From a Child’s Eyes, Part Two

By Sherri Stewart

“Hatred doesn’t end with the signing of a piece of paper.” What happened to the holocaust survivors when the war ended in 1945? Most couldn’t go home either because their homes had been destroyed or because anti-Semitism reigned supreme. With few possibilities for emigration, tens of thousands of homeless people migrated to other European territories where they were housed in hundreds of refugee centers and displaced people (DP) camps in Germany.

A few months ago, I interviewed Zofia Zsibinski, a petite 84-year-old woman who captivated me with her story about growing up in Nazi Germany.  Zosia, as she was called, was only three when the Nazis showed up at her family’s small farmhouse in Poland and gave them fifteen minutes to gather their belongings. In Part One, I wrote about her life during the war. So what happened to her and her family when the war ended?

Local German farmers needed people to work the farms since the work force had been depleted when young people were recruited as soldiers during the war. The Nazis took advantage by housing Zofia’s family and other prisoners in a farmers market. Farmers came from far and wide to look them over as if they were animals, then bid on them to become slave laborers. A farmer’s son named George won the bid for Zofia’s family and took them to work on his parents’ cattle and potato farm. When Zofia’s father asked him not to make their sickly aunt work, the farmer said, “She’ll learn, or she’ll die.”

Zofia’s family was taken to the pigsty to wash up and given clothes to wear with the prominent P for Polish on the front and back of their hats. The family was to stay in the loft of the barn, where there was a large bed, two chairs, a table, and a potbelly stove. All five members of the family slept in the bed, some facing the head; others facing the foot of the bed. Each morning before the sun came up, Zofia’s parents went to work in the fields until dark. During the day, George removed the ladder to the loft so the children couldn’t get down. Malnutrition set in because they were only fed a watery broth with a piece of potato and bacon floating in it for dinner. On some Sundays they were given a treat—a butter sandwich or a piece of cake. The potbelly stove didn’t work, so Zofia and her sisters spent the days half frozen.

Little by little, the children got used to the routine and were eventually allowed to walk in the orchard or stay by their mother if she worked close by. During one of those outdoor times, Hitler boys came marching by, saw the P on their hats, and the three girls were beaten to a pulp, all the while calling the girls, “Polish swine.” 

Serbian POWs were brought to the farm to work. Father advised Zofia and her sisters, “If you see a pile of eggs, they’re probably rotten, so call a farmer. If you see a chick laying eggs, pocket them.” One of the Serbians stole the eggs from a pile and swallowed the chirping eggs.

Zofia learned a few phrases in German, and when she had her daily break outside, she approached George’s father and said, “Wie gehts?” How are you? The old man and his wife were so impressed they gave her two pieces of bread a day. George’s sister Maria wasn’t a good person. She discovered Zofia’s sister, Mariana, took her to the cellar, and dropped her by the head into a milk can then left her in the cellar. From that point forward, Mariana ran away whenever she had the chance.
The farm wasn’t Zofia’s last home. From age five to eleven, Zofia, along with her family, were transferred from DP camp to camp. They lived in military barracks with up to six families in a room where there was no toilet paper and only one bathing area. Babies were born and sometimes drowned in the toilet. Couples walked into the woods and were later found hanging from a tree.

When Zofia was nine years old, she needed a tonsillectomy, so she was sent to Munster. For this procedure without Novocain, Helga, the nurse, yanked her arms back and slapped her if she screamed as the doctor cut her tonsils out. That night all the patients got ice cream, but not Zofia because of the P on her hat. Instead, tomatoes were shoved in her mouth, which burned her throat. When she ran away from the hospital later that night, a soldier picked her up and took her back to the guard station.

In the midst of all the darkness, there was a shining light. Her father filled out an application for a family to sponsor them to move to the United States. 

Stay tuned for Part Three.

Selah Award finalist Sherri Stewart loves a clean novel, sprinkled with romance and a strong message that challenges her faith. She spends her working hours with books—either editing others’ manuscripts or writing her own. Her passions are traveling to the settings of her books and sampling the food. She traveled to Paris for this book, and she works daily on her French and German although she doesn’t need to since everyone speaks English. A widow, Sherri lives in Orlando with her lazy dog, Lily. She shares recipes, tidbits of the book’s locations, and other authors' books in her newsletter.

A Song for Her Enemies

Tamar Kaplan is a budding soprano with the Haarlam Opera company. Her future looks bright, despite the presence of the German soldiers guarding the Haarlam. But when Nazi soldiers close down the opera company, families start disappearing in the middle of the night, and Jews are stripped of their freedoms, Tamar realizes her brother Seth was right about her naiveté. She joins the resistance, her blond hair and light features making it easy for her come and go under the watchful eyes of the German guards. Tamar becomes Dr. Daniel Feldman’s assistant, as they visit families hiding out in forests and hovels, tending to their sickness. But when she returns home to find her parents gone and the family store looted, she and Daniel must go into hiding.  As they cling to the walls of an alley, Tamar recognizes a familiar face—that of Corrie ten Boom, the neighbor, who beckons to them to follow her. Can she trust this Gentile woman who talks about God as if he’s standing next to her? https://bit.ly/40Yucjv

Mean Gods part 3: Teach Your Children Well

By Liisa Eyerly

Last month I introduced how Greek and Roman life was governed by deities, from major gods like Jupiter and Mars to minor spirits who protected crossroads, doors, grain stores, and even drains. They believed that the gods’ favor could be won—through sacrifices, prayers, temples, and elaborate festivals. Wealth, health, and success weren’t just about luck; it was about securing the good graces of those who controlled the cosmos. The best approach? Flatter them, honor them, and never assume their generosity comes without strings attached. 

So how did an ordinary Roman navigate this never-ending devotion and avoid catastrophe? The process of adulation began at home.

Every home had a small household shrine known as the lararium dedicated to their household Lares. If you were wealthy, you may have more than one.

Even the poor and enslaved had some form of shrine, often only a crudely carved statue sitting in a wall niche.

The Lares: Household Guardians

The Lares were minor deities believed to protect the home and family. Their presence was honored daily at the lararium, which stood in a prominent area of the house. With outstretched arms, the paterfamilias (head of the household) led the family in morning prayers and offerings, ensuring a favorable relationship between his 

household and the gods.

A typical prayer might sound like this:

“Greetings, household Lar!
Greetings, Divine Penates!
I humbly ask that you may bestow your blessing upon me, my children, my home, and my household.
Be thou increased by this which I give to you.
So be it!” (Religio Romano: Simple Daily Home Rites and Prayers | ADF: Ár nDraíocht Féin: A Druid Fellowship)

Daily offerings included wheat, honey cakes, fruit, wine, flowers, and incense. During meals and celebrations, statues of the Lares were placed on the table as divine witnesses. They were invoked at significant family events—births, marriages, adoptions—and their shrines served as the religious center of family life.

Here are a few minor household gods in charge of daily needs and activities.

· Penates – Gods of the pantry and food storage, ensuring the family had enough to eat, and their provisions were safe. Prayers were said before a meal, thanking the gods for the meal.
· Vesta – Goddess of the hearth, home, and family, worshiped to keep the household fire burning.
· Forculus – Protector of doorways.
· Cardea – Goddess of door hinges and thresholds, guarding against evil spirits entering the home.
· Limentinus – God of the threshold itself, ensuring safe passage in and out.
· Janus – God of beginnings, transitions, and doorways; while more significant, he was also invoked in household rituals.
· Cuba – Goddess who helped children sleep peacefully.

· Cunina – Protector of infants in the cradle.
· Educa & Potina – Goddesses of nourishment, helping children eat and drink properly.
· Sterquilinius – God of manure and fertilization, ensuring productive land for farming families.
· Pilumnus & Picumnus – Gods of infants and fertility, helping protect newborns and mothers.

These gods played an intimate role in Roman family life, showing how religion was deeply woven into even the smallest aspects of daily existence. Neglecting the Lares was a serious risk. A household that failed to honor its guardian spirits could expect neither good fortune nor divine protection. In a world where supernatural intervention was a constant threat, ignoring the gods—no matter how minor—was an invitation for disaster.

“Lares, and you gods also, who earlier made our household fruitful and fortunate, may you guard and bless the little that remains today on our farm. Lares, accept what your kindred presents to you today.” (Prayers to Lares, Penates and Manes - NovaRoma)

Mystery, murder, and mayhem aren’t your typical Christian themes—but why should secular authors have all the fun solving crimes in ancient Rome? My love of history, scripture, and whodunits led me to blend faith with intrigue, bringing the world of the early Christians to life. Writing from my home in the woods of northern Wisconsin, I also draw inspiration from my travels to Turkey, Greece, and Italy, where I’ve walked the same streets my characters once did. Through historical mysteries, I explore a time when faith was a matter of life and death—literally.

Fortunes of Death

Step into the shadowy streets of 96 AD Ephesus, where danger lurks around every corner, and the line between friend and foe is razor-thin. Fortunes of Death, plunges you into a world where faith is tested, alliances are shattered, and one woman's courage could be the difference between life and death.

Sabina, a fierce young Christian widow, is thrust into a deadly game when a wealthy citizen is murdered. With her friend’s life hanging in the balance, Sabina must unravel a web of lies, deceit, and hidden motives. Every clue she uncovers brings her closer to the truth—and closer to becoming the next victim.

This isn't just a murder mystery. It's a gripping tale of faith, resilience, and the power of one woman standing against the darkness.

Visit me at my website, on my Author Facebook page,

or purchase my books at:
Fortunes of Death
Obedient Unto Death
My Amazon book page

The Wild Horses of the West: Legends on the Hoof

Wild Mustangs in Wyoming

The Wild West conjures up images of dusty trails, sprawling plains, and of course, wild horses galloping freely across the horizon. These iconic animals are more than just symbols of freedom and untamed spirit—they have deep roots in American history and culture.

Origins: From Escapees to Icons

Contrary to popular belief, horses are not native to North America. They originated here millions of years ago but went extinct around 10,000 years ago. It wasn’t until the early 1500s that horses returned to the continent, brought over by Spanish explorers like Hernán Cortés. Some horses escaped or were released, and over time, they formed free-roaming herds across the Great Plains, deserts, and mountainous regions.

These feral descendants of domesticated horses came to be known as mustangs—a term derived from the Spanish word mesteño, meaning "stray" or "ownerless." By the 18th and 19th centuries, mustangs had spread across vast areas of the western U.S., from Texas to Nevada.
Work and Partnership

Wild horses weren’t just admired from afar—they became central to the lives of Native American tribes, cowboys, ranchers, and settlers. Tribes such as the Comanche quickly became expert horsemen, using them for hunting, travel, and warfare. Horses revolutionized life for many Plains tribes, granting them unmatched mobility.

During the heyday of the cowboy in the 1800s, horses were indispensable. They were used for cattle drives, farming, transport, and even mail delivery through the Pony Express. A well-trained horse was as valuable as gold, and bonds between rider and steed were often deep and lifelong.

Care and Challenges

While wild horses thrived in open landscapes, domesticated horses required care. Cowboys and ranchers provided feed, clean water, shoeing, and shelter. Caring for a horse also meant regular grooming, vet care, and ensuring the animal wasn’t overworked.

In the wild, mustangs had to fend for themselves, facing predators, drought, and competition for food. Today, their numbers are managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), as overpopulation can threaten both the horses and the delicate ecosystems they roam.

Legends and Folklore

Comanche, with saddle and bridle, held by a soldier.
Public domain image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

The West is rich with horse legends. One of the most famous horses in folklore is Comanche, the horse of Captain Myles Keogh of the 7th Cavalry. After the battle in 1876, Comanche was found gravely wounded but alive—one of the few survivors from Custer’s detachment. He was taken in and nursed back to health by the U.S. Army. Comanche was given full military honors and lived out the rest of his days at Fort Riley, Kansas. He received exceptional care and never carried a rider again.

After his death in 1891, Comanche’s remains were preserved through taxidermy. Today, you can see him on display at the University of Kansas Natural History Museum in Lawrence, Kansas. His mounted form is carefully maintained as a historical artifact, housed in a temperature- and humidity-controlled environment to ensure his preservation. The exhibit includes information about his life, the Battle of the Little Bighorn, and his unique place in American military and equine history.

Roy Rogers and Trigger in a publicity photo.
Public domain image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Trigger, the golden palomino of cowboy actor Roy Rogers, achieved the status of movie star in his own right. Trigger appeared in films and performed tricks that dazzled his audiences.

Then there’s the ghostly tale of the Phantom Stallion, a recurring motif in Western lore that embodies the mystery and majesty of the Wild West. This legendary horse is said to roam the wide-open ranges alone, a beautiful, powerful creature with a coat as white as snow or as black as night—depending on the version told. Elusive and wild-eyed, the Phantom Stallion is rarely seen for more than a fleeting moment, vanishing like mist before anyone can get close. Ranchers, cowboys, and travelers speak of catching glimpses of him on moonlit ridges or across distant valleys, always just out of reach.

In many versions of the tale, the Phantom isn’t just a wild horse but the living embodiment of freedom itself. To some, spotting the stallion is a sign of good fortune, while others see him as an omen or a reminder that not all things can be tamed. The story has inspired countless books, songs, and even a popular young adult series, The Phantom Stallion by Terri Farley, which blends the myth with modern-day mustang advocacy.

The legend persists because it captures something timeless--the untamed spirit of the Wild West.

Final Thoughts

Listen carefully, and you will hear the echo of hoofbeats as the wild horses of the West run forward through time. They remain living legacies of America's past.

Over to You

Do you know of any other legendary horses of the Wild West? If you've seen wild horses, what did you experience?

About Janalyn Voigt

Janalyn Voigt fell in love with literature at an early age when her father read chapters from classics as bedtime stories. When Janalyn grew older, she put herself to sleep with tales "written" in her head. Today Janalyn is a storyteller who writes in several genres. Romance, mystery, adventure, history, and whimsy appear in all her novels in proportions dictated by their genre. 

Learn more about Janalyn Voigt and the books she writes.

Discover Montana Gold

Hills of Nevermore: A young widow hides her shameful secret from a blue-eyed circuit preacher.

Cheyenne Sunrise: A disillusioned young woman is forced to entrust herself to a half-Cheyenne guide.

Stagecoach to Liberty: To escape captivity, a young woman must trust a mysterious stranger.

The Forever Sky: Can a young widow with no faith in love reconcile with the man who broke her heart?

The Promise Tree: A preacher’s daughter knows she shouldn't encourage a troublemaker, no matter she promised him.

The Whispering Wind: Phoebe can have her pick of suitors but never the man she wants.

Learn More

Montana Gold Boxed Set (books 1-4 discounted)

Toys of the 1900s - From Wooden Tops to Whirligigs

By Susan G Mathis

At the turn of the 20th century, children's playtime was filled with the simple joys of handmade toys. In 1900, an array of charming and timeless playthings captivated the imagination of youngsters across the globe. From the humble wooden tops to the whimsical jumping jack man, these toys were not just sources of entertainment but also treasured artifacts of a bygone era.

Wooden tops were a ubiquitous sight in the hands of children during the early 1900s. Crafted from wood and often hand-painted with vibrant colors, these spinning marvels were propelled into action with the help of a string and a quick twist of the fingers.

Games of chance and skill were prevalent in the 1900s, with dice and teetotum being popular choices. Wooden dice were used in various games that tested luck and strategy. The teetotum, a spinning top with numbered sides, added an element of unpredictability to games, making them both entertaining and educational.

The yo-yo, with its timeless appeal, quickly became a sensation. The whirligig, a delightful and whimsical toy consisting of a spinning propeller mounted on a stick, the whirligig was set in motion by the wind or a twirling motion from the child.

The bilbo catcher, a skill-based toy, challenged children to improve their hand-eye coordination. Consisting of a wooden cup attached to a handle by a string, players aimed to catch a small wooden ball in the cup as it swung back and forth. The bilbo catcher not only entertained but also honed motor skills, making it a valuable plaything for development.

The jumping jack man added a touch of theatricality to playtime. Comprising a jointed figure attached to strings, pulling a cord caused the limbs to move, creating a whimsical dance. The jumping jack man brought a sense of animation to the toy box, allowing children to bring their imaginations to life. In A Summer at Thousand Island House, the children play with these toys.

What’s your favorite childhood toy? Leave your answer or comments on the post below and join me on February 19th for my next post.

ABOUT A SUMMER AT THOUSAND ISLAND HOUSE

Addison Bell serves children of the Thousand Island House guests on Staple’s Island. While thriving in her work, Addi’s vivacity attracts the attention of the recreation pavilion’s manager, Liam Donovan, as well as the handsome Navy Officer Lt. Worthington, a lighthouse inspector, hotel patron, and single father of mischievous little Jimmy. When Jimmy goes missing while in Addi’s care and former President Chester Arthur finds the child a stowaway on his fishing boat, her job and reputation are endangered. How can she calm the churning waters of Liam, Lt. Worthington, and the President, clear her name, and avoid becoming the scorn of the community?

ABOUT SUSAN

Susan G Mathis is an international award-winning, multi-published author of stories set in the beautiful Thousand Islands in upstate NY. Susan has been published more than thirty times in full-length novels, novellas, and non-fiction books. She has fourteen in her fiction line. Susan is also a published author of two premarital books, stories in a dozen compilations, and hundreds of published articles. Susan lives in Colorado Springs and enjoys traveling the world. Visit www.SusanGMathis.com/fiction for more.

Picketpos Mountain, Apache Leap, and George Stoneman by Nancy J. Farrier

 

A couple of weeks ago, my husband and I went with our church hiking group to climb Picketpost Mountain outside of Superior, Arizona. Only four of us made the trek since it was a more strenuous hike/climb. It was hard, but so worth the effort. The views were gorgeous and the history of the area is something I’ve wanted to look into for a long time. Above is a view of Picketpost Mountain from the parking area with access to the trail. 

 

 

View of Superior from atop Picketpost.

Picketpost stands alone outside the town of Superior, majestic in its height, and with a 360° view of the surrounding countryside. In 1870, when Lt. Col. George Stoneman came to Arizona, he established a base camp where the current town of Superior stands, but he also assigned troops to climb the mountain and be lookouts. They were scouting for Apache activity.

 

Eastern view from atop Picketpost.

At this time, the telegraph was available in Tucson and Phoenix but not in the outlying areas. Stoneman was one of the cavalry wanting to set up a system for spotting Indian activity using a heliograph. The heliograph was a system of mirrors used to convey messages. There were more than 25 of these stations on mountain tops in Arizona. Picketpost was one of those.

 

A view of Apache Leap, the bluff
overlooking Superior

Across the valley that houses Superior is a bluff that overlooks the town in the Pinal Mountains. In the summer of 1870, Stoneman led a company of troops into the Pinal mountains in search of a party of Apaches. It is not recorded what prompted this mission, but may have been a sighting from the lookouts on Picketpost.

 

Postcard with Apache Warriors
Arizona, public domain

The cavalrymen engaged with a large group of Apaches and many of the Indians
died. From here, there are two different stories I’ve read. One claim is the Apaches who were left became disheartened or didn’t want to surrender so they chose to run off the bluff, committing suicide. Another account I read suggested there was thick fog and the Apaches were disoriented and ran off the bluff to their death. Either way, many of them died in that horrific attack. Thus the name of the bluff to this day is Apache Leap.

 

General George Stoneman
Public Domain

George Stoneman was in charge of the cavalry in Arizona for only a short time. He began his career before the Civil War, attending school with other famous General, such as Andrew “Stonewall” Jackson. He rose to the rank of General and was captured during the Civil War. He was exchanged for a Confederate Brigidier General and Stoneman returned to the army. He led a raid into Virginia destroying a stronghold of General Lee’s. 

 

Due to politics of the time after the war ended, Stoneman became a Major General, but was mustered out in 1866. He then reverted to his regular army rand of Lt. Colonel and was appointed in charge of the 21^st infantry and sent to Arizona. After establishing Camp Pinal and the Picketpost camp, Stoneman fell into disfavor over his ill treatment of the Indians. 

 

He left the Army and moved to California, something he’d long dreamed of doing. He was elected Governor of California in 1882 and instituted some new state hospitals, a home for the blind, and a Forestry Board. 

 

All this is fascinating history I dug up both before and after climbing Picketpost Mountain. I am in awe of the cavalry troops who climbed the peak on a regular basis carrying provisions. The area is remote and the climb up there is challenging even when you aren’t weighed down with a pack. 

 

Have you ever been to Superior, Arizona? It’s a small mining town with some great food and little shops. The history of the town is fascinating and worth looking into. With the Pinal Mountains close by, and the trails, including the one up Picketpost, it’s worth considering for a day trip.

Jesus Loves Even Me from the pen of P.P. Bliss

 Continuing my stories behind Hymns, I wanted to talk about another song I recall singing when hymnals were more common than they are today. I shared the story behind Jesus Loves Me. The link is here  in February and It is Well With My Soul in March. Link here. The music to this hymn was composed by P.P. Bliss. 

Some believers seem to struggle with the concept that Jesus loves them. Philip P. Bliss, a composure, who in his short life produced many songs and hymns, was one of those people. Jesus Loves Even Me came to him after attending a series of meetings where O How I Love Jesus was sung often. He thought “Have I not been singing enough about my poor love for Jesus? Shall I not rather sing of his great love for me?” Not long after, he composed Jesus Loves Even Me. 

It was first published in 1871 in his hymnbook The Charm For Sunday Schools. It quickly became popular in Great Britain and America. This was during the time of the Sunday School movement. Many hymn writers wrote simple songs that children could easily sing that encapsulated the gospel message of Jesus’ love and redemption. 

 P.P. Bliss  

Philip Paul Bliss was born July 9, 1838, in Hollywood, Clearfield County Pennsylvania. His family were poor farmers. His father, Issac, taught him to pray daily. And his mother taught him to read from the Bible. During his boyhood, the family moved to Ohio and then back to Pennsylvania, eventually settling in Togia County. At ten, he heard his first piano while selling vegetables from the family farm in the city. At eleven he left home to find work in lumber camps and sawmills, finding time to also further his education. In 1850, at age twelve, he accepted the Lord as his savior and became a faithful follower. 

At seventeen, he finished the requirements to become a schoolteacher. And in 1856, he taught his first term as a schoolmaster in Hartsville, New York and worked the summer on a farm. Bliss had a gift for singing and received his first formal singing lessons in 1857. At the same time, he met William B. Bradbury, a well-known music teacher and song writer who encouraged him to become a music teacher. He followed that suggestion and taught at Rome Academy, Pennsylvania. 

The tall, lanky lad of twenty-one married Lucy J. Young in 1859. Lucy grew up in a musical family and encouraged Philip’s talent. Two years later, he became an itinerant music teacher traveling from town to town on horseback with a melodeon. Philip’s Grandmother-in-law paid for him to attend a six-week course at the Normal Music Academy in July 1860. The six-week course changed his life. After that training, he continued as an itinerant teacher but gained crediability as an expert in his area. At this time, he began composing music. 

In 1864 at the age of twenty-six, they moved to Chicago, where he was a sought-after singer and teacher. He wrote a number of gospel songs and received $100 for a two-week concert tour. He was drafted into the Union Army, but the war ended before he could serve. He was offered a job with Root and Cady Musical Publishers, at a salary of $150 a month. Quite a nice sum back then. Bliss worked for them from 1865 until 1873. He conducted musical conventions, singing schools and concerts for the publishing company. He continued composing. All his work at this time was printed in his employer’s music books. Bliss never copyrighted any of his work himself. 

D.L. Moody

Joins D.L. Moody's ministry
In 1869 Bliss became friends with evangelist D.L. Moody. Moody and others appreciated his musical abilities and his strong faith and encouraged him to quit his job and go full-time as a missionary singer. Bliss was a very tall man who struck quite a figure when he sang before a crowd. It wasn’t until 1874, at 36, that he felt God call him to full-time ministry and he joined D.L. Moody’s ministry. He used his royalties for his music sales to support himself. It was during this time he wrote Jesus Loves Even Me. 

 Sadly, he served only two years in the ministry before a train accident took him to his Heavenly home. Bliss and his wife were traveling home to Chicago from Pennsylvania on the Pacific Express. The railroad bridge over the Ashtabula River collapsed as the train neared the other side. Ninety-two of the one hundred and sixty-nine passengers died. Philip and Lucy Bliss were among them. They left two sons ages three and one. 

Ashtabula Train Disaster  Courtesy Wikimedia

Posthumous hymn published
Bliss’ trunk survived and contained a manuscript for another of his hymns, I Will Sing Of My Redeemer. The music was later created by James McGranahan. It became the first music recorded on the phonograph invented by Thomas Edison.

Prolific Composure

 From 1871 to 1875, Bliss published seven different song books. As well as a variety of pieces that appeared in Root and Cady publications, and many were offered as sheet music. 

Jesus Loves Even Me 

Bliss’ faith is expressed strongly in these lyrics. As was expressed earlier, he felt his love for Jesus wasn’t what the Lord deserved, yet joy filled him at Christ’s love for him. Here are the lyrics. 

1. I am so glad that our Father in Heav’n 

Tells of His love in the Book He has giv’n;

 Wonderful things in the Bible I see,

 This is the dearest, that Jesus loves me. 

 Refrain: I am so glad that Jesus loves me, 

Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me;

 I am so glad that Jesus loves me, Jesus loves even me. 

2. If I forget Him and wander away,

 Still He doth love me wherever I stray;

 Back to His dear loving arms would I flee, 

When I remember that Jesus loves me. 

3. Oh, if there’s only one song I can sing,

 When in His beauty I see the great King,

 This shall my song through eternity be, 

“Oh, what a wonder that Jesus loves me!” 

4. Jesus loves me, and I know I love Him; 

Love brought Him down my poor soul to redeem; 

Yes, it was love made Him die on the tree; 

Oh, I am certain that Jesus loves me! 

5. If one should ask of me, how can I tell? 

Glory to Jesus, I know very well! 

God’s Holy Spirit with mine doth agree,

 Constantly witnessing Jesus loves me.

 6. In this assurance I find sweetest rest, 

Trusting in Jesus, I know I am blest; 

Satan, dismayed, from my soul now doth flee, 

When I just tell him that Jesus loves me. 

Because it was written with Sunday School Children in mind here is a link to hear it sung by children.

If you love hymn stories, Naomi Musch has a Music For Our Soul series that appears the 29th of the month.

 Did you ever sing Jesus Loves Even Me in Sunday School?

 Cindy Ervin Huff, is a multi-published award-winning author. A 2018 Selah Finalist. She has a passion to encourage other writers on their journey. When she isn’t writing, she feeds her addiction to reading and enjoys her retirement with her husband of 50 plus years, Charles. Visit her at www.cindyervinhuff.com. 

 Recent Release

Cherishing Her Heart

 Dianna Pilson escaped from the asylum with the help of her

mother., after being forced there by her unsavory ex-husband. She heads west with Fredrick, her late father’s valet, taking on the role as his daughter. They arrive in the small town of Cooperville, Kansas where his cousin and family have recently moved. Becoming a simple woman of a lower class is challenging. She has no domestic skills, but her new Papa and his kin are right there to help and keep her safe. Changing herself is much harder than she imagined, but far better than a lifetime in an asylum. Monty Summerfield, a wealthy businessman/rancher, moved to Cooperville a few years ago after being trapped in a mine by his ex-partner and assumed dead. The man stole his identity and even his mail-order bride. After the man’s death, Monty has worked hard to regain his good reputation and find contentment in bachelorhood. Then Susan Sullivan steps off the stagecoach. He’s captivated by her, but can he risk his heart and scale the walls she’s built around hers. As danger lurks from Susan’s past, and Monty steps up to help, can she trust him? Will their only solution lead to a happily-ever-after or bring on more trouble? Buy link

 

THE AWAKENING

 By Catherine Ulrich Brakefield

Chocolate candies and colored eggs, flowery bonnets and fluffy bunnies all signify the awakening of spring and the celebration of new life that Easter represents. Is there another reason for Easter’s existence besides the chocolate candies and new clothes in this age-old tradition? 

Throughout the centuries, man knew there was a supreme being. Ancient Rome worshiped numerous gods and goddesses.

 

So, where did the separation from man and God begin? Man’s fall from grace began when Adam and Eve believed the devil and not God. Obeying the evil one and not God whom they knew loved them. 

The beginning of man's salvation from the evil one began in Genesis 3:15, "He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel" which prophesies the "seed of the woman" (Jesus) and the "seed of the serpent" (Satan and his followers), where Jesus will triumph, but not without suffering first. Isaiah 7:14 (NKJV and subsequent verses)  explains this and is reverberated in Matthew 1:23 "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel."  

Christ Jesus came as a babe in the manger and walked the earth, feeling the heat beneath his sandals and the hunger pains within his belly. He healed the maimed and the sick, teaching them about His Father, to keep His commandments, and to "Love one another as I have loved you." (John 13:34) Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament scriptures about His coming and being the sacrificial lamb in atonement for our sins. "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Corinthians 5:21) 

Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament scriptures pertaining to His coming and being the sacrificial lamb in atonement for our sins. “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Jesus foresaw his trials, persecution, and death as told in Luke 9:22 "The Son of God must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised on the third day." 

Tried by Pilate, Jesus was scourged and rejected by the people he'd come to save. Mocked and beaten with the cat of nine tails, He stumbled up those stone steps, blood dripping down his face because of the crown of thorns that dug pit marks into his brow. Then his hands and feet were nailed with spikes to that ugly wooden cross. He could have called to His Father and an army of angels would rescue Him—He did not because of His love for us. Bearing the humiliation and a criminal's execution, He fulfilled the scriptures.  

In agape love, Jesus cried out from his bloodied cross, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." (Luke 23:34)

He took our sins upon him—we who were under the sentence of spiritual and physical death, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, who God set forth as a propitiation by His blood through faith, to demonstrate His righteous…" (Romans 3;24,25) 

The greatest miracle of all happened on Easter morning. As told in Luke 24:1-12 On the third day, the women came to the tomb with spices they had prepared. They saw that the stone rolled away from the tomb. They went in and did not find His body, but a man dressed in white. The women shook with fear, but then the angel of the Lord spoke, saying, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here; for He is risen, as He said." Jesus Christ appeared to the disciples and many others for forty days. 

"Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations…" Luke 24:46-47

The debilitating agony of illnesses, age, and death have plagued mankind ever since Adam and Eve’s fall. Throughout the countless battles and wars, young soldiers, and old veterans cling to the knowledge that there is a better life beyond the grave. “For God so loved the world that he gave His only beloved Son, that whoever believes in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16) Believing Jesus means you will never know the taste of death.

This Easter Sunday, remember the awakening of your life that Easter morning. “Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam to Moses…For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many.” (Romans 5:14-15) 

There is a new beginning, a new life waiting for every believer. No matter the sin—it is never to late to ask forgiveness. Ask Christ to come into your heart and celebrate your new awakening.  Jesus’ resurrection opened heaven’s gates for us upon that awakening on Easter morning. Savor the spring flowers, the bunnies, and the baskets of candy, and always remember that the greatest gift of all was the resurrection and life ever after God and His Son, Jesus Christ, gave to mankind. 

Esther (McConnell) Meir finds herself in a story-book romance that swirls into a rendezvous with destiny when Eric Erhardt is swept up into Hitler's diabolical war. Eric wages his battle for survival as a rifleman in the 34th Infantry Division traveling up the boot of Italy—. "…of Waltz with Destiny… I was reading Capt. Kimble's words about D-Day… the music I had going started playing "God Bless the USA." Goose bumps popped up all down my arms and legs, and I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes. The message of the Destiny series is even more applicable today than when it was first released…" Debra B. 

An award-winning author, Catherine's inspirational historical romances include Wilted Dandelions, her Destiny series Swept into Destiny, Destiny's Whirlwind, Destiny of Heart, and Waltz with Destiny. Her newest book is Love's Final Sunrise. She has two pictorial history books: The Lapeer Area, and Eastern Lapeer Area. Catherine lives in Michigan with her husband of 53 years, her two children and five grandchildren.