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November 2009 Archives

Printable Issue 1686  Today is Monday, November 2nd, 2009; Karen's Korner #1686
For ten weeks, Dana Wendel, the pastor at our local Nazarene Church, posted the 'Top 10 Reasons Why I Should Go to Church'. One each week. Because it was on a sign board outside of the church for people driving in and out of Clarion to enjoy, he was limited to just a few words.
 
So here is Wendel's shortened list for church attendance. If we choose not to go to church, it isn't God who loses. It is us:
 
 10. To be safe
9. For truth
8. To restore
7. To rejoice
6. For fellowship 
5. To worship
4. God commands it
3. For rest
2. To remember
1. Jesus did!
 
***
Printable Issue 1687  Today is Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009; Karen's Korner #1687
A daily devotional written by Shirley Choat and emailed to me one day last month:
 
 "If you're trying to achieve, there will be roadblocks. I've had them; everybody has had them. But obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it. "
(By Michael Jordan)
 
**
 
LORD God, I am aware this morning of how much I have taken for granted, my health and the magnificent physical body which You have created. Thank You, LORD, for giving me legs that walk, arms that bend, hands that work, eyes that see, ears that hear and a mouth to speak and breathe with, a brain that is alive with thoughts. Help me LORD to use what You have given me for Your glory.
In Jesus' name. Amen
 
**
Printable Issue 1688  Today is Wednesday, November 4th, 2009; Karen's Korner #1688
For my birthday I was given the book "Sparkling Gems from the Greek" by Rick Renner. My birthday was six months ago; the book laid on my shelf of 'things to do' in the future. It's a big book, looking for like a text book.
 
But now that I have cracked open the cover, the day-by-day thoughts are intriguing and encouraging. I used January first's entry for our Sunday School class on Sunday; and I am going to share a portion of it for today's Karen's Korner:
 

Let God’s Peace Serve as an Umpire

For Your Mind and Emotions

  

“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 member of his body.

And always be thankful.”

~ Colossians 3:15

 

Have you ever had one of those days when there was so much confusion whirling around in your head that you felt like screaming, “STOP?”

 

From time to time, everyone has that kind of a day. And when you do, your temptation is probably either to get in the flesh (become emotional) and react to someone in an ugly way or to get depressed, go to bed, and forget about it all. However, you know that neither choice will help you solve the problems you are facing.

 

Rather than throw in the towel and give way to these emotions that want to get the best of you, why not stop right now and make a decision to let the Word of God rule you today? When I say ‘rule’ you, I’m talking about God’s supernatural peace dominating and governing every emotion and situation that confronts you. If you don’t make this decision and follow through with it, worry, fear, insecurity, doubt, and a whole host of other emotions will assuredly try to take control. And there is no worse roller-coaster ride than when you are being knocked all over the place by emotions that are out of control!

 

Paul uses the word 'rule' to tell us that the peace of God can work like an umpire or referee in our hearts, minds, and emotions. When detrimental emotions attempt to exert control over us or try to throw us into an emotional frenzy, we can stop it from happening by making the choice to let God’s peace rise up from deep inside us like an umpire or referee to moderate our emotions. As we do, we will be kept under the control of that divine peace as it rules in our hearts. When this divine umpire called ‘peace’ steps into the game, it suddenly begins to call the shots and make all the decisions instead of fretfulness, anxiety, and worry.

 

Colossians 3:15 could be translated:

 

“Let the peace of God call the shots in your life……….”

“Let the peace of God be the umpire in your life and actions…….”

“Let the peace of God act as referee in your emotions and decisions……”

 

Even though it’s true that everyone has hard days and difficult weeks, you don’t have to surrender to those emotions that try to steal your joy, disturb your relationships, and rob you of your victory. When you feel overwhelmed by problems or emotions that are hitting you from every direction, just stop a moment and deliberately set your heart and mind on Jesus and the Word of God. As you do this, the wonderful, conquering, dominating, supernatural peace of God will rise up from your spirit and take control!

 

~~


”Lord, I don’t want to let me emotions get the best of me today, so I ask that Your peace would rise up like a mighty warrior and referee in my heart, mind, and emotions. Help me recognize those moments when unhelpful emotions try to sneak up on me. I ask You to teach me how to put those emotions aside and release Your supernatural peace that is resident in my heart-----the peace that is always ready at every moment to moderate every thought and emotion that tries to pass into my life!

I pray this in Jesus’ name! AMEN.

 

~~

 

I confess that God’s supernatural peace dominates me. When I am tempted to get upset and my emotions try to take control, I put these emotions aside and allow the Spirit of God to release a supernatural, dominating, moderating peace to rule in my heart, mind, and emotions!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

~~

 

 

Printable Issue 1689  Today is Thursday, November 5th, 2009; Karen's Korner #1689
I got this email overnight from my friend, Julie. She received it from her sister; the gal writing the 'happened to me story' is a relative of Julie's sister.
 
We can debate faith and aspects of it, but we can't debate reality:
 
 
I won't fill in all the minor details, but overall here's what happened to my sister Cortney, who lives in Montana. It was my mom's birthday recently (Oct 20th), Mom would have turned 52 years young (losing her battle with melanoma not long before). 
 
For any of you who have lost loved ones, you know what it feels like to be so overcome with saddness during such special events. Both of my sisters called me that morning and we had a great cry together. Cortney was supposed to have a Bible study with her church group that night and was so filled with saddness. She really didn't want to go, but she decided she would... thinking maybe that was just what she needed. The pastor said a fairly long sermon and as Cortney was getting ready to leave, a lady walked up to her. My sister belongs to a rather large church, so she doesn't know all of the members and didn't know this lady, but what the lady said was this...
 
'I know you may not know me and you may not believe this, but during our sermon tonight, Jesus spoke to me and he told me that I needed to give you my necklace. Although I'm hesitant to give it to you, I also feel I need to be a servant to the Lord and this is what He told me I needed to do. As you can see, the neckace is so simple and very plain, my sister gave me this necklace. She brought it back from Jerusalem, to give to me and that's why it is so very special. The Opal stone is very prevalent in Jerusalem and although the necklace is so plain and simple, it has so much meaning to me. Jesus also told me I needed to tell you that your mother is with Him in heaven, that she is at peace, she loves you and that everything is going to be okay.'
 
With these words, Cortney broke down, shaking and crying.. Cortney said, "You have no idea!"; and tried to tell the lady, we just lost our Mom about two months ago and today would have been her birthday. Her birthstone is the Opal and it wasn't just her birthstone, but also her very favorite stone; it truly is a symbol of our Mom  With that, they parted; Cortney was completely overwhelmed by what this lady had just said and done.
 
Since then Cortney has tried to find the lady who delivered "her Opal necklace from heaven" to thank her again personally. She wants to talk with her some more, but she hasn't been able to find her again in church since that day. She didn't catch her name and doesn't know anything about her...... 
 
Printable Issue 1690  Today is Friday, November 6th, 2009; Karen's Korner #1690
Now is the time of year when people get all kinds of FREE calendars in the mail; we are not an exception.
 
Here are saying from one of them for 2010:
 
When we become wise,
our lives are lived from our hearts.
Just keep opening you heart!
 
**
 
To love someone is to know the song in their heart,
and to sing it to them
when they have forgotten the words.
 
**
 
Keep your eyes open...
you neve know where you'll find surprises.
~Kathi Hron Meuleahy
 
**
 
Make a great big deal...
Out of little pleasures.
 
**
 
Where friends meet the heart is warm...
and life is simple.
 
**
 
Love is not just looking at each other,
it's looking in the same direction.
~Antonie de St. Exupery
 
**
 
You hold in your hand a precious gift...
the freedom to be who you want to be!
 
**
 
Gather together the ones you love.
 
**
 
Free yourself by dancing with the wild flowers,
wherever you find them.
 
**
 
Live with an open heart.
 
**
 
Count your blessings.
 
**
 
Sometimes our dreams, like a cat's whiskers,
are soft and elusive..
And sometimes, we build them,
stitch by stitch like a well loved quilt.
 
***
Printable Issue 1691  Today is Monday, November 9th, 2009; Karen's Korner #1691

Want to know what joy and anticipation looks like?

I saw it in Molly, our four-year-old granddaughther, who stayed with us for a few days this weekend!

When she was playing in our basement, she discovered our orange plastic two-person sled. She took it down and sat in it, pretending she was sliding and sledding down snowy hills and knolls. She brought it upstairs and sat in it another handful of times. I propped it against the dining room wall so that it would take less walking around room.

Now and then, she would ask, "Grandma, do you think it is going to snow today? I think it is going to snow. Don't you?"

Unfortunately, as we get older, our aniticipation and joy for some things wane!

But everything doesn't have to!

What is on the top of your list (my list) of things for which you anticipate? Hope for? Work? Believe?

Can you sense it? Feel it? Hope for it? Sit in it and visualize it?

Dear Father in Heaven, help me to be like Molly! I want to anticipate and believe the unbelievable. Give me a sense of purpose, a sense of anticipation, and a sense of excitement. So many unbelievable things can become realities when we believe and anticipate. Thank You for giving us the hope, joy, and anticipation of a child. In Jesus' name. Amen.

 

Printable Issue 1692  Today is Tuesday, November 10th, 2009; Karen's Korner #1692
This one will hit someone's HOT BUTTON today; Christianity is a faith which sometimes 'makes sense out of no sense'. It is from Joel and Victoria Osteen:
 

Count It All Joy

"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing"
(James 1:2-4, NLT).

***

When troubles come, it´s not natural to get excited about them. Most people don´t say, "Thank you, Lord, for this overwhelming challenge." You don´t go to the mailbox and joyfully exclaim, "Oh thank God–an unexpected bill!" But notice what happens when we remain joyful during the difficult times–it sets us on a course to maturity so that we can receive everything God has for us.

Remember that the key to growing is how you handle adversity. If you complain, you will remain. If you get negative and sour on life, you won´t pass the test. Promotion is available, but if you don´t count it all joy, you miss out. The good news is that God will give you another opportunity. He can still get you to where you need to be. When somebody offends you, you have to decide that you aren´t going to be upset. When things aren´t going your way, instead of complaining, thank the Lord for an opportunity to grow. Count it all joy so that you can be all God has called you to be!

***

Father in heaven, thank You so much for the work You are doing in my life. Even when I don´t understand what´s going on, I choose to trust you. I choose to count it all joy knowing You have a good plan for me. In Jesus´ Name. Amen.

~~~

Printable Issue 1693  Today is Wednesday, November 11th, 2009; Karen's Korner #1693
It is Veterans' Day; a day to reflect and remember. A day to appreciate what has been done by military people in the past, what is being done for us today and into the future.
 
I received this note overnight from Shirley Choat and it is in part. I am unclear whether she is the writer or if she forwarded something written by another.
 
The military men and women fight overseas to maintain our freedoms; we need to fight here at home to keep them:
 
GOD BLESS OUR MILITARY FOR ALL THEY HAVE DONE FOR US AND FOR THE WAY THAT GOD HAS BLESSED THEIR EFFORTS FOR MORE THAN TWO CENTURIES!
 
 As our military is fighting hard around the world, we as Christians need to join them in fighting hard right here in our own country.  We need to get back into the Bible, praying hard for all leadership in our Country and becoming very active in standing up for what is right according to the Holy Scriptures.
 
We need to stop the erosion of our rights as Christians. If we are not careful, they will soon be gone for good. America was born on Christian principles and until recently she has followed those principles and God has smiled and blessed us for that.
 
I believe the God is broken hearted over what He is seeing happen in the USA today. We need a revival in this country that will bring America back to her knees in prayer, as they stand up for the Christian principles we were founded under; we need to stop letting "special interest" groups squash those God Given Principles. We are a Christian Nation, We have more of a right to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ than those who say we are stepping on their right not to hear it.
 
We pray that everyone may come to know the saving power of the Blood of Jesus Christ before it is too late.
 
**
  
O God our Father,
 By whose mercy and might the world turns safely 
 Into darkness and returns again to light:

 We give into Your hands our unfinished task,
 Our unsolved problems, and our unfulfilled hopes,
 Knowing that only that which You bless
 Will prosper.

 To Your great love and protection
 We commit each other and all those we love knowing
 That You alone are our sure defender,
 Through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
 Amen.
 
~~~
Printable Issue 1694  Today is Thursday, November 12th, 2009; Karen's Korner #1694
For several days earlier this week, our local Christian radio station hosted its annual Share-a-Thon fundraiser. I was to be a guest for part of an hour at one of their early broadcast hours.
 
When I was sitting waiting for my turn, one of the gals doing some of the paperwork and taking calls was Roxie Richard. Roxie was wearing a pin which simply said, "I regret my abortion."
 
What did that mean, I wondered and I asked for more details?
 
 
It seems that Roxie had an abortion 31 years ago and it caused lots of difficulty for her in an already difficult life.
She was in early 20s, living a less-than-stellar life of drugs and all the other trappings that might go with that lifestyle.
 
"I went to the emergency room one evening," she said. "I had been doing drugs and couldn't keep anything down. I had 11 x-rays and had my stomach pumped for hours. It was in the morning when I met with an angry doctor who sat down and flipped open a chart and pointed to a red ink mark with a circle around it; he said I had tested positive for pregnancy."
 
It was strongly suggested to Roxie that she have an abortion. Since she was single and living with a guy, she agreed to the 'simple procedure' and rode three hours to Iowa City for the abortion. "I sat by a wild-eyed red-head who reassured me that the procedure was simple and quick. She was having her sixth abortion," she said.
 
Roxie was somewhat convinced until she was lyiing on a bed, where the nurses spread her legs and before she knew it, she heard a sucking sound. "It took a bit for me to realize the sucking sound was coming out of me," she said. "I started fighting and begging them to stop. They tried to calm me down by saying it was nothing and they'd be done shortly." For the first ten miles on the way home, she would have to stop at times to 'puke her guts out'.
 
Intermittenly she would moan between what she had done and sleeping. "When I got home, I grabbed a cold beer and some drugs before heading for my pool league," Roxie said.
 
But the difficulty wasn't over, it was just beginning. "I suffered three miscarriages before I had our son who is now 24," she said. "I was a control freak, a drug addict, angry and bitter. I had trouble looking at myself in the mirror. I had constant self-destructive thoughts and I forgot how to hold my head high. I believed that I was selfish. I thought I was unlovable by anyone....especially myself."
 
Roxie said for a number of years she would be with the guy 'who had the most drugs at the time'. "I was always in a hurry," she said. "I couldn't understand myself and I couldn't define my problems."
 
BUT she praises God for introducing her to Silent No More Awareness & Rachel's Vineyard Abortion Recovery Retreats. "These programs help people like me," Roxie said. "They helped me to recognize what my problems were and how much that 'simple and quick procedure' was affecting me. God has touched me in places that I never knew were broken."
 
Roxie now has a song in her heart, a spring in her step, and a purpose in her life. She is married to the love of her life. Her business card states she is now 'Regional Coordinator-Iowa' for Silent No More Awareness.
 
And her healing continues as she talks and shares her life with others.
 
And wearing the pin? "God puts people in my life all of the time because of it," Roxie said. "Like me, they or their families are hurting. God can help; God can heal."
 
Her healing poem:
 
My babies have a name,
I will never be the same.
 
Life is not a game;
not even for a minute.
 
Jesus is my lifelife
And I will never forget it!
 
"My single purpose is to bring women like me to healing," she said. If anyone would like more information from Roxie, her email address is getitroxieclean@hotmail.com or check out the web site www.silentnomoreawareness.org .
 
She's free and she knows it!
Printable Issue 1695  Today is Friday, November 13th, 2009; Karen's Korner #1695
This is something written by former Clarion resident Chris Lousias. Pray for Chris as she ventures out with a handful of others in the next few days on a short-term mission trip to northern Italy where the 'tiny group of American missionaries' prepare to bring a 'Thanksgiving feast of God's love and care' to a sister church there.

 

 


The Tail of Two Views


 


Song Of Solomon 8:6:  "Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame."


 


I’m in a situation where I may have to “put the cat down”. I have one of the fellows on call at the office who doesn’t mind “taking care of things like that”.  Now when I needed to dispatch Muga the Dog, there was no option but to take her to the vet, be with her, cry with her and hate every moment.  I’m lying in bed and thinking; “why so heartless with the cat, but not the dog?”


 


The cat is a part of the household, but not really.  The only time she let’s me know I am needed or loved is when the food bowl is empty.  She has an auto feeder and auto waterer, so I don’t get that sort of attention every day…maybe every fifth day.  She comes and goes at will, but she is always on the porch when I come home from work, so there is the reminder that yes, I do have a cat.


 


The new dog (Zeke!) on the other hand is hopping up and down, butt in the air with tail wagging and unfortunately giving spontaneous kisses as soon as he sees me. He follows my every footstep, politely plays with his toys at my feet as I do dishes or sit down to read and unashamedly I admit he cuddles with me in bed. There is most definitely more intimacy and more interaction with the dog so I naturally have more affection towards the dog.


 


In lieu of all this sleepless thought, it dawned on me that this is how a lot of Christians treat their relationship with Jesus. The “cat” approach would be to get His attention when we needed something or perhaps just once a week for an hour on Sunday. The “dog” approach would to be falling all over ourselves to be with Jesus, to please Him and to never let Him out of our sight any hour of the day.


 


I can’t wait to get home to Zeke. He makes me feel loved. I also can’t wait to get into God’s Word after I do my obligatory work-to-get-paid job. Sometimes it’s frustrating to settle on just one part of the Book for the night because I just want to gobble it all down! I am constantly talking to Him during the day. It’s become so natural; I become acutely aware when I am NOT talking to Him.  I am excited to start a new day. I always say: “God, what do you have in store for You and me today?  You are so fun to hang out with!”


 


If I see the cat when I get home I ALWAYS think, “Okay, she is still around, better get another bag of food next time I hit Wal-Mart."


 


When it comes to your Christianity and your love for Jesus are you a “cat” or a “dog”?


 

My Lover Jesus, my heart pounds for You and You alone. My desire is only fueled more when I come into Your presence. Oh God, ignite MORE and MORE of You in Your people. Help them to BURN for You Jesus. Let love for Your Son roll as a wildfire across Your Church, oh God!  In His Precious name, Amen.
Printable Issue 1696  Today is Monday, November 16th, 2009; Karen's Korner #1696
Last week was Molly's turn to stay at Grandpa and Grandma Weld's home for the weekend; this weekend was her brother Luke's turn. He is nearly six and in kindergarten. He is learning his letters and sounds in school. Because of it, he sounds out words and writes down messages for what he believes are 'words'.
 
Using colors and scraps of paper, here is what Luke wrote during church yesterday.. Karen's Korner for today:
 
AVREE BOTEE
SHUD
LUVE
GOD
AND
JESUS
THE SAME
AMOT
 
I LUVE
EVRE
BADE
 
In case you can't read Luke's translation:
 
Everybody should love God and Jesus the same amount.
I love everybody.
 
It is fun to watch Luke's little mind take in things which are happening around him.
In ten years, I might remind Luke what his thoughts were when he was five!
 
But these are Luke's thoughts for you today.
 
***
 
Bible verses from I John:
 
* "See how very much our Heavenly Father loves us, for He allows us to be called His Children - think of it - and we really are." (3:1)
 
* "Little children, let us stop just saying we love people; let us really love them, and show them by our actions." (3:18)
 
* "..... let us practice loving each other, for love comes from God, and those who are loving and kind show that they are the children of God, and that they are getting to know Him better." (4:7)
 
* "If you believe that Jesus Christ is God's Son and your Savior, then you are a child of God." (5:1)
 
* "I have written these things to you who believe in the Son of God so that you may know you have eternal life." (5:13)
 
***
Printable Issue 1697  Today is Tuesday, November 17th, 2009; Karen's Korner #1697
Today is my husband Jim's 70th birthday! Quite a milestone in all of our lives, but especially big in his.....
 
In October before his 34th birthday, Jim was diagnosed with coronary artery disease. Three years later on his 37th birthday, the symptoms of the disease were such that he was in Rochester taking tests to consider bypass surgery.
In 1976 the procedure and testing weren't as common or perfected as they are today.
 
Results of the tests showed that the disease was too progressed and bypass would not be an option for Jim. Of couse, the news was devastating. Jim believed he would live less than a year without it. I had just turned 30; our two girls were five and three years old.
 
Several days passed as we digested our news.
 
The next morning when I awoke, I continued reading chapters in Psalms. Chapter 49. Chapter 50; as I turned the page of my Bible, reading farther down to verse 15. There it was in italic print:  "I want you to trust me in your times of trouble, so I can rescue you , and you can give me glory."
 
Wow! We were going to be rescued!
 
With wings on my feet , I rushed to Jim's hospital room to tell him the news! We had no idea what the 'rescue' was going to look like. But we had God's promise.
 
It was a few days later that the cardiac chief of staff reviewed Jim's test results and asked for the opportunity to do an exploratory bypass for him. He wanted to conduct the surgery to see if he could get Jim the blood flow around his heart which he so desparately needed.
 
Would we allow it?
 
Would we!
 
Six weeks later the bypass was more successful than even the doctor's had anticipated.
 
And here we are 32 years later!
 
**
 
I can recall over the years when we would have another 'time of trouble', I would wonder 'if God's magic' would once again appear and if I should read that part of the Bible? Would this be another time when those words would 'work'?
 
At the time, our daughter Merry was killed, I read,  "I want you to trust me in your times of trouble, so I can rescue you , and you can give me glory."
 
It was then that I knew that those words are true all of the time!
 
God reached down; reached out and touched me/us, let me know that I/we were loved and cared for in ways that I could only imagine. And I knew, too, that Merry too had been rescued.
 
God's words aren't true part of the time; they are true all of the time.
 
Our job is to believe it..........before we see it!
 
And to trust in His rescue options as He continues to care for each of us now and far, far into the future.....
Printable Issue 1698  Today is Wednesday, November 18th, 2009; Karen's Korner #1698
Something forwarded to me by Bob Brinton; I have not verified that it is indeed from Mother Teresa's children's home, it sounds like it certainly could have been.
 
I have read it before and it may have even been a Karen's Korner in the past; doesn't matter; it is good:
 
 
People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.
Love them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.
Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere, people may deceive you.
Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.
Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.
Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten.
Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.
Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God.
It was never between you and them anyway.


- Found written on the wall in Mother Teresa's home for children in Calcutta

**

Printable Issue 1699  Today is Thursday, November 19th, 2009; Karen's Korner #1699
(I will be gone for several days, look for Friday's Karen's Korner on Saturday!)
 
A daily devotional emal from "Purpose Driven Life' writer/author Rick Warren:
 
 

Every Nation: Shift from "Me-First" to "God-First"

"Jesus said to his followers, 'Go everywhere in the world, and tell the Good News to everyone'"

(Mark 16:15 NCV)

 
 

People with "me-first" faith ask, "How can God make my life more comfortable?" They want to use God for their purposes instead of being used for His purposes.

"God-first" believers know they've been saved to serve and made for mission. They're eager to receive a personal assignment and excited about the privilege of being used by God.

Their joy, confidence, and enthusiasm are contagious because they know they're making a difference. They wake up each morning expecting God to work through them in fresh ways.

Which type of believer do you want to be?

God invites you to participate in the greatest, largest, most diverse, and most significant cause in history—building his kingdom. History is His story; He's building His family for eternity. Nothing matters more and nothing will last as long.

From the book of Revelation we know God's global mission will be accomplished, that someday the Great Commission will be the great completion. In heaven, an enormous crowd of people "from every race, tribe, nation, and language" will one day stand before Jesus Christ to worship Him (Revelation 7:9 CEV).

Becoming a "God-first" believer will allow you to experience in advance a little of what heaven will be like.

Printable Issue 1700  Today is Saturday, November 21st, 2009; Karen's Korner #1700
Wow! Another milestone - Karen's Korner #1700, one day late as promised!

Thanks for sticking with me as a reader, contributor, supporter for all of us arer part of these daily email inspirational thoughts!
 
God has instructed me; you have encouraged me; and I am a better person from learning and sharing.......

Several weeks ago, one Karen's Korner shared about our Marys & Marthas organizing '8 Days to Make a Difference' in our community from Saturday, October 17 through Saturday, October 24. This was our eighth year of tackling different 'make a difference day' projects in our community as part of the National Make A Difference Day program, challenging volunteers to make a difference annually. The 'real date' is alwys the fourth Saturday of October. And annually, more than 3 million volunteers report projects.

We were happy to have had 118 reports, using 845 volunteers working nearly 1650 hours in our '8 days' time period. I submitted our report a week ago today.

Here are a couple from in and around our community:
 
* several people helped a neighbor with yard work or work around their houses;

* our local care center was the recipient 6 - 8 groups/individuals entertaining/doing work projects with residents;

* a couple of people did 'pay it forward' when they left $$ at a local fast food restaurant/grocery store;

* several people did major remodeling/clean up in a friends'/relatives' homes.

 As a community, we:
* hosted a community clean up day one Saturday morning;

* collected nearly 1,000 pairs of shoes to be given for use by Hope Ministries in Des Moines;

* hosted a Pastor/Staff Appreciation Coffee from local churches.

But I also made Make a Difference Day known to Karen's Korner readers and several of you responded and I included you on our list of those 'making a difference':
* one couple chose to travel to visit a relative who is now in prison for a short-term;

* one lady volunteered to be a bridge partner for a gentleman friend whose wife had died ("he really enjoys playing bridge", she wrote, "he is so good most people won't be his partner"); the bridge playing will be ongoing;

* another Karen's Korner reader is an avid reader. She had some books which she intended to give to the local library. Instead she decided to visit a homebound person (8 different people) each of the eight days, giving them a book to read (she knew their reading habits) with the instructions of passing the book along or giving it to a local library.

 Thanks to each of you for 'making a difference' every day in so many ways.....

.......and thanks be to God for giving each of us the health, wealth, and motivation to think of others in our world!
Printable Issue 1701  Today is Monday, November 23rd, 2009; Karen's Korner #1701
I had the opportunity to hop a ride to a portion of the annual National Missionary Conference with our former minister and his wife on Thursday and Friday. It was held in Peoria, Illinois. Our schedules allowed us to stay overnight.
 
Tim and Katrina Platt had reservations at the Holiday Inn which was within walking distance of the convention center. I was lucky enough to be able to get a room there as well.
 
After checking in, Tim showed me a pink slip, telling about a continental breakfast in room #801 in the morning.
 
I hadn't gotten a pink slip, but we chalked it up to an omission on the part of the registration desk.
 
I got to breakfast before the Platts. In the middle of corn flakes and a banana, I began to feel that I shouldn't be there.
 
At lunch time, eating with a couple from Indianapolis at our hotel restaurant, I knew I hadn't belonged at breakfast. The twosome showed their 'preferred customer' card to receive at 25% discount on their lunch.
 
I didn't get the discount and I shouldn't have eaten the breakfast.
 
I haven't learned how to become a member of their Holiday Day Inn group; haven't filled out the paperwork; or maybe haven't stayed at the Holiday enough times.
 
Reflecting since this weekend, I was thinking about how many people aren't Christians today. They haven't become part of Jesus' family because they haven't learned what it takes to be part of His 'forever club'; haven't read the fine print on the contract or filled out the paperwork.....
 
Jesus invites; our job is to accept and become part of the club.
 
Unfortunately, some like me and my Holiday Inn experience....aren't part of the 'preferred customer' status:  not because I couldn't get into the group.......I just hadn't done what it takes to be able to participate in free breakfasts and discount lunches.
 
Pretty easy to be counted as one of His:  "Believe (trust) on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved......." (Acts 16:31).
Printable Issue 1702  Today is Tuesday, November 24th, 2009; Karen's Korner #1702
Karen's Korner from last Wednesday, November 18; it was #1698 (If you ever want to look at a back Karen's Korner, go to www.karens-korner.com and check a number, date, or topic.), prompted this email from former Clarion residents Nancy and Dave Dunfee:
 
Makes me think of the song,
Do It Anyway
by Martina McBride.

You CAN spend your whole life buildin'
Something from nothin'
One storm can come and blow it all away
Build it anyway

You CAN chase a dream
That seems so out of reach
And you know it might not ever come your way
Dream it anyway

God is great but sometimes life ain't good
And when I pray
It doesn't always turn out like I think it should
But I do it anyway
I do it anyway

This world's gone crazy
And it's hard to believe
That tomorrow will be better than today
Believe it anyway

You can love someone with all YOUR heart
For all the right reasons
And in a moment they can choose to walk away
love 'em anyway

God is great but sometimes life ain't good
And when I pray
It doesn't always turn out like I think it should
But I do it anyway
Yeah, I do it anyway, YEAH,

You can pour your soul out singin'
A song you believe in
That tomorrow they'll forget you ever sang
Sing it anyway
Yeah sing it anyway, YEAH, YEAH

I sing
I dream
I love anyway, yeah.
 
***
Printable Issue 1703  Today is Wednesday, November 25th, 2009; Karen's Korner #1703
Come, Ye Thankful People Come
By Henry Alford, 1844
 
Come, ye thankful people come,
raise the song of harvest home;
all is safely gathered in,
ere the winter storms begin.
God our Maker doth provide
for our wants to be supplies;
come to God's own temple come,
raise the song of harvest home.
 
All the world is God's own field,
fruit as praise to God we yield;
wheat and tares together sown
are to joy or sorrows grown;
first the blade and then the ear,
then the full corn shall appear;
Lord of harvest, grant that we
whole-some grain and pure may be.
 
For the Lord our God shall come,
and shall take the harvest home;
from the field shall in that day
all offenses purge away,
giving angels charge at last
in the fire the tares to cast;
but the fruitful ears to store
in the garner evermore.
 
Even so, Lord, quickly come,
bring thy final harvest home;
gather thou they people in,
free from sorrow, free from sin,
there, forever purified,
in thy presence to abide;
come, with all thine angels come,
raise the glorious harvest home.
 
~~
Printable Issue 1704  Today is Thursday, November 26th, 2009; Karen's Korner #1704
Happy Thanksgiving; something forwarded to me the earlier part of this week:
 
Thanksgiving Blessings
 
T - Is for the many blessings that we are thankful for  each day.
 
H - Is for the hands that fold, when we bow our head in prayer.
 
A - Is all the prayers our Lord answers every day.
 
N - Is for His never ending love.
 
K - Is for the Kindness He has shown.
 
S - Is for the  salvation that was given to us all .
 
G - Is the goodness that  God bestows on each of us daily.
 
I - Imagine, where we would be, without His love.
 
V - Is for victorious.
 
I - I means  I'll do my best, to be more like HIM.
 
N - Is for the nails driven through our Savior's feet and hands.
 
G - Is  for  God's Greatest Gift, His Son, who gave his life for
us to have everlasting life.  
 
By: Karen Crouse 2003
 
**
Printable Issue 1705  Today is Friday, November 27th, 2009; Karen's Korner #1705
One more Thanksgiving message; a Psalm by King David of praise and thanks to God:
 
Psalm 145
 1 I lift you high in praise, my God, O my King! and I'll bless your name into eternity.

 2 I'll bless you every day,
      and keep it up from now to eternity.
 3 God is magnificent; he can never be praised enough.
      There are no boundaries to his greatness.
 4 Generation after generation stands in awe of your work;
      each one tells stories of your mighty acts.
 5 Your beauty and splendor have everyone talking;
      I compose songs on your wonders.
 6 Your marvelous doings are headline news;
      I could write a book full of the details of your greatness.
 7 The fame of your goodness spreads across the country;
      your righteousness is on everyone's lips.

 8 God is all mercy and grace—
      not quick to anger, is rich in love.

 9 God is good to one and all;
      everything he does is suffused with grace.

 10-11 Creation and creatures applaud you, God;
      your holy people bless you.

   They talk about the glories of your rule,
      they exclaim over your splendor,

 12 Letting the world know of your power for good,
      the lavish splendor of your kingdom.

 13 Your kingdom is a kingdom eternal;
      you never get voted out of office.

   God always does what he says,
      and is gracious in everything he does.

 14 God gives a hand to those down on their luck,
      gives a fresh start to those ready to quit.

 15 All eyes are on you, expectant;
      you give them their meals on time.

 16 Generous to a fault,
      you lavish your favor on all creatures.

 17 Everything God does is right—
      the trademark on all his works is love.

 18 God's there, listening for all who pray,
      for all who pray and mean it.

 19 He does what's best for those who fear him—
      hears them call out, and saves them.

 20 God sticks by all who love him,
      but it's all over for those who don't.

 21 My mouth is filled with God's praise.
      Let everything living bless him,
      bless his holy name from now to eternity!

~~

Printable Issue 1706  Today is Monday, November 30th, 2009; Karen's Korner #1706
Now that Thanksgiving is behind us, we start to think and plan for Christmas.
 
Like most people, the home decorating begins in earnest this past weekend.
 
I am no exception.
 
I have a stash of boxes, bags, and containers to paw through as I put out our holiday treasures; some of them many decades old.
 
When we first were married, Jim's mom bought as some pieces to a nativity set:  three larger wise men which they brought back with them from a trip to Mexico and three smaller pieces which she bought for me as a Christmas gift from a local jewelry store.
 
One-by-one items were unbundled yesterday.
 
All the nativity pieces were stored together in one box and gently wrapped in discarded newspaper and taped shut for their protection. All of them were in the same box.....except for Jesus who was lying in his manager.
 
The longer I searched, I thought, "I know it has to be here if I put it away last year."
 
After lots of opening of boxes, I found the missing piece, along with several other smaller treasures in one of my holiday tins.
 
As I was putting the last piece in my nativity display, I had another thought, "What is the point of Christmas if there is no Jesus?"