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December 2022 Archives
Today is Thursday, December 1st, 2022; Karen's Korner #4799
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Some fun sayings taken from OUR IOWA magazine, Holiday Issue. Side Notes, vertical in the margins of each copy:
"Friendship is a plant
which one must water."
~ German proverb
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"Silence is golden---
unless you have kids,
then silence is suspicious."
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"Joy is not in things;
it is in us."
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"Do not ask the Lord to guide your footsteps,
if you are not willing to move your feet."
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"Everyone wants to be appreciated,
so if you appreciate someone,
don't keep it a secret."
~ Mary Kay Ash
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"Cats are smarter than dogs.
You can't get eight cats to pull a sled
through the snow."
****
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Today is Friday, December 2nd, 2022; Karen's Korner #4800
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Today's Max Lucado inspirational thought into people's computers, as we move into the Christmas season.
THE PLACES HE WENT
"The God of the Universe was born into the poverty of a peasant and spent his first night in the cow’s feed trough. He left the glory of heaven and moved into our neighborhood. Who could have imagined he would do such a thing?
"What a world he left. Our classiest mansion would be a tree trunk to him. God became a one-celled embryo and entered the womb of Mary. He became like us. Just look at the places he was willing to go: feed troughs, carpentry shops, badlands, and cemeteries. The places he went to reach us show how far he will go to touch us. He loves to be with the ones he loves!"
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Today is Monday, December 5th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4801
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On Saturday, a team from our church and community traveled to Mason City to ring bells for Salvation Army. Something we have done for a number of years. There were eighteen of us.
First we eat together at a fast-food restaurant before we divide into teams of 2 - 4 people each. We ring for two hours at six doors. Each team divides again with one or two people ringing together for 30 minutes. Taking a break to shop a few minutes, grab a cup of coffee, or get warmed up (it was a pretty nice day this year!).
Each team works a total of one hour. Last year Salvation Army organizers let us know that our six doors produced just a bit over $1,700!
No one works too hard or for very long. Some, not all, put a bit of money into their bucket. We hope to make over $1,000 again this year.
As I began to read the book of Titus, I am greeted by these words, "A Good Life.. The good news of salvation is that we can't be saved by living a good life; we are saved only by faith in Jesus Christ. But the gospel transforms people's lives, so that they eventually perform good works. Our service won't save us, but we are save to serve.
"A good life is a witness to the gospel's power. As Christians, we must have commitment and discipline to serve. Are we putting our faith in action by serving others?"
**
Dear God, thank You to You for friends who wanted to serve You and others this way this weekend.
It may not have been a big time commitment,
but everything works together for good.
And our efforts made a difference in
some people's lives.
Bless them and bless us.
In Jesus Name,
AMEN.
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Today is Tuesday, December 6th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4802
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My sister Jill sent me this writing by Vivian Bricker. It lists 5 Reasons why "Jesus Chose Mary (and Chooses Us). Here is Reason #1: Jesus Chose Mary
Because of Her Obedience :Mary was a young virgin woman when she was carrying Jesus because it was a divine pregnancy and birth. Since Jesus was born of a virgin, He was not born with a sinful nature. The Lord chose Mary because of her obedience to Him and her willing heart. "Most of us would be afraid if an angel told us we would be carrying the Lord, yet Mary trusted the angel Gabriel and chose to be brave even though she would face ridicule from her family and friends for being pregnant before marriage. When Gabriel tells Mary she is chosen by God, she rejoices and sings praises to God. Luke 1:46-56 tells us Mary’s song, “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.” "Through Mary’s obedience and the love she had for God, Jesus chose her. While we cannot be dogmatic over the main reason God chose Mary, we can know He had a great purpose behind His selection of Mary. Since Mary loved God and followed Him, this could be one of the reasons she was chosen." **** |
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Today is Wednesday, December 7th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4803
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This past weekend several friends and I attended the movie "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day", a story reflecting the life and struggle of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. As an already established writer of poems. he wrote the words to the song.
The movie depicted his struggles: losing a wife and unborn child in his early life; his second wife dying in a fire at his home; and a son nearly losing his life in the civil war. It was then that Longfellow couldn't, or didn't, write for a lengthy period of time.
But then by inspiration, he quickly penned the words to
"I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day":
"I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play;
In music sweet the tones repeat,
'There’s peace on earth, good will to men.'
I thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along th’ unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
And in despair I bowed my head:
'There is no peace on earth,' I said,
'For hate is strong, and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.'
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
'God is not dead, nor does He sleep,
For Christ is here; His Spirit near
Brings peace on earth, good will to men.'
When men repent and turn from sin
The Prince of Peace then enters in,
And grace imparts within their hearts
His peace on earth, good will to men.
O souls amid earth’s busy strife,
The Word of God is light and life;
Oh, hear His voice, make Him your choice,
Hail peace on earth, good will to men.
Then happy, singing on your way,
Your world will change from night to day;
Your heart will feel the message real,
Of peace on earth, good will to men."
***
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Today is Thursday, December 8th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4804
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"But the time came for the kindness and love
of God our Savior to appear,
then he saved us---
not because we were good enough to be saved, but because of his kindness and pity---
by washing away our sins
and giving us the new joy
of the indwelling Holy Spirit
whom he poured out upon us
with wonderful fullness---
and all because of what
Jesus Christ our Savior did
so that he could declare us good in God's eyes---
all because of his great kindness;
and now we can share in the wealth
of the eternal life he gives us,
and we are eargerly looking forward to receiving it."
~ Titus 3:4 - 7 LAB
* Bible Commentary: "Paul (writer) summarizes what Christ does for us when he save us. We move from a life full of sin to one led by God's Holy Spirit. All our sins, not merely some, are washed away. We gain eternal life with all its treasures. We have the fullness of the Holy Spiit, and he continually renews our hearts. None of this occurs because we earned or deserved it; it is all a gift of God's grace."
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Today is Friday, December 9th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4805
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A Max Lucado in my 'inbox' this morning. Hard to beat Max for his simple and understandable writings.
"On the night when Jesus was born, I wonder if Joseph prayed, 'Father, this all seems so…bizarre. The angel you sent? Any chance you could send another?'
"You’ve stood where Joseph stood. Each of us knows what it’s like to search the night for a light. Not outside a stable, but perhaps outside an emergency room or the manicured grass of a cemetery. We’ve asked our questions. We’ve wondered why God does what he does.
"If you’re asking what Joseph asked, let me urge you to do what Joseph did – obey. He didn’t let his confusion disrupt his obedience. What about you? You have a choice: to obey or disobey. Because Joseph obeyed, God used him to change the world. Can he do the same with you? Will you be that kind of person? Will you serve, even when you don’t understand?
****
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Today is Monday, December 12th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4806
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#2 of '5 Reasons Why Jesus Chose Mary (And Chooses Us) by Vivian Bricker:"A second reason why Jesus chose Mary was because of her lineage. Mary’s lineage directly traced back through David, Judah, and Jacob (Luke 3:23 - 38). The Savior had to be born in the right lineage, to which Mary perfectly fit the requirements. There were multiple prophecies in the Old Testament concerning the Savior, which specifically recorded that the Lord would be born of David’s lineage. The prophet Isaiah wrote, 'A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.' (Isaiah11:1) "The 'Branch' Isaiah refers to is the Lord. In addition to Isaiah prophesying about Jesus being the 'Branch', Isaiah also prophesied about Jesus’ birth, 'Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel'. (Isaiah 7:14) Through these passages of Scripture, we can see that one reason Jesus chose Mary was because of her lineage. Her lineage was perfect for the birth of the Savior as it fulfilled prophecies of the Lord.
*****
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Today is Tuesday, December 13th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4807
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Jesus was asked by some religious leaders, what was the most important commandment.
"Jesus replied, 'The one that says, 'Hear , O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only God. and you must love him with all your heart and soul and mind and strength.'
"The second is 'You must love others as much as yourself.' No other commandments are greater than these."
~ Mark 12:29 - 31 LAB
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Bible Commentary: "God's laws are not burdensome in number or detail. They can be reduced to two simple rules for life love God, and love others. These commands are from the Old Testament (Leviticus 19:18; Deuteronomy 6:5). When we love God completely and care for others as we care for ourselves, then we have fulfilled the intent of the Ten Commandments and the other Old Testament laws. According to Jesus, these to rules summarize all God's laws. Let them rule our thoughts, decisions, and actions. When we are uncertain about what to do, we are to ask ourselves which course of action best demonstrates love for God and love for others
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Today is Wednesday, December 14th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4808
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Yesterday's Anne Graham Lotz inspirational thought in my computer 'inbox':The Choices We Make"I have chosen the way of truth; Your judgments I have laid before me."
~ Psalm 119:30 NKJV
"From the time we make the choice to open our eyes and get out of bed in the morning until we make the choice to go back to bed and close our eyes in the evening, our days are filled with a series of choices. We choose
where we go,
what we do,
what we believe,
and how we behave.
"Our own lives, reputations, relationships, careers, health, future, and values are shaped by the choices we make. The choice
to lie or to tell the truth,
to seek vengeance or to forgive,
to ignore God or to acknowledge God,
determines the type of person we are. Without question, the most important choice you will ever make involves your attitude toward God and your relationship with Him."
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Today is Thursday, December 15th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4809
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As I was unpacking my Christmas decorations several weeks ago, I began unwrapping my small four-piece nativity set. Mary Joseph, baby Jesus, and his crib. It looks rich in its muted gold color, but in reality they are formed plastic figures.
Their richness comes from our memories. I bought them at the St. Mary's Hospital gift shop in Rochester when Jim was having bypass surgery in 1976.
As I set the pieces out one by one, baby Jesus was missing. I relooked in the container where they come out of. No baby Jesus. One last look in the wrappings which were now in the garbage.
If I can't find the baby, I will have to throw the other pieces away, I thought.
Tightly wrapped in my piece of paper was the baby.
What good is the nativity without Jesus?
Jesus is the 'Reason for the Season'.
Dear Father God in Heaven, thank You that you introduced Jesus into the world and into our lives. What good is our lives without Him? You knew we needed help. We needed Him. So You sent Him. We can never we grateful enough. Thank You. And Thank You, Jesus. Amen.
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Today is Friday, December 16th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4810
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Reason #3 of '5 Reasons Why Jesus Chose Mary (and Chooses Us) by Vivian Bricker: Jesus Chooses Us Because He Loves Us"In addition to choosing Mary, Jesus chooses each of us because He loves us. Even though we are not the chosen one to carry the Lord, Jesus has unique and important purposes for each of our lives. Jesus chooses all of us as He tells us, 'For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him (John 3:1 & 17).. From the Lord’s own words, we know He died for the sins of the whole world—not simply for the sins of a select few. "The Lord tells us, 'You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you' )John 15:16). Jesus chose us because He loves us and wants us. The Lord knew us as we were forming in our mother’s womb, and He will love us forever (Psalm 139:13 - 16).. Throughout our lives, God never loves us less. His love for us never wavers and never changes. The Apostle Peter tells us this vital truth, 'But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light' (1 Peter 2:9).. As Peter tells us, we are 'a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession.' This means that God chooses us because He loves us and places a great value on our worth. He created us, gives us life, and through Him, we can have eternal life. The Lord chooses all of us because He wants us to have a relationship with Him."
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Today is Monday, December 19th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4811
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Reason #4 of '5 Reasons Why Jesus Chose Mary (and Chooses Us) by Vivian Bricker:. Jesus Chooses Us to Be His Lights to the World"A fourth reason why Jesus chooses us is to be His light to the world. Jesus tells us, “;You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14 - 16. The Lord tells us in this passage that we are to be His light to the dark world. "Jesus chooses us because He wants us to shine brightly for Him. The lost world cannot know about Jesus’ saving grace unless they are told. Jesus predestines all of us to be saved, yet everyone has the free choice to accept Him. Since the Lord has chosen us, He wants us to help those who don’t know Him. By shining brightly for Christ, we can be a light for Jesus in the dark world."
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Today is Tuesday, December 20th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4812
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My sister Jill who lives in the Seattle area, sends me good writings often. Sometimes I share them with Karen's Korner readers.Today is one of those days. So instead of a "Karen's Korner", this is "Jottings by Jill::
"People are often surprised at how far north Seattle really is!
"In the Seattle area, December and January are dark months. On December 21 (the first day of winter and the shortest day of the year!), the sun rises at 8:09 a.m.. and sets at 4:12 p.m.. Natives call these months the Big Dark.
"A church near me has embraced the season by having a prayer vigil called 'A Light In The Darkness'. Beginning at 6 a.m. and continuing until midnight, everyone is invited to bring an item for the food shelf, join in prayers, hear readings of the Christmas story from the gospels and to light one candle. Their goal is to provide a spiritual experience in this season of Christ's birth and to have 1,000 candles lit at midnight."
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Today is Wednesday, December 21st, 2022; Karen's Korner #4813
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"Once a leper came and knelt in front of Him and begged to be healed. 'If you want to, you can make me well again,' he pled.
"And Jesus, moved with pity, touched him and said, 'I want to! Be healed!' Immediately the leprosy was gone---the man was healed!"
~ Mark 1:40 & 41 LAB
* Bible Commentary: "The real value of a person is inside, not outside. Although a person's body may be diseased or deformed, the person inside is no less valuable to God. No person is too disgusting for His touch. In a sense, we are all lepers, because we have all been deformed by the ugliness of sin. But God, by sending his Son Jesus, has touched us, giving us the opportunity to be healed. When we feel repulsed by someeons, we need to stop and remember how God feels about that person----and each of us."
I**
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Today is Monday, December 26th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4814
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Today is Monday, December 26th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4815
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Today is Monday, December 26th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4816
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Here's hoping you had a very Merry Christmas!
And some of the celebrating continues through the first of the new year!
Here is an entry from"365 Days of Prayer for Women" by Stephanie Sample for December 24
EXTRAVAGANT LOVE
"A child has been born to us;
God has given a son to us.
He will be responsible for leading the people.
His name will be Wonderful Counselor,
Powerful God,
Father Who Lives Forever,
Prince of Peace."
~ Isaiah 9:6 NCV
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"Awesome God, your beautiful purpose awes me. Long before that night in Bethlehem, you gave your prophet Isaiah a vision of the moment we celebrate. Thank you, Lord, for the intricate, patient way you orchestrated our salvation. Thank you foretelling this wonderful story, giving us proof all your promises are true, Thank you for love. Thank you for hope. Thank you for joy. Thank you for Jesus. Help me hold onto this gratitude, this love for you. Let me stay in this place of promise and hope and faith. Never let me forget how elaborately, how extravagantly you love."
"Isn't it wonderful how extravagantly we are loved by God?"
****
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Today is Tuesday, December 27th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4817
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Here is something sent to me by my sister. Once again "Jottings by Jill":
"My granddaughter Raegan turned five on September 1, a day past the cutoff kindergarten. Instead she attends a five morning a week pre-K program at their church. She loves books and desperately wants to read. All of the adults around her spend time teaching sounds. She can find the letter most words start with now, even letter combinations like sh, th and sl.
"But this Christmas season has given Raegan a special gift! Beyond recognizing her name, mommy, daddy as printed words, Raegan's first word she can read is JOY. She will find it on signs of the season tell you 'I see JOY!'. Isn't that wonderful! She says it every time with such zeal that it makes me believe we should all look for joy not only in this season but in every day ahead! Merry Christmas!"
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Dear Father in Heaven,
thank You for the gift of JOY!
You sent your Son into the world
to live and die for each of us!
You left behind Your Holy Spirit
which includes JOY
packed inside for each of us!
Thank you!!
Amen.
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Today is Wednesday, December 28th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4818
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"Jesus asked, 'How can I describe the Kingdom of God? What story shall I use to illustrate it?' It is like a tiny mustard seed! Though this is one of the smallest of seeds, yet it grows to become one of the largest of plants, with long branches where birds can build their nests and be sheltered."
~ Mark 4:30 - 32 LAB
* Bible Commentary: "Jesus used this parable to explain that although Christianity had very small beginnings, it would grow into a worldwide community of believers. When we feel alone in our stand for Christ, we need to realize that God is building a worldwide kingdom. He has faithful followers in every part of the world, and our faith no matter how small can be with that of others to accomplish great things."
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Today is Thursday, December 29th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4819
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Today's Max Lucado in my computer's inbox:
NO ONE HAS IMAGINED
"Try this. Imagine a perfect world. Whatever that means to you, imagine it. Does that mean peace? Then envision absolute tranquility. Does a perfect world imply joy? Then create your highest happiness. Will a perfect world have love? Ponder a place where love has no bounds.
"Whatever heaven means to you, imagine it. Get it firmly fixed in your mind. Delight in it. Dream about it. Long for it. And then smile as the Father reminds you from the apostle Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 2:9: 'No one has ever imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.' No one. No one has come close. Think of all the songs about heaven, all the artists’ portrayals. All the lessons preached, and poems written, and chapters drafted. When it comes to describing heaven, we are all happy failures."
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Today is Friday, December 30th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4820
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Today writing in "365 Days of Prayer for Women" by Stephanie Sample:
I Praise You
"You have pain now, but I will see you again,
and your hearts will rejoice,
and no one will take your joy from you."
~ John 16:22 NKJV
"Father God, on the days I can't find my happiness, you send your joy. I praise you. On the days my options have run out, you send your hope. I praise you. On the days my pain is more than I can bear, you send your comfort. I praise you. On the days grief surrounds me like a fog, you send your light. I praise you. On the days loneliness overwhelms me, you send your Spirit,. I praise you. Every day, Lord, I love you. I thank you. I praise you."
"How can we be sure to praise the Lord
for everything we are going through?"
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