|
|
Today is Friday, April 26th, 2024; Karen's Korner #5110
|
|
A couple of thoughts from Mother Teresa and her "Heart of Joy" flip calendar.
Her words and thoughts will be repeated and felt across eons of time.
To take us into the weekend. Happy Friday!
"A joyful heart
is like
a sunshine
of God's love."
*
""The time we spend
in having our daily audience
with God
is the most precious part
of the whole day."
*
"What is important
is that you are holding on,
that you have got a grip on Christ
and he will not let
your hand go."
***
|
Today is Thursday, April 25th, 2024; Karen's Korner #5109
|
|
|
I finished wading
through the book of Revelation this morning! Did I understand all of what I
read? NO! Did I understand more of it than the last time I looked at it? I
think so.
Here is the last verse of Revelation and of the entire Bible:
"The grace of our
Lord Jesus Christ
be with you all.
Amen!"
~ Revelation 22:21 LAB
*
Bible Commentary: "Revelation
closes human history as Genesis opened it.......in Paradise. But there is one
distinct difference in Revelation......evil is gone forever. Genesis
describes Adam and Eve walking and talking with God. Revelation describes
people worshiping Him face to face. Genesis describes a Garden with an evil
serpent; Revelation describes a perfect city with no evil. The Garden of Eden
was destroyed by sin, but Paradise re-created in the new Jerusalem.
"The book of Revelation ends with an urgent request: 'Come, Lord
Jesus!" In a world of problems, persecution, evil, and immorality,
Christ calls us to endure in our faith. Our efforts to better our world are
important, but their results cannot compare with the transformation Jesus
will bring about when He returns. He alone controls human history, forgives
sin, and will re-create the earth and bring lasting peace.
"Revelation is above all a book of hope. It shows that no
matter what happens on earth, God is in control. It promises that
evil will not last forever. And it depicts the wonderful reward that is
waiting for all those who believe in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord."
***
|
|
Today is Wednesday, April 24th, 2024; Karen's Korner #5108
|
|
Monday's Max Lucado in my inbox:
God's Strategy for Human Hurt
"Bzuneh
Tulema lives in Ethiopia. Just a few years ago he and his wife were so
consumed with alcohol that they farmed out their kids to neighbors and
resigned themselves to a drunken demise. But then someone saw them. A member
of an area church shared Jesus with them. Then Meskerem Trango, a
World Vision worker, arranged a loan through the World Vision
microfinance department. Within a year Bzuneh had repaid the loan, built
his house, and reclaimed his kids.
"Could this be God’s strategy for human hurt? Kind eyes meet
desperate ones, strong hands help weak ones, then the miracle of God. We
do our small part, he does the big part, and life begins again."
****
|
|
|
|
Today is Tuesday, April 23rd, 2024; Karen's Korner #5107
|
|
It was 12 years ago in April, when eight of our Marys & Marthas (M & Ms) group went to Washington D.C. to receive our Make a Difference award for volunteer work we did as a community the fall before. We were one of ten winners of $10,000 each.
Our M & Ms group organized another 26 groups in our area to 'make a difference'. And we shared the winnings with those same groups for some of their projects at the time!
Here is a writing on M & Ms shared by a friend:
Me and My M & Ms
"i have always liked M & Ms.
The most diverse, multicultural
integrated candy in the world.
You have your red ones
your yellow ones
your orange ones
your brown ones
and your green ones.
All in one package
All co-existing together.
One color doesn't think that it is
superior to the other.
All colors are the same size
shape an weight.
All colors look different on the outside
but
have the same ingredients on the inside.
M & Ms all have the same flavor
and they all taste
G-o-o-o-o-o-d.
Not all M & Ms are perfect though.
Some have nuts!!
Wouldn't it be nice if like M & Ms
our prejudices melted into the abyss
like chocolate melts in our mouth
and all people were judged
by what was inside
rather than the color
you see on the outside??
If candy can be prejudice free
why can't we?"
- By Marilyn Kern-Foxworth
**
Makes me think of the news right now. We are hearing lots of words - Israel, Palestine, Hamas, Jews - and the like. Why can't we be like a package of delightful M & Ms??
Father in Heaven,
help us.
Lead us!
Guide us!
Free us!!
Amen.
|
Today is Monday, April 22nd, 2024; Karen's Korner #5106
|
|
I am wading my way through Revelation. Do I understand it all? No! But I am getting a bit more of it.
There is a graphic in amongst the reading "The Beginning and The End. The beginning to end - from the fall into sin to the redemption of Christ and God's ultimate victory over evil....."
Genesis vs. Revelation
The sun is created vs The sun is not needed
Satan is victorious vs Satan is defeated
Sin enters the human race vs Sin is banished
People run and hide from God vs Peope are invited to live with God forever
People are cursed vs The curse is removed
Tears are shed, with sorrow for sin vs No more sin, no more tears or sorrow
The Garden and earth are cursed vs God's city is glorified, the earth is made new
The fruit from the Tree of Life is not to be eaten vs God's peopple may eat from the Tree of Life
Paradise is lost vs Paradise is regained
People are doomed to death vs Death is defeated, believers live forever with God"
*
Have we made our reservations?
|
Today is Friday, April 19th, 2024; Karen's Korner #5105
|
|
A writing from "100 Things God Loves About You: Simple Reminders for When You Need Them Most" by Tama Fortner. Number 92:
GOD LOVES THE WAY YOU LET HIM LEAD
"Come, follow me," Jesus said.
~ Matthew 4:19
"Living a faithful life is a lot like a dance--- not a solo performance, mind you, but a grand waltz with twists and turns, dips and sways, intricate steps and tricky combinations. And as with any great dance, there must be a Leader and one who is led.
"If you try to take the lead yourself, to spin off in your own direction, you'll end up in a tangled mess on the floor. You know that because you've been down there before. So you place your hand in His. You let His touch be your guide. And you trust Him to lead you safely through this dance of a faithful life."
***
|
Today is Thursday, April 18th, 2024; Karen's Korner #5104
|
|
"Shout with joy before the Lord, O earth! Obey Him gladly; come before Him, singing with joy.
"Try to realize what this means--- the Lord is God! He made us--- we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.
"Go through His open gates with great thanksgiving; enter His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and bless His name. For the Lord is ALWAYS good. He is ALWAYS loving and kind, and His faithfulness goes on and on to each succeeding generation."
~ Psalm 100 LAB
***
|
Today is Wednesday, April 17th, 2024; Karen's Korner #5103
|
|
A writing by Max Lucado and sent to my computer's inbox several weeks ago:
AN ORDINARY LIFE
“God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise” (1 Corinthians 1:27 NLT).
"Invite you to pray with me:
"Loving Father, you made me, so you know very well that I am but dust. Yet you have called me into your kingdom to serve you at this specific place, at this specific time, for a very specific purpose.
"Despite my ordinariness, I belong to you—and you are anything but ordinary! Help me pour out your grace and compassion upon others that they, too, may experience the richness of your love. Through me, my Father, show others how you can use an ordinary life to bring extraordinary blessing into the world.
In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.'
***
|
Today is Tuesday, April 16th, 2024; Karen's Korner #5102
|
|
Something taken from "365 Days of Prayer for Women" by Stephanie Sample. This one is from a couple days ago, April 14:
STILL PROMISED
"'For ( know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"
~ Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
"Loving Father, from the moment you dreamed me up and began numbering the hairs on my head, you planned the many blessings you'd rain down on my life. The plans and dreams of an earthly father are just an inkling, a mere glimpse of the hope and promise you hold in your heart, ready to pour into mine. Help me to trust always that your plans are best, that your hope for my life is greater than i can imagine. Help me face boldly, gladly into your plans. I thank you for all you've done for me, and I marvel at the thought of all you still promise to do. You love me so well, Father!"
"Do you know that God has plans to give you hope and a future?"
****
|
Today is Monday, April 15th, 2024; Karen's Korner #5101
|
|
Our church family is making its way through the book of 1 John; five chapters. Our minister has asked us to read one chapter each weekday; repeating it each week until we are done with the worship service series.
I read two chapters last week until I forgot to read more. Isn't two chapters better than none?
Here are the first two verses of chapter 2:
"My little children,
I am telling you this so that you will stay
away from sin.
But if you sin, there is someone to plead for you before the Father. His name is Jesus Christ, the one who is all that is good and who pleases God completely. He is the one who took God's wrath against our sins upon himself, and brought us into fellowship with God; and he is the forgiveness for our sins,
and not only ours but all the world's."
~ 1 John 2: 1 & 2 LAB
*
Bible Commentary: "To people who are feeling guilty and condemned, John offers reassurance. They know they have sinned, and Satan is demanding the death penalty. When we feel this way, we can't give up hope---the best defense attorney in the universe is pleading our case. Jesus Christ, our advocate, is the Judge's Son. He has already suffered our penalty in our place. We can't be tried again for a case that is no longer on the docket. United with Jesus, we are as safe as he is. We don't need to be afraid to ask him to plead our case--he has already won it!
"We sometimes have a difficult time forgiving someone who wrongs u. Imagine how hard it would be to tell everyone we are willing to forgive no matter what they do! This is what God has done in Jesus. No one, no matter what they have done is beyond hope of forgiveness. All we have to do is turn to Jesus and commit our hearts to him."
***
|
|
