PERFECT GLORY: 21 SPIRITUAL INSIGHTS FOR THE 21ST CENTURY

By Marcia McFarland

The author shares her personal testimony of encounters with the Divine, along with sage advice on living a life of purpose. With a touch of lighthearted humor, you will be entertained, enlightened, and encouraged by the impactful words you find in these insights.

Although written in the style of a typical devotional, this revolutionary book of spiritual insights will change the way you view religion. It will turn all but the most hardened sceptic into a believer in a universal loving God who wants a relationship with each and every one of us. It will help the believer to move beyond religious dogma of the past to experience the perfect glory of God in the present. It will compel followers to serve God and others in new ways.

This book can be read as a twenty-one-week devotional or a twenty-one-day spiritual adventure. It’s short enough to be read in two to three hours if you choose to do so. If you follow the practical advice it offers, this book will launch you on a lifelong journey of transforming to the perfect will of your Creator.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jun 10, 2024
• ISBN: 9798890435071

Book preview

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PERFECT GLORY

21 SPIRITUAL INSIGHTS FOR THE 21ST CENTURY

Marcia McFarland

ISBN 979-8-89043-506-4 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-89043-507-1 (digital)

Copyright © 2024 by Marcia McFarland

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

All scripture passages are from the New King James Version unless otherwise noted.

Some testimonies you read here may sound incredible, but they are true to the best of my recollection.

Some names have been changed to protect individual identities.

Cover photo was taken by the author. Author’s profile photo was taken by Emily Morrison of Morrison Photography, Graham, Washington.

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

To Fiona Page, whose friendship and support have made this effort possible.

A prophet once proclaimed that all the desires of my heart would come to me through her. How true! She opened doors for me and taught me valuable life lessons on abundant living, even without the benefit of sight that the rest of us take for granted.

Acknowledgments

Perfect Glory

Introduction: A Brave New World Order?

A Brave New World Order?

Believe

Insight No. 1

Who Is I Am?

Insight No. 2

To Know the Unknown God

Insight No. 3

Begin at the End

Insight No. 4

A Blanket of Love

Insight No. 5

The Big Bang of Light

Insight No. 6

Love Lies Bleeding

Insight No. 7

Keep an Open Mind

Receive

Insight No. 8

Your True Purpose

Insight No. 9

Become Who You Are

Insight No. 10

Joyful Mourning

Insight No. 11

You Already Know

Insight No. 12

Be a Nonconformist

Insight No. 13

Be Amazed

Insight No. 14

He Is Coming Yet

Achieve

Insight No. 15

Empty Syndrome

Insight No. 16

Turn Your Passion into Action

Insight No. 17

Now Let It Go

Insight No. 18

Say Yes and Be Blessed

Insight No. 19

2018 Word of the Year

Insight No. 20

One Step at a Time

Insight No. 21

Make This Life Matter

Appendix

The Prayer of Jabez

The Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi

The Serenity Prayer

References

About the Author

To Fiona Page, whose friendship and support have made this effort possible.

A prophet once proclaimed that all the desires of my heart would come to me through her. How true! She opened doors for me and taught me valuable life lessons on abundant living, even without the benefit of sight that the rest of us take for granted.

Acknowledgments

A huge thanks to Denise Graham, adult Bible study leader at North Point Community Church in Alpharetta, Georgia. While I sought friends to serve as my beta group, Denise offered to review my manuscript without being asked. Her biblical knowledge and eye for excellence helped make this a better book.

I'd also like to thank Avelina Koernes for her patience and guidance as I read an early version of the manuscript to her in her assisted living apartment.

Dr. Dave Bonselaar at Bridge to Grace Church in Roswell, Georgia, and other pastors through the years played a part in the wisdom imparted in this collection of spiritual insights. Countless preachers, authors, televangelists, and spiritual influencers taught me lessons shared in these pages. The more I listen, the more I want to share nuggets picked up here and there.

A special thanks to Chris McKenna of Called Writers. Although the Lord led me to choose another path, his expert critique helped steer the direction of this book.

A special thanks also to Bobbie Christmas, who taught me the craft of writing.

Finally, I'd like to thank Traci-Ayn Reynolds, Amber Matthews, and the team of editors and artists at Christian Faith Publishing for their professionalism every step of the way.

Perfect Glory

And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and He will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in His paths; for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

—Isaiah 2:1–2

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in Me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

—Philippians 4:8–9

The days grew dark. The mood was anxious. As the harshness of an Appalachian winter closed in on the tiny upscale community of Cashiers, North Carolina, I entered two weeks of seclusion in the old frame house my boss had turned into an office. Something about the mountains brings