Today's 'korner' is written by Chad Chapman and was part of yesterday's Communion Meditation. Perfect to kickoff February!

 

"I love you and there’s nothing you can do about it."

"If that sentence sounds familiar to some of you, it might be because it was said at least twice in the recent movie Soul on Fire.  Soul on Fire is a true story about John O’Leary. As a young boy, John made a huge mistake while playing with fire and it nearly cost him his life. The doctors told John’s parents that he had burned 100% of his body and had a 1% chance of survival.  Immediately while at the hospital his father said to him, 'I Love you and there’s nothing you can do about it,'  Again he said it to John on the phone after a car accident, and possibly other times that I might have missed. Either way, this was a statement that John’s father often told John throughout his life. It wasn’t necessarily a huge part of the movie, but it really caught my attention.

"I am not here today to go on about that movie, after all, if you haven’t seen it, I don’t want to spoil it for you.  It is an excellent movie, and I do highly recommend that you see it if you haven’t already.

"But just thinking about that statement, I love you and there’s nothing you can do about it, really hit me hard. It immediately made me think about our Holy Father. He has probably said that to me about a million times by now.  I am sure He says it each time I mess up, or sin. I know He says it when I glorify His name, help out one of his children, or even when I pray. He says it when He knows I have worry or trouble on my mind. That statement really hits home about how truly unconditional our Father’s love is for each one of us.  We know that there are many people on earth who choose not to love Him back, because He gives us that free will, but I can only imagine that He tells those people, and everyone else, 'I love you and there’s nothing you can do about it'.  These can be great words to hear, and they can also be hard ones to hear when we feel like we are not properly reciprocating the love back to our Holy Father. But the truth still stands, our Father always loves us.  We know the verse John 3:16, this is the ultimate demonstration of God’s love.  In 1 John chapter 4 verse 19 it says, “We love because he loved us first.”  And in 1 Corinthians, we hear that short, but ever so powerful sentence consisting of just seven simple words, "But the greatest of these is love."
So, my prayer for you, me and everyone of God’s children is that we hear him speak those words, 'I love you and there is nothing you can do about it.'"

****

Another 'walk down memory lane' from a Karen's Korner of eight years ago. I had written a few days prior to tell readers about sister Amy's brain hemorrhage.


Today is Monday, February 5th, 2018; Karen's Korner #3728

Last night my sister Amy passed away. She never regained consciousness after she collapsed in the bathroom of their home on Wednesday evening.

Since she was 13 months younger than I am, I have never known life without her being in it. There is a void.

Hard to recap an entire life in a couple of sentences. But I hope you will allow me a few memories:

Because we were so close together in ages, Mom used to tell about she would get us dressed in the morning. She wouldn't see us again until almost lunch time, as we would go play either upstairs or outside, depending on the season. We did that until we were 5 and 4; or maybe 6 and 5. One day Amy came downstairs telling mom that she was tired of me always telling her what to do. No wonder we got along so well!

About in the same time period, we went Christmas shopping one day in our small town of Fertile. Part of the family was in the grocery store. Another part went to our local hardware store where there were several gift aisles. Amy came into the grocery store, crying. She was mad and sad. She and I had split up the good amount of change in our shared piggy bank. I had given her by far the most coins. I had given her all the pennies and kept all the silver coins for me. She didn't have enough money to buy anything. Mom saw to it that the coins were re-divided.

Those were some of the last days when I 'knew better' or thought I did!

Amy was a reader. She devoured books. She would tell that at any given time, she would be reading 5 - 6 books. One by her chair. One in the bathroom. One by her bedside. One in the car. One in the kitchen. Lots of them were fiction I think. But she knew 'stuff'. You didn't want to watch Jeopardy with her. Not that she knew all of the answers but she knew a bunch of them. She'd have the answer before I'd have the time to think what the answer might be.

She loved her home and her family. She was a decorator. Christmas? Oh, my! She had collections of things:  Santa Clauses. Nutcrackers. Various kinds of ornaments. A number of Christmas trees. She could  have won the prize within the five sisters for how good she was or interested in doing it (not that there was a contest!).

She and Keith hosted Christmas at their house in early December  this past year, for as many family members as could make it. It wasn't a large crowd, but fun. I hadn't been there for awhile so I was snagging some changes which I really enjoyed seeing. Some was her decorating work. Some seasonal throughout her house. Since my sister Jill and I had stayed overnight, we had more time together in that outing. And I can remember telling Amy about four times different things that caught my eye and how good I thought she was at putting things together (something I am a little devoid of!).

"I like doing that kind of thing," she said.

Not always do I tell people things that I appreciate about them. But I did that time.

I couldn't help but think in the last few days, "We never know when it is the last time we are going to see someone!"

I am spending some time reading 1 Thessalonians in the New Testament and Ruth in the Old Testament.

Maybe it is because it is so near Valentine's Day but it seems that much of what I am reading is filled with 'love'.

Here is one. It is from Paul, writer of 1 Thessalonians to the people of Thessalonica:

"May the Lord make your love
to grow and overflow
to each other
and to everyone else,
just as our love does toward you."
~ 1 Thessalonians 3:12 LAB

*

Bible Commentary:  "If we are full of God's love, it will overflow to others. It is not enough merely to be courteous, to others, we must actively and persistently show love to others. Oul ove should be continually growing. If our capacity to love has remained unchanged for some time, ask God to fill us again with His never-ending supply of love. Them we should look for opportunities to express His love."

**

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for reminding me how much You love me
and all of us.
Help me to think of, act on,
someone to love today.
Someone I haven't thought of for a long time.
What an exciting adventure!
Amen.

I haven't shared a writing from Sarah Young and her "Jesus Calling:  Enjoying Peace in His Presence" for a few weeks. It is a good one! They are all good; for today!!

"Seek My Face, and you will find not only My Presence but also My Peace. To receive My Peace, you must change your grasping, controlling stance to one of openness and trust. The only thing you can grasp without damaging your soul is My hand. Ask My Spirit within you to order your day and control your thoughts, for the mind controlled by the Spirit is Life and Peace.

"You can have as much of Me and My Peace as you want, through thousands of correct choices each day. The most persistent choice you face is whether to trust Me or to worry. You will never run out of things to worry about, but you can choose to trust Me no matter what. I am an ever-present help in trouble. Trust Me, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea."

~ Taken from Romans 8:6; Psalm 46:1 -2

****

Several days ago I received a 'late' Christmas letter. Or a '2026 early greeting'. It was from a friend who years ago lived in Clarion.

There were two boxed greetings in the heading followed by a half-dozen paragraphs of text:

GRATEFUL & BLESSED 2025

"I am the light of the world;
he that follows me shall not
walk in darkness,
but shall have the light of life."
~ John 8:12 KJV

She followed with a lengthy paragraph of explanation of how much she enjoys lighthouses:  part of her home decor; reading about them; putting together puzzles; traveling to visit several. One time recently even spending a night in an 'actual' lighthouse.

Paragraph #2:  "When I write this letter, I like to share how much my faith means to me. I have included the Scriptures above (and below) that refer to light. Our true light is Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Yes, Jesus is the light of the world. It is so very important to follow Jesus, He will guide us and He is always with us. When we give our life to Jesus we will have eternal life and live in the light. Lighthouses are needed to guide ships safely on the waters, Jesus guides us safely here on earth, and then to our home in Heaven."

She went on to tell of their family and some of their, and her, events of the past year.

The final Bible verse at the end of the letter:

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet,
and a light unto my path."
~ Psalm 119:105 KJV

***

Today's entry by Stephanie Sample and her "365 Days of Prayer for Women":

EVERYTHING CHANGES

"Be deligient in these matters,
give yourself wholly to them,
so that everyone may see
your progress."
~ 1 Timothy 4:15 NIV

:"Unchanging Lord, how intriguing that you created a world where nothing stays the same. Only you are perfect, so everything else must change. The color of the sky changes minute to minute, and even the hardest of rocks wear down with time. Perhaps most striking of all, I am never the same person upon rising as I was the day before. Though as granite, wear away at my heart, hardened by time and experience, until it is as soft and warm as yours. Let all my growth and change be toward becoming more like you, Father, and let others recognize and be drawn, to you in me."

How are we changing to become more like Jesus?

***

Sometimes people send me things, "Would this be a good Karen's Korner?" Today's is one of those. From Margaret Cramer.

JUST LET IT GO

"Many who are first will be last, and the last first."
~Mark 10:31

"What's in it for you?'

"Is this ever your response when you are asked for a favor or are challenged to make a personal sacrifice? It's a common one, and smart businesses know this. The Girl Scouts is a worthwhile organization, yet they don't simply ask for your financial support. They sell cookies, providing an incentive for the donor, and people clamor to get them each year.

"We may even carry the. 'What's in it for me?' mindset into the church when asked to serve on a committee, participate in a youth camping trip, take part in a house bulding project, or be involved in another demanding ministry.

"A rich young man once approached Jesus, seeking to know how to receive eternal life. The Scripture says Jesus 'loved him'. Yet when Jesus told him to first sell everything he had, donate it to the poor, and then follow him, the guy 'went away sad' (Mark 10:17 - 31).

"Jesus assured his confused disciples that for everything we give up for God, God will provide even more in this life and the life to come. Still we hold out.

"What's in in for us? We are offered salvation, forgiveness of sin, joy and peace, help in times of trouble, eternal life, and  so much more. But to receive these things, first we may need to release whatever we're clinging to so tightly."

~ Taken from '3 Minute Devotions to Laugh & Reflect"
by Hudson Campbell

****

1 Thessalonians, chapter 5 is loaded with 'how-tos'. Verses 11 - 23 by writer Paul; gives us ways to encourage ourselves and others.

In my Bible is a graphic titled "Checklist for Encouragers". The list is lengthy.

Today I am including four of them. The first of four ways of encouragement. Verse and a suggested application:

"BUILD EACH OTHER UP"
- verse 11 -
Point out to someone a a quality you appreciate in him or her.

"GIVE HONOR TO LEADERS"
- verse 12 -
Look for ways to cooperate.

"THINK HIGHLY OF LEADERS"
- verse 13 -
Withhold your next critical comment about  those in positions of  responsibility.

"GIVE WHOLEHEARTED LOVE"
- verse 13 -
Say 'thank you' to your leaders for their efforts."

**
God,
will you help me to pay attention
to what I see,
think,
and do.
Help me to be an
encourager!
Amen.

Yesterday's Max Lucado:

LOAVES, FISHES, and JESUS

"Matthew 6:25 Jesus says, 'That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough.'

"On one occasion, Jesus had taken the disciples on a retreat.  Then came the hungry crowd.  Then the disciples issued a command to Jesus. 'Send the crowds away so they can go into the villages and buy food for themselves.' But Jesus issued an assignment, 'You give them something to eat.' Do you suppose Jesus was hoping someone would count all the possibilities: 'we have five loaves, two fish, and … Jesus!' (Matthew 14: 15-17 NLT)

"Standing next to the disciples was the solution to their problems … but the disciples stopped their counting and worried. What about you? Are you counting your problems or are you counting on Christ?"

****

It's Valentine's Day tomorrow!

I am thinking of beginning to read 1 John. First two chapters are on 'God is Light'; Numbers 3 and 4 are 'God Is Love''; and the last two are 'God is life'.

It is the two on 'love' that has caught my eye because of the time of the year that it is.

Here is a single verse from 1 John, chapter 3. In case, you don't get any Valentine cards, flowers, or jewelry, this is a note on God's LOVE!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

"See how very much our heavenly Father
LOVES us,
for He allows us to be called His children----
think of it----
and we really are!

But since most people don't know God,
naturally they don't understand
that we are His children."

~ 1 John 3:1 LAB

Bible Commentary:  "As believers, our self-worth is based on the fact that God loves us and calls us His children. We are His children, NOW, not just sometime in the distant future. Knowing that we are His children encourages us to live as Jesus did."

***

The last book of the Old Testament is Malachi. There are four chapters. The last chapter, #4, has about a half dozen verses.

So how does this story end? Here are the first two verses of that chapter:

"Watch now,
the Lord Almighty declares,
"the day of judgment is coming,
burning like a furnace.
The proud and wicked will be
burned up like straw;
like a tree, they will be consumed -- roots and all.
But for you who fear my name, the son of Righteousness will rise
with healing in his wings.
And you will go free, leaping with joy
like calves let out to pasture."
~ Malachi 4:1 & 2 LAB

**

Bible Commentary:  "At the day of judgment, God's wrath toward the wicked will be like the blasting heat of a furnace. But He will be like the healing warmth of the sun to those who love and obey Him. 

"These last verses of the Old Testament are filled with hope. Regardless of how life looks now. God controls the future and everything will be made right. We who have loved and served God look forward to a joyful celebration. This hope for the future is ours as soon as we trust God with our lives."

****

Sorry for the delay in sending today's 'korner'. I had to log in. The question? "Where were you when you got your first kiss?" Guess what? I don't know. So neither could my computer. I couldn't get on. 

I asked for help. Never did get the help I needed but eventually they asked me another question which I did know the answer!!

Here is a Max Lucado from yesterday:

ENTRUST CHILDREN TO CHRIST

"Fear turns some parents into paranoid prison guards who monitor every minute and check the background of every friend.  A family with no breathing room suffocates a child.

"On the other hand, fear can also create permissive parents.  Fearing that their child will feel too confined or fenced in, they are high on hugs and low on discipline.  They don’t realize that appropriate discipline is an expression of love.

"Permissive parents.  Paranoid parents.  How can we avoid the extremes?  We pray. Jesus’ big message to moms and dads?  Bring your children to me. Pray that your children have a profound sense of place in this world and a heavenly place in the next. Parents, we can entrust our kids to Christ."

***

Today is Ash Wednesday.

Here is the on-line definition:

"Ash Wednesday, falling on February 18, 2026, is the first day of Lent in Western Christianity, marking a 40-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, fasting, and repentance.  It is a solemn day for Christians to reflect on mortality and turn back to God, with many attending services to receive ashes on their foreheads in the shape of a cross."

*

It is recognized by various church families in various ways. Whether we participate or not, we typically see crosses in ashes on people's foreheads on those in the media today sometimes!

Forty is a known number Biblical:  number of days connected with Noah and the flood, for example.

Again from a computer post: The 40 days of Lent, however, are primarily identified with the time Jesus spent in the desert fasting, praying, and being tempted by the devil. Found in Matthew 4:1 - 11)."

At any rate, it is a good time to begin our reflection on Jesus - His Life, Death, and Resurrection! Which He would have done for each one of us!

*
Jesus,
Thank You
for what You are
and were willing to do
for each one of us!
Whether we respond to
Your Love or not!
Thank You!
Lead us!
Guide us!
In Your Name we pray,
Amen.

Installment #2 of 4; taken from 1 Thessalonians, chapter 5 on 'how-twos' from verse 11 - 23 by writer, Paul, as he gives us ways to encourage ourselves and others.

Taken from a graphic, titled 'Checklist for Encouragers"; lengthy list. I am including four of them today:

"AVOID QUARRELING"
- verse 13
Search for ways to get along with others.


"WARN THE LAZY"
- verse 14
Challenge someone to join you in a project.


"COMFORT THE FRIGHTENED"
- verse 14
Encourage those who are frightened by reminding them of God's promises.


"TENDERLY CARE FOR THE WEAK"
- verse 14 
Support those who are weak by loving them and praying for them.

**
Father God,
As everything else you tell us to do,
we can't do it without your help.
Help me;
help us.
Amen.

Easter is a good season to think about Jesus and all He has done and does do for each one of us!

"Jesus told Thomas,
'I am the Way---
yes, and the Truth
and the Life.
No one can get to the Father
except by means of me.'"

~ John 14:6 LAB

*

Bible Commentary: "Jesus says He is the ONLY way to God the Father. Some people may argue that this is too narrow. In reality, it is wide enough for the whole world, if the world chooses to accept it. Instead of worrying about how limited it sounds to have only one way, we should be saying, 'Thank you, God, for providing a sure way to get to You.'

"As the Way, He is our path to the Father.

As the Truth, He is the reality of all God's promises .

As the Life, He joins His divine life to ours,
both now and eternally."

***

I have begun reading a book, "Real-life Discipleship", building churches that make disciples, by Jim Putman. It is a book which my sister Jill's church studies together frequently.

So who are disciples? Here is a definition:  "New Testament, disciples are those who follow Jesus, trust Him for salvation, imitate his life, obey his teachings, and love him wholeheartedly."

I am not that far into the book, but Putman says who are 'disciples'? All of us!!

He says a disciple is one who is:

* "Following Christ (head). A disciple has surrendered to Jesus as Savior and Lord of his or her life. A disciple is one who says, 'I know He is Lord and Savior and I accept Him as my authority.'

* "Being changed by Jesus (heart). Jesus said we would know a tre by its fruit (Matthew 7:17 - 20). He did not mean perfect fruit; He meant growing fruit. As we spend time following Jesus, He changse us internally --- He changes who we are.

* "Committed to Jesus' mission to save people from their sin (hands). Jesus saved us for a purpose. Some believe we are given a 'get out of jail free' card and are free to do what we want with our lives---not true. God's mission is now our mission, and we recognize that we are responsible for our own slice of history. Our hands are for His service."

***.

I am beginning a journey through the book of Proverbs. A few verses in to chapter 3, I read several verses which I really like. And have used before in a Karen's Korner. I see that it was in 2024. So it has been awhile.

Here we go:

Today is Thursday, July 18th, 2024;
Karen's Korner #5169

Yesterday's Bible verse which our ecumenical study looked at was:

"Trust the Lord completely;
don't ever trust yourself.
In everything you do,
put God first,
and He will direct you
and crown your efforts with success."

~ Proverbs 3:5 & LAB

(

What happens if we turn those two verses into a prayer?

" God,
I am trusting You completely.
I don't ever trust myself.
In everything I do,
I put You first.
Thank You for directing me
and crowning my efforts with success."
Amen.

Installment #3 of 4, taken from 1 Thessalonians, chapter 5 on 'how tos' from verses 11 - 23 by writer Paul, as he gives us ways to encourage ourselves and others.

Taken from a graphic, titled 'Checklist for Encouragers', lengthy list. I am once again including four of them today:

"PRACTICE PATIENCE"
- verse 14
Think of a situation that tries your patience and plan ahead of time how you can stay calm.


"RESIST REVENGE"
- verse 15
Instead of planning to get even with those who mistreat you, do good to them.

"BE JOYFUL"
- verse  16
Remember that even in the midst of turmoil,
God is in control.

"PRAY CONTINUOUSLY"
- verse 17
Make a list of all the gifts God has given you,
giving thanks to God for each one.

**

Thank you, God!
AMEN!!!

In the past few weeks, several people in my life have died in their sleep. Gone to bed at night. Didn't wake up in the morning.

One of them was 95 year-old Iris Eriksen who was still going strong in the middle of her tenth decade. Here is something that was in her obituary and is so 'Iris':

"In lieu of flowers or gifts,
the family requests that you honor Iris’s memory
by visiting an elderly person,
returning your shopping cart,
unplugging appliances not in use,
eating all the food that you put on your plate,
tending your garden,
respecting the U.S. flag,
and
showing compassion for those going through
hard times."

When I am tempted to leave a shopping card out of its 'corral', I think of Iris!*

*

Another one was retired minister Bob Dishman, moving through his 70s. He was an elder in our church. A few weeks ago, our pastor slipped on the ice outside our church and did a 'face plant', leaving him with, among other things, a bloodied and swollen lip.

He called Bob to see if he would consider giving the message for Sunday's worship service. Bob agreed. It was the best sermon I had ever heard Bob preach.

As he concluded his message, Bob said that 'God had told him it was the last time he would ever be behind the pulpit'. With that he zipped his Bible, returned to his pew, and sat down.

He told a small group of us gals several days later that he thought it meant in the future, he would wear a microphone headset and wander around the church's platform. He never liked to be 'tethered' in one spot.

He dien't realize that it really was his last sermon behind the pulpit.

* 

Today's Max  Lucado:

FEAR OF LIFE'S FINAL MOMENT

"Maybe you share this deep desire: a desire to face death unafraid. To die without fright or a fight, perhaps even with a smile.

"Some say that’s impossible. But Christ promises in John 14:1-3, 'Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am' (TLB).

"Jesus experienced a physical and factual resurrection. And—here it is— because he did, we will too! If Jesus’ tomb is empty, then his promise is not. So let’s die with faith. Jesus grants courage for the final passage, death.  No need to dread it or ignore it. Because of Jesus Christ, you can face it."

**

For fun today, I am sharing 'Side Notes', vertical sayings in the outside margins of the February/March issue of OUR IOWA magazine.

Have a good weekend!!

"The purpose of education
is to replace an empty mind
with an open one."
~Malcolm Forbes

*
"A real-estate bargain
is when you get good neighbors."

*
"A garden is a friend
you can visit anytime."

*
"Some purse happiness;
others create it."

*
"The reason a dog has so many friends
is because he wags his tail
instead of his tongue."

*
"They have perfected self-cleaning ovens.
When are they going to develop
a self-cleaning garage?"

*
"You must have faith.
A baby bird never learns how to fly
unless it jumps out of the nest."

*'
"Life, love and laughter---
what a precious gift to give our children."

*****