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May 2011 Archives

Printable Issue 2056  Today is Monday, May 2nd, 2011; Karen's Korner #2056
The book "Heaven is for REAL" by Todd Burpo was recommended to me by several friends. I have just read it; now I recommend it to you!
 
It is the story of his nearly four-year-old son Colton who was very sick and in the hospital. Later, Colton would now and then relate to his parents what happened to him 'when he died and went to heaven' (four-year-old fashion). It is an easy read which I know you will enjoy.
 
Here is an excerpt from one early chapter (in part, dad was in his office and Colton was on the floor playing):
 
"'Did you know Jesus has a cousin? Jesus told me his cousin baptized him.....' I don't remember his name,"Colton said happily, 'but he was really nice.......Hey, Dad, did you know Jesus has a horse?'
 
"'A horse?'
 
"Yeah, a rainbow horse. I got to pet him. There's lots of colors......in heaven, Dad. That's where all the rainbow colors are.'"
 
"'Hey, Colton, can I ask you something else about Jesus? What did He look like?" I said.'
 
"Abruptly, Colton put down his toys and looked up at me: 'Jesus has markers. And he has brown hair and he has hair on his face,' he said, running his tiny palm around on his chin. I guessed that he didn't yet know the word beard. 'And his eyes....oh, Dad, his eyes are so pretty!....He had purple on.' As he said this, Colton put his hand on his left shoulder, moved it across his body down to his right hip then repeated the motion. 'His clothes were white, but it was purple from here to here.'
 
"Another word he didn't know:  sash."
 
""Jesus was the only one in heaven who had purple on, Dad. Did you know that?'"
 
"In Scripture, purple is the color of kings. A verse from the book of Mark flashed through my mind:  'His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them.'"
 
"'And he had this gold thing on his head..........' Colton chirped on enthusiastically. He put both hands on top of his head in the shape of a circle."
 
"'Like a crown?''"
 
"'Yeah, like a crown, and it had this.....this diamond thing in the middle of it and it was kind of pink. And he had markers, Dad.'"
 
"'Like when you color a page?' (Dad inquired).'What colors are Jesus' markers?'"
 
"Red, Daddy. Jesus had red markers on him."
 
".....he stood to his feet. He held out his right hand, palm up and pointed to the center of it with his left. Then he held out his left palm and pointed with his right hand. Colton bent over and pointed to the tops of both his feet."
 
".....We know where the nails were driven when Jesus was crucified, but you don't spend a lot of time going over those gruesome facts with toddlers and preschoolers. In fact, I didn't know if my son had ever seen a crucifix. Catholic kids grow up with that image, but Protestant kids, especially young ones, just grow up with a general concept:  'Jesus died on the cross.'"
 
 
Printable Issue 2057  Today is Tuesday, May 3rd, 2011; Karen's Korner #2057
Today is my birthday!
 
It is the birthday where a person gets lots of 'fan mail' for six months ahead of it.
 
I am not going to tell you how old, but I now qualify for Medicare!
 
I am thankful because at my 'old age', I have very good health. Not everyone my age is as fortunate. Am I bragging? No! Nor am I trying to make anyone feel badly, if theirs isn't as good.
 
A couple of things for which I need to be aware: 
 
* I need to be thankful for being as well as I am;
 
* If I have relatively good health, I need to get to work and 'be and do' all that I can and I am able;
 
* I need to be aware that good health doesn't last forever and not 'whine and complain' when it does change.
 
I want to be like my friend, Darlene, who is a couple of years past 80. Her health isn't good at all now. The other day she told me, "I didn't have any health issues until I turned 80. Now look!" And she opened her cupboard door, showing a large stash of prescriptions drugs and remedies.
 
Her next comment, "But I am so grateful for 80 years of good health! I can put up with a few years of health that isn't so good. I am thankful!"
 
"Oh, give thanks to the Lord,
for He is good;
His lovingkindness continues forever."
~ Psalm 136:1 LB
 
Dear Father God, I thank you for another year of life and health. And thank you for opportunities which both bring. Thank you for friends like Darlene who show us how to be grateful no matter what is happening to us. When my health begins a noticeable decline, remind me to remain thankful and not whine. Help all of us to always keep our eyes on You and remember that 'Your lovingkindness to us continues forever'. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Printable Issue 2058  Today is Wednesday, May 4th, 2011; Karen's Korner #2058
A good inspirational thought for today from Joel and Victoria Osteen:
 
Share Your Life

 “We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too”

(1 Thessalonians 2:8).

"People all over the world are searching for grace and peace. They are powerful forces in the life of the believer. First of all, we are saved by God’s grace through faith. We don’t deserve it and can’t earn His grace and forgiveness, but He gives it to us anyway. Grace is God’s favor that opens the door to salvation, but it doesn’t stop there. His grace is supernatural favor and empowerment to live the life God has called us to here on earth.

"Peace is every bit as powerful. It’s not just a feeling; it’s a state of being. Peace means 'to set at one again'.
 We are settled internally. And nothing externally can move us from our position of peace.

"Receive His grace and peace today and declare it over the lives of the people around you. Remember, as you sow words of blessing into the lives of others, you’ll see that increase of harvest in your own life in return!"

"Father in heaven, thank You for Your grace and peace at work in my life. I choose to stand in my position of peace by following your Word and staying in the plan You have for me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen."

***

Printable Issue 2059  Today is Thursday, May 5th, 2011; Karen's Korner #2059
Today is celebrated as our country's National Day of Prayer; in tribute, taken from 'In God We Still Trust' by Dr. Richard G. Lee:
 
The First Expression of Americanism
 
"Remember His covenant forever."
~  I Chronicles 16:15
 
"In his National Day of Prayer Proclamation on December 5, 1974, President Gerald Ford quoted Dwight Eisenhower's 1955 declaration:
 
"Without God, there could be no American form of government,
nor an American way of life.
Recognition of the Supreme Being
is the first--the most basic--expression of Americanism.
Thus, the Founding Fathers of America saw it,
and thus with God's help,
will continue to be."
 
Patriot's Prayer:
 
"Heavenly Father, I know that, as a nation
we need You now more than ever. I lift
Your Name up in praise today for the blessings
You have bestowed on this country.
I pray that people across the country will return to You,
for You are the ultimate
source of freedom and hope."
 
Patriot's Promise:
 
"In Isaiah 43:2, God give us this wonderful promise:
'When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and through the rivers,
they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire,
you shall not be burned,
nor shall the flame scorch you.'
God made a covenant promise to His people
that He will continue to protect
and bless us as long as we hold to
His commandments."
 
***
Printable Issue 2060  Today is Friday, May 6th, 2011; Karen's Korner #2060
"For, dear brothers,
you have been given freedom;
not freedom to do wrong,
but freedom to love and serve one another.
For the whole Law can be summed up in this one command:
'Love others as you love yourself.'
But if instead of showing love among yourselves
you are always critical and catty,
watch out!
Beware of ruining each other."
 
- (written by Paul) Galatians 5:13-15 (LB)
 
Bible Commentary:  Paul distinguished between freedom to sin and freedom to serve. Freedom to sin is not freedom at all because it enslaves you to Satan, others, or your own evil desires. People who are slaves to sin are not free to live a righteous life. Christians, by contrast, should not be slaves to sin because they are free to do right and glorify God through their actions.
 
When we are not motivated by love, we become critical of others. We stop looking for good in them and see only their faults. Soon the unity of believers is broken. Have you talked behind someone's back? Have you focused on others' shortcomings instead of their strengths? Remind yourself of Jesus' command to love others as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:39). When you begin to feel critical of someone, make a list of that person's positive qualities. And don't say anything behind his/her back that you wouldn't say to his/her face.
Printable Issue 2061  Today is Monday, May 9th, 2011; Karen's Korner #2061
A word about Mothers as we move away from Mother's Day; happy Mothers' Day - one day late. Shared by Shirley Choat (in part):
 
"Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies."
---Proverbs 31: 10
 
MOTHER
 
When wounded by sadness, mothers were designed with the ability to heal. 
Their wounds would be cleansed by the tears God placed within them. 
These would be stored to be released in times of hurt or sadness.
Sometimes in times of joy, tears would also be released when words would be
inadequate to express the emotions of their hearts.

Mothers were designed with a "built in alarm" to warn them of impending
danger to their little ones. This would work all through their life. God gave
 Mothers the ability to warn their Children of the many"perils of life" and
to pray for the safety and protection of their offspring. 

The heart of a Mother was designed with great love and to have a desire to care
 for those God would give her. Her arms were made to hold and comfort a
crying child. They were made to wipe the tears from the eyes of a toddler or
 surround a frightened child with the warmth and security only a Mom can bring.

Mothers were made to teach their children to love God and their fellow man. 
 They were to understand that their children were not the first who would
 made mistakes. God's first creation also made mistakes, and therefore,
"all have sinned and come short of the glory" of God.

Mothers would not always be perfect, but they were given Biblical
instruction to strive for perfection and become all God intended, as they
obeyed their Heavenly Father. God desired them to follow Him
and obey his Words of life. He would be their Father and lead them
 in the right way and path.

God sent Jesus as a better covenant, salvation, and way for life. His  plan
centers on loving God first with all our heart, soul, and mind, and our
 neighbor as ourselves. 
This was God's will for everyone, not just for Mothers.
 
***
Printable Issue 2062  Today is Tuesday, May 10th, 2011; Karen's Korner #2062
On Saturday, April 30, seventeen-year-old Tori went to prom with her friends at a neighboring high school. On Tuesday, she was killed in a car accident on her way to school. A week later on Saturday, May 7 was her funeral.
 
Everyone from our school and church family knew Tori, too. She moved from here last summer.
 
We are shocked and saddened.
 
Lots of things in life seems unfair. Hard to understand.
 
Yesterday I heard a few minutes of Dr. Dobson's radio show that 1 in 5 pregnancies now end in miscarriages. He had as guests a couple who had had six miscarriages. Dr. Dobson called this (and other things), "Difficult Things We Don't Understand".
 
Our 'difficult' list is long!
 
Something I have underlined in my Bible, where Jesus is talking,
 
"Blessed is the one who does not lose his faith in me." (Luke 7:23)
 
And something that I wrote at the top of the page (can't recall if it is my thoughts or something from someone else):
 
"We lose faith, not because of who Jesus is;
but because He does things differently than our human minds tell us is right.
He does things more right than we can figure out on our own!"
 
Or as our minister said at worship Sunday, "His ways are higher than our ways."
 
Must be why we can't figure everything out!
 
Dear Father in Heaven, help us to have faith in You -- when we understand and when we don't. Remind us how much You love us and that we learn to know You so well that we will now we have nothing to fear...not today nor tomorrow.....or ever. We are safe and saved by You and Your Son Jesus. Amen.
Printable Issue 2063  Today is Wednesday, May 11th, 2011; Karen's Korner #2063
Taken from "In God We Still Trust" by Dr. Richard G. Lee (by now you can tell I have enjoyed this book)::
 
America, Never Forget!
 
"Israel has forgotten his Maker."
~ Hosea 8:14
 
Carlos Romulo (1899 - 1985), a Philippine general renowned for his heroic
activities during World War II, issued this charge to us Americans:
 
"Never forget, Americans, that yours is a spiritual country.
Yes, I know you're a practical people.
Like others, I've marveled at your factories,
your skyscrapers, and your arsenals.
But underlying everything else is the fact that
America began as a God-loving, God-fearing, God-worshipping people."
 
Patriot's Prayer:
 
"Lord, liberate the minds of unbelievers that they may recognize
the true foundation of our great land.
May I be a witness to Your glory on earth.
You are the Author and Finisher of my faith.
Use me to help others come to faith in You."
 
Patriot's Promise:
 
"Psalm 103:2 says, 'Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.'
The psalm lists some of those benefits, which result in the promise
that our youth will be renewed like the eagle (v.5).
When we remember God's goodness to us--
and we may we never forget--
we can soar spiritually."
 
***
 
Printable Issue 2064  Today is Thursday, May 12th, 2011; Karen's Korner #2064
Today's thoughts are written by Mary Tesdahl of rural Clarion; she and her husband Al are spending some time in Colorado with their children and grandchildren:
 
 
"We watched our granddaughter playing in a pretend tree wearing a squirrel outfit. She collected a good-sized acorn. One was easy to manage and she could have easily made it up the trunk to her nest, but there was a second
acorn that was just too tempting to resist. With e second acorn, she no longer had a free hand to pull herself up the roots to the nest. She would start up the slope just to slide back down. A third acorn caught her eye. Now she had a new problem. As soon as she tried to pick up the third, one of the other two popped out. She never did make it up the trunk. 
 
"Are we like that in life? We keep grabbing for more when what we have is sufficient?  We get distracted by what is right in front of us and lose track of the end goal? 
 
"If we can't hold it in two hands, maybe we have sharing quantities. May we use our personal talents, gifts, resources, and opportunities to serve God and others with joy and gratitude."
Printable Issue 2065  Today is Friday, May 13th, 2011; Karen's Korner #2065
Taken from an inset in my Living Application Bible, found near Galatians chapter six:
 
Our Wrong Desires Vs. The Fruit of the Spirit
 
The will of the Holy Spirit is in constant opposition to our sinful desires.
The two are on opposite sides of the spiritual battle.
 
Our wrong desires vs. the fruit of the Spirit:
 
Evil..........Good
Destructive..........Productive
Easy to ignite..........Difficult to ignite
Difficult to stifle..........Easy to stifle
Self-centered..........Self-giving
Oppressive and possessive..........Liberating and nurturing
Decadent..........Uplifting
Sinful..........Holy
Deadly.........Abundant life
 
Bible Commentary:
 
We are all controlled by some outside force.
If we are controlled by the law, we are condemned by our inability to keep it.
If we are controlled by sin,
we are destroyed by our own evil.
If we are controlled by the Holy Spirit,
we produce love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
We do not need to fear the Spirit's control.
He does not possess us against our wills
or treat us as robots.
 
The Spirit produces character traits,
not specific actions.
We can't go out and do these things,
and we can't obtain them by trying to get them.
If we want the fruit of the Spirit to develop in our lives,
we must recognize that all of these characteristics
are found in Christ.
Thus the way to grow them
is to join our lives to his.
We must know him,
love him,
remember him,
imitate him.
The result will be the intended purpose of the law---
loving God and man.
 
Which of these qualities most needs further development
in your life?
 
****
Printable Issue 2066  Today is Monday, May 16th, 2011; Karen's Korner #2066
Mark, the writer of the gospel of Mark, told the story of Jesus' life from his point of view. Below are a couple of verses from Mark's writing. He really 'took off' with his writings; this is the first chapter.......verses 40 and 41. His is a book of action:
 
"Once a leper came and knelt in front of Jesus
and begged to be healed,
"If you want to, you can make me well again," he said.
And Jesus, moved with pity,
touched him and said,
"I want to! Be healed!"
Immediately the leprosy was gone--the man was healed!
~ Mark 1:40,41 LB
 
**
Bible Commentary:
"Jewish leaders declared lepers unclean.
This meant they were unfit to participate in any religious
or social activity.
Because their law said that contact with any unclean person
made them unclean, too, some even threw rocks at lepers
to keep them at a safe distance.
But Jesus touched this leper.
 
"The real value of a person is inside, not outside.
Although a person's body may be diseased or deformed,
the person inside is no less valuable to God.
No person is too disgusting for his touch.
In a sense, we are all lepers,
because we have all been deformed
by the ugliness of sin.
But God, by sending his Son Jesus,
has touched us, giving us the opportunity to be healed.
When you feel repulsed by someone,
stop and remember how God feels about that person--
and about you."
 
****
 
Printable Issue 2067  Today is Tuesday, May 17th, 2011; Karen's Korner #2067
Do you recall the story in the Bible about Moses and the children of Israel after they left Egypt? There were millions of people; how was Moses going to feed them all?
 
God provided manna from heaven every day like clockwork. Just the amount that they needed. No more; no less.
 
I was thinking of that the other day and thought, "Wouldn't that be something? It would be easy for people to believe God if they had to trust Him for that kind of provision?"
 
And then I had another thought, "It still happens to us today."
 
Water!
 
Talk about a life-giving resource!
 
It is needed for all area of our lives. We need to drink so much per day for our body parts to function properly. We need it to clean up our hands and our bodies.
 
If we don't get enough of it, our crops won't grow. Just ask the people in west Texas.
 
If we get too much of it, it causes lots of problems. Just ask the people who live in the Mississippi River basin or who have experienced a tsunami..
 
Water can be beautiful and relaxing. We enjoy it to swim in, live/stay by, or have fun on.
 
It can be harnessed for energy and power or used for a number of forms of transportation and utility power.
 
If it gets too hot or cold, it changes forms and can be used in another dozen ways.
 
God provides and controls it all. Some of it we like; other forms we don't care so much about.
 
One thing is certain:  we can't live long without it!
 
What an amazing gift water is!!
 
 
Dear Father in Heaven, thank You for Your provision and plan for WATER! Help us to never take it nor You for granted. Bless the people in our world and lives who are experiencing a lack of water. We ask You to supply their water needs. Bless the people who are experiencing too much water. We ask You to restore what it is they have lost. Not only do we ask for Your blessing for them; help us to be part of their solutions and to know Your will, as to how we can help others. Thank You for a future and a hope for all of us! In Jesus' name. Amen.
Printable Issue 2068  Today is Wednesday, May 18th, 2011; Karen's Korner #2068
Something written and sent by Joel and Victoria Osteen:
 
 

Do This in Remembrance

“And He took the bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is My body given for you; do this in remembrance of Me’” (Luke 22:19 NIV).

"Taking communion is a powerful reminder and declaration of our covenant with God through the blood of Jesus. When we turn our hearts toward the Father and take communion with a pure heart, we are making a declaration before heaven and earth that we belong to Him. We are showing the whole world that we receive the sacrifice that Jesus made on our behalf. Every time we partake of communion in remembrance of Jesus, we are opening our hearts to the deeper things of God. We are inviting Him to search our hearts and minds and to do a work in our lives.

 "Communion is powerful when we come together during our church services, but it’s just as powerful when you partake of communion at home with your family or even by yourself individually. The important thing is that you keep your heart and mind open to Him and keep a thankful attitude. As you do this in remembrance of Him, God will pour out His blessing on your life. He’ll show you His goodness, and you’ll experience Him in ways you never dreamed! 

"Father in heaven, thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus to save me. Thank You for allowing me to be a part of Your kingdom here on earth. I open my heart to You and choose to remember You in communion. In Jesus’ Name. Amen."

****

Printable Issue 2069  Today is Thursday, May 19th, 2011; Karen's Korner #2069
Last night was our local school's baccalaureate and awards program for the class of 2011.
 
A local pastor gave the message; his son happens to be in the graduating class.
 
The program for the baccalaureate portion stated there would be a welcome, Bible reading, song by graduating girls from the class before the sermon.
 
Pastor Bill Kem had the message and simply said, "God loves you and He has a plan for your life."
 
And then sat down, as a male group of voices from the high school chorus sang a song.
 
The next thing on the program was the closing prayer.
 
Could that have been the message?
 
Again Pastor Kem took the podium, smiled and said, "I am not going to let you off that easy, when I have the opportunity to speak." He went on to say a few things about how 'wildly crazy in love God' is with each one of the graduating seniors sitting there. And that is how God feels about all of the rest who were seated in the gymnasium......regardless of what they have or have not done.
 
Same message for each of us today:  "God loves you and He has a plan for your life."
Printable Issue 2070  Today is Friday, May 20th, 2011; Karen's Korner #2070
Forwarded to me earlier this week by Florine Swanson (hers had larger type and more graphics):
 
 
When I say 'good morning' I mean to say:
G-od
O-ffers us His
O-utstanding
D-evotion to
 
M-akes us
O -bedient &
R-eady for a
N-ew day with Him.
I-spire others, and
N-ever forget
G-od loves you!
 
****


Printable Issue 2071  Today is Monday, May 23rd, 2011; Karen's Korner #2071
 
Taken from "In God We Still Trust", a 365-day devotional by Dr. Richard G. Lee:
 
FACING FEAR
 
"Do not fear; Zion, let not your hands be weak."
~ Zephaniah 3:16
 
"In his first inaugural address on March 4, 1933, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the 32nd president of the
United States (1993-1945), proclaimed the following to his nation,
which has just entered the Depression:
 
"'Let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself--
nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes
needed efforts to convert retreat into advance....
 
"'Practices of the unscrupulous moneychangers stand indicted in the court of public opinion....
They know only the rules of a generation of self-seekers.
They have no vision, and where there is no vision the people perish
(Proverbs 29:18). The moneychangers have fled from their high seats
in the temple of our civilization. We may now restore that temple to the ancient truths.....
 
"'We face arduous days that lie before us in the warm courage of national unity;
with the clear consciousness of seeking old and precious moral values.....
 
"'We humbly ask the blessing of God. May He protect
each and every one of us!"
 
**
 
Patriot's Prayer:
 
"Lord, at times, I feel overwhelmed by fear.
I fear the future,
fear I'm going to fail,
and fear I won't be able to take care of my family.
Holy Spirit, fill me with Your presence,
because whom shall I fear if You are there?"
 
**
 
Patriot's Promise:
 
"According to I Corinthians 10:13, 'God is faithful, who will not allow you
to be tempted beyond what you are able,
but with the temptation will also make the
way of escape, that you may be able to bear it."
 
****
Printable Issue 2072  Today is Tuesday, May 24th, 2011; Karen's Korner #2072
Some items taken from a daily flip calendar titled "Simple Treasures", shared with me by my sister Jan. Some are fun; some are funny. Some are thought provoking; others are pearls of wisdom. I like it well enough that you will get more installments in future Karen's Korners:
 
"Life is like a jigsaw puzzle.
But you don't have the picture on the front of the box
to know what it's supposed to look like.
Sometimes you're not even sure
if you have all the pieces."
 
~
 
"The person who rows the boat
doesn't have time to rock it."
 
~
 
"Question:
How many people does it take to change the world?
 
Answer:
One!"
 
~
 
"A real friend warms you with her presence,
trusts you with her secrets,
and remembers you in her prayers."
 
~
 
"Why is it we are most aware of our bodies
only when it's not working properly?"
 
~
 
"Some people who jog four miles a day
demand a remote control for their TV."
 
~
 
"If you cannot lift the load
off another's back,
don not walk away.
Try to lighten it."
 
~~~
Printable Issue 2073  Today is Wednesday, May 25th, 2011; Karen's Korner #2073
"And have you quite forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you,
his child?
He said,
"My son, don't be angry when the Lord punishes you.
Don't be discouraged whenhe has to show you where you are wrong.
For when he punishes you,
it proves that he loves you.
When he whips you
it proves you are really his child.
 
Our earthly fathers trained us for a few brief years,
doing the best for us that they knew how,
but God's correction is always right and for our good,
that we may share his holiness.
Being punished isn't enjoyable while it is happening--
it hurts!
But afterwards we can see the result,
a quiet growth in grace and character."
~ Hebrews 12:5 & 6; 10 & 11 -  LB
 
**
Bible Commentary:   "We may respond to discipline in several ways:  (1) we can accept it with resignation; (2) we can accept it with self-pity, thinking we really don't deserve it; (3) we can be angry and resent God for it; or (4) we can accept it gratefully as the appropriate response toward a loving Father.
 
God is not only a disciplining parent, but also a demanding coach who pushes us to our limits and requires of us a disciplined life. Although we may not feel strong enough to push on to victory, we will be able to continue as we follow Christ and draw upon his strength. Then we can use our growing strength to help those around us who are weak and struggling."
 
****
Printable Issue 2074  Today is Thursday, May 26th, 2011; Karen's Korner #2074
Something that Shirley Choat wrote and emailed shortly after Easter a couple of years ago. Good news stays good news, regardless of the time of year:
 
Christ is risen, He is risen indeed, Alleluia
 
           Jesus met them and said, "Hail" and they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him.
Matthew 28:9
 
    Christ's promise, "Your sorrow shall be turned into Joy," came true Easter Morning for the women at the empty tomb in Joseph's garden. Having already seen and heard that Jesus had risen, the women now were leaving to tell others the good news: "He  is risen indeed."
 
  Leaving the garden, the Savior met them and said, "Hail, which means "rejoice."  Their joy was so great that they fell at His feet in all humility and worshiped Him in all sincerity.
 
  He, who had atoned for the sins of all mankind through His suffering, death, and resurrection, stood immediately before them. Just as the women were the first to see Him, so also were they the first to touch Him. Matthew tells us, "They came and took hold of His feet."
 
  When you feel close to God, you got it made. We are in touch with God through His Word. He touches us with His grace when we humbly fall at His feet and worship Him as our Savior. He keeps in touch with us in through His grace. And when we meet with Him in prayer.
 
      May every face be bright with joy
      And let no heart be sad;
      We come with messages of hope:
      "Christ rose! Let us be glad!"
 
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY- The risen Christ is the reason for our witness.
 
***
Printable Issue 2075  Today is Friday, May 27th, 2011; Karen's Korner #2075
Something forwarded to me yesterday by Sherri O'Brien from 'Homeward Devotionals':
 

God of the Impossible
By Leslie Snyder

For nothing is impossible with God.


Luke 1:37

"In 1943, the French entomologist August Magnan argued that, according to the known laws of physics, the bumblebee shouldn’t be able to fly. According to Magnan, bees are too large for the small arc of their flapping wings to create the necessary lift to keep them aloft. But, someone forgot to tell the bee there was a “flaw” in God’s design. Everyday, the impossible happens and bumblebees fly.

I"n fact, impossible is one of God’s favorite words. Consider the following “impossible” events: Moses parted the Red Sea enabling the Israelites to cross on dry land, the sun stood still in the sky while Joshua fought his enemies, a virgin conceived and gave birth, five loaves and two fish fed over 5,000 people, Peter walked on water, Jesus rose from the dead, and bumblebees fly.

"As part of our human condition, we constantly deal with issues of what is possible and what is not. But, we need to remember that we do not journey alone and that God is with us. And, for God, nothing is impossible. So, today, if you are facing something that seems overwhelming and impossible, keep in mind that, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him.” Miracles happen everyday and God is waiting to do the impossible in your life. Today, dare to believe in the impossible."

GOING DEEPER:

"What situation are you facing today that seems most impossible to overcome? Trust that God is with you and ask Him to provide for you in ways that make the impossible possible.

***

Printable Issue 2076  Today is Monday, May 30th, 2011; Karen's Korner #2076
Happy Memorial Day!
 
Taken from "In God We Still Trust", a 365-day devotional by Dr. Richard G. Lee:
 
Religion and Democracy
circa 1831
 
"He who looks into the perfect law of liberty....
and is a doer of this work,
this one will be blessed."
~ JAMES 1:25
 
"In 1831, French nobleman Alexis de Tocqueville spent nine months traveling America, spending most of his time in Boston, New York, and Philadelphia. He interviewed people from every walk of life and then shared these amazing observations in Democracy in America:
 
"'Upon my arrival in the United States, the religious aspect of the country
was the first thing that struck my attention......
In France I had almost always seen the spirit of religion
and the spirit of freedom pursuing courses diametrically opposed to each other;
but in America I found that they were intimately united,
and that they reigned in common over the same country.....
 
"'There is no country in the whole world in which the Christian religion
retains a greater influence over the souls of men than in America....
its influence is most powerfully felt over the most
enlightened and free nation of the earth.
 
"'Religion in America takes no direct part in the government of society,
but it must nevertheless be regarded as the foremost of the political
institutions of that country......
 
"'The Americans combine the notions of Christianity
and of liberty so intimately in their minds, that it is impossible to make them
conceive the one without the other.'"
 
**
 
Patriot's Prayer:
 
"Heavenly Father, forgive us for straying from our Christian roots.
Call us back to Your principles and the liberty we find there."
 
**
 
Patriot's Promise:
 
"'Creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption
into the glorious liberty of the children of God' (Romans 8:21).
We do not have to live at the mercy of the corruption of this world."
 
****
Printable Issue 2077  Today is Tuesday, May 31st, 2011; Karen's Korner #2077

A quotation by former president Bill Clinton (emailed to me yesterday):

 

"At Memorial Day, it is time to pause and consider the true meaning of this holiday. 

Memorial Day represents one day of national awareness and reverence,

honoring those Americans who died while defending our Nation and its values. 

While we should honor these heroes every day for the profound contribution

they have made to securing our Nation's freedom,

we should honor them especially on Memorial Day."

 

**

 

Several more quotes taken from the flip calendar "Simple Treasures":

 

 

Even if you think you're on
the right track,
you'll get run over
if you just sit there.
 
~ Will Rogers
 
~
 
When people speak poorly of you,
live so that no one will believe them.
 
~
 
Do you know what
seven-foot basketball players
do in their off-time?
 
They go to the movies
and sit in front of you.
 
~
 
You know you are getting older when you start riding your bike
and your kids take the car.
 
 
If you cannot lift the load
off another's back,
do not walk away.
Try to lighten the load.
 
~~~~