Category Archives: Celebrations

2023, Celebrations, Christian Living

So Far

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I am sharing in part with you a letter I have written for this Season that the world and Christians are celebrating alike.  That in and of itself is a reason for my letter. 

It has been many years in the learning and walking it out here that I have come to believe the Christmas Traditions of man do not honor or represent The Birth of Messiah and I have come to find them unworthy of practice for me.
Even so, I am eager to acknowledge and celebrate daily that JESUS The CHRIST was born here for us – likely in September or October, not December 25; but He came all the same.

He came, leaving Heaven, and lowered Himself to be born a human! Wow! GOD BECAME A MAN!
He is the ONLY sinless human to ever be born!  The ONLY GOD MAN! He walked here on earth and never sinned – never harmed anyone – ever! And then added to all that, He died a death we cannot fathom; our finite minds just cannot fully comprehend this BUT we can believe Him. By His Grace, we do believe HIM.

And then! On the Third Day, He breathed Earth’s air again! Laying on that cold, hard slab of stone, in that same human body, The GODMAN breathed again! to never die again!
ONLY GOD! Only GOD could love us fallen humans so much!

So since the traditional Christmas trappings and trees with elaborate decorating, and greetings said everywhere to everyone that means absolutely nothing holy do not now rest well with my soul, I have abandoned all but a few things, like gatherings with family and friends to share fellowship, and special foods and gifts that say I love you and I think you could use this in JESUS’ Name.
Even if you do not understand or agree with me, I figure you do understand I’m not trying to be difficult, I’m just trying to honor My JESUS the best way I know how for who HE has brought me to be so far.

So let us celebrate LIFE, the lives we now live, and THE LIFE of THE ONE Advent+Week+2-2508622680Who makes our lives worth living, now and forever.
Blessed be The Name of The LORD!!
Worship, Sing, Laugh, Feast, Pray, Proclaim The GOOD NEWS — JESUS SAVES those who turn from their sins to HIM in TRUSTING FAITH. 

Because HE came & IS coming again.maxresdefault-4124669185
Kathie Whitestone Thompson

2023, Celebrations, Christian Living, Questions, Resurrection Sunday, Salvation

An Open Letter

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To my beloved family, friends, and readers who come to this page.

Why do I do some of the odd things I do?
Why am I quirkish about more than a couple of norms in this world?
Like coming up quickly what most call Easter.
I try to call it otherwise. It has taken some practice.

I prefer Resurrection Sunday.
I prefer Passover.
Why do I have no fondness or appreciation for easter eggs, hunts, and bunnies?
Chocolate — well, yes I like that a lot, but not bunnies, please.

Why?
Because – well because these are of NO benefit to the Kingdom of GOD and of no godly use to mankind, especially little boys and girls. Their lives are not enriched by baskets or eggs, hunts, or any such things. Children (people) need to be told the whole truth and nothing but the truth at all age-appropriate times.

The same with what has developed into Christmas. The Bible does not tell us to celebrate His Birth – we are told to celebrate His Resurrection and to look with hope and rejoicing for His Second Coming.

This is what our children must be taught or they are in grave danger of perishing forever.

Not that remembering and telling, again and again, the story of His birth is not important and needful – it is, but there is no holy reason for what goes on each year for three to four months.

What holidays do I like?

Thanksgiving.
Although the stories we are told about the first Thanksgiving are just that, stories; even so, gathering to give thanks to GOD is excellent and should be a big day with family and friends, I think.
Feasting on good food, sharing funny stories, praying, laughing, and loving family and friends — oh yes let’s celebrate this big!

New Years
Yes! I enjoy it so much! It’s a time for prayer and hope for new beginnings, letting go of hurts, grudges, and failings, and moving on with JESUS to better living.
Oh, yes! I’m about that and the eating of wholesome, simple foods – that too!
Not for luck or any such pagan idea but for thanks to the Father for providing all our needs and even some of our wants in the coming year.

And some of the others . . . Except for Halloween!
What a damnable thing to celebrate – satan and his underworld of trickery, death, and destruction. How heinous can we get?
It has no place in me, no place in my life.

No place in Scripture have I seen a command from GOD for us to attempt to sanitize and redeem these pagan festivals.
On the contrary, Scripture contains plenty of celebrations, gatherings, and festivals for us to honor and enjoy; but those we as a people have ignored.
What a shame!

Yes, I am aware of the culture in which we live.

I am also mindful of this: We are indeed in this world but this world must NOT be in us!
Yet here in The West, I see the ways of the world in many people who profess that JESUS is their Savior.
These things ought not to be so!

So in a nutshell why am I odd, quirky, old-fashioned, straight-laced, and my favorite peculiar — just to name a few?

Well, my heart is just not into being anything but peculiar. 1 Peter 2:9

I hope you see it’s not a condescending stance.
It’s just me doing the best I know how to humble myself before GOD so He can transform me from a wretched sinner to a saint who can live with Him forever.

And in Light of all this, how could I be different?
I dare not for your sake and the Gospel, be different.

And why is it my constant plea that you daily read your Bible, chapter after chapter, book by book?
Because you cannot KNOW GOD without digesting The Word of GOD, The Bible, for yourself; and if you do not KNOW GOD you will surely perish.

So my beloveds, KNOW GOD so when I depart this earthly life, you may in time come to where I will be then.

KNOW GOD – it’s why I am here: to know GOD and to make Him known (to you).  Some Scripture Verses 

Are you 100% sure you KNOW HIM?
Not what people (or even I) have told you but what the Bible says?!

I think that’s it.
I think that’s what I wanted to say – so now you know I am not quirky and odd for any other reason than trying to please GOD before I please anyone else.
When I can please HIM and you at the same time, I am elated!  pleaseGOD

Love, Kathie
(and all those other names I am known as)

2 Thessalonians, 2022, Acts, Celebrations, Christian Living, Resurrection Sunday

Occupied

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FOR A LARGER VIEWING SCREEN, CLICK THE TITLE OF THIS POST ABOVE

I have been rather lax this week with writing – why?  
Occupied I suppose — I am anticipating more occupation mid-week next week too.
But that does not mean you all are not on my mind — I have a blanket request for you all in my daily prayer journal. 

I read 2 Thessalonians 2 today and made many notes in my notebook. I also had questions. Imagine that, huh? 

I am not prepared to share it all, but I am inclined to share a comforting thought. 

The people of Thessalonica were alarmed; some folks had told them YESHUA had already returned. 
We’d be alarmed too, would we not at such a message? 
So Paul set about to set their minds at ease.

I don’t have all the answers and I have more questions.
There are matters of eschatology that are beyond my learning at this time and that had been concerning me. 
But today, coupled with a prayer a dear sister prayed with me this week, I have this direction: 

Don’t be afraid. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, don’t be afraid to think outside of that traditional box; don’t be afraid to explore for the TRUTH.
And as you do: Trust Father to protect.
Trust Holy Spirit to teach. 
Trust JESUS to return. 

And in the meantime occupy! 
Let us occupy ourselves with listening, obeying, loving, and going about our lives doing good. 

Acts 10:38
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. 

Amen and amen – make it so of us too, Father. 
Celebrations, Prayers for America . . .

Memorial Day 2017

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I’m not wishing us a Happy Memorial Day. I’m not wishing us a sad Memorial Day. I’m suggesting a grateful, remembering, honoring day. However, I think a day without laughter, without sharing good food and the company of good friends and family just might be a non-honoring to the day.

Prayer and remembering, let that be high on our list but would those men and women who died to preserve American Freedoms be honored if we grieved as those who have no hope? Would refusing to enjoy the freedoms they died to give us bring them back? Moreover, would not our refusing to rejoice actually shroud their deaths with shame and dishonor? Does not overwhelming, debilitating grief; and refusing to embrace life today dishonor them in the worst way?

I have been praying something new for a day or so (and now that I’ve prayed it though I think, it’s not one I need to keep praying. I’m not being morbid, just realistic. And no, I have not received any medical diagnosis. As far as I know, I am as healthy as a young horse! :) ) I’ve been praying for my daughters that when the time comes they will grieve my home-going well. That their missing me will not overshadow their love for me. That their love for me with God’s help will enable them to embrace the life He continues to give them with joy, with gusto, with a determination to make every day count for His glory and for the good of family and friends remaining with them. That they will resist and refuse any guilt that would shame them for laughing, for taking delight in holidays and day-to-day life. That they would embrace the truth that for them to cease to live a full and godly life is no honor to me but actually, a dishonor and one that was I aware of it would make me so very sad and burdened. It’s a matter of trust; for them and for me. Okay. Moving on!

Abba, thank You for allowing us the privilege of being Americans; I pray we will honor You with our American patriotism, and above this, I pray we will honor You for the life, death, and resurrection of Your Very Own Son to give us the ultimate, eternal life and freedom that we so do not deserve. Thank You for every American soul who has given their life to preserve American Freedoms and I pray their families will receive Your comfort and strength and peace, especially today. I pray You will grant grace and strength for America to continue not so much as She has but better; better in all the graces YOU have ordained for us; to embrace You and Your will for this Nation; the Nation You birthed for the spread of Your Gospel to the World. We have not done our commission well for a long time now; forgive us and grant us grace to repent I pray. Amen and amen in the Mighty and Holy Name of Jesus-Yeshua.

Kadosh Adonai Eloheynu ~
( the LORD our GOD is holy)
Kathie