He Applied to Med School – But Why?

Posted on September 22, 2021 by Kathleen

David’s deep desire had always been to serve God on the mission field.  He applied to med school. But why?

It was exactly four years since high school graduation.  Now in four days, he would graduate from the university.  He’d opted not to walk with his class, but to receive his diploma by mail.  Why?  Today he was boarding a plane and heading to the University of Guadalajara to study Spanish by immersion for ten weeks.  He would live with a Mexican family that would only converse with him in Spanish.

His parting words were “Mom, what if I’m accepted to med school?  I don’t even know if that’s what I want!”

His mom just said,  “Pray!”

David had been in Guadalajara a week when he wrote that he missed having Christian fellowship. “Could you call some churches and ask if anyone knows any Christian missionaries down here?”

His mother prayed, made calls and was able to find a pastor who knew of a missionary nurse.  Not exactly what he was looking for.  Or was it?

The very next day David called with a high fever and earache.  That very nurse drove him to the hospital, a hospital run by the Southern Baptist Convention! Inspirational music played over the sound system. Framed Bible verses hung on the walls.  There was even a Christian bookstore in the lobby!

David was diagnosed with a ruptured eardrum and told to return daily for treatments. After three days he asked if they could use a volunteer.  He explained that he’d applied to medical school and was waiting for acceptance.  Although he had Spanish class every morning, he was free in the afternoons.  He prayed this might be God’s will.

The answer was YES!  David could work alongside their own medical students, between 1 – 9 PM daily.  He went on ambulance runs, helped in the Emergency Department  and later the Operating Room.  He helped get patients into wheelchairs.  Sometimes they’d ask for prayer and there were opportunities to share the Lord.  He soon discovered there WAS ministry in medicine.

Before he departed Guadalajara he learned of his acceptance to med school.                Today he is serving God in medicine.

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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.godlife.com/gospel/

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Posted in ILLNESS or HOSPITAL, PRAYER WORKS, RAISING KIDS, TRAVELING | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Muslim: Pray for Us!

Posted on September 18, 2021 by Kathleen

It was a beautiful, sunny day at the beach. Walkers, surfers and tourists crowded the promenade and kept us busy most of the afternoon.  A group of women dressed in Muslim clothing stopped for prayer. “We saw your sign that says you’ll pray.  We want you to pray for us!”

“We’d be happy to!  Do you want prayer for anything specific?”

“PEACE!  Pray for peace, safety and good health.”

“So as Muslims you do believe in Jesus?”

“Oh yes!  We believe in all of them!”

We prayed for the group in Jesus’ name, that God would place His hand of protection on each of them, that His Holy Spirit would guide and direct their lives and give them His peace. We prayed that God would reveal to them His truth, that they would desire to follow Him and obey Him all of their lives.

Afterward they were happy to receive a copy of the Jesus Movie in their own language. We gave them several tracts including  For My Muslim Friend,  Jesus and the Qur’an and the full Gospel message in their own language.  All were well received.  One of the women mentioned that her daughter is attending a high school youth group at a local church.  We asked some questions and learned it was MY church!  Praise God, she’s in a good place!

As they walked away we prayed that God would speak to their hearts as they learn more about Jesus.

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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.godlife.com/gospel/

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Evangelism – Is it Important?

Posted on September 14, 2021 by Kathleen

I was conducting a workshop on evangelism.  The first thing I wanted to do was make sure we were all on the same page.  So I asked three questions:

  1.  “How many of you believe the Bible is the complete Word of God?”

  2.  “How many believe Revelation 21:8 is true – that ‘all unbelievers will have their place in the fiery lake of burning sulfur, which is the second death?'”

3.  “How many believe Jesus’ Great Commission in Matthew 28:19, ‘Go and make disciples of all nations’  is a command for us as the body of believers, and not just for pastors and missionaries?”

I was pleased to see that with each question asked, every hand went up.  I said, “If we believe these things are true, are we not compelled to do all we can to bring people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ?

“Remember John Wesley?  He was an 18th century British evangelist who once said, ‘We have one business in life, to save souls.’

“When I first read his words I wondered, ‘Is this correct?  Is not the Holy Spirit the One who saves souls?’  So I did some research and found several Scriptures that supported his statement:

  1. “How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband?  Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?”   1 Corinthians 7:16

2.  “I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.”   1 Corinthians 9:22b

3.  “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.”   1 Timothy 4:16

  1. “Save others by snatching them from the fire.”   Jude 1:23a

If we just think of The Golden Rule we know it’s true:  “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.”    Matthew 7:12

If I were drowning, I would want someone to save me.  If I were lost, I would want someone to seek and find me.  It’s simple, really.  Do we care about others?  Really care?  Then we need to tell them.

  • Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.    Revelation 20:15
  • So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.    Matthew 7:12

SONG:  WE HAVE ONE BUSINESS IN LIFE – 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/

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God or Allah – What’s the Difference?

Posted on September 10, 2021 by Kathleen

A Muslim turned away from Islam and became a follower of Jesus.  I was privileged to hear him share his life story.  Someone asked him, “What is the difference between God and Allah?”

His explanation was simple.  “As a former Muslim, I can say that Muslims view Allah as the ultimate creator of all things. Muslims are to be good servants of Allah. They are to praise and worship Allah as they serve him.

“In contrast, Christians view God as the creator of all things, but we also have a personal relationship with God and consider Him our Father.”

Another question: “What exactly does it mean to have a personal relationship with God?”

He explained, “Consider a king who rules a country. He has many servants who are to honor him and faithfully serve him.   The servants serve Him dinner, along with his family.

“The servants do not eat at the dinner table with the king as his family does.  When the dinner is finished and the work is done, the servants retire to their quarters.  Yet the children dwell with their father.  He tucks them in at bedtime and kisses them goodnight.

“Since coming to Christ, I have discovered that the personal relationship the children have with their Father is a love relationship.  The Father loves and cares for His children. The children love and trust their Father.  When I was a Muslim I thought of myself more as a servant of Allah, not a child of a loving Father.”

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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.godlife.com/gospel/

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Don’t Marry Him!

Posted on September 6, 2021 by Kathleen

I received a letter from Lissa, the 17-year-old daughter of a long-time friend.  Lissa loves the Lord Jesus and was seeking Christian advice.  She said she considers me a “sister” because we both are Christians.  She then explained that she had an 18-year-old boyfriend and wanted me to convince her parents that even though they were young, marrying him was the right thing to do.

She said, “He’s a Christian, but he does have a little anger problem.  Sometimes he hits me, but he needs me and I know I can help him.”

I wrote back:  “Dear Lissa, I’m glad you consider me a ‘sister’ because we are sisters in the Lord and sometimes that is closer than a blood relationship.  I’m glad you have a special friend and I’m pleased he knows the Lord.  But I want you to heed your big sister’s advice:

“The way Sam treats you now is the best he’ll ever treat you.  If he sometimes hits you now, he will hit you more after your marriage.

“Don’t marry him until you are confident he has grown more mature than you, in the things of the Lord.  The Bible tells us the husband is to be the spiritual leader in the home.  The wife is called to be submissive to her husband.  However, the husband is to love her AS Christ loved the church.  That’s a lot of love!  Read Ephesians 5:22-33.

“Sam’s most important purpose as a husband is to guide you in spiritual things so that someday he can present you to Christ holy and blameless.  In a sense, you are to be the follower and Sam the leader.

“Your parents love you and they can see the pitfalls ahead.  That is why God has given the commandment to honor your father and mother.  And again, ‘obey your parents.'”

As you may imagine, Lissa did not appreciate my letter, but she did receive my advice.
She thanked me years later when she married her Bible study leader.  Indeed, HE was God’s choice!

  •  Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.   Ephesians 6:1
  •  Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.  Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.             Ephesians 5:22-27
  • I LOVE THE LORD – 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.godlife.com/gospel/

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Posted in DOCTRINE, HERE & THERE, Love & Romance, RAISING KIDS | Tagged , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Thru the Bible with J. Vernon McGee

Posted on September 2, 2021 by Kathleen

Thru the Bible is a radio broadcast that is heard in 160 countries in over 100 languages teaching the Bible in five years.  The teacher,  Dr. J. Vernon McGee,  used to say that if you tune in five years from today, we’ll be at the same place in the Bible.  Although Dr. McGee has been with the Lord a few years now,  his broadcasts continue to change lives daily.

Thru the Bible recently received a message from a young doctor, who serves in an ambulance in Siberia, Russia.  Her crew travels from place to place, serving people. Part of her job is deciding if a patient should be taken to the hospital.

She wrote, “I find myself playing God, deciding who gets treatment and who doesn’t.  It’s such a tremendous pressure.  To alleviate stress, I started listening to your programs.  I never was interested in the Bible.  I am not an atheist, I just didn’t care.  I mean, who wants to read the Bible?  But this weight upon our shoulders opened a willingness in me.

“Without even kind of talking about it, I put on your broadcast in the ambulance.  As we hear the Bible being explained to us, we travel between patients.  Sometimes we catch ourselves crying together without speaking much to each others.  Sometimes we smile.  Sometimes we are hopeful.  Sometimes we feel God is in the ambulance, present with us.

“Through these months we have changed. We are not normal Russians anymore. I find myself praying to Jesus every morning, every evening, and at work as we go to patients.  Sometimes I can see what kind of work God is doing in the hearts of my colleagues, of the paramedics, of the driver, in my heart.  This is just amazing.”

Learn more about Thru The Bible at:  https://ttb.org/

MY FRIEND – Words by D.J. Higgins; 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.godlife.com/gospel/

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A Very Sad Story

Posted on August 29, 2021 by Kathleen

I received an email through Global Media Outreach for which I’m an online missionary. It  was from  James, a 31-year-old man in an African country.

James wrote, “I have a very sad story. All my life I looked forward to marrying a virgin because I had kept myself pure and wanted to enter marriage right.  But it didn’t happen that way. The girl I loved told me she had been sexually abused so she wasn’t a virgin.  But I loved her and we married anyway.  Now it is three years later and we have a one-year-old daughter.  I feel as if I have been cheated.  I am a victim. I’m always with a question that is unanswered, ‘Why am I different from other guys, so in my whole entire life I’ll never have a virgin.  Why me, when I was looking forward to a day that will never come?’ I can’t think of anything else.  I can’t keep it a secret any longer.  I need to speak to someone.  ~ James”

“Dear James, You do not have a problem.  You are creating a problem. It’s time to get over yourself and thank God for your family. You might have married a virgin who turned out to be an unpleasant nag.  God wants us to be content with what we have. You need to confess your sin of discontent.

“You do not have a sad story, James. Is she a good wife and mother? Thank God. Was your daughter born healthy? Thank God. Are you able to work?  Thank God.  You are blessed.

“God wants us to be thankful even for the difficulties in our life, for it shows we are trusting Him.  Trusting God is what the Christian life is all about!  When you obey God, trust and thank Him for your situation, God will then supply you with peace that will protect and guard your mind and heart.

“James, I want you to thank God that you married a non-virgin. Praise God for what He gave you.  Show God that You are trusting Him with your life.  Honor and bless your wife because she is the wife God has given you.  God will reward you.”

His response: “Okay I get the message.  I’ll thank God, try to get over it and move on.  Thank you.”

  •  …always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.         Ephesians 5:20
  •  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
  • What can Global Media Outreach do for you?  Go to  www.godlife.com

 INVITE A FRIEND – 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.godlife.com/gospel/

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Posted in GLOBAL MEDIA OUTREACH, Love & Romance | Tagged , , , , , , | 14 Comments

I Know Him

Posted on August 26, 2021 by Kathleen

My first Bible study many years ago, was in the book of John.  It so affected me, that in a matter of weeks I had surrendered my life to Jesus Christ.

I still remember being all alone at my kitchen table when I prayed. Within seconds a sense of peace settled over me.  I knew God was pleased with my decision.  My life changed dramatically from that moment on.  My only regret was that I had waited so long.

It was during those first weeks that I remember puzzling over John 17:3  “Now this is eternal life:  that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.”

I prayed, “Lord, do I know You?  I believe in You and I love You.  I thank You for dying on the cross to purchase my salvation.  I’m grateful for my changed life and for the peace, joy and love I’ve experienced.  But Lord, do I really know You?”

That evening I was playing my guitar when I discovered a new chord sequence.  It was beautiful to my ears and I played it over and over.  After awhile I realized I was also singing!  What was I singing?  Three words:  “I know Him.”

I suddenly fell to my knees.  Tears flowed as I realized God was speaking to me.  I had been distracted playing new chords while He was placing His Words in my mouth, reassuring me that I do indeed know Him!  All I could say through tears was “Thank You Jesus!  Thank You Lord!”

I then picked up my guitar anew and said, “Lord, do you want me to write a song?”

As the simple lyrics came quickly, I knew His answer was “Yes.”

This was the first song I wrote as a Believer.   I call it “I Know Him.”

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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.godlife.com/gospel/

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I Don’t Believe in Hell OR Satan

Posted on August 22, 2021 by Kathleen

A memory from my years ministering to teenagers:

Jake was a 16-year-old in my Bible study at the juvenile hall. He said for weeks that he didn’t believe in hell or Satan, but he was with us on everything else.

I told him that when it comes to the Bible, God doesn’t want us to pick and choose which parts we’ll believe.  He wants us to believe all of it.  I explained that Jesus believed in hell. In fact, Jesus talked more about hell than He did heaven!

One night Jake walked into class saying, “I have an announcement!  I now believe in hell and Satan so you guys can stop ragging on me.”

The other guys cheered and I asked what made him change.

He said, “Last week I read that Satan is happy when we don’t believe in him.  That did it!   If Satan’s real, I sure don’t want to make him happy.”

Jake began studying his Bible wholeheartedly after that.

  • 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
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/

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Teen Evangelist

Posted on August 18, 2021 by Kathleen

G’s  family was planning a tour of U.S. National parks.   They would be meeting and traveling with several families from across the country.  G is a 15-year-old who loves the Lord Jesus.  She believed this might be a good opportunity to share her faith with the others.

Before the family’s departure,  G composed a letter and then made copies.  Her plan was to distribute the letter at the end of their trip.  On the last day when all the families were saying their goodbyes, G  prayerfully and nervously handed out her letters to each one.

Please join G in praying for each person who received her letter, that God would speak to their hearts and draw them to Himself.

Here is her letter:   (She first included her name and email address).

Let’s be friends!   Please feel free to email me if you have any questions, or just need someone to talk with!  I would love to hear from you.

John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world He gave His one and only son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
— God loves us so much He sent Jesus to the earth to live a holy life then die the most brutal death for our sins.

Romans 3:23  says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
— As humans, we sin daily.  No matter how many “good works” we do, they will never save us because we are sinners in desperate need of a savior.  Jesus was the perfect sacrifice because He never sinned.

Romans 10:9 says,  “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
— This is the only way to heaven.
— God loves you so much and wants to have a relationship with you!  Our sin keeps us away from God though, because He is perfect.  As Christians, we have hope because God forgave our sins when Jesus died on the cross.  He died and rose from the dead.

My life forever changed when I surrendered my life to Christ.  I used to struggle with anxiety, but God helps me everyday by giving me peace and joy.  All you have to do is pray and He will guide you!  I am praying for you and hope you learned something in my letter!

Pass this letter on to friends and family to share the gospel message with them too!

Feel free to email me!  Your friend, G

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.godlife.com/gospel/

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Posted in DOCTRINE, HERE & THERE, Holidays, PEOPLE, People Helping People, RAISING KIDS | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments