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May 2009 Archives
Today is Friday, May 1st, 2009; Karen's Korner #1560
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Happy May Day!
Last week we had our monthly Marys and Marthas (M & Ms) meeting; it's an ecumenical group of gals who enjoy helping with needs and congratulating successes. Cards, notes, balloon bouquets, gift certificates are common.
We did some of our regular things at our April meeting, but we were more limited because we had 'less than normal' amounts of money. We had a balance in our checkbook because we recently had a fundraiser for aquatic center passes which we will give to a number of people in our community. The dollars are restricted to that use.
So the M & Ms did what many of us are having to do in our personal lives; we decided to use our limited resources and still turn them into blessings to others!
A number of months ago someone purchased a couple of boxes of full-sized M & Ms candies for something on which we were working; so did another someone. The extra treats have been sitting on the shelf in my store room.
Miriam Jensen stapled a ribbon handle and one of M & Ms 'business cards on each one. Today is the day that fifty some people will receive this simple outreach of blessing, a handful distributed by each of the M & Ms who attended our meeting.
Not a 'more valuable' gift certificate, but a blessing just the same! We used the resources which we had on hand, right under our noses!!
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Today is Monday, May 4th, 2009; Karen's Korner #1561
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Yesterday was my birthday and I had a couple of real nice opportunities to celebrate!
In the past, several people have emailed me the web site titled 'birth verse' . When you type in your birthday, it will give you a Bible verse using the day and month.
Mine is Matthew 5:3; then everyone gets the additional blessing of being told that I/you/we are children of God:
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Matthew 5:3 NIV
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
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You are a child of God, His treasured possession. He created you in His own image. He chose the day for you to be born. He has a plan and a purpose for your life. Cherish your birthverse.
Now it is your turn to check out your special day! |
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Today is Tuesday, May 5th, 2009; Karen's Korner #1562
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A thought that Sandy Stephenson has written inside the front cover of her favorite Bible; something she likes to be reminded daily:
The Goal of a Life Born of Grace
Let not our appreciation of God's grace
dim in our desire for righteous character and loving service.
We are not called to sit forever at the table,
but to get up and clear the table for others.
We are saved to serve - -
Jesus found greatness embodied in servanthood.
He got up from the table and washed His desciples' feet.
Jesus was the man for others.
May we not spend so much time with loaf and cup
that we neglect basin and towel.
May we give to others and not count the cost to us.
***
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Today is Wednesday, May 6th, 2009; Karen's Korner #1563
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Another short thought written by Max Lucado; this one taken from his book titled "The Great House of God":
Prayers Are Precious Jewels*
"You can talk to God because God listens. Your voice matters in heaven. He takes you very seriously. When you enter his presence, the attendants turn to you to hear your voice. No need to fear that you will be ignored. Even if you stammer or stumble; even if what you have to say impresses no one. It impresses God----and he listens.
"Intently Carefully. The prayers are honored as precious jewels. Purified and empowered, the words rise in a delightful fragrance to our Lord........... Your words do not stop until they reach the very throne of God.....
"Your prayers move God to change the world. You may not understand the mystery of prayer. You don't need to. But this much is clear: Actions in heaven begin when someone prays on earth. What an amazing thought!"
* National Day of Prayer is tomorrow, Thursday, May 7. Join a prayer time; some time, some place. If that isn't possible, Google: 'national day of prayer' and see what comes up.
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Today is Thursday, May 7th, 2009; Karen's Korner #1564
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A forward to me from my Uncle Bud in Tennessee; for Mothers Day:
She Will Be Called Blessed
By Elizabeth de Gravelles
Based on Proverbs 31:10 - 31
Her strength and her dignity clothe her with beauty,
In works of her hands, she excels.
A heart of compassion she turns to the needy,
In service to others, she gives of herself.
She rises each morning to see to her household;
She looks toward the future with joy.
She teaches her children true lessons of kindness;
And shares with them wisdom the world can't destroy.
She will be called blessed,
By her sons and her daughters;
Precious to the the Father
Are those who seek His ways.
She will be called blessed,
Held above every other;
Blessed is the mother
Who turns to God in praise
**
When you read it the first time, I hope that you thought of your mother or some other significant person in your life. Read it the second time, and remember that this is what God thinks of you (whether you are a mom or not!).
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Today is Friday, May 8th, 2009; Karen's Korner #1565
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Happy Mother's Day! This was a pass-along a number of months ago. I received it more than one time; may have used it in a past Karen's Korner. It is good enough that I decided not to check back. Enjoy for the first time (or the second):
Being a Mother..
After 21 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to take another woman out to dinner and a movie. She said, "I love you, but I know this other woman loves you and would love to spend some time with you."
The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit was my MOTHER, who had been a widow for 19 years, but the demands of work and my three children had made it possibel to visit her only occasionally.
That night I called to invite her to go out for dinner and a movie.
"What's wrong, aren't you well?" she asked.
My mother is the type of woman who suspects that a late night call or a surprise invitation is a sign of bad news.
"I thought that it would be pleasant to spend some time with you," I responded. "Just the two of us."
She thought about it for a moment, and then said, "I would like that very much."
That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick her up I was a bit nervous. When I arrived at her house,
I noticed that she, too, seemed to be nervous about our date. She waited in the door with her coat on. She had curled her hair and was wearing the dress that she had worn to celebrate her last wedding anniversary.
She smiled from a face that was as radiant as an angel's. "I told my friends that I was going to go out with my son, and they were impressed," she said, as she got into the car. "They can't wait to hear about our meeting."
We went to a restaurant that, although not elegant, was very nice and cozy. My mother took my arm as if she were the First Lady. After we sat down, I had to read the menu. Her eyes could only read large print. Half way through the entries, I lifted my eyes and saw Mom sitting there staring at me. A nostalgic smile was on her lips. "It was I who used to have to read the menu when you were small," she said.
"Then it's time that you relax and let me return the favor," I responded.
During the dinner, we had an agreeable conversation---nothing extraordinary but catching up on recent events of each other's life. We talked so much that we missed the movie.
As we arrived at her house later, she said, "I'll go out with you again, but only if you let me invite you."
I agreed.
"How was your dinner date?" asked my wife when I got home.
"Very nice. Much more so than I could have imagined," I answered.
A few days later, my mother died of a massive heart attack. It happened so suddenly that I didn't have a chance to do anything for her.
Some time later, I received an envelope with a copy of a restaurant receipt from the same place mother and I had dined. An attached note said: "I paid this bill in advance. I wasn't sure that I could be there; but nevertheless, I paid for two plates - one for you and the other for your wife. You will never know what that night meant for me. I love you, son."
At that moment, I understood the importance of saying in time: "I LOVE YOU" and to give our loved ones the time that they deserve. Nothing in life is more important than your family. Give them the time they deserve, because these things cannot be put off till "some other time."
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Today is Monday, May 11th, 2009; Karen's Korner #1566
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This writing might be one last thought for Mothers' Day, but it can encompass all women. This was forwarded to me by a long-time friend from Montana:
One Flaw In Women
Women have strengths that amaze men.
They bear hardships and they carry burdens,
but they hold happiness, love and joy.
They smile when they want to scream.
They sing when they want to cry.
They cry when they are happy
and laugh when they are nervous.
They fight for what they believe in.
They stand up to injustice.
They don't take "no" for an answer
when they believe there is a better solution.
They go without so their family can have.
They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.
They love unconditionally.
They cry when their children excel
and cheer when their friends get awards.
They are happy when they hear about
a birth or a wedding.
Their hearts break when a friend dies.
They grieve at the loss of a family member,
yet they are strong when they
think there is no strength left.
They know that a hug and a kiss
can heal a broken heart.
Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.
They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you
to show how much they care about you.
The heart of a woman is what
makes the world keep turning.
They bring joy, hope and love.
They have compassion and ideas.
They give moral support to their
family and friends.
Women have vital things to say
and everything to give.
IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN,
IT IS THAT THEY SOMETIMES FORGET THEIR WORTH.
**
God knows how valuable we all are! He loves us unconditionally, died to save us from ourselves, has plans to keep us in his ' forever family'. All He wants us to do is reach out to Him for His 'forever touch'. Bask in His Love and Care today!
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Today is Tuesday, May 12th, 2009; Karen's Korner #1567
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Taken from an online news item, sent out a day or so ago:
OKLAHOMA CITY - The Oklahoma House has voted overwhelmingly to install a monument of the Ten Commandments on the grounds of the State Capitol.
The measure authorizes installation of a 3-by-6-foot monument on the Capitol grounds. The structure would be similar to a Ten Commandments monument on the grounds of the Texas State Capitol that the U.S. Supreme Court ruled was constitutional. The measure now goes to the state Senate for final passage.
The bill's sponsor says his family will pay the estimated $10,000 cost of the project, so no state funds will be used.
The 83-to-2 House vote came on the National Day of Prayer (Thursday), a day on which televangelist Oral Roberts addressed the Oklahoma Senate. There was also a public prayer service near the state Supreme Court chamber. And religious-themed displays were set up in the state Capitol rotunda.
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Today is Wednesday, May 13th, 2009; Karen's Korner #1568
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A good daily devotional email from Joel and Victoria Osteen; enjoy!
Free Indeed
“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36 NIV).
Are you free today? Are you free indeed? So many people today hear that God wants to set them free, but yet, they still walk around feeling defeated and carrying unnecessary burdens. Don’t let that be you! Embrace the freedom that Jesus paid for. You are set free from the bondage of sin, fear, lack, sickness, worry, and cares. Think about that for a minute. How would you feel if you never had to worry about money? God wants to set you free. How would you feel if you never had to be concerned about sickness? God wants to set you free. How would you feel if you never had fear? God wants to set you free! God has a plan for you to be “free indeed” in every area of your life. He wants to direct your steps on the path of life and give you pleasures forevermore. Accept His freedom and follow His path for you. You can trust that He is moving you into a place of victory and peace all the days of your life!
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your plan to set me free indeed. I release every burden and care to You today because I know You care for me. Help me to understand Your goodness and empower me to walk strong in You today. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
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Today is Thursday, May 14th, 2009; Karen's Korner #1759
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OUR TRUE IDENTITY IN CHRIST*
(First of 3 parts;
Here there are nine listed: hang on: there are 25 of them!)
* We are declared ‘not guilty’ of sin
(Romans 3:24)
* No condemnation awaits us
(Romans 8:1)
* We are free from the vicious circle of sin and death
(Romans 8:2)
* We are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ
(I Corinthians 1:2)
* We are pure and holy
(I Corinthians 1:30)
* We will rise again
(I Corinthians 15:22)
* We are free from trying to be saved by being good enough
(II Corinthians 3:17)
* We are brand new people inside
(II Corinthians 5:17)
* We are full of God’s goodness
(II Corinthians 5:21)
~~
* Taken from chart in Life Application Bible, Within Ephesians text.
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Today is Thursday, May 14th, 2009; Karen's Korner #1550
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This is graduation weekend for all three schools in our (Wright) county, as well as many others across the U.S.
It brings a memory of my own graduation years ago. I was walking with several of my friends from the school locker room to an athletic field behind our school. All of us were clad in our required one-piece seafoam green physical education short outfiits (anyone in school in the 1960s, remember P.E. outfits?). Our teacher was part of those walking with us.
I recall saying, "I know we are graduating in a few days, but I can't believe how much I still don't know!"
To which the teacher turned to me and said, "Congratulations! The beginning of wisdom is knowing how much is left to learn!"
A graduation story forwarded to me by Florine Swanson:
"A great evangelist tells the story of a young man who, upon graduating from college, asked his father to get him a new car. The day of graduation arrived and the father, a fervent Christian, handed him a brightly wrapped package. As the young man opened it he imagined it was a small model of his new car only to find to his shock, it was a Bible. The young man was livid. He threw the Bible down and stomped out of the room. He never spoke to his father again.
"Years later his mother sent for the son informing him that his father had died. After the father's funeral, the son was sitting in his parents' home when he noticed a Bible on the mantle. He recognized it to be the Bible his father had given him years before and the one he had angrily thrown to the floor. As he paged through the Bible he leafed to the inside back cover. There tucked tighly in the back of the Bible was a cashier's check, the amount for that new car. It was dated the day of his graduation from school.
"The words of Jesus come to mind: 'He who seeks only himself brings himself to ruin.' The young man's greed got in the way of the gift his father was trying to give him.
"His father taught his son an important lesson - what matters most is God, and when you have Him, everything else is of secondary importance. That young man spent years on the run, running away from his father who wanted him to come to know the Lord."
By: Rev. Mgsr. Frank Chiodo
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Today is Thursday, May 14th, 2009; Karen's Korner #1569
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This is graduation weekend for all three schools in our (Wright) county, as well as many others across the U.S.
It brings a memory of my own graduation years ago. I was walking with several of my friends from the school locker room to an athletic field behind our school. All of us were clad in our required one-piece seafoam green physical education short outfiits (anyone in school in the 1960s, remember P.E. outfits?). Our teacher was part of those walking with us.
I recall saying, "I know we are graduating in a few days, but I can't believe how much I still don't know!"
To which the teacher turned to me and said, "Congratulations! The beginning of wisdom is knowing how much is left to learn!"
A graduation story forwarded to me by Florine Swanson:
"A great evangelist tells the story of a young man who, upon graduating from college, asked his father to get him a new car. The day of graduation arrived and the father, a fervent Christian, handed him a brightly wrapped package. As the young man opened it he imagined it was a small model of his new car only to find to his shock, it was a Bible. The young man was livid. He threw the Bible down and stomped out of the room. He never spoke to his father again.
"Years later his mother sent for the son informing him that his father had died. After the father's funeral, the son was sitting in his parents' home when he noticed a Bible on the mantle. He recognized it to be the Bible his father had given him years before and the one he had angrily thrown to the floor. As he paged through the Bible he leafed to the inside back cover. There tucked tighly in the back of the Bible was a cashier's check, the amount for that new car. It was dated the day of his graduation from school.
"The words of Jesus come to mind: 'He who seeks only himself brings himself to ruin.' The young man's greed got in the way of the gift his father was trying to give him.
"His father taught his son an important lesson - what matters most is God, and when you have Him, everything else is of secondary importance. That young man spent years on the run, running away from his father who wanted him to come to know the Lord."
By: Rev. Mgsr. Frank Chiodo
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Today is Friday, May 15th, 2009; Karen's Korner #1570
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Another writing by Max Lucado from his book "In the Grip of Grace":
God's Anger
God's Angry at Evil
"For many, this is a revelation. Some assume God is a harried high school principal, too busy monitoring the planets to notice us.
"He's not.
"Others assume he is a doting parent, blind to the evil of his children.
"Wrong.
"Still others insist he loves us so much he cannot be angry at our evil.
"They don't understand that love is always angry at evil.
"Many don't understand God's anger because they confuse the wrath of God with the wrath of man. The two have little in common. Human anger is typically self-driven and prone to explosions of temper and violent deeds. We get ticked off because we've been overlooked, neglected, or cheated. This is the anger of man. It is not, however, the anger of God.
"God doesn't get angry because he doesn't get his way. He gets angry because disobedience always results in self-destruction. What kind of father sits by and watches his child hurt himself?"
***
God is angry at the evil that ruins his chldren.
***
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Today is Monday, May 18th, 2009; Karen's Korner #1571
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A few fun, funny thoughts from the book "Laugh Out Loud", published by Women of Faith. It is written in a Chicken Soup for the Soul style with a portion of the contributions from some of the known speakers such as Sheila Walsh, Luci Swindoll, and Patsy Clairmont.
The book is a birthday gift from my friend Pam Winter who had attended the Des Moines Women of Faith event the day before my birthday with several family members. Thanks, Pam!
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Mom, It's Catherine
author unknown
A teenaged girl had to stay at her girlfriend's overnight. She was unable to call her parents until the next morning.
"Mom, it's Catherine. I'm fine. My car broke down last night, and by the time I got to Julie's house it was well past midnight. I knew it was too late to call Please don't be mad at me!"
By now, the woman at the other end of the phone realized the caller had the wrong number. "I'm sorry," she said. "I don't have a daughter named Catherine."
"Oh, Mom, come on! I didn't think you would be this mad!"
***
Marriage has no guarantees.
If that's what you're looking for,
go live with a car battery.
~ Erma Bombeck
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Horse sense is the thing
a horse has
which keeps it from betting on people.
~ W.C. Fields
***
The policeman couldn't believe his eyes when he saw the woman drive past him, busily knitting. Quickly he pulled alongside the vehicle, wound down his window, and shouted, "Pull over!"
"No," she yelled back, "they're socks!"
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I'm planning on living forever.
So far, so good!
~ Author unknown
***
Divine Call
~ author unknown
The pastor's church was called Almighty God Tabernacle. On a Saturday night several weeks ago, the pastor was working late and decided to call his wife before he left for home. It was about 10 p.m., but his wife didn't answer the phone. The pastor let it ring many times. He thought it was odd that she didn't answer, but decided to wrap up a few things and try again in a few minutes. When he tried again she answered right away. He asked her why she hadn't answered before, and she said that it hadn't rung at their house. They brushed it off as a fluke and went on their merry ways.
The following Monday, the pastor received a call at the church office, which was the phone that he'd used the Saturday night before. The man he spoke with wanted to know why he'd called on Saturday night. The pastor couldn't figure out what the man was talking about. The caller said, "It rang and rang, but I didn't answer it." Then the pastor remembered the mishap and apologized for disturbing him, explaining that he'd intended to call his wife.
The man said, "That's okay. Let me tell you my story. You see, I had been very depressed and was planning to kill myself on Saturday night, but before I did, I prayed, 'God if you're there, and you don't want me to do this, give me a sign right now."
The man continued, "At that point my phone began to ring. I looked at the caller ID, and it said, Almighty God.' I was afraid to answer."
***
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Today is Tuesday, May 19th, 2009; Karen's Korner #1572
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A couple of Bible verses which we looked at in Sunday School on Sunday:
Place Your Life Before God
Romans 12:1 & 2:
1-2 So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.
Bible Commentary: God has good, pleasing, and perfect plans for his children. He wants us to be new people with freshness of thought, alive to glorify him. Since he wants only what is best for us, and since he gave his Son to make our new lives possible, we should joyfully offer ourselves as living sacrifces for him.
Often the behavior and customs of this world are selfish and corrupting. Many Christians wisely decide that much wordly behavior is off-limits for them. Refusal to conform must go even deeper than behavior and customs - it must be firmly founded in our minds. It is possible to avoid most wordly customs and still be proud, selfish, stubborn, and arrogant. Only when our minds are renewed by the new attitude Christ gives us are we truly transformed. If our character becomes more Christ-like, we can be sure our behavior will honor God.
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Today is Wednesday, May 20th, 2009; Karen's Korner #1573
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All the moms at our church on Mother's Day received books titled "An Invitation to PRAYER for Mothers". It has ninety Bible verses plus a prayer written under a specific topic.
I am sharing one today and might send another one or two in the days ahead.
Believe
"Let not your heart be troubled;
you believe in God,
believe also in Me.
In my Father's house are many mansions;
if it were not so,
I would have told you.
I go to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come again and receive you to Myself;
that where I am,
there you may be also."
~~ John 14:1 - 3
***
"Lord, help me believe that You are the way, the truth, and the life. My heart yearns for the power of Your presence. Never let me doubt Your love and mercy, but strengthen me to tell others of Your saving grace and neverending love. May Your Spirit direct my path daily and strengthen my commitment to Your purpose for without You, I am nothing. But with You, 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!' Praise God, Amen."'
***
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Today is Thursday, May 21st, 2009; Karen's Korner #1574
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We have a had more than one kind of weather in the past week; and not all of it has been great for being outside! Anyone but me tiring of all the wind?
I have put out a number of starter flowers. The changing weather has been anything but easy on the fledgling plants. Last weekend it was so cold for a couple of nights. Some of them we covered with sheets for a night or two. Three of my flower pots, we drug into our house. I haven't put them back outside, so they can escape the windy conditions.
Our outside plants show some of the effects of all the wind. I pour water to them daily, but they still appear windswept to varying degrees.
The pots inside the door to our basement? Totally unaffected! The temperature climbs or drops; the wind blows or doesn't. They are fine!
It made me think of our relationship with Jesus. He promises to protect us during every storm of life which might come our way. The storms can rage but if we stay within the range of His Love and His Arms, we will not be moved or affected.
In the Bible verse below, Jesus wouldn't heed the warnings of his friends to avoid Jerusalem and some of the troubles which they believed lay ahead for Him. Jesus knew, but He never dreaded His future, because He was always in His Father's hands.
It's the same place He wants for us; gathered under His Wings and protected from any of life's storms. We need to be willing to be 'gathered':
"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem,
you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you,
how often I have longed to gather your children together,
as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings,
but you were not willing!"
***
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Today is Friday, May 22nd, 2009; Karen's Korner #1575
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Happy Memorial Day weekend!
I just knew that in the past week or so that I would receive 'just the right thing' to use/forward for Karen's Korner for the weekend ahead: a poem, a story, a saying. Didn't get anything which 'hit the spot'.
So not as a 'last choice or last resort', but as something God may have planned all along, I would like to type a prayer for us:
Dear Father in Heaven, thank You for the care which You give to us every day of our lives. Thank You for Your protection. Thank You that You direct people to aid in our friendships. We want to praise You for military people who have; or are serving us to protect each one of us from leaders, nations, and invidiuals who seek to do us harm. Thank You that You have shed Your grace on our country in the past. We ask that You continue to shed that grace on the United States of America. Not that we have ever deserved it; and we do not deserve it now. Show us Your way; show me Your way. Help us, help me to be aware of Your hand of love and protection today, tomorrow, Sunday, and Monday. We bless Your Holy Name. Amen.
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Today is Monday, May 25th, 2009; Karen's Korner #1576
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Today's email from Shirley Choat:
MEMORIAL DAY - A DAY TO REMEMBER
This day shall be unto you for a memorial." Ex. 12:14
Today is Memorial Day when we pause to honor the cherished memory of our loved ones gone before us.
Today I walked through a sea of flags as I decorated the many graves of family, friends and men and women who laid down their lives for this great country, those faithful citizens who gave themselves, not for life as it was but for life as it well might be. A flood of memories came back to me as I walked, stopping at each grave to place flowers and leave a prayer of thanks, along with a few tears. I felt very proud to have all these men and women who gave their lives to win the liberty, seal the nation, and preserve the integrity of our country and our flag.
When we seek love, equality, justice and peace, then we show that we remember the sacrifices of the past. Having done this our thanks are also due Almighty God for our freedom. The greatness of our country is due not to our superior arms but to His unmerited blessings. And we are unworthy, for we have repaid kindness with sin, pride, lawlessness, and selfishness. Individually and nationally, we have reason to turn to God in repentance this day and seek forgiveness in the blood of His Son.
In His name, let us plead that wars may cease and that men's hearts be turned to the paths of peace. Let us prove our undying gratitude by the use to which we put our civil and religious liberties for "Blessed is the nation who God is LORD."
"Almighty and eternal God, before whom the nations rise and fall, we confess in shame the humility before You that we have wandered from Your ways and forgotten You in the councils of the nations. Grant that we and all people may understand what is means to observe a God-pleasing Memorial Day. Amen."
***
LORD, help us to appreciate
The work that others do,
The service given from their hearts,
Their sacrifice for you.
WE HONOR GOD WHEN WE HONOR ONE ANOTHER
****
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Today is Tuesday, May 26th, 2009; Karen's Korner #1577
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(No Karen's Korner tomorrow as we will be gone for a few days!)
"We want to live well,
but our foremost efforts
should be to help others live well."
~ I Corinthians 10:24 (The Message Bible)
***
I read this above verse this morning and it seemed to say something special to me. So many people compliment me and some of the things which I do. People give me things or do things with and for me, because I am in leadership roles at times. These people (YOU!) bless me over and over again.
I questioned myself, "Do I do all that I can to help others 'live well'?"
If I do not, I apologize. I know that I could think of many you more often and pray for you more frequently. Thanks for being in my life and for blessing me in so many ways.
In the next day or two, we will be riding the car getting from here to there. I want to think of, and pray for you, in those days.
Father in Heaven, today I choose to bless each person who reads Karen's Korner. But even better, I ask that You might bless them as only you can. We each want to live well. We want to bless those in our world - those we love, those we know, and even those we don't!
You don't give us tasks which are easy; You give us tasks which are impossible without Your help. We bless You, Father God. Amen.
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Today is Thursday, May 28th, 2009; Karen's Korner #1578
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Late today, but back after a couple of days away!
A daily email inspirational thought from Joel and Victoria Osteen:
Keep Asking
“For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened” (Matthew 7:8).
Is there something you are believing God for? Does it seem like it’s taking a long time to come to pass? Be encouraged today! The Bible says that through faith and patience you will inherit the promise. You can trust that God’s Word is true. Submit your prayers to the Lord, and keep an attitude of faith and expectancy. Keep asking. Keep seeking. Keep knocking on the door, and it will be opened to you. It may seem like it’s taking a long time, but know this: God is working behind the scenes on your behalf. He is orchestrating things in your favor. He is perfecting whatever concerns you. Don’t give up! Start thanking God for His faithfulness in your life. As you stay faithful in your prayers and thanksgiving, the Lord will move mightily on your behalf. He’ll take you places that you’ve never dreamed, and you will live the life of victory He has in store for you!
Father in heaven, thank You for giving me a diligent spirit. Thank You for Your faithfulness. Give me strength to stand until I see Your promises fulfilled in my life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
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Today is Friday, May 29th, 2009; Karen's Korner #1579
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A short writing by Max Lucado from his book "In the Grip of Grace":
Rocking the Boat
God has enlisted us in his navy and placed us on his ship. The boat has one purpose - to carry us safely to the other shore.
This is no cruise ship; it's a battleship. We aren't called to a life of leisure; we are called to a life of service. Each of us has a different task. Some, concerned with those who are drowning, are snatching people out of the water. Others are occupied with the enemy, so they man the cannons of prayer and worship. Still other devote themselves to the crew, feeding and training the crew members.
Though different, we are the same. Each can tell of a personal encounter with the captain, for each has received a personal call. He found us among the shanties of the seaport and incited us to follow him. Our faith is born at the sight of his fondness, and so we went.
We each followed him across the gangplank of his grace onto the same boat. There is one captain and one destination. Though the battle is fierce, the boat is safe, for our captain is God. The ship will not sink. For that, there is no concern.
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God loves my neighbor
and makes him my brother.
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Today is Sunday, May 31st, 2009; Karen's Korner #1580
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A 'Sunday Surprise' to make up for the Karen's Korner I missed on Wednesday!
Disappointment
"And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations,
knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;
and perseverance character;
and character hope.
Now hope does not disappoint,
because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts
by the Holy Spirit who was given to us."
~~ Romans 5:3 - 5
Life is unfortunately full of disappointments. But You, Lord, have given me hope that never changes and a love that will never fade away. Speak to my heart and give me the ability to overcome the struggles that are a part of life. Help me to look beyond my own circumstance and see Your purpose for me. I thank You for the challenges of life that help me walk closer to You. Amen.
~~ taken from An Invitation to PRAYER for Mothers
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