the first time in years.  How amazing. Chandeliers in the sky for my delight. And 0-Titus-Cover-Lg Thumbmy galaxy is only one of one hundred thousand million galaxies. You think of everything, then go far above that. You love me, then surpass that.  You guide me and go beyond it. You are too marvelous, too wonderful, too majestic, too holy for me to understand.  But I plan to spend my whole life trying, Lord. How exciting that has made my life and will continue to on into eternity.

Thank you, my Lord, for giving me my second breath to come out of my discouragement. Thank you for helping me think of new ways I can reach out to other people so they will know just how much you love them. And for the time to do it. Time is so precious. At the end of time, I will be home with you. But, until then, I will thank you for the priceless thing called time. May I turn it into gold for you.

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0-Titus-Cover-Lg ThumbTITUS: THE ARISTOCRAT was a university-educated arbitrator and problem solver.  After being converted from paganism to Christianity, Paul knew he was the perfect person to send around to troubled congregations wanting to make changes.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  http://bit.ly/Bk8-TitusAristocrat

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https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/books-more-biblical-historical-novels/book-8-titus-the-aristocrat/

Keep on singing

OldOldTunes-mediumThe scripture for today, August 22 (8/22), is Jeremiah 8:22 as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

“Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then is there no healing for the wound of my people?”

Gilead was just across the Jordan River in Palestine with plenty of medicinal healing balsam.  Jeremiah laments that his people have not returned to God, with plenty of  healing balm for their souls. Today, we weep over our nation and hundreds of conflicting denominations that do not return to God. We pray, we weep, we sing our sad songs.

This beautiful African-American spiritual of unknown origin is one of those sad songs. You may be able to hear it sung a cappella here: http://bit.ly/1PfHxrI Here are the words to that spiritual:

There is a balm in Gilead
To make the wounded whole;
There is a balm in Gilead
To heal the sin-sick soul.

Sometimes I feel discouraged,
And think my work’s in vain,
But then the Holy Spirit
Revives my soul again.

If you can’t preach like Peter,
If you can’t pray like Paul,
Just tell the love of Jesus,
And say He died for all.

Keep praying and sharing and singing.

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THE OLD OLD STORY SET TO OLD OLD TUNES has 40 songs about the Old Testament and 40 songs for the new.  All set to old folk tunes.  Fun. Educational. Easy-peasy.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……….  http://bit.ly/BibleSongBook

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

You held out your arms to me

I lift up my praises to you, Jehovah, God of the universe. You are the ultimate love, for though mankind has left you, you want us back so we can 0-BK 2-DreamMaker-cover-kindle-medium-newdelight in each other’s presence. As a new-born baby, I think perhaps I must have been aware of you, having just left your presence. But as I grew older, I drifted farther from you. When I became grown, I did things you were ashamed of. But you pursued me anyway. Your love was stubborn. Your love was such a powerful and mighty and driving force. You reached out to me over and over. Though I ran from you a little while, I gradually realized you were not going to let me go. I gradually realized the potency of your love. When I turned toward you, you held out your holy arms to me and welcomed me back home.

My Lord, sometimes I am tired. I do not want to do anything but sit and stare or go for long walks. Sometimes I am discouraged. I am at a lost what to do next, so I do nothing. Sometimes I feel so inadequate, I lie down and refuse to do anything at all. At those times, you smile, take my hand, and whisper, “It’s okay. Go ahead and rest. I’ll send one of my angels to sit with you. When you are ready, I’ll be ready too.  You do not need to ask my forgiveness, for there is nothing to forgive.  Rest now and be at peace.” Thank you for being so understanding, my Lord.

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0-BK 2-DreamMaker-cover-kindle-new-thumbnailDREAM MAKER is lyrical novel #2 in the series THEY MET JESUS.  He is now grown, Herod is dead, and the Temple takes over trying to find and destroy Jesus. But he takes the kingdom by storm.  Are they too late to stop him?  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……….  

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https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/historical-novel-about-jesus/book-2-dream-maker-adults-childs-versions-2/

And They Wept

04-Isaac&Jacob-KindleMediumThe scripture for today, August 10 (8/10), is Nehemiah 8:10b as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

“This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

After exile over 70 years for forsaking God, the Jews were led by Ezra and Nehemiah back to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple and rebuild the wall. On a special day, Ezra read the Law of Moses to all the people.

And they wept.

They were so embarrassed and so sorry they had betrayed God. The above scripture quotation is from that occasion.

But many people find it too humiliating to admit to others they were wrong. Others find it easy to repent, but never regroup and pull themselves up so they can try again. Still, others say, “What I’ve done is so bad, God could never forgive me.”

God can perform miracles. That means he can forgive the greatest sinner. So grieve. Ask for forgiveness. Then start over fresh ~ innocent in the eyes of God.

Remember, when you feel weak, the joy of the Lord is always your strength. And it is magnificent.

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04-Isaac&Jacob-KindleThumbnailISAAC & JACOB is storybook #4 in A CHILD’S BIBLE HEROES.  You would think a little lie wouldn’t hurt.  Or even a big lie.  But Jacob’s lie cost him everything. It disrupted his entire family.  His twin brother tried to kill him.  He was gone from home for 20 years and during that time he lost his mother.  Talk about a dysfunctional family. But God healed them.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……….  http://bit.ly/2LacnWf

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https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/a-childs-bible-heroes-book-4-isaac-jacob/?frame-nonce=1e7c6b1760

It is August and I am happy

00-Hero Alone-COVER-KINDLE-MediumAt first, when I learned about you, Lord God, my faith was a slight spark, barely visible. Later, my faith enlarged to the size of a pin light. Eventually, the light of my faith filled the little space around my body.  Finally, the light of my faith filled a room and I rejoiced in it. But that was not all.  I continued to study your Word and pray and share, and after all that, I realized the light of my faith was large enough to fill an arena. Now that I am growing old, my body is weaker and starting to shrivel, but not the light of my faith. Now, and now oh, Lord, my faith flares up high and wonderous beyond my wildest dreams, fills the world, and draws wanderers to it. All because of you, Lord, for the light of my faith comes from you.

It is August and hot outside. I don’t care. At least it isn’t snowing, Besides, in August I don’t have to worry about shoveling sunshine! In August I slow down a little and take life easy before the bustle of harvest and autumn. I can go out in the cool of the morning and pick strawberries or blueberries. I can wade in mud puddles after a summer shower. I can sit under a tree, look up through the branches, and imagine the top of the tree are reaching the canopy of the sky. I can even lie on my back on a blanket and imagine what kind of animals the clouds look like. Ah, yes, it is August and I am happy.

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00-hero-alone-cover-kindle-lgthumbnailYOU CAN BE A HERO ALONE:  SURVIVAL STORIES OF ISOLATED CHRISTIANS. Inside are stories of Bible people who had to survive alone ~ Noah, Daniel, Elijah, John the Baptist and many more.  A few multiple questions are at the end for personal reflection or class study.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……….  http://bit.ly/HeroesAlone

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https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/1107-2/you-can-be-a-hero-alone-survival-stories-for-the-isolated-christian/

Plans you can only imagine

0-BK 8-ComeFlyWithMe-Cover-Medium-NewThe scripture for today, July 30 (7/30), is John 7:30 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

“At this, they tried to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him, because his time had not yet come.”

Even thoughm, during the last two years of his life, many people wanted to kill Jesus out of jealousy or fear or pure meanness, he was never afraid to keep teaching. Why? Because he knew he was life and truth and that he came forth from the Father of lights.

Do you feel fear sometimes because of things going on around you? Do we fear failure, or ruin, or false rumors, being stricken by Covid-19, or  imprisonment, or your life? Remember, each life is in the heavenly Father’s hands.

So do not fear. Keep on keeping on. Hold fast. Stand firm. Do the right thing. Stand up for Jesus. And, when someday, your time does come, know that God has everything under control.  He had big plans for Jesus at his death, and he has big plans for you.  Plans you can only imagine.

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0-BK 8-ComeFlyWithMe-Cover-Thumbnail-NewCOME FLY WITH ME is the last book in the 8-novel series THEY MET JESUS. Witness his apostles hiding for fear they will be crucified next. In the depths of despair because all their dreams are dead.  Witness as he interrupts their meal. The tomb really is empty! Witness their last days with him and hoping he really won’t leave them.  Witness as they move their families to Jerusalem then gradually scatter. Witness John, now an old man, reunite with his friend, Jesus, in the heaven of heavens. Click a book cover or paste this……….  http://bit.ly/ComeToHeaven

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https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/historical-novel-about-jesus/book-8-come-fly-with-me-adults-childs-versions/

 

You can prepare the way for…

The scripture for today, July 27 (7/27), is Luke 7:27 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

05-Joseph-KindleMedium“This is the one about whom it is written: ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ “

Jesus had a difficult task ahead of him.  He had to prove to the world who he was while not scaring them to death with lightning strikes out of the sky or being a giant, or striking unbelievers dead.  So, John the Baptizer announced his coming ahead of time, smoothing out the crooked roads in the hearts of people.

Do you know a dreamer who is struggling to accomplish something very important to them? Have they been in trying to overcome all the obstacles for weeks or months or years?  Do you know anyone who is an obstacle for them? Can you say or do  something to that obstacle in order to help smooth the way for the dreamer? Does this dreamer need something in their climb that you can provide for them? How about encouragement? 

On the other hand, do you have a dream and sometimes slump into times of discouragement or depression? You can prepare “the way” for yourself.  We all have our ups and downs. You know yourself better than anyone. You know best what you need to hear when you are down in order to lift you back up.  Write yourself a letter. Tell yourself what you need to hear. Then put your letter away in preparation for one of your down times.

Life is hard. It is full of both promise and discouragement.  Today, sit down and write yourself that letter.  Then contact someone else for whom you can begin to prepare “the way.”

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05-Joseph-KindleThumbnailJOSEPH is storybook #5 in A CHILD’S BIBLE HEROES.  Joseph was a dreamer.  His dream came true but his path to fulfill it was full of “monsters” and pits and darkness.  Great for children up to age 12 with “think and do” at the end of each chapter. Get the whole set of 10 books.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……….  

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https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/a-childs-bible-heroes-book-5-joseph/

You draw me like a magnet

000-COVER-KINDLE-ThumbnailMy Lord and God, steadily I climb toward you. You draw me like a magnet. You seem so much closer with each step. With one step I strive to have the kind of mercy for others you have for me.  With another step I try to be more forgiving as you are to me. With yet another step I struggle to make time for others as you make time for me. Then there are the steps of purity, patience, pride and so many others that I dread to take because I am so weak to keep them in my life. Sometimes it is very hard to keep going.  But you keep drawing me. Where I lack the strength, you reach out and say, “Take my hand. I will help you.” Keep drawing me toward you, Lord. Help me keep climbing and walking, climbing and walking, until at last I walk through the gates into heaven and see you as you are.

Thank you, God, for your Book divine, the Book wherein you pour out your heart to me. How you have agonized with all of us these past centuries and millenniums. At the same time, you have shared in the victory march of each Christian who overcomes an enemy of action, an enemy of attitude. You never stop tugging at my heart and mind. You keep saying through your Book, come to me. Come to me!  I can give you strength. Thank you for being willing ~ no, anxious ~ to lift me up. How I adore and worship you.

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000-COVER-KINDLE-ThumbnailLAZARUS: THE SAMARITAN lived through most of Jesus’ parables.  No one showed up at their wedding, so her father sent out to the highways and byways. He found a treasure in a field and sold everything he had to buy it. His daughter had ten virgin attendants who ran out of oil waiting for her groom. He was the Good Samaritan near Jericho.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……….  https://bit.ly/2AfVBoR

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

Are you frustrated & confused?

The scripture for today, July 18 (7/18), is Acts 7:18 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

Silver Cover-KINDLE-thumbnail“Then another king, who knew nothing about Joseph, became ruler of Egypt.”

Does God really answer prayers? When the Jews first arrived in Egypt, they received “royal treatment” because they were relatives of “Prime Minister” Joseph. Then he died, but his Jewish relatives stayed. Eventually they were resented as foreigners, then feared, then made slaves of the Egyptians.

For the following 400 years, the Jews prayed for God to release them from their slavery. Generation after generation died believing that God does not answer prayers.

But God saw the big picture. He saw that the 70 relatives of Joseph who originally went to Egypt would become more than three million over the next four centuries. Then and only then would they be large enough to begin a new nation ~ the Jewish nation. In Egypt during those centuries, they were in a form of “protective custody”.

Are you frustrated and confused because God is seemingly not answering some very important prayers? Perhaps you are part of a bigger picture that God only knows about. Perhaps your job is to stay where you are and just keep hanging on. Waiting is hard to do. Are you up to the task God has assigned  you?

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Silver Cover-KINDLE-thumbnail365 SILVER-WINGED PRAYERS: YOUR SPIRIT TO GOD’S is one of the TOUCHING GOD trilogy.  Beautiful gift book with papyrus font inside and original art work on the cover by famed watercolorist Betsy Kemp Thompson.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……….  https://bit.ly/2AeBR4I

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https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/365-silver-winged-prayers-your-spirit-to-gods/

He will not leave you or forsake you.

The scripture for today, July 14 (7/14), is 2nd Chronicles 7:14 as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

00- Worship Changes KC COVER-thumbnail“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

There is always a little bit of turmoil in all nations of the world. Of course, there is more in some. The average person cannot make their own nation call on God. But the average person can do this: “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone ~ for kings and all those in authority” (I Timothy 2:1-2). Further, we should pray for them by name.

Even if you think some people in authority in your nation are against you, you must pray for them anyway. Then wait quietly for God to work things out. It may take Him a year, a decade or a lifetime to bring about your heart’s desire for your nation. But keep praying.

Your job, in the meantime, is to follow God’s ways yourself. Romans 13:1,3-4 says, “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established…For rulers hold no terror for those who do right….For he is God’s servant to do you good.”

God is aware of the suffering going on around you. He will not leave you or forsake you.

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00- Worship Changes KC COVER-thumbnailWORSHIP CHANGES SINCE THE FIRST CENTURY tells what changes were made in their exact year and what they did to people who protested.  All members of the Restoration Movement should read this.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……….  https://bit.ly/3eqMQXc

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