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June 2021 Archives

Printable Issue 4462  Today is Tuesday, June 1st, 2021; Karen's Korner #4462
Today is Tuesday, June 1. This is our daughter Merry's birthday. She would have been 48. She was an 'emailer' of lots of pass around emails.

Little did I know that it would stop so suddenly 22 years ago. I had saved only nine of them. I tend to share one of them each year. No doubt you have read this one before!

A couple of memories of Merry first.

When she was in early elementary, Clarion would have a 'crazy parade' at its summer Ridiculous Day. I had cut holes in a box for Merry's head and arms, covered it with all kinds of labels and plastered "I am Recycled" in several places on the box, as she participated in the parade.

Afterwards, she said to us, "Why did you make me walk down the street with signs saying , "I am retarded!"
 
*
Merry had the privilege of representing our school in the National FFA  Band, playing her French horn.

When she got home, she came downstairs, showing us that she had a set of towels from the hotel where they stayed in Kansas City.

"I didn't take them, Mom, honest! Someone had to have put them in my suitcase!" she said.

We didn't work to return them. I am sure the Clarion- Goldfield School had to pay for them!

***
PRICELESS
"We've all go to remember this:

"A well-known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20 bill in the room of 200, he asked, 'Who would like this $20 bill?' Hands started going up. He said, 'I am going to give this $20 to one of you but first, let me do this.' He proceeded to crumple the dollar bill up. He then asked, 'Who still wants it?' Still the hands were up in the air.

"'Well,' he replied, 'What if I do this?' And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now all crumpled and dirty. 'Now who still wants it?'

"Still the hands went into the air. 'My friends, you have all learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20. Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value in God's eyes. To Him, dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless to Him."

"Psalm 17:6 states that God will keep us 'as the apples of His eye.

"THOUGHT:  "The worth of our lives come not in what we do or who we are but by WHOSE WE ARE!'

"You are special. Have a great day!!

"Lord, I thank You for delivering me from the need to be right about everything."
***
 

Printable Issue 4463  Today is Wednesday, June 2nd, 2021; Karen's Korner #4463
I recently read a book written by Joyce Meyer titled "How to Age Without Getting Old". She is now 78 years old with no plans to retire from her worldwide ministry. She does tell in the book about readjusting some things:  do less of some things and enjoy the sights and sounds around us. Do we complain about the three things which don't work like they used to? Or do we celebrate the hundreds of things which still do?

In one chapter, she tells about the 'forty benefits that the Word of God provides us'. Nearly half come from Psalm 119:


* Those who order their conduct and conversation according to the Word are blessed (vs. 2)

* The Word cleanses and purifies us (vs. 9).

* The Word reduces the capacity to sin. It strengthens us against temptation (vs. 11).

* The Word revives and stimulates us (vs. 25).

* God's Word strengthens us (28).

* God's Word enables us to walk at liberty and at ease (vs. 45).

* God's Word comforts and consoles us.(vs. 50).

* God's Word is filled with promises to give us mercy and grace. (vs. 58).

* God's Word helps us see the error of our ways and turn in God's direction. (vs. 59).

* God's Word gives us good judgment, wise and right discernment, and knowledge (vs. 66).

* God's Word is better than thousands of gold and silver pieces (vs. 72).

* God's Word make me wiser than my enemies (vs.98).

* The Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (vs. 105).

* When we are afflicted, God's Word quickens us and gives us life (vs. 107).

* The entrance of God's Word brings light and dispels darkness (vs. 130).

* God's Word brings direction and shows us what to do (vs. 133).

* God's Word gives us great peace (vs. 165).

***
Printable Issue 4464  Today is Thursday, June 3rd, 2021; Karen's Korner #4464

The 4th and final installment of 'A to Z Identity List'; God's Word Saying Who I Am; Who We Are.

I have to be reminded often 'who I am' and 'Whose I am'. I tend to forget!

Temple.
"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies."   (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

*
Unique.
"For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb."   (Psalm 139:13).


Victorious.
"But thanks be to God!
He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."    (I Corinthians 15:57).

*
Washed.
"Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean, wash me, and I will be whiter than snow."    (Psalm 51:7).


eXample.
"In everything set them an example
by doing what is good."    (Titus 3:7)

*
Young but able.
"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.".
(I Timothy 4:12).

*
Zealous.
"Never be lacking in zeal,
but keep your spiritual fervor,, serving the Lord."   (Romans 12:11)

****
Printable Issue 4465  Today is Friday, June 4th, 2021; Karen's Korner #4465
My friend Donna has been in the hospital for several days, waiting for her turn to have heart bypass surgery. Today is the day!

I talked with her by phone on Wednesday. She shared with me that she had just read that day's (June 2) Sarah Young's JESUS CALLING:  Enjoying Peace in His Presence" entry (especially the first paragraph). Put yourself in her place as she waited her surgery. She said, "Listen to this!"

"Relax in My Healing, holy Presence. Be still, while I transform your heart and mind. Let go of cares and worries, so that you can receive My Peace. Cease striving, and know that I am God.

"Do not be like Pharisees who multiplied regulations, creating their own form of 'godliness'. They got so wrapped up in their own rules that they lost sight of Me. Even today, man-made rules about how t olive the Christian life enslave many people. Their focus is on their performance, rather than on Me.

"It is through knowing Me intimately that you become like Me. This requires spending time alone with Me. Let go, relax, be still, and know that I am God."

~ Taken from Psalm 46:10 (NASB); I John 3;2

Pray for Donna, as she should be in surgery this morning!

****
Printable Issue 4466  Today is Monday, June 7th, 2021; Karen's Korner #4466

"For the wicked have strung their bows, drawn their arrows tight against the bowstrings, and aimed from ambush at the people of God. 'Law and order have collapsed,' we are told. 'What can the righteous do but flee?'

"But the Lord is still in his holy temple; he still watches everything that happens here on earth. He puts the righteous and the wicked to the test, he hates those loving violence."

~ Psalm 11: 2 - 4 LAB

*

Bible Commentary:  "When law and order collapse and we wish we could hide, remember that God is still in control. Nothing happens without His knowledge and permission. When we feel like running away---run to God. He will restore justice on the earth in His good time."

***

Printable Issue 4467  Today is Tuesday, June 8th, 2021; Karen's Korner #4467

 Taken from National Day of Prayer (Thursday, May 5), the theme was "Lord, Pour Out Your LOVE, LIFE, AND LIBERTY". With the Bible verse, "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty." (2 Corinthians 3:17).

Seven specific areas, today's is #4:


WORKPLACE

"We pray Your Spirit-filled people in the workplace would......

*....work as for the Lord (Colossians 3:23).

*.....be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, 
love, life and liberty, knowing that our toil is not in vain in the Lord (I Corinthians 15:58).

*......be filled, taught, and inspired with the Word and Spirit of the Lord
 to be equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

****


Printable Issue 4468  Today is Wednesday, June 9th, 2021; Karen's Korner #4468
Unlocking the Storehouses of Heaven
By Max Lucado


"Someone you know is under attack, Your neighbor is depressed, your sibling is off track, your child is facing an uphill challenge. You may not know what to say. You may not have resources to help. But you have this:  your have prayer. According to this promise, your prayers prompt the response of God in the lives of those you love. James 5:16, 'The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.'

"When we pray for one another we enter God's workshop, we pick up a hammer, and we help him accomplish his purposes. Our prayers unlock the storehouses of heaven. The link between God's goodness and your friends is your prayers. When you pray, when you speak for the ones who need help to the One who can give it, something wonderful happens----this is how happiness happens."

****
Printable Issue 4469  Today is Thursday, June 10th, 2021; Karen's Korner #4469
"But although (Jesus) made the world, the world didn't recognize him when he came. Even in his own land and among his own people, the Jews, he was not accepted. Only a few would welcome and receive him. But to all who received him he gave the right to become children of God. All they needed to do was to trust him to save them."

~ John 1:10 - 12 LAB

*
Bible Commentary:  "All who welcome Jesus Christ as Lord of their lives are reborn spiritually, receiving new life from God. Through faith in Christ, this new birth changes us from the inside out----rearranging our attitudes, desires, and motives. Being born make us physically alive and places us in our parents' family. Being reborn makes us spiritually alive and puts us in God's family. Have we asked Christ to make us a new person? This fresh start in life is available to all who believe in Christ."

*****
Printable Issue 4470  Today is Friday, June 11th, 2021; Karen's Korner #4470
Some short thoughts.

Last week I asked readers to pray for my friend Donna who was having heart bypass surgery. It was successful; she has been home from the hospital for a few days. And continues her healing and recovery process. Thanks for your prayers.
*
A couple of "Side Notes",  the vertical one-liners in Our Iowa magazine, from June/July 2021 issue:

"A person soon learns how little he knows when a child begins to ask questions."

*
""Tempers do not improve with use."

*
"Every path has a few puddles."

**

Our church is currently studying the book of James in our worship services. Written in my Bible near James Chapter 1 is a comment Mike Redig made in July 2016. (He traveled with church groups regularly). "While we were on a mission trip to Mexico, one of their leaders said to me, 'You Americans believe in God. We depend on God!"

I think through the pandemic, changing weather patterns, crises with governments around the world, we Americans may be moving closer to more of a dependence on God, than we may have in a number of years.

Dear Father in Heaven, lead us and guide us today.  We want to do more than believe in You; we want to depend on You! Lots of things we can't change but You can. So we look to You for restored health, rain for our gardens and crops, governments and leaders who care fairly for the people who they serve. Help us to rest in You today. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Printable Issue 4471  Today is Monday, June 14th, 2021; Karen's Korner #4471
"Lord, how you have helped me before! You took me safely from my mother's womb and brought me through the years of infancy. I have depended upon you since birth; you have always been my God. Don't leave me now, for trouble is near and no one can possibly help."

~ Psalm 22:9 - 11 LAB

*
Bible Commentary:  "God's loving concern does not begin on the day we are born and conclude on the day we die, but reaches back to those days when we were unborn, and reaches ahead along the unending path of eternity. The only sure help for our lives comes from a God whose concern for us reaches beyond our earthly existence."

****
Printable Issue 4472  Today is Tuesday, June 15th, 2021; Karen's Korner #4472

(I will be away from my computer for a few days. Next Karen's Korner:  Wednesday, June 23.)

Taken from National Day of Prayer (Thursday, May 5), the theme was "Lord, Pour Out Your LOVE, LIFE, AND LIBERTY". With the Bible verse, "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty." (2 Corinthians 3:17).

Seven specific areas, today's is #5:


ART, MEDIA, ENTERTAINMENT

"Pray that the spirit's gifts and fruit would fill this influential industry so that:

* .....the Holy Spirit's gifts would inspire the creativity, performance and content of writers, entertainers, artists, and the media so what audiences would hear and see beauty and hear Truth.     (1 Peter 4:10)

*
*  ....Christians would not have to compromise their faith to get work but would be treated equitably in this industry so that God would be magnified not mocked, and our screens and stages would be filled with Spirit-filled meaningful messages of love, life, and liberty.     (Isaiah 26:7-9).

*
* ....media would speak factually, truthfully, truth, and defer to no one; not being political or partial to any in their research and reports."      (Ephesians 4:25)."

***
Printable Issue 4473  Today is Wednesday, June 23rd, 2021; Karen's Korner #4473

Glad to be back home after a few days away. My oldest grandson Luke and I flew to Seattle to see my sister, Jill, and her daughter's family.


Jill's older granddaughter Raegan is 3 1/2 years old and attended pre-school a couple of mornings each week this past school year.

As the class neared Fathers' Day, each student was pictured holding a note that said, "I love my dad because......". 

Students were then asked why they loved their dads. Answers included such things as 'because he takes me to the park'; or 'because he buys me ice cream'.

Not Raegan, "I love my dad because my dad loves me!" Teachers said they rarely hear that response from their pre-school students.

Raegan knows her dad loves her because he tells her that often!

I got started thinking about us 'older students':  'I love God because.......'.He healed me'; 'He helped me find a job'; 'He restored our broken relationship'.

Or do we think/know that, like Raegan, "I love God because He loves me!" Regardless of what He may or may not do for us.

How do we know that He loves us? Like Raegan, because He tells us over and over again in the Bible. Really the Bible is a book of 'love' Restoration, hope, and help. All over the place!

Here is one:  "See how very much our heavenly Father loves us, for he allows us to be called his children---think of it---and we really are!": (I John3:1a)

Thank, you. God, that we love You because You love us!

***
Printable Issue 4474  Today is Thursday, June 24th, 2021; Karen's Korner #4474

"I publicly praise the Lord for keeping me from slipping and falling."

~ Psalm 26:12 LAB

*
Bible Commentary:  "This verse can also be translated, 'My feet stand on level ground.' David (writer) was not saying that God always prevents us from slipping or falling into sin (although often He does). Instead, David was saying that as long as he trusted in God, he could stand on the firm foundation of God's Word and have a godly perspective on life."

***
Printable Issue 4475  Today is Friday, June 25th, 2021; Karen's Korner #4475

The Choice to Rejoice

By Anne Graham Lotz

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"
~ Philippians 4:4 NIV

"The apostle Paul knew the secret of victory when he and and Silas were thrown into the inner cell of a prison, their feet fastened in stocks, because they had preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 'About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God' (Acts 16:24 - 25, NIV). As a result of their praise, an earthquake collapsed the prison, the jailor was converted, and they were set free! Paul maintained that spirit of praise until the end of his life when he once again found himself in chains in a Roman prison, yet emphatically declared, 'I will continue to rejoice' (Philippians 1:18, NIV).

"I doubt if, during either of those imprisonments, Paul felt like praising. But he had learned to walk by faith, not by his feelings. And today he commands you and me to exercise our will, making the deliberate conscious choice to 'rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again :  Rejoice!"

**
Printable Issue 4476  Today is Monday, June 28th, 2021; Karen's Korner #4476

One more 'Raegan story' leftover from our recent trip to Washington, where the family lives. I asked my sister Jill to write it:


"My three and a half year old granddaughter, Raegan, just finished a school year of two mornings a week preschool at the church they attend.  Her teacher relayed this story to my daughter.
 
"The church has a two-story play structure that is enclosed, much like those you'd see at McDonald's.  Raegan has played on this structure after Sunday School beginning at age two.  Fearless.
 
"But a few other children were fearful.  One of them, Ariana, climbed to the second level and froze.  The teachers knew they couldn't climb up, so one of them suggested to Raegan that she climb up and help Ariana get down.  So up she went, and took Ariana by the hand and brought her down to the entrance of the play structure.
 
"When my daughter asked Raegan if she helped Ariana, she answered 'Yes, Mommy, I helped her.  She was scared.'

"And after thinking a minute, she added 'I am a superhero!'"

***
So today if you have the opportunity, be a 'superhero' like little Raegan! When someone needs a listening ear. When you have a thought to make a phone call to someone who comes to the front of your mind. Or you have a chance to give money to a needy cause or person!

We are designed to be 'superheroes' in God's army of believers! Ask God to help remind us of some of the things we may do without thinking. He might want us to remember! 

Let's begin!!
Printable Issue 4477  Today is Tuesday, June 29th, 2021; Karen's Korner #4477

"At the Flood, the Lord showed his control of all creation. Now he continues to unveil his power. He will give his people strength. He will bless them with peace."

~ Psalm 29:10 & 11 LAB



Bible Commentary:  "Throughout history, God has revealed his power through mighty miracles over nature, such as the great Flood. He promises to continue to reveal his power. In Ephesians, Paul urged us to understand how great God's power is. The same power that raised Christ from the dead is available to all who believe. When we feel weak and limited, we need to remember that God can give us strength. The power that controls creation and raises the dead is available to us."

Praise God!
Printable Issue 4478  Today is Wednesday, June 30th, 2021; Karen's Korner #4478

Taken from National Day of Prayer (Thursday, May 5), the theme was "Lord, Pour Out Your LOVE, LIFE, AND LIBERTY". With the Bible verse, "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty." (2 Corinthians 3:17).

Seven specific areas, today's is #6:


CHURCH

"We pray the Spirit would fill us:

* .... that we would be diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace knowing there is one body and one Spirit, just we were called in one hope of our calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all            (Ephesians 4:3 - 5)."

*..... and unite us in love, bringing churches together to spread the gospel and do justice bringing love, life, and liberty throughout their communities     
(Galatians 6:10)."

* ..... that we would sing and serve skillfully with shouts of joy, work, and worship in accordance to His Word, will, and ways.     (Psalm 33:1 - 5)."

*****