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October 2021 Archives

Printable Issue 4540  Today is Friday, October 1st, 2021; Karen's Korner #4540
Something from Sarah Young's "Jesus Calling:  Enjoying Peace in His Presence". This one is from tomorrow, October 2, since I don't normally do weekends:


"Never take for granted My intimate nearness. Marvel at the wonder of My continual Presence with you. Even the most ardent human lover cannot be with you always. Nor can another person know the intimacies of your heart, mind, and spirit. I know everything about you---even to the number of hairs on your head. You don't  need to work at revealing yourself to Me.

"Many people spend a lifetime or a small fortune searching for someone who understands them. Yet I am freely available to all who call upon My Name, who open their hearts to receive Me as Savior. This simple act of faith is the beginning of a lifelong love story. I, the Lover of your soul, understand you perfectly and love you eternally."

~ Taken from Luke 12:7; John 1:12;
Romans 10:13

****
Printable Issue 4541  Today is Monday, October 4th, 2021; Karen's Korner #4541
I tend to avoid reading Psalm 119, the longest chapter in the Bible. When I am charging through a book of the Bible and get to this one. Oh, my, all 176 verses.

But when I start to read it, I find what is written is great, I really enjoy it!

My particular version was printed in the mid-1970s. So fifty years ago and it is just as relevant now as it was then. Or maybe when it was written hundreds of years ago.

"I am completely discouraged---I lie in dust.
Revive me by your Word."

~ Psalm 119:25 LAB

*
Bible Commentary:  "How can God's Word revive us? Our world is full of evil; God's Word revives us with the promise of victory over evil. Our world says we are worthless without certain looks or possessions; God's Word gives us value by telling us that God created us and loves us. Our world is full of discouragement; God's Word encourages us. Our world has no real lasting answers; God's Word give satisfying, eternal answers. We can read it and be revived!

***
Printable Issue 4542  Today is Tuesday, October 5th, 2021; Karen's Korner #4542
COVID has had a way to divide us on how we think about it. And what we do to control it. We all know that if we get it, it can have devastating effects.

Do we take the shot to help control it? Or not? Even doctors disagree on who should or should not take the shot. Some say if someone has had the virus, there is enough antibodies so that a shot is not necessary.

Now we are terminating people from where they work if they have chosen not to take the shot. Regardless of his/her health, previous encounters with COVID, or personal beliefs.

Not sure that those decisions are helping our divisions any. 

Like everything we need to pray about what is happening to us. As many to most of us have done in the past and are doing.

Dear Heavenly Father, like everything in our lives, we need Your help and guidance. Give us Your direction, Your love, and Your care. We seek to do Your will for our lives. We seek Your grace and mercy for those who think and believe differently than we do. Help us to be quick to listen and slow to speak. We want to learn from one another. And from You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.

Printable Issue 4543  Today is Wednesday, October 6th, 2021; Karen's Korner #4543
A daily devotional in my inbox several weeks ago by Max Lucado:

GOD IS WITH US

"God is with us. Prophets weren’t enough. Apostles wouldn’t do. Angels won’t suffice. God sent more than miracles and messages. He sent himself; he sent his Son. 'The Word became flesh and dwelt among us' (John 1:14).

"Jesus has been where you are; he can relate to how you feel. And if his life on earth doesn’t convince you, his death on the cross should. He understands what you are going through. No one penned it more clearly than did the author of Hebrews. 'Jesus understands every weakness of ours, because he was tempted in every way that we are. But he did not sin! So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved kindness, and we will find help' (Hebrews 4:15–16 CEV)."

****
Printable Issue 4544  Today is Thursday, October 7th, 2021; Karen's Korner #4544
"How to Pray for Other Christians"; taken from a graphic in my Life Application Bible. "How many people in our lives could be touched if we prayed in this way?"

It comes from Colossians 1:3 - 11. Pick someone in your life you might like to pray for as you go through this list:

"Be thankful for their faith and changed lives (3).

Ask God to help them know what He wants them to do (9).

Ask God to give them deep spiritual understanding (9).

Ask God to help them live for Him (10).

Ask God to give them more knowledge of Himself (10).

Ask God to give them strength for endurance (11).

Ask God to fill them with joy, strength, and thankfulness (11)."

***

Printable Issue 4545  Today is Saturday, October 9th, 2021; Karen's Korner #4545
"I was glad for the suggestion
of going to Jerusalem,
to the Temple of the Lord."


~ Psalm 122:1 LAB

*
Sorry for no Karen's Korner yesterday; I was away from my computer.

This Bible verse talks about 'going to the Temple' and worshipping together. We have lots of ways and opportunities to worship together, especially after COVID. In person at church, over the internet, you tube, facebook, television. 

Tomorrow is the day. Let's JUST DO IT!

*
Bible Commentary:  "Going to God's house can be a chore or a delight. For the psalmist, it was a delight. As a pilgrim to one of these great religious feasts, he was excited to worship with God's people in God's house. We may find worship a chore if we have sin in our lives or if our love for God has cooled. But if we are close to God and enjoy his presence, we will hunger to worship and praise him. Our attitude toward God will determine our view of worship."

***
Printable Issue 4546  Today is Monday, October 11th, 2021; Karen's Korner #4546
A Privileged Position
 
“You are my friends if you do what I command.”
 
~ John 15:14 NIV

By Anne Graham Lotz
 
“What could be a greater privilege than to have Jesus call us His friend? If I told you that the Queen of England was my friend, you would probably snicker. And rightly so. But if the Queen stated that, ‘Anne Lotz is my friend,’ it would be impressive. It would indicate a relationship based on personal knowledge that she publicly affirmed.

“Jesus did more than say you and I could call Him our friend. He promises He will call us His friends! Now that’s impressive! That’s a privileged position!”
***
Printable Issue 4547  Today is Tuesday, October 12th, 2021; Karen's Korner #4547
"That evening Jesus' disciples went down to the shore to wait for him. But as darkness fell and Jesus still hadn't come back, they got into the boat and headed out across the lake toward Capernaum. But soon a gale swept down upon them as they rowed, and the sea grew very rough. They were three or four miles out when suddenly they saw Jesus walking toward the boat! They were terrified, but he called out to them and told them not to be afraid. Then they were willing to let him in, and immediately the boat was where they were going!"

~ John16:16 - 21 LAB

*
Bible Commentary:  "When Jesus came to the disciples during a storm, walking on the water, he told them not to be afraid. We often face spiritual and emotional storms and feel tossed about like a small boat on a big lake. In spite of terrifying circumstances, if we allow Christ to take control in our lives, he can give us peace in the midst of any storm.

"Faith is the mindset that expects God to act. When we live with this expectation, we can overcome our fears."
***
Printable Issue 4548  Today is Wednesday, October 13th, 2021; Karen's Korner #4548
Quotes from 'Side Notes', taken from the October/November 2021 OUR IOWA magazine. Shared in the outside margins, vertically:


"A word to the wise 
isn't as good as
a word from the wise."


*
"Look at what you have left,
not what you have lost."


*
"You are an old-timer
if you remember when folks
sat down to dinner
and counted their blessings
instead of calories.


*

"If you don't know where you are going,
you'll wind up someplace else."
~ Yogi Berra


*
"There is no greater joy
than making a difference in someone's life."


*
"A child's greatest period of growth
is the months after
you've purchased new school clothes."


*
*"Life is not holding a good hand;
life is playing a poor hand well."
~ Danish proverb


***
 
Printable Issue 4549  Today is Thursday, October 14th, 2021; Karen's Korner #4549
Yesterday's entry from Sarah Young and her "Jesus Calling;  Enjoying Peace in His Presence"; written as if Jesus is talking directly to its readers:


"Beware of seeing yourself through other people's eyes. There are several dangers to this practice. First of all, it is nearly impossible to  discern what others actually think of you. Moreover, their views of you are subject to each viewer's spiritual, emotional, and physical condition. The major problem with letting others define you is that it borders on idolatry. Your concern to please others dampens your desire to please Me, your Creator.

"It is much more real to see yourself through My eyes. My gaze upon you is steady and sure, untainted by sin. Through My eyes you can see yourself as one who is deeply, eternally loved. Rest in My loving gaze, and you will receive deep Peace. Respond to My loving Presence by worshiping ey in spirit and in truth."

~ Taken from Hebrews 11:6; John 4:23 - 24
Printable Issue 4550  Today is Friday, October 15th, 2021; Karen's Korner #4550
Daily devotional sent out by Dr. David Jeremiah, long-time pastor at a California church, radio personality, and conference speaker. Date was Tuesday, October 12.

"For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea."

~ Isaiah 11:9
*
"In 2013, may liberal thinkers boasted in the apparent success of the socialist government of Venezuela. Journalist David Sirota said the U.S. should envy the work of Hugo Chavez, and celebrities celebrated his socialist cause----celebrities like Sean Penn, Danny Glover, Oliver Stone, and Michael Moore. But constitutional rights were suspended in 2016, and now a third of the citizens of Venezuela don't have enough food to eat. Nearly one in five are eating garbage. Over five million people have fled, and Americans who set foot in Venezuela are subject to kidnapping and extortion.

"Why is socialism so attractive to so many people? It eventually turns governments into gods. Socialism ultimately fails because productivity declines when one person's labor is given to another. God's Word values the importance of work and the integrity of God-given rights.

"One day Jesus Christ will govern the world, and His knowledge will touch every life. Until then, let's work hard to be productive, and let's guard ourselves against destructive philosophies."

"The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money."  

~ Margaret Thatcher

***


Printable Issue 4551  Today is Monday, October 18th, 2021; Karen's Korner #4551

""But a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw him, he felt deep pity. Kneeling beside him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with medicine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his donkey and walked along beside him till they came to an inn, where he nursed him through the night. The next day he handed the innkeeper two twenty dollar bills and told him to take care of the man. 'If his bill runs higher than that,' he said. "I'll pay the difference the next time I am here!'"

~ Luke 13:33 - 37 LAB

*

Bible Commentary:  "This parable pictures the love Jesus has for us. Like the traveler, we have been wounded and left to die, and we can do nothing to save ourselves. But Jesus came along and took us to a place of healing. Our salvation is his doing, not our own."

****

Printable Issue 4552  Today is Tuesday, October 19th, 2021; Karen's Korner #4552
Several weeks ago a friend introduced our prayer group to "365 Days of Prayer for Women", which she was given as a gift when her sister passed away.

We liked what was written for that day! Another friend tracked down books for all of us who wanted them! I wanted a copy!

This is today's entry. Get ready I will share some of them with you at times. They are composed by Stephanie Sample. By the way, they could be good for 'men' as well!

Willing to Listen


"A wise warning to someone who will listen
is as valuable as gold earrings or fine gold jewelry."


~ Proverbs 25:12 NIV

"Lord, thank you for the advisors and counselors you've provided as I've gone through life. You gave them wisdom and patience, and I benefit from both. You, and they forgave the times I was too arrogant or stubborn to listen, and you rejoiced with them when I heard them, saving myself the trouble of another lesson learned the hard way. Thank you also for the chance to pass this blessing on, as you've placed people in my life who are willing to listen to me. Thank you for tenderness and grace toward them as they ignore my advice. And thank for wisdom on the days they take it to heart."

ARE WE WILLING TO LISTEN?

***


Printable Issue 4553  Today is Wednesday, October 20th, 2021; Karen's Korner #4553
From Max Lucado:

Stand Out and Assist

"1 Peter chapter 2, verses 9 and12 read, 'You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God…Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God.'

"How do God’s people live in a godless society? Do they blend in and assimilate? No, this is the time to stand out and assist. We were made for this moment. This is no time to play around. You were made for more than social media and flashy parties. You were made to serve the almighty God and be a temple of his Holy Spirit. Society offers nothing. Hollywood can’t satisfy your needs. Madison Avenue makes big promises but leaves people naked of hope. Godless living is no life to live."

****
Printable Issue 4554  Today is Thursday, October 21st, 2021; Karen's Korner #4554
A second 'serving' of Side Notes from the October/November issue of OUR IOWA magazine. The vertical entries in the margins of each issue:


"God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today.
Have you used one to say, 'thank you'?


*
"The best day to accomplish something
is the day before tomorrow."


*
"All of us could take a lesson from the weather.
It pays no attention to criticism."


*
"There is no greater joy than 
making a difference in someone's life."


*
"The most destructive force in the universe is
gossip."


*
"What goes up but never goes down?
Your age!"


*
"Failure is the path of 
least persistence."


****
Printable Issue 4555  Today is Friday, October 22nd, 2021; Karen's Korner #4555
It's Friday! Have a great weekend!

"Usually a person should keep on with the work he was doing when God called him."

~ 1 Corinthians 7:20 LAB

*
Bible Commentary:  "Often we are so concerned about what we could be doing for God somewhere else that we miss great opportunities right where we are. Paul says that when someone becomes a Christian, he should usually continue with the work he has previously been doing--provided it isn't immoral or unethical. Every job can become Christian work when we realize that the purpose of our lives is to honor, serve, and speak out for Christ. Because God has placed us where we are, we need to look carefully for opportunities to serve him right where we are."

***
Printable Issue 4556  Today is Monday, October 25th, 2021; Karen's Korner #4556
We are in an 8-week sermon series on 'living in the conflict' at our church. Yesterday's was 'comfort versus pain'.

Here is a handful of highlights:

Pain can be more than physical. It can be emotional or spiritual as well.

Pain often puts us in tension with comfort. We want to be comfortable!

Being a Christian does not mean we will escape suffering but we are able to bear suffering with dignity and hope!

God's comfort is available to us all.

Psalm 23:4 says, "Even when walking through the valley of death, I will not be afraid, for You are close beside me, guarding, guiding all the way." God's presence is our comfort; He may remove our pain, but He will always comfort us.

Pain draws believers toward God. Our pain may equip us toward helping others. We learn of His comfort so that we may help others.

And the very good news:  there is no more pain in heaven!
Printable Issue 4557  Today is Tuesday, October 26th, 2021; Karen's Korner #4557
"Praise the Lord! Yes, really praise him!
~ Psalm 146:1 LAB

*
"Hallelujah! Yes, praise the Lord!
How good it is to sing his praises! How delightful, and how right!

~ Psalm 147:1 LAB

*
"Praise the Lord, O heavens!
Praise him from the skies!"

~ Psalm 148:1 LAB

*
"Hallelujah! Yes, praise the Lord!
Sing him a new song.
Sing his praises, all his people."

~ Psalm 149:1 LAB

*
"Hallelujah! Yes, praise the Lord!
Praise him in his Temple,
and in the heavens he made
with mighty power."

~ Psalm 150:1 LAB

**
Bible Commentary:  "These last five psalms overflow with praise. Each begins with 'hallelujah' or 'praise the Lord'. They show us where, why, and how to praise God. What does praise do?

* Praise take our minds of our problems and shortcomings, and focuses them on God;

* Praise takes us from individual meditation to corporate worship.

* Praise causes us to consider and appreciate God's character.

* Praise takes our perspective from earthly to heavenly."
**

We praise You, God!
Printable Issue 4558  Today is Wednesday, October 27th, 2021; Karen's Korner #4558
Believe or Perish

By Anne Graham Lotz

"For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him."

~ John 3:17 NIV

*

”Do you know someone who maintains that a loving God would never send anyone to hell? That a loving God will let everyone into heaven? Ask Noah! He was there when God shut the door of the ark. And although technically God doesn’t send anyone to hell, you and I are condemned to go there if we refuse to enter through the ‘door’ of the Cross into the safety of the ‘ark’, which is Christ.

“God didn’t want anyone to perish. He wanted all to repent of their sins and rebellion and enter into the safety of the ark. But the people refused. :The God Who saved Noah from His judgment by providing an ark is the same God Who so loved the world that He sent His only Son as an Ark-a hiding place from the storm of God’s wrath. Whosoever believes in Jesus as God’s gracious provision for salvation will: not perish or come under God’s judgment but will be saved and receive eternal life. But you have to believe or you will perish.”

****
Printable Issue 4559  Today is Thursday, October 28th, 2021; Karen's Korner #4559
Yesterday there were about two dozen senior citizens who met with seventh graders from our school. This one-on-one interview process, we talked with the students, as they work on a unit called 'generations'. The younger ones are learning from us. We are learning from them.

There were three sections of the students. So we each had the opportunity to talk with three of them. They had, and we were given 14 possible questions. They asked. We answered. They took notes and will write up a report as part of their learning.

"What have you learned from someone younger than you are?"

More than one of us said, "Technology!"

"What is one thing you recall from your wedding day?"

As Jim and I left the church on our wedding evening, we found a decorated manure spreader (hadn't been used for several years!) with straw bales in it, in which for us to ride rather than a car.

As I pondered telling the young teens the story, I thought, "They don't know what a manure spreader is!" So I took a photo along.

"What nugget of wisdom would you give to us?"

I told them to make big plans and dream big dreams. Many of them will come true and even more than they could possibly imagine.

But I also said that life will throw each of us some curve balls which we could never anticipate nor handle.

In our lives, we had more than our fair share of health issues:  Jim having heart issues for 40 of our 45 years of married life; a daughter with a birth defect requiring several surgeries. Her death in a car/semi accident. Jim passing away several years ago.

Ours was health. Theirs might be employment. Broken relationships. Lack of money. But we are all dealt something we don't plan to have happen to us.

All things are doable with God in our lives. He can help us; direct us. Going to church isn't something boring to do but a life-blood. Jesus is an answer for us.

While we had these 'bad' things, I experienced good family relationships, living all of our years on our generational family farm, traveling to all 50 states and nearly 30 foreign countries.

With God's help, all things are possible!
Printable Issue 4560  Today is Friday, October 29th, 2021; Karen's Korner #4560
Today's entry from Sarah Young and her "Jesus Calling:  Enjoying Pease in His Presence":''

"Linger in My Presence a while. Rein in your impulses to plunge into the day's activities. Beginning your day alone with Me is essential preparation for success. A great athlete takes time to prepare himself mentally for the feat ahead of him before he moves a muscle. Similarly, your time of being still in My Presence equips you for the day ahead of you. Only I know what will happen to you this day. I have arranged the events you will encounter as you go along your way. If you are not adequately equipped for the journey, you will grow weary and lose heart. Relax with Me while I ready you for action."

~ Taken from Ephesians 2:10; Hebrews 12:3