Mammogram

Posted on April 14, 2021 by Kathleen

I recently had a routine mammogram.  All went well until the technician wanted to do the right side twice.  Afterward she asked me not to get dressed until she could get a doctor to come and check it.  Hmm.

I waited.  The doctor finally checked the mammogram and then said I needed an ultrasound – now.  I again waited.  Then I prayed, “Lord, I’m getting older.  I know many who have had cancer.  If it’s my turn, then please work this out so You will get the glory.”

The technician finished the ultrasound and called the doctor back.  The doctor repeated the ultrasound, taking a long time.  Finally…  “This looks suspicious, but it’s not.  It’s just a cyst.  You’re fine.  Come back in a year.”

Whew!   I suddenly realized how blessed I am.  Many women are not told the result of a concerning mammogram until days later.  Then an ultrasound may be scheduled two weeks out.  The entire two weeks she’s thinking it may be cancer.

Somehow God wanted me to receive the good news promptly – and I am thankful.  I believe God still has work for me to do.  Everywhere I go there are people who need Jesus.

“Lord, open my eyes to the opportunities around me.  Then give me Your wisdom and Your words.  This I ask in the precious name of Jesus, Amen.”

  • So do not fear,  for I am with you; do not be dismayed,  for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.       Isaiah 41:10

THERE’S NOTHING WRONG WITH YOU – 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/

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Posted in ILLNESS or HOSPITAL, PEOPLE | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Conversation With a Muslim

Posted on April 8, 2021 by Kathleen

We were attending a large birthday gathering of Muslim friends.  Knowing my Christian beliefs, Ahmad said he wanted to talk with me. This fine gentleman holds a Ph.D. and teaches at a major university.  He came and sat next to me on the sofa.

“As you know, I have been a Muslim all my life;  I love my religion.  However, most of my extended family members are no longer true Muslims.  They’ve become atheists and are Muslim in name only.  When we came to this country, we were family oriented, committed to marriage, fidelity and to traditional values.  That has changed.  Not only is this true for Muslims, but the entire Western culture is becoming increasingly amoral.

“I tell my university students to wait until marriage before moving in together.  The immorality of today’s culture is destroying America.

“Islam has changed.  No longer do Muslims respect Jesus.  I don’t know why there’s been this change.  You see,  the Quran teaches that Jesus was born of a virgin and was a Spirit from God.  It teaches that Jesus was the Word of God, that He worked miracles and that He is going to return!  Yet Muslims rarely discuss Jesus anymore.

“One more thing, many of the mosques in the U.S. are encouraging terrorism. I know this as fact!  Yet Muslims don’t speak out. They’re silent!”

I mostly listened.  Then I suggested that perhaps HE should speak out.

“They won’t listen to me.  People don’t want to hear the truth.”

I had brought with me some DVDs,  just in case I might have an opportunity.  I opened my purse.  “I have something I’d like to give you. It’s a DVD on the life of Jesus.  It’s in your own language.”

He began reading the label.  “Wow!  There are several different Middle Eastern languages on the same disc!  I would love to watch this!  Thank you.”

“Perhaps after you watch it, we can talk again.  I’d like to get your opinion.”

  • For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.    1 Timothy 2:5
  • Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.     1 John 4:1
  • MY FRIEND – Words by D.J. Higgins; Music by Kathleen
  • You may watch the Jesus Movie here:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWYuIe8ftHA
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 Atheism, Other Religions, PEOPLE, RAISING KIDS | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Teenage Girls Incarcerated

Posted on April 4, 2021 by Kathleen

Nine incarcerated teenage girls walked into Bible study cursing and acting obnoxious. I raised my voice,  “If you don’t want to be here, you may leave NOW!  Who wants to be excused?”  They quieted down.

I avoided eye contact with two girls who appeared angry and also manly.  Little by little I’d glance at each of them and smile.  Little by little they began to soften—and then smile back.  They were both pretty girls;  after awhile they even began to look more feminine!

I explained that when we surrender our lives to Jesus, His Holy Spirit then comes in and transforms us. He changes our desires so that we begin to want what He wants. Some of the girls said they have addictions they cannot break unless they’re incarcerated.

I talked about the importance of letting God know you are serious about wanting help.  Show Him by letting Him see you spend time reading His Word–and let Him speak to you as you read. You might even get down on your knees and spend time just praising and thanking Him for what He’s already done for you. The Holy Spirit wants to come in and transform lives. That’s what He does!

During the last 30 minutes they seemed to hang on every word.  I talked about the dangers of pornography, that it’s addictive and progressive. “What goes in through our eyes and ears can remain inside and cause disturbing thoughts for years.”

The deputy stood outside the door, glancing in every few seconds to make sure there was no disorder.  Later I thanked her for her diligence and invited her to come inside and join us next time.  She said she would.

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, JAIL & COUNTY JUVENILE FACILITY, RAISING KIDS | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Why is Good Friday Good?

Posted on March 30, 2021 by Kathleen

It was Easter week and I was fishing off the pier with our eight-year-old grandson. We untangled the lines, baited the hooks, then sat on the bench to wait for a catch.  I’m thinking to myself,  “This is going to be a long morning.”

Then…  “Isn’t this fun Grandma?  I mean, even if we don’t catch anything, it’s just fun, isn’t it!”

“It sure is,  Ethan!  But the best part is being with you!  Tell me something. Do you know what day tomorrow is?”

“It’s Good Friday, Grandma.  It’s the day we remember that Jesus died on the cross.”

“That’s right!  But if it’s the day Jesus died, then why is it called GOOD?”

“It’s good Grandma, because Jesus died for our sins so that someday we can go to heaven.  If He had never died for us, then we would still be in our sins—and we’d go to hell!”

“You’re right, Ethan!  I’m glad you know this.  God has given you parents who love you enough to teach you the most important story in the history of the world.”

Just then I noticed a seagull walking toward our small bait bucket.

“Ethan!  Quick!  Put the lid on the bucket!  That seagull is after our bait!”

Ethan scrambled to secure the lid.  Whew!  That was close.

Then… “Grandma!  The seagull is still walking toward the bait bucket.”

“It’s okay, Ethan.  The lid is tight.”

“GRANDMA!  OUR BAIT!”

We watched in shocking disbelief as the seagull flew high in the sky carrying off our bucket of bait—in his beak!

  • Teach [God’s Words] to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.             Deuteronomy 11:18-19
  • God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.    2 Corinthians 5:21
  • ONLY ONE LIFE – Lyrics by C.T. Studd, circa 1900; Music by Kathleen
[This life is temporary. This life is short.  When this life is over, our bodies will die and become an empty shell, 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 or PRAYER REQUEST?   Go to: www.kathleensfaithwalk.com   and scroll to the bottom of page

 

 

Posted in BEACH, DOCTRINE, RAISING KIDS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Donate His Organs?

Posted on March 26, 2021 by Kathleen

What a blessing to hear a family member share her testimony before an audience of Bible students.  After many years, Lauri’s story remains a vivid memory in our family’s history.

During a large holiday gathering, her 3-year old son Jack was found at the bottom of the pool, purple and lifeless. CPR was started immediately.  The paramedics were able to get his heart beating, but not his breathing.  He was put on life-support at the hospital. His parents were told his chance of recovery would diminish if he did not awaken within 24 hours.

Three days later there had been no change.  He was still on life support when the doctor asked Lauri if she would consider organ donation.   What?  Lauri was not ready to give up hope!

When the doctor left the room she took hold of  little Jack’s hands and poured out her heart to God, begging Him to restore his life.  Seconds later Jack opened his eyes and tried to talk. The respirator was quickly removed and the next day they took him home, recovered!

I praise God when I look at Jack today, now grown, healthy and raising a family of his own. He is living proof that God is still a God of miracles.

Yet what about Emily, the precious 7-year-old who succumbed to cancer despite countless prayers? Little Emily loved the Lord Jesus.

I believe she is in His arms today, perhaps more alive than any of us still walking the earth. Moreover, her parents are still able to praise God and trust Him.

Why are some healed and some taken?  I don’t know.  There are many mysteries God has not yet revealed to us.  Must He?

What we do know is that God is holy and just.  He desires that we know Him, love Him, obey Him and trust Him to be faithful.  I want to do that.

  •  I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death…   Philippians 3:10
  •  If you love me, keep my commands.    John 14:15
  •  And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.    Romans 8:28
  • THE PARALYTIC – By Kathleen – Words taken from Mark 2
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, PRAYER WORKS, RAISING KIDS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Muslim with a Gun

Posted on March 22, 2021 by Kathleen

I attended a seminar on the beliefs and practices of Islam by Rev. Mateen Elass, Ph.D.  It was held in a local church and widely advertised.

Upon arriving at the church, I was surprised to see a security guard at the entrance.  There was a gun in his holster and he wore a bullet-proof vest.  Hmm.  Has it come to this?

I decided to get acquainted with the guard during the break.   I learned he was from the Middle East and indeed, was a Muslim–a Muslim with a gun!   Oh dear!  The thought crossed my mind:  Fox?  Hen-house?

Later I noticed that while standing guard at the entrance, he was also listening to the presentation!  When it was time for lunch, I drove home to quickly grab a DVD of the Jesus Movie in his language.  When I returned I presented it to him explaining it was about the life of Jesus.

He seemed overjoyed!  “I have always known that Jesus is important, but I’ve never known much about His life.  Thank you.  I am happy to receive this.”

The seminar was most informative ending with an emphasis on ways to demonstrate love to our Muslim neighbors.  Dr. Elass is the author of several books, including Understanding the Koran and The Teachings of Jesus and Mohammad. You may read his blog at: https://mateenelass.wordpress.com/about/

Please pray for the young security guard, that he will soon come to know and love Jesus.

  •  Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving.   Colossians 4:2
  • You may watch the Jesus Film here: http://www.jesusfilm.org/watch/jesus.html/english.html
  • You may watch the Jesus Movie in many different languages here:  http://www.thegoodbookcompany.com/watchjesusfilm.html
_____________
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

[To leave a comment or prayer request, simply click on the TITLE of this post and scroll to the bottom.]

 

 

 

 

 

Posted in DOCTRINE, Other Religions | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Phone Call – Glad I Didn’t Hang Up!

Posted on March 18, 2021 by Kathleen

When our children were small there was no such thing as Caller ID.  The phone rang and we had no idea who was on the other end.

“Hello? Is this Barbara?” came a strange, masculine voice.

“Sorry.  You must have the wrong number.”

“Really? But you even sound like Barbara.”

“There’s no one here by that name.”

“But your voice sounds so nice…are you married?” he asked in a slow, sleazy way.

“Yes I am,” I replied tartly, wondering where this was going and breathing a prayer for an opportunity to share Christ with him.

“Oh, too bad,” he said.  “Tell me, do you ever go out on your husband?”

“No I don’t,” I answered.

“You don’t? Why not?”

By now I was convinced God wanted to use me here.  I said, “If you really want to know why, and if you will listen, I will tell you.”

“Yeah, sure, I’ll listen.”

“Well, just a few years ago I surrendered my life to Jesus Christ.  As a result, God completely changed my life and filled me with a deep love for Christ and a deeper love and respect for my husband. Because of that, I would never want to disappoint God or hurt my husband by doing something so foolish as going out on him. Nor have I ever had a desire to do so.”

My caller was silent for a few seconds. Then he said, “Ma’am, that’s nice…that’s real nice. Well, I guess I’ll call Barbara,” and he hung up.

I stood there still holding the phone, a little dazed. Why didn’t I ask him if he’d like to give his life to Jesus too?

“Lord, let there be a next time!  Meanwhile, thank You for helping me share a little bit with that man. Use that small amount of truth to touch his heart with the reality of your love and power.”

_______________________
[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 HERE & THERE, PEOPLE | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Muslim Teen & the Occult

Posted on March 14, 2021 by Kathleen

As an online missionary with Global Media Outreach, www.godlife.com, I receive many emails from people in Muslim majority countries.

Susan, 16,  has written from the Middle East for over a year.  She’s had a fascination for vampire books and movies, witchcraft and the occult.  She’s asked questions about Satanism and Wicca.  I’ve warned her that these things are evil and she should have nothing to do with them.  She’d write back and say, “Don’t preach at me!”

Yet she kept writing and asking questions about the occult, esp. Satanism.  One day she wrote that she often sees a man dressed in black outside on the sidewalk.  He calls to her, but when she walks closer to him he disappears! This of course frightened her.

Later she wrote that the man in black was now coming to her in her dreams and shooting her with a gun.  She said, “I see the blood and I feel the pain. Every night I’m afraid to go to sleep because of the same nightmare.  I cannot tell my parents, they will think I’m crazy.”

I wrote, “These are demonic apparitions that are a result of you taking too great an interest in the occult.  You must stop NOW or it will get worse!  The only way you can be free of this is to call out on the name of Jesus.  You must be willing to surrender your life to Him. He will then forgive your sins, and He’ll send the Holy Spirit to live in you. At that time you will receive His peace, joy and love.  Those bad dreams will then disappear.”

She wrote, “I’m a Muslim and I cannot change my religion.  I want to slash my wrists and kill myself.  I hate my life and I hate the nightmares every night!”

I would pray and again write the same thing, “You don’t need to change your religion.  Muslims believe in Jesus too.  Just call on Jesus’ name.  His name is powerful.”  I then wrote out a prayer for her to say when she was afraid.

One day she wrote, “I did it two weeks ago!  I didn’t tell you because I wanted to wait and see if it was real.  It IS REAL!  Jesus is real!  I have peace!  The nightmares have stopped!  I don’t hear voices anymore or see that man in black.  I’m so happy!  I really do believe in Jesus!”

We’re now doing a Bible study together in the book of Mark.  I’m sending her a lesson every other day and she’s growing in the Lord.

  • The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”    Luke 10:17
  •  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
  • Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.   Romans 10:13
  • 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

[To leave a comment or prayer request, simply click on the TITLE of this post and scroll to the bottom.]

Posted in DOCTRINE, GLOBAL MEDIA OUTREACH, Other Religions, PEOPLE | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

“I’m Gay”

Posted on March 11, 2021 by Kathleen

A 17-year-old told his parents, “I don’t believe in God anymore.  I no longer want to be a Christian.”

His father listened and then said,  “Tell me what else is going on in your life.”

“I’m gay.”

That was it.  It’s called cognitive dissonance.  According to Wikipedia, “In psychology, cognitive dissonance is the mental stress or discomfort experienced by an individual who holds two or more contradictory beliefs, ideas, or values at the same time; performs an action that is contradictory to one or more beliefs, ideas, or values; or is confronted by new information that conflicts with existing beliefs, ideas, or values.”

In short, the teenager was involved in sin.  Consequently, reading the Bible or approaching God in prayer made him uncomfortable.  People involved in sinful activity typically begin looking for reasons not to believe in God.

Fortunately, there are former homosexuals who have come to Christ and left the lifestyle.  Their testimonies give hope to those who are homosexual but don’t want to be.  You may read some of their stories on this website:  http://ex-gaytruth.com/ex-gay-testimonies/

Here are some interesting comments from a former homosexual at the above website:  “I consider homosexuality sin and sickness. Therefore, I think it would be a mistake to accommodate it.  I also feel betrayed by fellow Christians who reject the biblical perspective on this issue and for one reason or another have decided to declare homosexuality not only legitimate but pleasing to God.  Those who would hold this view devalue Christians who earnestly seek truth and deliverance from the Lord.  Don’t ignore us.

“Thanks to God’s grace, Jesus’ redemption and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit, the weight of any oppression—in this case, homosexuality—can be lifted.  There is hope!

“I am still tempted sometimes to return to the homosexual lifestyle.  My hope is in the Lord. I sometimes fall. My hope is in the Lord.  I was depressed, beaten and hopeless, but my hope is in the Lord.  I was dead and filthy in sin, but the Lord washed me and redeemed me and my life is in His hands.”

  • According to www.gotquestions.org :    The New Testament says that homosexuality is a “shameful lust” (Romans 1:26), a “shameful act,” an abandonment of “natural relations” (Romans 1:27), a “wrongdoing”     (1 Corinthians 6:9), and “sexual immorality and perversion” (Jude 1:7). Homosexuality carries a “due penalty” (Romans 1:27), “is contrary to the sound doctrine” (1 Timothy 1:10), and is listed among the sins that bar people from the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9).  Despite the attempts of some to downplay these verses, the Bible could not be clearer that homosexuality is a sin against God. Homosexuality is not the cause of a society’s decline, but it is a symptom of it; it is the result of people making themselves the final authorities.  Romans 1 gives the natural digression of a society that has chosen idolatry and sinful pleasure instead of obedience to God. The downward spiral begins with denying that God has absolute authority over His creation (Romans 1:21–23).
  • INTO THE LIGHT – 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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Mom, I Don’t Wanna Go to Church!

Posted on March 5, 2021 by Kathleen

The kids and their mom always went to church weekly.

One Sunday when Mark was 10,  he said he wanted to stay home and watch TV with Dad.
His mother quietly said, “Go get dressed.”
“But Mom, I don’t wanna go!  I wanna stay home with Dad!”
“Go on. Get dressed, she said.”  When his father left the room, she quietly said, “You get dressed right now or you’ll be sorry!”  He did.

All the way to church she lectured:  “Don’t ever do that again!  We do not go to church to have a good time.  We go because we need to go.  Church is the only place in the world where we fit in.  Your father is not a believer and we cannot expect him to act like one.  You are a believer.  We love Dad and we want him to be saved so he can go to heaven someday and be with Jesus.  We need to help him by setting a good example.

“If we stay home this Sunday, then it’ll be easier to stay home next Sunday and the Sunday after that it’ll be even easier.  Then something will happen. Then it will begin to be natural to stay home and difficult to get back into the habit of going to church.  Satan wants us to stay home.  We cannot give in to Satan and let him control us.”

She went on like this until they drove into the church parking lot.  Finally Mark spoke up and very diplomatically said, “Mom, you sure would make a good Sunday school teacher!”

He never again asked to stay home.

  •  And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.     Hebrews 10:24-25
  •  MY FRIEND – Words 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

[To leave a comment or prayer request, simply click on the TITLE of this post and scroll to the bottom.]

Posted in DOCTRINE, RAISING KIDS | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments