Another cold April came and went, and Southern Lower Michigan was wondering when spring would arrive. Well, it said hello this week, and did it in all its glory! And I was like the woman in the photo at the right, drinking in the sun and warm air.
Strange, however, that even in cold weather and the threat of frost, the trees and early flowers phenomenally know when it’s time to wake up and come alive. Since the end of March they have shown signs of rubbing the crusty sleep from their eyes, but not until this week did they wake up.
Here is an example of waking up. Less than a week ago I saw tiny buds on this tree — hundreds of them — and I knew one day there would be a burst of blooms. And yesterday, I walked passed the open front door and glanced out to see this sight….white buds like a cloud burst of fluff.
I took these two photos with my cell phone camera, instead of getting out my digital camera. But I believe the beauty still shows up.
I am not sure if this tree is a Dwarf Cherry Tree, or something different. It was here when my husband and I bought this place seven years ago. It produces berries and the robins come by the hundreds to eat, as they migrate south for the winter. Right now the garden below the tree is yet to come forth, but it’s there!
I mentioned to one of my blog followers that spring reminds me of the resurrection. Coming forth. One day soon Christ will appear and call His people home.
“For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.” I Thessalonians 4:16-17.
Amen. Come quickly Lord Jesus!
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A love story that points the reader to a God Who loves us, even when we fail to follow His plan.
Available on Amazon. Click here: https://amzn.to/3MvajYx
A sequel follows in July. “The Same Rainbow’s End” You can pre-order it now on Amazon.
“The Wonted Voice of Forgiveness” is a contemporary Christian novel that tackles the hard questions of love, relationships, and forgiveness. It is truly a story ripe for today’s progressive and searching world. As you read about Marco Ricci, and look into his heart and soul, you will discover a life that portrays a deep desire to do what is right, while battling against temptation. “The Wonted Voice of Forgiveness” will keep you turning the pages, as it points to a God Who loves us, even when we neglect to follow His plan.
Two weeks ago our maple tree started budding. A sign that spring was on the way. And I remembered something I head my mother say when I was just a kid: “Spring is a reminder of the resurrection, when everything that died comes to life again”. It wasn’t until she passed way that I fully became aware of the comfort in her statement. 
And sure enough, full bloom comes and the answers we needed are given and understood. 
Dandelions instead of flowers
Running shoes instead of soft slippers. But the answer is there and it is always for our good. . . .His plans are always for our welfare and peace.
My daily devotional this morning had a great point. It asked the questions: do I feel a need for constant confirmation and do I need to drop names to show off? 
I was reminded of a Scripture that fits into the subject of friendships and serious conversations . . . it was the words of the Apostle Paul who said to the Corinthians: “For I determine not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.” (I Corinthians 2:1, King James Version)
This is the cover of a new novel to be announced soon. It’s a beautiful love story with twists and turns that hold true to life and the difficulties in our society. It asks the questions, can God bring beauty from ashes and repair what is broken. 
The world is upside down right now, but for those who have their faith and trust in Christ, we can affirm that God over-rides and interrupts fear with joy and happiness. I’m not saying that we Christians live in a constant state of euphoria, or an imaginary existence of utopia. No! Not when last week I had a break-through infection of COVID. (Thankfully it was mild compared to those in hospitals and many struggling on vents.) However, I believe we can support the words of King David when he wrote: You (God) have filled my heart with greater joy than when our grain and our new wine was abundant. (Psalm 4:7, emphasis is mine.)
For me, I plan to sit with my husband inside our warm car at the park, facing toward the icy, rushing water of the River Raisin Dam, and enjoy a yummy McDonald’s hamburger with him. The sight of the power that moves the water is exciting to watch.
Perhaps I’ll dare to sneak a few of my husband’s salty fries, just to tease him. And we will laugh at the funny antics of Canadian Geese gathering at the shoreline in front of us, and watch the sea gulls fly over the river. 
Oh, what simple things God gives us everyday that shows His love and comfort toward us. If we should live in a place as wonderful as the Taj Mahal, or have the fame and fortune of the entire world, without the joy of the Lord in our hearts, we would have nothing to boast about.
The world population of almost 8 billion people is still in the process of treading water – hoping for rescue from all that has come across the globe in the last 20 months. It’s been a wild ride! More than ever before in our lifetimes, the last two years will be remembered for its phenomenal events, ranging from COVID, mass civil unrest, election disputes, Middle East shakeups, multiple business failures, soaring prices . . . and what we wise Christians see as the great falling away from God. 
The comfort and help we need – which keeps you and I from complaining that it’s not easy being a human being – is the love of our family and friends, and of most importance, the promises in God’s Holy Word.
God is faithful.
There are no scientific DNAs or electronic lists of words giving me information. On the contrary, it is just my fingers plucking away on the computer keyboard and my words coming out like a lone voice into a global wilderness. And so, what the world recently received was the creation of my novel Hidden in Irish Hills — appearing like a baby suddenly rescued and placed into the arms of humans who would take it and profit. Of almost 8 billion people on this earth, it remains a mystery who will enjoy and profit from this gift of words that was given to me from the highest source possible, like words as though they are “The People’s” most influential documents in history. Please do not take this as being excessively proud of myself, or carnally exaggerating my qualities or abilities. The truth is that I struggle with gross inferiority. I am simply saying that this novel came into my mind and my spirit from another source far greater than I. Yes, greater than the success of J.K. Rowling who wrote the Harry Potter series. Indeed, the Voice that leads me is contrary to Rowling’s fiction writings which were supposedly inspired by an erroneous rumor that a female named Doris Crockford – who is a witch in Britain – greeted Harry Potter in the Leaky Cauldron on the way to Harry’s first trip into Diagonal Alley. Rowling’s novels are steeped in the evil world of satanic activity….her success is not from God, but from the dark spirit world. 
And so, Hidden in Irish Hills is like wine in a new flask, the messages in this book await to be tasted by everyone. It is for a purpose. There is a message of hope hidden in every chapter….you simply need to find it. 
I am excited about this book because right NOW it is being sold on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other bookstores throughout the country, and the world. The storyline focuses on a suspenseful plot, with events popping up that appear to showcase what End Time prophesy might be like when God’s prophetic clock begins to strike the midnight hour. There is intrigue, love and grace woven throughout every page. Although this book is fiction, reality speaks between the lines.
My old house is the white house in the middle of the photo. The house that once stood next door, behind the wood fencing, is gone. It belonged to a wonderful elderly couple who were migrants from Italy. I remember the delicious smells that came out of their open windows in the summer — of garlic and oregano and simmering tomatoes. 
I cherish the memories of my old church, which looks rundown and wanting now. It was there I learned about Jesus and gave my heart to Him at the age of eight. The church is now called First Church of the Redeemed. Its windows are boarded up for protection. I checked it out on-line and it seems its doors are still open on Sunday for worship. 
Detroit was my starting point, and no matter how bad things may get, I will love the old city and my memories there forever. I will remember the picnics at Belle Isle Park, and the memories of the Detroit River Channel — shown in the background of the photo, behind the seven connected skyscraper buildings of the Renaissance Center. Canada is seen from the shoreline, and can be reached quickly by driving across the Ambassador Bridge, or going through the tunnel under the river channel. Two global countries connected by a river channel that runs 28 miles from Lake St. Clair to Lake Erie. Big freighters regularly sail through this busy channel. I live south of Detroit now, just a couple miles from Lake Erie. I am still home, because I enjoy the best of Detroit’s southern suburbs for shopping, church, and entertainment. 
Good news keeps getting better.
The story unfolds in the beautiful Irish Hills of Michigan, where Rachael Carson must move quickly to save her wealth and get her secret plan into action to save others. Her faithful maid, Maggie, works feverishly at her side, and together they turn the Irish Hills mansion into a mission place to save others from the impending tyranny of an evil world government. The powerful impact of people standing against evil and struggling to survive is sometimes more than Rachael can bear, yet she keeps moving forward, trusting God. Her plan will work, but only if she can outwit the power-hungry authorities. If she fails, she will lose everything, including her mansion in the Irish Hills and fourteen destitute people who have come to her for survival. 
Mary Cates Authorr 