A Tornado Is Comin: Book Review (2005)

El-Roi . The Strong One Who Sees . Exodus 16:12,13.. God is not sleep....HE is at the same place HE was when Jesus was on the cross.

I reviewed this book in 2005 while being a Writer & Host of a Baptist Site.

Finding peace in all kinds of weather.

Finding the Storm Cellar of God's Power.

This California - bred - and - raised woman couldn't believe it. She looked out at the Illinois landscape from her hotel room and couldn't comprehend the power of the storm that was lighting up the night sky. The TV blasted the warning that a tornado was possible and urged everyone to stay tuned for further coverage.

A tornado never did appear that evening, but speaker and writer Pamela Sonnenmopser told her of the time she lived through the devastation of one.

As she made her way through the winding road leading home, the clouds began to gather green and ominous. Suddenly the shrill shrieks of the emergency broadcast system came on the radio.

The announcer on the radio stated in monotones that a tornado with one-hundred-mile-an-hour winds was heading to Rushville, Missouri, at at rate of thirty-five miles per hour.

In their home, she made a few phone calls to warn several people.

Remembering more tornado tips, she ran to the center of their house and surrounded her body with blankets from her bed. There was nothing she could do except pray as the roaring sound of the nearby tornado was accented by sounds of breaking glass and tearing metal.

God had protected her from the storm.

Pamela concluded her story by saying,

We don't have to live in worry. We just need to walk in faith and trust that God is in control when we can't see what HE is doing.

The next time you feel like a tornado of worries is heading your way, trust God. HE is our storm cellar of protection and care. We can trust HIM.

Kathy Collard Miller, Author -- Partly Cloudy with Scattered Worries. The author is a popular conference speaker and best-selling author. She has appeared on the 700 Club and other radio and TV programs and has spoken in five foreign countries.

2007 ... Abraham & Hagar Have a Son Ishmael ... Sunday School Lesson

One of my 2007 Writings, that is at a couple other another sites....

What season are we in?...And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows.

GOD has a plan....GOD Is In Total Control.

God keeps HIS promises. God is All Powerful, HE Knows All Things, Sees ALL Things.

9-23-07 Sunday School Lesson: Genesis 21:9-21

Sharing my sunday school notes (Read Genesis 21:9-21)

9-30-07 Lesson (Next Week) "Issac & Rebekah" Genesis 24:34-40, 42-45, 48

Genesis 21:12-13 "God said unto Abraham....also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he is thy seed."

I want you to keep your mind on this but this was not in my sunday school book for some reason my mind went to this --- Acts 2:8-11, 16, 20, 38, 41, 42 - The Pentecostal Beginning, Realized. What season are we in? Now I have never been to seminary nor theology school but this is my thought.

Genesis 21:9-21

Verses 9, 10, 11, 12, 20, 21 --- OTHER Nations, Offshoots of The Abrahamic Stock, Ishmaelites


(My understanding the Arabs are from Ishmael & Abraham)

And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian (Genesis 16:1) which she had born unto Abraham(Genesis 16:15)

Abraham was a man of faith. Abraham was a father of two sons at this time by two different women and they were all living in the same dwelling place - home.

Was it and is it possible for two women that have had a child by the same man to dwell - live in peace all under the same roof with one man? Abraham was grievous when he had to send his son, Ishmael away.

Verse 14 -- THE FAMILY, Polygamy (more than one wife or husband at the same time) & Concubinage (to dwell or live together) Practised Trouble From It

And Abraham rose up ...... early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: (John 8:35) and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness in Beer-sheba.

Abraham was kind for he prepared water and bread for Hagar and his son before sending them away from his dwelling place. This is how men should care for their child(children) making preparations for them.

Beer-shea .......... Genesis 21:14 Hagar was relieved there, I Kings 19:3 Elijah flees there

Verses 15, 16 -- THE FAMILY, Family Affections, Parent & Children, Love to Children

And the water was spent in the bottle, and she cast her child under the shrubs.

And she went, and sat her down over against him.....a good way off, as it were a bowshoot, for she said, Let me not see the death of the child.....And she sat over against him, and lifted up her voice, and wept.

Food for thought -- Was she praying for her child? What mother, what good mother would not have been praying for their child hoping that they would be heard? Was her cry heard?

Verse 17 -- Angels, The Angel of The LORD, OR, OF God, Instances of HIS Appearing

And God heard the voice of the lad; (Exodus 3:7) and the angel of God....called to Hagar....out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not, for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is.

God ask Hagar what aileth thee...God called her by name. God told her not to fear for he had heard the lad -- the lad was her son.

Food for thought -- What was Moses? Do you remember what Moses calling was?

Exodus 3:7 --- The Hebrews, ISRAEL in Egypt, God Remembers HIS Covenant

And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows.

Verse 18 -- Angels, The ANGEL Of The LORD, OR, OF God, Utters Predictions

Arise,.....lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand; for I will make him a great nation (Genesis 21:13)

him - Ishmael

Verse 19 -- MIRACLES, Supernatural Bodily Gifts, Gifts of Bodily Vision

And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad a drink.

Food for thought --- Pray, Pray seriously, Believe, ACTION "ASK, SEEK, KNOCK"

Genesis 25:12-17

Verses 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 --- Descendants of Ishmael

Verse 16 -- 12 princes according to their nations

Verse 17 -- Other Nations, Ishmaelites, Ishmael lived 137 years

Scripture reference taken from KJV, Topical Bible, Crusade Bible Publishers, Mt. Juliet, TN

Book Reviewer, Web Content Provider/Writer/Blogger, Researcher, Sunday School Teacher

Quiz: Abram/Abraham & Lot & Paths of Life '10/6/2013 Sunday School Lesson'

Genesis/Bereshith 13:7-18 . Genesis/Bereshith 3:23,24 . Genesis/Bereshith 13:8-18 . Abram/Abraham . Lot . Obedience . Directions - Path . Garden of Eden . Bible Quiz . My Discovery at Sunday School on October 6, 2013 . Faith


Now, first let me start off by saying that I was at a visiting Church that studied the same Scripture lessons that I study from and those I shared on last week, but they brought out some points that was not in my Sunday School Lesson, nor any study guides that I studied from.

And, as I have said before I am not a Seminary/Theology student, but I just want us to think about these things.



Genesis 13:3,6,7-18:

a. Study which direction - path Lot went in.

b. Study which direction - path Abram went in.

c. Does it pay to be obedience and faithful?


Genesis 3:23,24:

Go back and look at the Garden of Eden and study where the Lord God placed the Cherubims.


Now look at what the Lord told Abraham.

Wednesday - October 2, 2013 - Settling in the Land - Genesis 13:8-18 ... Home Daily Bible Reading

October 6, 2013 - Background Scripture: Genesis 12:1-7; 13; 15:7-21; 17:8


Angela Watkins

Moses Quilt (Book 1) ... Book Review

Book Review . Quilting . Fiction . Harriet Tubman . Faith . Storytelling . Weddings/Broomstick . Moses . Christian Life . Christian Dating . Christian Marriage . Christian Interracial Dating . Christian Interracial Marriage



I received a complimentary copy of this book from New Hope Publishers.

And so Harriet Tubman, bereft of family, friends, and finances, pressed on, accompanied only by her God and destined to become the Moses of her people.

The apostle Paul also reminds us to press on.

God never forgets His people (Deuteronomy 1:6-8; Luke 5:4-8) 9-1994 preached by one of my former Pastors.

And yet, though this woman who was quickly becoming known as “Moses” was heroic, she did not take foolish chances. She went when and where she believed God directed her, trusting Him to keep her safe until her work for Him was done.

The Holy Spirit directs Christians where to go and He even tells Christians where they are not to go (Acts 13:2; Acts 16:6,7).

A minister friend of Harriet’s named Thomas Wentworth Higginson first introduced her to the audience as “Moses,” alluding to her work of leading the slaves to freedom, much as the biblical Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt.

Because of her complete dependence on God, she didn’t hesitate when asked to expand her public speaking to include the cause of women’s suffrage.

The woman had rescued hundreds of slaves before the war and given three years of her life to serve the Union Army, most likely without any monetary compensation, realized when that the fight to set her people free was far from over.

“If you want to understand this courageous woman,” Mimi said, “then you have to first understand her great faith. There was no compromise when it came to her belief in God. From the earliest age, she was forced into a life that demanded complete trust in God if she were to survive. She understood that, and she practiced it daily. Combine that faith with a deep-seated desire to be free and to see her people free, and you’ll get a glimpse of how one solitary—uneducated and without a dime to her name – accomplished so much for so many.”

Could knowing more about this woman give her the inspiration she needed to become more like her? Mazie certainly hoped so.

“Harriet’s parents set the example, Mimi said. “These were not people who prayed once in the morning and once at night, or just before they ate, though they certainly did that. But they talked to God all day long, and Harriet grew up doing the same. She believed God talked to her. And when she heard from Him, she took His words seriously. The cruelest master in the world couldn’t take that from them. She committed her spirit to God, and she believed He would keep it safe.”

Last night Edward sat in on the part about Harriet’s younger life and what a strong Christian she was. He knew that, but it hadn’t really registered with him what a huge part of her life that was, and how impossible it would have been for her to be the courageous woman she was and accomplish all that she did without that faith. He paused.

He told his Sis, it really started me thinking about my own faith and how easily he took it for granted. And if he could get in on another installment of the Moses quilt story tonight, then he’s going to be there.

And now Edward wanted to come over and spend an evening listening to an old woman’s story. A story that in many ways he probably knew better than Mimi knew. What a fine young man that Edward Clayton was!

Lilly’s brow drew together as she gazed up at Edward. “She stated to Edward, I understand that some of Harriet Tubman’s story is new to Mazie. But you, Edward? Surely you already know it.

Mazie watched Edward pause before nodding True. Most of it anyway. But somehow, hearing Mimi tell it in relation to the quilt from Gee’s Bend … He shook his head and shrugged. He wasn’t sure why it fascinated him to hear it, but it did.

And how would the story ultimately impact Mazie’s relationship with Edward? For as surely as Harriet Tubman had known the master’s death would somehow change her life. Mazie suspected change was in the offing for her as well.

When Miss Susan explained that Harriet wasn’t doing the job correctly, the sister scolded her for punishing the child for something she’d never been taught to do. The sister showed Harriet how to perform some simple household chores to Miss Susan’s specifications, and the situation improved slightly.

“By staying close to God; her relationship with Him was at the center of everything Harriet Tubman ever did or said or believed. It’s the reason she was able to accomplish all that she did in her amazing lifetime.”

Mimi’s smile was weak. The Scriptures promise that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. There is no other way, child. Sadly, we don’t seem to learn or understand that until we’re put in a position where our own strength isn’t enough. That’s when we have to make the choice to turn toward God – or away from Him. Thankfully, Harriet turned toward Him, time and time again, throughout her life, regardless of circumstances or suffering. And God used her mightily because of it.”

Mazie thought, “How many followed in Harriet’s footsteps even now, inspired by her courage and her faith, her selfless life and powerful legacy? Would anyone ever follow
In Mazie’s footsteps, challenged by some honorable deed or sacrificial gift?

Mazie had always thought she had a strong faith and, for the most part, modeled a fairly exemplary Christian lifestyle. But did she? Was it enough to believe in and adhere to the basic tenets of the Christian faith? Or was God calling her to something more? Was He in fact, calling all His people to something more? If so, how many truly responded?

Edward stated, he may have experienced instances of prejudice, in his lifetime, his dad had before him, and Pops told stories that let him know that he didn’t have it easy. But nothing close to Harriet.

Harriet’s life really helps put our own in perspective, doesn’t it? Just about the time I think, I might have something to complain about, all I have to do is think about Harriet and the cruelty she endured. It’s mind-boggling ---------- especially when you think thousands of other people lived in similar conditions – maybe even worse.

Mazie tells Edward that she loves him. What she don’t know is why she resist what her heart longs for – and that’s to say to him, to be his wife. And she has to keep asking him to wait too. She realizes that this isn’t fair, and she worries that she’ll make him wait too long and lose him. But she has to be sure

“Thanks to Old Rit’s tender care of her daughter, Harriet recovered once again.” But then she was sent out as a housekeeper for a different woman, who treated her every bit as badly as Miss Susan. The amazing thing is tat as Harriet got older, she claimed to have no ill feelings toward her former masters.

The old woman shook her head. That slave girl might not have been able to read, but she loved the Holy Scriptures. One of her favorites was Isaiah 16:3. And she was known for praying nearly every waking moment of her life.

It was all part of God’s preparation for the great work He had for her in the future.

Tracy didn’t make a habit of attending any Cburch other than the one in which she’d grown up in and her family still attended. But her parents were out of town enjoying a little “alone time,” as her daddy called it, and Tracy knew Edward was planning to go to Mazie’s Church. He’d make a point of inviting Tracy to join them and at first she had turn them down.

Deep down she had to admit that at least part of what she was feeling on this unusual morning was a desire to see Mazie and Edward together – at a Church where just decades earlier, Edward would have been barred from worshipping.

Tracy wanted to look her best at all times, whether at work or grabbing a burger downtown – but most of all when she went to the house of the Lord. Her parents had taught her and Edward that. It did not matter to her if Mazie and her family did attend a Church that didn’t seem to care if people came in suits or blue jeans. She certainly hoped that Edward would not show up in the later.

Mimi reminded Mazie “Remember, God numbers our days, and only He knows if we will have another time …. Or not.”

Mimi shares another part of the Moses quilt: the patch with the two white bells on it.

The image between the two white bells is a broomstick.

Broomstick ceremonies were practiced by most slaves in those days, though Mimi was a it fuzzy on the origination of the practice, and she imagined Mazie was too. Mimi asked Edward if he could add any details to the custom. It seems the bride and groom would jump over a broomstick to seal their vows one to another. Many people, including Harriet’s parents, thought the girl would never marry. “But then she met John Tubman … and everything changed.”

Harriet was a hard worker, a woman of great faith, and she had a powerful singing voice. John Tubman, a liberated slave who carried his “freedom papers” with him at all times, was also an observant man who didn’t allow Harriet’s qualities to escape his notice.

The two worked side-by-side for a man named John Stewart. Because both groups did nearly the same type of work, however, freed blacks made it a point to have their papers with them wherever they went so as not to be mistaken for slaves.

Soon, however, Harriet could no longer deny the truth of John’s interest in her.

Finally, one day in 1844, in the presence of family and friends, both slave and free, Harriet Ross became Harriet Tubman. It was a simple ceremony, with no mention of “till death do us part” or “what God has joined together let not man put asunder,” since Harriet was still a slave and could be sold or traded away by her master at any time.

John Tubman was a free man who could also read and write.

You see through John was a free man, thanks to a stipulation in his former master’s will, they still had to live in the slave quarters because of Harriet’s status. And sadly, so far as anyone knows for certain, they never had any children. Her entire being still burned with the longing for freedom, but each time she suggested to her husband that they make a run for the North, he discouraged her, even threatening to betray her if she tried it.

Harriet was obviously an all-or-nothing kind of woman with a courageous and selfless heart – the complete opposite of Mazie Hartford, who couldn’t make a simple commitment to marry the finest man she’d ever known.

Edward and Mazie had been out riding and on their way back to Mazie’s there was blinking red and white lights.
There was a stretcher (gurney) by Mimi’s bedroom door. A tall, hefty man wearing a Langsdale Fire Department T-shirt stood beside it.

The fireman turned his attention from what was going on inside the room toward Mazie, the new arrival.

He allowed her the spaced needed to catch a glimpse of what was no doubt another fireman and two paramedics, gathered around Mimi’s bed, poking and prodding and questioning.

Mazie looked up after they had taken Mimi to the hospital and Edward was standing beside her and Lily. He opened his arms and encircled them both and told her ‘Let’s pray right now.’ Then we’ll get in my car and I’ll drive you to the hospital.

Surely Edward was the sort of husband that every Christian woman dreams of finding one day, and here he was, sitting next to her, ready to slip a ring on her finger if she would only say yes.

A door opened – and it was not a doctor or nurse. Tracy stepped through it.

Edward no doubt called or texted her.

Lily smiled at Tracy and told her to “pray,” and know that they appreciated her support.

The doctor came in and spotted them and revealed that Mimi had ‘Congestive heart failure’ ‘COPD.’

Lily has tried to prepare Mazie for the day that Mimi will pass (not now but later in the book). The Bible teaches that when someone we love dies, we grieve but not as those who have no hope.

Dr. Marsh released Mimi to go home.

Mazie retrieved the patchwork covering and held it up for Mimi to see.

The patch with what looks like burst a bird on it.

That patch represents Harriet’s courageous decision to be free, regardless of the cost. Like a bird being let out of a cage, our heroine was about ready to fly.

Harriet had been beaten, whipped, starved, and humiliated more times than she could remember, and her desire for freedom grew with every abuse. Not only did Harriet long to be free herself, but she also wanted to help free as many of her people as possible. Why couldn’t John understand that?

John was a handsome man, and a charming one too. And oh, could he sing! He was quite a catch, that one.

But free or not, there wasn’t much opportunity for freed slaves to make a living except as farmers or field hands, working right alongside the slaves.

To make matters worse, Harriet had come to believe that she and her family had been set free as well, but she had no way to prove it. At one point Harriet managed to pay a lawyer five dollars to find proof of this arrangement. The lawyer did, and Harriet discovered her mother should have been set free years earlier, but a deceptive master refused to honor his agreement.

Harriet’s master, the young heir to the Brodas plantation, died suddenly, and rumors began to fly. The guardian of the estate planned to sell off several slaves. Harriet and two of her brothers were among them. It was a fate Harriet was not willing to accept without a fight.

If Mimi was able to continue her story to the end, Mazie might find the answer to her dilemma. At least, she certainly hoped so.

Lily, “We think we have problems sometimes don’t we? But we don’t even begin to know what a hard life is until we hear about someone like Harriet and all she went through. What a courageous woman.”

Finally, one warm summer evening in 1849, Harriet wrapped a tiny bit of food in a bandanna, knowing it might be all she’d have for some time. Excitement swirled with sadness inside her, as she wrestled with the need to run and the tragedy of leaving loved ones behind. Sadly, she couldn’t even risk telling her parents or other siblings what was about to happen the next morning.

As her final day on the plantation drew to the close, Harriet walked through the slave quarters, singing as she often did.

Harriet knew she was not alone. “Oh, dear Lord,” she prayed, “I ain’t got no friend but you. Come to my help, Lord, for I’m in trouble.

Mazie knew that Harriet was called the Moses of her people and that she was involved with the Underground Railroad, leading slaves to freedom, but that’s about it. Somehow listening to Mimi’s story and following it on her quilt makes it more personal, she suppose.

Was it possible Mimi was telling them this story about the Moses quilt so their family could finally unwrap a story of their own.

As a child Mimi was almost assaulted by a couple of young boys, and a man saw and stopped them. She had wanted to go and pick some fruit and the boys saw her by herself.
The fugitive slave statue, passed by Congress in 1793, allowed owners to recapture their slaves and bring them back to their plantations, punishing them in any way they saw fit.

Harriet had once met a white woman, a quaker named Miss Parsons, while working in the fields. Miss Parsons was touched by Harriet’s story and told her if there was ever anything she could do to help her that she shouldn’t hesitate to ask.

At the next stop she received more food and more information.

The man name was Thomas Garrett, and he was already deeply involved in the Underground Railroad when Harriet appeared in his life. A devout Quaker, he had dedicated his life to rescuing slaves and seeing slavery abolished.

Mazie was haunted by the idea that Harriet was so driven to find freedom that she left her husband behind. She wondered if she would ever experience a passion or longing so deep that she would be willing to risk absolutely everything else to achieve it. She also wondered how much deeper Harriet’s feelings for John had run than her feelings for Edward.

Mazie had been surprised when even Lily decided to join them, but when she heard Mimi was going to tell them about Harriet’s life beyond rescuing slaves on the Underground Railroad she’d quickly voiced her interest.

Mimi “You see that patch with the gold coin, off to the right?”

That coin represents the many expenses involved in supporting Harriet’s treks back and forth to the south, not to mention her own living expenses and caring for her aging parents and others once she’d brought them north.

Harriet had been attending antislavery events for years, but when approached in 1858 to become a speaker, she was stunned. Who would want to listen to an uneducated former slave?

As a result, when urged to join the speaking circuit, she sought God’s guidance and decided it was indeed what He wanted her to do.

Because of her complete dependence on God, she didn’t hesitate when asked to expand her public speaking to include the cause of women’s suffrage.

The next morning Edward and Mazie opted to attend Church with Lily, not wanting her to have to go alone. After checking in on Mimi, whose caregiver was about to turn the still sleeping elderly woman over to Lily’s care. Mazie grabbed her pineapple and cabbage salad from the refrigerator and followed Edward out to his car.

“Mom and Dad will be so glad to see you,” he said, as he opened the door for her and helped her get situated after placing the salad bowl on the floor behind her.
Edward parents have been busy as ever.

His dad is always working, and his Mom is totally involved at Church – except when she’s busy looking for a potential husband for Tracy. Tracy does her best to ignore her, but she knows only too well how happy Mom would be if she’d get married and have kids.

The next installment of the Moses quilt story could wait until Edward brought her home that evening.

Within moments, they were all gathered around the table examining the quilt patch that showed a Union flag, sipping tea, and awaiting the next portion of Mimi’s story.

She agreed to the governor’s request, though it was May of 1862 before the doors opened for her to become actively involved in the service of the Union Army.

Though personally disappointed with President Abraham Lincoln, in that she felt his top priority should be freeing the slaves rather than preventing secession, she committed to doing whatever she could to help the Northern cause.

“God won’t let Master Lincoln beat the South till he does the right thing.” Harriet declared. “Master Lincoln is a great man, and she was a poor Negro(then)/Black/African Americans (now), but this Negro(then)/Black/African Americans(now) can tell Master Lincoln how to save money and young men. He can do it by setting the Negroes(then)/Black/African Americans(now) free.”

Harriet realized after she had gave her life to three years to serve in the Union Army that the fight to set her people free was far from over.

Mimi funeral was on Friday, with a nearly packed house at the Church. Edward set on Mazie’s left, her mother on her right. Each held on of her hands as the service progressed, with Mimi’s favorite songs being sung and a slideshow of Mimi’s life playing across the screen in front. She had answered the call of the angels the moment she saw Jesus, leaving the rest of them behind to miss her and long for the day when they would see her again.

Edward sat on his couch staring in the darkness and praying for Mazie.

With a sigh he pulled himself from the couch and padded barefoot across the room to his desk, where he flipped on the light before sitting down and jostling the mouse to bring his screen to life. He immediately went to the Internet and typed in Harriet Tubman’s name. Clicking on what he imagined would be one of the most reliable sources, he soon found himself immersed in the story of the second Moses.

Not only did his reading confirm much of what Mimi had told them, but it brought back details he hadn’t heard since his schooldays.
Sarah Bradford donated her time to write Scenes in the Life of Harriet Tubman. The book, was financed by other friends of Harriet Tubman, including William Seward. The book was a success and produced an income that covered not only Harriet’s living expenses but helped to fund her work. Harriet, still struggled financially until the end of her life simply because she was always ready to give away anything she had to help someone else.

In 1897, Harriet received the Diamond Jubilee model from Queen Victoria, in honor of the queen’s sixteen anniversary on the throne.

After a severe bout with pneumonia, on March 10, 1913, at the age of ninety-three, Harriet closed her eyes for the last time and no doubt heard her Lord say, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Welcome home at last.”

Over a year later, the city of Auburn honored their beloved Harriet, with a proclamation, issued by the mayor, to fly the flag all over the city as a tribute to the monumental work accomplished by this humble but courageous and faith-filled woman. The next day, flags flew everywhere across a city populated mostly by Whites.

By the time Edward had finished reading tears trickled down his face. “You know that when God made a promise, He meant it,” he whispered. “Of all he could remember and all he learned about Harriet, that’s the greatest thing.”

Booker T. Washington was among the attendees that day, and he said that Harriet had “brought the two races nearer together.”

Edward asks Mazie to marry him again. He tells her that he loves her and don’t want to live without her. It isn’t about their ancestors, about Pops of Mimi, and things that happened to them, or about anyone else. It is about Edward and Mazie. She found out what she went to Gee’s Bend to discover, so now he wants an answer now. Today.

They were not bound by the past; Christ had set them free, even as He had with Harriet and so many others through the centuries.

Yes she told Edward, that she would marry him. And the sooner, the better.

Family and friends gathered together at the Church Mazie and her mother had attended for so many years, the same sanctuary where just months earlier they had held a memorial service for her beloved Mimi. With the pastor from Mazie’s Church as well as the one from Edward’s performing the ceremony together. Behind the two pastors was a large wooden Cross on the wall. Underneath it hung the Moses quilt, reminding them of all they had learned. One patch in particular caught her eye – the one with the dove holding a branch in the beak. A symbol of peace.

The Dove is also an emblem of the Holy Spirit, of peace, purity, and affection.

Kathi Macia, is a Multiple award-winning author, with nearly 35 books including the “Quilt” series, the “Freedom” Series and the “Extreme Devotion” novels for New Hope Publishers. Her devotionals reach hundreds of thousands – through the Christian Civic League, Black Christian News, Latino Christian News, Christians in Recovery, and Crosswalk.com. A popular speaker, Kathi loves outreach to prison and homeless ministries, and praying for and aiding the persecuted Church globally. A wife, mother, and grandmother. She lives is California.

Nothing Is Going To Be The Same ... 6/23/2013

Sunday School Lesson . Heaven . prophet Isaiah . Eschatology/Last Things . Last Judgment . New Heavens & New Earth . Peace . Old Age . God . Prayer . Universal Peace . Other Nations . Gentiles . Jesus Christ . Joy . Faith

The Sunday School Lesson for June 23, 2013 is shared from Isaiah 65:17-21, 23-25 (Devotional Reading Isaiah 42:1-9).

Isaiah 58-66, the restoration of Zion, the felicity of the Israelites admitted to be its citizens,and the condemnation and overthrow of the enemies of Jehovah.

The destiny of faithful and faithless Jews (Isaiah 65:1-25).


Isaiah 65:17-18

Verses 17,18 ... External Nature; The Heavens; Old & New Heavens

Verse 17 ... Eschatology/Last Things; The Last Judgment; The New Heavens & the New Earth

Verse 18 ... 'glad' & 'rejoice" ... Real 'peace' will only come via of Jesus/Yeshua

(Psalm/Tehillim 137 - Reference Scripture in Sunday School Book)


Isaiah 65:19-21

Verse 19 ... External Nature; The Heavens; Old & New Heavens

Verses 20,21 ... The Outward Man; The Body In Old Age; Promised

Verse 20 ... for the child shall die an old man; but the sinner being a hundred years old shall be accursed.

(Genesis 5:5; 9:29; 11:10-32; 25:7; 50:26)





Isaiah 65:23-25

Verse 23 ... Works Of God; God's Providence In Moral Discipline; Their Children Blessed

Verse 24 ... God Knows Our Needs & Answers Prayer

Verse 24 ... Duties To God; Prayer; Efficacy of Prayer, God Promises to Hear Prayer

Verse 25 ... Eschatology/Last Things; The Millennium; Universal Peace

Millennium .. period of 1,000 years


Isaiah 42:1-9

God's Servant: his mission (Isaiah 42:1-4)

The ministry of deliverance (Isaiah 42:5-9)

Isaiah 42:1-9

Verses 1,4 ... Other Nations; The Conversion of The Gentiles; General Predictions

Verses 2,3 ... Jesus Christ; Prophecies Concerning Christ; Meekness

Verse 5 ... Works Of God; Creation; Mammals & Man

Verses 6,7 ... Jesus Christ; Prophecies Concerning Christ; Figurative Prophecies, Light .... Jesus Christ; Christ's Humanity; Christ Compared with the Father, In Dignity

Verse 8 ... God; Anthropormorphic & Anthropopathic Representatives Of God; Seeks His Own Glory

Anthropormorphic ... attribution of a human form

Anthropopathic ... having human feelings

Verse 9 ... God; Attributes Of God As Person,Foreknowledge


Monday - June 17, 2013 - The Handiwork of God - Psalm/Tehillim 19:1-6

Psalm/Tehillim 19 ... Didactic Psalms: Showing the excellence of God's law

Didactic .. Instruct


Tuesday - June 18, 2013 - The Guidance of God - Psalm/Tehillim 19:7-14

Psalm/Tehillim 19:7 ... Everlasting Life & Heaven Promised

Psalm/Tehillim 19:8,11 ... The Upright Are Blessed & Prospered (Prosperity means different things to different individuals)


Wednesday - June 19, 2013 - No One Is Righteous - Romans 3:9-20

Romans 1:8-11:35 ... practical Christian duties. Written in the spring of 58 A.D. from Corinth, during a stay of three months in Greece, by the apostle Paul.

The failure of the world (Romans 1:18b-3:20)

The Gospel For The World: The Righteous - By - Faith Shall Live (Romans 1:18b-8:39)


Thursday - June 20, 2013 - Sin, Death, Sacrifice, & Salvation - Romans 5:6-14

The joys of faith-righteousness (Romans 5:1-11)

Shall live the righteous (Romans 5:12-8:39)


Friday - June 21, 2013 - New Things Springing Forth - Isaiah 42:1-9


Saturday - June 22, 2013 - God Makes All Things New - Revelation 21:1-7

The New Heaven & New Earth (Revelation 21:1-8)

The vision of final triumph (Revelation 17:1-22:5)

Revelation main theme, "I come quickly," & its objective is to awaken in the believer the response, "Amen: come, Lord Jesus."


Scripture reference used/taken from: KJV Topical Reference Bible, Zondervan Commentary, The International Teacher's Encyclopedia/Concordance KJV Precious Promise Bible, Reader's Digest Oxford Complete WordFinder & Merriam Webster's Deluxe Dictionary

Confident Parenting ... Book Review

Book Review . Parenting . Children . Child . God . Galatians 6:2 . Shema . Deuteronomy 6 . Mentor . Faith . Grandchildren . Proverbs 18:21 . Matthew 16:26 . Father's Day

I thought that this would be a great book to share for 2013 Father's Day, which will be June 16, 2013.

Sharing tips from a book I reviewed over five years ago.

When a child comes into your home, he or she doesn't come with an owner's manual, warranty, or guarantee. Nobody sent us to parent - training school.

This book won't give you easy answers, but it does offer a road map, one drawn by God himself, who made caring for your family your highest calling on earth.

Is your parenting working? It will never be perfect, but it is supposed to be working.

For now, be aware that you may need to use the word "no" more than you would like in order to raise your kids to be responsible adults.

Frankly, you can't do much about the decisions of your spouse, or even your kids when they reach a certain age. Make decisions about your own life.

God's promise to you is found in an old proverb: "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

You can choose to recover from your family's past or repeat it.

The author admits that there is alcoholism on both sides of his family. His choice is either to recover or repeat, so he choose not to drink.

Dan Chun is a good friend of the author and a pastor in Honolulu. Several years ago, he was looking to hire a youth worker for his church and called the author for some suggestions. The author gave him two names: an all-star youth worker and the other was yet unproven. Dan decided not to take the all-star. He told the author he only hire broken people to minister in his congregation.



Bill Hubels has written about coming to a place in his life where he needed to make some changes if his ministry relationship to his wife, and his role as a father were going to be successful.

He wrote, "there was no way he could continue to lead, teach, feed and grow his church with so many broken pieces rattling inside him.

Paul's advice to the church of Galatia is good for everybody (Galatians 6:2).

VDPs' -- Very Draining Persons

VIP's -- Very Inspiring Persons

We can - and should - make parenting decisions based on the eternal perspective.

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 "Shema" in the Bible. It is the Hebrew word from the Old Testament. It means to listen or to hear.

The word "Shema" (pronounced she-MA) - to listen, to hear, morning blessings, bedtime prayer, special dedication, such as "home blessings."

No one is perfect. The cry of the Hebrew people was that there was one God, Yahweh, or Adonai.

Yes, the church community has a role, but parents must take ownership of transmitting faith to the next generation.

Each child is unique.

Every six months the author and his wife spend a half day talking about their kids. What areas need work?

A few years ago the author and his family visited Israel during the Jewish Passover. It was a most incredible time to visit the Holy Land, because of the preparation, Worship, and family traditions that happen at this very sacred time of year. They were doing what the Bible told them to do (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).

At mealtime, read a Scripture, say a prayer, share a prayer concern, and light a candle to remember a loved one.

Storybooks are good for younger kids; hang-out time is better for older ones.

Focus on traditions that are meaningful to your family.

Ten Commandments: Lesson for finding peace in an over-crowded life. Remember the Sabbath Day by keeping it Holy. Sabbath - Rest.

The pace of life is destroying families. It makes good people act crazy and makes otherwise healthy people become vulnerable to sickness, broken relationships and to sin.

The reason the author know and write about the effects of busyness is because it has so often been the story of his own life.

"What profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?" (Matthew 16:26 NKJV)

The author and his wife spend a great deal of time helping people in pastoral ministry with their marriages and families. In this last year, they have heard from people struggling with pain and problems, from affairs and addictions to abuse and wayward children.

So what's the answer yo these pace-of-life issues? The author believes it is found in the lesson of the Sabbath.

A half day of Sabbath rest is better than no time at all.

4 Elements of A Healthy Sabbath for the Burns Family:

Rest - Refresh - Restore - Recreation

Lesson of A.W.E. - Affection, Warmth, Encouragement

Request a prescription of A.W.E.

There is no such thing as a house without conflict, but by working relentlessly to reduce stress in your family, you promote a warm environment.

No one can live successfully until he or she masters self-control.

Your words have power. They can either provide life and build up or they can destroy. Even when correcting your children, it is important to choose your words wisely.

Children need to learn that life is not fair and that there are consequences to wrong choices.

Your words have great power with your children. (Proverbs 18:21).

Your words have power to destroy or to heal. Use your words with your kids to bring out the best in them.

You are a role model to your children.

You are a mentor to your kids.

"Build a legacy of faith for your children and your grandchildren. Continue doing the best you can, and with God's help you will see wonderful results."

There is much to be done and much to be taught. You have learned the lessons of parenting.

The great philosopher Soren Kierkiegaard told a story about ducks that came from an imaginary country where only ducks live. One Sunday morning, all the mother and father ducks headed to church with their children waddling behind them.

They entered the doors and sat in their duck pews, sang songs from their duck hymnals, and gave to under privileged ducks at the offering time. When the duck preacher got up to proclaim the message, he was very dynamic. He opened his duck Bible and screamed, "Ducks, you can fly!" You have wings and you can fly like eagles."

The ducks all chanted. We can fly, we can fly!" He asked, "Do you believe you can fly?" He screamed again, "We can soar through the skies!" They all shouted, "Amen." With that the pastor closed his duck Bible and dismissed his congregation of ducks. Then they all waddled back home.

Your words are important, but they can only go so far. The message to our children will be very similar to that of the duck pastor. After he told them they could fly, he needed to show them by spreading his own wings and soaring above the clouds.

The author, Jim Burns, Ph.D. is heard daily in over 800 communities. He speaks to 1,000's around the world each year through marriage & family seminars & conferences. He earned his M.A. in Christian Education from Princeton Theological Seminary & his Ph.D. in Religious Education from Greenwich School of Theology.

2 of 3 ... Serving One Another ... 5/19/2013

Spiritual Gifts . 12 Step Programs . God . Jehovah-Jireh . Crisis . Trial . Suffering . Holiness . Christian Service . Love . Hospitality . Faith . Cost of Discipleship . Power of the Good News/Gospel . Sunday School Lesson.


My Sunday School Lesson for the week of May 19,2013 is coming from the Books of Luke, James and I Peter.


Personal assignment: spiritual gits inventory and 12 step program (this thought was in my sunday school book)


I Peter 4:10 .... As ..every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as .. good stewards of .. the manifold grace of God.


Spiritual Gifts Inventory/Quiz: (these links/urls were not in my sunday school book below, consult your Christian leader at your Place of Worship as well)


http://www.spiritualgiftstest.com/tests

http://www.churchgrowth.org/cgi-cg/gifts.cgi?intro=1

http://www.elmertowns.com/spiritual_gifts_test/


12 Step Programs: (these links/urls were not in my sunday school book below)

http://www.12step.com/12stepprograms.html





Financial Christian Book Reviews: (2005 & 2012 Reviews)


http://angelawatkins57.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-heart-of-financial-matters-book.html

http://angelawatkins57.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-debt-diet-book-review.html









I Peter 4:10 ....

As .. every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as .. good stewards of .. the manifold grace of God.

Man Redeemed; Duties & Graces Of The New Life; Christian Hospitality, Enjoined

As .. Romans 12:6; I Corinthians 4:7


as .. Matthew 24:45; Matthew 25:14,21; Luke 12:42

the .. I Corinthians 12:4


I Peter 4:10 ....

every .. I Corinthians 4:7

Scripture reference used/taken from: KJV Topical Reference Edition Bible & The International Teacher's Handy Bible Encyclopedia/Concordance KJV Precious Promise Bible