This I Know
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About this ebook
The author candidly shares her walk with God through divorce, single parenting, illness, a dysfunctional childhood, occult teachings, controlling church life, and much more. It doesn't stop there, for out of her "dark places and chains" comes the hand of Almighty God, bringing deliverance and freedom in life.
The author tells how God faithfully demonstrates His tender love and mercy in the lives of anyone seeking Divine intervention. Personal miracles are shared, along with life application principles that transform even the most desperate of life's circumstances. Knowing how much God loves you personally gives the ability to "fly above the storm," just as eagles soar above the clouds.
Patricia Martin
Patricia Martin is a Reiki and massage therapist, intuitive angel reader (medium), and meditation guide. She motivates people through exercise and self-care, or allied health. She is a children’s book author who has a special rapport with children and adults alike and enjoys helping them. She works with people’s energy fields; she encourages, inspires, and motivates with her affirmations. She enjoys writing as a way to reach them in special and unique ways with her healing words. As a mother she is very aware of children’s needs and has a deep desire to help them respectfully and lovingly connect with themselves. She inspires them to be optimistic and to connect with who they truly are. She encourages them to be at one with Mother Earth by enjoying simple pleasures like having fun outdoors in nature and reading. She understands their simplicity and joy for life, but unfortunately, as they grow up, children forget these simple pleasures! Adults need to remember and have fun too! Her deep passion for writing stems back to her own childhood. Her favourite author is Enid Blyton. She remembers many happy hours up in her tree house reading wonderful books. She also has a love for writing poetry and adult self-help books, as well as for storytelling to children. She believes we all have a special and unique calling and that to follow our true path brings us the happiness we truly deserve. We should do what we came here to do and have no regrets. Life is precious, and we need to make the most of every day and listen to the whispers of our hearts.
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Book preview
This I Know - Patricia Martin
This
I
Know
Patricia Martin
Order this book online at www.trafford.com
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© Copyright 2011 Patricia Martin.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written prior permission of the author. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version of the Bible, copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Other quotations, as noted, are from the New Living Translation. Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.
All rights reserved.
Take note that the name satan is not capitalized, with the exception of Scripture portions and chapter titles. The author chooses not to acknowledge him, even to the point of violating grammatical rules.
Printed in the United States of America.
ISBN: 978-1-4269-9369-5 (sc)
ISBN: 978-1-4269-9368-8 (hc)
ISBN: 978-1-4269-9370-1 (e)
Library of Congress Control Number: 2011915656
Trafford rev. 10/24/2011
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North America & international
toll-free: 1 888 232 4444 (USA & Canada)
phone: 250 383 6864 . fax: 812 355 4082
Contents
REVIEWS
DEDICATION
Introduction
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
REVIEWS
Patricia has written so beautifully of how God has led her step by step to love Him and to love His treasures, His people. That walking daily with God, having a close love relationship with Him, knowing Him personally and joyfully, is a choice, as we daily talk with Him, listen to His voice to our hearts and enjoy His loving fellowship. To quote Patricia, Be a thankful heart and live in the joy of God’s Son Shine.
Rosalie Willis Storment
Author and Founder of A Company of Women International
Patricia Martin tells her inspiring story and the experiences that have changed her life. These well written, captivating words will lift your spirit and perhaps give greater perspective and insight into the love of God and the power of His might. Reading these pages gives assurance that God is faithful to bring us through circumstances that are almost borderline unbearable.
Christine Jones, Retired Teacher, Northstate Business College
They say life has a way of bringing the best out of you as God will use it to break you and mold you anew. When you begin to read Patricia’s book you will find yourself in shoes that have walked through the valleys and the mountain tops of life, as God has led her and molded her into the woman of God that she is. You will find yourself walking with her through life from the prism of light of her written words. I highly recommend to you our friend’s book for your personal devotion and growth in Christ.
Rev. J.R. Gonzales
Senior Pastor of New Life Assembly, Corning, CA
DEDICATION
This book is dedicated to my beloved family.
My sons—Paul and Bill Martin
My grandchildren—Billy, Tim and Tylor Martin,
My nephew, Bruce Storment,
and to all of my wonderful family and friends.
I must give special thanks to Sabra Emerson as she
prodded me for over twenty years to write my book.
Many thanks to Christine Jones who also encouraged
me to write for many years, and for her hours of work in
editing the manuscript.
Above all else I dedicate this book to
My Savior and Lord Jesus Christ.
"LORD, my heart is not proud; my eyes are not haughty.
I don’t concern myself with matters too great or too awesome for me to grasp.
Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself, like a weaned child
who no longer cries for its mother’s milk.
Like a weaned child is my soul within me."
(Psalm 131:l,2 NLT)
Introduction
If you enjoy a tossed salad, with fresh, spicy, well seasoned veggies and fruits, grown in the garden of life, and fertilized by the Creator of life, you will most assuredly enjoy reading this book.
Why tossed salad? Because, the order of the events, devotionals, prophetic words, and exhortations, may appear to drop into your salad bowl in random order, but by the end of your meal
you will relish the satisfaction of a salad well digested and thoroughly enjoyed.
Throughout the book you will notice repeated emphasis upon what I call, survival scriptures,
and foundational life messages, which have spiced up my life.
They are the delicious dressing upon the salad.
Like many believers, I consider myself to be a simplistic Christian. In other words, there have always been some things I have not understood. However, in spite of that fact, I have known, deep within my heart, that God does all things well. He never makes a mistake. We live in a sin-filled and fallen world, but because of the goodness of our Lord, we see His handiwork everywhere.
Who can watch the sun rise early in the morning or a brilliant sunset as evening sets in, with the artistry of vivid colors splashed across the sky, without knowing there is God? The awesome sound of a large waterfall, fills our ears with thunderous music from above, and reminds us of God’s wonderful power. Thunder and lightning sometimes set our nerves on edge, but who can deny God’s strength on such occasions? Yet, the birth of a tiny bird, coming forth from an egg and a beautiful baby exiting a mother’s womb, bring all arguments to an end about creation by God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. At least that’s how I view things. I praise God for His miracles of love, which He has extended so faithfully into my own life.
I do not consider things too high and lofty for me, but I do bask in the love of God, and I know Him personally, by His grace offered to me, through His Son Jesus Christ. My prayer is that you, precious reader, will come to know Him better, as I share with you, the message of this book. The total message within each page comes from my personal life experience, the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in opening my understanding of Scripture, the unfolding of the love of God in my life, and my praise to the Lord for His care and provision. Since God does not play favorites, all of His love and goodness is available to each sincere and hungry soul.
Lord, my heart is not proud; my eyes are not haughty. I don’t concern myself with matters too great or too awesome for me to grasp. Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself, like a weaned child who no longer cries for its mother’s milk. Yes, like a weaned child is my soul within me.
(Psalms 131:1,2 NLT).
1
Ordinary People?
Ordinary people? Are any of us just ordinary people? I think not! Everyone has a story to tell. Everyone has a unique God-given life. With that life comes outstanding evidence of God’s grace and individual love for each person.
Because of God’s goodness and faithfulness in my life, I want to share much of it with you. Together, we will travel
through parts of my childhood, my confusion about God, my salvation, marriage, divorce, struggles as a single mother, the wonders of God’s protection and provision, the literal explosion of our home, miracles of healings, the manifestation of the presence of Jesus, and much more. My desire to proclaim the wonderful works of our Lord burns within my soul. He really does have all we need!
My story begins on July 5, 1938, in Taft, California, when I was born to Elvira and Thomas McMahon. My father was a barber and my mother a housewife. Both were gifted people. Dad was an artist who soared to heights in lapidary work. Mom’s gifts were diversified and many. She was a woman with a quick mind, coupled with many creative abilities. But, most of all, they were a team that usually spoke with one voice. My sister Joyce and I were greatly influenced by their lives. Even with our modest life style, my sister and I always felt safe and well cared for. We never lacked any of the necessities of life, and our family life was secure. I would not be honest if I stopped here. Our family, like so many, was dysfunctional. There were skeletons in the closet.
But, that’s part of the story to come. Without detailing the dysfunction, I share the importance of not ignoring life issues.
When I was two years old we moved to Santa Barbara, California. My father opened a barbershop, and my mother dove into decorating our new home. She managed our home well, and busied herself with taking care of the family.
I have fond memories of my mother preparing wonderful meals and the aroma of those meals penetrating every room in our modest home. Fresh sheets on my bed, crickets making melody outside my window, the smell of ocean air, and the frequent lovely sunsets, all played a great part in my feeling of security.
My father usually rode his bike to work. It was my habit to meet him in the early evening light, halfway from home, and bicycle the rest of the way together. Oh, those were special times, for I adored my daddy.
Grandma and Grandpa McMahon also lived in Santa Barbara. We had many wonderful family reunions at their home. My grandparents were Christians. One of their daughters, Aunt Vesta, always interested me, for she had such a passion towards God. She was known as the family fanatic.
It was only later in my life, after I became a Christian that I really got to know her well. I think her title
was given to me, and I wear it with honor, to this day.
I never knew my mother’s father, as he died before I was born. My Grandmother Besse lived in Taft, California, and we made frequent visits to see her. Each summer she would come for a lengthy visit. I remember Grandmother Besse well. She was a high-spirited little German woman who always traveled with her own featherbed. I enjoyed snuggling down in that old featherbed, and listening to my grandmother’s stories of times past.
I was fortunate to be raised in such a lovely place as Santa Barbara. One rarely has the privilege these days of entering college with the same classmates that they knew in kindergarten. My high school days were loaded with activities, especially involving music. After high school I attended the University of California at Santa Barbara.
After only one year at the university, I was married at the ripe old age
of seventeen, almost eighteen. We were married twelve years during which time my two sons, Bill and Paul Martin, were born. They were both born healthy and happy. As all young mothers do, I immediately counted all their fingers and toes to make certain they had the right number. Out of respect for my sons and other family members, I shall not include details in my book about my marriage. However, in my section on divorce, you will find my story of God’s blessings for wounded hearts.
2
My Hunger to Know God
During my childhood we attended a large Methodist church in Santa Barbara. Actually, we attended two churches, the Methodist and the Unity Church. I never noticed any particular difference between the two churches, other than the difference in size. My parents were also members of the Rosicrucian Order.
Mother taught my sister and me concepts from the Rosicrucian Order, and made certain that I had literature to read from the Unity Church. We attended the Methodist Sunday school on a fairly regular basis.
My mother gave me my own ouija board. I remember playing with my sister, and we had fun at first. As I recall, some of our questions gave us