Book Review -- Strays

     The book that I am reviewing today left me feeling happy and sad at the same time.  I will let you read the book to find out why.
      The book begins when a homeless man named Michael finds a stray cat who is hurt and cold out in the rain.  Michael rescues the cat, and the two of them become good friends.  In fact, the cat who Michael names Tabor will travel with Michael from Oregon to California and Montana.  Tabor gives Michael something to care about.
      While Michael is traveling about with Tabor, another man is missing his cat named Mata back in Portland.  He is doing all that he can do to find his lost friend.
      Like I said, I will let you read the book and not give away what eventually happens.  I did enjoy reading this book for several reasons.  It is a good story about how an animal friend can make a big difference in someone's life.  I also liked reading the author's insights into what it is like to be homeless and on the road in America.
     I believe that adults will enjoy reading this book.  It is well-written and the story moves along quite well.

P.S. --- Please continue to pray for those affected by the hurricane and storms.

Verses For the Week

     Please continue to pray for those who are suffering from the hurricane and storm in Texas.

Romans 5:1 -- "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."

Philippians 4:7 -- "And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

Prayer

    I just wanted to ask everyone to please continue to pray for those in Texas dealing with the hurricane.  The hurricane went northeast of where my uncle lives down there, but they are still getting a lot of heavy rain.
    Please pray for my area.  Many are still dealing with the effects of flooding from the storms here last Monday.  There is a chance for more storms tomorrow, so I would like to ask you to please pray that my area would be safe.   Thank you for all of your prayers.

Weekend Sermon -- Parable of the Faithful Servant --Matthew 24:45-51

     Welcome to the Weekend Sermon this week.  I thank you for taking the time to read the blog, and I hope and pray that everyone is doing very well.
     This has been quite a week.  We had record rainfall and some bad flooding in my area.  My house did get some water in the garage, but thanks be to God, it was not too bad.  Thank you for all of your prayers in this matter.
     I also want to thank the Lord that I've found what at this time appears to be a pretty good writing job.  I hope that this job continues to work out.
     In prayer this week, I would like us all to pray for those in the path of the hurricane in the Gulf region.  My uncle lives right on the Gulf Coast in Texas.  I called him today, and he and his wife are not going to evacuate even though its been suggested that they do so.  I am very concerned about this.  Please pray that this hurricane will weaken, and it will not cause damage.  Pray for people's safety.
     Please continue to pray for peace in the world, and pray for peace in the United States.  There is so much division and hatefulness right now.  Let us all pray for peace wherever there is conflict.
     For our prayer focus countries this week, let's pray for the nations of Bahrain and Togo.  Pray that many in these two smaller nations will hear of the love of Jesus.
     We are rapidly approaching the end of our series on the parables of Jesus.  After this week, I believe that we only have four parables left to cover.  I'm not yet sure what series I am going to present after this, but I do have a few different possibilities lined up.
     For today's message, I want us examine what many call the parable of the faithful servant.  This is found in three of the Gospels, but will focus on the parable as presented in Matthew.
     Jesus tells this parable as part of a larger discussion that He is having with His disciples regarding what will be the signs of His coming and the signs of the end of the age.  Jesus beings the parable by saying that a man left a servant in charge of the other servants when he decided to go on a long journey.  The wise servant who is left in charge will carry out his duties faithfully and conscientiously so that even if the master returns without warning, the servant will be found to be performing the  master's will.
     On the other hand, if the servant put in charge is foolish, he will think that the master won't come back for a long time.  That foolish servant will neglect his duties and abuse the other servants.  When the master returns suddenly, he will be displeased with the servant that he placed in charge, and he will give him a portion with the outcast hypocrites.
     This is a powerful parable that has a lot to teach us.  Let me begin our examination of this parable by stating clearly that Jesus is coming again.  I wholeheartedly believe in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.  One day, when the time is right, the Lord Jesus will descend with His angels and the saints in Heaven to establish His kingdom on this earth.  Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.  There will be peace and tranquility on this earth, and justice will prevail on earth and throughout the universe.
     No one knows the day or the hour when Jesus may return.  If any minister or evangelist tries to tell you that he knows the date of the return of Jesus, that is a sign that that individual is a false teacher.  Jesus said that He didn't even know the day or the hour, only the Father knows when Jesus will be sent to this earth to complete the process of salvation at the Second Coming.
     We as the followers of Jesus have been called to a mission while we await the return of the Lord.  We have been given the task of going into all the world and preaching the good news to every creature.  We have been called to shine our light in the world so that those on earth may see our good works and give glory to the Father who is in Heaven.
     While we are working to advance the Kingdom of Heaven, we are to be living in the realization that Jesus could come back at any moment.  We want to be living and acting in such a way that we would not be ashamed at His coming.  Wouldn't it be a terrible thing to be involved in a sin when you heard the trumpet sound announcing the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus.  How much better it would be if when Jesus returns that He would find us living for Him and striving to help others and share with them the love and forgiveness of the Lord Jesus.
     I believe that there is a second application in this parable that applies to leaders in the church.  When Jesus returned to Heaven after His earthly ministry was over, He designated that there would be leaders in the church.  Those who are leaders have a responsibility to be shepherds of the flock that Jesus has placed them over.  Their job is to lead and guide the people and not to abuse the people and cause them to turn from the faith.
     When Jesus returns, I believe that there will be a judgment on those leaders who abused their power and became greedy.   Those who used their position to abuse and harm others will not be welcomed into the reign of Christ upon this earth.
     There is one other thing that I want to point out regarding this parable.  Jesus said that those who were not watching and waiting would be thrown out with the hypocrites.  Hypocrisy was the sin that Jesus spoke about the most.  It is a terrible sin, because it harms others.  When people see a hypocritical person, they become turned off to the things of the Lord, and they don't want to follow Him.  We must guard our hearts that we never become a hypocrite.
     I hope that you are ready to meet the Lord Jesus should He return today.  If you have never placed your faith and trust in Jesus, I urge you to turn to Him today in repentance and faith.  If you are living in such a way that you might be ashamed at His coming, I urge to repent and turn back to the ways of the Lord Jesus.
     Next week, I will post the verses on Monday.  There will be a review on Wednesday.  We will continue with our parables of Jesus series on Friday.  May God bless you all. Amen.

Update

     I just wanted to give everyone an update on the prayer's I asked for about the storms earlier this week.  The storms were very bad, and there was a lot of flooding.  We had record one day rainfall.  My house got some water in the garage, but it wasn't bad.  I am very thankful to the Lord for that. 

Please pray for my neighbor if you would.  The water built up under the crawlspace of his house and got up into the house.  I think it is about dried out now.  I sure hope and pray that this stormy pattern we've been in will end.  Thank you all for your prayers. 

Book Review -- Cat Shining Bright

     Today, I get to review the newest book in my favorite series.  "Cat Shining Bright" is the twentieth book in the Joe Grey series of mystery books written by author Shirley Rousseau Murphy.  If you haven't read any of these books, you're really missing something.

     This latest book begins with the birth of Joe and Dulcie's kittens.  The kittens parents, and the cats human friends, wait in anticipation to see if the three new kittens will be speaking cats like their parents.   

     While Dulcie is taking care of the kittens, Joe, Kit and Pan are busy trying to help the police track down the car burglary ring.  Later in the book, there will be a murder, and cats and the kittens will be involved in tracking down the culprits.

     What I enjoy most about the Joe Grey books is how the author has moved things along in each book by adding new characters and developing the relationships between the characters both human and feline.  I like the fact that the cats and the humans who know that they can talk are all very close, and they come to each other's aid when the need arises.

      "Cat Shining Bright" is probably the second or third best of the twenty books.  "Cat Shout For Joy" which directly preceeds "Cat Shining Bright" is my favorite of the series.  The first book in the series is also very good.  The whole series is good.

      If you've never read any of this series, I would recommend going back to the first book and working your way through.  It is so interesting to see the characters develop, grow and change.

     I just want to add that Shirley Rousseau Murphy is a rare author in my experience.  When I wrote to her about her books, she responded right away.  This is actually not that common.  Many authors do not respond, or you get a standardized reply.  Another author who did respond and sent me a nice note was Glenn Plaskin whose book "Katie Up and Down the Hall" is very good.

Verses For the Week

    Before I post the verses, I just wanted to ask that you would all pray for me today and tonight.  We have already had bad storms in my area, and the power is out.  We are supposed to have more heavy rain and flooding.  Please pray that things don't get any worse.  Thank you.

Psalm 119:105 -- "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, a light unto my path."

John 1:5 -- "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."