“I’m Fearful About My Future”

Posted on March 1, 2021 by Kathleen

A young man from Indonesia wrote me through www.godlife.com .  He said he was worried and had fears about the future.

I shared with him something our pastor once said:  “There are three things we should never worry about:  the future, our circumstances and people. Yet those are the three things we most often worry about.”

Worry is sin because it indicates we are not trusting God. Trusting God is what the Christian life is all about.

Fear is not from God, it is from Satan.  Satan does not want us to trust God. He desires that Christians be fearful and powerless. We need to reject fear. Psalm 56:3 says, “When I am afraid I will trust in You (God).”  That is God’s Word and God’s Word is power!  It is also a decision you make!   I WILL trust in God!  Repeat that over and over and the fear will lift.  Speak aloud to Satan: “Get behind me Satan.  Jesus is Lord!”

Choose to thank God and praise Him for your difficulties. Why?  He asks us to.  It isn’t easy to give thanks for some things, but I have personally experienced that when I obey God, He blesses. There have been times when it was so hard to give thanks I had to grit my teeth to do it.  But immediately the peace followed. God is faithful!

  •  Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life.    Matthew 6:25 
  •  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow…     Matthew 6:34a 
  • Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.                  1 Thessalonians 5:18
  •  …always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.     Ephesians 5:20
  •  For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.     2 Timothy 1:7
  •  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.         Revelation 21:8 KJV
  • DO NOT BE ANXIOUS – by Kathleen 
    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.godlife.com/gospel/  and  http://www.godlife.com/en/about-christianity

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Posted in DOCTRINE, GLOBAL MEDIA OUTREACH, PEOPLE, People Helping People | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

No Broken Bones!

Posted on February 24, 2021 by Kathleen

There were plenty of surfers and walkers along the beach promenade, but then a strong wind picked up.  We tried putting weights on our literature, but the wind became too strong!  We decided to pack up our Bibles and books head home.

I was pushing a load of Bibles in my cart when I hit a bump in the concrete and went flying!  I landed on my hands, knees and face, quickly drawing a crowd.

A young man seemed to take charge:  “I saw the whole thing!  Don’t try to get up. Take a deep breath.”
I did as I was told.
“Do you think anything’s broken?”
“I don’t know.  My hands and knees hurt.”
“Can you move your hand?”  He gently lifted my arm.
“Can you move your legs?”

A bleeding knee protruded from a hole in my new jeans.  The other knee was beginning to swell.

We made it to the car and ten minutes later I was home.  My husband brought ice bags for my knees.

That was yesterday.  Today I’m fine!  Other than a scraped knee and bruises, not a scratch on my face and NO broken bones!  Wait!  My last bone density test indicated fragile bones!

Thank You, God!  Obviously You have other plans for me now!
I’ll keep praising You as I move ahead.

  •  Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.     Proverbs 3:5-6
  • The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Psalm 34:7

AT THE FEET OF JESUS  – Lyrics by Liana Wendy Howarth; music by Kathleen

  • 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.godlife.com/gospel/  and  http://www.godlife.com/en/about-christianity

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I Don’t Believe in Heaven OR Hell

Posted on February 19, 2021 by Kathleen

Two young men walked past our Bible table at the beach.  As they walked on, one of the men kept looking back at us.

So I waved him over, “Come and check out our table!  It’s all free and there’s lots of cool stuff!”

He walked over while his friend preferred to wait at the railing and watch the waves.  The first thing Donald said was, “I have some questions.  I believe in God and in Jesus, but I don’t believe in heaven or hell.  I think we make our own heaven and hell right here.”

I said, “That’s a popular belief.  There is also some truth in your statement, because people who are evil eventually get their just reward. Yet sometimes people who do good still suffer a great deal on this earth.  Let me ask you a question:  Do you believe Jesus ever lied?”

“No. Never.”

I said, “Jesus talked more about hell than He did heaven. They were real places to Him.  Just because we don’t believe in something, doesn’t mean it’s not true.  Many people don’t believe in God. That doesn’t mean He doesn’t exist; it just means they’re wrong.”

He said, “Well I think some people are living in hell right here on earth.”

“It’s true that many people are suffering, but they’re not in hell.  Hell is a horrible place and there is no end to their eternal punishment and separation from God.  Yet the Bible describes heaven as a place where there is no sickness, pain or death. There is NOTHING on earth like that today.”

Little by little Donald was persuaded. He stayed 45 minutes and wanted to know about the Holy Spirit—could the Holy Spirit give him self-control?

Meanwhile his friend Mark finally joined him at our table.  Both ended up becoming enthused about God and knowing Jesus!  We were able to give them church recommendations for their city.  I suggested they get into a Bible study and in the meantime read one of the gospels—perhaps Mark or John.  They left with new Bibles and were eager to start reading.

  •  Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.  Acts 18:4
  • However, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.     1 Corinthians 2:9
  • Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.     Matthew 25:41
  • SONG:  MY FRIEND – Lyrics by D.J. Higgins; Music by Kathleen
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.godlife.com/gospel/  and  http://www.godlife.com/en/about-christianity

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Sunday Fun on the Beach Promenade

Posted on February 14, 2021 by Kathleen

Sunday our team was on the beach promenade again. What fun!  We’d just set up our table and one from our team began playing her accordion when a man walked up.  He saw our signage: “Free Books,” “God Talk” and “Need Prayer? Let us Pray for You!”   He looked over our books and Bibles and asked us a few questions about our beliefs.  Then he opened his wallet and handed me a crisp $100 bill.

I said, “We’re not selling anything.  Everything you see is free.”

He said, “And I’m not buying anything.  I like what I see.  I’d like you to take this and buy more Bibles.”

I thanked him and said I would.  He hung out with us for about 20 minutes and watched as we interacted with others.

A bubbly high school student stopped by.  She was from out of town, and a participant in the surfing competition in progress up the beach.  She was excited as she looked at our Bibles and began asking questions.

She said, “My mother is very spiritual, but she doesn’t really know what she believes—she’s kind of mixed up.  My father is a strong atheist.  I’m in the middle and have been searching for truth since junior high.  I’ve read and studied about every religion I can.  The one that makes the most sense to me is Christianity.  But I do have some questions.” She asked one question after another, smiling and eager to learn more.

It was getting close to the time of her next heat and she had to hurry.  She said she wished she could talk with me further. So I told her I was an online missionary with Global Media Outreach. I suggested she go to http://www.godlife.com/connect  where she could learn a great deal. If she wants me to mentor her, she could click on “Talk to Someone.”  She will see a place to make a comment. I gave her my code name so she could enter it there.  She said she would.

Before she left I loaded her down with some tracts, a Bible and a DVD from http://www.JesusFactOrFiction.com .   As she ran off she said, “Thank you! I’m so happy!”

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.godlife.com/gospel/  and  http://www.godlife.com/en/about-christianity

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Don’t Divorce!

Posted on February 10, 2021 by Kathleen

I’ve known my young friend “Jacqui” since before her marriage.  She has a loving husband who is a devoted father to their children.  Jacqui is also very beautiful.  She recently received a substantial inheritance, but she’s unhappy.  She claims she no longer loves her husband and wants a divorce.  She’s never been willing to discuss spiritual things.  I decided to write a letter:

Dear Jacqui,   I was saddened to learn that you were considering divorce.   I want to tell you about another friend who divorced her first husband after having two children.  She married again and had two more children.  Several times I’ve heard her say,  “Divorce was not the answer!  I have just as many problems with my second husband as I did with my first!  Moreover, I now have two sets of kids, and my first husband is still in my life because we share our children.”

People say children are resilient:  “They’ll adjust.  Besides, today there are so many kids from broken homes they won’t feel they are missing out.”

It’s not true.  Kids are resilient on the outside.  They adjust on the outside.  But their hearts will yearn for their parents to be together again.  Your children will observe friends from intact families and they will know they are missing out.

We’ve heard that a child’s security comes from knowing their parents love them.  That’s only partly true.  A child’s real security comes in knowing their parents love each other.

What is love?  I appreciated author J. Budziszewski’s definition:  “Love is a commitment of the will to the true good of another person.”   And I will add:  Love does not always depend on feelings.  Love is a choice.  Love is something you do.

I too was once tempted to escape from marriage and enjoy freedom…and a new life.  But it was my faith in Christ that kept me obedient.  I’m so glad now that I WAS obedient.  Looking back, those times I thought would never get better, are gone.  God was faithful to my obedience.   He’ll be faithful to yours, as well.

This life is short.  This life has a purpose.  This life is a test and I want to pass the test.  I want my kids to pass the test.  This life may be short, but Jacqui, eternity is forever.

We each have a soul and that soul is the life inside our body.  Once our body dies our soul will continue to live.  The most important question is:  Where will your soul live?  Many believe that if they are good they will go to heaven.

Being good or bad has nothing to do with it.  Because nobody is good enough for heaven.  We all need a Savior to save us from eternal separation from God.  We all need a Savior and there is only ONE.

There are two kinds of people:  those who will be saved in the next life and those who will not.   But as far as I know,  I don’t believe you’ve ever come to know the Lord Jesus, nor the joy, peace and purpose that only He can provide.

There WILL be a time when you wake up and realize you’ve made some serious mistakes and you need God in your life.  Don’t wait, Jacqui.

When we come to the end of our lives, the only question that matters to God is,  “What did you do with Jesus?”  When you are ready to investigate the God life, you might check out this site:  www.godlife.com

I love you!   Kathleen

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.godlife.com/gospel/  and  http://www.godlife.com/en/about-christianity

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Posted in DOCTRINE, Love & Romance, RAISING KIDS | Tagged , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Please Help Me!

Posted on February 5, 2021 by Kathleen

It is my honor and privilege to be an online missionary for Global Media Outreach — http://www.globalmediaoutreach.com/  Some people write with challenging questions.  Then there are others.  Recently I received a letter from a troubled 21-year-old chemical engineering student from an African country.

Joseph wrote, “Please help me!  I have a very big problem.  I just transferred to a new university that has strict rules.  Students here are forbidden to be in a relationship until after graduation.  I don’t know what to do!   I have a girlfriend in another city and we plan to marry.  This problem is stressing me.  I can’t study or sleep.  Please help me!  Please pray for me!”

I said, “Joseph, Why don’t you tell her.”

Joseph wrote,  “Tell her what?”

“Tell her the university forbids you to be in a relationship until after your graduation.”

Joseph: “Tell her THAT?”

“Yes.  If she loves you she’ll wait.  If she doesn’t wait you are probably better off.”

“WOW!  Okay, I’ll do it!  Thank you!  Wow!  You don’t know how much you just helped me.  I’ll sleep better tonight!”

I wrote out a prayer for him and he was most grateful.

Afterward I thought about Joseph’s “very big problem.”  Perhaps engineering students think on such a high level that it’s difficult to transition to simple issues.

  •  For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.      Jeremiah 29:11-13
  • Check out Global Media Outreach:  http://www.greatcommission2020.com/map or  www.godlife.com
  •  AT THE FEET OF JESUS  –  Lyrics by Liana Wendy Howarth;  Music by Kathleen
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.godlife.com/gospel/  and  http://www.godlife.com/en/about-christianity

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Posted in COLLEGE CAMPUS, GLOBAL MEDIA OUTREACH | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Porn in the Auto Shop

Posted on January 30, 2021 by Kathleen

Yesterday my car was due for an oil change.  I entered the waiting room of the auto shop and discovered the television was blaring what first appeared to be porn!

It was actually an offensive talk show with a guest who was a stripper doing an erotic pole dance punctuated with obscenities.

There were two men sitting opposite me, both focused on their cell phones.  There was a young mother of a small boy and myself.  The mother was telling her son not to look at the screen, which made him want to look all the more.

It only took a moment before I was off to find the manager to either turn it off or change the channel.  He was apologetic and found the boy some cartoons.

The young mother turned to me and whispered,  “Thank you” while the two men opposite continued staring at their phones.

Why didn’t the young mother take action herself?  I don’t know.  I do believe I was more intimidated when I was younger.   But as a grandmother, God has given me boldness–for which I am grateful.

Has this happened to you?  What did you do?

  • 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.godlife.com/gospel/  and  http://www.godlife.com/en/about-christianity

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Fifteen-Year-Old Needs a Big Sister

Posted on January 25, 2021 by Kathleen

She wore no makeup, yet this 19-year-old college student from the big city was a striking beauty.  Elaina was a tourist who stopped by our Bible table at the beach and liked what we were doing.

We talked at length and I could see she was a student of the Bible and mature in her faith. Her desire was to serve God with her life.  She said she was active on Facebook and Twitter and used both as venues to share the good news about Jesus.  This gave me an idea.

I told her about a 15-year-old girl I’ve been mentoring.  Grace lives on the East Coast and recently moved to a new high school where she is having difficulty making new friends.  She tells me she’s sad, she cries a lot and her parents don’t understand her.  She’s also active on Twitter.

“Grace loves the Lord, but she needs a ‘big sister’ to reach out to her.  Elaina, would you like to be a big sister to Grace?”

“Yes, I would!”

That evening I wrote Grace and told her about Elaina. They connected on Twitter and became fast friends! Last night Grace sent me a happy email: “I started a Bible study with Elaina!  We are studying Romans. This is really encouraging me to read the Bible more.”

I’m thankful to Elaina for reaching out to a little sister in the Lord—clear across the continent!   “Thank You, God, for orchestrating our meeting with precious Elaina.”

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.godlife.com/gospel/  and  http://www.godlife.com/en/about-christianity

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Posted in BEACH, PEOPLE, RAISING KIDS, TRAVELING | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Where Did Evil Come From?

Posted on January 20, 2021 by Kathleen

A friend challenged me: “Where did evil come from?”                                                                    I said, “That’s a tough one.  Perhaps evil came from Satan.”                                                       She countered, “Where did Satan get it?”

Later I was reading in Romans 1:20-21 and there was the answer!  “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.  For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.”

That’s it!  God’s invisible attributes are seen and understood by the things that are made!  When people do not acknowledge Him as God, nor thank Him, the result is darkened hearts of sin.  If we continue reading in Romans 1, we see the first sin people turned to was idolatry. Then followed every other evil imaginable.

Simply put: Evil originated when people refused to honor God and give Him thanks.

Do we realize how important it is to thank God?   Are we remembering throughout the day, to acknowledge God’s presence, God’s provision, God’s protection, and most importantly, God’s love?  God is willing to forgive the most evil sinners when they are willing to receive God’s free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, and turn away from their sinful ways.  That is awesome!

What about the bad stuff?  Must we thank God for everything?
God wants us to give thanks.  Ephesians 5:20 says: “always giving thanks to God the Father for everything.”  Is that difficult?  Yes it is!   But when we are obedient in this, God blesses.  Moreover, we are showing God that we trust Him.  Trusting God is what the Christian life is all about.

  •  …always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.    Ephesians 5:20
  •  But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.    Romans 5:8
  • For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools.   Romans 1:20-22
  •  Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.              1 Thessalonians 5:18
  • DO NOT BE ANXIOUS – By Kathleen
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.godlife.com/gospel/  and  http://www.godlife.com/en/about-christianity

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Posted in DOCTRINE, PEOPLE, RAISING KIDS | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Would You Like Something to Read?

Posted on January 14, 2021 by Kathleen

When I did the Bible ministry with incarcerated youth, I’d often notice as I was leaving for home,  a woman sitting in the waiting room alone.  She would be waiting to pick up a son or daughter scheduled to be released. Typically there was nothing to read and she would sit quietly and wait.

I would be friendly and ask, “Are you waiting to pick up someone?”

The typical answer was “Yes.”

“Would you like something to read while you wait?”  I’d show her my tracts in both English and Spanish and say, “They’re about Jesus.”

She’d usually pick one or two—no one ever refused!

Recently I had my car serviced and I met a nice man in the waiting room. We chatted for awhile and when my car was ready, I asked him if he’d like something to read while he continued to wait.

“Sure!  What do you have?”

I pulled out some tracts.

He glanced at them and said, “Do you love Jesus?”

I smiled, “I do!”

He said, “So do I!  I’m a pastor!”

I stayed a little longer and he told me about his church.  Then he said something that humbled me:   “You’re doing what I, as a pastor, should be doing as well.  Thank you for setting an example.”

  • This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.    1 Timothy 2:3-4
  • Some of the most popular tracts I’ve used:
    • https://www.chick.com/products/tract?stk=1&ue=d
    • https://mwtb.org/collections/gospel-tracts/products/7-things-you-need-to-know?variant=2201237057
  • ONLY ONE LIFE – Lyrics by C.T. Studd; Music by Kathleen
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.godlife.com/gospel/  and  http://www.godlife.com/en/about-christianity

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Posted in DOCTRINE, HERE & THERE, PEOPLE | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments