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February 2010 Archives

Printable Issue 1751  Today is Monday, February 1st, 2010; Karen's Korner #1751
Yesterday as we pulled up to our church, a gal in a long black winter coat was making her way up our steep church front steps. An elder opened the door from the inside and welcomed Vicky in. We'd never met her before.
 
Starting to tell her life's story in a couple of minutes as she removed her coat, Vicky hit a few highlights:  homelessness, sexual abuse, past addictions, a short jail sentence from association with the wrong people. I invited her to join our Sunday School class and later to attend our worship service.
 
At about the same time, Kim, who doesn't normally attend our church, asked where Pam's Sunday School class met. Several people gave her directions.
 
Kim's story couldn't be more different from Vicky's:  college education, always a good job, nice home.
 
As Vicky and I continued our trek to our basement class location, the thought flashed through my mind, "Why are we getting stuck with someone like HER for our class?"
 
And the next thought which flashed through my mind was, "No, I am dealing from the TOP OF THE DECK when I sent you Vicky!"
 
Whenever I have a thought like this that is too positive to be mine, I know it is from God!!
 
.......and then I remembered, "Vicky, Kim, the other members of our Sunday School class, worship service, and I are all part of God's 'TOP OF THE DECK".
 
We are all members of His Family! He chose us and then we chose Him!
 
I had the opportunity to mention Vicky's  'top of the deck' status to her; another opportunity to do God's will with one of His Chosen people.....
 
 
Dear Father in Heaven, forgive me when I make unnecessary snap judgements. Thank You for sending Your Son to love and care for all of us. Thank You for sending Vicky and Kim into our midst yesterday and for showing us Your redeeming love and mercy. Thank You that we all have a future and a hope; regardless of our past and what is happening to us today. Best of all, thank You that you give us a future and a hope. In Your Son's Name, Amen.
 
***

"But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in[Christ Jesus our Lord."

~ Romans 6:22-24

***
Printable Issue 1752  Today is Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010; Karen's Korner #1752
A thought from Joel and Victoria Osteen:
 

Living Hope

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
(I Peter 1:3, NIV).

**

In what or in whom do you put your hope? Sometimes it’s easy to get focused on the natural realm and put our hope in what we can see or what we can understand—people, jobs, governments. But we have to remember, this world is temporary. When we put our hope in things of this world, eventually those things will fade away. But when we put our hope in Jesus, we are hoping in what is real and eternal. Through Him, we have a living hope—hope that will never disappoint or fade away.

I like how Webster’s dictionary defines hope: “to desire with expectation of obtainment.” Isn’t it good to know that we will obtain every promise given to us through Christ Jesus? We have a future and a hope!

The next time you feel discouraged or frustrated with what’s going on around you, remember that you have hope inside of you that is alive. You have the promise that He will never leave you nor forsake you. Put your hope in God and let Him direct you in the good plan He has for you.

**

Father in heaven, thank You for a living hope! I choose right now to refocus my mind and heart on Your purposes for me. Help me stay focused on what is eternal so that I can make wise decisions in everything I do. I bless You today and always. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

***
Printable Issue 1753  Today is Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010; Karen's Korner #1753
Today's 'korner' are words from a secular song on a CD; recorded by the Platters. I used it for our Sunday School class on Sunday. When you read the words, consider turning it into a prayer to Jesus:
 
 
ONLY YOU
 
Only You
can make this world seem right.
 
Only You
can make the darkness bright.
 
Only You,
and You alone, can thrill me like You do.
And fill my heart with love for only You.
 
Only You,
can make this change in me.
 
For it's true,
You are my destiny.
 
When You hold my hand
I understand the magic that You do.
 
You are my dream come true
My one and only You.
 
CHORUS REPEAT:
 
Only You,
can make this change in me.
 
For it's true,
You are my destiny.
 
When You hold my hand
I understand the magic that You do.
 
You are my dream come true
My one and only You.
 
***
Printable Issue 1754  Today is Thursday, February 4th, 2010; Karen's Korner #1754
"Now all praise to God
for His wonderful kindness to us
and his favor that he has poured out upon us,
because we belong to his dearly beloved Son.
 
So overflowing is his kindness toward us
that he took away our sins
through the blood of his Son,
by whom we are saved,
and he has showered down upon us
the richness of his grace--
for how well he understands us
and knows what is best for us
at all times."
 
~ Ephesians 1:6
Life Application Bible
 
***
 
Bible Commentary:  "Grace is God's voluntary and loving favor given to those he saves. We can't earn it , nor do we deserve it. No religious or moral effort can gain it, for it comes only from God's mercy and love. Without grace no person can be saved."
 
***
Printable Issue 1755  Today is Friday, February 5th, 2010; Karen's Korner #1755
 
From Shirley Choat, shortened and edited:
 
HEARING GOD'S VOICE
 
Isaiah 64:4:
 
"For since the world began,
no one has seen or heard
of such a God as ours,
who works for those who wait for him!"
 
***
 
God has a fullness of time for the answer to each of our prayers.
It follows then, that He alone knows the magnitude of the changes
that have to be formed in us before we can receive our heart's desires.
 
***
 
Have Thine own way, LORD!
Have Thine own way!
You are the Potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after They will,
While I am waiting yielded and still.
 
****
Printable Issue 1756  Today is Monday, February 8th, 2010; Karen's Korner #1756
Taken from the front our church bulletin yesterday; more than fifty names for Jesus. Along with the names, there were Bible verse references in smaller print. (If you would a copy of the names plus the references, send me your mailing address!).
 
And He Shall be called:
 
Advocate * Shiloh * The Resurrection & The Life
Shepherd * Bishop of Souls * Judge * Master
Lord of Lords * Rock * Man of Sorrows * Savior
 
Head of the Church * Faithful & True Witness
Servant * High Priest * Living Water * Bread of Life
Rose of Sharon * Messiah * Alpha * Omega
 
True Vine * Teacher * Holy One * I AM * Mediator
The Beloved * Son of God * Good Shepherd
Branch * Light of the World * The Almighty
 
Carpenter * Image of the Invisible God * The Door
The Word * Bridegroom * Chief Cornerstone
Redeemer * Author & Finisher of Our Faith
 
Everlasting Father * Lamb of God * King of Kings
Lion of the Tribe of Judah * Anchor * Prophet
Only Begotten Son * Wonderful Counselor
 
Immanuel * Son of Man * Dayspring * The Amen
King of the Jews * Bright Morning Star
Prince of Peace * The Way, The Truth, & The Life
 
JESUS CHRIST
 
****
Printable Issue 1757  Today is Tuesday, February 9th, 2010; Karen's Korner #1757
In my Bible, I have marked these six verses from Ephesians titled "The Magnitude of God's Love" and dated it:  October 22, 1999. The date was about three months after our younger daughter Merry had been killed. God was saying that regardless of our situation His love was all encompassing. It includes all of us -- yesterday, today, and tomorrow:
 

Ephesians 3:14-19:

 (New Living Translation)

The Magnittude of God's Love
 "When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father,
the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.
I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources
he will empower you with inner strength
through his Spirit.
Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him.
Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.
And may you have the power to understand,
as all God’s people should,
how wide,
how long,
how high,
and how deep
his love is.
May you experience the love of Christ,
though it is too great to understand fully.
Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life
and power that comes from God."
 
~~
 
Bible Commentary on these verses:  "The great family of God includes all who have believed in him in the past, all who believe in the present, and all who will believe in him in the future. We are all a family because we have the same Father. He is the source of all creation, the rightful owner of everything. God promises his love and power to his family, the church. If we want to receive his blessings, it is important that we stay in living contact with other believers in the body of Christ. Those who isolate themselves from God's family and try to go it alone are cutting themselves off from God's power.
 
God's love is total, says Paul. It reaches every corner of our experience. It is long -- it continues the length of our lives. It is deep -- it reaches to the depths of discouragement, despair, and even death. It is wide -- it covers the breadth of our own experience, and it reaches out to the whole world. It is high -- it rises to the heights of our celebration and elation. When you feel shut out or isolated, remember that you can never be lost to God's love.
 
***
Printable Issue 1758  Today is Thursday, February 11th, 2010; Karen's Korner #1758
(Sorry for no Karen's Korner yesterday, our internet connection was down!)
 
A pass along email from Shirley Choat, which I received Tuesday:
 

A Friend On The Line

Written Down By Jennings Michael Burch

Even before I finished dialing, I somehow knew I'd made a mistake. The phone rang once, twice - then someone picked it up.

"You got the wrong number!" a husky male voice snapped before the line went dead. Mystified, I dialed again.

"I said you got the wrong number!" came the voice. Once more the phone clicked in my ear. How could he possibly know I had a wrong number?

At that time, I worked for the New York City Police Department. A cop is trained to be curious - and concerned.  So I dialed a third time.

"Hey, c'mon," the man said. "Is this you again?"

"Yeah, it's me," I answered. "I was wondering how you knew I had the wrong number before I even said anything."

"You figure it out!" The phone slammed down.

I sat there awhile, the receiver hanging loosely in my fingers I called the man back.

"Did you figure it out yet?" he asked.

"The only thing I can think of is...nobody ever calls you."

"You got it!" The phone went dead for the fourth time. Chuckling, I dialed the man back.

"What do you want now?" he asked.

"I thought I'd call...just to say hello."

"Hello? Why?"

"Well, if nobody ever calls you, I thought maybe I should."

"Okay. Hello.Who is this?"

At last I had gotten through. Now he was curious. I told him who I was and asked who he was.

"My name's Adolf Meth  I'm 88 years old, and I haven't had this many wrong numbers in one day in 20 years!"  We both laughed.

We talked for ten minutes. Adolf had no family, no friends. Everyone he had been close to had died. Then we discovered we had something in common: he'd worked for the New York City Police Department for nearly 40 years. Telling me about his days there as an elevator operator, he seemed interesting, even friendly. I asked if I could call him again.

Why would you wanta do that?" he asked, surprised.

"Well, maybe we could be phone friends.You know, like pen pals."

He hesitated. "I wouldn't mind...having a friend again." His voice sounded a little tentative.

I called Adolf the following afternoon and several days after that. Easy to talk with, he related his memories of World Wars I and II, the Hindenburg disaster and other historic events. He was fascinating. I gave him my home and office numbers so he could call me. He did - almost every day.

I was not just being kind to a lonely old man. Talking with Adolf was important to me, because I, too, had a big gap in my life. Raised in orphanages and foster homes, I never had a father. Gradually, Adolf took on a kind of fatherly importance to me.

I talked about my job and college courses, which I attended at night. Adolf warmed to the role of counselor. While discussing a disagreement I'd had with a supervisor, I told my new friend, "I think I ought to have it out with him."

"What's the rush?" Adolf cautioned. "Let things cool down. When you get as old as I am, you find out that time takes care of a lot. If things get worse, then you can talk to him."

There was a long silence. "You know," he said softly, "I'm talking to you just the way I'd talk to a boy of my own. I always wanted a family - and children. You're too young to know how that feels."

No, I wasn't. I'd always wanted a family - and a father. But I didn't say anything; afraid I wouldn't be able to hold back the hurt I'd felt for so long.

One evening Adolf mentioned his 89th birthday was coming up. After buying a piece of fiberboard, I designed a 2' x 5' greeting card with a cake and 89 candles on it. I asked all the cops in my office and even the police commissioner to sign it. I gathered nearly a hundred signatures. Adolf would get a kick out of this, I knew.

We'd been talking on the phone for four months now, and I thought this would be a good time to meet face to face. So I decided to deliver the card by hand. I didn't tell Adolf I was coming; I just drove to his address one morning and parked the car up the street from his apartment house.

A postman was sorting mail in the hallway when I entered the building.  He nodded as I checked the mailboxes for Adolf's name. There it was. Apartment 1H, some twenty feet from where I stood.

My heart pounded with excitement. Would we have the same chemistry in person that we had on the phone?  I felt the first stab of doubt.  Maybe he would reject me the way my father rejected me when he went out of my life.

I tapped on Adolf's door. When there was no answer, I knocked harder. The postman looked up from his sorting. "No one’s there," he said.

"Yeah," I said, feeling a little foolish. "If he answers his door the way he answers his phone, this may take all day."

"You a relative or something?"

"No. Just a friend."

"I'm really sorry," he said quietly, "but Mr. Meth died day before yesterday."

Died? Adolf?  For a moment, I couldn't answer. I stood there in shock and disbelief. Then, pulling myself together, I thanked the postman and stepped into the late-morning sun.

I walked toward the car, misty-eyed. Then, rounding a corner, I saw a church, and a line from the Old Testament leaped to mind: A friend loveth at all times. And especially in death, I realized. This brought a moment of recognition.

Often it takes some sudden and sad turn of events to awaken us to the beauty of a special presence in our lives. Now, for the first time, I sensed how very close Adolf and I had become. It had been easy, and I knew this would make it even easier the next time, with my next close friend.

Slowly, I felt warmth surging through me. I heard Adolf's growly voice shouting, "Wrong number!"  Then I heard him asking why I wanted to call again.

"Because you mattered, Adolf," I said aloud to no one. "Because I was your friend."

I placed the unopened birthday card on the back seat of my car and got behind the wheel. Before starting the engine, I looked over my shoulder. "Adolf," I whispered, "I didn't get the wrong number at all. I got you."


Printable Issue 1760  Today is Saturday, February 13th, 2010; Karen's Korner #1760
(On Saturday to make up for Wednesday, which was missed when our internet service was interrupted.)
 
Taken from a winter newsletter by Anne GraHam Lotz (Billy Graham's daughter):
 
"Several summers ago while vacationing at the beach, I got up early to meet the Lord for a few moments of quiet before the family awakened. As I sat on the porch, watching the sun come up over the ocean and listening to the gentle crash of the waves on the shore, I seemed to hear the Lord softly whisper to my heart. Anne, what do you see? As I looked more closely at the scene before me, I quietly answered Him in my spirit...Lord, I see sandpipers running along the edge of the water, making sure they keep out of reach of the waves and don't even get their feet wet. Isee the skimmers flying down the beach, just above the surf, skimming the surface of the water with their long beaks. I see seagulls standing in the tide up to their knees. And I see pelicans circling, then diving headfirst into the waves, coming up with fish they seemed to swallow whole.
 
Then the Lord seemed to say to me, Anne, the Bible is like the ocean. And the people who read My Word are very much like those birds. Some will dance around the Scriptures, not really wanting to step in and get their feet wet in Bible study, but are satisfied to just listen to their preacher or Bible teacher tell them what the Bible says. Others will read their Bibles, just skimming the surface for facts and information. Some will get in 'knee deep', reading the Bible eah day with a devotional or commentary close by for reference. And then there are some like the pelicans, who dive in over their heads, going deep in Bible study, applying and living out what they learn. Which bird are you most like? And I answered with wholehearted passion, Lord, I'm not sure which one I am from Your perspective. But I know which one I want to be.like:  the pelican who dives in deep. Please! Take me deeper into Your Word!
 
And He has.
Printable Issue 1761  Today is Monday, February 15th, 2010; Karen's Korner #1761
Because yesterday was Valentine's Day, our church worship service celebrated by giving a single-stemmed flower to both the longest and shortest married couples. The third flower was to be awarded to the couple who had the most change in their purse/pockets.
 
One winning couple counted the dollar amount of the coins. If it would have been the number of coins, Lavon and John would have won. Lavon had all kinds of pennies, nickels, and dimes, but they didn't total the amount of those with the quarters.
 
Then came prayer requests time. People with illnesses and losses were mentioned. Until someone said, "We need to pray that John will give some quarters to Lavon!" And the congregation chuckled.
 
Several of the guys seated nearby, handed John a number of coins.
 
The minister said, "Well, I guess we can cross that request off our list......"
 
**
 
It made we think of several years ago at our church's annual prayer breakfast for the missionaries who we support.
 
John and Zaba Crozier, serving as missionaries in Poland, had listed among other requests:  a computer to replace Zaba's.
 
After the breakfast, two guys got their heads together saying, "We should try to get enough money together to buy her a computer."
 
The mission committee put in a beginning amount and requested those of our congregation with the interest or ability to contribute to add to the fund. We raised enough for hardware and software to purchase Zaba's computer needs.
 
**
 
While the coin request was just in jest, the computer request was in earnest.
 
No matter. Both requests were met by those listening to the prayers of others.
 
Are there people in our lives to whom we can be the answer to their prayers?
 
***
 
God, show us how we can be a blessing to someone today. We want to be an answer to someone's prayer, just today...... Amen.
Printable Issue 1762  Today is Tuesday, February 16th, 2010; Karen's Korner #1762

OUR TRUE IDENTITY IN CHRIST*

( Second of 3 parts; today are 7 on the list of 25 total!)

* We are one in Christ with all other believers

(Galatians 3:28)

 

* We are blessed with every spiritual blessing in heaven

(Ephesians 1:3)

 

* We are holy, faultless, and covered with God’s love

(Ephesians 1:4)

 

* We belong to Christ

(Ephesians 1:5,6)

 

* Our sins are taken away and we are forgiven

(Ephesians 1:7)

 

* We will live with Christ forever; we are gifts to God

(Ephesians 1:10, 11)

 

* We are marked as belonging to God by the Holy Spirit

(Ephesians 1:13)

 

~~

 

* Taken from chart in Life Application Bible,

Within Ephesians text.
Printable Issue 1763  Today is Thursday, February 18th, 2010; Karen's Korner #1763
(Missed yesterday to attend my brother-in-law's funeral!)
 
It says in Romans 8:1 (NIV):  "Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus...."
 
Wow! I am not condemned....I like that verse and think of it often!
 
My Bible commentary says, "Without Jesus we would have no hope at all. But thank God! He has declared us not guilty and has offered us freedom from sin and power to His will...."
 
But within the last week it seems like God is taking that one step further in my thinking (and hopefully my actions):  if there is now no condemnation for people like you and me who are welcomed into Jesus' family, our job is to take that lack of condemnation to others! If they are not condemned by Him, they should not be condemned by me....
 
 "...... there is now no condemnation, Karen by you of others, because you are in Christ Jesus...."
 
 
Dear Father God, help me to not condemn others, as you do not condemn me. I know there are some of my behaviors and behaviors of others, which you do not like. You want us to live righteous lives, pleasing to you. Will you show me how to love myself, love others? How do we love yet not embrace unacceptable behaviors? Give us your love, your mind, your goodness and your mercy. In Jesus' name. Amen.
 
 
 
 
 

 

Printable Issue 1764  Today is Friday, February 19th, 2010; Karen's Korner #1764
I received this from Gerry Hanson, who wanted me to have this as she really liked it. So do I; here it is:

THE LORD'S PRAYER

Our Father Who Art In Heaven.

Yes?

Don't interrupt me. I'm praying.

But -- you called ME!

Called you? No, I didn't call you. I'm praying...Our Father who art in Heaven.

There -- you did it again!

Did what?

Called ME. You said, "Our Father who art in Heaven" Well, here I am.. What's on your mind?

But I didn't mean anything by it. I was, you know, just saying my prayers for the day.I always say the Lord's Prayer. It makes me feel good, kind of like fulfilling a duty.

Well, all right. Go on.

Okay, Hallowed be thy name .

Hold it right there. What do you mean by that?

By what?

By "Hallowed be thy name"?

It means, it means . . good grief, ..I don't know what it means...How in the world should I know? It's just a part of the prayer. ..By the way, what does it mean?

It means honored, holy, wonderful.

Hey, that makes sense.. I never thought about what 'hallowed' meant before. Thanks.

Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.

Do you really mean that?

Sure, why not?

What are you doing about it?

Doing? Why, nothing, I guess. I just think it would be kind of neat if you got control, of everything down here like you have up there. We’re kind of in a mess down here you know.

Yes, I know;..but, have I got control of you?

Well, I go to church.

That isn't what I asked you. What about your bad temper? You've really got a problem there, you know. And then there's the way you spend your money -- all on yourself. And what about the kind of books you read ?

Now hold on just a minute!...Stop picking on me!..I'm just as good as some of the rest of those People at church!

Excuse ME......I thought you were praying...for my will to be done..If that is to happen,

it will have to start with the ones who are praying for it. Like you -- for example ..

Oh, all right. I guess I do have some hang-ups. Now that you mention it, I could probably name some others.

So could I.

I haven't thought about it very much until now, but I really would like to cut out some of those things. I would like to, you know, be really free.

Good. Now we're getting somewhere. We'll work together -- You and ME. I'm proud of You..

Look, Lord, if you don't mind, I need to finish up here. This is taking a lot longer than it usually does.---Give us this day, our daily bread.

You need to cut out the bread...You're overweight as it is.

Hey, wait a minute! What is this? Here I was doing my religious duty, and all of a sudden you break in and remind me of all my hang-ups.

Praying is a dangerous thing. You just might get what you ask for.

Remember, you called ME -- and here I am. It's too late to stop now. Keep praying.

( pause . . )..Well, go on.

I'm scared to. I know what you'll say.

Try ME.

Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.

What about Ann?

See? I knew it! I knew you would bring her up! Why, Lord, she's told lies about me, spread stories. She never paid back the money she owes me. I've sworn to get even with her!

But -- your prayer -- What about your prayer?

I didn't -- mean it..

Well, at least you're honest. But, it's quite a load carrying around all that bitterness and resentment isn't it?

Yes, but I'll feel better as soon as I get even with her. Boy, have I got some plans for her.

She'll wish she had never been born.

No, you won't feel any better...You'll feel worse...Revenge isn't sweet. You know how unhappy you are -- Well, I can change that..

You can? How?

Forgive Ann. Then, I'll forgive you; And the hate and the sin, will be Ann's problem -- not yours.

You will have settled the problem as far as you are concerned.

Oh, you know, you're right.--You always are. And more than I want revenge, I want to be right with You . . (sigh)...All right, all right . .I forgive her..There now! Wonderful!

How do you feel?

Hmmmm. Well, not bad. Not bad at all! In fact, I feel pretty great! You know, I don't think I'll go to bed uptight tonight. I haven't been getting much rest, you know.

Yeah, I know. But, you're not through with your prayer, are you? ...Go on.

Oh, all right...And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Good! Good! I'll do that. Just don't put yourself in a place where you can be tempted.

What do you mean by that?

You know what I mean.

Yeah. I know.

Okay. Go ahead. Finish your prayer.

For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever .Amen.

Do you know what would bring me glory --What would really make me happy?

No, but I'd like to know..I want to please you now. I've really made a mess of things.

I want to truly follow you.. I can see now how great that would be. So, tell me . . .How do I make you happy?

..........YOU just did.

***

 

Printable Issue 1765  Today is Saturday, February 20th, 2010; Karen's Korner #1765
(A Karen's Korner on Saturday to make up for the one missed on Wednesday!)
 
A couple of sayinsgs from my ongoing collection:
 
"For the Lord is ALWAYS good.
He is ALWAYS loving and kind,
and His faithfulness goes on and on
to each succeeding generation."
~ Psalms 100:6
 
**
"The democracy will cease to exist
when you take away from those who are willing to work
and give to those who would not."
~ Thomas Jefferson
 
**
 
"Look at a man in the midst of doubt and danger,
and you will learn in his hour of adversity what he really is.
It is then that true utterances are wrung from the recesses of his breast.
The mask is torn off; the reality remains."
~  Lucretius
 
**
 
"God has rescued me from all my troubles,
and triumphed over my enemies."
~ Psalms 54:7
 
**
 
"You can choose your sin, but you can't choose your consequences."
 
 ~ Jenny Sanford, soon to be ex-wife of South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford
 
**
Printable Issue 1766  Today is Monday, February 22nd, 2010; Karen's Korner #1766
Our topic for Sunday worship service was "Be Consistent in Prayer!"
 
I'll confess: I am not as consistent as I could/would/should be!
 
Prayer is something many/most Christians struggle with; we believe we could do better!
 
Most Christians have a life experience of an answered prayer, which brings us much happiness or joy. But, in our humanness, we forget....
 
A quote which our pastor said yesterday:  "Prayerless Christians get tired in God's Work, but also get tired of God's Work. And eventually will give up!
 
The Bible says lots of things about praying:
 
"Always keep on praying."  ~ I Thessalonians 5:18
 
(Jesus said) "...you won't need to ask me for anything, for you can go directly to the Father and ask him,
and he will give you what you ask for because you use my name.
You haven't tried this before, but begin now. Ask using my name, and you will receive, and your cup of joy, will overflow."  ~ John 16:23, 24
 
Pastor Warren gave all of us the opportunity to do the same thing. Anyone who wanted could take up  the challenge called: 'P-3'. Select three people for whom to pray; for three minutes each day; for three months.
 
It isn't just for our church; it could be for anyone. Want to take the challenge as well??
 
A couple of prayer answers:  Last week my sister lost her husband. Jill and her daughter Colleen were going through all of the things that needed to be done for the funeral. Their minister called to check on things the morning of the visitation. He asked how they were doing. She told that she didn't know if she could make it through the visitation.
 
He asked her, "Do you believe in telephone prayers?"
 
She said she did.
 
She told that he prayed and the heaviness or burden just seemed to lift from her.
 
Jill remarked that she went through the visitation, talking with people in an unbelievable fashion. "Several people mentioned that I just seemed to sparkle," she said.
 
And a pass along email from a Baptist church marquee:  "Whoever is praying for snow; please stop", as the sign is nearly covered with snow....
 
Dear Father in Heaven, You teach us about prayer and we know that it works. If we are going to pray like You want us to pray, we are going to need Your help. Help us; bring thoughts into our minds. Help us to actually take the time. Grabbing moments. We want to bring You into every situation we might face. Thank You for Your love and care. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Printable Issue 1767  Today is Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010; Karen's Korner #1767
(Please note that this will be the last Karen's Korner until Wednesday, March 3 as I will be gone for a few days!)
 

OUR TRUE IDENTITY IN CHRIST*

(Third of 3 parts of who we are because we follow Christ!)

 

* We have been lifted from the grave to sit with Christ in glory

(Ephesians 2:6)

 

* We have been given new lives

(Ephesians 2:10)

 

* We have been brought near to God

(Ephesians 2:13)

 

* We will receive great blessings

(Ephesians 3:6)

 

* We can come fearlessly into God’s presence

(Ephesians 3:12)

 

* We are part of Christ’s body, the church

(Ephesians 5:29, 30)

 

* We have everything because we have Christ;, we are filled with God

(Colossians 2:10)

 

* We are set free from our evil desires

(Colossians 2:11)

 

* We will have eternal glory

(II Timothy 2:10)

 

~~

 

* Taken from chart in Life Application Bible,

Within Ephesians text.