"Our bodies have many parts,

but the many parts make up only one body when they are all put together.

So it is with the 'body' of Christ."

~ I Corinthians 12:28 LAB

*

*Bible Commentary:  "Paul (writer) compares the body of Christ to a human body. Each part has a specific function that is necessary to the body as a whole. The parts are different for a purpose, and in their differences they must work together. Christians must avoid two common errors:

1) being too proud of their abilities, or

2) thinking they have nothing to give to the body of believers.

"Instead of comparing ourselves to one another, we must use our different gifts together to spread the Good News of salvation."

******

Yesterday afternoon my phone rang with the message 'private caller'; not telling me who was calling. During this election cycle, is it smart to answer?

"Hello," I said.

"Is this Karen Weld?" the person on the other end said.

"Yes," was my reply.

"I am Sergeant Ron Walker from the Los Angeles Police Department," the voice on the other end of the line said.

"Some one raising money?" I thought. I knew I hadn't been to California lately so it couldn't be a parking or speeding ticket!

"I called to tell you and your group, the M & Ms, thank you for your nice card, commending our police officers for their work here," he said.

"Wow!" I said, "I can't believe you are taking the time to call!"

Our M & Ms (Marys & Marthas) an ecumenical group of gals who meets monthly, has as its mission 'Serving God By Loving Others'. In the last year or so, we watch the media witnessing the services of police departments across the United States for their heroic services. Many times saving a situation, being wounded in their service, or losing a fellow office in the line of duty.

"I am head of the mental health department," he said. "I get the mail that has no other designated place to go. And I got your note. We rarely get something so nice. So I decided to pick up the phone to call you. I also wanted you to know that your good wishes will be given to all our officers in 'ROLL CALL' so they will know how much what we do matters to our friends in Iowa."

I just couldn't believe his message to us! How many officers in the Los Angeles Police Department? My google search said 10,000 with 3,000 support staff, serving the city of more than 4 million.

To think that our few minutes, with a couple handfuls of M & Ms signing a thank you card, meant so much to so many!

Only God knew and knows!

And it's not just the M & Ms. It could be any of us...saying 'thank you'! Whether we get thanked personally or not by the recipient....

(First of all a correction from Friday's Karen's Korner. the name of the Los Angeles Police Department's caller to me, was Ron Walker, not Walked. That's what happens when the writer - me; also edits it. We tend to read what we want it to say; not what is there. Should you want to view/print the corrected one, go to www.karens-korner.com and print it.)

Mike Redig made our church congregation aware that yesterday was "Day for the Persecuted Church". He said over 150,000 people are killed because of their faith in Jesus Christ annually.

People are put to death, disappear, or are imprisoned in 60 countries in the world. North Korea is the #1 persecutor of Christians. Anyone who has a Bible in his/her possession are subject to some sort of atrocity. "If someone were to see an open Bible," said Redig, "leave it lay. Even if that person was going to pick it up to turn it in to authorities. It could present them a problem."

Recently at a church in Alexandria, Egypt, twenty-three people were killed as they worshipped. In the Middle East the number of Christians has declined from 20% to 4% currently.

Redig's words included praying for our Christian friends around the world; and to praise God for how much we have been protected as Christians in our country. We are allowed to worship as we please without fear of our safety.

Father God in Heaven, thank You for Your love. Thank You that you take care of all of Your children -- sometimes in this life and sometimes when you take Your worshippers home to be in heaven with You. Thank You that we can worship here in the United States as we choose. Help us not to take our freedoms and Your goodness for granted. We worship and love you. Thank You that we all are always cared for. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

It's election day and an opportunity to make our voices heard on the direction of our government leadership, from local offices to those in the federal government.

As I watched a portion of the news this morning, I couldn't help but think how tired candidates must be from the campaign and the sprint to the finish line, regardless of political party alignment!

Isaiah 40:29 - 31 says, "He (God) gives power to the tired and worn out, and strength to the weak. Even the youths shall be exhausted, and the young men will all give up. But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."

Bible Commentary on these verses states, "Even the strongest people get tired at times, but God's power and strength never diminish. He is never too tired or too busy to help and listen. His strength is our source of strength. When you feel all of life crushing you, and you cannot go another step, remember that you can call upon God to renew your strength."

We have His strength of energy and mind 'to wait on Him' as people vote and election returns come in later tonight. And since God is in control of everything that happens in the world, He reminds us that "Victory is Mine"!

YOU ARE ON GOD'S MIND

"I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands."

~ Isaiah 49:15 - 16 NKJV

"Noah was totally helpless to change his situation. There was nothing he could do except to stay on the ark and tend to the needs of his family and those of the animals until God in some way brought deliverance. He had to keep his faith in God while simply waiting out the silence that followed the storm.

"Although He had seen silent, God had not forgotten Noah. In fact, since Noah and his family were the only living persons on the face of the earth, we can be sure they had God's total, undivided attention every moment.

"Do you think God's silence in your life means He has forgotten you? Oh, no! God says He has engraved your name on the palms of His hands. He says that a mother could forget her nursing baby at mealtime before He could forget you! You are in God's heart and on His mind every moment. He is fully informed of your circumstances and will bring about change when He knows the time is right."

~ By Anne Graham Lotz

***

Taken from "One Minute Prayers for Women" by Hope Lyda:

PRAISE

"May my prayer be set before you like incense;

may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice."

~ Psalm 141:2

*

"I talk too much. My prayers don't leave room for breath, and reflection. I petition without praise. Lord, lead me to a deeper prayer life. Even as I pray right now, I can let my mind wander to things that need to be done, or requests I want to make while I have Your attention.

"Let me come to You in silence and with a spirit of worship. May my words wind their way to You like tendrils of burning incense. In Your presence I will surrender my own will."

***

Something written by Max Lucado as we had into the weekend and worship times on Sunday:

EVERY GIFT IS NEEDED

"Two of my teenage years were spent carrying a tuba in my high school marching band. Not necessarily what you'd describe as a call from God, but it wasn't a wasted experience either. I learned some facts about harmony that I'll pass on to you. Would you attend a concert of a hundred tubas? Probably not. But what band would be a band without a tuba? Or a flute? Or a trumpet? Or a steady drum? Get the idea? The operative word is need. They need each other. By themselves, they make music. But together, they make magic.

"What I saw decades ago in the marching band, I see today in the church. We need each other. Not all of us play the same instrument. Not all of us make the same sound. Some are soft, and others are loud. Some convert the lost. Others encourage the saved. And some keep the movement in step. But all are needed!

"'Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ' (1 Corinthians 12:12)."

****

Yesterday and today are both days we can remember to celebrate veterans and Veterans' Day. Hopefully, we either recognized some current and past military men and women yesterday or we will have the opportunity today!

**

"We are pressed on every side by troubles,

but not crushed and broken.

We are perplexed because we don't know why things happened as they do,

but we don't give up and quit.

We are hunted down, but God never abandons us.

We get knocked down,

but we get up again and keep going."

~ 2 Corinthians 4:8 - 10 LAB

*

Bible Commentary:  "Paul (writer) reminds us that though we may be at the end of our rope, we are never at the end of hope. Our perishable bodies are subject to sin and suffering, but God never abandons us. Because Christ won the victory over death, we have eternal life. All our risks, humiliations, and trials are opportunities to demonstrate Christ's power and presence in us."

***** 

(Sorry for no Karen's Korner yesterday. My computer has been in the 'computer hospital' pretty much of the week for a check up. The computer guy was at home working on it yesterday when my 'post' time was up, so I missed!)

On November 15, my mom would have celebrated her 100th birthday! She passed away 5 1/2 years ago at 94 plus. As you know enjoy, and many of you have, words from Sarah Young in her "Jesus Calling:  Enjoying Peace in His Presence".

This is what she wrote for November 15. I really liked it:

"Approach problems with a light touch.

When your mind moves toward a problem area,

you tend to focus on that situation so intensely that you lose sight of Me.

You pit yourself against the difficulty as if you had to conquer it immediately.

Your mind gears up for battle, and your body becomes tense and anxious.

Unless you achieve total victory, you feel defeated.

"There is a better way.

When a problem starts to overshadow your thoughts, bring this Matter to Me.

Talk with Me about it and look at it in the Light of My Presence.

This puts some much needed space between you and your concern,

enabling you to see from My perspective.

You will be surprised at the results.

Sometimes you may even laugh at yourself

for being so serious about something so insignificant.

"You will always face trouble in this life.

But more importantly, you will always have Me with you,

helping you to handle whatever you encounter.

Approach problems with a light touch by viewing them

in My revealing Light."

~ Taken from Psalm 89:15; John 16:33

***

My sister Jan enjoys reading the 'Chicken Soup for the Soul' books. She copied and gave me, one entry from 'Chicken Soup for the Surviving Soul' which has entries written by those who have survived cancer. The writer says nothing about cancer. No matter can be 'good news' for any of us.

The Best Day of My Life

"Today, when I awoke, I suddenly realized that this is the best day of my life, ever!

"There were times when I wondered if I would make it to today, but I did! And because I did I'm going to celebrate!

"Today, I'm going to celebrate what an unbelievable life I have had so far; for the accomplishments, the many blessings, and yes, even the hardships, because they have served to make me stronger.

"I will go through this day with my head held high and a happy heart. I will marvel at God's seemingly simple gifts:  the morning dew, the sun, the clouds, the trees, the flower, the birds. Today, none of these miraculous creations will escape my notice.

"Today, I will share my excitement for life with other people. I'll make someone smile. I'll go out of my way to perform an unexpected act of kindness for someone I don't even know. Today, I'll give a sincere compliment to someone who seems down. I'll tell a child how special he is, and I'll tell someone I love just how deeply I care for her and how much she means to me.

"Today is the day I quit worrying abut what I don't have and start being grateful for all the wonderful things God has already given me. I'll remember that to worry is just a waste of time because my faith in God and His Divine Plan ensures everything will be just fine.

"And tonight, before I go to bed, I'll go outside and raise my eyes to the heavens. I will stand in awe at the beauty of the stars and the moon, and I will praise God for these magnificent treasures.

"As the day ends and I lay my head down on my pillow, I will thank the Almighty for the best day of my life. And I will sleep the sleep of a contented child, excited with expectation because I know tomorrow is going to be the best of my life, ever!"

~ Gregory M. Lousig-Nont, PhD.

****

"The heavens are telling the glory of God;

they are a marvelous display of his craftsmanship.

Day and night they keep on telling about God.

Without a sound or word, silent in the skies,

their message reaches out to all the world.

The sun lives in the heavens where God placed it

and moves out across the skies as radiant

as a bridegroom going to his wedding,

or as joyous as an athlete looking forward to a race!"

~ Psalm 19:1 - 6 LAB

*

Bible Commentary:  "We are surrounded by fantastic displays of God's craftsmanship---the heavens give dramatic evidence of his existence, his power, his love, his care. To say that the universe happened by chance is absurd--its intricacy and dependability give proof of a personally involved Creator. As we look at God's craftsmanship in nature and the heavens, we should thank Him for such magnificent beauty and the truth it reveals about the Creator."

***

"Always be joyful.

Always keep on praying.

No matter what happens, always be thankful,

for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus."

~ I Thessalonians 5:16 - 18 LAB

*Because it is Thanksgiving week, our sermon at church on Sunday, surrounded these verses. To begin, we were supposed to 'huddle up' in groups of 2 - 5 to see what those verses meant to us as readers.

Mark read from his translation of 'in everything give thanks'. He said, "My wife fell a couple of weeks ago and broke her collar bone. We don't have to be thankful that she fell and gto hurt, but we are asked 'in everything' to thank God."

Other comments: 

*  'Our joy is through Christ who loves us."

* "God is always with us."

* "Do we ever lack because we fail to give thanks?"

* "It is when it is hardest to tell God thanks, that He helps us and understands."

*  "If we are thankful, we are full of thanks."

* "Always mean always; not just when you feel like it."

* "Our joy is in and through Jesus."

"Things which happen to us can be put into two categories:  things we think are good for us and things that we believe are bad."

Our minister said (and we may have heard it before), "What happens if God only gives us today what we were thankful for yesterday?"

Dear Father God, thank You for the gift of joy! Help us to be more and more grateful. We are thankful for so many things. Lead us. Guide us. Direct our paths. Not just at Thanksgiving but every day. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Happy Thanksgiving Day!

Count Your Blessings

By Johnson Oatman, Jr. (1856 - 1922)

When upon life's billows you are tempest-tossed,

When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,

Count your many blessing, name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

Count your blessings,

Name them one by one

Count your blessings,

See what God hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?

Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?

Count your many blessings; ev'ry doubt will fly,

And you will be singing as the days go by.

Count your blessings,

Name them one by one

Count your blessings,

See what God hath done.

When you look at others with their lands and gold,

Think that Christ has promised you his wealth untold.

Count your many blessings; money cannot buy:

Your reward in heaven nor your home on high.

Count your blessings,

Name them one by one.

Count your blessings

See what God hath done.

So amid the conflict, whether great or small,

Do not be discouraged, God is over all.

Count your many blessings; angels will attend.

Help and comfort give you to your journey's end.

Count your blessings,

Name them one by one.

Count your blessings

See what God hath done.

***

I got a nice Thanksgiving card from my friend Jayne yesterday. Tucked inside was "A Prayer for Thanksgiving" printed prayer.

Even though it is a day after Thanksgiving, there are undoubtedly a number of people still celebrating family times today and yet this weekend. If that isn't the case, these 'thanks' are good for anyone, any day:

A Prayer for Thanksgiving

"Lord, as I sit down at a Thanksgiving table once again, I want to thank You for Your goodness to me.

"Thank You for meeting my needs every day---for food and shelter and clothing and for the many extras You provide that I so often take for granted.

"Thank You for family and friends who make my life complete. Thank You that even when we are miles apart, we are bound by the cords of Your love.

"Thank You that I live in a country where I am free to worship You and to read Your Word.

"Most of all, I thank You for Your Son Jesus Christ, who is the 'light of the world'. When I turned to Him, He flooded the darkness of my soul with the light of Your love.

"Thank You that He not only died for my sins, but that He is alive today at Your side----hearing my prayers and preparing a home for me in heaven.

"Thank You that Jesus came into this world and took up residence in my life as Savior, Lord, and God.

"Thank You for all that You have given me as a Christian:  the Holy Spirit who is Your presence in my life; the Bible that is a light to my pathway, and Christian friends who encourage and help me.

"Thank You that I can face tomorrow with hope because Jesus is living in me.

"O, Lord, how truly rich I am! Thank You for all You mean to me."

"Be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.

For the Lord is good;

His mercy is everlasting

and His truth endures to all generations."

(Psalm 100:4 - 5)

***

It happened again. Remember a few weeks ago when I included information about a phone call I received from a police officer in Los Angeles, thanking our Marys & Marthas (M & Ms) group for our note to them thanking them for their service to their community?

M & Ms tend to do that, several each month, and November was no different. Each card is started. Then passed around. And signed by those attending. Probably fifteen people this month.

Thus the letter I received on Friday from Police Chief Scott Schubert from the City of Pittsburgh following the mass shooting at a Jewish Synagogue there:

"Dear Friends,

On behalf of all members of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, I would like to thank you for the card you sent following the Tree of Life incident.

"I cannot say enough about the courageous actions of our officers that were involved in such a horrendous event. I was touched to see the many signatures of those offering their well wishes.

"I thank you for your heartfelt support."

**

And a note in a Lutheran newsletter, which my sister emailed to me, regarding the California wildfires. The article included a picture of a standing, unharmed cross in the midst of fires all around. Jill wanted us to recall what is happening tragically to many people there. To help if we could. Or pray for those who were hurt and will suffer some of the consequences of the fires for months and years to come:

"For me this picture is not just a heartbreaking reminder of what can happen to the things and people of this world; this is our true hope in the midst of tragedy that cannot be destroyed by anything. God is with us....wants nothing more than for us to see Him through the cross where He draws us to the only place His mercy and forgiveness are found. In this picture, I understand how in the cross we see both the ultimate consequences of our sin in death and the new life we have with Jesus. Our prayers are needed. Pray that the people would turn to Jesus for comfort, assurance, and hope. And may those who are serving on the ground bring Jesus to them......."

~ written by Brandon Merrick of Our Savior Lutheran Church

Paradise, California

****

(Sorry no Karen's Korner yesterday; away from computer at the wrong times. That means a 'korner' on Saturday to make my 'five times a week' quota.)

Something written by Max Lucado. Always fun. Always easy to understand:

When Love is Real

"In the summer before 8th grade, I made friends with a guy named Larry. He was new to town, so I encouraged him to go out for our school football team. It was a good news/bad news scenario. The good news? He made the cut. The bad news? He won my position. I tried to be happy for him, but it was tough.

"A few weeks into the season, Larry fell and broke a finger. I remember the day he stood at my front door holding up his bandaged hand. 'Looks like you're going to have to play.' The passage Paul wrote was a lot easier for him to write than it was for me to practice. 'Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep' (Romans 12:15). If you want to plumb the depths of your respect and love for someone, answer this question. How do you feel when that person succeeds and how do you feel when they struggle?"

***

Taken from a daily devotional titled "The Word for You Today" (in part):

"Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you."

~ Psalm 55:22 NIV

"In 'The Finishing Touch', Charles Swindoll describes a time in his ministry when he felt drained by never-ending demands. He writes:  'If folks weren't changing, I felt responsible. If some drifted somehow I was at fault. If there wasn't continual growth, I acted as if I needed to make it happen. If a sermon failed to ring with clarity and power, I struggled all on Monday and half of Tuesday. Talk about wasted energy! Time has helped so has age. Virtually all of the things that once stole my joy and assaulted my motivation---I just leave to God. Don't I care? Of course I care! But those cares are now placed in the hands of One who can handle them. What once bothered me, I've learned to give over to Him who doesn't mind being bothered. Whereas criticism used to cripple me for days, I now do my best to sift, shift, and sail. I learn what I can.....and turn the rest over to God!"

***

On a small table in my kitchen, I have three Christmas-scarf-clad polar bears - about 4 inches in height, forming the word JOY by their antics. They stand pretty erect.

But the other day, I don't think I touched the table but some of my activity near it, caused all three small bears to tip over.

As I watched the bears lying on their faces, I thought about us. Does some thing in our lives cause our joy to be 'tipped over' for a time. If we are 'down', how long does it take us to get back up?

Joy must be something pretty important. I checked on www.biblegateway.com and nearly 250 times the word is included.

Is it us in charge of our  'joy'? Or God?

 "Always be JOYFUL" - 1 Thessalonians 5:16. One of the gifts of God's Holy Spirit is 'JOY' - Ephesians 5:22.  "Heart, body, and soul are filled with JOY" - Psalm 16:9.

As Christian, we receive JOY as one of the many gifts given to us by God. Not because of what we have done. Nor how we think. It's a free gift, regardless of how we 'feel'. We 'always' possess that JOY!

If life happens to bump us, and our 'joy' takes a nosedive like my Christmas bears, no matter. We still have our God-given JOY!

Dear Father in Heaven, thank You for the gift of JOY. Sometimes I don't believe it. Nor feel it. Help me. I want to praise with Your Joy, whether I feel like or act like it or not. Your Son was born, lived, and died to give us JOY and whole bunch of other things. So today we are going to praise You. In His Name we pray. Amen.