Mary Cates, Epoch News
Hours before I started reading the book, Hearts of Fire, I shamefully got into a spat with my husband because he spilled coffee on the den carpet. This room is a favorite room, with a smart TV , comfortable recliners, a window looking out into a peaceful neighborhood — and not to forget – white carpet .Keep this in mind as I start from the beginning. . .
Earlier that day UPS delivered the “Fire” book, featuring stories about eight women from different foreign countries who were severely persecuted for their Christian belief. I laid the book on my nightstand for reading later. As the day grew, everything got good between me and my husband. The den carpet cleaned up well, my stomach was full, and the bottle of flavored water from the refrigerator tasted wonderful while I relaxed in my recliner.
Later that evening I started reading the stories in the book. As I turned the pages, I began realizing how inflated my life is with all the many comforts. Of course, there is nothing wrong with having a comfortable life, but what I was reading was not comfortable, it was heart-wrenching. One story featured a woman who was dragged from her home, beaten almost to death, plunged into a lonely dark cell, with a smelly bucket for a toilet, and starved. All this because of her Christian faith. Suddenly, the coffee spilled on the carpet meant nothing. The woman’s name was Tara. With God’s help she survived to tell her story. There were other grueling stories waiting to be read.
Teary-eyed I closed the book, thinking what would my response be if suddenly the United States went straight into the darkness of hell and everything I cherished became worthless? What if I were yanked from my home because I am a Christian? My thoughts led me to think about the President of the United States, and the G-20 summit.
High Stakes
The old soapbox drama, “As the World Turns”, is a great title for the recent gathering of the twenty great 20 nations of the world. High stakes were at their meetings in Indonesia just a few days ago. But not to discuss a sudden world-wide catastrophe, such as China pouring Fentanyl into our country, which kills hundreds of our kids and young adults every day. Not any pressure put toward China for their accountability regarding the leak of COVID, which infected the entire world. Not one of the vitally important things were on their docket, or on Biden’s mind. Instead, the President’s main focus was on Global Warming.
A missile was exploded in Poland before the end of the summit. That shook things up a little, but prior to that, I believe the common interests of these nations were to evaluate Joseph Biden in person. I say this soberly. Those Heads of State, who sat at that humongous conference table, were no doubt assessing his weakness in leadership and his obvious cognitive impairment.
If you were following the summit, you may have noticed what I saw was that was unconscionable.
When the cameras were rolling to capture the world-famous handshake of Xi Jinping and Biden — Xi was already standing center stage. Our President walked to him. A true sign of weakness on Biden’s part. Never walk to the enemy, let them walk to you. Notice in the photo that Biden places both of his hands around Xi’s hand as though he has an enduring love for him.
To top that off, Biden walked off the platform with Xi slightly in front of him (another sign of weakness). He put his hand on Xi’s back in a loving touch. The photo op showed a lack of strength and power on Biden’s part. Perhaps this is because the Biden family have huge financial ties to China…corruptive ties. Watch carefully, as the new Republican House vows to start an investigation of the Biden’s.
Maybe you don’t notice things like I have pointed out, but the real picture shows that our country is slowly being stripped of honor and strength, while the mainstream media refuses to report on the activity of evil power in high places. China is as much an enemy to us as Russia….maybe more! They are slowly owning us. Our grandchildren may one day be forced into an unbreakable stronghold, with China directing and owning everything they work for.
There is a Good Part
The good part in this Epoch news is that it will always be written with an eye on One Person…our Creator, and the Scriptures. Christians know that our God is in complete control no matter how things add up. We may suffer stress about what’s going on, but there’s truth and comfort in knowing that not one world leader, or natural catastrophic event, slips through God’s hands uncontrolled.
God forbid if America eventually is over-taken by a Communist government, or China becomes our bully commander. But individually we know that we will still belong to God, if we truly know Him.
It’s not simply a cliché to say God is in control. It’s the exact truth of Him and His Son, Jesus. Whether we are in Indonesia where the 20 greatest nations of the world gathered, or we live in River Forest Indiana – with a population of only 24 – God has it covered. He has your life and your family covered, if you are trusting in Him. His agenda is moving forward!
Be encouraged!
King David said it well: “He that dwells in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.” (Psalm 91)
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HELLO, and welcome to the new revamped website of Mary Cates.
As far back as 61 years ago, the words of an old English author and philosopher named Aldous Huxley, was right on the mark….
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. 
With just ten dollars in her pocket, Gladys courageously took the challenge to embark on a long trip by train from England to Yangcheng, China.
I read through, reliving her joys and sorrows. I read of 100 young Christian converts standing their ground against a gang of brute atheist Communists. The young converts were lined up and forced to watch as one by one each were beheaded. They had a chance to save their lives by denouncing their faith in Jesus, but they stood strong and unmovable. I read of beautiful Chinese ladies and wonderful men, with hearts of charity, helping Gladys when she didn’t know which turn to take, or how to feed the hungry children who came to her Inn. 
I closed the book thinking that I have a soft life here in America, while at the same time realizing that there is plenty to do in my own nation to help the poor and heal the divisions. Doing so might be as difficult a challenge as Gladys had, because of the many changes that have taken place in just the last five months.
This was no rinky-dink book. The story was captured in a Hollywood movie starring Ingrid Bergman – “The Inn of the Sixth Happiness” – 1958. Widely entertaining, it depicts the power of God that strengthens a person to do impossible things …..even in a poor city in China.
It is “May 2020”. There will be no dancing around the maypole at school or the folklore of celebrating spring — well, not unless we put on our face mask and keep 6 feet away. Who would have guessed this terrible pandemic would come to steal our peace, our contacts of love and fellowship, and worst – the health of those we love!
In a world of almost 8 billion people, it is hard to fathom God knowing and watching over everyone – but He does! If even the hairs of our heads are numbered by God (verse 30), then everything about us is observed, and is cared for by Him. He is in control and we must trust Him with our lives. We are much more than many sparrows. No matter what comes, we must trust him. (See page 13 of my book: Take Charge of Your Destiny” – the story of my brother Robert.)
I’ve learned a lot in my lifetime….still need to learn more, but one thing that comes back to me time and time again is our mortality. What I’ve understood most in that area of thought is that only acceptance of our mortality makes us free to live and appreciate the wonder of life. After all, it is death that reminds us that we don’t have forever. So the point in this conversation is that if you and I are going to make our “statement” toward some worthy purpose or express our love for another person, or accomplish anything, we must do it now.
Never sit back thinking that you haven’t got what it takes. Grab today with all you’ve got! Say hello! Let God handle the goodbyes.
To love is the greatest of human experiences and sooner or later we all realize that without it life is empty and meaningless. Love generally never disappoints, even if it seems refused and not worth our effort. Even if it brings uncertainties and confusion. Yes, even if we never get a response, because God sees our effort if no one else does.
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When you and I were babies there was undoubtedly someone declaring that we had our mother’s eyes, or our father’s determination, or Aunt Maggie’s dimples. Even so, there we lay with a face like none other, a voice that brought a brand new sound into the world, and a mind that would be our most unique contribution to the world. The ogling and classified resemblances goes on, and without notice people create the first sign of “conformity” in our lives.
There is no opera in the street. There is no wonder – no imagination.
And not without saying, there are customs to be respected, precedents to guide us, and rules we must follow. But in all of this conformity there is plenty enough left for us to be the individual we were born to be, and to make our mark whatever it’s yet to be. And I encourage this for all of us, no matter what age!
The opera is there. Music is in the street if we look for it and listen for it. In many ways we can be the “song” in someone’s life. 
Isn’t it interesting how we often reserve our embraces for intense emotional occasions of extreme happiness, tragedy or catastrophe?
Her face was buried in a newspaper while she waited at the doctor’s office for her name to be called. The man decided to respond to his instinct and said to her, “You look lovely in that hat.” She put down the newspaper, smiled and said: “Women have lost the art and joy of wearing hats these days. 
I love them! Thank you for noticing.” And that was the start of a long animated conversation in which she became more radiant and even more lovely.
Mary Cates Author and Epoch News Writer 