Hebrews 11:13-16 NASB

13All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.
14For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own.
15And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return.
16But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.
For a variety of reasons, which I cannot go into here, I have become increasingly, and sometimes painfully, aware that I am not at home here. The Lord has been directing my attention to His return. My home is in Heaven, a permanent and beautiful home, without sin and pain, where love is perfect. Someone recently asked me how I can cope with all the frightening things happening in the world and in the US. I replied that I focus on what the Lord wants me to do, and leave the rest alone. Focus on the eternal. For spiritual help, to book a concert, or to participate in a Bible study on suffering, contact us at leewardhope@yahoo.com.

Colossians 1:24 NASB

"Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and ub my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking of Christ's afflictions." There is nothing lacking in Jesus' death. What this statement means is that just as Christ's death was necessary to bring salvation to us, so our affliction and, possibly martyrdom, is necessary to bring others to Christ. Please contact us at leewardhope@yahoo.com to join a Bible study or to book a concert.

Matthew 10:24-25 NASB

"A disciple is not above his teacher, not a slave above his master. It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, and the slave like his master. If they have called the head of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign the members of his household!" God suffered. His disciples will, too. Expect it. Accept it. In another vein: I come from a long line of ordained ministers by the name of Maupin. Beginning with the French Huguenots, there were fourteen generations in my family line. This line has continued in other branches of the family. In my family line, the last Maupin ministers lived in my great-grandmother's generation, as far as I know. Until I came along, that is. I am an ordained Wesleyan minister. I want to be "the last Rev. Maupin" in my family line. My name is not Maupin, but I'm seriously thinking of adopting Maupin as an alias, a pen name, and a ministry name, rather than legally changing my name to Maupin. Our singing group will bear the name as well, quite possibly as Pastor Maupin's Mission. For a Bible study in the Indianapolis, IN area, or to book concerts in Indianapolis and vicinity, with local travel considered, please Email "Pastor Maupin" (Kathryn Lee) at leewardhope@yahoo.com. Concerts will be on a love offering basis.

1 Corinthians 15:32 NASB

"If the dead are not raised, 'eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow you die.'" The Lord is not advocating the philosophy quoted in this verse. The context has to do with persecution. He is saying that if the resurrection is not a reality, your suffering is totally meaningless, and certainly not worth it. But since the resurrection (Christ's and yours) is real, your suffering is worth it. Your reward in glory is what matters. It's what helps us endure suffering. Live as if the resurrection is real. It is. Copyright 2009 Kathryn M. Lee. For concerts, and an Indianapolis Bible study, Email us at leewardhope@yahoo.com.

2 Corinthians 2:3-4 NASB

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." Your affliction may not be for you. This passage is saying that when God comforts us in our trouble, we are to take that same comfort and give it to someone else who is struggling. Copyright 2009 Kathryn M. Lee. I've put these excerpts in a Gospel tract. Please contact us at leewardhope@yahoo.com with requests for concerts or if you want to be a part of an Indianapolis, IN Bible study.

Romans 5:3-4 NASB

"And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;" Perseverance is a character-builder, and real hope comes about through tribulation. I have seen this work in my own life. When I go through trouble, and Jesus comes through, my confidence in Him builds. (He always come through). That's hope. Jesus is our True Hope. Copyright 2009 Kathryn M. Lee. Concerts and Bible study available: leewardhope@yahoo.com.

John 16:33

"In this world you shall have tribulation..." Americans tend to think that if we suffer, something needs to be fixed. This is not true. Suffering has been a part of life since Adam and Eve sinned, and it will be until Jesus comes. Don't waste time trying to avoid all suffering. Figure out what God wants you to do with the suffering that comes into your life. Copyright 2009 Kathryn M. Lee For concerts, or to join a Bible study: leewardhope@yahoo.com.

Suffering

"This momentary, light affliction is working for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, as we look, not to the things that are seen, but to the things which are unseen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things that are unseen are eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 NASB. The Lord is not making light of our affliction. He is making a comparison. The eternal glory we will receive is so much greater than our affliction, that our trials seem light by comparison. Do you want your affliction to work for you? Look to the unseen things, the eternal realities, not to what's going on around you. The resulting eternal glory will be incalculable. Copyright 2009 Kathryn M. Lee. Do you want to be part of an Indianapolis-based Bible study on suffering? Or would you like to book a concert? The concert would be on a love offering basis. We will travel for performances, but not overnight. Contact us at leewardhope@yahoo.com.

Idols

The publishing project continues. The Lord has been dealing with me about idols. I have given this particular idol back to the Lord many times, and have told Him He can take it away from me. Now I have really laid it on the altar. My attitude is certainly different. How easy it is to go after the gift more than the Giver. It's amazing, considering that what we think the idol provides is so much more abundantly lavished on His beloved by our heavenly Father, and in all perfection. Remember, you can join a Bible study (see 7/16/09 entry) in Indianapolis, IN and/or book a concert (with no overnights) by contacting Kathryn at leewardhope@yahoo.com.

A Word from Kathryn

My friend and advisor Andy has encouraged me to write a book about the story of my life. The Lord has transformed my life in such awesome ways, it just needs to be shared. It is likely that all of the writing projects mentioned in the last blog will be included in this one book. It is hoped we will be able to include a music CD. We plan to self-publish, so its release will depend on how fast we can get this out. Just to clarify some matters in the previous blog, we are located in Indianapolis, IN. The Bible study mentioned in the blog will be held on the West or NW side of the city. As for the concerts, we are not able to travel much, so we will limit our concerts for now to local ones. Local would be broader than Indianapolis, but would not include overnight travel. To join the Bible study, or to book a concert, please contact us at leewardhope@yahoo.com. We are solidly evangelical, fully committed to the inerrancy and authority of Scripture, the deity of Jesus Christ, and salvation by grace through faith. We are not part of the patriot movement. We are looking forward to the soon return of Jesus Christ. Maranatha. Stand firm in the grace of God. Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Launched

We incorporated in 2008 as Shelter of Hope, Inc. What is happening right now is that we are doing concerts, partly of original works, and partly tradtional music. Our first concert, at Mount Olive UMC in Indianapolis, IN, consisted entirely of original song lyrics with original tunes, and some original tunes by Kathryn M. Lee. The theme of that event was Road to Restoration, based on a true story (testimony). A second performance was as one of a number of musical groups at an outdoor event at Arlington Avenue Baptist Church church in Indianapolis, IN. Our third event will be on August 9 at 5PM at Salvation Army Harbor Light Center in Indianapolis, IN. Kathryn continues to write, and is currently developing study materials for Road to Restoration, and a study guide to go with In the Shadow of the Cross, by Dr. Glenn Penner. This is a book about suffering in general, and persecution in particular. Dr. Penner is with VOM Canada. These studies are theologically challenging. Kathryn hopes to start a Bible study in Indianapolis, IN in which she can utilize these materials. If you'd like to be a part of it, or if you'd like to book a concert, please contact Kathryn at leewardhope@yahoo.com. Concerts will be done on a love offering basis. She would consider speaking opportunities as well. Her burden is to teach the church about suffering and prepare God's people in America for persecution. She also believes that we are living in the last of the last days, and that the Lord is reviving His Church, and wishes to focus her music performances on these realities to help prepare the Church for Christ's return. Also in the works are Gospel tracts on suffering, and on the Second Coming of Jesus, as well as a brochure on money-saving tips. Kathryn is a credentialed Wesleyan minister with fourteen years of professional ministry experience. Her book, Purity and Desire, was published by Imani Press in Nairobi, Kenya at the close of her missionary service there.