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June 2019 Archives
Today is Sunday, June 2nd, 2019; Karen's Korner #4045
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Karen's Korner readers know my obsession with 'five per week'. And since Thursday's didn't go and I had to redo it for Friday, here is number 'five for the week'.
This is a paragraph from an article given to me by a friend, taken from the June issue of 'Progressive Farmer' and written by Bryce Anderson. The title is "Summer 2019---Rolling Sevens". The article is talking about farming and the weather this year, but I found one of the lead-in paragraphs to be of interest. And the 'positive' associations with the number 'seven'.
"The most well-known creation story in the Bible relates the creation of the earth in seven days (including a day of rest). But, in nature, there are also these groups of seven: seven continents; seven oceans; seven colors in the rainbow; seven notes on the musical scale; seven layers of skin; seven subcycles in an ocean wave; and seven vertebrae in your neck. The list could go on for quite a while, including many additional cultural references and signposts. The point is, the number seven is pretty much at the top rung in the 'perfection' or 'completeness' category."
Interesting, don't you?
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Today is Monday, June 3rd, 2019; Karen's Korner #4046
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God is Greater than Creation
"Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made."
~ John 1:3 NIV
"God is not one of several gods. He is absolutely supreme over everything! God is greater than creation. This means there is nothing in my life --
* no circumstance or crisis, * no habit or heartache, * no sickness or grief, * nothing visible or invisible,
* nothing is greater than God!
"What are you facing that is greater than you are?
* A habit? * A person? * A problem?
"Praise God for His deity! He is Creator Who is in authority over everything, fully able to control that which is not only seems, but IS beyond our abilities to handle."
~ by Anne Graham Lotz
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Today is Tuesday, June 4th, 2019; Karen's Korner #4047
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"Why is it that he gives us these special abilities to do certain things best?
It is that God's people will be equipped to do better work for him,
building up the Church, the body of Christ,
to a position of strength and maturity."
~ Ephesians 4:12 LAB
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Bible Commentary: "God has given his church an enormous responsibility--to make disciples in every nation. This involves preaching, teaching, healing, nurturing, giving, administering, building, and many other tasks. If we had to fulfill this command as individuals, we might as well give up without trying---it would be impossible. But God calls us as members of his body. Some of us can do one task; some can do another. Together we can obey him more fully than any of us could do alone. It is a human tendency to overestimate what we can do by ourselves and to underestimate what we can do as a group. The truth is just the opposite. Alone, we are quite ineffective. Together, as the body of Christ, we can do far more than we would ever dream possible."
*****
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Today is Wednesday, June 5th, 2019; Karen's Korner #4048
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Many of us have Sarah Young's "Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence". Either flip calendars or in her book. I used to think that I 'had' to read one every day. As much as I like what she has penned, I don't always read them on the right day.
I read a number of them this morning. They really speak to our hearts and minds; some more fitting on a specific day for what we might be thinking about or going through at that time.
The June 3 one really fit me today:
"I want to be central in your entire being. When your focus is firmly on Me, My Peace displaces fears and worries. They will encircle you, seeking entrance so you must stay alert. Let trust and thankfulness stand guard, turning back fear before it can gain a foothold. There is no fear in My Love, which shines on your continually. Sit quietly in My Love-Light, while I bless you with radiant Peace. Turn your whole being to trusting and loving Me."
~ 2 Thessalonians 3:16; I John 4:18
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Today is Thursday, June 6th, 2019; Karen's Korner #4049
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Karen's Korner readers know my disclaimer that I am a 'Bible reader' but not a "Bible scholar'. I read a book of the Bible; finish it. Then pick another book. Today is one of those days.
I picked (for no particular reason) the Old Testament book of Haggai. It is two chapters; shouldn't take me long to finish! Because my Bible is all marked up, I haven't read it since 2014! The writer Haggai is a prophet who is reminding the people living in Jerusalem that they had failed to rebuild their Temple as they had promised God.
Even though it is written 536 B.C., God's principles remain the same today.
Verse 6 in the first chapter says, "You plant much but harvest little. You have scarcely enough to eat or dink, and not enough clothes to keep you warm. Your income disappears, as though you were putting it into pockets filled with holes!"
And the commentary on that verse: "Because the people had not given God first place in their lives, their material possessions did not satisfy. They concentrated on building and beautifying their own homes, but God's blessing was withheld because they no longer put him in first place. Moses predicted that this would be the result if the people neglected God (Deuteronomy 28:38-40).
As I said, my Bible is all marked up. Another time I had penned at the beginning of this book (taken from Halley's commentary): "National adversity is due to National disobedience to God!"
True today? Due to? Draw your conclusions as to why or why not?
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Today is Friday, June 7th, 2019; Karen's Korner #4050
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My sister Jill lives in Washington state, near her daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter. She serves as part-time caregiver of twenty-one month old Raegan.
Like most tots, Raegan is a sharp one! She used to have favorite songs she liked to hear people sing. "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" was what she wanted to hear mom sing. Grandma was to sing "Itzy Bitzy Spider" to her. That was until she started in her own Sunday School class a handful of months ago.
Now they both. Or anyone else is supposed to sing "Jesus Loves Me" with her.
Jill tells, "Who says Sunday School doesn't have an impact?"
And if it is good enough for little Raegan, it is good enough for us! While we have undoubtedly heard the Sunday School song for years, it never hurts to be reminded how much Jesus love us. More verses than Raegan is taught:
"Jesus loves me! This I know, For the Bible tells me so; Little ones to Him belong; They are weak, but He is strong.
Refrain: Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.
Jesus loves me! This I know, As He loved so long ago, Taking children on His knee, Saying, 'Let them come to Me.'
Jesus loves me still today, Walking with me on my way, Wanting as a friend to give Light and love to all who live.
Jesus loves me! He who died Heaven's gate to open wide; He will wash away my sin, Let His little child come in.
Jesus loves me! He will stay Close beside me all the way; Thou hast bled and died for me, I will henceforth live for Thee."
~ By Anna B. Warner, 1860
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Today is Monday, June 10th, 2019; Karen's Korner #4051
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"How we praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us with every blessing in heaven
because we belong to Christ."
~ Ephesians 1:3 LAB
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Bible Commentary: "What is heaven? Heaven is where God is 'Every blessing in heaven' means all the good things God gives us----salvation, the gifts of the Spirit, power to do God's will, the hope of eternity with Christ. Because we live in a relationship with Christ, we can enjoy every blessing now."
Lord, thank You for all the glimpses you give us of heaven here on earth; today and always!!
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Today is Tuesday, June 11th, 2019; Karen's Korner #4052
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The Infection of Sin is Universal
"No culture, no nation, no person sidesteps the infection of sin. You can blame the plague of sin on a godless decision. Adam and Eve ignored God's will.......and sin, with death on its coattails, entered the world. The sinful mind dismisses God and becomes self-centered. Sin, for a season, quenches thirst. But, given time, the thirst returns, more demanding than ever.
"God refuses to compromise the spiritual purity of heaven. Here's the awful truth. Lead a godless life, and expect a godless eternity. Spend life telling God to leave you alone, and he will. So what can we do? Acts 16:31 says, 'Put your entire trust in the Master Jesus.' Christ not only became the sin offering, he overcame the punishment for sin---death---through his glorious resurrection from the dead."
~ By Max Lucado
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Today is Wednesday, June 12th, 2019; Karen's Korner #4053
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I enjoy working in my flower gardens and tackling jobs around my yard. I had been wearing a winter coat but needed to begin wearing a lighter spring jacket. One of my 'old' jackets and a sweatshirt, I had burned because of broken zippers.
Now what? I didn't want to wear my best spring jacket for dirty work. Maybe I'd have to buy something second-hand to wear outside this spring.
When I went to a downstairs closet to retrieve my vacuum cleaner, I spotted my older blue spring jacket that I forgot I still had. Bingo! That was what I would use. I owned it all the time.
Same thing with us as Christians. We have so many things 'packed inside' which we inherited from Jesus when we gave our lives to Him: love, peace, joy, patience, goodness, mercy, kindness, His forgiveness, eternal life. And the lengthy list goes on. Whether we feel like it or act like it or not!
Like my jacket, sometimes we forget what we possess. Doesn't mean it is gone!
Praise God for Who He is and What He gives to us for us to enjoy; now and forever!
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Today is Thursday, June 13th, 2019; Karen's Korner #4054
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OUR IOWA magazine sayings in the vertical margins of the June/July 2019 issue:
"If you want the rainbow, you must take the rain."
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"Families are like branches on a tree---
we grow in different directions,
yet our roots remain as one."
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"Bring a little beauty to someone today."
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"It isn't hard to be good from time to time.
What's tough is being good every day."
~ Willie Mays
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"Happiness is being too busy to worry during the day
and too sleepy to worry at night."
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"Hate is the sand in the machinery of life......
love is the oil."
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Today is Friday, June 14th, 2019; Karen's Korner #4055
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Happy 'Flag Day'! The day was set aside to commemorate the adoption of the U.S. flag as our national symbol on June 14, 1777-----242 years ago! Long time!
Built to Last
"The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb."
~Revelation 21:14 NIV
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"My Father's House is a home built to last, not just for a lifetime, but forever! As John continued to gaze on the spectacular vision God gave him, he described Heaven as a city with foundations: 'The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.......The foundations of the city were decorated with every king of precious stone' (Rev. 21:14, 19). The walls of Heaven are actually built on twelve foundations, each one decorated with a different gem. In addition to the spectacular beauty that is implied, we can be assured that Heaven is eternal and unshakable. It's permanent!
"Our world is a very unstable place. We can never be certain of the future for ourselves or for the next generation. The fear and apprehension of what's around the corner of our lives can be paralyzing. But when we get to Heaven, we will be certain and sure of absolute, total, infinite stability. Heaven is built to last!"
~ by Anne Graham Lotz
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Today is Monday, June 17th, 2019; Karen's Korner #4056
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Happy Father's Day; one day late!
Lots of dad's day things said and done at our church services yesterday, as may have been the case at many churches yesterday.
Something shared by our Sunday School class leader: a father looked out the window of his kitchen, watching his young son playing in his sandbox. The lad encountered a large stone in the middle of his play area, hampering what he wanted to do.
Dad observed the struggle as the boy trade everything to remove the boulder. Eventually the father went out to talk with the challenged son. He asked the lad, "What have you tried to get the rock to move?"
He boy replied, "I have tried everything and I still can't move it. There is nothing left that I can do."
The dad said gently, "You haven't tried everything. You didn't ask me!"
Our teacher's final statements to our class, "How often do we try everything, exhausting our human efforts. But we haven't asked our Heavenly Father for his assistance!"
Thank You, Father, that You are our Heavenly Father, ready and willing to lead us, guide us, help us in every circumstance of our lives. Thank You for Your watchful eyes; Your caring hands, and loving heart. You are the great I AM, bigger than any situation in which we find ourselves. In Your Son's Name. Amen.
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Today is Tuesday, June 18th, 2019; Karen's Korner #4057
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Here is Saturday's, June 15, entry from Sarah Young's "Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence". I thought it was a good one:
"When you approach me in stillness and in trust, you are strengthened. You need a buffer zone of silence around you in order to focus on things that are unseen. Since I am invisible, you must not let your senses dominate your thinking. The curse of this age is over stimulation of the senses, which blocks out awareness of the unseen world.
"The tangible world still reflects My Glory, to those who have eyes that see and ears that hear. Spending time alone with Me is the best way to develop seeing eyes and hearing ears. The goal is to be aware of unseen things even as you live out your life in the visible world."
~ Taken from 2 Corinthians 4:18; Isaiah 6:3; Psalm 130:5
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Today is Wednesday, June 19th, 2019; Karen's Korner #4058
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"Because of His kindness you have been saved through trusting Christ.
And even trusting is not of yourselves;
it too is a gift from God.
Salvation is not a reward for the good we have done,
so none of us can take any credit for it."
~ Ephesians 2:8, 9 LAB
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Bible Commentary: "When someone give you a gift, do you say,' That's very nice---now how much do I owe you?' No, the appropriate response to a gift is 'Thank you.'. Yet how often Christians, even after they have been given the gift of salvation, feel obligated to try to work their way to God. Because our salvation and even our faith are gifts, we should respond with gratitude, praise, and joyfulness."
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Today is Thursday, June 20th, 2019; Karen's Korner #4059
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Our weekly Wednesday morning ecumenical Bible study yesterday had as its topic "The Answer to Inappropriate Anger". I thought it was a good one, even if we tend to be pretty fair-minded. Things happen we don't like!
There were 13 items on 'our list'. Here are four of them:
"Don't give full vent to your anger."
"A rebel shouts in anger; while a wise man holds his temper in and cools it."
~ Proverbs 29:11
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"Ask your wise God for His wisdom."
"If you want to know what God wants you to do, ask Him, and He will gladly tell you, for He is always ready to give a bountiful supply of wisdom to all who ask Him; He will not resent it."
~ James 1:5
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"Give your anger to God."
"Let Him have all your worries and cares, for He is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you."
~ I Peter 5:7
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"Forgive as the Lord forgave you."
"Be gentle and ready to forgive; never hold grudges. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others."
~ Colossians 3:13
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"Lord, I see that 'anger' is one little letter away from 'danger'.
(Other Bible verses: Romans 12:19; Matthew 5:22; Romans 3:10, 23; James 1:19, 20; Psalms 139:23, 24; Colossians 3:8; Matthew 5:44; Romans 8:28; Ephesians 4:31, 31).
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Today is Friday, June 21st, 2019; Karen's Korner #4060
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Taken from "Starting Your Best Life Now" by Joel Osteen:
Don't Be A Grasshopper
"Are you allowing your weaknesses and insecurities to keep you from being your best? God already has enough 'grasshoppers'. He is not pleased when we mope around with a 'poor me' mentality. When do that, you're allowing your self-image to be shaped by non-biblical concepts that are contrary to God's opinions of you. This sort of poor self-image will keep you from exercising your God-given gifts and authority, and it will rob you from experiencing the abundant life your heavenly Father wants for you.
"You and I are 'well able' people. Not because we are so powerful, but because our God is so powerful. He wants you to be a 'can do' person, someone who is willing, ready, and 'well able' to do what He commands. When we face adversity and hardships in life, we can rise up with boldness and confidence, knowing we can overcome them. God loves to use ordinary people just like you and me, faults and all, to do extraordinary things. If God chose to use perfect people only, He'd have no one to use.
"Quiet your heart and receive God's Word: 'Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ" (2 Corinthians 2:4 NKJV).
"You can change the image you have of yourself. Start by agreeing with God. God sees you as strong and courageous, as a person of great honor and valor. Quit making excuses and start stepping out in faith, doing what God called you to do."
"KEEP GOING; KEEP GROWING.GOD HAS MUCH IN STORE FOR YOU!"
*****
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Today is Monday, June 24th, 2019; Karen's Korner #4061
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Today's email inspirational thought from Max Lucado:
Going Deep
"In Ephesians 3:17, Paul says, 'May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love.' The supreme surprise of God's love is that it has nothing to do with you. 'God is love' the scripture says. God loves you because he is he. You don't influence God's love. Your actions don't alter his devotion. Success signals God's love no more than struggles indicate the lack of it.
"When you feel unloved, take a trip to the cross and look at Jesus, cross-nailed and thorn-crowned. Choose God's love. For the sake of your heart. The prayer is powerful and simple: 'Lord, I receive your love. Nothing can separate me from your love.' Take a breath and descend so deeply into his love you see nothing else."
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Today is Tuesday, June 25th, 2019; Karen's Korner #4062
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"Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will give us later.
For all creation is waiting patiently and hopefully for that future day
when God will resurrect his children. For on that day thorns and thistles, sin, death,and decay ---
the things that overcame the world against its will at God's command ---
will all disappear, and the world around us will share in the glorious freedom
from sin which God's children enjoy."
~ Romans 8:18 - 21 LAB
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Bible Commentary: "Christians see the world as it is --- physically decaying, and spiritually infected with sin. But Christians do not need to be pessimistic, for they have hope. They look forward to the new heaven and new earth God has promised, and they wait for God's new order that will free the world of sin, sickness, and evil. In the meantime, they go with Christ into the world, when they heal people's bodies and souls and fight the evil effects of sin."
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Today is Wednesday, June 26th, 2019; Karen's Korner #4063
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Our Sunday worship services generally begin with a Bible readying. Last week's was Psalm 150
My Bible introduction to it says, "A closing hymn of praise. God's creation praises Him everywhere in every way. We should join this rejoicing song of praise." The writer is listed as 'anonymous'.
Praise and thankfulness subtracts from fears and anxiety; adds to peace and good mental health.
"Hallelujah! Yes, praise the Lord!
Praise Him in His Temple, and in the heavens He made with mighty power.
Praise Him for His mighty works.
Praise His unequaled greatness.
Praise Him with the trumpet and with lute and harp.
Praise Him with the drums and dancing.
Praise Him with stringed instruments and horns.
Praise Him with the cymbals, yes, clanging cymbals.
Let everything alive give praises to the Lord!
You praise Him!
Hallelujah!!
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Today is Thursday, June 27th, 2019; Karen's Korner #4064
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All too often we lurch from a family crisis to someone with a lengthy disease or illness. We intend to pray for them and/or think of them. Which we do. Until the next tragedy occurs and erases some of the 'older' issues from our thought processes.
I was gone pretty much of the day yesterday. This morning when I went into our machine shed, there was a smaller box sitting on one of my tables. What was that? Couldn't think. It was a package from the Los Angeles Police Department; contents: one blue LAPD car blanket; a couple of dozen LAPD pencils (portion to be given to the 'kids' who made and sent them Valentines); and its June newsletter.
If you recall, our community and county has been involved in a relationship with them since last fall. It began when Clarion's Marys & Marthas (M & Ms) sent them a 'thinking of you' note after one of their fellow officers was killed in the line of duty. In February, our group 'adopted' the LAPD when we, and another dozen or more groups, clubs, organizations, agreed to pray for them.
Also tucked in was a note from them saying: "Dear Marys & Marthas -- Thank you for your continued support. Wishing you a safe and happy Independence Day! From everyone here at the Mental Evaluation Unit (MEU). Signed by 32 LAPD officers.
Big town. Lots of officers. Lots to do to serve their community.
So before we move on today to other things which take top priority in our lives and minds, let's stop and pray for two people or groups which may slip out of minds? Someone with a long-term illness or disability (and maybe his/her caregiver; and the LAPD.
Thank You, Father, for giving the privilege of prayer. Lead and guide us, our thoughts and our minds. Amen.
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Today is Friday, June 28th, 2019; Karen's Korner #4065
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Today's 'korner' is from Sarah Young and her "Jesus Calling: Experiencing Peace in His Presence". I don't always read one every day. But today I 'peaked' at tomorrow's as well, and I liked it .It describes me, at least some of the time.
"As you get out of bed in the morning, be aware of My Presence with you. You may not be thinking clearly yet, but I am. Your early morning thoughts tend to be anxious ones until you get connected with Me. Invite Me into your thoughts by whispering My Name. Suddenly your day brightens and feels more user-friendly. You cannot dread a day that is vibrant with My Presence.
"You gain confidence through knowing that I am with you------that you face nothing alone. Anxiety stems from asking the wrong question: 'If such and such happens, can I handle it?' The true question is not whether you can cope with whatever happens, but whether you and I together can handle anything that occurs. It is this you-and-I-together factor that gives you confidence to face the day cheerfully."
~ Taken from Psalm 5:3; Psalm 63:1; Philippians 4:13
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