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February 2024 Archives
Today is Thursday, February 1st, 2024; Karen's Korner #5049
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Here is another 'archived' Karen's Korner from the past.
Isn't it amazing how many things continue to change in our lives and in our world. Isn't it wonderful that God and His Wisdom and World never change?
Today is Tuesday, June 24th, 2003; Karen's Korner #77
About a month ago, I misplaced my glasses. I don't wear them all the time, so it isn't uncommon for me to spend some time looking for them. I take them off when I come into the house after driving. I lay them down by my chair after reading something sometimes. And the list goes on....
But this time I couldn't find them. I looked everywhere. No glasses. I decided if I hadn't found them in a week, I would go to the eye doctor's office and get a new pair. While that didn't thrill me, I didn't feel too bad. The glasses were probably 5 or 6 years old. It could have been worse.
In a week, still no glasses. So I ordered a new pair. Got them last week. When I left the doctor's office, I told him to send me a bill. I don't have the bill yet, but I am sure they aren't cheap. I'm not as casual about these glasses. I am paying pretty close attention to where they are and where I take them off. I don't want to buy another pair in the near future. They're pretty valuable.
My glasses are laying in front of me on our computer desk as I type this note. And I am thinking, is that how God is with us? We are pretty valuable to Him. He paid a pretty high price for each one of us.
Valuable things like we are, He doesn't want to get lost or laid aside. He can't take a chance on anything happening to us, both today and in our future.
Thank you, God, for all of your love, care, and attention!
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Today is Friday, February 2nd, 2024; Karen's Korner #5050
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"But I will call upon
the Lord to save me ---
and He will.
I will pray morning,
noon,
and night,
pleading aloud with God;
and He will hear
and answer."
~ Psalm 55:16 & 17 LAB
* Bible Commentary: "Praying morning, noon, and night is certainly an excellent way to keep in contact with God and maintain correct priorities throughout every day. The prayers of God's people are the ultimate weapon against the overwhelming evil in the world."
***
Dear Father in Heaven,
we sometimes wring our hands
at what is happening in our world,
and sometimes the evil that is done to others.
Thank You that You give us a weapon - PRAYER!
I confess that I could do better in that department.
I could say that I am turning over a new leaf
or that I will try harder to pray more.
Believe more.
Will you help me?
Help my friends?
To pray more faithfully.
And to not be discouraged
when things don't change
as quickly as we would like?
Thanks for being Our Friend.
Amen.
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Today is Monday, February 5th, 2024; Karen's Korner #5051
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In the last few years, our area has experienced several suicides. One is too many! At Friday night's basketball game, there was a vendor 'fair' titled "Slam the Sigma", featuring outreaches, organized to reach out to anyone struggling with 'less than the best' thoughts.
Anyone with a tooth ache or bladder infection doesn't hesitate to seek help. But we tend to not reach out when we struggle with nagging negative thoughts.
The Psalm writer knows how to 'Slam the Stigma':
"O Jehovah, God of my salvation. I have wept before you day and night. Now hear my prayers; oh, listen to my cry, for my life is full of troubles, and death draws near. They say my life is ebbing out---a hopeless case. They have left me hope here to die, like those slain on battlefields, from whom your mercies are removed."
~ Psalm 88:1 - 5 LAB
*
Bible Commentary: "Have we ever felt as if we have hit the bottom? The psalm writer is so low he even despairs of life itself. Although everything was bad and getting worse, he was able to tell it all to God. Don't think that we must always be cheerful and positive. grief and depression take time to heal. No matter how low we feel, we can always take our problems to God and express our anguish to Him."
**
Dear God,
Thank You that we can talk with You
about anything.
Show us the way, Your Way.
Help us not to hesitate to express
any struggle with someone else.
If we can't find help,
maybe together, we can seek answers.
You give us hope, help,
and understanding.
Thank You.
In Jesus' Name.
Amen.
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Today is Tuesday, February 6th, 2024; Karen's Korner #5052
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(This morning, it looked like yesterday's Karen's Korner was still in my 'draft' box, so I resent it. If you have received it twice, I apologize.)
Today's Karen's Korner is by Sarah Young and her "Jesus Calling" for today. I don't read her every day but today's is a good one for February 6:
"Come to Me and rest. I am all about you, to bless and restore. Breathe Me in with each breath. The way just ahead of you is very steep. Slow down and cling tightly to My hand. I am teaching you a difficult lesson, learned only by hardship.
"Lift up empty hand of faith to receive My precious Presence. Light, Life, Joy, and Peace flow freely through this gift. When your focus turns away from Me, you grasp for other things. You drop the glowing gift of My Presence as you reach for lifeless ashes. Return to Me; regain My Presence."
~ Taken from Matthew 1:28 - 29; 1 Timothy 2:8
***
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Today is Wednesday, February 7th, 2024; Karen's Korner #5053
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For fun - Side Notes, vertical sayings in the margins of the February/March edition of Our Iowa magazine:
One thing you can't recycle
is wasted time.
*
"Thorns may hurt you,
men desert you,
sunlight turn to fog.
But you're never friendless ever
if you have a dog."
` poet Douglas Malloch
*
Worry is interest paid
on trouble
before it comes due.
*'
Life often offers you
a second chance.
It's called
tomorrow.
*
Why do bees stay in their hives
over winter?
Swarm!
*
"Sports serve society by
providing vivid examples
of excellence."
~ George Will
(just in time for Super Bowl week!)
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Today is Thursday, February 8th, 2024; Karen's Korner #5054
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A couple of Bible verses for the day. I mark in the margins of my Bible when I use them for a Karen's Korner. I must like these as I sent them in 2013 and again in 2019.
Here you go:
"What a glorious Lord!
He who daily bears our burends
also gives us our salvation.
He frees us!
He rescues us from death.
But He will crush His enemies,
for they refuse
to leave their guilty, stubborn ways."
~ Psalm 68:19 - 21 LAB
*'
Bible Commentary: "Each day, we must deal with our share of earthly burdens. As we face these burdens, the Lord is there to help us bear them. Each morning, praise God for the strength He will send us today. It is a sure as the sunrise."
**
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Today is Friday, February 9th, 2024; Karen's Korner #5055
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God,
Help me to be more like my dog, Rocky. I let him go outside first thing in the morning to run free and do 'his business'.
In a few minutes, he scratches on my kitchen door wanting to come back in. I looked out my kitchen window. He sits there patiently, because he knows I will let him in in a couple of minutes.
He knows me. He knows what I have done in the past. Once again I will let him back in.
When I pray and ask You for something, help me to sit and wait patiently. Because I know what You have done for me in the past. And today will be no different.
Forgive my impatience and my lack of faith in You and for what I ask.
You make my smile!
In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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Today is Monday, February 12th, 2024; Karen's Korner #5056
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Is the mention of God and His Kingdom making a comeback in the public sector? Has attempted His elimination been at our own peril?
More than one person mentioned on news talk shows this morning that several Super Bowl ads focused on Jesus or some aspect of spiritual life.
A weekend ago I had the privilege to attend ISU's high school honor bands, entertaining at CY Stephens Auditorium in Ames, as a guest of our 'bonus" granddaughter. There were more than 200 musicians.
There were two honor bands - Gold and Cardinal. Both bands played five selections. Each one had a different guest conductor, featured from out of state colleges. One of the selections for each one was a familiar hymn. As every song was introduced, conductors told the listening crowd, some background of the writer and the reason for the writings.
Gold played "Amazing Grace".
Cardinal played "It is Well With My Soul".
AMAZING GRACE
By John Newton, 1779
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
that saved a wretch like me?
I once was lost,
but now am found,
was blind, but now I see.
*
IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL
by Horatio C. Spafford, 1873
"When peace, like a river,
attendeth my way,
when sorrows like sea billows roll,
whatever my lot,
thou hast taught me to say,
It is well,
it is well with my soul."
****
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Today is Tuesday, February 13th, 2024; Karen's Korner #5057
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Today is 'Fat Tuesday' or 'Mardi Gras'.
Mardi Gras is a Christian holiday and popular cultural phenomenon that dates back thousands of years to pagan spring and fertility rites. It became incorporated into a Christian celebration. it’s celebrated in many countries around the world—mainly those with large Roman Catholic populations—on the day before the religious season of Lent begins.
Most of us know that New Orleans celebrates, not only the day but a number of days before the actual event.
A number of years our family traveled to New Orleans where husband, Jim's cousin lived. She sent us home with a box of Mardi Gras beads and decor with the words, "You need to have a Mardi Gras party!"
Then became our family tradition of cooking a four-course meal on 'the day', beginning in 1990. We have hosted 35 Mardi Gras meals over the years, when we would invite ten people to eat with us. Once guests came, they would not be invited a second time. Do the math; we have hosted lots of people!
Because of the busyness of this week with Valentine's Day etc., I decided not to do it this year! Maybe I am done. Who knows??
At any rate, today is a good day to celebrate Mardi Gras. Our way. Any way. As we come to the Lenten season and Valentine's Day tomorrow!
God, let us remember
You and Your Love
Today!
And every day!
Amen.
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Today is Wednesday, February 14th, 2024; Karen's Korner #5058
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Happy Valentine's Day!
Happy Ash Wednesday! As we begin the Lenten season!
Whether we get Valentine's Day cards, greetings, gifts, or not, God sends His greetings today and every day!
I John chapters 3 and 4 tend to ooze with His Love for us:
"See how very much our Heavenly Father
loves us,
for He allows us to be call His Children---
think about it---
and we really are!
Chapter 3:1
*
"Dearly loved friends,
Chapter 4:1
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"Dear friends,
let us practice loving each other,"
Chapter 4:7
*
" It is not our love for God,
but His Love for us
when He sent His Son
to satisfy God's
anger against our sins."
Chapter 4:10
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"Dear friends,
since God loves us as much as that,
we surely ought to love each other too."
Chapter 4:11
****
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Today is Thursday, February 15th, 2024; Karen's Korner #5059
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A writing by Max Lucado and sent in my inbox a few days ago:
ACCEPT GOD'S OFFER
"A person can be religious and yet lost. Attending church won’t make you God’s child. You must accept his offer. 'For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God' (1 Peter 3:18).
"It makes no sense to seek your God-given strength until you trust in his. 'It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for' (Ephesians 1:11 MSG).
"Take a few moments and talk to God. Whether you are making a decision or reaffirming an earlier one, talk to your Maker about your eternal life. You might find this prayer helpful: Immanuel, you are with me. You became a person and took on flesh. You became my Savior and took on my sin. I accept your gift. I receive you as my Lord, Savior, and friend. And because of you, I’ll never be alone again."
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Today is Friday, February 16th, 2024; Karen's Korner #5060
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Something shared by a friend at one of our weekly Bible studies:
"I asked God to take away my habit. God said, No. It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up.
I asked God to make my handicapped child whole. God said, No. His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary.
I asked God to grant me patience. God said, No. Patience is a byproduct of tribulations; it isn’t granted, it is learned.
I asked God to give me happiness. God said, No. I give you blessings; Happiness is up to you.
I asked God to spare me pain. God said, No. Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me.
I asked God to make my spirit grow. God said, No. You must grow on your own, but I will prune you to make you fruitful.
I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life. God said, No. I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things.
I asked God to help me LOVE others as much as He loves me. God said…Ahhhh, finally you have the idea!"
****
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Today is Monday, February 19th, 2024; Karen's Korner #5061
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A dose of 'love' from "100 Things God Loves About You" by Tama Fortner. Number 87:
GOD LOVES YOUR OBEDIENCE
"If you love me,
keep my commands."
~ John 14:15
"For the world, obedience is a four-letter word. Following Jesus is just about following rules. And faith is really another name for thou shalt and thou shalt not. At least, that is what the world sees.
"But not you. You see obeying Jesus in a different light. Instead of seeing only what Jesus asks of you, you see the amazing, awesome, glorious picture of what He gives to you. Mercy! Grace! Salvation! And you know that His commands---which truly ask so very little of you ----are to protect and to save you. Because He loves you."
****
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Today is Tuesday, February 20th, 2024; Karen's Korner #5062
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A writing shared with me from my sister. I really liked it. A different twist. It didn't have a title.
"You are holding a cup of coffee when someone comes along and bumps into you or shakes your arm, making you spill your coffee everywhere.
Why did you spill the coffee?
'Because someone bumped into me!!!'
Wrong answer.
You spilled the coffee because there was coffee in your cup. Had there been tea in the cup, you would have spilled tea. Whatever is inside the cup is what will spill out.
Therefore, when life comes along and shakes you (which WILL happen), whatever is inside you will come out. It's easy to fake it, until you get rattled. So we have to ask ourselves... 'what's in my cup?'
When life gets tough, what spills over?
Joy, gratitude, peace and humility?
Anger, bitterness, victim mentality and quitting-tendencies?
Life provides the cup, YOU choose how to fill it.
Today let's work towards filling our cups with gratitude, forgiveness, joy, words of affirmation, resilience, positivity; and kindness, gentleness and love for others."
****
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Today is Wednesday, February 21st, 2024; Karen's Korner #5063
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"How wonderful it is;
how pleasant,
when brothers live in
harmony!
~ Psalm 133:1 LAB
* Bible Commentary: "David (writer) stated that harmony is pleasant, precious, and refreshing. Unfortunately, harmony does not abound in the church as it should. People disagree and cause division over unimportant issues. Some seem to delight in causing tension by discrediting other.s. Harmony is important because:
1) it makes us a positive example
to the world and helps draw others to us;
2) it helps us function as a body of believers
as God meant us to, giving us a foretaste of heaven;
3) it is renewing and revitalizing because there is less tension to sap our energy.
"Living in harmony does not mean we will agree on everything; there will be many opinions just as there are many notes in a harmonious chord of music. But we will agree on our purpose in life---to work together for God. Our outward expression of unity should reveal our inward unity of purpose."
***
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Today is Thursday, February 22nd, 2024; Karen's Korner #5064
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Today's entry (February 22) taken from Stephanie Sample's "365 Days of Prayer for Women":
FAR AWAY
"In God, whose word I praise,
In God I have put my trust;
I shall not be afraid.
What can mere man do to me?
~ Psalm 56:4 NASB
"Father, you are so faithful. As I pause and consider the times you've removed an obstacle from my path, made a way where there was none, I know you can do anything. Someone I love needs your help, Lord. We can't see the way through, but I know you do. Our enemy wants us focused on the obstacle, so we forget we have you, our great intercessor. He wants us trusting our own efforts or giving up entirely. Help us to trust you, Father, as we place this matter before you. Lift our eyes off the problem and onto you, then lift the problem and take it far away."
"What problem needs to be taken far away?"
****
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Today is Friday, February 23rd, 2024; Karen's Korner #5065
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PRAISE DEFEATS THE ENEMY
By Anne Graham Lotz
"I will declare Your name to My brothren, in the midst of the assembly I will praise You."
~ Psalm 22:22 NKJV
"One way to drive Satan to distraction, and to overcome him, is through praise of Jesus. Regardless of whether the enemy is a visible foe in front of us like the Scribes and Pharisees or an invisible foe outside of us like the devil himself or an invisible foe inside of us like depression, praise drives the enemy away. In the very prophecy that describes Jesus' inmost thoughts and feelings as He hung on the cross, tortured, bleeding, and dying, the psalmist declared, 'But You are holy, enthroned in the praises...' of Your people (Psalm 22:3 NKJV). In other words, He is enthroned - He rules in power, authority, and supremacy-through our praise.
"In some supernatural way, praise ushers the authority of God into any given situation. One practical way to maintain your praise is, every time you pray, to begin your prayer with praise. First praise Him for Who He is. Then praise Him for something He has done for you. Start now!"
****
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Today is Monday, February 26th, 2024; Karen's Korner #5066
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Whether things are going well or not in our personal lives, chances are pretty good we don't like some of the things going on in our country and in the world. Somethings happen which grab our attention and cause us to pause. Or fear!
Here is what Peter wrote:
"All honor to God, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; for it is his boundless mercy that has given us the privilege of being born again, so that we are now members of God's own family. Now we live in the hope of eternal life because Christ rose again from the dead. And God has reserved for his children the priceless gift of eternal life; it is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And God, in his mighty power, will make sure that you get there safely to receive it, because you are trusting him. It will be yours in that coming last day for all to see. So be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead, even though the going is rough for a while down here."
~ I Peter 1:3 - 6 LAB
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Bible Commentary: "Do we need encouragement? Peter's words offer joy and hope in times of trouble., and he bases his confidence on what God has done for us in Christ Jesus. We're called to live in the hope of eternal life. Our hope is not only for the future; eternal life begins when we believe in God and join his family. The eternal life we now have gives us hope and enables us to live with confidence in God."
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Today is Tuesday, February 27th, 2024; Karen's Korner #5067
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Today's entry from Stephanie Sample and her ""365 Days of Prayer for Women" (and men!):
RELEASING KINDNESS
"Love your enemies,
and do good, and lend,
expecting nothing in return,
and your reward will be great,
and you will be sons of the Most High,
for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil."
~ Luke 6:15 ESV
"Father ,your incredible kindness illustrates the value you place on it. It pleases you to show kindness to me, and likewise when I am kind to others. I do love to please you, and what does it cost me to smile, to say hello, or to hold open a door? Would you move through a room and not acknowledge me? Why, then do I keep my head down? Help me release your kindness into the world, God. Lift my eyes and open my mouth and let your beauty spill forth. Remind me that as I'm a kinder person, the world is a kinder place.
"Who can we release kindness to today?"
***
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Today is Wednesday, February 28th, 2024; Karen's Korner #5068
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One verse from Psalm 145. If you have time in the next few days, read the entire chapter (21 verses).
The Lord lifts the fallen
and
those bent beneath their loads."
~ Psalm145:14 LAB
*
Bible Commentary: "Sometimes our burdens seem more than we can bear and we wonder how we can go on. The psalm writer stands at this bleak intersection of life's road and points toward the Lord, the great burden-bearer. God is able to bear our unbearable burdens because he:
1) is great beyond discovery (vs. 3);
2) does glorious things across many generations (vs. 4);
3) is full of glory, splendor, majesty, and miracles (vs. 5);
4) does awe-inspiring deeds (vs. 6);
5) is righteous (vs. 7);
6) is kind, merciful, patient, and loving (vs. 8);
7) reaches out to us with compassion (vs. 9)'
8) rules over an unending kingdom (vs. 13);
9) is our source of food, water, and help (vs. 15 & 16);
10 ) is fair in all his dealings and full of kindness (vs. 17);
11) remains close to those who call on him (vs. 18);
12) listens to our cries and sends his protection (vs. 19 & 20);
"If we are bending under a burden and feel that we are about to fall, turn to God for help. He is ready to bear our burdens."
***
Thank You, Jesus!
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Today is Thursday, February 29th, 2024; Karen's Korner #5069
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Today is February 29; a once in four years day!
I have decided to try to do some things which will make the day memorable. Maybe I will recall some of my choices four years from now!
I have already wished someone happy birthday born on this day. He is either seventeen or eighteen! And I am choosing not to watch anything on television today. I tend to enjoy some game shows and several news talk shows! But not today. I want to call to talk with several people I have been meaning to call for several days!
And I am waiting to see what surprises God has in store for me for the day.
"This is the day that the Lord
has made.
We will rejoice
and be glad in it!"
` Psalm 118:24 LAB
*
Notice the word WE. How are You; how am I 'going to rejoice and be glad today'?
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