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May 2007 Archives
Today is Tuesday, May 1st, 2007; Karen's Korner #1052
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I bought a couple of perpetual flip calendars for baby gifts to new parents. The title is "365 Best-kept Parenting Secrets". They are boxed and not shrink-wrapped, so I have taken a quick look at several of the tips for the first part of May:
May 1
"Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her."
~ Proverbs 31:28
**
May 2
Read to your children regularly. It is a great way to spend time together
while teaching them to love the written word.
**
May 3
Partner with God.
Prayer is the most poweful weapon you can employ
on behalf of your children.
**
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Today is Wednesday, May 2nd, 2007; Karen's Korner #1053
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I enjoy the daily email devotional thoughts from Jeff White who is miinster in Freeport, Illinois. Never met him. A friend forwarded me several of his writings and wanted to know if I wanted to be on his email listing. I said, "Yes!". So have several of you!
For the past few weeks, none of us have been hearing from Jeff. This is happened before. Sooner or later more daily thoughts will probably come through from Jeff.
Here is a favorite that I saved from a January writing:
God will always give what is right
to his people who cry to him night and day,
and he will not be slow to answer them.
Luke 18:7
Answered prayers. We want them, and indeed, expect them. In fact, sometimes we expect 'yes' answers all the time. God promises a couple things and expects some things in return.
God promises to give what is right; by his understanding of right. That doesn’t mean yes, it means what is right. God promises to answer, when the time is right; not on my schedule, but by his understanding of right.
In return He expects you to ask, and ask, and ask. Why? Because He loves you and wants to hear from you. And then? He wants a thank you for the answer, regardless of the answer.
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Today is Thursday, May 3rd, 2007; Karen's Korner #1054
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Today is the 56th annual National Day of Prayer. This year's theme is "America, Unite in Prayer". According to Shirley Dobson, national chairperson for the event, the theme 'comes from the promise the Lord gave us in 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV): "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." '
Dear Father God in Heaven, We come to you today calling you by name. We collectively humble ourselves before your throne and recognize you as King and Lord, not as a evil, wicked ruler who enjoys punishing those under your rule. Rather you are a caring, loving Authority who makes laws and rules which are meant for the good of those of us in your kingdom. Forgive us for making up our own rules, which many times are exactly opposite of what is best for us. Heal us as individuals and our land as a whole. We ask You to show us your way and the ways in which we have strayed. Guide us today. Guide and instruct me. In the name of Jesus Your Son, Amen.
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Today is Friday, May 4th, 2007; Karen's Korner #1055
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A couple of days ago, I dusted off my speeded bicycle and took a ride. I don't think I have riden it for several years. Riding on rroads with patches of loose gravel and unexpected bumps can sometimes prove a bit of a challenge.
I decided to ride about five miles. Country roads don't always have a lot of traffic to manuver; except in the busy farming season when various pieces of equipment share the roadway.
As I turned to head north for home, I could see in the distance, a large tractor and a tillage tool which took nearly the width of roadway.
Then came my thought process: "Oooh, how is this going to work?"; "Maybe I should ride a little farther and stop and allow the equipment to pass."; "There are a couple of driveways ahead. Maybe I can get there and pull off the road before we meet;" "I sure hope I don't get hit with too much dust;" "Riding over near the right side of the road, I hope I don't tip over in the loose gravel."
You know the type of head dialogue.
And before I could get too much farther, the tractor and farm tool turned and drove down the road east, which was between me and him!
It made me chuckle as I thought about how many decisions we hurriedly make or problems we try to solve before they arrive on our plate. Some of which never happen to us. Maybe many!!!
Proverbs 3:5,6: "Trust the Lord completely; don't ever trust yourself. In everything you do, put God first and He will direct you and crown your efforts with success!"
Dear Lord, help me to stay more in the present and less in the past and future. Help me allow You to be my Guide, Helper, and Friend. You have the best plans; help to believe it, know it, and live it. Amen.
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Today is Monday, May 7th, 2007; Karen's Korner #1056
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An email daily devotional from last summer by Shirley Choat. Yesterday was Sunday; what did you take away from your church sermon?:
Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves; for they watch for your souls.
Hebrews 13:17
What does it take for your minister to be a success? Is it having a large congregation, modern building at a beautiful location, and a boming Sunday school? Is it administrating a vast program that meets the needs of everyone? These things have their place, but none in itself is the mark of true success. In one sense, a pastor will succeed in the pulpit, only if God's people give heed in the pew.
We must come to church and respond to God's Word with eagerness and attentiveness. This doesn't mean we'll accept everything the pastor says, for he/she too is a fallible person. But as we humbly ask the LORD to speak through him/her, so he/she can inform us how we are to live, obey and apply the message of the day. We also ask the Holy Spirit to impress His truth upon our hearts. Then it is up to us. We must take God's message of comfort, challenge, or correction and act on it. It may mean getting right with others, changing wrong attitudes, or implementing a bibical pattern of living. Listen for the application at the end of your Pastor's message and act on it. This not only honors the LORD, but it encourages the pastor to be the lovng and faithful expositor of the Scriptures that God wants each pastor to be.
When in church you hear the Word preached by servants of the LORD, let your heart attend to the message God will send. What people say about a sermon isn't half as important as what they do with the application portion!
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Today is Tuesday, May 8th, 2007; Karen's Korner #1057
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As the debate rages on in our country whether or not to allow prayers in the public square, on government grounds or establishments. Sometimes we are so happy, relieved, or grateful we can't help but let our faith in a Protector and Creator bubble over.
Yesteday was a case in point, as a news channel interviewed several people from Greensburg, Kansas. They had experienced God's protection from the tornado which has ripped apart their community of about 1600 people this past weekend.
A father and his high school-aged daughter retold how they had headed for their family's basement and rode out the storm by sitting in a bathtub. All they could think about was their neighbor woman and her baby who had no basement in which to go. The father said, "I told my daughter we couldn't go up to try to help them as the storm was too great. My daughter asked me to pray for the mother and the baby, which we did together. After the tornado had passed, we went upstairs to find the neighbor's house leveled. But we began to pull back the rubble and found the 13-month-old baby and mother, not only alive and well, but without injuries or scratches. I was never so proud of my daughter, as I was when she asked me to pray with her for our friends and neighbors." As he spoke his voice was nearly breaking.
(Just a few minutes ago, I saw mom, baby, and dad interviewed on another news program. The interviewer said, "Don't you feel lucky!" The dad said, "No, there is no luck involved. It was the protection of God!")
Right after that interview yesterday, another woman recounted what had happened to her: "As the storm raged overhead," she said. "I began to ask God to hold me in the palm of His hand. As I thought for another moment, I asked Him if this time He would turn His Hand over and cover me and protect me from the storm!" Protected she was, and very, very grateful.
Some of their days ahead will be filled with more reality as they deal with 'rubble as high as 30 feet', in some places', I heard by one report. Today they are thankful for their safety and lives that were spared.
May we continue to pray for them and their community, as they deal with days and years of putting their community and lives back together. Ask God to keep them from despair, discouragement, and depressing thoughts.
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Today is Wednesday, May 9th, 2007; Karen's Korner #1058
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One story taken from "More Stories from the Heart", compiled by Alice Gray:
Autumn Dance
by Robin Jones Gunn
She stood a short distance from her guardian at the park, this afternoon, her distinctive features revealing that although her body blossomed into young adulthood, her mind would always remain a child's. My children ran and jumped and sifted sand through perfect, coordinated fingers. Caught up in fighting over a shovel, they didn't notice when the wind changed. But she did. A wild autumn wind spinning leaves into amber flurries.
I called to my boisterous son and jostled my daughter. Time to go. Mom still has lots to do today. My rosy-cheeked boy stood tall, watching with wide-eyed fascination the gyrating dance of the Down's syndrom girl as she scooped up leaves and showered herself with a twirling rain of autumn jubilation.
With each twist and hop she sang deep, earthy grunts--a canticle of praise meant only for the One whose breath causes the leaves to tremble from the trees.
Hurry up. Let's go. Seat belts on? I start the car. In the rearview mirror I study her one more time through misty eyes. And then the tears come. Not tears of pity for her. The tears are for me. For I am far too sophisticated to publicly shout praises to my Creator.
I am whole and intelligent and normal, and so I weep because I will never know the severe mercy that frees such a child and bids her come dance in the autumn leaves.
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Today is Thursday, May 10th, 2007; Karen's Korner #1059
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A special poem emailed to me by Colleen Hackley and forwarded to you for Mothers' Day weekend. Colleen really wanted this poem to be included in a Karen's Korner as a tribute to all mothers:
The Love of a Mother
It takes a mother's love
To make a house a home.
A place to be remembered,
No matter where we roam.
It takes a mother's patience
To bring a child up right,
And her courage and her cheerfulness
To make a dark day bright.
It takes a mother's thoughtfulness
To mend the heart's deep "hurts."
And her skill and her endurance.
To mend little socks and shirts.
It takes a mother's kindness
To forgive us when we err,
To sympathize in trouble
And bow her head in Prayer.
It takes a mother's wisdon
To recognize our needs
And to give us reassurance
By her loving words and deeds.
It takes a mother's endless faith,
Her confidence and trust
To guide us through the pitfalls
Of selfishness and lust.
And that is why in all this world
There could not be another
Who could fulfill God's purpose
As completely as......Mother!
~ Author Unknown
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Today is Friday, May 11th, 2007; Karen's Korner #1060
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It's Mothers' Day and an opportunity for mothers everywhere to celebrate! Being a mother brings both pleasure and pain; exhiliration and worries.
Could any mother have experienced a broader range of emotions that Jesus' mother Mary?
Taken from "personaility profiles" in the Life Application Living Bible (in part):
"Motherhood is a painful privilege. Young Mary of Nazareth had the unique privilege of being mother to the very Son of God. Yet the pains and pleasures of her motherhood are understood by mothers everywhere. Mary was the only human present at Jesus' birth who also witnessed his death. She saw him arrive as her baby son, and she watched him die as Savior.
Until Gabriel's unexpected visit, Mary's life was going about as well as she could hope. She had recently become engaged to a local carpenter, Joseph, and was anticipating married life. But Mary's life was about to change forever.
Angels don't usually make appointments before visiting. As if she were being congratulated as the grand winner of a contest she never entered, Mary found the angel's greeting puzzling and his presence frightening. What she heard next was the news almost every woman in Israel hoped to hear--that her child would be the Messiah. God's promised Savior. Mary did not doubt the message, but rather asked how pregnancy would be possible. Gabriel told her the baby would be God's Son. Her answer was one that God has been waiting in vain to hear from so many other people: 'I am the Lord's servant and I am waiting to do whatever the Lord wants' (Luke 1:38). Later, her song of joy to Elizabeth shows us how well she knew God, for her thoughts were filled with his words from the Old Testament.
Within days after his birth, Jesus was taken to the Temple to be dedicated to God. There Joseph and Mary were met by two prophets, Simeon and Anna, who recognized the child as the Messiah and praised God. Simeon added some words to Mary that must have come to her mind many times in the years that followed: 'A sword shall peirce your soul' (Luke 2:34). A big part of her painful privilege of motherhood would be to see her son rejected and crucified by the people he came to save.
We can imagine that even if she had known all she would suffer as Jesus' mother, Mary would have given the same answer. Are we as available to be used by God as Mary was?"
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Today is Monday, May 14th, 2007; Karen's Korner #1061
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Today's Karen's Korner is a daily email devotional from Joel and Victoria Osteen earlier this year.
The Spring of Laughter
"Anyone who drinks the water I give will never thirst— not ever. The water I give will be an artesian spring within, gushing fountains of endless life." ~~ John 4:14
"When you make Jesus the Lord of your life, God puts within you an eternal well that will never run dry. You have an unlimited supply of good things inside you which should be continually bubbling out of you. But Satan doesn't want your joy, happiness, or laughter to flow freely. So he comes along and throws a stone of, say, worry into your well. You may think, "That's just one little stone. It's not hurting anything. The water is still flowing pretty well." But Satan will be back soon with another stone, whether it's fear, self-pity, or hopelessness. If you haven't dealt individually with each of these stones and gotten rid of them, your nice, free-flowing well of good things will become clogged. But you can still unclog it with a major dose of laughter!"
"Lord, thank You for the spring of eternal life and joy that You have placed within me. Help me deal with the stones that can block the free flow of goodness, joy, and laughter. In Jesus' name. Amen."
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Today is Tuesday, May 15th, 2007; Karen's Korner #1062
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A couple of unconnected short thoughts to start your day:
** Last week, a Karen's Korner from Shirley Choat told about ministers, sizes of congregations, and what we do with the messages we hear on Sunday mornings.
I received this note from my Uncle Bud who is a retired minister, "Noah only had eight converts including himself (all family members). He preached 120 years. Peter states Noah was a preacher of righteousness. This is the requirement for a minister.*
Sometimes today, we get really caught up in ministers of mega-churches and with television evangelists with large areas of influence. God gets caught up in all of us doing whatever we can; whevever we are. Like Noah, God wants to help each of us change our world.
* Some day I hope to enjoy enough of what the world calls success so that somebody will ask me, "What's the secret of it?" I shall say simply, "I get up when I fall down."
~ Paul Harvey
** "Let the wife make the husband glad to come home,
and let him make her sorry to see him leave.
~ Martin Luther
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SEEING GOD
A youn man was deperately seeking God. He sought out a wise old man who lived in a nearby beach house and posed the question: "Old man, how can I see Go?" The old man who obviously knew God at a depth few of us experience, pondered the question for a very long time. At last he responded quietly: "Young man, I am not sure that I can help you--for you see, I have a very different problem. I cannot not see him."
~~ Author Unknown
+++
God wishes to be seen,
and He wishes to be sought,
and He wishes to be expected,
and He wishes to be trusted!
~ Julian of Norwich
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Today is Wednesday, May 16th, 2007; Karen's Korner #1063
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A short story by Philip Galley which I think you will enjoy today:
Growing Roots
By Philip Galley
Had on old neighbor when I was growing up named Doctor Gibbs. He didn't look like any doctor I'd ever known. Every time I saw him, he was wearing denim overalls and a straw hat whose front brim was green sunglass plastic. He smiled a lot, a smile that matched his hat---old and crinkly and well worn. He never yelled at us for playing in his yard. I remember him as someone who was a lot nicer than circumstances warranted.
When Doctor Gibbs wasn't saving lives, he was planting trees. His house sat on ten acres and his life goal was to make it a forest. The good doctor had some interesting theories concerning plant husbandry. He came from the "No pain, no gain" school of horticulture. He never watered his new trees, which flew in the face of conventional wisdom. Once I asked why. He said watering plants spoiled them, and how if you water them, each successive generation will grow weaker and weaker. So you have to make things rough for them and weed out the weenie trees early on.
He talked about how watering trees made for shallow roots, and how trees that weren't watered had to grow deep roots in search of moisture. I took him to mean that deep roots were to be treasured.
So he never watered his trees. He'd plant an oak and, instead of watering it every morning, he'd beat it with a rolled up newspaper. Smack! Slap! Pow! I asked him why he did that, and he said it was to get the tree's attention.
Doctor Gibbs went to glory a couple of years after I left home. Every now and again I walk by his house and look at the trees that I watched him plant some twenty-five years ago. They're growing strong now. Big and robust. Those trees wake up in the morning and beat their chests and drink their coffee black.
I planted a couple of trees a few years back. Carried water to them for a solid summer. Sprayed them. Prayed over them. The whole nine yards. Two years of coddling has resulted in trees that expect to be waited on hand and foot. Whenever a cold wind blows in, they tremble and chatter their branches. Sissy trees.
Funny thing about those trees of Doctor Gibbs. Adversity and deprivation seemed to benefit them in ways comfort and ease never could.
Every night before I go to bed, I check on my two sons. I stand over them and watch their little bodies, the rising and falling of life within. I often pray for them. Mostly I pray that their lives will be easy. "Lord, spare them from hardship." But lately I've been thinking that it's time to change my prayer.
Has to do with inevitability of cold winds that hit us at the core. I know my children are going to encounter hardship, and my praying they won't is naive. There's always a cold wind blowing somewhere.
So I'm changing my evintide prayer. Because life is tough, whether we want it to be or not. Instead, I'm going to pray that my sons' roots grow deep, so they can draw strength from the hidden sources of the Eternal God.
Too many times we pray for ease, but that's a prayer seldom met. What we need to do is pray for roots that grow deep withn the Eternal God, so when the rains fall and the winds blow, we won't be swept asunder.
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Today is Thursday, May 17th, 2007; Karen's Korner #1064
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Forty days ago today was Easter! The various political and religious leaders didn't like Jesus! He was out-of-the-ordinary, revolutionary, and developing a large following! He threatened the establishment and their authority. They attempted everything they could to try to stop him. Discrediting him, abusing him, and killing him should take care of it.
Then, of all things, Jesus returned to life after he had died!! Now he was wandering around back on earth. What were they going to do to him! What about those who were following Jesus! What were they going to do with all those people?
Today is the day - 40 days later! Jesus was ready to take his royal place in the kingdom God had intended:
Acts 1: 9 - 11
9 After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. 10 As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”
Bible Commentary
Jesus promised the apostles that they would receive power to witness after they received the Holy Spirit. Notice the progression: 1) they received the Holy Spirit; 2) he gave them power, and 3) they witnessed with extraordinary results. We often try to reverse the order and witness by our own power and authority. Witnessing is not showing what we can do for God, but showing and telling what God has done for us.
It was important for the disciples to see Jesus ascend. Then they knew without a doubt that he was God and that his home is in heaven. After 40 days with his disciples, Jesus ascended into heaven. Two angels proclaimed to the disciples that one day Jesus would return in the same way he went—bodily and visibly. History is not haphazard. It is moving toward a specific point—the return of Jesus to judge and rule over the earth. We should be ready for his sudden return, not by standing around ‘gazing at the sky’, but by working hard to share the gospel so others will be able to share in God’s gospel blessings.
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Today is Friday, May 18th, 2007; Karen's Korner #1065
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If you are familiar with "Women of Faith" conferences that occasionally come to cities across America, then you know the name Patsy Clairmont. She is one of the gang of gals who speaks, entertains, or provides musical entertainment to the thousands of women who attend their ongoing conferences.
Here is something written by Patsy:
Bus Stop
Jason, our youngest, has two goals in life. One is to have fun, and the other is to rest. He does both quite well. So I shouldn't have been surprised by what happened when I sent him to school one fall day.
As Jason headed off for the bus, I immediately busied myself, preparing for a full day. The knock on the door was a surprise and disruptive to my morning rhythm, which is not something I have a lot of. I flew to the door, jerked it open, only to find myself looking at Jason.
"What are you doing here?" I demanded.
"I've quit school," he boldly announced.
"Quit school?" I repeated in disbelief and at a decibel too high for human ears.
Swallowing once, I tried to remember some motherly psychology. But all that came to mind was "A stitch in time saves nine" and "Starve a fever, feed a cold," or something like that. Somehow they didn't seem to apply to a six-year-old dropout dilemma. So I questioned, "Why have you quit school?"
Without hesitation he proclaimed, "It's too long, it's too hard, and it's too boring!"
"Jason," I instantly retorted, "you have just described life. Get on the bus!"
~~
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Today is Monday, May 21st, 2007; Karen's Korner #1066
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Several days ago as I work to plant a few more starter plants and flower seeds, I could hear a handful of varieties of birds singing their various songs. Their blended melodies were a joy.
Instead of looking down at what I was doing, I began to look up. It was a beautiful day. The sky was a perfect blue. The sun was shining. And there was little to no wind.
I couldn't help but think of prayer times at church and many other places. We tend to close our eyes, bow our heads, and link our fingers. I would guess the reason is to keep our senses from being distracted by the world. Sometimes it is hard to center and focus. Shut eyes; hands that aren't busy; and minds that don't go a dozen directions all have to be a plus.
But what about a different prayer posture, at least part of the time: looking up, mind wide open, using all our senses to take in the vast world and all that God has provided?
Today might be a good day to walk outside; to stop, look and listen to the world God has created and given to each one of us.
Dear Father in Heaven, thank You for the all of your beautiful creation. Thank You for the senses you have given to us with which to enjoy them all. Thank You for directing us toward a spirit of gratefulness. Thank You for the day which You have created for us. Help us to see You today; show us how to enjoy everything you have planned for us. In Jesus' name. Amen.
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Today is Tuesday, May 22nd, 2007; Karen's Korner #1067
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Shared with me by a friend:
FOUR RULES TO LIVE BY
Drink, Steal, Swear & Lie
I met this guy while I was in Albuquerque and he has a motto he lives by everyday. He said,
"Listen carefully and live by these 4 rules:
Drink, Steal, Swear, & Lie."
I was shaking my head 'no', but he then told me to listen while he explained his four rules. So here they are:
1. Drink from the "everlasting cup" every day.
2. Steal a moment to help someone that is in worse shape than you are.
3. Swear that you will be a better person today than yesterday.
4. And last, but not least, when you lie down at night
thank God for all your blessings
and that you live in America
and have freedom.
~~~
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Today is Wednesday, May 23rd, 2007; Karen's Korner #1068
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Distant Relative
A certain old recluse lived deep in the mountains of Colorado. When he died, distant relatives came from the city to collect his valuables. Upon arriving, all they saw was an old shack with an outhouse beside it. Inside the shack, next to the rock fireplace, was an old cooking pot and his mining equipment. A cracked table with a three-legged chair stood guard by a tiny window, and a kerosene lamp served as the centerpiece for the table. In a dark corner of the little room was a dilapidated cot with a threadbare bedroll on it.
They picked up some of the old relics and started to learve. As they were driving away, an old friend of the recluse, on his mule, flagged them down. "Do you mind if I help myself to what's left in my friend's cabin?" he asked. "Go right ahead," they replied. After all, they thought, what inside that shack could be worth anything?
The old friend entered the shack and walked directly over to the table. He reached under it and lifted one of the floor boards. He then proceeded to take out all the gold his friend had discovered over the past 53 years--enough to have built a palace. The recluse died with only his frined knowing his true worth. As the friend looked out of the little window and watched the cloud of dust behind the relative's car disappear, he said, "They shoulda got to know him better."'
~~ Carla Muir
**
The story makes me think of our Christian faith and our belief in all the treasures that God has stored up for us. Are the only ones who enjoy all of the spiritual gifts, which He has for each one of us, as his children, those who 'have gotten to know Him better'? As His 'good friends', do we know where the treasures are stored and daily lift up the floor boards and discover the gold treasures? Or do we drive by, wrongly thinking that there is nothing of value, looking only at the surface of our faith in a very wealthy and generous Heavenly Father?
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Today is Thursday, May 24th, 2007; Karen's Korner #1069
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Last weekend internationally-known Christian television personality Joyce Meyer brought her message to Des Moines for a four-part conference. Some people were able to attend the three-day meeting; others participated in one of the four sessions. My friends Kelly and Lorna traveled with me for the first session, the first evening.
Here are a couple of highlights from what she said that evening;
the title was
"Love that Lives for Other People":
* Be a special blessing to at least one other person today.
It honors God;
it will bless that person and bless you!
* Pray that God will remind you to be a blessing to someone else:
"God show me who to bless today"!
* Find a need and meet it!
* If you are not happy,
it could be that you are not reaching out to others.
* Together, what we can do is phenominal.
We can restore things that are wrong,
God can make things right!
* Churches are intensive care units for messed up people!
* Whatever we are doing -
NEVER GIVE UP!
We must never quit!
Planning is easy: doing it is hard....
* Become a prisoner of hope
- Zechariah 9:12.
* Expect that something good is going to happen;
expect on purpose!
- Psalm 27:13
* Believe God!
- Psalm 27:14
* If you make others happy;
God will make you happy!
God wants us to look to Him for our joy and happiness.
- Psalm 33:22
~~
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Today is Friday, May 25th, 2007; Karen's Korner #1070
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I was given a book from my friend Kim Lee on Monday titled, "The Power of a Praying Woman" by Stormie Omartian. Most people know that their praying time could be better, expanded, more consistent; I fall into the category.
I have only read chapter one, but would like to share a list of points from what I have read:
Five Good Ways to Tell if Your Walk with God is Shallow
1. If you follow the Lord for only what God can do for you, your walk with Him is shallow. If you love Him enough to ask Him what you can do for Him, then your relationship is growing deep.
2. If you only pray to God when things are tough or you need something, then your walk with Him is shallow. If you find yourself praying to Him many times a day just because you love to be in His presence, then your relationship is growing deep.
3. If you get mad at God or disappointed in Him when He doesn't do what you want, then your walk with Him is shallow. If you can praise God no matter what is going on in your life, then your relationship with Him is growing deep.
4. If you love God only because of what He does, then your walk with Him is shallow. If you love and reverence Him for who He is, then your relationship with Him is growing deep.
5. If you think you have to beg God or twist His arm to get Him to answer your prayers, then your walk with Him is shallow. If you believe that God wants to answer the prayers you pray in line with His will, then your relationship with Him is growing deep.
***
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Today is Monday, May 28th, 2007; Karen's Korner #1071
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It's Memorial Day; time to listen to soldiers and those who gave, or give, their lives for us everyday.
Below is an email sent to the Des Moines Register and published in John Carlon's IOWA column last week. Carlson introduced Chief Warrant Officer Jim Funk (39 years old and a full-time employee of the Iowa National Guard) who has flown more than 80 combat missions since arriving in Iraq last October. He and his unit are based out of Boone.
Here is what he emailed; the article was titled, "Media is enemy's best weapon":
"Hello, media, do you know you indirectly kill American soldiers every day? You inspire and report the enemy's objective every day. You are the enemy's greatest weapon. The enemy cannot beat us on the battlefield so all he does is try to wreak enough havoc and have you report it every day. With you and the enemy using each other, you continually break the will of the American public and American government.
"We go out daily and bust and kill the enemy, uncover and destroy huge weapons caches and continue to establish infrastructure. So daily we put a whoopin on the enemy, but all the enemey has to do is turn on the TV and get re-inspired. He gets to see his daily roadside bomb, truck bomb, suicide bomber or mortar attack. He doesn't see any accomplishments of the U.S. military (FOX, you'r not exempt, you suck also).
"Let's give you an example. A couple of days ago we conducted an air assault. We lifted troops into an area for an operation. The operation went well and our ground troops killed (insurgents) and took several prisoners, freed a few hostages and uncovered a weapons cache containing munitions and chemicals that were going to be used in improvised bombs.
"The next morning I woke up and turned on Armed Forces Network and watched the NBC nightly news. Nothing, none of that reported. But the daily car bombs report was reported, and the file footage was not even from the event. There was a car bomb in the Sadr City area and your news report showed old car bomb footage from another part of town, from some other time.
"So we really set the enemy back that night but all the enemy had to do was turn on the news and be reassured that the enemy's agenda (objective) was still going to be fed to the American public.
"We, the soldiers, keep breaking the back of the enemy. You, the media, keep rejuvenating the enemy.
"How hard would it be to contact the Public Affairs Officer of the 1st CAV. 36th CAB 25th ID or the Marines and ask what did you guys accomplish today--good and bad?? How about some insurgent blooper videos? Now that would be something to show on the evening news.
"Media, we know you hate the George Bush administration, but report both sides, not just your one-sided agenda. You have got to realize how you are continually motivating every extremist, jihadist, and terrorist to continue their resolve to kill American soldiers."
~~
An opportunity for an American soldier to be heard on Memorial Day.
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Today is Tuesday, May 29th, 2007; Karen's Korner #1072
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A Joel and Victoria Osteen daily inspirational thought email:
Blessings Multiplied
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." ~~ Jeremiah 29:11
God wants to bless you not just because He loves you, which He does, but also so that you can be a blessing to others. God wants you to experience not just blessing, but tremendous blessing, in your life because He knows that when you taste of His love and goodness you want to go out and share it with someone else. You can do this by partnering with other believers around you and in the ministry, and by reaching out to lost and searching people around the world. There are millions of people in our world who need to know that God has a more hope-filled future for them—and you can help them find it!
"God, thank You for Your tremendous blessings You shower upon me. Use me to pour out those same blessings to others who need to know You. In Jesus' Name. Amen."
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Today is Wednesday, May 30th, 2007; Karen's Korner #1073
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Drifting
by Tony Evans
The story is told of a little boy who was floating his boat on a pond when the boat drifted away. A man came by, saw the boat drifting out on the pond, and began throwing stones on the far side of the boat. The boy asked, "What are you doing?"
But then something very interesting happened. As the stones hit the water beyond the boat, they created ripples which pushed the boat back toward the boy. Even though the stones disturbed the smooth water, they achieved the desired result.
That's how it is with God sometimes. When we drift away from Him, He throws the disturbing stones out beyond us in order to push us back to the shore of His love.
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Today is Thursday, May 31st, 2007; Karen's Korner #1074
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Another exerpt from Stormie Omartian's book "The Power of a Praying Woman":
"If you ever find yourself unmotivated, try reading the following 20 reasons to worship God from Psalm103.
Twenty Good Reasons to Worship God
1. He forgives my iniquities.
2. He heals all my diseases.
3. He redeems my life from destruction.
4. He crowns me with lovingkindness.
5. He satisfies my mouth with good things.
6. He executes righteousness and justice for the oppressed.
7. He makes His ways known.
8. He is merciful.
9. He is gracious.
10. He is slow to anger.
11. He will not strive with us.
12. He will not keep His anger forever.
13. He does not punish us according to our iniquities.
14. He shows great mercy to those who fear Him.
15. He removes our transgressions from us.
16. He has pity on us.
17. He remembers that we are dust.
18. His mercy is everlasting.
19. He blesses our children and grandchildren who obey Him.
20. He rules over all and His throne is established."
**
Okay, now do you want to improve your mental health? Or maybe how you feel? Regardless of what is happening to you?
Personalize the list above and turn them into a 'prayer list'; i.e. "Thank you, God that you forgive my iniquities; thank you that You heal all my diseases; thank you that You redeem my life from destruction...."
See what happens.
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