Thursday, January 31, 2013
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Sons and Daughters of Encouragement!
I have many heroes in the Bible, but one that has always impressed me is Barnabas. During his ministry he sure seemed to do a great job of modeling “faithfulness through difficulties” and how to “love others well". You might remember Barnabas as the one who accompanied Paul on some of the early mission trips. He was know by his peers as the “son of encouragement!” (or the son of Paraclete). Wow, that’s pretty awesome especially when you know what that Paraclete means! It's a powerful word that means, “one who come along side another, to be an advocate for, the comforter, a helper, an encourager!” In the book of John, Jesus describe His gift to us (the Holy Spirit) as the Paraclete (John 16:7-8)
All of us, at some point in time, find ourselves in physical, emotional, financial and spiritually challenging situations. It is in those time that the Holy Spirit eagerly "comes along side" us and faithfully provides our needs. He is our advocate, our comforter and encourager! As followers of Jesus, we are called to do the same for others!
There are still three days left for me to prepare for this trip, and I sure could use A LOT MORE of God's love in my life! Let’s pray together that God will FILL US UP TO OVER-FLOWING with His love and joy..... that we might be allowed to share the privilege of “coming along side” those who are pastors and missionaries as “comforters, helpers and encouragers”. We can practice being more like Barnabas- sons and daughters of encouragement! Thank you so much for your support!
Monday, April 30, 2012
Look up!
Friday, April 27, 2012
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Moved with Compassion?
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Friday, February 10, 2012
Victoria Secret Model- Kylie Bissutti following her heart!
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Pray for Thailand
URGENT PRAYER- Flood waters from northern Thailand, combined with ocean tides are expected to bring heavy flooding to Bangkok with in days. Potential flood waters could be the worse the country has experienced in 50 years.
Thai government leaders are at their “wits end” and are seeking help from the “goddess of water” as they consider ways to avoid this impending disaster! The Kingdom of Thailand is a Buddhist nation, less than 2% evangelized and also a "non-crisis" oriented culture. Spend a lot of time or energy focusing strategies, excessive planning or PREVENTATIVE MEASURES when faced with potential crisis situations, IS NOT part of their culture/worldview.
The Thai people usually deal with problems when they arrive...one day at a time. This might seem very odd to us as westerners, but REMEMBER most of the 2/3 world functions in this same non-crisis mode. Their political, economical and religious systems have tempered these cultural views, making them much more tolerant of ambiguity, especially as it concerns their future.
- PLEASE PRAY- Local community of Christians will be mobilized to extend physical, emotional and spiritual help to their neighbor
- PLEASE PRAY- God’s mercy on this Kingdom. May the kindness of God, His supernatural intervention and assistance in times of crisis, cause their hearts to humbly turn towards Him.
- PLEASE PRAY- Kingdom of Thailand, government officials will seek help and wisdom for their people from the One True God!
The Thai people usually deal with problems when they arrive...one day at a time. This might seem very odd to us as westerners, but REMEMBER most of the 2/3 world functions in this same non-crisis mode. Their political, economical and religious systems have tempered these cultural views, making them much more tolerant of ambiguity, especially as it concerns their future.
- PLEASE PRAY- Local community of Christians will be mobilized to extend physical, emotional and spiritual help to their neighbor
- PLEASE PRAY- God’s mercy on this Kingdom. May the kindness of God, His supernatural intervention and assistance in times of crisis, cause their hearts to humbly turn towards Him.
- PLEASE PRAY- Kingdom of Thailand, government officials will seek help and wisdom for their people from the One True God!
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Human Trafficking Happens HERE!
Department of Health and Human Services
NATIONAL HOTLINE:
+1-888-3737-888
+1-888-428-7581
Friday, September 9, 2011
Stabbed at the Food Court!
San Diego is stunning, especially at night! Ocean views, perfect weather and a relaxed resort atmosphere, brings tourists to this area from all around the world. However, like many beautiful cities, sometimes LOOKS CAN BE DECEIVING. Recently, God reminded me of this in a very interesting way. Let's just say it was an EYE OPENING experience!
Have you ever prayed for God to BREAK YOUR HEART for the things that break His, or asked Him to OPEN YOUR EYES to what He is doing? Those are great prayers, but such requests usually require a willingness to readjust our perspective! Seeing our comfortable, familiar surroundings through new eyes (His eyes) takes some effort and can be disturbing.
The first clue, that my evening was NOT going to be "business as usual", happened as I tried to exit our neighborhood. First, I came upon a man and woman standing RIGHT in the middle of road, ARGUING LOUDLY with each other! Wasn’t sure if they were husband-wife or boyfriend-girlfriend? Whoever they were, they seemed completely oblivious to me, to traffic, or to the fact that their car was blocking the road! In frustration, I maneuvered around them just in time to meet a sedan fully of teenagers who were hanging out the windows yelling #&*@! obscenities while making an illegal left turn, just missing me!
Effectually I made my way to the local market. By this time I was thinking, THIS IS SUCH A WEIRD NIGHT. I found out quickly it was going to get stranger as the evening progressed! After parking my car, I walked to the store entrance. Couldn't help but notice the two high school GIRLS kissing and hanging all over each other in the parking lot area. Again my thoughts were, MAYBE IT'S A FULL MOON OR SOMETHING?? Once inside the store, I observed a very drunk man in tattered clothes, trying (without much luck) to dig some change out of his pocket to buy a lottery ticket. (Does it seem odd to anybody else, that people with very little are willing to gamble away what little they do have?) By now it was about 8:30pm, I'd finished purchasing a few items and was headed home.
On the way to my car, I passed through some people who were sitting in an outdoor food court enjoying their pizza slices and ice cream cones. SUDDENLY...A GANG OF 8-9 LATINO GUYS JUMPED OUT FROM THE DARK. They violently attacked, kicked and stabbed another guy who was standing about about 30 feet from me!
WHAT'S GOING ON?? I felt like I was back in Bangkok's Red Light District, but I wasn't. This was beautiful San Diego! I was in a local strip mall with little twinkle lights hanging from palm trees. Exhausted parents with strollers full of toddlers relaxed near the fountain, a few retired men were enjoying their coffees and discussing sports!
Then it dawned on me- GOD HAD HEARD MY PRAYER. He was allowing me to SEE my familiar neighborhood through new eyes, through HIS perspective!
It was as if I could hear God saying- “You want to know what causes my heart to grieve? OPEN your eyes! Take time to really SEE those around you. Broken people, crumbling relationships, immorality, poverty and violence are all around you. Don’t be deceived by the facade of beauty and affluence.
After the initial shock and police reports, I had more time to process the “events” of that evening. It was then I realized....not one, but TWO people had been stabbed at the food court that night; an unsuspecting latino youth.... and the other person was ME. God’s “TRUTH” had sliced right through my clouded perspective!
HELP JESUS, HELP. Without You, we are lost and desperate people! Thank you for eyes to see what grieves your heart. Forgive me for the many times I’ve witnessed similar scenes (like tonight’s events) and simply ignored them, LOOKED the other way, or WORSE...I saw them, and did nothing! Forgive me for the times I’ve complained about the moral and spiritual decline that surrounds me, but did nothing more. Forgive me for the times I became aggravated, shocked or disgusted, but did nothing more.
Oh God, compel me to action, to intercession, to LOVE. Push me beyond my own complacency and apathy. Help me to be a BOLD defender of the weak. When it comes to caring for broken people, help to be a RADICAL LOVER, COMPASSIONATE, A DANGEROUS THREAT TO THE KINGDOM OF DARKNESS AND INJUSTICE. PLEASE HELP ME TO BE MORE LIKE JESUS
Friday, July 29, 2011
Soaking in Truth
Monday, July 25, 2011
OH NO....don't look!
Believe it or not....not all "artist types" are crazy, broken or immoral."As a culture we tend to define creativity too narrowly and to think of it in elitist terms, as something belonging to a small chosen tribe of "real artists." But in reality, everything we do requires making creative choices, although we seldom recognize that fact. The way in which we dress, set up our homes, do our jobs.....even the people we involve ourselves with- these all are expressions of our creativity. It is our erroneous beliefs about creativity, our cultural mythology about artists (all artists are broken, crazy, promiscuous, self centered or have trust funds) that encourage us to leave our dreams unfulfilled." Julia Cameron, The Complete Artist's Way
Monday, July 11, 2011
Friday, July 1, 2011
Staying Focused!
If indeed the mighty God (Creator of the Universe) abides in me, and I in Him through Christ.....then I am absolutely obligated to better resource, steward and freely share this dynamic with others!
As a follower of Jesus and His teachings, I owe my neighbors an encounter with the Living God and His radical love. Should I not be more bold, joyful and willing to go into this world as an “Ambassador” of God’s Kingdom, of His grace, forgiveness and healing power? Yes, Yes, Yes... God help me!
Kathy LeBarron
Kathy and her Websites have been under construction!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Spiritual Warfare vs Furious Love
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
Twelve more days until Christmas!
Christmas is coming
...and that puts a smile on my face too!
I am still here in San Diego, temporarily living in a
little camper which is parked in my brother's
backyard. My brother, his wife and their four
children live a very simple life, but they are
very generous people! They have made difficult
choices through out their lives which means
doing without some of the luxuries we as
American have come to expect. Instead they
have purposed to invested in their children.
It's fun to see their kids fully enjoying the
freedom of being CHILDREN...running from
one end of the yard to the other chasing lizards
or butterflies, romping through the mud, laughing,
or curling up with their parents for a bedtime story,
a song and prayers before bed.
It's such a different life than hundreds of the
children who live on the streets of Bangkok
Christiana’s Mud Pie is the BEST EVER!
May not be the most flattering photo, but I didn't want to run and grab my camera (leave my slice unattended) for fear someone else would devour my delicious piece heaven!
Crust
2 cups crushed Oreo cookies
5 T. butter
½ cup granulated sugar
½ gallon Dryers Coffee ice cream
Chocolate sauce:
2 cups powdered sugar
2/3 cups semi sweet chocolate chips
1 can (12oz.) evaporated milk
½ cup butter
1 t. vanilla extract
Topping:
1 carton (8oz) Cool Whip topping
½ cup crushes Oreo cookies
Combine cookie crumbs for crust with butter and sugar, press in bottom of ungreased 8” spring form pan. Make sure to line the sides of the spring form pan with wax paper (so sides don’t stick later) Freeze for 15 minutes.
Spread softened ice cream over the crust. Freeze until firm. (approx. 3 hours)
Mean while combine the first four ingredients for chocolate sauce, bring to a rolling boil for appr. 8 minutes. Remove fro heat, stir in vanilla and let cool to room temperature. After cool, pour sauce over ice cream. Freeze until firm. Spread Cool Whip over the chocolate sauce; sprinkle Oreo cookie crumbs on top. Freeze before serving. Enjoy!
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Version Update Completed!
If all goes well, next year I'll get the 5.6 version. AWESOME!)
Can't imagine why my family felt I needed a new pair of shoes for my Birthday, after all these have taken me literally around the world! Okay...maybe it is time to replace my old shoes for new ones. Now I'm really ready. Bring on the new adventures!
Today I will celebrate another birthday and rejoicing over God's goodness to me! He has blessed me with so many wonderful gifts; family, beautiful grandchildren and amazing friends, for these I am very grateful. He has also given me the best gift of all ages....Jesus!
Jesus came to set me free, to release me from my fears. In Him I find my rest. He is the hope of the Nations, our Deliverer and King forever. He is the JOY of every longing heart!
Friday, December 3, 2010
Memphis for Thanksgiving
I don't love the prices! Yep, that's a 13 foot Christmas tree for $375.....ouch! We won't be purchasing this one.
Thanksgiving in Tennessee with Wade, Heidi and their family! I forgot how delicious turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes are and how expensive a "live" Christmas tree can be. What a treat to hang out with the family over the Holiday. Raising three busy young children is a challenging full time job (and exhausting) but Heidi and Wade are very good parents! We cooked and baked and even squeezed in a few visits to the park, zoo and shopping malls with the kids. ...well we had to do something to burn off those extra calories! Hopefully next stop is up to Washington to see Micah, Eva and the grandkids kids before Christmas.
Friday, November 19, 2010
My NightLight team from Bangkok visits Southern California
Sunday, November 7, 2010
The Latest Accessory in Fall Fashion?
Monday, November 1, 2010
Very impressed with the excellent job NB church leaders did in preparing their people to serve in their community. Since my hand has been getting stronger, I really wanted to help. Face Painting seemed like a great idea, so that's where I started. For many hours our team painted adorable little faces of every size, shape and color! Each little face was an opportunity, to bless, to love on, to quietly pray over or to engage parents in a conversation. Oh, how I have missed these kinds of activities. So glad to be healing. So glad to be plugged into a healthy, outward focused church. I LOVE EVANGELISM.
Friday, October 29, 2010
My once vast back yard living area (of desert sand, clay and dirt) is now green with new baby grass! A lovely carpet of green surrounds my little camper/trailer home. After living in the concert jungles of Bangkok's skyscrapers, I had forgotten how allergic I am to some "green things".....like grass. The whole time in Thailand's hot tropic, humid, mold and mildewy climate, I never once had troubles with allergies. A few inches of rain in San Diego and now I'm a sneezing, sniffling, crazy woman! I think that's funny...Aaaaa chuuuu!
Monday, October 18, 2010
What woman doesn't like to go shopping? Okay, besides me.
I actually really like finding the perfect gift for people, but I hate wandering around in malls or shopping centers for hours looking, looking....looking. If you enjoy finding the perfect gift, but don't enjoy parking lots, crowded malls or long lines consider shopping at our NightLight's Webstore. After all....Christmas is coming!
NightLight employees women to make beautiful jewelry from silver, semi-precious stones, pearls and decorative beads. When you purchase these products you are securing the freedom of women who have been sexually exploited or were at risk of exploitation in the bars of Bangkok, Thailand. Visit our store |