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Today is Friday, September 30th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4755
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Yesterday's inspirational thought email from Max Lucado:
The Cleansing Element of Praise
"Our stress-laden society has developed many skills for dealing with anxiety. We have breathing exercises and mediation techniques. But the person in whom the Spirit dwells has the greatest of resources. The apostle Paul said, 'Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit' (Ephesians 5:18-19 NIV).
"The apostle contrasts two strategies for facing inner chaos: inebriation and celebration. Many people numb themselves, if not with liquor, with bouts of shopping or hours of playing. The better option: celebration. Constant worship clears the debris from our hearts. Praise is the cleansing element that flushes the trash of worry and anxiety."
***
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Today is Thursday, September 29th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4754
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As we think about all the people, their property and businesses impacted by Hurricane Ian. There might not be a lot we can do to change the devastation, but we can pray and think about them. Maybe contribute something to lighten their loads. Some might even show up to help!
"He (God) gives power to the tired and worn out,
and strength to the weak.
Even the youth shall be exhausted,
and the young men will all give up.
But they that wait upon the Lord
shall renew their strength.
They shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint."
~ Isaiah 40:29 - 31 LAB
* Bible Commentary: "Even the strongest people get tired at times, but God's power and strength never diminish. He is never too tired or too busy to help and listen. His strength is our source of strength. When we feel all of life crushing us, and we cannot go another step, we need to remember that we can call upon God to renew our strength."
Dear Father in Heaven, we pray today for all the people effected by Hurricane Ian. Let them know that You care and that You are there, when all they see is devastation all around them. We pray for their physical healing and rebuilding. But that will take some time. Be there for mental and emotional healing today. Help them to go on in Your strength, power, and love. Your Spirit can never be damaged. Give them Your Hope and Your Peace. In Jesus' Name Who makes all things possible. Amen.
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Today is Wednesday, September 28th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4753
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Something from "365 Days of Prayer for Women" by Stephanie Smith. I liked the September 25th entry:
Greater Impact
"Lord, everything you do matters. You've never made an idle move or thoughtless decision in all of eternity. I usually accomplish both those things before lunch. Lord, I want to be as intentional, focused, and dedicated to the assignments you've given me as you are to me. Help me, God, as I strive to make every day matter. As I prove my trustworthiness, I pray your will give me more and more meaningful assignments with greater and greater impact. As I plan, I pray you will inspire me to consider my purpose in your kingdom. And when I slip into carelessness, I pray you will gently guide me back into intentionality."
"Are you intentional, focused, and dedicated?"
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Today is Tuesday, September 27th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4752
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Today is the day I married Jim Weld in 1969. We were fortunate to celebrate our 45th anniversary just a month before he passed away in 2014.
He was a very kind and caring man. Good husband and father. Loved providing for his family; always making plans for the future, in spite of 40 years of interference with health issues.
A friend of mine who lost her husband a handful of months ago, shared a couple of thoughts from words at a recent funeral. She told of the pastor making the statement of two things that God gives each of us - He gives us life. And He gives us memories! And memories cannot be taken away from us!
How fortunate is that ?
And who can discount that He gives us Love. His Love that is everlasting!!
"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, September 26th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4751
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Today's 'korner' is the first five verses of Psalm139. The whole chapter is a good one, a total of 23 verses. If you get the chance, read the rest of it.
"O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit or stand. When far away you know my every thought. You chart the path ahead of me , and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment, you know where I am. You know what I am going to say before I even say it. You both precede and follow me, and place your hand of blessing on my head."
~ Psalm 129:1 -5 LAB
* Bible Commentary: "Sometimes we don't let people get to know us completely because we are afraid they will discover something about us they won't like. But God already knows everything about us and still accepts and loves us. God cares about us so much that he numbers the hairs on our heads ((Matthew 10:30). He is with us through every situation, in every trial---protecting, loving, guiding. He knows us completely."
***
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Today is Friday, September 23rd, 2022; Karen's Korner #4750
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We haven't had a dose of God's Love, taken from "100 Things God Loves About You"; Simple Reminders for When You Need Them Most by Tama Fortner. It's #69.
In our lives and in our world where we tend to get 'beat up' by life, it is good to be reminded
GOD LOVES YOUR SCARS
"The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."
~ Psalm 34:18
"Scars. Everyone has them. Some are visible, others invisible, but no less deeply felt. Some are scars of the skin; others are scars of the heart. There are those who will take your scars and use them as a reason not to love you, not to be your friend. They can make you feel less than, damaged, broken, unworthy. But not God.
"God see your scars, even the invisible ones. But He uses them as a reason to lavish you with His healing love. He uses your brokenness to draw you close to Him and to make you whole."
****
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Today is Thursday, September 22nd, 2022; Karen's Korner #4749
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The Bible book of 1 Timothy, which is toward the end of the New Testament, is written by Paul with a message to Timothy who was a young church leader. It's also instruction for all believers everywhere. It is written to encourage and instruct.
The six chapters include such topics as: warnings to false teachers; instruction for the church; standards for church leaders; and caring for different groups within the church.
Here is a verse tucked in to chapter 6; verse 17:
"Tell those who are rich
not to be proud
and not to trust in their money,
which will soon be gone,
but their pride and trust
should be in the living God
who always richly gives us
all we need for our enjoyment."
Plus the commentary on this verse:
"Ephesus was a wealthy city and the Ephesian church probably had many wealthy members. Paul advised Timothy to deal with that potential problem by teaching that the possession of riches carries great responsibility. Those who have money must be generous, not arrogant because they have a lot to give. They must be careful not to put their trust in money instead of the living God for their security. Even if we don't have material wealth, we can be rich in good works toward others. No matter how poor we are, we have something to share with others."
***
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Today is Wednesday, September 21st, 2022; Karen's Korner #4748
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HEAVENLY WIND
By Max Lucado
"The Spirit is like the wind. Had Jesus stopped with this comment, Nicodemus would have had plenty to ponder. Yet Jesus went on to stretch the imagination of Nick and Max and all people who have tried to quarry the jewels that follow. 'So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit' (John 3:8 ESV). That which is born of a vegetable is a vegetable. That which is born of a dog is a dog. And that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit.
"That is to say, we have his wind, his unseen power, within us. We host the mystery and majesty of God.
"Stop and think about something you struggle to do. Forgiving an enemy? Solving a problem? Breaking a habit? You can’t do it? The Spirit can. You have the force of heaven’s wind within you."
***
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Today is Tuesday, September 20th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4747
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For a third time this season, I picked up apples under the apple tree in the southeast corner of my yard.
My more than thirty year old apple tree has a reputation of tasty apples. So what do I do with the battered and bruised fruit?
I picked them up. Tossed a few which were too bruised. But most had minor bruises or 'bug bites'. I took the bucket into the house and began the process of rescuing the 'good' parts of each apple. I could peel and cut up the 'saved' portions. No apple peeler for the 'beat up' apples.
What was good was worth saving! Peel, cut out the centers, slice. And bag. It made a half dozen gallon bags, ready for apple crisp or apple pies, ready for the freezer and future tasty morsels.
As I worked on the damaged fruit, I couldn't help but think of God and what He does for each of us. He says, "I am the vine and you are the branches." And 'if we remain in Him, we shall produce a large crop of fruit."
As life continues, we can get battered by choices we might make or things which come our way. But what does He do if 'we fall off the tree;? He gently picks us up, cuts off the 'bad spots' and slices up the good parts and stores us to be used in other ways. Turning each of us into a beautiful pie or apple tart.
We are never too damaged to be tossed by the wayside. He has a re-purpose for each of us!
Now that is love and care! I will take it!!
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Today is Monday, September 19th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4746
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A thought from the book "A Place Called Heaven" by Dr. Robert Jeffress.
Toward the end of the book, Jeffress was telling about his own father who was by all standards quite a successful individual - in his employment; family; traveled the world; upper-middle class; follower of Christ. Yet he was tormented by what he 'hadn't done'.
Several paragraphs later Jeffress penned, "as we prepare our journeys to that 'place called heaven', one of the best resolutions we can make is to rid our lives of any unnecessary regrets. One way to do this is to honestly evaluate each of our lives."
He suggests taking a sheet of paper and divide it into five columns. The headings should include 'God, family, friends, career, and finances'. Under each heading, write two or three goals each of us would like to achieve in life before we die.
Have I done that? No. Will I do it? I don't know. But I already have several thoughts for a heading or two.
"God, help us, help me, to do what you would have me, us do in our, my days ahead. We want to do and be what is pleasing to You. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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