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July 2026 Archives
Today is Wednesday, July 1st, 2026; Karen's Korner #5638
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Today's Max Lucado:
NO EXEMPTION FOR ANXIETY
"Anxiety is a meteor shower of what-ifs. The sky is falling, and it’s falling disproportionately on you. Anxiety ain’t fun!
"One would think Christians would be exempt from anxiety. But we are not. It’s enough to make us wonder if the apostle Paul was out of touch with reality when he wrote in Philippians 4:6, “Be anxious for nothing.” Is that what he meant? Not exactly. He wrote the phrase in the present active tense—implying an ongoing state. As if to say, “Don’t let anything in life leave you perpetually breathless and in angst.”
"The presence of anxiety is unavoidable, but the prison of anxiety is optional. Could you use some calm? Of course you could. We all could. We all could use a word of comfort. And God is ready to give it."
***
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Today is Thursday, July 2nd, 2026; Karen's Korner #5639
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I used this chapter of Psalms to open the new year in 2014 for a Karen's Korner!
As we come to celebrating our country's 250th anniversary, it talks about 'Your Holy Nation', which could be 'Any/All Nations' who Honor God!
Has God 'honored our nation' because we are 'holy'. Sort of like our lives: not perfect but 'honoring Him' at least in spots and parts of our lives!
Psalm 145 New Life Version (NLV) "I will praise You, my God and King. I will honor Your name forever and ever. I will honor You every day, and praise Your name forever and ever. The Lord is great and our praise to Him should be great. He is too great for anyone to understand. Families of this time will praise Your works to the families-to-come. They will tell about Your powerful acts. I will think about the shining-greatness of Your power and about Your great works. Men will speak of Your powerful acts that fill us with fear. And I will tell of Your greatness. Many words will come from their mouths about how good You are. They will sing for joy about how right You are."The Lord is full of loving-favor and pity, slow to anger and great in loving-kindness. The Lord is good to all. And His loving-kindness is over all His works. All Your works will give thanks to You, O Lord. And all those who belong to You will honor You. They will speak of the shining-greatness of Your holy nation, and talk of Your power. They will make Your powerful acts and the great power of Your holy nation known to the sons of men. Your holy nation is a nation that lasts forever. And Your rule lasts for all time. "The Lord holds up all who fall. He raises up all who are brought down. The eyes of all look to You. And You give them their food at the right time. You open Your hand and fill the desire of every living thing. "The Lord holds up all who fall. He raises. "The Lord is right and good in all His ways, and kind in all His works. The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. He will fill the desire of those who fear Him. He will also hear their cry and will save them. The Lord takes care of all who love Him. But He will destroy all the sinful. My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord. And all flesh will honor His holy name forever and ever." ***
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Today is Friday, July 3rd, 2026; Karen's Korner #5640
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It's coming! Tomorrow is July 4 and we celebrate 250 years as the United States of America!
Time to thank God for all His blessings to us. We are a flawed country, with flawed citizens and leaders over the years. But just like our own lives, God chooses to love and bless each of us!! Why I don't know?
God,
we want to say thank You
for Your Love and Your Care
over the generations!
Thank You for Your protection
as we had leaders who wrote our
constitution and other guiding laws,
which no nation had ever seen before.
Thank You for people willing to lead
and fight in battles and wars to make and
keep us a free nation.
Thank You for men and women willing to serve us in the military;
and all kinds of other leadership positions.
Thank You for each citizen;
You were willing to die to save us from ourselves
and any destructive behaviors.
Thank You for 250 years
and the future which You have planned
for each one of us.
And for the United States of America.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
*
"God Bless America,
Land that I love.
Stand beside her, and guide her
Thru the night with a light from above.
From the mountains, to the prairies,
To the oceans, white with foam
God bless America, My home sweet home."
~ by Irving Berlin, published in 1938
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Today is Monday, July 6th, 2026; Karen's Korner #5641
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"Lord, we pause this Independence Day, 250 years after America’s founding, to celebrate Your goodness, Your mercy, and Your blessings. We don’t want to just enjoy family, friends, and days off work. We want to acknowledge You. Freedom comes from You, not from governments, and we praise You for it. We pray for those in authority over us today----that You would put men and women in all those positions who fear Your name and make decisions that would bring Your blessings to our communities, cities, states, and nation. Lord, give us the wisdom to choose You in such a way that it would please You to bless our nation once again. In Jesus’ name. amen.”
~ Written by Allen Jackson, senior pastor, World Outreach Church. Read at the conclusion of outdoor church services at Lake Cornelia yesterday, July 5.
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Today is Tuesday, July 7th, 2026; Karen's Korner #5642
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Probably because the United States celebrated its 250th anniversary, there seemed to be more emphasis on our country this year.
I heard and learned more about Mount Rushmore than I ever remembered. Why were those four faces/presidents chosen to be carved on that mountain by ‘builder’ Borglum?
* George Washington as the builder of our nation;
* Thomas Jefferson as the president who helped to grow our country;
* Teddy Roosevelt for the development, expansion and freedom of the United States;
* Abraham Lincoln who worked to preserve us a country.
The information said it took 400 people working for 14 years to complete the project we see today; ending in the fall of 1941. It was noted that not one person died in the dangerous work on the project!
I can remember seeing a picture of my dad and a couple of friends at Mount Rushmore. World War II was at its beginning stages. He and his Iowa buddies had just been drafted with plans being laid for them to report for duty. None of them had traveled very far in those days, so they decided to take a few days off to see the country they had been asked to defend. Their travels took them around the Midwest states.
Because Mount Rushmore had just been completed a number of months earlier, our family has a photo of my dad standing atop Washington’s face. It’s against the law today!
With God’s grace, those same young men served, fought, and all of them came back home – untouched by the action they were asked to face!
Many people. A number of people were injured or died!
May we never take the actions of many for granted. Me included!
The chorus toLee Greenwood's 'God Belss the USA':
"I'm proud to be an American
where at least I know I'm free,
And I won't forget the men who died
who gave that right to me,
And I gladly stand up next to you
and defend her still today,
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land
God Bless the U.S.A."
**
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Today is Wednesday, July 8th, 2026; Karen's Korner #5643
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Karen's Korner readers know that I am currently 'wading' through the book of Psalms, reading a couple chapters each day.
My today's reading was from Psalm 13. Since I make notes in my Bible, I see that I have used this verse before; one time in 2018 and another time in 2023.
I like it today too!
"But I will
always
trust in You
and in Your mercy
and shall rejoice
in Your
salvation.
I will sing
to the Lord
because He has
blessed
me so richly.
` Psalm 13:5 & 6 LAB
* Bible Commentary: "David (writer) frequently claimed that God was slow to act on his behalf. We often feel this same impatience. It seems that evil and suffering go unchecked, and we wonder when God is going to stop them. David affirmed that he would continue to trust God no matter how long he had to wait for God's justice to be realized. When we feel impatient, remember David's steadfast faith in God's unfailing mercy."
**
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Today is Thursday, July 9th, 2026; Karen's Korner #5644
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A 'Max Lucado' from earlier this week:
ENTRUST THE WORLD TO GOD
"If anyone had a reason to be anxious it was the apostle Paul. Envision an old man as he gazes out the window of a Roman prison. Half-blind, squinting just to read. Awaiting trial before the Roman emperor. His future is as gloomy as his jail cell.
"Yet to read his words, you’d think he’d just arrived at a Jamaican beach hotel. His letter to the Philippians bears not a word of fear or complaint. Not one! Instead, he lifts his thanks to God and calls on his readers to do the same. 'Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I will say, rejoice!' (Phil. 4:4)
"Paul’s challenge is a decision deeply rooted in the confidence that God exists, that he is in control, and that he is good. Rejoice in the Lord always. You can’t run the world, but you can entrust it to God."
***
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Today is Friday, July 10th, 2026; Karen's Korner #5645
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An entry for tomorrow (July 11) from ‘365 Days of Prayer for Women’ by Stephanie Sample:
BEARING GIFTS
“There are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”
~ 1 Corinthians 12:4 – 7 NASB
“Lord, how I thank you for your Holy Spirit! You don’t want me to do this alone, so you sent me a helper and a friend---a friend bearing gifts. I can see my gift was chosen with me in mind; and it brings me joy to use it. Thank you for friends with wisdom, mercy, and discernment; they make life so much richer! Thank you for friends with knowledge and faith, for theirs increases my own. To recognize they are acting in the Spirit makes me feel that much closer to you, which magnifies my joy.”
“What gift has God given you to minister to others?”
***
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Today is Monday, July 13th, 2026; Karen's Korner #5646
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My mom and dad were married today in 1943! I was looking this morning at "Karen's Korners" from ten years ago today.
As I looked, I landed on this one. Not July 13; but a Monday. It talks about 'happenings in our world and our country'. Seems like not much improves with time.
Only God!
Today is Monday, July 18th, 2016; Karen's Korner #3356
In light of what is happening in our world and in our country, here is a Bible verse which I enjoy and take to heart -- often! I have used it before in Karen's Korner but certainly helps me; hope that it helps you!
"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 LAB
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Bible Commentary: "Now all believers are God's chosen people; we share the responsibility of representing Him to the world. God will one day bring all His faithful people together. We need not fear because: 1) God's presence is with us; 2) God has established a relationship with us; 3) God's assurance of strength, help, and security over us is certain -- now and forever."
***
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Today is Tuesday, July 14th, 2026; Karen's Korner #5647
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Something email to me a few days ago bY a friend. It is a daily writing by Allen Jackson (not Alan Jackson, the country singer).
Hope In God’s Word
Psalm 130:1-2, 5-6 (NIV)
"Out of the depths I cry to you, LORD; Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. … I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning."
"We live in an age when technology allows the news media to report around the clock and from around the world. It sometimes seems like a never-ending buffet that’s perpetually refilled with more of the same. It’s easy to get caught up in a depressing news cycle of crime, economic woes, and health crises. But we don’t have to live this way.
' When we find ourselves consumed with what we are seeing on the news and dwelling on it, let’s remember the Bible is God’s informative and instructive Word for us—far beyond any news channel. Instead of fretting about things we can’t control, let’s turn to the Scriptures and fill our hearts with teachings that will enable our trust in Him to grow. Let’s become more effective prayer warriors. Let’s strengthen our courage as we put on the armor of God, hold our ground, and look to Him to work out His good plan for the future."
THINK ABOUT IT: God’s Word breathes life into our desire to trust Him. Choose to fill your heart and mind with the life-giving truths of God’s Word.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word—for its authority, truth, and power. Forgive me for when I have looked to other sources for truth and confidence. Remind me that true wisdom comes from You, and You are more than able to carry me through the trials of this world.
In Jesus’ name, amen."
***
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Today is Wednesday, July 15th, 2026; Karen's Korner #5648
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"Oh, come, let us sing to the Lord!
Give a joyous shout in honor of the Rock of our salvation!
Come before him with thankful hearts.
Let us sing him psalms of praise.
For the Lord is a great God,
the great King of all gods.
He controls the formation of the depths of the earth
and the mightiest mountains,
all are his.
He made the sea and formed the land;
they too are his.
Come, kneel before the Lord our Maker,
for he is our God.
We are his sheep and he is our Shepherd.
Oh, that you would hear him calling you today
and come to him!"
~ Psalm 95:1 – 7 LAB **
Thank you, Lord, that we can sing praises to You, our Rock. We praise You that you controlled the forming of our universe and You remain in control. Thank You that we can call ourselves sheep of your pastures with You, as our Shepherd. Help us to listen to Your voice today and to thank and praise You, regardless of our situation.
In Jesus Name. Amen.
***
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Today is Thursday, July 16th, 2026; Karen's Korner #5649
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I can recall walking in a park in a large city with another couple. We were on our way to a tourist site. Since I had been that direction before, I knew we needed to walk east.
The other couple, especially the guy thought we should go west. I kept talking until I convinced them to TRY east first!
Does that sound like us sometimes as we plead with God to go a certain direction? He wants us to go another way. Sometimes we think we know better. Probably not!!
Pray, but allow God to do the directing!
*
A printed prayer by Joyce Meyer
"A PRAYER OF DEDICATION
FOR MY LIFE
Father,
I give my life and desires to You.
You know what I am believing for and what I need.
Today, I place it in Your hands.
I trust You with the outcome and with the timing.
Bring healing where it is needed.
Bring restoration where there has been loss.
And help me walk forward in faith, knowing You are working.
In Jesus’ name.
Amen."
***
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Today is Friday, July 17th, 2026; Karen's Korner #5650
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A birthday gift to me was a Chicken Soup for the Soul book titled “Kindness Matters, 101 feel good stories of compassion & paying it forward”, compiled by Amy Newmark.
I didn’t read it like a novel, but a story or two each evening before going to sleep. Each of the hundred-plus-stories kicked off with someone’s saying.
Here are a handful of those sayings:
“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live them.”
~ John F. Kennedy
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“We are not put on earth for ourselves, but are placed here for each other. If you are there always for others, then in time of need, someone will be there for you.”
~ Jeff Warner
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“No one has ever become poor by giving.”
~ Anne Frank
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“Too often, we under estimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”
~ Leo Biscaglia
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“I believe that kindness is the cure to violence and hatred around the world.”
~ Lady Gaga
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“True friends aren’t the ones that make your problems disappear; they are the ones that won’t disappear when you’re facing problems.”
~ Author Unknown
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“Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his lovingkindness continues forever.”
~ Psalm 136:1 LAB
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Today is Monday, July 20th, 2026; Karen's Korner #5651
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"Give your burdens to the Lord.
He will not permit the godly
to slip or fall.
He will carry them.."
~ Psalm 55:22 LAB
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Bible Commentary: " In our relationship with God, it's easy to continue to carry our own burdens. He wants to carry our burdens, but often we continue to bear them even when we say we are trusting in Him. The same strength that carries us can also carry our burdens."
***
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Today is Tuesday, July 21st, 2026; Karen's Korner #5652
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A "Max Lucado" from something he sent out last week. Like all of the rest of us, he wasn't always a saint. Maybe still isn't. That is the joy of being a Christian: we don't have to be perfect!
GRACE SET ME FREE
"I can bear witness to the power of God’s grace! I could take you to the church, to the section of seats in the church. I might even be able to find the very seat in which I was sitting when this grace found me.
"I was a twenty-year-old college sophomore, living with a concrete block of guilt that had made a mess of my life. But then I heard a preacher describe the divine grace that is greater than sin. At the end of the message he asked if anyone would like to come forward and receive this grace. Iron chains couldn’t have held me back. Truth be told, chains had held me back. But mercy snapped the guilt chains and set me free.
"I know this truth firsthand: Guilt frenzies the soul; grace calms it! The benefit of being a great sinner is dependence upon a great grace!"
***
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Today is Wednesday, July 22nd, 2026; Karen's Korner #5653
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You can tell that I have several things which I like to read daily. Sarah Young and her "Jesus Calling" is one of them!
This one is really tomorrow's (July 23), but I like it:
"I am the Light of the World.
Men crawl through their lives cursing the darkness,
but all the while I am shining brightly.
I desire each of My followers to be a Light-bearer.
The Holy Spirit who lives in you
can shine from your face,
making Me visible to people around you.
Ask My Spirit to live through you,
as you wend your way through this day.
Hold My Hand in joyful trust,
for I never leave your side.
The Light of My Presence
is shining upon you.
Brighten up the world
by reflecting who I AM."
~ Taken from John 8:12; Matthew 5:14 - 16;
2 Corinthians 3:18; Exodus 3:14
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Today is Thursday, July 23rd, 2026; Karen's Korner #5654
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Installment #2:
A birthday gift to me was a Chicken Soup for the Soul book titled “Kindness Matters, 101 feel good stories of compassion & paying it forward”, compiled by Amy Newmark.
I didn’t read it like a novel, but a story or two each evening before going to sleep. Each of the hundred-plus-stories kicked off with someone’s saying.
Here are a handful of those sayings; six more of them:
"Imagine what our real neighborhoods
would be like if each of us offered,
as a matter of course,
just one kind word to amother person."
~Mr. Rogers
*
"No one is useless in this world
who lightens the
burdens of another."
~ Charles Dickens
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"Carry out a random act of kindness,
with no expectation of reward,
safe in the knowledge
that one day someone might
do the same for you."
~ Princess Diana
*
Seeing the world
through the eyes of a child
is the purest joy
that anyone can experience."
~ Constance Simmer
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"Because that's what kindness is.
It's not doing something for
someone else
because they can't,
but because you can."
~ Andrew Iskander
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"For it is in giving
that we receive."
~ Francis of Assisi
****
"But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control...."
~ Galatians 5:22 & 23 LAB
****
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Today is Friday, July 24th, 2026; Karen's Korner #5655
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"The heavens are telling the glory of God; they are a marvelous display of his craftsmanship. Day and night they keep on telling about God. Without a sound or word, silent in the skies, their message reaches out to all the world. The sun lives in the heavens where God placed it and moves out across the skies as radiant as a bridegroom going to his wedding, or as joyous as an athlete looking forward to a race!" ~ Psalm 19:1 - 6 LAB * Bible Commentary: "We are surrounded by fantastic displays of God's craftsmanship---the heavens give dramatic evidence of his existence, his power, his love, his care. To say that the universe happened by chance is absurd--its intricacy and dependability give proof of a personally involved Creator. As we look at God's craftsmanship in nature and the heavens, we should thank Him for such magnificent beauty and the truth it reveals about the Creator." ***
Father God,
I was reading this Psalm this morning.
How awe inspiring!
Forgive me when I get bogged down
by 'stuff' in my life and my world!
Help me look around and see
Your beauty,
Your creation,
Your love and care,
not only for me but everyone in my world!
Forgive me when I look 'around'.
Help me to look up to You!
Thank You that You are my help
in every situtation.
You are the Great I AM!
In Jesus'Name,
Amen.
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Today is Monday, July 27th, 2026; Karen's Korner #5656
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I like to look back at previous Karen's Korners sometimes. This one is from Mother Teresa and sent out ten years ago. It talks about 'things swirling around our world'.
Still swirling; enjoy!!
Today is Wednesday, July 27th, 2016; Karen's Korner #3363In light of some of things swirling around our world, it is nice to know that God and His Kingdom does not change. Here are a couple of quotes from Mother Teresa. While she has been gone for a number of years and as a follower of Jesus, her words are still today too.
"Each one of us is what he is in the eyes of God." * "Happiness can't be found without prayer." * "We are at Jesus' disposal. If he wants you to be sick in bed, if he want you to proclaim his word in the street, that's all right, everything is all right. We must say 'I belong to You. You can do whatever you like.' And this is our strength and this is the joy of the Lord." * "A joyful heart is like a sunshine of God's love." * "Let's not pray long, drawn-out prayers, but let's pray short ones full of love." *** |
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