The true story is told of a young princess who found out that her son was suffering with the very contagious black dipltheria. Everyone in the castle was banned from going anywhere near the child, including h...is mother, the princess. One day as the princess was outside of the little boys bedroom door, she heard him say to his nurse, "Why doesn't my mother come in and hold me anymore, or kiss me goodnight?" At that moment the princess burst into the boy's bedroom and scooper him up into her arms and never left his side, even though she knew it may cost her her life. Sure enough both the boy and his princess mother died from the disease. Afterwards, everyone asked, "Why would she do that? What caused our princess to go in there and give her life?" The prince responded, "Love."

God has that same love for us! He sent His only begotten Son to die on a cross and be sacrificed for our sins, in order for us to be able to spend eternity with Him in heaven and fellowship with Him daily while still here on earth. Love. It is powerful.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. JOHN 3:16

My Evening with A Former Assassin- Born to Hate, Born Again to Love

I have been in media for 25 plus years.  I have done my fair share of interviews, usually, local politicians, music artists, celebrities, etc.  So when I found myself sitting next to a man who murdered Israeli soldiers as a sniper for Yasser Arafat I wasn't sure exactly what to think. 

A few weeks ago I received an invitation to interview Taysir Abu Saada, a former PLO sniper for Yasser Arafat, for "A Courageous Heart".  Mr. Abu Saada was going to be in the area speaking and promoting his book, "Once An Arafat Man", as well as, promoting an upcoming tour he will be hosting through "Adventures in Travel" to the Holy Land.  Of course, I wanted the interview!  I viewed this as an opportunity to possibly gain some insight into the Middle Eastern culture, as well as, educating myself and my viewers on the practice of Islam and why there is such a hatred towards the Jews and Israel from the Palestinians.

In preparation for the interview, I read Mr. Abu Saada's book and I will admit, once I started reading I could not put it down.  I was not only receiving an education from someone who obviously was in the middle of the conflict and culture, but I was intrigue by the author and "his story".  As the day for the interview approached, I found myself constantly thinking about all of the questions I had and I was anxious to get more answers.

It was a Friday afternoon when I, along with my program's Creative Consultant and Videographer, arrived at Memorial Baptist Church in downtown Columbia, Mo.  After we made our way into the room where Mr. Abu Saada was going to speak, and finding our seats, I looked around the room and noticed it was full.  It appeared alot of people were interested in hearing what this man had to say about his past and they were there to learn more as well.

Mr. Abu Saada, or as he prefers to be called, Tass, took the podium and began his talk.  From the moment he began talking you could have heard a pin drop in this very large room filled with American Christians.  The man speaking could have been your neighbor, your father, your grandfather, as a matter of fact, he is a father and grandfather.  A large man in stature, Tass, commands a presence, when he speaks you listen to every word he says, and at times I found it difficult to listen because my mind was already formulating opinions and judgements and that was NOT what I wanted to do.  I wanted to be open and willing to hear everything this "former assassin" had to say.  I even struggled with the words, "former asssassin", they struck a fear and a disgust in my heart, especialy when you think about what an "assassin" does.  An assassin hunts their prey, in Tass' case, Jewish high ranking Israeli soldiers.  Once he finds his target he then stalks him, much like a hunter stalking his game, patiently waiting for just the right time for the kill.  When the time arrives the assassin then aims and points the scope of his gun at the target, looking directly into the face of the man he is about to kill.  When the weapon is aimed right between the eyes of the target, he pulls the trigger.

Before I knew it Tass was finished speaking.  He met with those in attendance and signed his book for them.  His wife, an American woman, Karen, is at his side, assisting her husband with books sales and whatever he needs. 

Once everyone had left we proceeded to the location where I would conduct the interview.  We would all enjoy dinner together and then I would have about one hour to sit down with Tass and ask questions.

When we arrived at dinner, I was properly introduced to Tass and shook his hand.  In my mind I remember thinking, he seems like a very pleasant middle-age man, he even has a sense of humor.  But I was also thinking, I just shook the hand of a murderer.  Sobering.  We chatted for a while about topics that were superficial and got comfortable with one another.  Then it was time to gather around the table for dinner.  As we all sat down Tass was sitting to my left, my videographer to my right.  Tass reached for my hand, as we all held hands, and prayed a blessing over one another and the meal.  Throughout dinner Tass answered our questions and talked openly about his days in the PLO and his life in the Middle East as a refugee and an immigrant.  He shared many of the stories I had read about just a few days before in his book.  I will admit, not a normal everyday dinner.

After dessert we made our way into a comfortable, cozy room, by a roaring fire,  Tass and I were given our mics and the camera was put into place.  The interview was about to begin.  The first question I asked was, "Tass, where does one learn to hate as mucha s you hated the Jews?"  He told me it was not his parents.  He never once heard them say anything negative about the Jews.  He said he learned it in school and through Yasser Arafat and the media.  He said, in the middle east a man without land is a man without honor, and in his mind the Jews had stolen the Palestinians land.  As soon as he was old enough, seventeen to be exact, he ran away from home and joined the PLO to fight for his people's cause.  Tass was very good with weapons and he advanced quickly through the ranks until finally he became known as "The Butcher" and an assassin.

Through the interview Tass took me on a journey of how he was born to hate and how it was his goal to get his people's land back from the Jews.  He shared with me about his Muslim upbringing and what he thought about Islam.  Eventually, Tass, found his way to the United States in order to continue his education and it was here, in this country that Tass found acceptance.  No longer was he labeled a "refugee" or an "immigrant".  He tells how the American people treated him with respect and he quickly found that the lies he was taught about America were untrue.  One of the Americans that treated Tass with respect was a man named, Charlie.  Charlie was a regular at the restaurant where Tass worked, initially as a bus boy.  Over the period of 19 years, Tass and Charlie became good friends.  One day, when Tass was telling Charlie how he was having difficult sleeping and struggling, Charlie, shared with him a story of love, forgiveness and reconciliation.  Charlie told Tass that he could have all of that, but he would have to forgive the Jews, even love them, and then he shared the story of one Jewish man with Tass, the story of Jesus.  In that moment, Tass lost consciousness, and when he came to he was on his knees, hands raised, and he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.

Of course, there is much more to the story, but you will have to tune into "A Courageous Heart" to hear more!  After the interview, I once again shook Tass' hand, only this time I didn't think about the fact that this man was an assassin.  This time I thought of Tass as my Christian brother in Christ.  He was the epitome of a modern day Saul turned Paul on the road to Damascus. 

All of us are "former somethings".  All of us have sinned.  All of us are in need of a Savior.  Today Tass and his wife operate Seeds of Hope Ministries.  They run schools in Jericho that teach children about Jesus, they teach the Word of God to these children, they teach love and not hate.  Isn't it amazing what God can do in transforming a life that is willing to be transformed?

I strongly recommend Tass' book, "Once An Arafat Man".  I promise, you will find it to be one of the most interesting stories you have ever read, but more importantly you will be reminded of what the grace of God can accomplish when our hearts are open to His love!



http://www.seedsofhope.org/

http://www.christianbook.com/arafat-true-story-sniper-found-life/tass-saada/9781414323619/pd/323619

What has God trusted you with lately?

Have you asked yourself lately, "what is that God has trusted me with?" ?

If you had asked me that question I would have probably answered, "children".  Of course, then immediately I would begin to add to that answer and most of what I would add to it would be material things.



Today I had the privilege of communicating with a mother whose daughter was recently very seriously injured when she walked into a moving propeller of an airplane.  The young woman lost one of her hands at the wrist, lost her vision in one eye, suffered a serious head injury, and had extensive damage done to the side of her face and to her shoulder.  Currently, she is working very hard, everyday, through rehabilitation therapy to try and get to a place where she can take care of herself again, and she faces nurmerous surgeries in the future.

One of the things that struck me today was that her daughter said, "I am so happy that the Lord trusted me to walk this journey with Him and I am excited to see how He uses it for His glory and to further His Kingdom!"  I was stunned!  Really?  This beautiful woman in her 20s, who had her whole life ahead of her, was an up and coming on-line fashion journalist, was "happy" that God "trusted" her with this journey. 

I haven't been able to stop thinking about that statement all day.  When we go through trials and tough times do we thank God for trusting us with that situation?  Do we get excited about what it is He is teaching us in those times and how He is going to use it for His glory?  I have to admit, I am usually whining and asking God how long I am going to have to endure the situation and telling Him how He should be fixing everything so I don't have to feel the pain and suffer.

In the past if you would have asked me "what is it that the Lord has trusted you with lately?", my answer would have been accurate, however, it would not have shown the spiritual maturity and the trust in my Savior and His plans for me, as this young lady's answer did.

I am blessed that the Lord has trusted me with children and ministry, but I am also blessed that at times He has trusted me with struggles and trials.  It is in the struggles and trials that we have the ability to speak the loudest to non-believers.  They are watching and evaluating whether or not this personal relationship we say we have with Jesus is real and authentic.  If we are filled with peace, joy, love, and forgiveness in those tough times we are speaking volumes to the non-believer and they will want to know and learn more about this Christ we serve.

Thank you Cheryl and Lauren for being open about your pain and struggles, and thank you for reminding me that even in those times God is there.

http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/277768/20120106/model-lauren-scruggs-suffers-debilitating-pain-tries.htm

PINHOLES OF LIGHT

My friend, Miss Vickie, taught me a phrase recently.  She said, "Just another pinhole of light".  She was referring to another blessing or bit of information that was given that helped me to move forward, knowing God was lighting my way.

I have to admit, I think about those words ALOT since I first heard them.  They were profound and yet so simple.  I remember when my children were little they used to love playing with an artistic toy called "Lite Bright".  Do you remember these?  They were these flat screens that you would place coal black paper on.  The paper had little white dots on it and you would take these clear gel colored pegs and push them into the little white holes.  The screen behind the black paper would light up when you turned on the switch and suddenly all your little colored pegs would lite up and create a beautiful picture!



When I hear Miss Vickie's phrase, "pinholes of light", I envisioned my life being that black piece of paper.  When I was born there were little dots all over the canvas of my life of where and what it was God had planned for me.  The question became was I going to follow those instructions and dots, or was I going to do my "own thing" and pay no attention to what God had planned for me?  I'm sad to say that for many, many years, I did my "own thing" and what the picture ended up looking like was alot of dark colored pegs that created a chaotic pattern across the black backdrop.  The light was still there...but there was no order, or beauty in the picture.

In my thirties I realized that it was time to put those pegs of color back into the Artist"s hands.  To allow Him to help me place them in the proper places.  As I continue to follow His plan, I am beginning to see how He has so skillfully and artistically taken those dark colors and weaved them into an organized, bright colored, pattern.  The picture is not completed yet, but I am beginning to see the beauty and the promise that lies ahead if I continue to follow His "pinholes of light"!

I have no doubt that there may still be dark colored pegs used in my final "lite bright" creation, but I understand that there must be some dark colors, in order to truly appreciate the bright spots!  Both are needed to keep the final picture interesting and fluid.  The encouragement here is that I now have placed my "pegs" in the hands of the skilled craftsman, Jesus.  But just to be clear....He does hold all of my "pegs" but I still, from time to time, try to add my creative touch and input.  He listens and sometimes He allows my desire to be placed strategically on that screen, called my life.  Sometimes, He does not. 

My prayer is this...at the end of my life I hope those I leave behind will be able to look at my life and see how those "pinholes of light" created a beautiful picture that shows a love for God, a love for people, and a woman that started out with a chaotic, dark future but was able to turn it over to a Artist that created a Masterpiece!

Watch for those pinholes of light every single day!  They will lead your way!

^{ISAIAH 42:16} I will lead the blind by ways they have not known,
along unfamiliar paths I will guide them;
I will turn the darkness into light before them
and make the rough places smooth.
These are the things I will do;
I will not forsake them.

Just Another Adventure in Womanland!

The alarm went off at 6 a.m.  I remember laying in bed just waiting for the "buzzer" to pierce the silence of my home.  Within a few hours I knew I was going to be having a very personal and candid conversation with a female physician I have never met.  Not exactly the way a woman wants to start off her week.

Once the alarm went off and the day was "officially" underway, I made my way to the bathroom to get a shower.  Of course, for the men who might be reading this, the following information may be too much for you to handle...T.M.I.  So now would be a good time for you to move forward to the end of the blog.  For the women reading, I'm sure you will totally understand what I am talking about and why I felt the way I did. 

In the shower I had everything I would need to be certain that my new doctor friend wouldn't be scarred for life by what she saw.  Soap, poofy, shampoo, razor.  Outside the shower, on the vanity, was the deoderant, lotion, polish for toenails.  All needed to make sure I had a nice scent, smooth, moisterized legs, and a sassy pedicure!  For this particular visit to the doctor, less time would be spent on hair and make-up and more time spent on those more inconspicuous areas.  (I told you if you were a man this would be TMI, but was I right?  Women "get it".  This is why when we have our OB-GYM appointments we run home at lunch time to take ANOTHER shower BEFORE we go to our afternoon appointment.)

Once ready, my husband, who had been particularly quiet this morning, went out and warmed up the car and I grabbed a Diet pepsi and a breakfast bar, a cup of coffee for him, and we were on our way to the big city!

It was probably one of the more quiet trips we have made.  Normally, we would chat about what we were going to do while we were in town, where we would grab lunch, and just plan out our activitites.  Usually, the radio would be playing and inbetween sentences I would sing along.  But today it was just quiet.  Both of us knew where we were going and why.  I'm not sure what Brad was thinking as he drove, with his eyes straight ahead on the highway.  As for me, I was wondering if this procedure/biopsy was going to hurt?  Would I cry?  Did I take enough ibuprofen?  Would the doctor have a nice bedside manner or be more matter-of-fact?  Inbetween thoughts, I would pray.  "God, please give me your comfort.  Direct the doctor's hands and give her the wisdom and skill she will need for the procedure.  Oh, and God...if it wouldn't hurt...much...that would be amazing!  Thanks.  I love you and I know you have got this!"

When we arrived at the hospital we walked in quietly and searched the BIG directory of names looking for where we were suppose to go.  I have never seen so many  names with M.D. behind them.  My doctor was on the thrid floor.  When the elevator arrived  my husband and I loaded on, along with another woman, about my age, maybe a little older, and two younger women who were very much pregnant and beaming from ear to ear! 

The elevator doors opened and we all walked into the doctors' suite.  Beautifully decorated in nice warm, cozy colors and furniture.  I made my way to the reception desk to check in.  Brad sat down and looked relieved that he wasn't the only man in the waiting room.  In fact, there were several.

Within a few minutes a nurse came to the doorway, holding a chart, and without looking up said, with a storong voice, "Karen".  Two of us stood up.  Looking at one another in surprise, the nurse then quickly announced, "Dye".  We all laughed nervously, because we were probably all thinking the same thing..."Honey I would gladly change places with you.  You don't want to go through what I am about to go through!"

First came my favorite part...the weigh-in.  Then my next favorite part...the height check to make sure I wasn't shrinking.  From my vantage point it appeared I hadn't shrank vertically and actually grew a bit horizontally!

Next stop, the exam room.  This is where the very personal information comes into play.  The nurse that was taking my information and health history was a very serious young woman with bright blonde curly hair.  She was attractive and I wondered if perhaps the reason she was so serious and intense was because she was beautiful and afraid that people wouldn't take her intelligence seriously.  Whatever the reason, I knew I better not crack any of my jokes, otherwise, I might get that unexpected complimentary enema.

The nurse closed her laptop after completing the interview, handed me the sheet and said the doctor would be in shortly.  20 minutes later in walked a very YOUNG woman with a ginaormous smile.  She reached out her hand and introduced herself and took my hand in a warm, tight grip.  I liked her.  We visited for several minutes and she explained what the ultrasound had shown.  A cyst on one ovary.  A tumor, most likely a fibroid, on the uterus, and an endometrium lining that was thicker than it should be.  Her next sentence was, "Karen, 99.9% of these types of things are benign.  However, because of the thickening in the lining, we want to make sure there are no cancer or pre-cancer cells present.  Which is why we are doing this biopsy today."  I then asked a few more questions, she answered, then stood up and said she was going to get the nurse and we would begin.  As she went toward the door, she stopped, turned around and said, "Karen, this will be very uncomfortable. It will hurt a little.  You won't like me.  But no one has ever passed out, and you will have the results withint a week."  She then smiled that comforting smile and walked out.

I will save you the details of the remainder of the visit, however, I am happy to report that the record still stands, no one has passed out.  But....I'm certain that I squeezed that nurse's fingers so tightly she probably didn't have blood flow back to her hand for several hours after.

On the way home my husband and I discussed how hard it is to wait a whole week for the results.  If the results are good, then my condition will most likely be treated with medication.  If there are cancer or precancerous cell present, then surgery will be the treatment plan. I am believing for the best report! 

If you are wondering how I am feeling tonight about all of this....God is not surprised by it.  He already knows the results and has a good and perfect plan for me.  So many friends and family members are praying for me and that is so reassuring and comforting.  Many, many women go through this type of procedure and many go through things much worse, I am not the first, and will not be the last.  I am blessed to have a God that heals, and a Father that adores me and loves me enough.  I am blessed to have friends and family who are willing to take time to lift me up in prayer.  So I am good.  No, actually, I feel great!  Granted, I am a little droggy tonight, and a little sore, but that is to be expected.  Tomorrow will be better in that regard. 

Finally, I am happy to report that my extra time in the shower this morning paid off.  Not only did I not pass out...neither did my doctor!  The bad news is, the pedicure wasn't really necessary because I kept my little white socks on the entire time!  Why, well, because it was freezing in that exam room, and secondly, they matched my sheet!!

I am the Lord who heals you.  EXODUS 15:26

Jeremy Camp - Healing Hand of God

A Womb Makeover with Karen

Over the past few months there has been a flurry of activity and adventure in my life.  Everything from my baby boy graduating from Bible College and marrying his high school sweetheart, to finding out I am going to be blessed with another grandchild by my oldest son and his wife.  In addition to family blessings I have experienced blessings within my ministry as well.  As recently as this week, I was in Nashville, TN. doing an interview, on a CTN affiliate, about my new children's book which will be released this month.  The television program, "A Courageous Heart", continues to grow and reach millions for Christ, and I have the privilege of speaking to women all over the country.

Also over the past few months I have noticed several things that didn't seem to be quite right with my physcial health.  I think most of us know when something isn't quite right and I believe it is important for each of us to pay attention to the details and the information our bodies are giving us each day.  In my particular case, I noticed that I was suddenly without much energy, very tired.  Despite efforts to watch my diet and exercise, I noticed that I seemed to be gaining weight in my mid-section.  In addition to these two symptoms, there were others, but I will spare you the details, just trust me when I say it was uncomfortable and at times embarrassing.

At first, I wanted to believe that what I was experiencing was just a part of the aging process for a woman.  Perhaps I was about to venture into the unknown territory known as menopause?  Perhaps all of these issues  could be handled with one doctor's visit and an estrogen patch?  So last week I had an appointment with my family doctor.

After visiting with my physician and sharing all of my "issues" with her, and crying my eyes out for no apparent reason, she hugged me and assured me that we would figure out together what was going on with me.  She ordered several blood tests, along with an ultrasound, and we agreed I would come back in a week for the results.  Today was that day...one week later.

When the doctor walked in she was all smiles, telling me that my bloodwork looked exceptionally good!  Cholesterol, blood sugar, iron, etc. all above average.  Only issue seemed to be I was a little low on my vitamin D, which is not uncommon for me.  A simple fix.  I then asked about the results of the ultrasound.  She said she had not received those results yet, but would have them shortly and would call me as soon as she got them.  I was feeling very good about things, and at this point, we were fairly certain that I was just presenting symptoms of the onset of menopause.

Two hours after I left the doctor's office, my cell phone rang.  I saw that it was the doctor's office and quickly answered.  Immediately, the doctor asked me if I was in a place where I could talk comfortably.  My heart skipped a beat.  "Yes, I can talk," I replied.  For the next few minutes I just listened.  Stunned.  An abnormal thickening in the lining of my uterus was visible and cause for concern.  There was also a mass within the uterus that could be as simple as a fibroid tumor, but again, it might not be.  So another doctor's appointment, this time with a specialist, would have to be made in order to do a biopsy.  After the biosy result are in, the specialist will then advise me on what my next choice/step would be.  The doctor then asked me if I understood and did I have any questions.  I simply answered, "I think I understand, but should I be worried?  Could this be cancer?"  She simply answered, "I don't think so...but we need to make sure."  I hung up the phone.

The rest of the day I spent filling in those around me that I love on the results.  Each one asking me, "How do you feel?  Are you okay?"  My answer each time was "Yes, I think so."  I have to be okay, right?  I believe for the best and I know God is in control and all the worry in the world won't help the situation.  Am I scared?  Sure, a little.  I want to see my grandchildren grow up.  I want to hold my great-grandchild.  I want to continue to minister to women and show them the love of Christ, I want to be around to hug their necks, encourage them, and watch them grow in their relationship with Jesus.  As a woman, myself, I am also not thrilled about possibly undergoing surgery and being "emptied".  Unless you are woman who has gone through something like this I'm not sure you can understand what I am saying here, but there is just something about having your "woman parts" removed that leaves you feeling sad and less feminine.  Not as beautiful.  Of course, those of you that know me know that I deal with uncomfortable situations many times with humor, so the first thing that crossed my mind, once I got my breath back, was "Hey, I can write another book called: Time to Redecorate Your Womb, with Karen Dye." 

Tonight I write this blog, mostly to ask for your prayers as I go forward with this biopsy and further testing.  I know God has my back on this and I am believing in His healing power!  Please believe with me.

Secondly, I am sharing this publicly in hopes that I may be able to encourage other women to pay attention to their bodies and what it is telling them.  I also hope to be encouraged by YOUR stories and journey through similar circumstances.  As I have said many, many times in my speaking engagements, we need each other!

I promise to keep posting and keep you up to date on my journey.  Just know that I am looking at this as a "bump in the road", a distraction the enemy wants me to focus on in order to keep me from doing what it is God has called me, and equipped me, to do.  The enemy will not win...he is already defeated.

My children's book, which is coming out this month, is called "Just Beweeve".  I am hanging on to my faith and my Jesus and no matter what comes my way, I will "beweeve"!  Funny, how God knew I was going to need this book to remind me that when we cannot see His hand, we trust His heart!

Heal me, O LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved,

for you are the one I praise.

Jeremiah 17:14 (NIV)

IT'S IN THE WAY WE MAKE AN OFFERING

Last night I had the privilege of angel-sitting my two little grandsons, Brody (5) and Jonah (3).  When I got to their house to pick them up they were sitting at the dining room table beaming in delight.  They had spent the entire afternoon coloring pages in their color books and cutting out pictures for me.  There were broken crayons all over the table, scraps of paper all over the floor, and pages and pages of tattered coloring pages that had been torn out of their books. 

Brody exclaimed first, "Nana!  We have been making things for you all the day so we could give them to you when you came to get us!!  Do you like them?"  Then little Jonah chimed in, "Nana, I have been cutting for you!!"  He stood up and more scraps of paper gracefully slipped to the floor and scattered about. (Jonah has been working on his skills with the scissors lately.  LOL)

As they ran to my open arms and gave me all of their papers I was suddenly brought to tears.  It was the look on their little faces that said, "we are giving these to you because we love you!"  They used their talents, imaginations, and materials to "honor" and "love" me!! 

Then it occurred to me that God must feel the same way when we run to His open arms and share with him our talents, desires, materials, and tattered and broken lives.  He appreciates our "offering".  Not because it is something "grand" but because it is pure and real.

You see it wasn't the coloring pages that meant the world to me and touched my heart.  It was my grandsons' willingness to want to give me "something" to show their love for me.  The same with God.  He isn't looking for those who can bring Him BIG SACRIFICES and OFFERINGS.  He is looking for those who are willing to bring whatever it is they have.  He is looking for those who are willing to offer up themselves entirely to Him.  Body, heart, mind and soul.  It blesses God in the same way Brody and Jonah blessed their nana.

So remember...it isn't always what we offer to God that is important, it is in the way we offer it to Him that matters.





MARK 12:41-44

⁴¹ Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. ⁴² But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.

⁴³ Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. ⁴⁴ They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”