Muslim Student from Senegal

Posted on August 21, 2017 by Kathleen

We were on a crowded train in France when I found an empty seat next to a university student from Senegal.

He ignored me until I said, “Bonjour!” I then offered him a “Good News” comic book in French.

He said, “Parlez-Vous Francais?”

I smiled, “Anglais.”

He quietly read the booklet. When he finished he said,  “This is important information!      I am a Muslim and we too believe in Jesus. This tells the importance of making ourselves ready for the next life.  This life we now live is only temporary.  Please!  I would like to send this to my wife in Senegal.”

I said, “Please do.”

With his permission, I wrote two websites on the back of the booklet: www.MuslimJourneytoHope.com   and Godlife.com/ .  Then he took out his wallet and showed me pictures of his new baby.

“Thank You, Lord, for arranging this meeting and giving this precious young man an open heart.”

  • Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.    Acts 4:12
  • The comic I shared with him was called “This Was Your Life” in the French language:  http://www.chick.com/reading/tracts/0001/0001_01.asp
  • [How about you? Have you tried sharing Christ with a fellow traveler?  If so, how did you go about it?  To leave a comment, click on story’s TITLE, then scroll to bottom of page.
  • Song:  ONE BUSINESS IN LIFE – Quote by John Wesley, circa 1780; remaining words and music by Kathleen

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[This life is temporary. This life is short.  When this life is over, our bodies will die and become empty shells, but our souls will continue to live forever.  Where will the “real you” live?   Will you live for all eternity separated from God?  Or will you spend eternity in the presence of God in heaven?   Learn more so you can make your most important decision:    http://www.whoisjesus-really.com/  and www.godlife.com

 

Posted in DOCTRINE, Other Religions, TRAVELING | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Teen Wants to Become a Father

Posted on August 18, 2017 by Kathleen

I was having Bible study with a group of incarcerated teens when one 16-year-old asked if he could speak with me privately after we finished.

Later he told me he is considering getting a girl pregnant. He wanted my opinion, because he’d already talked with his parents. They both think he is at a good age to become a father.

I asked, “Who is going to support your child?”

He said, “Ohhhh—It’ll all work out.”

I asked him if he was serious about the decision he’d made just 15 minutes earlier, to turn away from sin and to give his life to Jesus Christ.

He said, “Yes! Absolutely!”

I said, “If you are serious about obeying God, then you need to wait until marriage before you start a family.”

His response, “Marriage?   But I’m too young to get married!”

I just looked at him.

He said, “Are you saying, you don’t think I should have a kid yet?”

I said, “God’s desire for you NOW,  is to grow into a mature man of God, who loves and serves the Lord Jesus.  Someday you will want to marry a woman who shares your faith. Your children are to come after your marriage, not before.”

He was quiet for a moment, then said, “OK. I’ll wait.”

  • The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man is he who listens to counsel. Proverbs 12:15

 [Does this boy’s question surprise you?  Would you have responded differently?  To leave a comment, simply click on the story’s TITLE, then scroll down to “Leave a Reply.”]

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[This life is temporary. This life is short.  When this life is over, our bodies will die and become empty shells, but our souls will continue to live forever.  Where will the “real you” live?  Will you live for all eternity separated from God?  Or will you spend eternity in the presence of God in heaven?   Learn more so you can make your most important decision:    http://www.whoisjesus-really.com/  and www.godlife.com
 

 

Posted in JAIL & COUNTY JUVENILE FACILITY, Love & Romance, RAISING KIDS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Baby Steps

Posted on August 15, 2017 by Kathleen

A few years ago a schoolteacher in our fellowship retired.  He said he wanted to serve God in some way.  Could I make a suggestion?

Certainly! There were many opportunities for ministering to inmates at the local jail.  Or, perhaps he could teach Sunday school or become involved in our college campus outreach. There’s also the Bible table along the beach promenade on Sunday afternoons.

Unfortunately,  Andy felt all the above were too “interpersonal” for him.  He would help with the church’s technical needs instead.

Meanwhile, Andy’s wife became part of our beach evangelism team.   Andy faithfully came to help load and deliver our table, Bibles and books each week. Later he’d return to help us carry our load back to storage.  He would spend time shopping or taking power walks along the beach promenade until we were ready to leave.

One day he decided to sit on a nearby bench and pray while waiting for us.  He did this for several weeks. Then one day Andy quietly picked up a stack of tracts and began handing them out to people who passed by!

Today he is an active part of our beach ministry.  He easily engages people,  sharing the Lord with walkers and surfers who stop at our table.  He offers to pray with those who express a need.  He is a delight to have on our team!

I recently asked, “Andy, I thought this ministry was too interpersonal for you.”

“It was.  I needed baby steps.”

  •  He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.         Mark 16:15

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[This life is temporary. This life is short.  When this life is over, our bodies will die and become empty shells, but our souls will continue to live forever.  Where will the “real you” live?  Will you live for all eternity separated from God?  Or will you spend eternity in the presence of God in heaven?   Learn more so you can make your most important decision:    http://www.whoisjesus-really.com/  and www.godlife.com

 

Posted in BEACH, PEOPLE | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Restless People

Posted on August 12, 2017 by Kathleen

 “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.”       St. Augustine of Hippo, 400 AD

Remember my friend Martha who was not interested in attending Bible study?  She said she didn’t believe in God. If there is a God she did not believe she needed to be accountable to Him for her actions.

I was careful never again to invite Martha to Bible study, but I did share with her answers to prayer. I did share with her exciting truths I’d learn from the Bible.  I did share with her God’s faithfulness to me and my family. Martha would listen with interest.  How I loved her!

That was when our children were small.  Now they have all left the nest.  Looking back, I see a strong contrast in our lives and in the lives of our children. I have continued in Bible study and God has blessed our marriage, our children and our grandchildren.

On the other hand, Martha left her husband when he became boring.  Her children, although well-educated, have gone the way of the world in radical ways I won’t mention.

Martha is restless and continues to search for meaning to life.  Yet there is no genuine rest until we find our rest in Christ alone. I will continue to pray for her. I will continue to look for opportunities to share the hope that only Jesus Christ offers.

  • Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.     Matthew 11:28-30 
  • By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?   Matthew 7:16
  • SONG:  My Friend – Click here to listen:

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[This life is temporary. This life is short.  When this life is over, our bodies will die and become empty shells, but our souls will continue to live forever.  Where will the “real you” live?  Will you live for all eternity separated from God?  Or will you spend eternity in the presence of God in heaven?   Learn more so you can make your most important decision:    http://www.whoisjesus-really.com/  and www.godlife.com
Posted in DOCTRINE, Love & Romance, PEOPLE | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

I Don’t Believe in God!

Posted on August 9, 2017 by Kathleen

I invited a friend to Bible study.  She didn’t hesitate in her reply:  “I’m sorry, but I don’t believe in God. If God does exist, I don’t believe I should be accountable to Him.  If I’m wrong, then I’m willing to pay the consequences.”

I was dumbstruck!  Never had I heard such a shocking, determined admission.  Realizing her conviction was strong, I was cautious after that day, to only share bits and pieces of my faith with her.  I often related answers to prayer and the good listener she was,  seemed to enjoy my sharing.

I came to love Martha as a sister.  Even though she left God out of her life, in other ways she seemed flawless.  There were times when I even questioned God’s Word that says “all have sinned…”

Then one day Martha spoke of her parents with bitterness and anger.  She said they were churchgoing hypocrites.  Their lives only focused on impressing others.  All she knew about God was what she saw in her parents.  She wanted nothing to do with either.

I attempted to counsel her in forgiveness, but she was stubborn and unyielding.

Years later Martha still radiates goodness on the surface, but has no room for God in her life.  She still harbors hatred toward her now deceased parents. Moreover her hostility has grown to include anything that honors the one true God.

I know now that God’s Word is perfect.  He knows our darkened hearts as no one else can. He knows that no one is good enough to come before Him without a covering for our sin—the covering He Himself has provided through the blood of Jesus.

  • The Lord looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.  All have turned away, all have become corrupt;
    there is no one who does good, not even one.    Psalm 14:2-3
  • for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.    Romans 3:23

  [To leave comment:  Click on title of story and scroll down]

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[This life is temporary. This life is short.  When this life is over, our bodies will die and become empty shells, but our souls will continue to live forever.  Where will the “real you” live?  Will you live for all eternity separated from God?  Or will you spend eternity in the presence of God in heaven?   Learn more so you can make your most important decision:    http://www.whoisjesus-really.com/  and www.godlife.com
Posted in DOCTRINE, HERE & THERE, PEOPLE, RAISING KIDS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

Pray Through My Medium

Posted on August 6, 2017 by Kathleen

A sick friend asked me to pray for her.  However,  there was a condition involved. She wanted me to pray through her therapist who was a  medium.

I replied, “But I already have a medium!  Jesus Christ said, ‘I am the way, the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father but through Me.’  So you see,  Jesus is my medium.  When I pray through Jesus I have a direct connection with God.”

She frowned, “Well, I met Jesus once.  He was a sad and lonely man.  He made me the same.”

I smiled.  “I met Jesus too!  He forgave my sins and filled me with His Holy Spirit so I would have peace, joy and love.  He has remained with me all these years.”

“Oh.” She was quiet a moment.  “Well then, go ahead and pray.”

So I did.  When I left the room I overheard her tell the therapist, “I think Kathleen is on a higher level than we are.”

  •  Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.    John 14:6

[ Would you have answered differently? Have you known others who have prayed through a medium? To leave a comment, click on title of story, then scroll to bottom.]

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[This life is temporary. This life is short.  When this life is over, our bodies will die and become empty shells, but our souls will continue to live forever.  Where will the “real you” live?  Will you live for all eternity separated from God?  Or will you spend eternity in the presence of God in heaven?   Learn more so you can make your most important decision:    http://www.whoisjesus-really.com/  and www.godlife.com
Posted in ILLNESS or HOSPITAL, Other Religions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 23 Comments

Cohabit or Marry?

Posted on August 3, 2017 by Kathleen

Many couples today prefer to cohabit rather than marry. Yet there are some who want to obey God and do what is right.

One young man said, “If I don’t think of a girl as a girlfriend, then I’m not tempted to kiss her.”  When he was 24 he proposed to his best friend of over a year and they had never kissed. He said they both wanted to honor God with their lives.  They believed kissing would create more temptation than they wanted before marriage.

Another young couple became engaged.  Six weeks later they could no longer kiss—they couldn’t handle it!  They decided that until the wedding they would limit their affection to a peck on the cheek and a hug.

A third young couple had been promiscuous for years and then they found Jesus.  Later they found each other.  They dated for two years before marrying.  During that time he never touched her. He never held her hand or put his arm around her. Why?  They both knew where touch would lead. They were committed to honoring God with their lives.

The three couples above have been married over ten years, are living happy and productive lives, raising up godly children and serving a mighty God.

Is it easy to obey God?  No.  Yet there are young couples we don’t hear much about who desire to maintain a God-honoring courtship.  When we obey God then He blesses.   Believe it.

  •  You were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.                                    1 Corinthians 6:20
  • Flee from sexual immorality.   1 Corinthians 6:18
  •  And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.     2 John 1:6

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[This life is temporary. This life is short.  When this life is over, our bodies will die and become empty shells, but our souls will continue to live forever.  Where will the “real you” live?  Will you live for all eternity separated from God?  Or will you spend eternity in the presence of God in heaven?   Learn more so you can make your most important decision:    http://www.whoisjesus-really.com/  and www.godlife.com

 

Posted in Love & Romance, RAISING KIDS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

The Poem Became a Song

Posted on July 31, 2017 by Kathleen

Writing this blog has provided opportunities to meet the most interesting people!   One new friend who follows the blog lives in Australia.  She ordered my CD and apparently liked my style.

She wrote explaining she was a poet!  Would I be willing to put music to some of her poems? I suggested she send a few and I’d give it a try.

While reading the first poem I was compelled to pick up my guitar.  I started playing and then singing. The song was complete after singing it through only once!

It wasn’t just the speed at which it came together.  It was the cry of the heart that confirmed to me that this piece was pleasing to God.  The poem became a song that day.  I made an appointment with an arranger and we recorded it last week!

Give me a heart to love You, Lord                                                                                                      A heart that will always care
Care when I can’t feel Your presence, Lord
But knows You’re forever there

Give me a heart that can love You, Lord
A heart that without You can’t love
Love when the skies are in darkness, Lord
But knows the sweet blessings above

Give me a heart that is able, Lord
To love You unconditionally
Something I could never do, Lord
Unless Your Spirit’s made His home in me

Oh! Give me a heart to love You, Lord
As only Love’s love can love
Bind it with chords of tenderness, Lord
Lift it heavenward on wings of the Dove

© 2014 Liana Wendy Howarth

www.poetrycottage.wordpress.com                                                                                       Music Studio:  jimmymacproductions.com

  • Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.  Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day.  Psalm 96:1-2

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  • [This life is temporary. This life is short.  When this life is over, our bodies will die and become empty shells, but our souls will continue to live forever.  Where will the “real you” live?  Will you live for all eternity separated from God?  Or will you spend eternity in the presence of God in heaven?   Learn more so you can make your most important decision:    http://www.whoisjesus-really.com/  and www.godlife.com

 

Posted in HERE & THERE, TRAVELING | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Putting God to the Test

Posted on July 28, 2017 by Kathleen

“I will put God to the test.” But the mere thought broke Efe. She couldn’t hold back her tears when faced with the image of her children leaving her forever. “Now is not the time for tears, she thought. Be strong. Your children need you strong to ensure they live.”

But after finding the courage to say the words out loud — asking God to provide a family for her children so they had a chance to survive — she suddenly felt faithless.

“What?” her eldest daughter, interrupted. “Momma, what are you saying?”

Efe could barely get the words out, “Chuku, I have no other options. I must send you away. The Muslims here hate us. War and famine have taken everything from us. We don’t have food to survive. This is no way for you to live.”

“Momma,” Chuku replied. “If God’s promises are true, He will do something about our situation. I’m not scared, Momma. I will put God to the test.”

The next day, a Friday, Chuku started a 2-day prayer vigil, asking God to fulfill His promise…

On Sunday, Efe still felt the weight of her decision as she taught a children’s Sunday school class at her church. She saw her own children in every child’s face — reminding her of her decision.  Her pastor interrupted her thoughts, asking her to come with him to the city center. Efe didn’t know if she could take any more bad news.

In the city center, crowds of men and women stirred. Efe heard songs of praise and rejoicing. Even shouts of thanks erupted sporadically. Her pastor led her to a wagon loaded with an enormous bag of rice, an enormous bag of beans and many more supplies and resources.

“These are for you,” her pastor said. “Don’t lose faith in the Lord. He is with you.”

Efe couldn’t hold back the tears.  She didn’t want to.  After finding Chuku and her other children, she called out to the Lord, “Thank you God for answering my daughter’s prayers. Thank you for this miracle. Forgive me for doubting Your promises.”

  • The above is a true story as reported by Open Doors USA.
  • You can help fight the famine in Nigeria by providing food survival kids through Open Doors:  http://go.opendoorsusa.org/nigeria-famine-test/
  • SONG:  “HUG THEM” – Lyrics by Liana Wendy Howarth/Music by Kathleen

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    [This life is temporary. This life is short.  When this life is over, our bodies will die and become empty shells, but our souls will continue to live forever.  Where will the “real you” live?  Will you live for all eternity separated from God?  Or will you spend eternity in the presence of God in heaven?   Learn more so you can make your most important decision:    http://www.whoisjesus-really.com/  and www.godlife.com

    • [Looking for SHARE buttons?  Wish to LEAVE A COMMENT?  Go to: www.kathleensfaithwalk.com   and scroll to the bottom of page.]
Posted in DOCTRINE, RAISING KIDS | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Do You Know About the Messianic Jews?

Posted on July 25, 2017 by Kathleen

A man sat on the bench next to our Bible table at the beach. He began eating his hamburger when I noticed he was wearing a name badge.

“So how is that hamburger, Richard?”
“Huh? Oh, I forgot I was wearing my name.  It’s great!”
“Are you attending a seminar?”
“Actually I am.” He began telling me about it when a Jewish couple stopped at the table and began asking questions about our Jewish literature.

Richard entered into the conversation asking them questions and making comments about Israel and Judaism. They no doubt thought he was part of our Bible ministry.  After they left I asked, “Richard, do you have a faith background?”

“Yes. I became a Christian in college.  But recently I learned I have Jewish roots and Jewish relatives in Russia.  At this point I’m not sure what I am!”

“Richard, did you know you can be both? Do you know about the Messianic Jews?”
He shook his head. “No.”

“These are Jewish people who have received Jesus as their Messiah. The first Christians were Jews. There has always been a remnant of Jewish people who have followed Jesus. Many of them today worship in Christian churches and others in Messianic Synagogues—and there are many.”

This was news to him and he was intrigued.  I offered him one of our T’Nach’s – a Jewish Old Testament and also a Hebrew/English New Testament. I gave him a booklet showing the messianic prophecies that Jesus fulfilled proving Him the Messiah.  I also shared with him the Messianic Jewish website: http://www.gotmessiah.com/flash/index.html   Richard seemed eager to check out the website.

He received our gifts with a grateful heart and as he left said, “I’m going to start reading this today!”

  • To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  John 8:31
  • But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.    John 20:31

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[This life is temporary. This life is short.  When this life is over, our bodies will die and become empty shells, but our souls will continue to live forever.  Where will the “real you” live?  Will you live for all eternity separated from God?  Or will you spend eternity in the presence of God in heaven?   Learn more so you can make your most important decision:    http://www.whoisjesus-really.com/  and www.godlife.com

 

 

 

 

Posted in BEACH, DOCTRINE, Other Religions | Tagged , , , , , , , | 8 Comments