Our ecumenical Bible study this week had this topic "Living Loved" by Sharon Janes.

Some of the highlights told about Jesus' disciple John, who referred to himself several times in his writings "the disciple whom Jesus loved'.

"Peter turned and saw that
'the disciple whom Jesus loved'
was following them."
~ John 21:20 NIV

Janes went on to say verses like that made her smile. "John knew he was loved by Jesus and that was all that mattered. Supposed you and I lived like that? My name is Sharon, the one Jesus loves. Go ahead and put your name in this blank.  My name is ___________, the one Jesus loves."

He didn't compare himself with other disciples. They, too, were 'disciples whom Jesus loved'.

She continues, "So the next time you feel 'less than', say to yourself exactly what John said about himself. 'I am the one Jesus loves."

"Father, sometimes I can feel so mediocre,
but I know that's not how You want me to live.
Your Word says that I am chosen, 
holy, dearly loved,
set apart-----
equipped by You, empowered by the Holy Spirit,
and enveloped in Jesus Christ.
I am the one Jesus loves.
Help me live like I believe it,
In His Name.
Amen."


***

This is from a recent Max Lucado writing into my inbox. It talks about not being out of God's reach. It made me think of a couple of guys in my world who have troubles of their own making. They weigh on my heart and mind.

Maybe you have someone, or several someone's, who God brings to your mind as you read today's 'korner'. They may not have done anything which affects you directly, but still not good.

NOT OUT OF GOD'S REACH

"Some years ago a Rottweiler attacked our golden retriever puppy at a kennel. The animal climbed out of its run and into Molly’s and nearly killed her. I wrote a letter to the dog’s owner, urging him to put the dog to sleep. But when I showed the letter to the kennel owner, she begged me to reconsider. 'What the dog did was horrible, but I’m still training him. I’m not finished with him yet.'

"God would say the same about the Rottweiler who attacked you. 'What he did was unacceptable, inexcusable, but I’m not finished yet.' Your enemies still figure into God’s plan. Their pulse is proof. God hasn’t given up on them. They may be out of his will, but not out of his reach. And you honor God when you see them not as his failures, but as his projects."

**

Coming home from our recent trip to Europe, I was sick. It was something that took a while to get over. Sometimes when we go downhill physically, we can go down emotionally and spiritually as well!

And that is what happened to me!

Time to pick up my book "100 Things God Loves About You" by Tama Fortner. Number #6:

GOD LOVES WHEN YOU LET HIM CARRY YOU

"He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart."

~ Isaiah 40:11

"it's hard sometimes, isn't it? The responsibilities, the obligations of daily life. It can sometimes feel as if the weight of the whole world is resting on your shoulders. But the world isn't yours to carry; it's His. When you're too tattered and tired to try yet again, you're too wobbly and weak to keep walking, or you've stumbled down one of life's steep slopes, throw your hands up to Him and, say 'I can’t do this by myself!' Because when you reach up, He loves to reach down, lift you up, and carry your....close to His heart."

***

Just for fun! Once in awhile I like to include "Side Notes" from an OUR IOWA magazine. The 'notes' are one-liners, vertically, in the margins of some of the pages. These are from the June/July 2025 issue:

"It's good to be blessed.
It is better to be a blessing."

*
"Friendship is the only cement
that will ever hold the world together."
~ Woodrow Wilson

*
"When your arms can't rearch people
who are close to your heart,
hug them with your prayers."

*
"A person soon learns
how litle he knows
when a child begins
to ask questions."

*
"Happiness doesn't consist 
in having much to live on,
but much to live for."

****

In case we need some good news today!
 

 "And because we are His sons, God has sent His Spirit of His Son into our hearts, so now we can rightly speak of God as our dear Father. Now we are no longer slaves, but God's own sons. And since we are His sons, everything He has belongs to us, for that is the way God planned."

~ Galatians 4:4, 5 LAB
*

Bible Commentary: "Under Roman law, an adopted child was guaranteed all legal rights to his father's property. He was not a second-class son, he was equal to any other sons, biological or adopted, in his father's family.

"As adopted children of God, we share with Jesus all rights to God's resources. As God's heirs, we can claim what He has provided for us---our full identity as His Children."

*
"Thank You, Father,
that we can be adopted
into your forever family.
We are rich!

In Your Son's Name.
Amen."

An 'Anne Graham Lotz' from several days ago:

"TRUST HIM!"

"Committ your way to the Lord,
trust also in Him,
and He shall bring it to pass."

~ Psalm 37:5 NKJV

"At times our understanding is limited. We simply have to trust our heavenly Father to know best. We have to trust God's silences and respect God's mysteries and wait for God's answers.

When we pray for healing of a loved one, and he dies.......

When we pray for release from a financial burden, and we go bankrupt.........

When we pray for reconciliation, and we are handed divorce papers......

When we pray for our careeer, and we get laid off.......

When we pray for protection, and we are robbed..........

We just have to trust Him. Trust Him. Trust Him!"

******

The heading with the theme for Psalm 100: 

"An invitation to enter joyfully into God's presence. His faithfulness extends to our generation and beyond."

Author:  Anonymous.

"Shout with joy before the Lord,

O earth!
Obey Him gladly;
come before Him, 
singing with joy.

"Try to realize what this means---
the Lord is God!
He made us---
we are His people,
the sheep of His pasture.

"Go through His open gates
with great thanksgiving;
enter His courts with praise.
Give thanks to Him and
bless His name.
For the Lord is ALWAYS good.
He is ALWAYS loving
and kind, and His faithfulness
goes on and on
to each
succeeding generation."

~ Psalm 100 LAB

***

An entry from "Everyday Blessings" by Max Lucado. It's a 365-day blessings journal, which I took with me on our recent trip. And I read it look a book, not a one-day-at-a-time reading.

This one is from the wrong day today and I am through reading it. It was a gift from a friend for my birthday. Looking forward to 're-gifting' it!

"You are.......God's own possession."
1 Peter 2:9

"God loves you simply because He has chosen to do so.

He loves you when you don't feel lovely.

He loves you when no one else loves you.

Others may abandon you,

divorce you,

and ignore you,

but God will love you.

Always.

No matter what."

****

When I sent out Karen's Korner on Friday, I wanted to include these Bible verses. But I thought it would make the writing a bit too long.

It doesn't look like things have changed much over this weekend - from our doorstep, our nation, nor our world!

So here you go. Same verses that have rung true over the generations:

"May peace and blessing be yours from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
He died for our sins just as God our Father planned, and rescued us from this evil world in which we live. All glory to God through all the ages of eternity. Amen."

~ Galatians 1:3 - 5 LAB

*

Bible Commentary:  "God's plan all along was to save us by Jesus' death. We have been rescued from the power of this evil world--a world ruled by Satan, full of cruelty, tragedy, temptation, and deception. Being rescued from this evil world doesn't mean we are taken out of it, but that we are no longer enslaved by it. We have been saved to live righteous lives for God, and we have been promised eternity with Him."

***