Karen's Korner

December 2021 Archives

Today is Wednesday, December 1st, 2021; Karen's Korner #4583

Happy December!

Sarah Young and her "Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence" always has some good things to say to us as if Jesus is talking to us (taken from various Bible verses).

Here is yesterday's:

"Problems are part of life. They are inescapable: woven into the very fabric of this fallen world. You tend to go into problem-solving mode all too readily, acting as if you have the capacity to fix everything. This is a habitual response, so automatic that it bypasses your conscious thinking. Not only does this habit frustrate you, it also distances you from Me.

"Do not let fixing things be your top priority. You are ever so limited in your capacity to correct all that is wrong in the world around you. Don't weigh yourself down with responsibilities that are not your own. Instead, make your relationship with Me your primary concern. Talk with Me about whatever is on your mind, seeking My perspective on the situation. Rather than trying to fix everything that comes to your attention, ask Me to show you what is truly important. Remember that you are en route to heaven, and let your problems fade in the Light of eternity."

~ Taken from Psalm 12:8; Luke 10:41-42; Philippians 3:20-21

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Today is Thursday, December 2nd, 2021; Karen's Korner #4584

A couple of verses from Jesus' talking and teaching; telling about loving others and giving to them. Perfect time of year, as many of you are good of doing just that!

"Love your enemies! Do good to them! Lend to them! And don't be concerned about the fact that they won't repay. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as sons of God; for he is kind to the unthankful and to those who are very wicked.

"Try to show as much compassion as your Father does."

~ Luke 6:35 & 36 LAB

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Bible Commentary: "Love means action. One way to put love to work is to take the initiative in meeting specific needs. This is easy to do with people who love us, people whom we trust; but love means doing this even to those who dislike us or plan to hurt us. The money we give to others should be considered a gift, not a point of leverage or an IOU. Give it as though you are giving it to God."

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Today is Friday, December 3rd, 2021; Karen's Korner #4585

His Name Is Wonderful

-- Taken from 'This Christmas Night'
written by Billy Graham
and printed in Decision magazine in the late 1990s

"Five awe-inspiring names of our Lord Jesus encourage us, thrill us, and fill us with hope this Christmas season.

1. Jesus is called wonderful.

"He was wonderful in His life. He mingled with sinners, yet was sinless. He associated with publicans and sinners but never partook of their sins. His enemies could find not one flaw in His character; He was without reproach.

"Jesus was also wonderful in His death, the fitting climax to His selfless living. He lived for others. He died for others.

2. Jesus is called Counselor.

"If ever the world needed the counsel of Christ, it does today. Thousands of people everywhere in this world who have accepted Christ, the Divine Advocate, have found the Solution to their baffling problems.

3. Jesus is called The Mighty God.

"When the wrongs of the world needed righting and a fallen race needed redemption, God did not send His heavenly angelic armies to accomplish His majestic purpose; He sent a tiny, tender, helpless Babe in the Person of His Son. Jesus is the God-Man.

4. Jesus is called The Everlasting Father.

"He had no beginning and He has no end. When Jesus was born of a virgin, that was not His beginning, it was His incarnation. He is the designer of the entire universe. 'Before Abraham was, I am,' He said. (John 8:58).

5. Jesus is called The Prince of Peace.

"We cannot have peace in our hearts apart from our relationship with Jesus Christ. He will give His peace to us this Christmas if we put our trust and our faith in Him."

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Today is Monday, December 6th, 2021; Karen's Korner #4586

"For the reverence and
fear of God
are basic to all wisdom.
Knowing God results in every other kind of understanding."

~ Proverbs 9:10 & 11 LAB

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Bible Commentary: "Are we a mocker or a wise person? We can tell by the way we respond to criticism. Instead of tossing back a quick put-down or clever retort when rebuked, we need to listen to what is being said. We want to learn from our critics; this is the path to wisdom. Wisdom begins with knowing God. He give insight into living because he created life. To know God is not just to know the facts about him, but to stand in awe of him and have a relationship with him. Do we really want to be wise? We must get to know God better and better."

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Today is Tuesday, December 7th, 2021; Karen's Korner #4587

A Christmas inspirational thought by Max Lucado titled 'Christmas can be messy'. We see smiles on everyone's faces in the media. Everyone home for the holidays. People are happy at the dining room table. Or around the Christmas tree.

But what happens if that isn't true for you. Or your family?

If it's a good Christmas, great! If it isn't for someone in your world, share it!

Christmas Can Be Messy
By Max Lucado

"In the mystery of Christmas, we find its majesty. The mystery of how God became flesh, why he chose to come, and how much he must love his people. Christmas is best pondered, not with logic, but imagination.

"The first Christmas was messy. Messy with crowded inns, traveling families, and barnyard animals sniffing at baby Jesus. Messy with questions. How did Mary become pregnant? What is Joseph supposed to tell his friends? Why is Herod hell-bent on killing babies? The first Christmas was messy. No midwife for Mary, no bed for Jesus, no explanation to give the scruffy shepherds.

"Is this one messy for you? Too many relatives? Divorce? Pink slip? Christmas can be messy. But just as with Bethlehem, good came out of the mess. May good come out of yours.

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Today is Wednesday, December 8th, 2021; Karen's Korner #4588

One thought taken from the book "100 Things God Loves About You", published by Zondervan.

Number 100:

God Loves......you!

"I praise you because I am fearfully
and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well."

~ Psalm 139:14

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"God love you simply because you are....
well....you.

"He loves your imperfections, your quirkiness, your creativity. He loves that you are courageous, confident, kind. He loves the way you laugh, the way you work, the way you give. And He loves that you trust Him enough to call Him
Lord, Abba, Father, and even Friend.

"God love you so much, so very much, that He sacrificed His own Son to save you. Because you are fearfully and wonderfully made....because you are you...........
because you are His."

****

Today is Thursday, December 9th, 2021; Karen's Korner #4589

Something emailed to me by my sister Jill yesterday:

"Broken!

"I was in Dollar Tree last night, and there was a lady with two kids behind me in the LONG line. One was a big kid, and the other one was a toddler. The bigger one had a pack of glow sticks, and the toddler was screaming for them.

"The Mom opened the pack and gave him one which stopped his tears. He walked around with it smiling; but then the bigger boy took it, and the toddler started screaming again. Just as the Mom was about to fuss, the older child bent the glow stick and handed it back to the toddler.

"As we walked outside at the same time, the toddler noticed that the stick was now glowing; and his brother said, 'I had to break it so that you could get the full effect from it.'

"I almost ran, because l could hear God saying to me, 'I had to break you to show you why I created you. You had to go through it so you could fulfill your purpose.'

"That precious child was happy just swinging that 'unbroken' glow stick around in the air, because he didn't understand what it was created to do - which was 'glow'.

"There are some people who will be content just 'being', but some of us are chosen... we have to be 'broken'.

"We have to get sick.

"We have to lose a job.

"We go through a divorce.

"We have to bury our spouse, parents, best friend, or our child...

"In those moments of desperation, we were broken. But... when the breaking is done, then we will be able to see the reason for which we were created. So when you see us glowing, just know that we have been broken."

Copied and Pasted

from Sherrie Vinson Payne

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Today is Friday, December 10th, 2021; Karen's Korner #4590

Maybe it is my age/our age. Maybe it is the virus. Maybe things go in streaks. But it seems there has been more diagnoses. More diseases. More deaths. In my world. Our world than I would like.

Here is the December 8th entry in "365 Days of Prayer for Women" (could be for men as well!):

NO MORE SORROW

"He will wipe every teat from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever."

~ Revelation 21:4 NLT

"Tell me again, Abba. Tell me the story about heaven coming down to earth and how death and sadness and tears and pain will be gone forever. I love that story. I need that story, especially when grief sneaks up on my after months of silence. I will see them again. I will see them all again. Lord, I need that story when hatred too horrible to comprehend makes the headlines, and when people I love are hurting in a way I can't take away. God, I need that story as I need air to breathe. I look forward to the day it is more than just a story. In the meantime, remind me again of what is to come."

"Won't it be wonderful when sorrow, crying, pain, and death are gone forever?"

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Today is Monday, December 13th, 2021; Karen's Korner #4591

I bought the book "100 Things God Loves About You", thinking it was going to be a gift for Christmas for someone.

But I am enjoying it a little too much and will read it on days when I don't feel so lovable. And to share writings sometimes with Karen's Korner readers.

Here is #5:

GOD LOVES TO CALL YOU HIS OWN

"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!"

~ 1 John 3:1

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"God loves you. More than just a little. More than a lot. He loves you....... lavishly. His love is not the stingy, strings-attached love of this world. It is a love that stretches beyond the stars and reaches far into eternity. Just call His name, reach out to Him---and His love will sweep into your life, scoop you up, and whisper softly over and over, 'You are Mine'...... for you are His very own."

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Today is Tuesday, December 14th, 2021; Karen's Korner #4592

A writing (in part) taken from "This Christmas Night" and written by Billy Graham:

THE KING OF KINGS

"The wise men of old inquired ,'Where is he that is born King!' (Matthew 2:2). The Bible says of Him: "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever' (Hebrews 13:8). He was King yesterday, He is King today, He will King tomorrow.

"Every year people write me saying how much they dread Christmas. Often their complaint stems from how busy they will be, or how much money they will spend.

"Did those wise men who journeyed hundreds of miles across the desert to seek out the infant Jesus ever feel that way? After all, it took months to make the arduous trip, and they had gone to great expense to provide gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh for the new child.

"I doubt it. In fact, as their journey neared its end we read they had 'exceedingly great joy.' What made the difference? Their focus was totally on Jesus, the One who would be called 'Immanuel .... God with us' (Matthew 1:23).

"Don't let this Christmas season overwhelm you. Don't feel you have to do everything, or go into debt just to impress other people. Focus instead on Jesus. Take time every day to read the prophecies of His coming, and the wonderful story of His birth. Make this Christmas one of 'exceedingly great joy'!

~ Printed twice in the Decisions magazine.
Once in December 1992 and again in 1999

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Today is Wednesday, December 15th, 2021; Karen's Korner #4593

Always lots of pearls of wisdom in the book of Proverbs. Here are a couple of verses:

"It is possible to give away
and become richer!
It is also possible to hold on too tightly and lose everything.
Yes, the liberal man
shall be rich!
By watering others,
he waters himself.'

~ Proverbs 11:24 & 25 LAB

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Bible Commentary: "These two verses present a paradox, that we become richer by being generous. This world says to hold on to as much as possible, but God blesses those who give freely of their possessions, time, and energy. When we give, God supplies us with more so that we can give more. In addition, giving helps us gain a right perspective on our possessions. We realize they were never really ours to begin with, but when given to us by God to be used to help others. What then do we gain by giving? Freedom from enslavement to our possessions, the joy of helping others and God's blessings."

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Today is Friday, December 17th, 2021; Karen's Korner #4594

(Sorry no Karen's Korner yesterday; too much storm damage around my farm acreage and in our neighborhood. By the time I got organized, I thought it was a bit late to send the day's out. Thus I will do #5 for the week tomorrow - Saturday!) Can we say 'mess'? Yes, but nothing like Kentucky!)

I am just beginning to read the book "A Winter Dream" by Richard Paul Evans. He also authored "The Christmas Box" and "Lost December".

In the back of this book, Evans has an epilogue. He writes, "The day I graduated from college my father gave me this letter":

"My Dear Son,

"I am so very proud of you. Now, as you prepare to embark on a new journey. I'd like to share this one piece of advice. Always remember that -----

"Adversity is not a detour. It is part of the path.

"You will encounter obstacles. You will make mistakes. Be grateful for both. Your obstacles and mistakes will be your greatest teachers. And the only way to not make mistakes in this life is to do nothing, which is the biggest mistake of all.

:Your challenges, if you'll let them, will become your greatest allies. Mountains can crush or raise you, depending on which side of the mountain you choose to stand on. All history bears out that the great, those who have changed the world, have all suffered great challenges. And more times than not, it's precisely those challenges that in God's time, lead to triumph.

"Abor victimhood. Denounce entitlement. Neither are gifts, rather cages to damn the soul. Everyone who has walked this earth is a victim of injustice. Everyone.

"Most of all, do not be too quick to denounce your sufferings. The difficult road you are called to walk may in fact, be your one path to success."

Evans said, over the years, he has found truths in what his dad penned. And has taken the letter out to re-read at times. As a reminder as he faced challenges.

Can be said of all of us 'If we 'trod' this sod' for enough years!

Today is Saturday, December 18th, 2021; Karen's Korner #4595

God's timetable and ours aren't the same. If we think something needs to be done, we think 'sooner rather than later'.

Not God! He knew from the beginning of time that we were going to need to be rescued from ourselves. And He knew how he was going to do it.

He was going to send His own Son to the world, to live, show us the way, and then be crucified as a sacrifice for our erroneous ways, if we would be accept that sacrifice.

Both Micah and Isaiah foretold of Jesus/ coming 700 years before He actually got here!

When the time came, the Holy Spirit (Luke 1) planted a seed in Mary's womb that would cause the virgin girl, to give birth to His Son (her son). There goes another nine months.

Then he has to grow up to be a man. Add on another 30 years! (Luke 2).

If we needed a Savoir, wasn't there a faster way? Maybe in our human minds. But God's mind and plans are always so different from ours. Have you noticed?

And His plans are always good and can be counted on! Maybe that is why waiting, patience, and faith are big virtues of His!

Thank You, God, that You are God! And we are not! The way that You pour out Your Love on us is amazing. Amazing Grace! As our Sunday School lesson said a couple of weeks ago, 'You delight in showing steadfast love to sinners!' Us! Thank You for the Son which You gave to all of us! Amen!

Today is Wednesday, December 22nd, 2021; Karen's Korner #4596

Building on what Max Lucado said yesterday:

"The Savior---yes, the Messiah, the Lord---has been born tonight in Bethlehem! How will you recognize him? You will find a baby wrapped in a blanket, lying in a manger!'

"Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others---the armies of heaven---praising God.

"' Glory to God in the highest heaven,' they said, 'and peace on earth for all those pleasing him.'"

~ Luke 2:11 - 14 LAB

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Bible Commentary on these verses: "Some of the Jews were waiting for the Messiah to deliver them from Roman rule; others hoped he would deliver them from physical ailments. But Jesus, while healing their illnesses and establishing a spiritual kingdom, delivered them from sin. He outstripped all their expectations. People often set their own agenda for Jesus and thus expect too little from him. His work is more far-reaching than anyone could imagine. He has paid the price for sin and opened the way to God. He offers us more than superficial political or physical changes ---he offers us new hearts which will be ours for eternity."

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Today is Thursday, December 23rd, 2021; Karen's Korner #4597

A recent inspirational thought written by Max Lucado titled "A Lord to Lead You":

"'“There has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord' (Luke 2:11). The Greek word used in this verse is Kyrios. It signifies one who rightfully holds a position of authority. Jesus was born with this title. He has a lawful right to rule over every sphere, star, galaxy, and gulf. He is the Lord of legislators, liberators, light bearers, and laborers. He bears the signet of the highest office and wears the insignia of 'Lord of both the dead and the living' (Romans 14:9).

"Congress doesn’t run the world. Cancer doesn’t control your destiny. Death doesn’t have the last word. The faceless hand of fate isn’t directing history. The Lord Jesus is.

"You have a Lord to lead you."

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Today is Friday, December 24th, 2021; Karen's Korner #4598

Building on what Max Lucado said yesterday:

"The Savior---yes, the Messiah, the Lord---has been born tonight in Bethlehem! How will you recognize him? You will find a baby wrapped in a blanket, lying in a manger!'

"Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others---the armies of heaven---praising God.

"' Glory to God in the highest heaven,' they said, 'and peace on earth for all those pleasing him.'"

~ Luke 2:11 - 14 LAB

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Today is Friday, December 24th, 2021; Karen's Korner #4599

Sarah Young's "Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence", perpetual flip calendar sits on my computer desk.

A read it every day. For a few days. Then I skip for a few days. No matter. I read what it says. When I can. When I remember.

Here is her/our entry for December 23 entry:

"I am King of Kings and Lord of Lords, dwelling in dazzlingly bright Light! I am also your Shepherd, Companion, and Friend---the One who never lets go of your hand. Worship Me in My holy Majesty; come close to Me, and rest in My Presence. You need Me both as God and as Man. Only My Incarnation on that first, long-ago Christmas could fulfill your neediness. Since I went to to such extreme measures to save you from your sins, you can be assured that I will graciously give you all you need.

"Nurture well your trust in Me as Savior, Lord, and Friend. I have held back nothing in My provision for you. I have even designed to live within you! Rejoice in all that I have done for you, and My Light will shout through you into the world."

~ taken from I Timothy 6:13 - 16;
Psalm 95:6 - 7; Romans 8:32; 2 Peter 1:19

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Today is Friday, December 24th, 2021; Karen's Korner #4600

What a perfect time to reach another milestone (one ending in 00 - #4600!) As we celebrate Christmas!!

You can tell that I am enjoying the book "100 Things God Loves About You". One of those ones you pick up and read a bit and put it down for another few days.

Here is #23:

GOD LOVES TO HEAR YOU CALL HIM
"FATHER"

"Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
~ Hebrews 4:15

"Maybe your earthly father is wonderful, the best dad in the world. Or maybe he isn't. But no matter what he is like, you have a Father who loves you............perfectly.

"No matter what you've got to say. He's waiting to listen. No matter what you need. He's waiting to provide. No matter what you've done. He's waiting to forgive. Don't be shy. Go to Him, climb into His lap, and rest your head on His shoulder. It's okay. Really. You're His child. And He loves to hear you call him 'Abba, Father, Dad."

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MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Today is Monday, December 27th, 2021; Karen's Korner #4601

How quickly we turn the page away from Christmas and move on to the next thing!

I spent some time this morning looking through a hymnal. Many Christmas songs are hundreds of years old!

I am going to include two songs which are relatively new. Familiar. Not really Christmas songs but printed near those which are.

There's Something About That Name

By Gloria & Bill Gaither, 1970

"Jesus, Jesus, Jesus!
There's just something about that name!
Master, Savior, Jesus!
Like the fragrance after the rain.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus!
Let all heaven and earth proclaim;
Kings and kingdoms will all pass away,
but there's something about that name!

**

His Name Is Wonderful

By Audrey Mieir, 1959

"His name is wonderful,
his name is wonderful,
his name is wonderful,
Jesus, my Lord.

He is the mighty King,
Master of everything;
his name is wonderful,
Jesus my Lord.

He's the great Shepherd,
the Rock of all ages,
almighty God is he;

bow down before him,
love and adore him,
his name is wonderful,
Jesus, my Lord."

*****

Today is Tuesday, December 28th, 2021; Karen's Korner #4602

Lots of places in the Bible it speaks of JOY! It is not a feeling! It is a fact. A 'possession' as a Christian. Something that is 'packed in' to each of us a believers.

"But oh, the joys of those who put their trust in Him!"
~ Psalm 2:12b LAB

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"Heart, body, and soul are filled with joy!"
~ Psalm 16 9 LAB

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"Always be full of joy in the Lord, I say, it again, rejoice. Let everyone see that you are unselfish and considerate in all you do. Remember that the Lord is coming soon."
` Philippians 4:4 & 5 LAB

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Bible Commentary on the Philippians verses: "Ultimate joy comes from Christ dwelling with us.. At Christ's Second Coming, we will fully realize this ultimate joy, because He who dwells within us will fulfill His final purpose for us."

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Today is Thursday, December 30th, 2021; Karen's Korner #4603

My sister Jill and some of her church members enjoy 'sharing Christmas' with those with needs. She has written here what they experienced.

It's a good story!

"Every year, our church in Lake Stevens Washington asks for donations from the congregation for Christmas baskets. People in the congregation send in names/addresses of people they know or connect with that could use a 'hand up' at Christmas. This year was no exception, Twelve names were turned in. None of the names were people who attend our church; just people who needed a little help.

"We set shopping day for December 21st, with delivery to be the next day. On Sunday, the 19th, $815 has been contributed. Not as much as usual, but not a surprise in our continuing Covid environment. Some years, we had close to $1200!

"I went to Target to get tote bins to use as baskets. Here the 'blessings' began. Tote bins should have been $7 each x 12 or $84 plus tax. After the cashier rang me up, I looked at the receipt at the door of the store. She hadn't charged for 12, only 7. I went to the customer service counter and the person there offhandedly asked me if I had enlarged my Christmas decoration collection and needed new storage - - twelve red Christmas totes! When I explained their use, she looked at me for minute and said, if you know the church's tax ID number, we can donate the other five. And so they did!

"Off to the grocery store four volunteers went on the 21st with a list in hand. Items on the list were for a Christmas dinner like a ham, stuffing mix, carrots, etc along with some staples like cereal, cans of soup, and other items. The store we shopped at, Fred Meyer, owned by Kroger, started out by giving us a $100 gift card for shopping there. We were a little worried because the hams alone would be about $40 each, accounting for $480 of our money! When we finished, we had six carts, piled high and loaded down. We stopped by the customer service counter to find out where we should check out. One of the customers in the customer service line asked what we were doing and we told them. She turned to her line neighbors and said 'I bet we have some money to help them, don't we?' and proceeded to collect $25 for us!

"Off we went to checkout. The store manager met us and thanked us for shopping there. And he gave us three check-out persons, two with remote bar code readers, and an assistant manager to help. Such nice people! The assistant manager made sure check out was going well, bagging was efficient, carry out people assigned to help us get the massive amount of groceries to our cars and at the end, he said the store would like to give us the hams for $1.27 per pound or $13 or $14 each! A huge savings! The total was $1300, but with discounts and the gift card from the store, our total was $815. A coincidence that it matched the $815 that our congregation donated?? And the bin cost was covered by the $25 collected in the customer service line, plus a last minute donation that had come in!

"But wait! One of the elders called while we were checking out. A $250 donation had come for this project from Thrivent, a Lutheran financial agency. So we also purchased a $20 gift card for each family to be included with a card from our church, inviting them to Christmas services.

"Now I suppose you'd like to hear that everyone receiving a basket arrived at Christmas services? No, not the case. But that wasn't what we did this for. Our church believes we should 'Love God, Love People, and Live Like Jesus'. And this project covers all three!"

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Today is Friday, December 31st, 2021; Karen's Korner #4604

Something written by Anne Graham Lotz. Could be good for after Christmas. Or sometimes before or at Christmas time!

JUST THINK ON JESUS!

"(He) loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood."
~ Revelation 1:5b NIV

"Jesus is the most important Man, not just in our nation, not just on planet earth, but in the entire universe! And He isn't important just for four years or eight years, but forever and ever and ever! Furthermore, the most important Man in the universe thinks I am so important, He gave His own life for me! How can I feel depressed by the smallness of my life when the most important Man in the universe died for me, rules over me now, and will one day return for me? In the eyes of the Lord Jesus Christ, I am important, I am of value. How can I consider myself anything else?

"Do you feel depressed by the smallness of your life? There is an antidote for feelings of smallness. Just think on Jesus!

*****

Today is Friday, December 31st, 2021; Karen's Korner #4605

Last day of 2021!

Let's see what Sarah Young has to say, taken from "Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence" for today:

"As the year draws to a close, receive My Peace. This is still your deepest need, and I, your Prince of Peace, long to pour Myself into your neediness. My abundance and your emptiness are a perfect match. I designed you to have no sufficiency of your own. I created you as a jar of clay, set apart for sacred use. I want you to be filled with My very Being, permeated through and through with Peace.

Thank Me for My peaceful Presence, regardless of your feelings. Whisper My Name in loving tenderness. My Peace, which lives continually in your spirit, will gradually work its way through your entire being."

~ Taken from Isaiah 9:6; 2 Corinthians 4:7; John 14:26 & 27

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