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b'\\u201cDivorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded\\u201d\\u2014these are the words describing the fate of each of Henry VIII\\u2019s wives\\u2026until July 1543 when Katherine Parr married King Henry of England as his sixth wife. \\u201cPublished author\\u201d are words describing Katherine.\\nIn her inner circle as queen, Katherine was a scholar and leader in England\\u2019s complicated, tumultuous, and violent Reformation Era. She spent much of her time learning about the Bible, eagerly studying under theologians of the day. This inspired her to write about what she was learning. She wanted to help others deepen their understanding of the good news of Jesus.\\nIn 1544, Queen Katherine published her first book, \\u201cPsalms or Prayers.\\u201d She followed with \\u201cPrayers or Meditations\\u201d in 1545, becoming the first woman in England to publish her writings in print under her own name in English.\\nIn 1547, after Henry VIII\\u2019s death, Katherine published \\u201cLamentation of a Sinner.\\u201d In this book, she speaks to us through the centuries as a very real person, in all humility about sin\\u2014both in general and specifically about her own struggles. Even with her status as queen, she doesn\\u2019t shy away from lamenting and confessing her own deep sin. In doing so, she brings readers to the gospel\\u2014to how Jesus lived, sacrificed Himself, and rose again to be in relationship with us. Katherine wanted the common person of her time to be able to read these ideas in their own language and understand the concepts. It was a whole new paradigm.\\nWhile Katherine\\u2019s primary legacy for centuries has been as the survivor of King Henry VIII, this is to underestimate her. Even when she was married to one of the most infamous kings of England\\u2014and even when some corrupt leaders plotted against her life due to her beliefs\\u2014God preserved Katherine\\u2019s life and used her to spread the good news of Jesus\\u2019 life, death, and resurrection. \\u2022 Lauren N. Simmons\\n\\u2022 Katherine Parr was a gifted writer and student, and she lived in a difficult situation in a unique time in history. God was able to work through her challenging circumstances to bring about His good kingdom purposes. He was with her through it all. What are your gifts and talents? How might Jesus be calling you to serve His kingdom? \\n\\u2022 If you\\u2019re not sure what it might look like for you to serve in Jesus\\u2019 kingdom, who are trusted Christians you can talk with about it\\u2014such as pastors, parents, counselors, or teachers? \\nWho knows, perhaps you have come to your royal position for such a time as this. Esther 4:14b (CSB)\\n\\xa0\\nRead Verses:\\nLuke 7:1-10; 10:38-42; 23:38-43; John 15:9-17'