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September 2022 Archives
Today is Thursday, September 1st, 2022; Karen's Korner #4734
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This morning when I woke up, I felt sad? Down? I don't know but I know I didn't like the feeling.
Where did it come from? Good day with others pretty much all day. I did have a little trouble falling to sleep. Was I tired?
Times like these are times when I am glad that I am a follower of Jesus. I need help to lift my mood. Start praying. Bible reading. Thank Him for what is to me and what He has in store for me today. I need to remember His Spirit resides within me and all of His Children.
Here I go. No sense of staying with a grumpy feeling!
I need to remember that "Because the Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything in need!" - Psalm 23:1
"O give thanks unto the Lord for He is good for His lovingkindness continues forever." - all over in Psalm 136.
Make it a good day. I plan on it!
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Today is Friday, September 2nd, 2022; Karen's Korner #4735
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Hope that you have a great Labor Day weekend!
Something from "100 Things God Loves About You" by Tama Fortner. Number 40.
GOD LOVES YOUR COURAGE
"Have I not commanded you?
Be strong and courageous.
Do not be afraid;
do not be discouraged,
for the Lord your God will be with you
wherever you go."
~ Joshua 1:9
"Courage idn't always about swords; sometimes it's about......smiles.
"It's finding a way to laugh through tears and to praise through pain. It's figuring out how to smile in the face of stormy trials and troubles. No, not because you enjoy the storm, but because you know the One who controls it, the One who will never leave you to weather it all alone. When storm clouds darken your horizon, be strong, smile and remember: the One who loves you is right by your side."
***
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Today is Monday, September 5th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4736
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Happy Labor Day!
First a disclaimer: I do read over what I have typed for each Karen's Korner, but it seems many to most, contain a typing error.......which I catch after it has been sent! I apologize for the errors. More than one way that God can keep us/me humble!
Taken from Sarah Young's "Jesus Calling; Enjoying Peace in His Presence" for today, September 5:
"I am your best friend,
as well as your King.
Walk hand in hand with Me through your life.
Together we will face whatever each day brings:
pleasures, hardships, adventures, disappointments.
Nothing is wasted when it is shared with Me.
I can bring beauty out of ashes of lost dreams.
I can glean Joy out of sorrow.
Peace out of adversity.
Only a Friend who is also the King of kings could accomplish the divine alchemy.
There is no other like Me!
"The friendship I offer you is practical and down-to-earth. yet it is saturated with heavenly Glory. Living in My Presence means living in two realms simultaneously: the visible world
and unseen, eternal reality.
I have equipped you to stay conscious of Me while walking along dusty, earthbound paths."
~ Taken from John 15:13 - 15; Isaiah 61:3;
! Corinthians 6; 10
*****
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Today is Tuesday, September 6th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4737
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"So Jesus used this illustration:
'If you had a hundred sheep and one of them strayed away and was lost in the wilderness, wouldn't you leave the ninety-nine others to go and search for the lost one until you found it? And then you would joyfully carry it home on your shoulders. When you arrived you would call together your friends and neighbors to rejoice with you because your lost sheep was found."
"'Well, in the same way heaven will be happier over one lost sinner who returns to God than over ninety-nine others who haven't strayed away!'"
~ Luke 15: 3 -7 LAB
*
Bible Commentary: "It seem foolish for the shepherd to leave the 99 sheep to go search for just one. But God's love for each individual is so great that He seeks one out and rejoices when he or she is 'found'. Jesus associated with sinners because He was going to the lost sheep---sinners who were considered beyond hope -- to bring them the Good News of God's Kingdom."
***
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Today is Wednesday, September 7th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4738
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Ruth's Attic
A Selection from Ruth Bell Graham's writings (Billy Graham's wife)
OBEDIENCE TRAINING
"Every parent should read at least one good book on dog training. Odd how, in a day when children are notoriously disobedient, dog training and obedience classes are increasing in popularity. Basically the rules are simple.
"Keep commands simple and at a minimum. One word to a command and always the same word. Come. Sit. Stay. Heel. Down. No. (I talk my children dizzy.)
"Be consistent.
"Be persistent. Follow through. Never give a command without seeing it is obeyed.
"When the dog responds correctly, praise him. Not with food. Remember, don't reward children materially for doing well. Your praise should be enough.)
"It is a fine kettle of fish when our doges are better trained than our children."
****
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Today is Thursday, September 8th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4739
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"Jehovah is constantly thinking about us, and He will surely bless us."
~ Psalm 115:12 LAB
* Commentary:
"'Jehovah is constantly thinking about us' says the psalm writer. What a fantastic truth! There are many times when we feel isolated, alone, and abandoned. even by God. In reality, He sees, understands, and is thinking about us. When depressed by problems or struggling with self-worth, be encouraged that God keeps us in His thoughts. If He thinks about us, surely His help is near!
***
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Today is Friday, September 9th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4740
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Something written and sent out via email to his readers, Max Lucado is currently taking his writings from "Help is Here" and focuses a lot on the Holy Spirit, which resides within each of us as believers.
This is Max's yesterday thought.
"I recall an afternoon early in my ministry when the invitation of Jesus to the weary became the invitation of Jesus to Max. I was supposed to be studying, but I could not concentrate. I thought that I had to fix everyone’s problems, shoulder everyone’s burdens, and never grow weary in doing so.
"After some moments I bowed my head and sighed and this scripture came to mind: 'Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest' (Matthew 11:28 NASB).
It was the pronoun me that got me. I had been turning to everyone and everything but him.
"Now why did that verse come to mind? Simple. The Holy Spirit, my teacher, reminded me. And the Spirit of Christ will do this for you, my friend."
*****
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Today is Tuesday, September 13th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4741
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For a second day in a row. From Stephanie Sample's "365 Days of Prayer for Women" - this one from September 11.
THE SAME HANDS
"You have also given me the shield of Your salvation;
your gentleness has made me great."
2 Samuel 22:36 NJKV
"Mighty God, filled with unstoppable power, your gentleness toward your children is amazing. With a breath you could annihilate us, yet you use your breath to carry words of love and the promise of healing. You never lose patience with us, giving us every opportunity to right our wrongs and come to you. Thank you, Lord, for being so tender with me. The hands that built the earth and could tear it down just as easily are the same hands that hold me when I am afraid or sad or hurting. The voice that spoke a universe into being is the same voice that whispers in my ear, I love you, my darling child. I am with you, always."
"Isn't it awesome that your mighty God whispers in your ear that he loves you?"
****
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Today is Tuesday, September 13th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4742
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For a second day in a row. From Stephanie Sample's "365 Days of Prayer for Women" - this one from September 11.
THE SAME HANDS
"You have also given me the shield of Your salvation;
your gentleness has made me great."
2 Samuel 22:36 NJKV
"Mighty God, filled with unstoppable power, your gentleness toward your children is amazing. With a breath you could annihilate us, yet you use your breath to carry words of love and the promise of healing. You never lose patience with us, giving us every opportunity to right our wrongs and come to you. Thank you, Lord, for being so tender with me. The hands that built the earth and could tear it down just as easily are the same hands that hold me when I am afraid or sad or hurting. The voice that spoke a universe into being is the same voice that whispers in my ear, I love you, my darling child. I am with you, always."
"Isn't it awesome that your mighty God whispers in your ear that he loves you?"
****
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Today is Wednesday, September 14th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4743
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"And remember, when someone wants to do wrong it is never God who is tempting him, for God never wants to do wrong and never tempts anyone else to do it. Temptation is the pull of man's own evil thoughts and wishes."
~ James 1:13 & 14 LAB
* Bible Commentary: "It is easy to blame others and make excuses for evil thoughts and wrong actions. Excuses include:
* it's the other person's fault;
* I couldn't help it:
* everybody's doing it;
* it was just a mistake;
* nobody's perfect;
* the devil made me do it;
* I was pressured into it:
* I didn't know it was wrong;
"A person who makes excuses is trying to shift the blame from himself to something or someone else. A Christian, on the other hand, accepts responsibility for his wrongs, confesses them, and asks God for forgiveness."
***
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Today is Thursday, September 15th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4744
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""Pray much for others;
plead for God's mercy upon them;
give thanks for all he is going to do for them.
Pray in this way for kings and all others
who are in authority over us,
or are in place of high responsibility,
so that we can live in peace and quietness,
spending our time in godly living
and thinking much
about the Lord."
~ 1 Timothy 1:1 - 3 LAB
* Bible Commentary: Although God is all-powerful and all-knowing, he has chosen to let us help him change the world through our prayers. How this works is a mystery to us because of our limited understanding, but it is reality. Paul (writer) urges us to pray for each other and for our leaders in government. Our earnest prayers will have powerful results.
"Paul's command to pray for rulers was remarkable considering that Nero was emperor at this time. Nero was a notoriously cruel emperor. He needed a scapegoat for the great fire that destroyed much of Rome in A.D. 64, so to take the focus off himself he blamed the Roman Christians. Persecution erupted throughout the Roman Empire. Not only were Christians denied certain privileges in society, some were even publicly butchered, burned, or fed to animals. Social ostracism was widespread. When Paul wrote this letter, persecution was a growing threat to believers." **
God, we pray today for our leaders. We pray especially fir President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill;
for Kamala Harris and her husband Douglas;
We pray for former president Donald Trump
and his wife Melania;
for former vice-president Mike Pence
and his wife, Karen.
For the UK royalty including King Charles III and his family.
We plead to You for your mercy upon each of them.
We give thanks for all You are going to do for, and through, each of them.
In Jesus, Name.
Amen.
***
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Today is Friday, September 16th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4745
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Taken from a bookmark:
WALK WITH ME
My Jesus, my friend,
walk with me today.
Hand in hand,
guide me to learn
and to know
what is good.
Arm in arm,
help me to grow in my
faith and
in love for others.
Side by side,
stay by me to protect me
and show us Your ways.
Heart to heart,
help me to pray
and to be all that You
want me to be.
Thank you, Jesus,
for the special love You
have for me.
Amen.
***
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Today is Monday, September 19th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4746
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A thought from the book "A Place Called Heaven" by Dr. Robert Jeffress.
Toward the end of the book, Jeffress was telling about his own father who was by all standards quite a successful individual - in his employment; family; traveled the world; upper-middle class; follower of Christ. Yet he was tormented by what he 'hadn't done'.
Several paragraphs later Jeffress penned, "as we prepare our journeys to that 'place called heaven', one of the best resolutions we can make is to rid our lives of any unnecessary regrets. One way to do this is to honestly evaluate each of our lives."
He suggests taking a sheet of paper and divide it into five columns. The headings should include 'God, family, friends, career, and finances'. Under each heading, write two or three goals each of us would like to achieve in life before we die.
Have I done that? No. Will I do it? I don't know. But I already have several thoughts for a heading or two.
"God, help us, help me, to do what you would have me, us do in our, my days ahead. We want to do and be what is pleasing to You. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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Today is Tuesday, September 20th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4747
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For a third time this season, I picked up apples under the apple tree in the southeast corner of my yard.
My more than thirty year old apple tree has a reputation of tasty apples. So what do I do with the battered and bruised fruit?
I picked them up. Tossed a few which were too bruised. But most had minor bruises or 'bug bites'. I took the bucket into the house and began the process of rescuing the 'good' parts of each apple. I could peel and cut up the 'saved' portions. No apple peeler for the 'beat up' apples.
What was good was worth saving! Peel, cut out the centers, slice. And bag. It made a half dozen gallon bags, ready for apple crisp or apple pies, ready for the freezer and future tasty morsels.
As I worked on the damaged fruit, I couldn't help but think of God and what He does for each of us. He says, "I am the vine and you are the branches." And 'if we remain in Him, we shall produce a large crop of fruit."
As life continues, we can get battered by choices we might make or things which come our way. But what does He do if 'we fall off the tree;? He gently picks us up, cuts off the 'bad spots' and slices up the good parts and stores us to be used in other ways. Turning each of us into a beautiful pie or apple tart.
We are never too damaged to be tossed by the wayside. He has a re-purpose for each of us!
Now that is love and care! I will take it!!
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Today is Wednesday, September 21st, 2022; Karen's Korner #4748
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HEAVENLY WIND
By Max Lucado
"The Spirit is like the wind. Had Jesus stopped with this comment, Nicodemus would have had plenty to ponder. Yet Jesus went on to stretch the imagination of Nick and Max and all people who have tried to quarry the jewels that follow. 'So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit' (John 3:8 ESV). That which is born of a vegetable is a vegetable. That which is born of a dog is a dog. And that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit.
"That is to say, we have his wind, his unseen power, within us. We host the mystery and majesty of God.
"Stop and think about something you struggle to do. Forgiving an enemy? Solving a problem? Breaking a habit? You can’t do it? The Spirit can. You have the force of heaven’s wind within you."
***
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Today is Thursday, September 22nd, 2022; Karen's Korner #4749
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The Bible book of 1 Timothy, which is toward the end of the New Testament, is written by Paul with a message to Timothy who was a young church leader. It's also instruction for all believers everywhere. It is written to encourage and instruct.
The six chapters include such topics as: warnings to false teachers; instruction for the church; standards for church leaders; and caring for different groups within the church.
Here is a verse tucked in to chapter 6; verse 17:
"Tell those who are rich
not to be proud
and not to trust in their money,
which will soon be gone,
but their pride and trust
should be in the living God
who always richly gives us
all we need for our enjoyment."
Plus the commentary on this verse:
"Ephesus was a wealthy city and the Ephesian church probably had many wealthy members. Paul advised Timothy to deal with that potential problem by teaching that the possession of riches carries great responsibility. Those who have money must be generous, not arrogant because they have a lot to give. They must be careful not to put their trust in money instead of the living God for their security. Even if we don't have material wealth, we can be rich in good works toward others. No matter how poor we are, we have something to share with others."
***
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Today is Friday, September 23rd, 2022; Karen's Korner #4750
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We haven't had a dose of God's Love, taken from "100 Things God Loves About You"; Simple Reminders for When You Need Them Most by Tama Fortner. It's #69.
In our lives and in our world where we tend to get 'beat up' by life, it is good to be reminded
GOD LOVES YOUR SCARS
"The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."
~ Psalm 34:18
"Scars. Everyone has them. Some are visible, others invisible, but no less deeply felt. Some are scars of the skin; others are scars of the heart. There are those who will take your scars and use them as a reason not to love you, not to be your friend. They can make you feel less than, damaged, broken, unworthy. But not God.
"God see your scars, even the invisible ones. But He uses them as a reason to lavish you with His healing love. He uses your brokenness to draw you close to Him and to make you whole."
****
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Today is Monday, September 26th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4751
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Today's 'korner' is the first five verses of Psalm139. The whole chapter is a good one, a total of 23 verses. If you get the chance, read the rest of it.
"O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit or stand. When far away you know my every thought. You chart the path ahead of me , and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment, you know where I am. You know what I am going to say before I even say it. You both precede and follow me, and place your hand of blessing on my head."
~ Psalm 129:1 -5 LAB
* Bible Commentary: "Sometimes we don't let people get to know us completely because we are afraid they will discover something about us they won't like. But God already knows everything about us and still accepts and loves us. God cares about us so much that he numbers the hairs on our heads ((Matthew 10:30). He is with us through every situation, in every trial---protecting, loving, guiding. He knows us completely."
***
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Today is Tuesday, September 27th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4752
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Today is the day I married Jim Weld in 1969. We were fortunate to celebrate our 45th anniversary just a month before he passed away in 2014.
He was a very kind and caring man. Good husband and father. Loved providing for his family; always making plans for the future, in spite of 40 years of interference with health issues.
A friend of mine who lost her husband a handful of months ago, shared a couple of thoughts from words at a recent funeral. She told of the pastor making the statement of two things that God gives each of us - He gives us life. And He gives us memories! And memories cannot be taken away from us!
How fortunate is that ?
And who can discount that He gives us Love. His Love that is everlasting!!
"Oh, give thanks to the Lord,
for He is good;
His lovingkindness continues forever!"
~ Psalm 136:1 LAB
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Today is Wednesday, September 28th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4753
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Something from "365 Days of Prayer for Women" by Stephanie Smith. I liked the September 25th entry:
Greater Impact
"Lord, everything you do matters. You've never made an idle move or thoughtless decision in all of eternity. I usually accomplish both those things before lunch. Lord, I want to be as intentional, focused, and dedicated to the assignments you've given me as you are to me. Help me, God, as I strive to make every day matter. As I prove my trustworthiness, I pray your will give me more and more meaningful assignments with greater and greater impact. As I plan, I pray you will inspire me to consider my purpose in your kingdom. And when I slip into carelessness, I pray you will gently guide me back into intentionality."
"Are you intentional, focused, and dedicated?"
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Today is Thursday, September 29th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4754
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As we think about all the people, their property and businesses impacted by Hurricane Ian. There might not be a lot we can do to change the devastation, but we can pray and think about them. Maybe contribute something to lighten their loads. Some might even show up to help!
"He (God) gives power to the tired and worn out,
and strength to the weak.
Even the youth shall be exhausted,
and the young men will all give up.
But they that wait upon the Lord
shall renew their strength.
They shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint."
~ Isaiah 40:29 - 31 LAB
* Bible Commentary: "Even the strongest people get tired at times, but God's power and strength never diminish. He is never too tired or too busy to help and listen. His strength is our source of strength. When we feel all of life crushing us, and we cannot go another step, we need to remember that we can call upon God to renew our strength."
Dear Father in Heaven, we pray today for all the people effected by Hurricane Ian. Let them know that You care and that You are there, when all they see is devastation all around them. We pray for their physical healing and rebuilding. But that will take some time. Be there for mental and emotional healing today. Help them to go on in Your strength, power, and love. Your Spirit can never be damaged. Give them Your Hope and Your Peace. In Jesus' Name Who makes all things possible. Amen.
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Today is Friday, September 30th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4755
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Yesterday's inspirational thought email from Max Lucado:
The Cleansing Element of Praise
"Our stress-laden society has developed many skills for dealing with anxiety. We have breathing exercises and mediation techniques. But the person in whom the Spirit dwells has the greatest of resources. The apostle Paul said, 'Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit' (Ephesians 5:18-19 NIV).
"The apostle contrasts two strategies for facing inner chaos: inebriation and celebration. Many people numb themselves, if not with liquor, with bouts of shopping or hours of playing. The better option: celebration. Constant worship clears the debris from our hearts. Praise is the cleansing element that flushes the trash of worry and anxiety."
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