M.R. Wells - Heavenly Cat Tales: Devotions for Those Who Love Them

HARVEST HOUSE PUBLISHERS

EUGENE, OREGON

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by the International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

Verses marked NASB are taken from the New American Standard Bible, 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org)

Verses marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible , New Living Translation, copyright 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL 60189 USA. All rights reserved.

Verses marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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Published in association with the literary agency of Mark Sweeney & Associates, 28540 Altessa Way, Ste. 201, Bonita Springs, FL 34135

Cover by Left Coast Design, Portland, Oregon

Cover photo S.P. / Shutterstock

The information shared by the authors is from their personal experience and should not be considered professional advice. Readers should consult their own cat care professionals regarding issues related to the health, safety, grooming, and training of their pets.

HEAVENLY CAT TALES

Copyright 2008 by M.R. Wells, Connie Fleishauer and Dottie P. Adams

Published by Harvest House Publishers

Eugene, Oregon 97402

www.harvesthousepublishers.com

The Library of Congress has cataloged this edition as follows:

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Wells, M. R. (Marion R.), 1948-

Purr-ables from heaven / M.R. Wells, Connie Fleishauer, and Dottie P. Adams.

p. cm.

ISBN 978-0-7369-4696-4 (pbk.)

ISBN 978-0-7369-4697-1 (eBook)

1. Cat ownersPrayers and devotions. 2. CatsReligious aspectsChristianity. I. Fleishauer, Connie. II. Adams, Dottie P., 1944- III. Title.

BV4596.A54W46 2008

242dc22

2007019416

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We joyfully dedicate this book to the cats and humans we hold dear, and to the Author of our faith, who called us to the task. Thank You, Lord, for keeping the promise You made at the start: Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the L ORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you (1 Chronicles 28:20) .

Birthing a book is rarely, if ever, a solo effort. Ours is truly a product of the body of Christ. So many wonderful people prayed for us, supported us, and let us share their stories. We want to thank our families, our friends, our prayer and Bible study groups, and our churches for all they have done to uplift and uphold us. Were also grateful to our feline families for their irreplaceable contributions to this book and to our lives.

Special thanks to our agents, Mark and Janet Sweeney, for all their efforts on our behalf; to Paige Evans, DVM, for her comments and suggestions on our manuscript; to Stephanie Smolinski, for her title idea; and to our marvelous team at Harvest House Publishers, especially our awesome editor, Kim Moore. Most of all, we thank and praise God, without whom this book could not have been written and would have no reason to be. We gladly give Him all honor and glory, now and forever!

Contents

The ancient Egyptians got it all wrong. They revered, even worshipped, cats. God wasnt too pleased, but we doubt the cats minded. They probably lapped up all the adulation they were given. Theyre still doing so today.

Actually, we humans were born to have dominion over all other creatures and worship the Creator we share. But our kitties dont always get that straight, and neither do we. Perhaps thats what makes them such a marvelous mirror to reflect our own foibles and Gods care and love for us in spite of them.

Cats are a study in contradictions. By turns theyre endearing and exasperating; adoring and aloof; pliable and petulant. When they give their affection, it means that much more because they can be such little rebels too. Even as we tear out our hair because of them, we laugh at their antics and hand them our hearts. Even as theyre declaring their independence, we are pledging our allegiance.

Ah, what a wonderful picture of our relationship with God. We are contradictory, willful creatures also. Yet God not only bears with us, He sent His Son to die that we might be redeemed to spend eternity with Him. We are grateful to our kitties for giving us a glimpse of ourselves from Gods perspective, and a window into His great love for us and patience with us. We pray our stories may spur you to delight in the Lord and curl up in His lap.

Wells Cats

PRIMARY PLAYERS

BARNEY has the deep chocolate coat and green eyes of the breed called Havana Brown, although his lineage is mixed. At 19, hes my oldest catand my biggest talker. When he was younger, he used to spring to a perch high atop a kitchen cabinet to snooze or survey his world. These days hes so stiff he settles for a low stool. But though his body is faltering, his will is as strong as ever. He meows for his due and wont quita perfect illustration of persistence in prayer.