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June 2012 Archives

Printable Issue 2330  Today is Friday, June 1st, 2012; Karen's Korner #2330
Today is June 1; Merry's birthday. She would have been 39 today. But for us she will always be 26, the age she was when she was killed.
 
The best thing about being a Christian is that everything is 'always on upgrade'. When we age, get sick, die, God sees to it that we are 'upgraded' to a better place, a better life, better health, better everything!
 
This is one of the nine emails from Merry which she sent to us in the last few days before she died, and we saved. Some of her emails were meaningful; some were silly. Some were thought provoking; others were jokes. And because we have so few and because it has been thirteen years, this one has made Karen's Korner in the past:
 
  From me to you:
 
    Peace

     Do not undermine your worth
       by comparing yourself with others.
      It is because we are different
        that each of us is special.

      Do not set your goals
   by what other people deem important.
     Only you know
     what is best for you.

Do not take for granted
the things closest to your heart.
Cling to them as you would your life,
for without them,
life is meaningless.

Do not let your life
slip through your fingers
by living in the past
nor for the future.
By living your life one day at a time,
you live all the days of your life.
 
Do not give up
when you still have something to give.
Nothing is really over
until the moment you stop trying.
It is a fragile thread
that binds us to each other.

Do not be afraid to encounter risks.
It is by taking chances
that we learn how to be brave.

Do not shut love out of your life
by saying it is impossible to find.
The quickest way to receive love
 is to give love;
The fastest way to lose love
is to hold it too tightly.

Do not dismiss your dreams.
To be without dreams
is to be without hope;
To be without hope
is to be without purpose.

Do not run through life
so fast that you forget
not only where you have been,
but also where you are going.
Life is not a race,
but a journey
to be savored
each step of the way.
 
***
Printable Issue 2331  Today is Monday, June 4th, 2012; Karen's Korner #2331
Today's 'korner' will feature highlights from our church sermon yesterday.
 
Our pastor, Warren Curry, used this equation:  O + O = O.
 
The "Os" stood for Openness to God's Leading  + Obedience to God's Leading = Overwhelming Results!
 
He used as our text Acts 8:28 - 40 (you might want to read it!) where Philip was asked by God to go; when he went (not knowing where or who), he met up with an Ethiopian official who was reading a portion of Isaiah. Philip asked if he understood it; the official said he did not.
 
Philip explained that part of the Bible and what Jesus did and had to offer everyone.
 
As they rode together along the way, the official said, "Look! Water! Why can't I be baptized?"
 
Peter answered, "You can, if you believe with all your heart."
 
Pastor Warren went on to say that Ethiopian citizens tell that one act was the beginning of the Christian faith in their country.
 
Philip was 'open to God's leading' and moved out in 'obedience' and the 'overwhelming results' continue until today!!
 
Praise be to God!!
 
Printable Issue 2332  Today is Tuesday, June 5th, 2012; Karen's Korner #2332
Happy 'voting day'!
 
List taken from the book "Indivisible" by James Robison and Jay W. Richards:
 
The First Principles of Faith, Family, and Freedom
 
1. Every human being has equal value and dignity.
2. We are inherently and specifically social.
3. Marriage and the family are the fundamental social institutions.
4. We can know God and moral truth.
5. Judeo-Christian religious faith guards our freedom.
6. We're all sinners.
7. We need a state strong enough to protect and maintain
the rule of law but limited enough not to violate it.
8. We are meant to be free and responsible.
9. When we're free, we can create wealth.
10. Culture comes before politics.
 
**
Printable Issue 2333  Today is Wednesday, June 6th, 2012; Karen's Korner #2333
 
One of my gifts for a young married couple recently was a spiral, flip calendar titled "365 Best-Kept Marriage Secrets"; and since we are never too old to learn, here are a handful, Part 2:
 
"Unless the LORD builds the house,
they labor in vain who build it."
Psalm 127:1 NKJV
January 24
 
*
 
"It's true.
If you aim at nothing,
you'll hit it every time!
It's important for you as a couple to have a target
- or goal -
to shoot for in your marriage
and then monitor it regularly to see how
effectively you are hitting it."
April 6
 
*
 
"Remind your spouse that God still
provides love and support for the hard times.
There's nothing the two of you can't get through,
if you lean on God."
May 4
 
*
 
"Father, remind us how to play and how to enjoy
being with each other.
Help us remain best friends
and lovers
throughout our lives."
June 17
 
*
 
"The time is always right to give your spouse
a thoughtful care
or gift."
August 23
 
*
 
"But above all...
put on love,
which is the bond of perfection."
Colossians 3:14 NKJV
October 25
 
* * *
 
 
 
 
 
Printable Issue 2334  Today is Friday, June 8th, 2012; Karen's Korner #2334
Another  few thoughts taken from "Heart of Joy" perpetual calendar, written by Mother Teresa:
 
 
"Prayer unites us with Christ.
Simply open your hearts to him.
Also, simply accept what he sends you.
With a big smile,
generously give him what he asks of you.
God will do the rest,
never fear.
 
*
 
"As Christians,
we have been created for great things.
We have been created to be holy
since we have been created
in the image of God.
 
*
 
"May we all have hearts
over-flowing as a reflection of God's love.
God's love is what can save our families,
our country,
and the world.
 
*
 
"When suffering comes to us,
we should accept it with a smile,
because it is the greatest gift that God gives us.
It is a gift to have the courage to accept
everything that he sends us.
 
****
Printable Issue 2335  Today is Saturday, June 9th, 2012; Karen's Korner #2335
(On Saturday, to make up for the one missed on Thursday while I was gone!)
 
A couple of emailed thoughts by Max Lucado:
 

No More

“The Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command.”  1 Thessalonians 4:16, NIV

Have you ever wondered what that command will be? It will be the inaugural word of heaven.

I could very well be wrong, but I think the command that puts an end to the pains of the earth and initiates the joys of heaven will be two words: “No more.”

No more loneliness. No more tears. No more death. No more sadness. No more crying. No more pain.

 

**

The Hero of Heaven

The hero of heaven is God. Angels don't worship mansions or glittering avenues. God is not the grand marshal of the parade, he is the parade! He's not the main event; he's the only event. His Broadway features a single stage and star. Himself. He hosts the only production and invites every living soul to attend.

At this very moment God issues invitations by the millions.  He says, “Come, enjoy me forever.”  Yet many people have no desire to do so.  He speaks; they cover their ears.  He commands; they scoff.  They don’t want him telling them how to live.  They regard his son as a joke and the cross as utter folly.  They spend their lives telling God to leave them alone.

Jesus offers the invitation in Matthew 11:28:  “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

****

Printable Issue 2336  Today is Monday, June 11th, 2012; Karen's Korner #2336
"Fear not,
for I am with you.
Do not be dismayed.
I am your God.
I will strengthen you;
I will help you;
I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.
~ Isaiah 41:10 LB
 
*
Bible Commentary:
 
God will one day bring all his faithful people together.
We need not fear because
1) God's presence is with us ('I am with you').
2) God has established a relationship with us ('I am your God').
3) God's assurance of strength, help, and victory over sin and death is certain.
 
***
Printable Issue 2337  Today is Tuesday, June 12th, 2012; Karen's Korner #2337
A korner by Shirley Choat:
 
"Your steadfast love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, Your faithfulness to the skies.
How precious is Your unfailing love, O God!
The children of men find refuge in the shadow of Your wings.'
Psalm 36:5-7
 
In contrast to evil people and their wicked plots that end in failure, God is faithful, righteous, and just. His love reaches to the heavens, His faithfulness reaches to the skies, His righteousness is as solid as mighty mountains, and His judgments are as full of wisdom as the oceans with water. We need not fear evil because we know God loves us, judges evil, and will care for us throughout eternity
 
With your Savior at your side,
Foes need not alarm you;
In His promises confide,
 And no ill can harm you.
 
"LORD our God, we turn our hearts and mind to You. Be with us and grant us Your  Spirit. May Your Word be a blessing for us. We thank You that this Word is given us in Jesus Christ, our Savior. Almighty God, stretch out Your hand over us and let Your Spirit bring a new age of truth, righteousness, love and peace that comes from You. We pray to You in the name of Jesus Christ our LORD and Savior.
Amen."
 
 
***
Printable Issue 2338  Today is Wednesday, June 13th, 2012; Karen's Korner #2338
Max Lucado is easy to read and easy to understand; a couple of his recent email thoughts:
 

Don’t Quit

“For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 1 John 5:4”

Whatever you do, don’t quit!  The Christian race isn’t a jog—it’s a demanding and grueling, sometimes agonizing race. 

God never promises to remove us from our struggles.  He does promise, however, to change the way we look at them. 

The apostle Paul dedicates a paragraph to listing trash bags:  trash bags of troubles, problems, sufferings, hunger, nakedness, danger, and violent death.  These are the very dumpsters of difficulty we hope to escape.  Paul states their value.  He said in Romans 8:37, “In all these things we have full victory through God.” 

We’d prefer another preposition!  We’d opt for “apart from all these things,” or “away from all these things,” or even “without all these things!”  But Paul says, “In all these things.” 

The solution is not to avoid trouble but to change the way we see our troubles.  God can correct your vision!

 

**

Finishing the Race

The Lord said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.  2 Corinthians 12:9

Derek Redmond was favored to win the 400 meter race in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.  Halfway into his semi-final heat, he suffered a torn hamstring.  Even as the medical team was approaching, he pushed away to finish the race.  A big man pushed through the crowd.

“You don’t have to do this,” he told his weeping son.
“Yes, I do.”  Derek declared.
“Well, then,” he said, “we’re going to finish this together.”

And they did!  His dad wrapped Derek’s arm around his shoulder and helped him hobble to the finish line.  What made him do it?  His son was hurt so the father came to help him finish. 

God does the same. Our attempts may be feeble.  Our prayers may seem awkward.  But And He comes to help us finish the race!

 

***

 

Printable Issue 2339  Today is Friday, June 15th, 2012; Karen's Korner #2339
Sorry there was no Karen's Korner yesterday; we were gone for the day and were gone longer than we anticipated.
 
The is something I had prepared for yesterday, June 14 on Happy Flag Day! A 'song' we could/should sing every day, all year long:
 
 
A Song of Our Flag

by Wilbur D. Nesbit

Your Flag and my Flag!
And, oh, how much it holds -
Your land and my land -
Secure within its folds!

Your heart and my heart
Beat quicker at the sight;
Sun-kissed and wind-tossed,
Red and blue and white.

The one Flag - the great Flag - the Flag for me and you -
Glorified all else beside - the red and white and blue!

Your Flag and my Flag!
To every star and stripe
The drums beat as hearts beat
And fifers shrilly pipe!

Your Flag and my Flag -
A blessing in the sky;
Your hope and my hope -
It never hid a lie!

Home land and far land and half the world around,
Old Glory hears our glad salute and ripples to the sound!

***

Printable Issue 2340  Today is Saturday, June 16th, 2012; Karen's Korner #2340
(On Saturday to make up for the Thursday 'korner' which I missed sending).
 
Sometimes we make a 'big deal' out of Mother's Day and then zoom right by Father's Day a month or so later.
 
The more research that is done, the more we know how critical dads are to the family and to their children.
 
When our daughter Jamie was first out of college, she spent part of a year in California as a 'house mom' for a handful of wayward teens. Some were intelligent; others had less ability. Some came from families of means; others not. And the list went on, but there was only one missing element, a common thread, in each of the girl's lives:  no significant dad, male role model in their lives!
 
So Sunday is Father's Day; as we salute dads/men everywhere  for what they is doing to contribute to his/some other family:
 

What Makes A Dad

by Anonymous
 

God took the strength of a mountain,
The majesty of a tree,
The warmth of a summer sun,
The calm of a quiet sea,

The generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of the ages,
The power of the eagle's flight,

The joy of a morning in spring,
The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience of eternity,
The depth of a family need,

Then God combined these qualities,
When there was nothing more to add,
He knew His masterpiece was complete,
And so, He called it ... Dad.

 
                      ***
Printable Issue 2341  Today is Monday, June 18th, 2012; Karen's Korner #2341
Oh, the joys of those who do not follow
evil men's advice,
who do not hang around with sinners,
scoffing at the things of God.
 
But they delight in doing everything God
wants them to,
and day and night are always
meditating on his laws
and thinking about ways to follow him more closely.
 
They are like trees along a river bank
bearing luscious fruit each season without fail.
Their leaves shall never wither,
and all they do shall prosper.
 
But for sinners, what a different story!
They blow away like chaff before the wind.
They are not safe on Judgment Day,
they shall not stand among the godly.
 
For the Lord watches over all the plans
and paths of godly men,
but the paths of the godless lead to doom.
 
~ Psalm 1

***
Printable Issue 2342  Today is Tuesday, June 19th, 2012; Karen's Korner #2342
Tomorrow night (Wednesday) is the evening the Todd Burpo family will be in Clear Lake, Iowa at its city park from 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. There will be an introduction concert and life-experience talks by mom, dad, and maybe Colton. Dad Todd wrote the New York best-seller book "Heaven is for Real", as he recapped the comments by then four-year-old Colton and his trip to heaven and back.
 
Former Iowa resident Connie Mechem, who now lives in Colorado, emailed us these comments when she learned the Burpos were going to be in our area, "Les and I went to Estes Park for one of the worship services the Burpos were doing. It was a tremendous experience to see them, talk with them and shake their hands. Be sure to put this event on your calendar it will be worth it."
 
Below is one more excerpt from the children's version of "Heaven is for Real":
 
 
"One of the most wonderful things about heaven
is that no one ever gets sick or hurt there.
No one ever has bumps or bruises or skinned knees.
No one needs glasses or wheelchairs.
In heaven, no one is old;
everyone is young and healthy.
And no one dies in heaven.
 
In heaven,
you live forever with God!"
 
*
 
Writers added these Bible verses:
 
"I heard a loud voice from the throne.
The voice said, 'Now God's throne is with men.
He will live with them, and they will be his people.
God himself will be with them and will be their God.
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes.
There will be no more death, sadness, crying, or pain.
All the old ways are gone."
~ Revelation 21:3 - 4
 
***
Printable Issue 2343  Today is Wednesday, June 20th, 2012; Karen's Korner #2343
Happy first day of summer!
 
A couple of thoughts from Max Lucado:
 

Mix and Match

If only we could order life the way we order gourmet coffee.  Wouldn’t you love to mix and match the ingredients of your future?  How about a grande happy-latte, with a dollop of love, sprinkled with Caribbean retirement?  Take me to that coffee shop!  Too bad it doesn’t exist.

The truth is, life often hands us a concoction entirely different from the one we requested.  Life comes caffeinated with surprises.  Transitions and alterations.   Some changes are welcome, others are not.

Remember the summary of King Solomon?  For everything there is a season.

  • A time to be born and a time to die
  • A time to plant and a time to harvest
  • A time to cry and a time to laugh

Make friends with whatever’s next!  Embrace it.  Don’t resist it.  As Paul wrote, “These little troubles are getting us ready for an eternal glory that will make all our troubles seem like nothing.”

*

What’s Your Problem?

If your father were Bill Gates and your computer crashed, where would you turn?  If Stradivari were your dad and your violin string snapped, to whom would you go?

If your father is God and you have a problem on your hands, what do you do?

Is your problem too large?  Ephesians 3:29 says, “God is able to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” 

Is your need too great?  2 Corinthians 9:8 says, “God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance.”

Is your enemy too strong?  Philippians 3:21 says, “God is able even to subdue all things to Himself.”

God is able to do what you cannot.  When you have a problem—make this your first thought—“How can I get this problem to Jesus!”

It’s a day changer.  Choose to make every day a great day!

***

Printable Issue 2344  Today is Thursday, June 21st, 2012; Karen's Korner #2344
Ever get a blooming plant for a holiday? Like a poinsettia or Easter lily?
 
They are beautiful for the season and then they die down. Plant them outside, we are told.
 
I have done some of both of them over the years. Never grow. Oh, well, we have to get rid of them anyway.
 
We had an Easter lily; I know not this year. Maybe not last year. So, I'll say two years ago a few days after Easter, I set out the shriveling plant.
 
And then there is this year........with not enough rain at times and way too much wind, here in north central Iowa.
 
At the end of the flower bed is my beautiful Easter lily. Looks like something from a greenhouse!
 
Just starting to bloom. Right now it has four beautiful white flowers with more to come.
 
I thought, "The only thing that is wrong is that it is two months too late!"
 
My next thought was, "No, Easter lilies trumpet the resurrection of Jesus!"
 
And that is good message for every day of the week and every month of the year.
 
Jesus has risen!
 
He has risen indeed!!
Printable Issue 2345  Today is Friday, June 22nd, 2012; Karen's Korner #2345
Forwarded to us by Steve Watne; written as an email inspirational thought by Rick Warren of Purpose Driven Life fame:
 

Realize the Cost of Your Anger
by Rick Warren

"People with a hot temper do foolish things; wiser people remain calm." (Proverbs 14:17 TEV)

The Bible says there is always a price tag to uncontrolled anger. Can you relate to any of these verses?

  • “Hot tempers cause arguments, but patience brings peace.” (Proverbs 15:18 TEV)
  • “People with quick tempers cause a lot of quarreling and trouble.” (Proverbs 29:22 TEV)
  • “People with a hot temper do foolish things; wiser people remain calm. (Proverbs 14:17 TEV)

The Bible says, “The fool who provokes his family to anger and resentment will finally have nothing worthwhile left. He shall be the servant of a wiser man” (Proverbs 11:29 TLB).

Whenever I lose my temper, I lose. You don't make it to the top if you're continually blowing your top. The word "danger" is the word "anger" with the letter "d" in front. And anger is dangerous. You could lose everything:  your reputation, your spouse, your job, your health. 

A few years ago, I read medical research on the human heart that revealed that if you reduce the hostility in your life, you can prolong your life. Mom and Dad, listen: We may get a short-term pay-off by motivating our kids through anger — they will comply out of fear — but in the long run, we’ll lose, because anger always alienates. It turns people off rather than turning them on. And, instead of getting what you want, it causes people to become apathetic to your needs and angry at you.

One way to manage your anger is to come to grips with how much it is costing you.

*****

Printable Issue 2346  Today is Monday, June 25th, 2012; Karen's Korner #2346
Something emailed to me by a childhood friend, Cindy Schubert; an emailed inspirational thought, she enjoyed:
 
 
In the early church, people disagreed about what religious practices honored God. Some thought they should eat only vegetables while others felt free to eat anything. They differed on whether certain days were more sacred than others.
 
We, also, may judge Christians whose beliefs and practices differ from our own. We may try to argue others out of their perspectives. The Apostle Paul melts our debates by teaching that God accepts all of us. God knows what is in our hearts and welcomes us all. Each and all of us will give an account of ourselves to God. Judgment is not ours
to pass on one another.

Paul proclaims one of the most foundational principles of our faith and identity: "We don't live for ourselves and we don't die for ourselves. If we live, we live  for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord. Therefore whether we live or die, we belong to God."
 
Even in the abyss of emptiness--in whatever state we are in--in life and in death, we belong to God. You belong to God. Others belong
to God. That overrides the differences among us.
 
In light of God's radically inclusive love, "let's strive for the things that bring peace and the things that build each other up."


O God, when we are living, it is in Christ Jesus,
 and when we're dying, it is in  the Lord.
 
Both in our living and in our dying, help me remember that we belong to you.
Mid times of sorrow and in times of pain,
when sensing beauty or in love's embrace,
whether we suffer or sing rejoicing,
help me remember--
 
we all belong to you,
loving God.
Amen.
(Prayer adapted from hymn "When We Are Living")
 
***
Printable Issue 2347  Today is Tuesday, June 26th, 2012; Karen's Korner #2347
There is a group of us girls who celebrate one another's birthday, usually with a birthday breakfast. We were buying one another gifts. But a couple of birthdays ago, we decided all of us had enough 'stuff' and we could do something to benefit others.
 
Today is one of those days as we celebrate Judy's birthday!
 
When mine came by in May, I chose among other things to purchase some plants for long, skinny concrete planter on Clarion's Main Street. The plants were planted. Then friend Mary said that plants would hold water better if we mulched the small garden. She had a bag of mulch.
 
As Mary, her granddaughter and I were scattering the mulch, Mary told her fourth grade granddaughter, "Start 'dead heading' the petunias, Nicole," she said. "All the plants' energy goes toward trying to preserve those flowers if we don't. That energy needs to go to new flowers coming on."
 
She might have been teaching Nicole but I had never heard that before either.
 
Makes me think about our own lives, what is 'sapping' our energy so that we can be 'more alive'. Is it worry? Fear? Health concerns? Money problems? Our own problems or those some place else in the world?
 
God tells us repeatedly in His Word to "fear not"; "don't be afraid"; or "trust me".
 
We have a choice:  focus on our problems, those which are really or those which are anticipated; OR we can focus on Him, how He has helped us in the past and how He promises to be there for us in the future.
 
"Don't worry about anything,
instead pray about everything
tell God your needs
and don't foregut to thank Him for His answers.
If you do this,
you will experience God's peace
which is far greater
than the human mind can understand."
~ Philippians 4:6,7 LB
 
*
Dear Father in Heaven, thank You that You have agreed to 'dead head' our problems and fears. You know us better than we know ourselves. We want to peel back our fears and concerns by giving them to You, so that we have more energy to 'bloom where we are planted' just for today. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Printable Issue 2348  Today is Wednesday, June 27th, 2012; Karen's Korner #2348
"Many say that God will never help us.
Prove them wrong,
O Lord, by letting the light of your face
shine down upon us.
 
Yes, the gladness you have give me
is far greater than their joys at harvest time
as they gaze at their bountiful crops.
 
I will lie down in peace and sleep,
for though I am alone,
O Lord,
you will keep me safe."
~ Psalm 4:6 - 8 LB
 
Bible Commentary:
 
Two kinds of joy are contrasted here --
inward joy that comes from knowing and trusting God,
and happiness that comes as a result of pleasant circumstances.
 
Inward joy is steady as long as we trust God;
happiness is unpredictable.
 
Inward joy defeats discouragement;
happiness covers it up.
 
Inward joy is lasting;
happiness is temporary.
 
***
Printable Issue 2349  Today is Thursday, June 28th, 2012; Karen's Korner #2349
Something forwarded to me several months ago by Kim Marker:
 

Why Did Jesus Have To Suffer?

James MacDonald - Senior Pastor, Harvest Bible Chapel

In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

—1 John 4:9-10

No one disputes that Jesus Christ suffered. But the idea that His suffering was necessary—that He had to suffer has often been the subject of scorn from those who have criticized and ridiculed Christianity through the centuries. It is also what sets Christianity apart.

Muslims, for example, show respect for the person of Christ, but see the cross of Christ as a stumbling block and regard Christ’s atonement through suffering as foolishness. Friedrich Nietzsche dismissed the concept of Christ’s suffering by saying, “God on a cross—preposterous!”

As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, we resolutely stand in this ridicule and embrace the cross of Christ. This perfectly illustrates 1 Corinthians 1:18: “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”

But for our opportunity for growth, let’s address the issue of why it was essential that Jesus suffered. Here are four reasons:

  • Jesus suffered . . . to pay for the sins of mankind. First John 4:10 says, And this is love, not that we loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propiation for our sin.” The key word is propiation or payment. It wasn’t enough for Him to die. Jesus had to pay a debt. The payment was necessary.
  • Jesus suffered . . . to satisfy the demands of God’s wrath. As much as God loves you, He hates your sin with a holy, burning hatred that we cannot comprehend. The only way that He could embrace you was to get someone else—someone perfect, to pay for it. (See Romans 5:1.)
  • Jesus suffered . . . to purchase the opportunity for our sins to be forgiven. No longer do we have to carry our sin around. We can be forgiven. God laid all of our sinfulness upon Jesus as He willingly suffered and died upon the cross. The debt was paid, opening the door to my forgiveness and yours.
  • Jesus suffered . . . to provide the way to eternal life. To get a gift, you must receive it (Romans 6:23). Have you? Do you know that Jesus is the gift of eternal life? His suffering has made that gift possible.

    That’s the Gospel; that’s the whole subject. Jesus paid for the sins of mankind. He suffered to buy our forgiveness. So the question remains—are you carrying around the burden of your sin and the wrong that you’ve done. Forgiveness. I tell you—it’s Good News!
***
Printable Issue 2350  Today is Friday, June 29th, 2012; Karen's Korner #2350
Our weekly dose of Max Lucado:
 

New Every Morning

“The Lord’s love never ends; his mercies never stop.  They are new every morning.  Lamentations 3:22-23”

You said the wrong words, took the wrong turns, loved the wrong person, reacted the wrong way.

You spoke when you should’ve listened, judged when you should’ve trusted, indulged when you should have resisted.

But don’t let yesterday’s mistakes sabotage today’s attitude!

So, what makes the difference?

Daily drenching rains!  Deluges keep the ground moist, the trees wet, and the lightning impotent.

Lightning strikes you as well. Thunderbolts of regret can ignite and consume you.  Counter them with downpours of God’s grace, daily washings of forgiveness.

Once a year won’t do.  Once a month is insufficient.  Weekly showers leave you dry.  Sporadic misting leaves you combustible!  You need a solid soaking every day!

Choose to make it a great day—every day!

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Running Out of Gas

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Romans 15:13"

If you ever see a man walking on the side of the road carrying an empty gas can—give him some respect.  He’s dying inside!  Women see the empty gas tank as an inconvenience.  Men see it as the ultimate failure.  Our first set of keys was handed to us with these words:  “Make sure you buy some gas.”

Back in the day when I took my girls to school, I looked down to see the gas needle resting on—empty!

I stared at the gauge, hoping it would move.  Didn’t work.  Denying the problem was my next approach.  The car didn’t budge.

You’re going to run out of gas—we all do.  Remember the God who’s able to keep you from falling, to help you when tested, and to bring you into great joy in His glorious presence!

Make it a day changer!

 

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