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September 2011 Archives

Printable Issue 2144  Today is Thursday, September 1st, 2011; Karen's Korner #2144
A daily devotional email to which Sherri O'Brien subscribes from HomeWard;
something she really enjoyed from about a week ago:
 
 

The Lawn Mower Man
By Jim Liebelt

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

~~ Galatians 6:9

In 1994, Alvin Straight, a resident of Laurens, Iowa, at age 73, decided to take a trip to visit his 80-year-old brother who had suffered a stroke. His brother lived 240 miles away in a small town in Wisconsin.

According to the Des Moines Register, “Straight didn’t trust public transportation and could not drive a car because he had limited vision and no driver’s license. So he decided to drive a 1966 John Deere (riding) mower to Wisconsin.

“On July 5, 1994, he loaded a 10-foot trailer with gasoline, food, clothes and camping equipment. He hitched it to the mower and started out from Laurens. The mower's top speed was 5 mph, and the trip along back roads took nearly six weeks. Straight endured rainy weather and breakdowns.”

Still, Straight’s trip was a success. His persistence, commitment and devotion had paid off. His goal was realized by reaching the destination. As a result, his story attracted media attention. He received requests to appear on both David Letterman and Jay Leno’s late-night television programs. And, in 1999, the movie, “Straight Story,” was released, recounting the lawn mower man’s journey.

I wonder how the world would be different if Christians everywhere demonstrated the same kind of persistence, commitment and devotion that Straight demonstrated, in our serving others in Jesus’ name. Have you ever had dreams of how you would like to serve the Lord, but then determined that for some reason—perhaps the obstacles were too many or too great—the dream was abandoned? I know I have. I am certain that more lives would be influenced for Christ if we worried less about the practicalities of our dreams, and instead, spent more time acting on them courageously.

Today, may God give us courage and desire to serve Him with persistence, commitment and devotion
.

***

 

Printable Issue 2145  Today is Friday, September 2nd, 2011; Karen's Korner #2145
A statement made by author Charles Swindoll, shared by Pam Winter, written and posted in the Dows School where she works:
 
"The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.
Attitude, to me, is more important than facts.
It is more important than the past, the education, the money, than circumstances,
than failure, than successes, than what other people think or say or do.
It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill.
It will make or break a company... a church... a home.
The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day.
We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way.
We cannot change the inevitable.
The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude.
I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it.
And so it is with you... we are in charge of our Attitudes.”
 
~ Charles Swindoll
 
Printable Issue 2146  Today is Monday, September 5th, 2011; Karen's Korner #2146
Happy Labor Day! A good day to rest from our work, our daily lives, our burdens!
 
Even if we aren't doing 'heavy' physical work, chances are pretty good we have some internal struggles tugging at us which are dragging us down. If everything is going well for us, we have concerns for others.
 
This is a Bible verse pretty appropriate for today (or any day) from Jesus' teachings.
 
Two Bible translations (there are many!) of the same verses from Matthew 11: 28 - 30:
 
 
"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion?
Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life.
I'll show you how to take a real rest.
Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it.
Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I
 won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.
Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."
~ THE MESSAGE
 
**
 
"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me,
 for I am gentle and lowly in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.
For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
~ THE NEW KING JAMES VERSION
 
****
Printable Issue 2147  Today is Tuesday, September 6th, 2011; Karen's Korner #2147
Sometimes when I wake up in the morning, my first thoughts slip to, "Who could I bless with my prayers/thoughts today?"
 
Yesterday my first thought was, "God bless the whole world."
 
Wow! Where did that come from? Sounds more like something a little child would think of.
 
But wait:  that's how God thinks:
 
"For God loved the world so much
that He gave His only Son,
so that anyone who believes in Him
shall not perish but have eternal life.
God did not send His Son into the world
to condemn it,
but to save it."
~ John 3:16,17 LB
 
So just for today:  be blessed, and don't be condemned!
Printable Issue 2148  Today is Wednesday, September 7th, 2011; Karen's Korner #2148
Judy Weir emailed me a listing of 'positive to dos' to live by. The list included 36 items plus graphics. I am forwarding you ten of those on the list:
 
1. Separate worries from concerns.
If a situation is a concern,
find out what God would have you to do and let go of the anxiety.
If you can't do anything about a situation,
forget it.
 
2. Do something for the 'kid in you' every day.
 
3. Talk less; listen more.
 
4. Remember that the shortest distance
between despair and hope is often,
"Thank You, Jesus!"
 
5. Remind yourself that you are NOT
the general manager of the universe.
 
6. Every day find time to be alone.
 
7. Having problems?
Talk to God on the spot.
Try to nip small problems in the bud.
Don't wait until it's time to
go to bed to try and pray. 
 
8. Be kind to unkind people
(they probably need it the most.)
 
9. Slow down.
 
10. Every night before bed,
think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before.
GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR US.
 
 
"If God is for us, who can be against us?"
~ Romans 8:31
 
***
 
 
 
Printable Issue 2149  Today is Thursday, September 8th, 2011; Karen's Korner #2149
A writing from Joel & Victoria; a daily inspirational thought from a number of months ago:
 

Stir Up Your Dreams

"Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you…" (2 Timothy 1:6, NKJ).

Do you need some freshness in your life today? It’s probably time to stir up what God has placed on the inside of you. It’s time to stir up those gifts, stir up those dreams, stir up those talents inside. Start stretching yourself. You are meant to dream and to pursue the desires God has placed in your heart.

The Scripture tells us that without vision, people perish. If you don’t have a dream, you’re not really living the way God intends. You’re merely existing. Maybe at one time you had a dream, but you went through some disappointments or setbacks. Things didn’t turn out the way you planned. But here’s a key: when one dream dies, dream another dream.

Just because it didn’t work out the way you had it planned doesn’t mean that God doesn’t have another plan. You cannot allow one disappointment or even a series of disappointments to convince you that your dream is over. It’s time to dig your heals in and hold on to the promises in your heart. As you stir up those God-given dreams and desires, He’ll pour out His favor and blessings and fulfill every desire in your heart!

Father in heaven, I come humbly to You. I give You my past, my disappointments, my brokenness. Fill me with Your hope and expectation and give me the dreams and desires that You have in store for my life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

***

Printable Issue 2150  Today is Friday, September 9th, 2011; Karen's Korner #2150
Some sayings by Mother Teresa:
 
"Communion with Christ gives us
our strength
our joy,
and our love."
 
~
 
"Let's focus more on the things we ought to
do in serving our husband, our wife, our children,
our brothers - rather than on their shortcomings."
 
~
 
"I don't think there is anyone who needs
God's help and grace as much as I do.
Sometimes I feel so helpless and weak.
I think that is why God uses me.
Because I cannot depend on my own strength,
I rely on Him twenty-four hours a day."
 
~
 
"May the joy of the risen Jesus Christ be with
you, to bring joy into your very soul.
The good God has given himself to us.
During his life here on earth,
Jesus wanted to share his joy with his apostles,
'That my joy may be in you.'
Joy was the password of the first Christians.
'Rejoice in the Lord always,
again I say to you, rejoice.'
 
****
Printable Issue 2151  Today is Monday, September 12th, 2011; Karen's Korner #2151
As the United State of America continues to reflect on the happenings in and around 9/11/01, we remember the thousands of innocent people who died needlessly in the radical Islamic terrorist attacks that day.
 
We continue to thank God, first responders at the time of the tragedy, our country's leaders, and thousands of soldiers who have protected and defending us in the ten years since.
 
Below are words to a song recorded by Diamond Rio. I do not know the writer:
 
IN GOD WE STILL TRUST
 
You place your hand on His Bible, when you swear to tell the Truth
His name is on our greatest Monuments, and all our money too,
And when we Pledge allegiance, there's no doubt where we stand,
There is no separation, we're one Nation under Him.

Chorus:
In God We Still Trust
Here in America
He's the one we turn to every time
The goin' gets rough
He is the source of all our Strength
The One who watches over us
Here in America
In God We Still Trust

Now there are those among us, who want to push Him out,
And erase His name from everything, this country's all about,
From the Schoolhouse to the Courthouse, they're Silencing His Word,
Now it's time for all Believers, to make our Voices heard.

In God We Still Trust,
Here in America
He's the one we turn to every time
The goin' gets rough
He is the source of all our Strength
The One who watches over us
Here in America
In God We Still Trust

Here in America
Here in America
Here in America,

In God We Still Trust
Here in America,

In God We Still Trust
Here in America.
 
***
Printable Issue 2152  Today is Tuesday, September 13th, 2011; Karen's Korner #2152
"Beloved, if God so loved us,
we ought to love one another."
~ I John 4:11 NKJV
 
"Beloved"? Just what does that word mean?
 
Two definitions I found, first as an adjective: "greatly loved; dear to the heart". Second, as a noun:  "a person who is greatly loved".
 
When I researched the number of times beloved is written in the Bible, there were over 100 times:  sometimes about others who the writer was describing, sometimes about us and how God thinks about us.
 
We must be pretty high on God's list; we are greatly loved.
 
I have heard it said that every word Jesus uttered was to us because of His Great Love for us and because He wanted us to have His complete joy.
 
 
Dear Father in Heaven, thank You for loving us so much. Thank You that Your plan is that we love You, love others, and love ourselves. We want to live in Your love and Your joy. Help us to follow You just for today. In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
 
***
 
A note of response from Miriam Walker to yesterday's Karen's Korner featuring the words to the song "In God We Still Trust", sung by Diamond Rio:
 
"I have the CD and I love it.  It has such a great message.  
 
On the lyrics it says, 'written by Rob LeClair/Bill Nash/Kim Nash'. On there, they also wrote-Brian Prout: (quoting from the CD information:  'At a different time in our career and in a different era in our country, we probably wouldn't have touched this with a 10-foot pole.  We, as Diamond Rio, had never really taken a stance (a) politically or (b) socially. We've never tried to make a statement with any of our music or draw a line in the sand, so to speak, about things that we believe that people may not know about us beyond our music. With this song, we were all in agreement that it's about what we believe, so why not go ahead and record it and stick it out there and see what happens. And it is without question the most reactive song that we play in our show.  It's been uncanny.  We've never had as big a response to a new song when we play it live, as we did this one. We have yet to play this song in any venue in any area of the country or overseas where it doesn't get a standing ovation.'
 
***
Printable Issue 2153  Today is Wednesday, September 14th, 2011; Karen's Korner #2153
"Listen to me, all you men of Israel!
Don't be afraid
as you go out to fight today!
For the Lord your God is going with you!
He will fight for you against your enemies,
and he will give you victory!"
~ Deuteronomy 20:3,4 (LB)
 
Bible Commentary:  Just like the Israelites, we sometimes face overwhelming opposition. Whether at school, at work, or even at home, we can feel outnumbered and helpless. God bolstered the Israelites' confidence by reminding them that he was always with them and that he had already saved them from the potential danger. We too can feel secure when we consider that God is able to overcome even the most difficult odds.
 
***
 
Dear Father in Heaven, thank You for taking care of us and fighting against our enemies. Thank You that there is never any battle in our lives that we have to fight alone. Thank You that we can count on victory. When we hook our lives together with you, we become winners! We praise You and thank You! In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Printable Issue 2154  Today is Thursday, September 15th, 2011; Karen's Korner #2154
Several days ago I rode my bike a couple of miles southwest of our farm home, to a black top road.
 
It is so much easier to ride on the hard-surface than on gravel roads.
 
As I turned to come back home, not one did I have loose gravel to contend with, I also had the wind in my face.
 
Harder trek going back home than it was coming that direction in the first place.
 
I liked the easier path.
 
Father in Heaven, thank You when you give us smooth sailing, wind to our backs and the sun over our shoulder. Help us to thank You when our journeys are easy. But also help us to praise You when our paths become 'gravel, wind in our faces and sun in our eyes'. We know that you are the Giver of both. Our tendency is to trust You more when the journey is more difficult and forget about You when the travel is easy. Thank You that today is a day to celebrate, regardless of where we have been asked to 'pedal'. You make 'all things possible because we trust You and Believe. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Printable Issue 2155  Today is Friday, September 16th, 2011; Karen's Korner #2155
This is a poem printed on a framed plaque, purchased by Lorna Keeling at a garage sale last weekend. She is the 'creator' of a little girls 'tiaras & tea party'  which will be held in Clarion tomorrow called "Thank Heaven for Little Girls".
 
Read it as you think about some little girl(s) in your life.
 
 
Thank Heaven for Little Girls
By Bee Ewing
 
Beautiful are the blessings
That a little girl can bring.
There are cherished dolls to love,
And favorite songs to sing.
 
Baking cookies is always a treat,
And every little girl knows,
It's great fun to have a tea party,
Dressed up in fancy old clothes!
 
When shown love and understanding
Little girls learn from the start,
Caring for themselves and others,
Is the key to a happy heart.
 
Whether a tomboy or a princess,
Blue jeans or ribbons and curls,
Our time is worth taking
With these angels in the making,
 
Thank heaven for little girls!
 
**
 
God loves all of these little girls and wants to love and bless all of them.
 
Now read it one more time and think about YOU. God loves each one of you/us, as one of His Little Children!
 
Printable Issue 2156  Today is Monday, September 19th, 2011; Karen's Korner #2156
A handful of years ago Bill & Gloria Gaither did one of their famous "Homecomings"; this one was a celebration recognizing Billy Graham.
 
Here are a couple of entries from a coffee table book published at that time:
 
 
"Dear God, I pray all unafraid (as we're inclined to do)
I do not need handsome man but let him be like You.
I do not need one big and strong nor yet so very tall,
nor need he be some genius or wealthy, Lord, at all.
But let his head be high, dear God, and let his eye be clear,
his shoulders straight, whatever his state,
whate'er his earthly sphere;
And let his face have character, a ruggedness of soul,
and let his whole life show, dear God, a singleness of goal;
Then when he comes (as he will come) with quiet eyes aglow,
I'll understand that he's the man I prayed for long ago."
 
~ Ruth Bell Graham
 
**
 
"All that I have been able to do I owe to Jesus Christ.
When you honor me you are really honoring Him.
Any honors I have received I accept
with a sense of inadequacy and humility
and I will reserve the right
to hand all of these someday to Christ.
when I see Him face to face.
 
~ Billy Graham
 
**
 
"Someone told me that when the crusade was over,
Billy Graham would just weep and be stunned
at how many people had accepted Christ.
He would just lie on the floor and weep.
He felt unworthy that God would use him to do that.
 
~ Cynthia Clawson
 
**
 
"Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidd'st me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come."
 
Words from the song "Just As I Am"
by Charlotte Elliott
 
**
 
"His lord said to Him,
'Well done, good and faithful servant.."
~ Matthew 25:23
 
****
Printable Issue 2157  Today is Tuesday, September 20th, 2011; Karen's Korner #2157
Seems like there are lots of things swirling around us that we would like to have changed. Sometimes it is things in the world which we would like to see changed. Sometimes there are things in our family, our church or our community, which we don't like very much.
 
More and more, people with whom I come in contact or from things that I read, they are telling about taking a few verses in the Bible and turning them into a prayer.
 
Below are three verses in the Colossians written by Paul, as he prays for people in his world. If it was good enough for Paul, it should be good enough for us.
 
Fill your name in the blank as you read:
 
__________, I am praying
 that you will be filled with God’s mighty, glorious strength,
so that you can keep going no matter what happens
and you will always be full of the joy of the Lord.
May you always be thankful to the Father
who made you fit to share all the wonderful things that belong to you
in the Kingdom of His Light.
For God has rescued you out of the darkness, ______________,
and out of the gloom of Satan’s kingdom.
He has brought you into the Kingdom of His Dear Son,
who bought your freedom and mine with His Blood.
He has forgiven us of all of our sins.
We praise you, God, Amen.
 
(COLOSSIANS 1; VERSES 11 – 14)
 
***
Now copy and paste and send it to at least one other person today; fill in his/her name!
Printable Issue 2158  Today is Wednesday, September 21st, 2011; Karen's Korner #2158
Who doesn't enjoy some of the 'church bulletin bloopers'; sent as pass-alongs; many of them we have seen lots of times. I am going to try to include some which I haven't seen before:
 
"God has made me laugh, and all who
hear will laugh with me.
  (Genesis 21:6 - NKJV)

  * The outreach committee has enlisted 25 visitors to
   make calls on people who are not afflicted with
   any church.

    * Evening massage - 6 p.m.
  
  * The audience is asked to remain seated until the end
    of the recession.

  *Ushers will eat latecomers

  * The Reverend spoke briefly, much to the
    delight of the audience.

  * Due to the Rector's illness, Wednesday's healing
    services will be discontinued until further notice.

  * Next Sunday Mrs. Vinson will be soloist for the
    morning service. The pastor will then speak on "It's a
    Terrible Experience."

   * Today's Sermon:  HOW MUCH CAN A MAN DRINK?
    With hymns from a full choir.

  * The 2010 Spring Council Retreat will be hell on May 10th
    and 11th.

  * Pastor is on vacation. Massages can be given to
    church secretary.

  * 8 new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition
    of several new members and to the deterioration of some
    older ones.

 * The pastor will preach his farewell message, after which
    the choir will sing, "Break Forth Into Joy."

  * The third verse of Blessed Assurance will be sung
     without musical accomplishment.
 
****

Printable Issue 2159  Today is Thursday, September 22nd, 2011; Karen's Korner #2159
I am a flower gardener; used to do a vegetable garden as well.
 
This year for the first time in a number of years, I added some vegetables. I have three tomato plants.
 
A magazine feature told about planting hills of vegetables in 'cracks of cemented areas'; if it could grow weeds, it could grow vegetables. We planted squash, watermelon, and cantaloupe in a few hills on an old animal feeding floor.
 
This is also an 'apple year'.  we have one apple tree.
 
Things worked!
 
Now we have a choice:
 
* try to have the two of us eat all of the produce;
* let some of the foodstuffs go to waste;
* or give some of it away.
 
When eight watermelons, more than twenty cantaloupe, more Acorn squash than we have counted; and bags and baskets of apples all ripen at the same time, it is pretty hard to eat it all or let all the extras go to waste.
 
We have eaten, frozen all of the apples for applesauce, apple crisp, and pie apples we can possibly eat this year. We gave away more than 20 grocery bags of apples to friends and neighbors; had another half dozen people come by to pick some that they wanted.
 
We are process of picking the watermelon and cantaloupe; eating some and sharing some; and are getting ready to pluck the squash off their vines.
 
As I looked at the few vines and our one tree, I thought about God blessing us with His 'harvest'. But how many other things do I/we have in our lives? Do we have more than we can use? Does He give us a choice to share what we have been given because we have 'more than enough'? Or do we let the 'fruit ripen and decay'?
 
 
Father God in Heaven, it is hard for me to let our garden food items go to spoil. Help me to see other items in our lives where You have blessed us to abundance. We don't want those things to 'spoil' either; help us to recognize those gifts of time, talents, and other resources. Then gently show us ways to share. You are a generous God; we are blessed. Help us to bless others, in Your Name. Amen.
Printable Issue 2160  Today is Friday, September 23rd, 2011; Karen's Korner #2160
Today's 'korner' was written and forwarded to me today by Shirley Choat (edited briefly); don't forget to take your 'vitamins'!
 
"It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread
alone, but by every word that proceeds
from the mouth of God."
  ~  ( Matthew 4:4 )
 
Friends,
  Just as we need food to sustain our human body,
we also need spiritual food to sustain our Spiritual
body as well!

  A good meal should consist of vitamins and
minerals, and perhaps a dessert.  
Let's look at Biblical Vitamins for our Spiritual well being ---

When Anxious, take vitamin "A":
 
  All things work together for good to those
 who love God, to those who are the called
 according to His purpose.
~ ( Romans 8:28 )
*

When Crushed, take vitamin "C":

  
Cast all your care upon Him, for He cares
 for you.
~ ( 1 Peter 5:7 )
*

When Depressed, take vitamin "D":

  
Draw near to God and He will draw near
you.
~ ( James 4:8 )
*

When Empty, take vitamin "E":
 
  Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
and in to His courts with praise. Be
thankful to Him, and bless His name.
 ~ ( Psalms 100:4 )
*

When Fearful, take vitamin "F":

  
Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed,
for I am your God.
 
~ ( Isaiah 41:10 )
*

When Greedy, take vitamin "G":
 
Give, and it will be given to you: good
 measure, pressed down, shaken together,
 and running over will be put into your
 bosom.
~ ( Luke 6:38 )
*

When Insecure, take vitamin "I":

  
I can do all things through Christ who
strengthens me.
~ ( Philippians 4:13 )
*

When Lonely, take vitamin "L":

 
I am with you always, even to the end of
 the age.
~ ( Matthew 28:20 )
*

When Restless, take vitamin "R":

  
Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him
( Psalms 37:7 )
*

For Dessert;
  Whoever believes in Him should not perish
but have eternal life.
~ ( John 3:16 )
 
**

  It
is my hope that you have enjoyed
this meal of Spiritual food. Remember that you may have
all you want, for it is guaranteed to be non-fattening!  

 Have a great day, Friends, and remember that God smiles
every time He thinks about you!  
Amen.
 
*****
Printable Issue 2161  Today is Monday, September 26th, 2011; Karen's Korner #2161
 I liked the front of yesterday's church bulletin:
 
Earth
has no sorrow that
Heaven
cannot heal.
 
 
"They shall obtain joy and gladness,
and sorrow and sighing shall flee away."
 
~ Isaiah  35:10
 
***
Printable Issue 2162  Today is Tuesday, September 27th, 2011; Karen's Korner #2162
Today is Jim and my anniversary; we are celebrating #42!
 
About a week ago, our friend Margaret Cramer gave us a matted, not-framed calligraphy poem. She has been some deep digging and cleaning; downsizing and giving some things away. When she handed me the writing, she said, "I want you to read it. Enjoy it. And when you are done, pass it along to someone else."
 
Who knows the 'real copy' might pass through your hands in the future!
 
 
I'd Marry You Again
 
With tiny tears that glistened, my eyes were fixed on you,
And thinking of the life we'd share, we softly said, "I do."
 
Our hearts were knit together from the time that we first met,
And memories were gathered, that we never will forget.
 
While daily living life with you, you saw the real me.
And still you chose acceptance, a lifelong mystery.
 
With many happy days gone by, and other when we cried
Some days we'd share so endlessly,
while other days we'd hide.
 
With all the ups and downs we've had,
in learning to be friends,
I know that in this heart of mine,
I'd marry you again.
 
~ Anne Peterson
 
**
Printable Issue 2163  Today is Wednesday, September 28th, 2011; Karen's Korner #2163
Something written and emailed from Joel and Victoria Osteen:
 

Deal Aggressively with Fear

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline."
(II Timothy 1:7, NLT)

"So many people today are missing out on God's abundant life of joy, peace, and victory because they keep giving in to fear. They are afraid to make a decision, they are afraid to confront issues, they're afraid to step out in faith, they're afraid of the past, and they're afraid of the future. But as believers, we don't have to live that way.

"Fear is not from God. God has given you power, and His power is greater than the power of any of your fears. You have to make a decision to deal aggressively with fear. You can't be passive and expect to live in victory. The only way to conquer fear is to confront it head on. As long as you're running from your fears just ignoring them or sweeping them under the rug, you're not going to get any better. Refusing to deal with fear doesn't make it go away. Instead, be strong-willed and determined knowing that the enemy is defeated. As you declare God's Word that says you can be bold and strong, you'll have the courage to conquer fear and move confidently into the destiny He has in store for you!"

"Father God, thank You for giving me power to overcome fear. I choose to face fear head on and drive it out of my life. Show me any areas of my life where fear is holding me back so that I can press forward into the life of victory You have for me. In Jesus' Name. Amen."

Printable Issue 2164  Today is Thursday, September 29th, 2011; Karen's Korner #2164
 
 
Some sayings and quotes:
 
"If a man does his best,
what else is there?"
 
~ General George S. Patton
 
**
 
"When a friend is in trouble,
don't annoy him/her by asking
if there is anything you could do.
Think up something appropriate to do
and do it!"
 
~ Edgar Watson Howe
(seen on a fundraising poster in Clear Lake last weekend)
 
***
 
"In the end,
we will remember not the words of our enemies;
but the silence of our friends."
 
~ Martin Luther King Jr.
 
**
 
"A lie gets halfway around the world
before the truth gets a chance to get
its pants on."
 
~ Sir Winston Churchill
 
**
 
"It's kind of fun
to do
the impossible."
 
~ Walt Disney
 
**
 
"In prayer it is better to have a heart without words
than words without heart.
Father, keep my heart soft this day and fill it with Your thoughts.
Amen."
 
~ Shirley Choat
(Taken from a recent email from her.)
 
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Printable Issue 2165  Today is Friday, September 30th, 2011; Karen's Korner #2165

 I Corinthians 1:30,31 (LB) - "For it is from God alone that you have life through Christ Jesus. He showed us God's plan of salvation; he was the one who made us acceptable to God; he made us pure and holy and gave himself to purchase our salvation. As it says in the Scriptures, 'If anyone is going to boast, let him boast only of what the Lord has done.'"

Bible Commentary - "The writer Paul continues to emphasize that the way to receive salvation is so ordinary and simple that any person who wants to can understand it. Skill does not get you into God's Kingdom--simple faith does. God planned it this way so no one could boast that his achievements helped him secure eternal life. Salvation is totally from God through Jesus' death, which allowed us to become perfect in God's eyes. There is nothing we can do to become acceptable to God; we need only accept what Jesus has already done for us. He has done the work; we acknowledge the work; we acknowledge His position as God.

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