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October 2022 Archives
Today is Monday, October 3rd, 2022; Karen's Korner #4756
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One night last week, a friend and I went to a restaurant for supper. It was nearing closing time, with few diners. There was one waitress and one cook.
We decided to split a three-egg ham and cheese omelet. He included a pancake. I added toast.
He remarked how good he thought it was.
As we got up to leave, he walked over to one gal and asked, "Are you the cook?"
For just a second, I noticed a look of horror on her face. What was he going to complain about?
He continued, "I wanted to tell you that was probably one of the best omelets I have every eaten!"
She thanked him for his comment.*
*
A trivia game comes into my computer daily. One question with four possible answers.
"What was the worst hurricane in the history of the United States?"
Hurricane Katrina. Hurricane Hugo and two others.
The answer was a hurricane in Galveston, Texas in 1900 where between 3,000 and 6,000 people were killed.
Because of a lack of communication and technology, people there didn't know it was coming.
While Hurricane Ian is a big mess and will continue to be for years to come, as residents in Florida and southeast United States untangle, we, and they, have much for which to be thankful.
We don't have to include thousands of people losing their lives.
**
"No matter what happens,
always be thankful.
for this is God's will for you
who belong to Christ Jesus."
~ I Thessalonians 5:18 LAB
***
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Today is Tuesday, October 4th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4757
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"Then King Nebuchadnezzar, in a terrible rage,
ordered Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to be brought before him.
'Is it true, O
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego,' he demanded, 'that you are refusing to
serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I set up? I'll give you one
more chance. When the music plays, if you fall down and worship the
statue, all will be well. But if you refuse, you will be thrown into a
flaming furnace within the hour. And what god can deliver you out of my
hands then?'"
~ Daniel 3:13 -
15 LAB
*
Bible
Commentary: "The three men had one more chance. Here are
eight excuses they could have used to bow to the statue and save their
lives:
1) We will bow down but not actually worship the idol;
2) We won't become idol worshipers, but will do this one time, then ask
God for forgiveness;
3) The king has absolute power and we must obey him. God will understand;
4) The king appointed us -- we owe this to him;
5) This is a foreign land So God will excuse us for following the customs
of the land;
6) Our ancestors set up idols in God's Temple! This isn't that bad!
7) We're not hurting anybody;
8) If we get ourselves killed and some heathens take our high positions,
they won't help our people in exile!
"Although all these excuses sound sensible at first, they are
dangerous. To bow down to the image would violate God's command in Exodus
20:3; 'You may worship no other god than me.' It would also erase their
testimony for God forever. Never again could they talk about the power of
their God above all other gods.
"What excuses do we use for not standing up for God?"
***
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Today is Wednesday, October 5th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4758
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Part two of
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego who refused to worship King
Nebuchadnezzar's gods. They were willing to bow down to only the one true
God.
As punishment, the three were ordered to be thrown into a fiery furnace,
heated up many times normal. Their stance was that their God would deliver
them. And if not, they would still continue to worship God.
And out they came!
"Then the princes, governors, captains, and
counselors crowded around them and saw that the fire hadn't touched
them---not a hair of their heads was singed, their coats were unscorched, and
they didn't even smell of smoke!"
~ Daniel 3:27 LAB
*
Bible
Commentary: These young men were completely untouched
by the fire and heat. No scorch mark was found on them, they didn't even
smell of smoke! Only the rope that bound them had been burned. No human can
bind us if God wants us to be free. The power available to us is the same
that delivered Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and raised Christ from the
dead. Trust God in the midst of every trial. There are eternal reasons for
temporary trials, we can be thankful that our destiny in God's hands, not
man's."
***
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Today is Thursday, October 6th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4759
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In a world filled with darkness, despair, and lots of negative things, it is nice to reminded of God's Love and Care.
Number 45 of "100 Things God Loves About You" by Tama Fortner:
GOD LOVES THE WAY YOU FLAVOR HIS WORLD
"You are the salt of the earth."
~ Matthew 5:13
"A dash of salt can make all the difference in the flavor of a dish. And so it is with a dash of faith. It can make all the difference in the flavor of a life.
"A hope-filled note can brighten a hopeless day. A forgiving heart can lighten a heavy load of guilt. A kind word, a loving touch could be just the glimpse of Jesus that some lost soul needs.
"Wherever you go, whatever you do, whatever words you speak, season them with a dash of faith---because God loves the way you flavor His world."
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Today is Friday, October 7th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4760
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A daily devotion by Anne Graham Lotz:
The Master Designer
"Your mercy is great above the heavens, and Your truth reaches to the clouds."
~ Psalm 108:4 NKJV
"When have you observed the blazing glory of a tropical sunset,
or the soft, silvery shimmer of the moonlight on the ocean waves,
or a baby's birth and first lusty cry,
or a bird weaving her nest, hatching and feeding her young
and wondered, who made it?
"When we thoughtfully consider the world around us, we instinctively know our environment is not some haphazard cosmic accident but the handiwork of a Master Designer. The earth did not come about by the snap of some giant fingers, but was deliberately planned and prepared in an orderly progression of events.
"Like Planet Earth around us, your life is not a haphazard cosmos, either,. You were deliberately planned to be filled with the beauty of love and joy and peace and purpose -filled with God Himself."
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Today is Monday, October 10th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4761
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" But Jesus the Son of God is our great High Priest
who has gone to heaven itself to help us;
therefore let us never stop trusting Him.
This High Priest of ours understands
our weaknesses,
since He had the same temptations we do,
though He never once gave way to them and sinned.
So let us come boldly to the very throne of God
and stay there to receive His mercy
and to find grace to help us in our times of need."
~ Hebrews 4:14 - 16 LAB
*
Bible Commentary: "Jesus is like us because He experienced every kind of temptation we experience today. But He is different because, although He was tempted, He never sinned. Jesus is the only human being who has ever lived without committing sin. Now in heaven, He completely understand our weaknesses and temptations and offers forgiveness.
"Prayer is our approach to God. Some Christians do it meekly with head hung, afraid to ask God to meet their needs. Others pray flippantly with little thought. Come with reverence, for He is our King, but come with bold assurance, for He is our Friend and Counselor."
****
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Today is Tuesday, October 11th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4762
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Some cute sayings from the October/November issue of OUR IOWA magazine. Each edition has "Side Notes" printed vertically in the margins.
"A great leader doesn't always lead;
he teaches others to lead."
*
"God didn't do it all in one day....
what makes you think you can?"
*
"A house is made with walls and beams.
A home is made with love and dreams."
*
"Family life is a bit like runny peach pie---
not perfect, but who is complaining?'
*
"True friends see heart to heart
even when they don't see eye to eye."
*
"Gratitude can transform days into thanksgiving,
turn routine jobs into joy,
and change ordinary opportunities into blessings."
*
"'I never let my schooling
interfere with my education.'"
~ Mark Twain
****
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Today is Wednesday, October 12th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4763
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A prayer from "365 Days of Prayer for Women" by Tama Fortner, from several days ago:
STRENGTH REVEALED
"Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the power
and the glory and the majesty and the splendor
for everything in heaven and earth is yours."
~ 1 Chronicles 29:11 NIV
"All-powerful God, I'm so grateful for your strength.
Just to know of your unlimited capability fortifies me
with courage. Displays of power in nature awe me,
and to know a thunderstorm or the jaws of a lion are
no match for you leaves me dumbstruck. This is the
power at work in my life. Thank you, Lord. Thank
you that you choose to reveal and use your strength
in me and for me. The power that surges through me
just from calling on your name overflows me with
gratitude. The strength I receive in answer to prayer
weakens my knees with awe."
"Are we grateful for God's power that is working in our lives?"
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Today is Thursday, October 13th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4764
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"And so we keep on praying for you that our God will make you the kind of children he wants to have---will make you as good as you wish you could be!----rewarding your faith with his power.
"Then everyone will be praising the name of the Lord Jesus Christ because of the results they see in you; and your greatest glory will be that you belong to him. The tender mercy of our God and of the Lord Jesus Christ has made all this possible for you."
~ 2 Thessalonians 1:11 &12 LAB
*
Bible Commentary: "When we truly love God, we are repeatedly disappointed in our performance. We want to be good, and yet we are unable to do so. God's purpose for all believers is to make them the kind of children he wants to have. This would mean becoming as good as we wish we could be. As our faith in God increases, God increases the power available in us to do good. If we want God's power in our lives, we need to believe in HIS ability to do good rather than in ours. Then when Christ comes again, he will make us better than we ever thought we could be."
*****
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Today is Friday, October 14th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4765
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#2 of "100 Things God Loves About You"
by Tama Fortner:
GOD LOVES THE TREASURE OF YOU.
"Out of all the peoples on the face
of the earth, the Lord has chosen
you to be his treasured possession."
~ Deuteronomy 14:2
"God and silver? They're just heavenly pavement to Him. Rubies and sapphires? Simple stones for His gates. Diamonds? They're as common as coal. But you? You are His child. You are precious. Worth searching for, worth saving, worth every sacrifice. And when God counts up His heavenly treasures, He counts....you."
****
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Today is Monday, October 17th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4766
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Readers can tell that I really enjoy "365 Days of Prayer for Women" by Stephanie Sample. Seems like her writings really hit the spot for me sometimes. This one is from Saturday's, October 15:
BOLD CONFIDENCE
"It is not that we think we are qualified
to do anything on our own.
Our qualification comes from God."
~ 2 Corinthians 3:5 NLT
"Creator God, what is beyond our capability? What task are you unqualified for? When I feel overwhelmed and incapable, help me remember I don't need to panic. We are in this together, and your awesomeness more than makes up for my shortcomings. When I lack confidence, let me find it in you. You wouldn't have given this task to me if I couldn't pull it off. You may allow a fair amount of struggle and strife as I go, but that's just to remind me how much I need you! Make me bold with confidence, Lord, and infuse me with your ability. If this work I do is for you, I cannot fail."
"Is our confidence in our Creator?"
****
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Today is Tuesday, October 18th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4767
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"And just as it is destined that men die only once,
and after that comes judgment,
so also Christ died only once as an offering
for the sins of many people, and he will come again,
but not to deal again with our sins.
This time, hw will come,
bringing salvation to all those who are eagerly,
and patiently waiting for him."
~ Hebrew 9:27 & 28 LAB
*
Bible Commentary: "All people die physically, but Christ died so that we would not have to die spiritually. His death affects our past, present, and future. He has forgiven our past sin; he has given us the Holy Spirit to help us deal with present sin, and he promises to return and raise us to eternal life, in a world from which sin is banished."
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Today is Wednesday, October 19th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4768
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From "Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence" by Sarah Young. Written as if Jesus is talking with us today (as He is, taken from the Bible). For October 17:
""Anxiety is a result of envisioning the future without Me. So the best defense against worry is staying in communication with Me. When you turn your thoughts toward Me, you can think much more positively. Remember to listen, as well as to speak, making your thoughts a dialogue with Me.
"If you must consider upcoming events, follow these rules:
1) Do not linger in the future, because anxieties sprout up like mushrooms when you wander there;
2) Remember the promise of My continued Presence, include Me in any imagery that comes to mind. This mental discipline does not come easily, because you are accustomed to being god of your fantasies. However, the reality of My Presence with you, now and forevermore, outshines any fantasy you could ever imagine."
~ Taken from Luke 1:22 - 26;Ephesiand 3:20 - 21
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Today is Thursday, October 20th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4769
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"How you hate honest judges!
How you despise people who tell the truth!
You trample the poor
and steal their smallest crumbs
by all your taxes, fines, and usury;
therefore you will never live
in the beautiful stone houses
you are building,
nor drink the wine from the
lush vineyards you are planting."
~ Amos 5:10 - 13 LAB
*
Bible Commentary: "A society is in trouble when those who try to do right are hated for their justice. Any society that exploits the poor and defenseless or hates the truth is bent on destroying itself."
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Today is Friday, October 21st, 2022; Karen's Korner #4770
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Some words of wisdom from Mother Teresa from a "Heart of Joy" perpetual flip calendar. When she chose to serve some of the poorest of the poor in our world, I doubt she had any idea how God would use her, her heart, her words reaching far and wide. Well beyond her life!
"Find Jesus, and you will find peace."
*
"What Jesus did when he became man
was totally surrender to his Father.
He belongs so much to the Father
that there is no separation, no division."
*
"The time we spend in having our
daily audience with God is the most
precious part of the whole day."
*
"A day alone with Jesus is apt to spur on
in the vigorous pursuit of holiness through
personal love for Jesus. Jesus desires our
perfection with unspeakable ardor.
'For this is the will of God, your sanctification.'
*
"We tell people how kind, forgiving,
and understanding God is -- are we living proof?
Can they really see this kindness,
this forgiveness, this understanding, alive in us?"
*
"The fruit of prayer is love, and the fruit
of love is sharing the joy of loving."
*
"The joy of Jesus will be my strength --
it will be in my heart.
Every person I meet will see it in my work,
my walk, my prayer -- in everything."
***
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Today is Monday, October 24th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4771
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Today's Korner by Max Lucado:
IF ANYONE IS THIRSTY
“If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.”
~ John 7:37 NASB
"Jesus spoke these words on an October day in a crowded Jerusalem. People had packed the streets for the Feast of Tabernacles, an annual reenactment of the rock-giving-water miracle of Moses. 'If anyone is thirsty.' Skin color does not matter. Income level is of no importance. There is only one qualification. 'If anyone is thirsty.' All that is needed is an admission of thirst.
"Who fails to meet this criterion? We are thirsty—thirsty to be happy, thirsty to have meaning, thirsty for answers and strength. Thirsty. Jesus was speaking in the midst of an extremely religious moment. Even so he invited, 'Come to me!' Spiritual thirst is quenched only by Christ himself."
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Today is Tuesday, October 25th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4772
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"I know how to live in every situation,
whether it be a full stomach or hunger,
plenty, or want;
for I can do everything God asks me to
with the help of Christ
who gives me the strength and power."
~ Philippians 4:12 & 13 LAB
* Bible Commentary: "Paul (writer) was content because he could see life from God's point of view. He focused on what he was supposed to do, not what he felt he should have. He had his priorities straight and was grateful for everything God had given him. Often the desire for more or better possessions is really a longing to fill an empty place in one's life. To what are we drawn when we feel empty inside? How can we find true contentment? The answer lies in our perspective, our priorities, and our source of power."
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Today is Wednesday, October 26th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4773
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Sometimes the world beats us up. Sometimes our thoughts aren't as good as we would like. We need to be reminded of what God thinks about us. "100 Things God Loves About You", Simple reminders for when you need them most by Tama Fortner. Number 2:
God Loves the Treasure of You
"Out of all the peoples on the face
of the earth, the Lord has chosen
you to be his treasured possession."
~ Deuteronomy 14:2
"God and silver? They're just heavenly pavement to Him. Rubies and sapphires? Simple stones for His gates. Diamonds? They're as common as coal. But you? You are His child. You are precious. Worth searching for, worth saving, worth every sacrifice. And when God counts up His heavenly treasures, He counts.......you.
****
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Today is Thursday, October 27th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4774
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Nuggets of wisdom from Proverbs; (LAB):
"There are 'friends' who pretend to be friends,
but there is a friend who sticks closer
than a brother."
~ Proverbs 18:24
*
"Kind words are like honey---enjoyable and healthful."
~ Proverbs 16:24
*
"Some rich people are poor,
and some poor people
have great wealth!"
~ Proverbs 13:7
*
'Love forgets mistakes;
nagging about them
parts the best of friends."
~ Proverbs 17:9
*
"We toss a coin,
but it is the Lord who controls its decision."
~ Proverbs 16:33
*
"What dainty morsels rumors are.
They are eaten with great relish!"
~ Proverbs 18:8
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Today is Friday, October 28th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4775
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My sister Jill moved from the Midwest a handful of years ago, to the state of Washington to be nearer her daughter and son-in-law. The family now includes five-year-old Raegan and a nearly two-year-old sister Corrina.
The daughter's family attends a mega-church where Raegan also attends pre-kindergarten.
Jill told of something that had recently happened in their lives and wondered if it would be a good Karen's Korner.
Here is Jill's story:
"My granddaughter Raegan just turned five. Recently my daughter took her to a 90 minute informational session for lacrosse. La Crosse is very popular in Washington and Raegan, although only five, shows signs of being quite athletic.
"While in the car on the way to the informational session, my daughter was telling Raegan that Mommy and Daddy didn’t know much about lacrosse, as they played soccer and football. She told Raegan that she would need to listen closely with her listening ears on so she could learn all that she could at the session about the sport.
"Suddenly, from the backseat, Raegan spoke up. 'Mommy, I already know a lot about ‘a cross. Jesus died on it for all of the boys and girls in the world and we worship him in church on Sunday and he tells us to be kind to everyone!'"
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Today is Monday, October 31st, 2022; Karen's Korner #4776
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As we walk away from October, which is Pastor Appreciation Month:'
"Pray for us (missionary Paul, writer), for our conscience is clear and we want to keep it that way. I especially need your prayers right now so that I can come back to you sooner."
~ Hebrews 13:18 & 19 LAB
* Bible Commentary: "The writer recognized the need for prayer. Christian leaders are especially vulnerable to criticism from others, pride if they succeed, depression if they fail, and Satan's constant efforts to nullify their work for God. They desperately need our prayers! For whom should we regularly pray?"
**
Dear God, Thank You for our church leaders. They are just people and they need Your help and guidance. Help us to follow their leadership and talk not only to You about them, but to also thank these leaders for their love and care. In Jesus Name.
Amen.
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