Headlines in This Crazy World

There are a lot of questions concerning what is going on in our world right now. Headlines are upsetting, people are without jobs, people are shooting at other people randomly, flying planes into buildings because they can't pay their taxes, and crazy things are happening with the weather!
So what's up? GOD IS!!! And He is still on the throne! He never wakes up, reads a paper, watches CNN then asks, "HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?".
Warnings are just that, WARNINGS. They only work to serve their purpose if you take heed. Meanwhile, God is God! Take comfort if you know HIM and have trusted in His Son, JESUS CHRIST.
If you SERIOUSLY have questions and want some guided answers look to the WORD but also try a few Sound teachers writings on a look at the END TIMES and see what you come up with. ALWAYS RUN THE TEACHING YOU RECEIVE BY THE VALIDITY OF SCRIPTURE. If it sounds great but contradicts God's word...it is false teaching. So pray as you read and if it lines up with the bible...okay. Make application to your life with what you learn.

David Jeremiah has a sound book on this subject:

WHAT IN THE WORLD IS GOING ON? Ten prophetic clues you cannot afford to ignore.

Joel C. Rosenberg has some insights in:

Why the Current Rumblings in the Middle East Will Change YOUR World

Rob Linsted: Author and Speaker, Founder of Milk and Honey Ministries

The NEXT MOVE, Current events in Bible Prophecy

Above all, remember God is on the throne. Go about the business of glorifying Him in your life and if we can trust the Word of God, and we can, Peace with God is available to you even during this chaotic time in history.
Do you know God's forgiveness through Faith in Jesus Christ as Savior?
Romans 10:9
That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

I am a Christian and I know that just being a follower of God doesn't always calm things down in your mind when you read these crazy headlines. But as I start to remember His truth, His promises to never leave me, that He is always in control...then I can face what I must until He returns with a certain level of peace that CNN or FOX News can't provide.

John 16:33
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
GOD IS GOD...
Here's a repost of the SCC song some of you asked about. I think it is a good reminder today.




Just Thinkin',

Kathy

I Can't Pretend...To Feel The Pain You're Going Through

In this world...you will have trouble! That is a promise Jesus made to us. He then promised that He has overcome the world!
John 16:33
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
The difficulty you are facing is not too much for HIM. However, when you are the one going through something, and your friends have snarky little comments or words of wisdom...you might want to smack 'em right in the nose! Well okay, maybe that is just me. Well meaning comments will never replace the power of prayer on your behalf.
I don't know what you are going through, I only know there are several friends of this ministry that are struggling right now. I want you to know...we pray for you.

When you can't carry the burden for someone you care about...you can carry them to Jesus in prayer.

This is for those of you who are hurting for whatever reason only you may know.

When we think of God in His mercy, caring about everything that is important to His children ...we know it is the MOST...not the Least we can do...Pray for each other!

D.L. Moody wrote, "Some people think God does not like to be troubled with our constant coming and asking. The way to trouble God is not to come at all."





Just Thinkin',

Kathy

That's Gonna Leave A Mark!

Parable of the Pencil

The Pencil Maker took the pencil aside, just before putting him into the box. There are 5 things you need to know, he told the pencil, before I send you out into the world. Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best pencil you can be.

One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in Someone's hand.

Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but you'll need it to become a better pencil.

Three: You will be able to correct mistakes you will make.

Four: The most important part of you will always be what's inside.

And Five: On every surface you are used on, you must leave your mark. No matter what the condition, you must continue to write.

The pencil understood and promised to remember, and went into the box with purpose in its heart.

Now replacing the place of the pencil with you; always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best person you can be.

One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in God's hand. And allow other human beings to access you for the many gifts you possess.

Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, by going through various problems, but you'll need it to become a stronger person.

Three: You will be able to correct mistakes you might make or grow through them.

Four: The most important part of you will always be what's on the inside.

And Five: On every surface you walk, you must leave your mark. No matter what the situation, you must continue to serve God in everything.

By understanding and remembering, let us proceed with our life on this earth having a meaningful purpose in our heart and a relationship with God daily.

-- Author Unknown

Hope you allow God to use you this week for His purpose.

Just Thinkin',

Kathy

Thanks "Ocie"...One who gathers healing herbs!

For my Great Grandmother Emma "OCIE" Lloyd...Thank you: as a young Cherokee woman, you grew up in a social environment that was harsh toward you in the late 1800's and the early 1900's. You were a strong woman. Thank you for raising my precious mother after her mother died during childbirth. Thank you most of all for raising her to Love Jesus Christ our Lord. You are my heritage, HE is my inheritance!



Just Thinkin',

Kathy

Patient Responsibilities

Obama Care! Health Care! Do you care? I care?
Bill of Rights! My Rights! Fight for rights! Who is Right?
No responsibilities! My responsibilities! Government responsibilities! Impossibilities?


So many topics, so little time. Okay, I chose health as today's topic.

The past few weeks, okay months, alright already...years, our family has had the "opportunity" to experience our health care system at work. Every time we have entered a new facility for care, we receive a lot of paper work.
Whether it was for my son Joshua's ACL repair, for treatment of my ongoing fight against Crohn's, for my husband's total knee replacement or most recently a trip to the E.R. by ambulance and follow up care after my oldest son Jake's automobile accident; we were handed a copy of Patient Rights and Patient Responsibilities.

I actually took time to read the list of responsibilities on one of the NON-EMERGENCY visits and found the content quite informative and beneficial. Knowing my rights and responsibilities helps equip me to make informed decisions.

Question: What if we applied this list of Patient Responsibilities to our personal spiritual health with us as PATIENT, and GOD as our PRACTITIONER and PHYSICIAN?

Patient Responsibilities

1. The patient has the responsibility to provide, to the best of his/her knowledge, accurate and complete information about present concerns, past illnesses, and other matters relating to his/her health. The patient has the responsibility to report unexpected changes in his/her condition to the practitioner.

2. A patient is responsible for collaboration with and following that treatment plan of care. If the patient is unable to follow the plan of care, he/she is responsible for informing the physician.

3. Although the facility will assist in coordination of costs, the patient is responsible for the financial obligations of his/her health care (COST).

4. The patient is responsible for following the facility rules and regulations affecting patient care and conduct. The patient is responsible for being considerate of the rights of other patients and personnel.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To make application:

1. Talk to God about your past, present and future issues and concerns. Sin is harmful to your health and God wants to heal your spirit through forgiveness. Remember, you can always report unexpected changes in your life to HIM. HE MAKES HOUSE CALLS!

2. Cooperate with GOD's plan of care for your life. If you find you are unable to follow HIS PLAN for you, Notify HIM right away...Don't take two asprin and call HIM in the morning...Take time in His Word and call Him immediately!

3. The cost has already been taken care of before you were even admitted! Just take care of your obligation to trust the one who redeemed your debt and paid your bill. You will owe a debt of gratitude but never will you repay the cost...but live like you must!
Romans 13:8
[ Love, for the Day is Near ] Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.

4. The patient is YOU! The facility is this walk on Earth! The rules and regulations concerning your care and conduct have been modeled by JESUS. The patient (YOU AGAIN) is responsible for considering the rights of believers and non believers. They all need God's grace, forgiveness and love. And friend, fellow patient, SO DO YOU AND I! And your clean bill of health comes when you hear the Father-Great Physician say,"CHILD...YOU'RE FORGIVEN AND LOVED!"


Here's to your health!

Just Thinkin',

Kathy

Quietly ...Gently...Respectfully

Do you ever find yourself arguing about your Faith? How's that workin' for ya?

We are told to be ready to give an answer for the hope that we have (In Christ). We are never commanded to beat people over the head with our Bibles.

Some discussions I have had with unbelievers have made me feel defensive or inadequate in my knowledge of history or science. When I argue or get angry or disrespectful I reflect my dependence on ME. God asks us to trust Him and to be willing to share our reason for hope in Him.

Please join me in trying to express your faith to other people Quietly...Gently...and Respectfully as you fully trust the power of God to open their hearts and their ears to the truth of His love for them.
He doesn't need an attorney...no arguing necessary.

Scripture tells us:

Quietly trust yourself to Christ your Lord and if anybody asks why you believe as you do, be ready to tell him, and do it in a gentle and respectful way. 1 Peter 3:15

Whether you like the way this years Super Bowl turned out or not you have to respect the Colts winning the 2007 season and the acceptance speech by Coach Tony Dungy.
I want to be an effective witness for my Lord. I think Tony was just such a witness on that Super Sunday. Watch a see what you think. He never argued or screamed just told the truth as He knows it. AWESOME!




Lord, at times I find it so difficult to communicate Your love to others. I hold back, afraid to acknowledge You or even worse I try to defend YOU. Help me to speak freely to others of what is most precious to me, my Faith in YOU. I will never win MVP in a Super Bowl or even win a Cadillac, but please help me Gently be used as you win others hearts to yourself.

AMEN


Just Thinkin', and Prayin',

Kathy

NEVER ALONE

If we choose to look around...we will see HIM. God is with you and wants you to remember you are NEVER ALONE.
Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."



Deuteronomy 31:8 (New International Version)
8 "The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."


So many today are hurting. There is so much sadness, loneliness, rejection. When you can't see God, will you trust His promise to be with you always? Will you trust the unseen?

You can cry out to God and in HIS mercy He listens.
He loves you. He loves me. There is no hurt, no pain, no hunger, no sadness, no loneliness, no separation that Jesus does not know about. He walked this earth was rejected, abused, beaten, forgotten, hungry, hurt and lonely. What ever you're facing...He knows. He promised to send one, the Holy Spirit, to be with you if you chose to receive HIM.
Don't you want to know...You are never alone?

Just Thinkin',

Kathy

Thank You For Praying For Jacob

Jacob was released from the hospital and is resting and recovering in Oklahoma City.
Thank you for your continued prayers as he heals.

This is before the accident...a few months ago. Some of you had never met him.
This is who you have been praying for.
Thank you from a mother's heart.

Love,
Kathy

Super Shine Spray...

Do you have people in your life that bring out the best in you? How about you...Do you bring out the best in your circle of influence; family, friends, golfin' buddies, bunko night folks, classmates, colleagues?

My friend Gayle walked into the ladies bible study and set a bottle in front of me. The label read "SUPER SHINE". On the back it said, "To bring discipline to that unruly, frizzy hair". Now before you think I should have been offended, a week earlier, Gayle and I had a conversation about the lovely arrival of the little gray hairs that are popping up on my head(I know...I know, I am going prematurely gray for 29). They have a mind of their own.

She looked at me and said, "I have just the thing for you." And, one week later, she handed me that bottle.

Well, sure enough it did make those mean old gray hairs behave a little better. I spray it on and get a nice little shine to my hair, that is, on the non- ponytail-gotta clean the house-hope no one I know sees me at the grocery store-kinda day!

I lead of great group Of Bible Study Babes on Tuesdays and we have been studying about the whiners in the wilderness...I mean the people in Exodus. Today we discussed the twelve spies that were sent into Canaan, the land promised to the Israelites by God. In Priscilla Shirer's "One In A Million" study, she pointed out that the 12 men sent to check out the land where all known leaders. Only 2 out of the 12 came back with a good report that reflected a trust in God. The other ten 'Leaders' came back with fear. Fear of the Giants they had seen in the land. As a result, they led everyone around them into a disobedient, unbelieving attitude expressing a lack of trust in God to carry them safely into the land of plenty.

Whining, doubt, fear and apparently amnesia (how quickly they forgot the miracle of the Red Sea)are contagious you know.

What kind of influence do the leaders in your life have over you? Are you a leader in some capacity? Then what kind of influence do you display using your ability to lead?

One other thing about my friend Gayle; she does not only influence in matters of hair-care!
She shines...spiritually and makes you want to follow. She leads with excitement and passion and does not forget that what looks too big to handle...can be conquered with trust in God.

I wish I could have a bottle of Spiritual SUPER SHINE! But no, we can't apply that topically, it comes from within. It comes from spending time with Jesus...and with friends like Miss Gayle.


Do you allow your friends to let you know if you are in need of a bit of shine, to manage undisciplined or unruly areas of your life? Or do you take offense?
WE SHOULD SHINE...WE ARE THE PEOPLE OF GOD!

Just Thinkin',

Kathy