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Today is Monday, November 24th, 2025; Karen's Korner #5491
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As we come into a busy Christmas holiday season:
"It is senseless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, fearing you will starve to death; for God wants his loved ones to get their proper rest."~ Psalm 127:2 LAB
* Bible Commentary: "God is not against human effort. Hard work honors God. But working to the exclusion of rest or neglecting family may be a cover-up for an inability to trust God to provide for our needs. We all need adequate rest and times of spiritual refreshment. On the other hand, this verse is not an excuse to be lazy. Be careful to maintain a balance; work hard while trusting God, and also rest while trusting Him."
***
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Today is Friday, November 21st, 2025; Karen's Korner #5490
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In the last couple of weeks, I have included a snippet or two from several of my self-published devotional booklets. Many of you have a copy or two of them.
So how did I come to write and print them?
I had lots of 'God Thoughts' and would write them down. I found some national and international addresses and submitted them for publication.
Eureka! The first one I submitted was picked up for publication by THE UPPER ROOM; printed on July 4, 1979. It was printed and distributed to eight million readers in more than thirty countries, translating them into many languages!
I couldn't believe it! Was that a sign I was a pretty good writer?
So I continued to write and submit to various inspirational publishers. That was in the days of typewriters and white-outs; not as simple as it is today!
And not a one was picked up! It must have been beginners' luck!
Since I had them, I decided to self-publish the first one. I would use some part-time consulting funds for the project. I worked with a local printing company. I knew I would have to print a number to make them cost effective. I settled on 1,000! As I got closer to the actual printing, Clay, who was helping on my new venture, said, "Do you know if you print another 1,000, it would cost you only 12 cents a copy for the next ones?" Okay, 2,000! Who knows 2,000 potential readers?
One booklet turned into two. And three. Then four and five!
Did I give them all away? No! For a time, I was giving programs across about a 50-mile radius, for groups like mother-daughter teas or Bible study groups. I haven't sold any of them, but a put a stack of some of them at the book of the room, after my presentations, I encouraged people to take them. One for themselves. Or others for their friends.
Well, 2,000 of each of the first three, turned into reprinting them once and then twice - 6,000 books!
The last two, Clay talked me into printing 6,000 the first time! "It will save you money!" he said. So I did!
Only God knows how someone can give away 30,000 books! And over time, it happened!
So now, we are down to today! I haven't printed any new writings for a number of years. Karen's Korner has covered that writing desire. The first three are basically 'out of print'!
But i have several boxes of #4 and #5 stacked in one of my upstairs bedroom closets. About 400 of each one!
Here is where you as Karen's Korner readers come in. "As His Children" and "Always Be Thankful" could be my gift to you for Christmas, if you don't have one.
Start thinking outside the box. Do you have a relative that could use a stocking stuffer this year? Could your Bible study group each enjoy a copy for Christmas?
Like all of them, they are not for sale! I would send you a copy or a package of them! I would pay for them! Plus pay for the postage.
How does someone give away thousands of books?
One book at time! Using lots of people's hands and hearts!
It's a 'God Thing'!
Merry Christmas!
* Dear Father God,
Thank You that You are such a
'Think Outside The Box God!'
You had plans for this project
I could never have dreamed
what You wanted me to do.
From writing,
printing,
and distributing what I attempted to do!
Bless Karen's Korner readers,
What are each of them going to do with what
they are reading today?
I don't know.
But one more time,
You do!
You are an amazing God.
Thank You!
In Jesus' Name.
Amen
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Today is Thursday, November 20th, 2025; Karen's Korner #5489
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"The greatest of men (women?),
or the lowest---
both alike are nothing in His sight.
They weigh less than air on scales."
~ Psalms 62:9 LAB
*
Bible Commentary: "When we weigh people on the scales of importance, certain things such as wealth, honor, power, or prestige add immeasurably to a person's importance in our eyes. But God cancels out all of these things so that all people are weighed equally in His eyes. What, then can tilt the scales when God weighs us? The work we do for Him. Wealth, honor, power, or prestige add nothing to our 'weight' in God's eyes, but the faithful work we do for Him has eternal value."
***
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Today is Wednesday, November 19th, 2025; Karen's Korner #5488
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This is a pretty popular Bible verse. Do we like all things that happen to us? Not one bit! Sometimes we have to cling to what God tells us, otherwise it makes no sense.
"And we know
that all that happens to us
is working for our good
if we love God
and are fitting into his plans."
~ Roman 8:28 LAB
*
Bible Commentary: "God works out all things ---not just isolated incidents---for our good. This does not mean that all that happens to us is good. Evil is prevalent in our fallen world, but God is able to turn it around for our long-range good. Note that God is not working to make us happy, but to fulfill his purpose. Note also that this promise is not for everybody. It can be claimed only by those who love God and are fitting into God's plans. Such people have a new perspective, a new mindset on life. They trust in God, not life's treasures; they look to their security in heaven, not on earth; they learn to accept pain and persecution on earth, not resent it, because it brings them closer to God."
***
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Today is Tuesday, November 18th, 2025; Karen's Korner #5487
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Another writing from one of the five devotional booklets I self-published a number of years ago.
This one is from booklet #4 titled "As His Children". In the near future, I will 'tell' Karen's Korner readers, why I happened to write and print them.
WHAT DOES GOD LOOK LIKE?
'In a sharing time at Sunday School several weeks ago, Judy told a story which involved her daughter, Kim, and her grandson, Colin.
"Some days when Kim works at the hospital, her friend watches Colin, who is four years old. Her friend also has a four-year-old son. One time when Kim was driving the two young boys some place, she overhead conversation, which was going on in the back seat of the vehicle.
"'You're daddy died, didn't he'? asked Colin's young friend. Colin was born six months after his father's death from a rare disease.
"'Yes,' replied Colin.
"'Do you know what your daddy looks like'? continued the line of questioning.
"'I don't know what his pants look like. And I don't know what his shoes look like, but I know what his shirt and hair look like,' said Colin describing things as only a four-year-old can.
Judy continued her story to our Sunday morning gathering. 'He didn't know his daddy, but he knew he had a daddy. He had seen his father in lots of pictures,' Judy told the group.
"Not only has Judy lost her son-in-law at an early age, by the time she was 49 years old, she had been married twice and both her husbands had died. But life experiences tend to teach all of us many things.
"' I like to think of God like that,' Judy told the group. 'I may not know what his shoes look like or what his pants look like, I might not even know what his shirt looks like or his hair looks like. I know that I have a.Father. I may not have seen Him physically. But I know what His heart looks like.'"
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Today is Monday, November 17th, 2025; Karen's Korner #5486
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As we move closer to Thanksgiving, some more thankful verses from the Bible. Lots of them in there, are like buried treasures!
"Let the peace of heart
which comes from Christ
be always present in your hearts and lives,
for this is your responsibility and privilege
as members of His body.
And always be thankful.
Remember what Christ taught
and let His words enrich your lives
and make you wise;
teach them to each other
and sing them out in psalms
and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing to the Lord with thankful hearts.
And whatever you do or say,
let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus,
and come with Him
into the presence of God the Father
to give Him your thanks."
~ Colossians 3:15 - 17 LAB
*
"Since we have a kingdom
nothing can destroy,
let us praise God
by serving Him
with thankful hearts
and with holy fear and awe."
` Hebrews 12:28 LAB
***
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Today is Friday, November 14th, 2025; Karen's Korner #5485
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Something taken from "365 Days of Prayer for Women" by Stephanie Sample. From a few days ago: "Jesus Christ is the same
yesterday and today
and forever."
~ Hebrews 13:8 NASB
"Precious Lord, you remain. You remain constant, faithful, forgiving, and true. Everything you are, you have always been and will always be. Praise you for your unchanging ways. Especially, Jesus, for your unchanging love. I give you so many reasons to lessen your affections for me, but you never waver. In a world that changes minute to minute---as illusions of safety and truth are shattered by news of bullets and bombs, lies and deceptions---your permanence is my rock. The world will fail me. My health will fade. My friends will leave me. But you remain."
"In a world that is ever changing,
isn't it good to know
that God remains the same?"
***
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Today is Thursday, November 13th, 2025; Karen's Korner #5484
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People who know me best, know that I have self-published five little devotional books over a number of years. Wrote and then gave them away. I will tell you more about how it came to be another time.
But today I am going to include one writing from book #5 "Always Be Thankful", written in July 7, 2003:
HOLDING HANDS DURING THE STORM
We had the opportunity to apply our 'foster grandparenting' skills for a few days over the Independence Day holiday. Three sisters came to stay with us; the twins were nine and the youngest was five. Probably because of the number of times they had spent in homes like ours, they chose to call us 'mom and 'dad'.
It was the first night when both twins started talking about the clouds that were forming and parts of the weather forecast they were hearing. 'I don't think it is going to rain, do you, mom?' said one of the twins. 'It doesn't look like it will storm, does it?' Always looking for a positive answer from either Jim or me.
"We don't think it will rain,' we assured her. 'You will be all right.'
Shortly after midnight as thunder vibrated the house on occasion and as the dark skies were illuminated for a few seconds at a time, I heard our bedroom door open. ' Mom, I can't sleep,' said one. 'I am scared. Can I sleep with you and dad?'
"Go get your blanket and pillow,' I said.
Not knowing how many more we might have in bed with us later, I told her, 'Just put the pillow and blanket on the floor beside me. You can sleep there. You will be okay.'
"I want to hold your hand,' she said, as she began to settle down and get ready to go back to sleep. Rain, thunder, and lightning continued.
Sometimes storm clouds gather in my life. The forecast doesn't look too good. And I plead to God, 'It isn't going to rain, is it?' Thunder and lightning sometimes scare me and I don't want to be afraid.. Since God controls the weather, it would be to my liking if I could get Him to change his mind and give only ‘good’ weather.
Sometimes in the middle of the darkness, I holler, 'God, I am frightened. Can I come and sleep with You?' I know He is preparing a place for all of His children. But His big bed isn’t ready for us just yet!
Instead He says to me, 'Get your blanket and pillow and lie down. You can rest. I will hold your hand and you will be okay.’' And He reaches down and puts His big gentle hand into my cold and clammy one.
Sometimes God doesn't change the forecast, choosing instead to allow the thunder and lightning to roll. I don't always need sunshine. Sometimes I need rain, too. Not much grows on dry, parched ground.
The difference is I have a hold of His Hand......
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Today is Wednesday, November 12th, 2025; Karen's Korner #5483
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"Oh, revive us!
Then your people can rejoice in you again.
Pour out your love and kindness on us,
Lord,
and grant us your salvation."
~ Psalm 85:6 & 7 LAB
* Bible Commentary: "The psalm writer was asking God to revive his people. God is capable of reviving both churches and individuals. He can pour out his love on us, bringing us back to loving him. If we need renewal in our churches, families, or our personal spiritual lives, we need to ask God to give us a fresh touch of his love and kindness."
**
We learned at our church service on Sunday that our pastor is resigning from our church to take a job as camp director, not that far from our community. He has been our pastor for the past 17 years!
Good news for the upcoming campers and those using the camp grounds, retreat center. Lives will be touched.
But now our search begins for new church leadership locally. And many of youi know that the search can be challenging! But we can't despair because God is still in charge!
Father God,
we want to thank You for taking care
of all of us in the past.
And look forward to what You will
do for us in the future.
We don't know what to expect
for our
church leadership
in the future,
but You do!
We ask You for Your Leadership.
Help us to develop patience
as we look and wait.
Show us Your way!
Thank You for our future and our hope.
In You!!
In the name of Your Son,
Which makes all things possible.
Amen.
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Today is Tuesday, November 11th, 2025; Karen's Korner #5482
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Something sent to me via email several days ago and written by Anne Graham Lotz:
"Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again,
but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst."
~ John 4:13-14 NIV
THE WELL
"Jesus knew the Samaritan woman who met Him at the well had searched for satisfaction and come up short. He knew her heart was empty, without love or self-worth or meaning or fulfillment or happiness. And so He gently pointed out to her, 'Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again.' What was 'this water'? The woman took it to mean the water in Jacob's well, but Jesus was speaking to her heart.
"All those who look to draw their satisfaction from the wells of the world -- pleasure, popularity, position, possessions, politics, power, prestige, finances, family, friends, fame, fortune, career, children, church, clubs, sports, sex success, recognition, reputation, religion, education, entertainment, exercise, honors, health, hobbies -- will soon be thirsty again!
"If you look for deep, lasting satisfaction from any of these wells the world offers, you're wasting your time. You need to be filled with the Living Water of Jesus Christ."
***
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