The Pastor would read out of the old King James Bible and was well respected by the entire congregation. When Sunday services would come to a close, people were welcome to stay for a more in-depth study of the Holy Scriptures, as it is written in and Timothy 3:13, And from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which in Jesus Christ.

people congregation church image by JESUS is our only HOPE,  Arnie Bragg, on Pixabay

What a beautiful rendering on the landscape is the Hometown Church;  bringing comfort in the knowledge the Sunday Morning Service is a honored timeless tradition. Delighted by the prospect of attending her Hometown Church in Picturesque Colorado. The character Lily feels extra special on approach to the opened Church House Doors like out stretched arms ready to welcome the pilgrim (wayfarer, holy quest) to come inside and listen to the Good News of the Gospel; The free gift of Salvation of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ as it is written Romans 5:18, Therefore as by the offense of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offenses unto justification.

By living in the “Last Days” of the prophetic timeline Lily’s daily devotionals give her an intense awareness as to the martyred saints that had come before her as it is written in Revelation 17:6, And I saw a woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration. (admiration meaning shock, or complete amazement) 

However at present the pleasant and kindly Lily in the romantic and suspenseful “Time of the End” novel Lily Among Thorns. Lily feels blessed she is still able to worship her Christian Heritage in “Freedom and Liberty” as it is written in 2nd Corinthians 3:17, Now the Lord if that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is; there is liberty.

1st Thessalonians 4:11, And that ye Study to be quiet, And to do your own business, And to work with your own hands, as we commanded you.

2nd Timothy 2:15, Study to show thyself approved unto God is workman that needeth not be a ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

The opening hymn is one of Lily’s favorite essential parts of the Sunday Service. On this Sunday morning she is pleasantly please to sing along with the other parishioners a cherished hymn from times past titled “Jesus Loves Me” written by Anna Bartlett Warner, In the Year of Our Lord 1860.

man portrait by ImagesChristian, on Pixabay

sheep image by Anne Zwagers, on Unsplash

Lily’s benevolent Goodly Pastor is a good old soul who reads from the traditional King James Bible. And presently with Bible Prophecy leaping off the Pages of the Holy Scriptures and into the Modern Consciousness. The Good Pastor preaches of the “Signs of the Times” rapidly approaching as it is written in Matthew 16:3 And in the morning, It ill be foul weather to day for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?

The Goodly Pastor preaches the hour is drawing near and the time is at hand for the believer to be a Good Soldier for Jesus Christ as it is written in 2nd Timothy 2:3, Thou therefore endure hardness as a good soldiers for Jesus Christ.

The sermon continues and Lily faithfully concurs the faithful are to “Preach” till the imminent (happening soon) appearing of the LORD Jesus Christ in the clouds as it is written in Mark 16:15, And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

Revelation 22:20, He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

The Goodly Pastor concludes the Sunday Sermon with a dire warning to his congregation, it is imperative not to take the “Mark of the BEAST” as it is written in Revelation 14:9, 10, And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his MARK in his forehead or in his hand,

The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb.

Thus Lily bids the Good Pastor a cordial farewell and the Goodly Pastor always ready to share an encouraging word with the Lord’s flock. He forthrightly compliments Lily on her sincerity of faith and by whatever so means to never change and stay loyal to her Faithful Christian values as it is written in 2nd Thessalonians 2:17, Comfort you hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.

The Goodly Pastor’s  cordial gesture of goodwill may be perceived by some as simple sentimentality, or passe’. But to Lily the kind words spoken by the Good Pastor was always welcome, and in those challenging times when Lily needed an encouraging word to carry on. Her Goodly Pastor’s sincerity motivated Lily to carry on even in the most arduous of times as it is written in Genesis 50:20, But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass; as it is this day, to save much people alive.