Learning to be Still

This lesson is from my quiet time book, DeVo's For Teens.
We live in a fast-paced society don't we? We want everything and we want it now. We drive, eat, talk and walk fast. Our internet has to be high-speed AND wireless. Bigger. Better. Faster.
But as we study the life of Jesus, we notice he was never in a hurry AND he always had a time alone, in prayer with his Father.
If the son of God made time to be still, shouldn't we ? As we make a little time to be still on a daily basis, here's what happens:
1. We become more AWARE of God. When we choose to focus on Him during the still moments, its easier to see Him at work during the rushed times.
2. We learn wht His voice sounds like. When we shut out all the distraction (tv, music, phone...) we can hear Him respond. Turn off the TV, the music, the noises of life. Shut your door. Get alone. Listen for God's voice.
3. We get in the habit of waiting for God. Sometimes God acts quickly, and other times he asks us to wait for him. We we establish a time of stillness, we get in the habit of slowing down, of waiting...to hear from him.
Haven't heard from God lately? Go into a quiet place to meet with him, and sit with your Father for a bit.

1 Chronicles 28: 9 "As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts if you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.

6/22 High school girls SS prayer requests:
Unspoken: La, He, Da, Ca, Ja
master's ?, family illnesses - Je
sell house, Mimi while we're gone - Ka
brother S @ Navy BC, friend (Ryan & his friend) shot -Ja
mom post-op;feel ill today, Kaylee D(Phillipines & typhoon); youth camp - Ca
post-op shoulder; mom's knees; relatives in car crash -doing poor; Wesley cut fingers - Da
brother J & his future;mom's ankles, WA to DC with patrol - He
brother C college; brother J marriage?; mom, sister B allergies - Ma
Fozzie is camping; family while traveling, bro C and his gf - Ka

Re-subscribe to The FiveOneGal Karen Ketchie Blog

ok, so I'm slow at trying to understand blogs and feeds and URL's. In wanting to spruce up my blog when it is viewed by you in your email, I had to change ...something. I dont know. So if you want to continue to receive the email updates, I'm sorry but you'll have to do the one minute email subscribe, then confirm to redirect it. On the right is a sidebar with a spot to "Email Subscription... Delivered by FeedBurner" (not feedblitz) . Put your email in there and then confirm in your inbox and all is well. Sorry for the inconvenience..I'm sure there's a better way, but as i said in my opening sentence...

Are you a bit warm today?

7-Day Forecast for
Baghdad,Iraq
Fri 88 -115
Sat 89 - 117
Sun 90 - 120
Mon 92 - 122
Tue 89 - 115
Wed 89 - 115
Thu 89 - 115

As you feel the heat and humidity this summer, let it be a reminder of the conditions in which the armed forces men and women serve. Take that moment to pray for them as they serve in theses conditions.
Father, I ask right now, for your love, comfort and protection to surround every soldier, sailor, airman and marine. Lord, please provide them endurance and strength. Let them have comfort in knowing that love and honor is being shown to their families as they too sacrifice. Amen

GOSSIP - THE FELLOWSHIP KILLER

Yesterday in Sunday's Hi School girls small group, we studied the topic of gossip. It is a paradox! The girls claim the ‘bad habit’ that girls have most is gossip and yet it is gossip that is most hurtful to them. The letter to the Colossians exhorts living the holy life and much of the text deals with attitude and language (Col 3: 8-10) and their source, the heart. Be assured that who you hang out with, what you listen to on the tv and your music GREATLY influence your thought life. Garbage in – Garbage out. Having trouble bridling your tongue? You’re not alone. Let these 3 tips offer assistance (source Teens DEVO book):
1. Accountability: Find a partner that you trust for confidence and prayer to keep you accountable with your words. Ever week,until you have a better control, have them ask you if you belittled, tore down or talked about anyone in the last week. Also, if you were feeling insecure at the time…as this is a dominant reason for gossip.
2. Before you speak, answer the “3 Box” questions before you speak.

• First, is what you are about to say TRUE? (if not, zip it.)


• Second, is what you are going to say KIND? (If it is true, then ask yourself, is it kind? If not, keep it to yourself.)


• Third, is it NECESSARY? (If true, then if it is kind, is it necessary?)

3. Last, pause and pray. James (James 1:19) advises us to be slow to speak. Why? Give the Holy Spirit a moment to intervene to guard your mouth or change your words.If this is an area in which you struggle, ask God to give you a repentant heart, confess it as sin, and then spend time in prayer for guidance on this serious matter. If I can pray for you, send me a note and in confidence, I’ll do just that…pray for you.

Children's Camp Day 4 (it's after midnight)

I'm here with Lauren Kaye @ Children's camp for the week, somewhere in Ocala. Nice place! The theme is Knight or Knot? This year I'm the camp nurse for this group of 1st-7th graders. So far the tally is:
headaches: 5, fever: 1, bellyaches: 5 somekindofbite:3 my leg/knee hurts: 2, rash: 2, ear ache:2, cut:2 boo-boo: 3 ....and now for the children:..nah, just kiddin... the counselors are great!
Just some quick thoughts: Ken's cabins' boys are dropin like flys tonight! Laury, I think Jared and the boys are the ones who TP'd your car...Alex and Judy: wow what awesome food! I can easily see (and taste) that you do this for the Lord! My, what intersting stories these kids tell about you parents! Justin, you're turning into a man after God's own heart. A little white mouse was captured in our cabin hallway tonight by a brave knight. Another one appeared about 1 hr later. They look suspiciously like store-bought mice....I still get lost getting to my cabin! Counselor's Night Out looked as exciting as the old folks home ho-down. To the teenagers on the puppet team..how awesome you are!
Peace Out! KK
Psalm 118: 28-29 You are my God and I will give you thanks. You are my God and I will exhalt you. Give thanks to the Lord for He is good. His love endures forever.

My faith is _____________ .

Today in High School Girls Small group, we studied about our faith. What kind of faith do you have? If Jesus got in your face at eye level and asked you to use one word to describe your faith you would say....?

weak-full-none-huge-limited-lukewarm-alive....

I'm sure there are specific terms for faith types, but off the top of my head, here's some I think of:
1. Generational faith- you got your momma's faith; or a religious background.

2. Relational faith - you have a rub-off faith from a friend. If your friend quit going to church, you probably would too.

3. Intellectual faith - head knowledge. Know the church lingo..

4. Experential faith. ..you don't know about God, you know God. You've met him. This isn't exclusive of the 5th type of faith...

5. Personal faith. Not only did you have an encounter with Jesus, you accepted Him as your Lord and Savior..He is now personal to you.

I gave the example of saying to the class that Katie and I are BEST FRIENDS. Then I asked her how many times in the last week did I call her, this best friend of mine. She said, of course, "none". So despite my claim to be best friends w/ Katie, it isn't true due to evidence. I asked her how many times she and Ashley talked.."lots". Right. This is evidence of a good friendship.



So despite what you claim (I'm a christian) it is the evidence that proves the truth( my faith is____) . So be truthful..what does your faith look like? God knows your heart. He knows your real relationship. So girls, I encourage you to GET REAL with Him. Even if you don't know Him personally..tell Him so and why. If you're angry or saddened - be real with God. He wants to hear from you. But be honest...for if you knew the Jesus I know, you'd have no doubt.

So, what's it going to be? My faith is___________. If you truely want to grow your relationship w/ Jesus, thell Him that too and well....hang on! He'll touch you fresh and anew!



Remember to pray for:

Darcy, for her surgery tomorrow; neighbor

He, former teacher's little boy and her bro

Ch, cousin & uncle...(I'll miss you girl!!) ; Pa, work

Ma, brother and mom; Je, friend's family, Kaylee D, camps, aunt

Br, brother going to Iraq Ja, brother in bootcamp

Ma, g/mother Ta, family

And many unspokens