IT'S OK

Jane Kristen Marczewski, or "Nightbirde", as those of us who knew her from her audition on America's Got Talent. 

Few people have left the impression on me that this beautiful, sweet, soul has.  Her voice was soft and soulful. The words to the song she wrote from her heart, "It's Ok", is about her life. 

When asked how she arrived at her stage-name, "Nightbirde", she shared, "it was based on a recurring dream, in which birds sang outside my window at night in anticipation of the morning. It felt so poetic, that these birds were singing as if it were morning, and yet there was no sign of it yet, and that's what I want to embody."

Looking at the joy on her face, and her sweet smile, no one could imagine the trauma she was enduring.  Deemed cancer free in July 2018, after a 2017 breast cancer diagnosis, she learned in 2019 the cancer had returned and was given three to six months to live. She was given another 'cancer-free' diagnosis in 2020.  However, she learned that the cancer had metastasized to her lungs, spine and liver with on a 2% chance of survival.  She shared on social media, "I have a two percent chance of survival, but two percent is not zero percent.  Two percent is something, and I wish people knew how amazing it is."

She was a fellow graduate of Liberty University with a degree in marketing communications. She was originally from Zanesville, Ohio.  The young Christian started writing songs at the age of six.

Jane Kristen Marczewski, Nightbirde, passed away on February 19, 2022 at the age of 31.

One of her quotes I hold dear to my heart:  

“You can’t wait until life isn’t hard anymore until you decide to be happy.”

Rest In Peace, Nightbirde.

Dr. Katt

SIMPLE IS BEST

 I've been thinking about my dad lately, more than usual.  Probably because his birthday is near.  I miss his phone calls, having lunch with him after church every Sunday, and the way he used to tell jokes.  He would ask if you've "heard the one"...then he would use the punch line as the "identifier."

My dad was special, and unique.  He was constant, and always there for all of us.  He showed us how to love and forgive other people.  He was stubborn, but kind.  I miss him.

One year, I think it might have been his 80th birthday, we decided to have a birthday party for him.  We usually celebrated birthdays at a local restaurant, but that year chose the Fellowship Hall at First Presbyterian Church.  So many people came.  They shared stories with us (his family) and of course with Dad.  He was happy that day, and I think a little surprised at the outpouring of love for him.

After the event, we (his family) suggested that we somehow thank the people who came to his celebration.  Realizing there were too many people, and afraid we might miss someone, we decided to put a "thank you" add in the paper.  I offered to help my dad write that thank you, knowing that was not his favorite thing to do.  He looked at me, and just shook his head.  The translation for that is, "no thank you, I can do that myself." Ok, Dad.....

When the weekly paper arrived, I thumbed through the pages, looking for that thank you note.  I scanned the paper more than once, thinking it hadn't gotten published yet.  Then, towards the back of the paper, I found my Dad's profound and heartfelt note. It read: "Thanks, Bob."

See why I loved him?

Dr. Katt

BE KIND

 School will be starting very soon.  My prayer is that each of you will think before you speak.  Think of kind words you can share with one of your classmates.  Do not speak unkindly, do not make fun of, or exclude another person.  Be that person other's look to for encouragement.

Remember these words:  You are NOT defined by someone else.  If another person calls you names, is disrespectful to you, or is just mean....that is not who you are.  Your definition is the way you react.

Love each other...can you imagine a world where that was our theme?

...and call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver you and you will honor me (Psalms 50:15, NIV).

Hugs and Blessings,

Dr. Katt

HOPE

 What happens when we lose hope?  I think the majority of the people would tell me at one time or another in their life, they have lost hope.

What does that mean?  Losing hope?  It's not a good place to be.  I don't think anyone wakes up and says, "I hope I lose all hope today!"  Of course you don't.

Hanging on by a thread isn't a good thing either.  

I just recently learned of another suicide.  A permanent solution to a temporary problem.  When a suicide occurs, it has a ripple effect.  The family, friends, community have so many questions.  The heart-breaking questions I hear are from children.

If you know someone who is telling you they are feeling hopeless, helpless, or worthless suggest they talk to someone.  

We need to take care of each other, reach out to someone today, right now, and let them know how much you appreciate them.  Or love them, or are just feeling blessed to know them and have therm in your life.

I Thessalonians 5:11-15 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact your are doing.  Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you.  Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work.  Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.  

Be Blessed,

Dr. Katt

You'll Never Hear from me Again

 Seriously? What does that mean? My car is still under warranty? My computer is no longer being attacked because my anti-virus-spyware that has expired?  I really wish they were telling the truth.  They call the landline, my cell phone, they text me, they email me.  So this is the 12th time you have told me that I'll never hear from you again? 

 I'm thinking you can probably relate?  

I am so thankful, and feeling incredibly blessed that the Lord never leaves me text messages, email, or calls my cell phone telling me, "this is the last time you'll hear from me."  I know there are times He probably wishes I would stop praying about the same thing.  I think what He probably says is, "I heard you the first time, now be still my child and let me handle this."

It's so hard.  I talk to people everyday who are afraid, or frustrated about knowing what to do, or when to do it.  A question I hear often is "how do I know it's the Lord telling me to do something?" My answer is usually, "if it's a good thing, and not causing harm to you or anyone else, it may be the Lord directing your steps."  I think one of the hardest things to do is to be still and wait.  

Isaiah 40:31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint (NIV).

I HAD A DREAM

The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (1-15-1929- 4-4-1968)

 I had a dream the other night.  In my dream, I saw a glimpse of heaven.  And in that dream I saw the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  He had tears in his eyes.  In my dream, I could imagine him saying, 'what happened to my legacy?' The people forgot about me.  They forgot what I stood for.  I preached, and lived all about love, kindness, forgiveness, and peace.  I asked the people to love each other.  Don't fight, don't judge each other.

While I didn't really have a dream, and that was Dr. King's mantra, "I have a dream."  His dream was beautiful. He was so kind. He was a leader.  The kind of man we could all look up to.  He was taken from us too soon.  The good he did in his life cannot be undone now.  We have to remember what he stood for. Equality. Peace. Love. Kindness. Integrity.  He had a dream.  Each of us can have a dream too.  We can stand for all the same things.  

In the letter written by the Apostle Paul to the church of Corinth he reminds us to love each other.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails.  But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.  For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfections comes, the imperfect disappears.  When I was a child I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.  Now we see but a poor reflections as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face.  Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am full known.  And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love.  But the greatest of these is love. I Corinthians 13:4-13 (NIV).

INTEGRITY

One of my core values is Integrity.  However, somedays I wonder if I compromise those values.  Is it ok to look the other way when someone is saying or doing something that doesn't quit "fit"?
 The other night I was in the mood to watch a movie.  After searching for what felt like about 10 minutes, I "settled" on one that I thought I would like.  The opening scene was filled with violence, and then the familiar actor opened his mouth.  I couldn't believe the words he was using.  One of my friends said to me, "You have to just overlook that, you obviously haven't been around kids...that's the way they talk now." 

I have been "around kids", and the one's I'm around don't talk like that.  Should I really look the other way? Or just pretend it doesn't bother me?  And if that's the case, what else should I overlook?  

Integrity is not just about the way other people act.  It's the way we act. It's the way we hold ourselves accountable.  It's trying to do the right thing.

Somewhere along the line, me included, we don't have the patience with other people that we once had.  When someone has an opinion different from ours, it's OK.  They are allowed to have a different opinion.  What we aren't "allowed" to do is call each other names.  I know that sounds grade school, but when someone doesn't agree with us, it should start a healthy debate, not a boxing match.

And before you email me because you don't agree with this post, just remember...This is just my opinion!

I Thessalonians 5:14 And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone (NIV).