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January 2010 Archives

Printable Issue 1730  Today is Friday, January 1st, 2010; Karen's Korner #1730
 
Happy New Year! Wow, I typed the right year for the first time! It is usually about January 23 when I stop paying attention that I tend to have more trouble with the 'new year's date' when I write it down.
 
This is a day for NEW! 
 
"See, I am making all things NEW!" ~ Revelation 21:5
 
A Bible reader/Sunday School participant doesn't have to be reading and learning long to hear the story about creation and Adam and Eve in the first book of the Bible, Genesis. They screwed up; Revelation, the last book, tells 'the end' of the story. Taken from a graphic in my Life Application LIVING BIBLE.
:
 
Genesis says:  The sun is created
Revelation says:  The sun is not needed
 
Genesis says:  Satan is victorious
Revelation says:  Satan is defeated
 
Genesis says:  Sin enters the human race
Revelation says:  Sin is banished
 
Genesis says:  People run and hide from God
Revelation says:  People are invited to live with God forever
 
Genesis says:  People are cursed
Revelation says:  The curse is removed
 
Genesis says:  Tears are shed, with sorrow for sin
Revelation says:  No more sin, no more tears of sorrow
 
Genesis says:  The Garden and earth are cursed
Revelation says:  God's city is glorified, the earth is made new
 
Genesis says:  The fruit of the Tree of Life is not to be eaten
Revelation says:  God's people may eat from the Tree of Life
 
Genesis says:  Paradise is lost
Revelation says:  Paradise is regained
 
Genesis says:  People are doomed to death
Revelation says:  Death is defeated, believers live forever with God
 
***
Printable Issue 1731  Today is Monday, January 4th, 2010; Karen's Korner #1731
Last week our daughter Jamie and grandchildren Luke, Molly, and Noah came to stay at our house overnight to take advantage of Luke's Christmas break from school.
 
Among other things, we went to our local museum for a short visit to see some of the collections there. The trip is a favorite for our grandchildren, especially to five-year-old Luke. As we were leaving, our museum host gave all three kids their own candy cane, leftover from the holidays.
 
Walking out on to the porch outside of the museum, Luke discovered his candy cane was broken. His displeasure was registered by throwing it onto the wooden structure and informing the rest of us that he was not going to eat a broken one when 'Noah and Molly had ones that weren't broken'. He needed another one!! There were demands and tears.
 
His mom kept getting kids into the vehicle as Luke's tyriad continued. Through his tears, he recalled often his displeasure and said the broken candy was making 'this his worst Christmas ever'.
 
Jamie reminded that his actions weren't anything she planned to reward.
 
Was Luke's behavior unwarranted? immature? Probably.
 
What the fuss about?
 
But are we so different from Luke? I'd like to think we aren't. It might not be a broken candy cane!
 
 
We looked at the first few sentences of the Lord's Prayer in Sunday School class yesterday which included:
 
".....May Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven..."
 
We do pretty well when 'His will' matches 'our will'.
 
But what about the times when we get something other than what we want? Thought we needed? Couldn't live without?
 
Our friend or family member isn't healed of some disease? We have been asking for just the right job; no answer that we can see on the horizon? A family member, co-worker, friend, neighbor isn't behaving like we know they should or could?
 
What do we do? Quit praying? Quit believing? Drop out of church attendance and fellowship with over believers?
 
Do we, like Luke, remind God or anyone who will listen that this is the 'worst thing that has happened to us ever'? When all God wants is for us to believe that His will is best and for us to trust Him.
 
After all, He sees the whole picture better than we do.
 
Father in Heaven, thank Your that You are Our Father; that You love us unconditionally; and only want the very best for us. Forgive us for our tantrums and childish outbursts when we want our will more than we want Yours. We want You to be our Father; help us to be the kind of children which You want us to be:  sitting on Your lap, trusting You to take care of our every need; knowing that You have our very best interests and care in mind. Sometimes we forget. We need Luke and Your words in the Lord's Prayer to remind us. Thank You for loving us so very, very much. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
Printable Issue 1732  Today is Tuesday, January 5th, 2010; Karen's Korner #1732
A thought from Shirley Choat, written and emailed in May last year; perfect for today (or any day!):
 
    "The standards we have for ourselves are rarely as strict as those we hold for others.They allow us to denounce a drug addict while we remain gossips. In reality, without Christ, no one is good enough to go to heaven.
 
     "After praying that God would judge His enemies, the Psalmist turned the spotlight on himself: 'Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.'  Psalm 139:23, 24.
 
     "It's not wrong to stand against sin wherever it occurs. But it's a tragic mockery of God's grace to judge others harshly while being lenient on ourselves.
 
     "There are places in my heart that I have never been. LORD, sometimes I don't know myself. I am so blessed to know that You do."
 
We'd all stand condemned if Christ hadn't paid
The penelty for all our sins;
Let's never forget that only God's grace
Delievered and changed us within.
 
 
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - Be slow to judge others but quick to judge yourself.
 
***
Printable Issue 1733  Today is Wednesday, January 6th, 2010; Karen's Korner #1733
 
A couple of short thoughts to start your day:
 
Don't work so hard that you don't take the time to smell the flowers in your garden.
 
***
 
Taken from a set of note cards which I received as a Christmas gift:
 
"Where your treasure is,there your heart will be.
~Luke 12:34 NASB
 
***
 
One of the hardest things in life to learn is
which bridge to cross
 and which bridge to burn.
 
***
“A Government big enough to give you everything you want is strong enough to take everything you have.”   

~~ Thomas Jefferson

***

"The Lord's blessing is our greatest wealth.

All our work adds nothing to it!

~ Proverb 10: 22

***

A saying from a new kitchen plaque we have above our stove:

"Make time for quiet moments,

as God whispers

and the world is loud."

***

Printable Issue 1734  Today is Thursday, January 7th, 2010; Karen's Korner #1734
Taken from one of Max Lucado's newer books, FEARLESS:
 
"Let's trust our heavenly Father in the manner Peter Wirth trusted his earthly one.
 
"Peter was a twenty-one-year-old university student when he began to experience severe pain in his right shoulder. He called his father for advice. Most students would do the same:  call home for counsel. But few students have a better parent to call in such a situation. Peter's father, Michael, is a world-renowned orthopedic surgeon who specializes in shoulders. Peter calling Dr. Wirth with a shoulder problem is like Bill Gates's daughter calling him with a software problem.
 
"Michael initially attributed Peter's pain to weight lifting. But after numbness and tingling set in, the doctor grew suspicious of an extremely rare shoulder condition called deep venous thrombosis. A clot was forming in his son's shoulder, dangerously close to his heart. Michael was not only acquainted with the condtion; he had coauthored the paper on how to treat it. He sent Peter to the emergency room and told him to request an ultrasound. Turns out, Michael's long-distance diagnoses was right on target. Peter was immediately admitted to the hospital, where the clot was dissolved, and his earthly life was extended.
 
"Wouldn't it be great to have such a father?
 
"We do. He has diagnosed the pain of the world and written the book on its treatment. We can trust him. 'Everything will work out in the end. If it's not working out, it's not the end!'"
Printable Issue 1735  Today is Friday, January 8th, 2010; Karen's Korner #1735
This past Sunday through Tuesday, our community welcomed John and Zaba Crozier to our area from Poland where they serve with their family as missionaries. John is a 1990 Clarion-Goldfield graduate; Zaba is a native.
 
It has been a number of years since they have been here.
 
I found something I wrote at that time; I can't recall if it was ever printed any where or not. I would like to share it here today:
 
 

Looking for another Mother Theresa

 

November  11, 2002

 

            Last week John and Zaba Crozier, missionaries in Poland, were going to talk to a group of people at our church. Our group had contributed scholarship money for several Polish youth to attend one week of camp this past summer. The handful of young people would not have been able to attend camp without the scholarship money of us Americans.

            The twosome was going to tell the experiences of some of those youth. “Wouldn’t it be something if they were training the next Mother Theresa or Billy Graham?” I idly thought.

            And it seemed that God was telling me that He doesn’t need as many Mother Theresas and Billy Grahams in this world, as He does dozens, hundreds, thousands, and hundreds of thousands of Bobs and Debs; Jerrys and Sues……….and, yes, Karens, too.

            God needs people…..lots of people…..doing His work in every village, town, and city around the world.

 

                John and Zaba’s camps might train that “one-in-a-million” evangelist or caregiver, but better still are the dozens of young people they are reaching with Jesus' love. Those dozens will reach another dozen, and those dozen will reach another dozen, and ………..
Printable Issue 1736  Today is Monday, January 11th, 2010; Karen's Korner #1736
A couple of sentences taken from a television show last night featuring Dr. David Stanley:
 
Obey God.
 
Leave the consequences to Him.
 
God is in control!
 
Got anything that is at the front of your mind today?
 
A difficult decision you have to make? Difficulties with a friend, neighbor, family member? Need to make an elected official aware of some pending legislation? Asking God for healing of some health issue? Yours or someone you love?
 
According to Stanley, we can "expect difficulties, differences, and conflicts because we live in a world different from God's.....'
 
We need to meditate on God. Do what we believe He would have us be or do. If we do that, God will make a way where there is no way. He will cause us to prosper. It may take time. And the results make look differently than we think they should. But we are asked to keep our eyes on Him and He will show us that our obedience, belief and trust 'worked out for good'.
 

Romans 8:28: 

(New American Standard Bible)

 "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. "

***

Printable Issue 1737  Today is Tuesday, January 12th, 2010; Karen's Korner #1737

At the end of a recent Bible Study, Judy Watne shared with others her experience of what 'positive words' can do to affect other people.

 

About two years ago, Judy was hired by our county to 'befriend and help' someone with physical difficulties, as well as depression. The county agency asks people like Judy to help those with mental and physical deficiencies, be less dependent on others and more independent; depending on themselves. Many times those with these disabilities do not have or have lost relationships with family and friends; this program is designed to help create natural supports and help individuals obtain this more independent way of living.

 

Several times each week Judy would take one of the two people with whom she was charged to 'look after' to doctor appointments, out for lunch, or maybe on a shopping trip. "At the beginning of my relationship with this gal, she was living in the care center," Judy said. Her direction was a continual decline.

 

But Judy entered her new friend's life. "I told her she should call me any time she needed anything," she said. "Any time we were together, I would encourage her." Judy had an adjective she used whenever she called the friend by name. The adjective was Marvelous (and then her name).

 

Judy would tell her that she looked nice. If there was anything Judy could find on which to compliment her, Judy would say it. Sometimes Judy would give her a vote of confidence that she could do something for which the client believed otherwise.

 

Over the course of time, the gal also believed she could handle things she hadn't been able to handle in the past. Her appearance improved, as did her countenance and the way she carried herself when she walked. "When we would go out for lunch," Judy said, "we would sometimes pray that God would find us a parking space in front of where we were going. And then we would thank God, when He provided it. She began to realize that God loved and would take care of her too."

 

Eventually, the two- and three-time-a-week phone calls became less frequent. Now Judy's new friend calls maybe as rarely as one time every other week. "We have gone from being worker and client to good friends," Judy said. "I really love her. She is out of the care center and lives in her own apartment.’

 

Due to her remarkable progress over the last two years, it appears that Judy’s friend will no longer need services through Wright County, “But that doesn’t mean that we can’t remain friends,” she said. “She will be my friend forever.”

 

Judy lives by the realization that everyone needs positive words spoken over them. "Speaking positive words has helped make her well," she said, "but it isn't just her, it is all of us who needs those kinds of words said to us. Just a word or two can make a world of difference in other people's lives. The Bible says, ‘The tongue has the power of life and death….’ (Proverbs 18:21)."

 

And who wins when we speak 'well words' to others? The person on the receiving end of those words.........and the person saying them!

 

"So speak encouraging words to one another..."

I Thessalonians 5:9

Printable Issue 1738  Today is Wednesday, January 13th, 2010; Karen's Korner #1738
 
I used to received daily devotional email messages from Jeff White, a minister of a church in Illinois or Wisconsin. I never met the guy but I liked the simple way that he wrote. Several years ago he disbanded the email ministry, as his church congregation was growing and he didn't have time for both.
 
Today's note was from Jeff about five years ago. When something is in God's hands, it's like a newspaper every day:
 
What we see will last only a
short time, but what we cannot see
will last forever.
~~ 2 Corinthians 4:18
    For some of you, the journey has been long. Very long and stormy. In no way do I wish to minimize the difficulties that you have had to face along the way. Some of you have shouldered burdens that few of us could ever carry. You have bid farewell to life-long partners. You have been robbed of life-long dreams. You have been given bodies that can’t sustain your spirit. You have spouses who can’t tolerate your faith. You have bills that outnumber the paychecks and challenges that outweigh the strength.
And you are tired.
It’s hard for you to see the City in the midst of the storms. The desire to pull over to the side of the road and get out entices you. You want to go on, but some days the road seems so long.…
Let me encourage you.… God never said that the journey would be easy, but he did say that the arrival would be worthwhile.
Printable Issue 1739  Today is Thursday, January 14th, 2010; Karen's Korner #1739
Last week I bought an amaryllis from our local discount store. It was packaged in a colorful box; contents included a dry-looking bulb; about 1/2" black hockey puck; and a 4" plastic container plus how-to instructions.
 
Two days ago I pulled open the box and began following the instructions. Take the hockey puck and put it in the planter. Hmmm, the hockey puck is the dried out potting soil. Add three cups of lukewarm water and leave it sit for a few minutes. The dirt now fills the planter. Make room for the amaryllis bulb. It says to spread out the roots. But they are too dried out to spread. I put the bulb into the soil and cover it up. Add another small drink of water.
 
This morning I am beginning to see the part white and part green shoot begin to sprout out of the 'two-days-ago' reconstituted soil.
 
What a combination: soil, water, bulb, light produces new growth, new shoots.
 
Is it sort of like us?  We tend to be dry bulbs. Add the soil of God's Word. Water with prayer. Bask in the Light of His Love. Watch the shoots of His Spirit to come alive in each one of us.
 
Today I only have about a three-inch shoot. In the near future, my flower is going to bloom.
 
We, too, can bloom. It isn't our job to grow nor bloom. It is just part of our pre-programmed nature. Our job is to put the ingredients together. And follow the directions.
 
Thank you, God, that we are equipped and ready to grow!
 
***
 
A note from Paul in 1 Corinthians 3:6 (NIV):
 
"I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow."
 
***
Printable Issue 1740  Today is Friday, January 15th, 2010; Karen's Korner #1740

Today's Karen's Korner is Psalm, chapter 16; the theme it says is "The joys and benefits of a life lived in companionship with God. We enjoy these benefits now and eternally." Written by David (lots of translations, this one is The Message):
 

Psalm 16

A David Song
 1-2 Keep me safe, O God, I've run for dear life to you.
   I say to God, "Be my Lord!"
      Without you, nothing makes sense.

 3 And these God-chosen lives all around—
      what splendid friends they make!

 4 Don't just go shopping for a god.
      Gods are not for sale.
   I swear I'll never treat god-names
      like brand-names.

 5-6 My choice is you, God, first and only.
      And now I find I'm your choice!
   You set me up with a house and yard.
      And then you made me your heir!

 7-8 The wise counsel God gives when I'm awake
      is confirmed by my sleeping heart.
   Day and night I'll stick with God;
      I've got a good thing going and I'm not letting go.

 9-10 I'm happy from the inside out,
      and from the outside in, I'm firmly formed.
   You canceled my ticket to hell—
      that's not my destination!

 11 Now you've got my feet on the life path,
      all radiant from the shining of your face.
   Ever since you took my hand,
      I'm on the right way.
 
**

Printable Issue 1741  Today is Monday, January 18th, 2010; Karen's Korner #1741
A portion of the book written by Max Lucado titled "Fearless", which has as some of its chapter sub-titles:  fear of not mattering; fear of running out; fear of violence; or fear that God is not real.
 
These couple of paragraphs come from the chapter sub-titled 'fear of what's next':
 
"Life comes caffeinated with surprises. Modifications. Transitions. Alterations. You move down the ladder, out of the house, over for the new guy, up through the system. All this moving. Some changes welcome, others not. And in those rare seasons when you think the world has settled down, watch out. One seventy-seven-year-old recently told a friend of mine, 'I've had a good life. I am enjoying my life now, and I am looking foward to the future.' Two weeks later a tornado ripped through the region, taking the lives of his son, daughter-in-law, grandson, and daughter-in-law's mother. We just don't know, do we? On our list of fears, the fear of what's next demands a prominent position. We might request a decaffeinated life, but we don't get it. The disciples didn't......
 
".....Jesus gives to his disciples this, 'I am going away. You are entering a new season, a different chapter. Much will be different, but one thing remains constant:  my presence. You will enjoy the presence of another Counselor.'"
 
Lucado tells that Jesus was a Counselor in person to the disciples; but the Holy Spirit would come to live in them - another Counselor.
 
Same Counselor we have at our disposal as one of His Children.
 
John 14:27 NLT: 
 
"I am leaving you with a gift--peace of mind and mind heart.
And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give.
So don't be troubled or afraid."
 
**
Printable Issue 1742  Today is Tuesday, January 19th, 2010; Karen's Korner #1742
Forwarded to me from Sonja Hofmeister yesterday. Who hasn't heard people make predictions at the beginning of any new year?
 
"A land for which the Lord your God cares;
the eyes of the Lord your God are always
on it, from the beginning of the year to the
very end of the year."
     ( Deuteronomy 11:12 ~ NKJV )
 
**
 
            Top 10 Predictions for 2010

       1. The Bible will still have all the answers.
       2. Prayer will still be the most powerful thing on Earth..
       3. The Holy Spirit will still move.
       4. God will still honor the praises of His people.
       5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.
       6. There will still be singing of praise to God.
       7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
       8. There will still be room at the Cross.
       9. Jesus will still love you.
      10.Jesus will still save the lost when they come to Him.
 
**

      Isn't It Great To Remember Who Is Really In Control,
      and that;  "the Word of the Lord endures forever"?
          ( 1 Peter 1:25 )
 
**
      Blessings to you in the year of 2010!
 
****
Printable Issue 1743  Today is Wednesday, January 20th, 2010; Karen's Korner #1743
An email written by Rick Warren, author of THE PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE:
 

"The Lord replied, 'Don't say, 'I'm too young,'

for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you'"

(Jeremiah 1:7 NLT)

 

 Turn Excuses Into Creative Thinking

 

Here are some common excuses for not fulfilling your commission:

• "I only speak English." This is actually an advantage in many countries where millions of people want to learn English and are eager to practice it.
• "I don't have anything to offer." Yes, you do! Every ability and experience in your SHAPE can be used somewhere.
• "I'm too old or too young." Most mission agencies have age-appropriate short-term projects.

Whether it was Sarah claiming she was too old to be used by God or Jeremiah claiming he was too young, God rejected their excuses. "Don't say that," the Lord replied, "for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. And don't be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you" (Jeremiah 1:7-8 NLT).

Maybe you've believed that you needed a special "call" from God, and you've been waiting for some supernatural feeling or experience, but God has already stated His call repeatedly. God doesn't want to use just some of His people; He wants to use all of His people. We're all called to be on-mission for God. He wants His whole church to take the whole gospel to the whole world.

If you want to be like Jesus, you must care about what He cares about most; you must have a heart for the whole world! You can't be satisfied with just your family and friends coming to Christ. There are over six billion people on earth, and Jesus wants all his lost children found.

The Great Commission is your commission, and doing your part is the secret to living a life of significance. Jesus said, "Only those who throw away their lives for my sake and for the sake of the Good News will ever know what it means to really live" (Mark 8:35 LB).

***

Printable Issue 1744  Today is Thursday, January 21st, 2010; Karen's Korner #1744
Last week Jim and I took Luke to a performance of "The Lion King" at the Civic Center for his upcoming sixth birthday.
 
We were to meet his mom, dad, sister Molly and brother Noah at Spaghetti Works for supper afterwards.
 
Four-and-a-half year old Molly sat next to me at the restaurant. Part of the way through the meal, Molly leaned over to me and said, "Grandma, when I grow up I want to be just like you!"
 
Pretty warm heart strings for any Grandmother. In her way she was expressing her love for me and acknowledging the amount of love and care I have for her. She knows it and can feel it. There isn't much I wouldn't do for Molly.
 
What would happen if we expressed that same feeling for Jesus?
 
Dear Jesus, as I grow up, I want to be just like you! Thank you for loving and caring for me, every day of my life. As I go about my tasks and relationships, I want to treat people and my work as you would. Help me to give to others, as you so willingly give to me. I give you my life and my love. In Your Name, Amen.
Printable Issue 1745  Today is Friday, January 22nd, 2010; Karen's Korner #1745
Nothing evokes responses from Karen's Korner readers like real-life thoughts about kids, especially grandchildren. And yesterday's Karen's Korner about our four-year-old granddaugher Molly was no exception.
 
Most responses were ones of thanks or how much readers enjoyed it.
 
I had two which related their own thoughts:
 
Vicky Boyington said, ".My most precious Christmas gift this year was a hanging cloth plaque from daughter Terri that says 'If you don’t believe in angels; then you don’t know my mother.' The older we get the sweeter the words of our loved ones.'
 
Val Neubauer related a granddaughter story as well:  "Loren and I also have a 4 1/2 year old granddaughter," she said. "Aren't they precious! " 
 
Their favorite story about Shea was after she had been to Sunday school at their church. "She had heard the story of Adam and Eve," Val said. "It really bothered her that they had to leave the garden, and she hated the fact that the snake had to be punished too. We had to enact the story several times. Sometimes she would play the role of God, and she would forgive the snake and let it remain in the garden."
 
Accoriding to Val, her funniest memory was when she and Shea were playing with the Barbie dolls later. "She handed me a naked Barbie and Ken," Val siad. "They were mine to play with. I told her that I needed to dress them. She replied, 'No, Grandma, they don't need clothes. They're Adam and Eve.'"
 
Cute!
 
Have a good weekend....

 

 
Printable Issue 1746  Today is Monday, January 25th, 2010; Karen's Korner #1746
A couple of paragraphs which introduce readers of my Life Application Living Bible to the book of Philippians:
 
"The word happiness evokes visions of unwrapping gifts on Christmas morning, strolling hand in hand with the one you love, being surprised on your birthday, responding with unbridled laughter to a comedian, or vacationing in an exotic locale. Everyone wants to be happy; we make chasing this elusive ideal a lifelong pursuit:  spending money, collecting things, and searching for new experiences. But if happiness depends upon our circumstances, what happens when the toys rust, loved ones die, health detriorates, money is stolen, and the party's over? Often happiness flees and despair sets in.
 
"In contrast to happiness stands joy. Running deeper and stronger, joy is the quiet, confident assurance of God's love and work in our lives, that he will be there no matter what! Happiness depends on happenings, but joy depends on Christ!"
 
"In a life dedicated to serving Christ, Paul had faced excruciating poverty, abundant wealth, and everything in-between. He ever wrote this joyful letter from prison. Whatever the circumstances, Paul had learned to be content, finding real joy as he focused all of his attention and energy on knowing Christ and obeying him."
 
There are four chapters in the book of Philippians; each of the chapters has as its theme:
 
# 1 - Joy in suffering
# 2 - Joy in serving
# 3 - Joy in believing
#4 - Joy in giving
 
It's a total of about 100 verses; might be good reading for all of us as we are tucked away on some of these wintry days and nights!
 
"Always be full of joy in the Lord;
I say it again,
REJOICE!"
 
~ Philippians 4:4
 
***
Printable Issue 1747  Today is Tuesday, January 26th, 2010; Karen's Korner #1747
Something forwarded to me by Joan Norem, a schoolmate from the grade behind me. You may have seen it before as a pass-along email. Hers to me was complete with cute graphics. With or without, the message is just the same:
 
Monday Wash Day 
Lord, help me wash away all my selfishness and
Vanity, so I may serve you with perfect humility
Through the week ahead.

Tuesday  Ironing Day  
Dear Lord, help me iron out all the wrinkles
Of prejudice I have collected through the years
So that I may see the beauty in others.
Wednesday Mending Day  
O God, help me mend my ways so I will not
Set a bad example for others.

Thursday Cleaning Day
Lord Jesus, help me to dust out all the many faults
I have been hiding in the secret corners of my heart.
Friday Shopping Day
O God, give me the grace to shop wisely so I may purchase
eternal happiness for myself and all others
In need of love.

Saturday Cooking Day

Help me, my Savior, to brew a big kettle of brotherly
Love and serve it with clean, sweet bread of human kindness.
Sunday  The Lord's Day    
O God, I have prepared my house for you. Please
Come into my heart so I may spend the day and the
Rest of my life in your presence.
 
***
 
And I received this note yesterday from Al Bennett, whose daughter Susan works at a Cedar Rapids junior high school:
Susan's comment to Al, "Every morning the principal gets on the intercom with notes and updates. He ends with, 'Have a great day......or not. The choice is up to you!"
 
***
Printable Issue 1748  Today is Wednesday, January 27th, 2010; Karen's Korner #1748
A prayer emailed to me yesterday by Bertha Erickson; the name of the writer was not given:
 
Lord, I just want to say THANK YOU,
because this morning I woke up and knew where my children were.
Because this morning my home was still standing,
because this morning I am not crying
because my spouse, my child, my brother or sister
needs to be buried out from underneath a pile of concrete,
because this morning I was able to drink a glass of water,
because this morning I was able to turn on the light,
because this morning I was able to take a shower,
because this morning I was not planning a funeral,
but most of all I thank you this morning
because I still have life and a voice to cry out for the people of Haiti .
 
Lord I cry out to you,
the one that makes the impossible, possible,
the one that turns darkness in to light,
I cry out that you give those mothers strength,
that you give them peace that surpasses all understanding,
that you may open the streets so that help can come,
that you may provide doctors, nurses, food, water, and all that they need
in a blink of an eye..
 
For all those that have lost family members,
give them peace,
give them hope,
give them courage to continue to go on!
Protect the children and shield them with your power.
 
I pray all this in the name of Jesus!!!
 
AMEN
 
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Printable Issue 1749  Today is Thursday, January 28th, 2010; Karen's Korner #1749
I am associated with OUR IOWA magazine, a publication about Iowans; for Iowans. We received our February/March copy in the mail yesterday, between snows and blows.
 
Publishers use some of the 'white space' on the border of the magazine pages to print "Side Notes", some thought provoking sentences. Here are a handful from this edition:
 
 
* Winners make things happen. Losers let things happen.
 
* The best thing you can give someone is a chance.
 
* If you look up, there are no limits.
 
* When you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.
 
* Footsteps on the sands of time were not made while standing still.
 
* If you put out another's candle, you also will be in the dark.
 
* If all of your problems are behind you, you must be a school bus driver.
 
* Sticks in a bundle are unbreakdable.
 
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Printable Issue 1750  Today is Friday, January 29th, 2010; Karen's Korner #1750
 
"Your attitude should be the kind that was shown us by Jesus Christ,
who though he was God,
did not demand and cling to his rights as God,
but laid aside his mighty power and glory,
taking the disguise of a slave
and becoming like men.
And he humbled himself even further,
going so far as actually to die a criminal's death on a cross.

"Yet it was because of this that God raised him up to the heights of heaven
and gave him a name which is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus
every knee shall bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue shall confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father."
 
~ Philippians 2:5-11 Living Bible
 
**
 
Bible Commentary:  "These verses were probably written from a hymn which was sung in the early Christian Church. As a hymn, it was not meant to be a complete statement about the nature of Christ. Several key characteristics of Jesus Christ, however, are inferred from this passage:
 
* he has always existed with God;
* he is equal to God because he is God;
* though he is God; he became a man in order to fulfill God's plan of salvation of all people;
* he did not just pretend to have a man's body, he actually became a man to identify with man's sins;
* he voluntarily laid aside his divine rights, privileges, and postion, out of love for his Father;
* he died on the cross for our sins, so we wouldn't have to face eternal death;
* God glorified him because of his obedience;
* God raised him to his original postion at the Father's right hand where he will reign forever as our Lord and Judge.
 
"Jesus Christ was humble, willing to give up his rights in order to obey God and serve people. Like Christ, we must serve out of love for God and for others, not out of guilt or fear.
 
"Often people excuse selfishness, pride, or evil by claiming their 'rights'. They think, 'I can cheat on this test; after all, I deserve to pass this class,' or "I can spend all this money on myself--I worked for it,' or 'I can get an abortion; I have a right to control my own body.' But as believers, we should have a different attitude, an attitude that enables us to give up our rights for the good of others--in order to serve others. If we say we follow Christ, we must also say we want to live as he lived. We should develops his attitude of humble service, even when we are not likely to get recognition for our efforts. Are you selfishly clinging to your rights or are you willing to serve?
 
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