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Today is Friday, May 10th, 2024; Karen's Korner #5120
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Happy Mother's Day!
We will know never know the affects our prayers have made on others. Nor will we know what a difference prayers said for us have made over the years of each of our lives.
Here is something shared by Anne Graham Lotz this week about her mother Ruth Graham and her praying for others. We all get to experience some of those differences made in the lives of the Graham family - Samaritan's Purse; Billy Graham Evangelistic Association; Anne's ministry; and countless others.
My Mother's Abiding Joy
"In Your presence is fulness of joy;
at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore."
~ Psalm 16:11 NKJV
"As a teenager growing up, my room in our house was directly over Mother's. At night I could see the lights from her room reflected on the trees outside my window. When I slipped downstairs hoping to talk to her a few minutes, I would find her shapely form bent beside her bed in prayer. It was useless to wait for her to rise because she would be there for hours on end, so I would trudge back up to my room. And no matter how early I awoke in the morning, I would see those lights from her window once again reflected on the trees outside. When I tumbled down the stairs, I would find her seated at her big, flat-top desk, earnestly studying one of the fourteen different translations of the Bible spread out around her. My mother chose to make abiding in Christ one of the priorities of her life.
"Mother's abiding was rooted in a love relationship with Jesus that was the secret of her life. As a result of her abiding, and the obedience that was integrated into it, the hallmark of Mother's life was joy. Her face radiated it! Her eyes sparkled with it! And I'm left to wonder...what outward evidence of my inner r relationship with Jesus do my children see?"
***
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Today is Thursday, May 9th, 2024; Karen's Korner #5119
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At our ecumenical Bible study yesterday, we looked together at the topic of ANGER. We read through about a dozen Bible verses in both the Old and New Testaments.
One sentence that really stood out to me was:
Anger is Today's Emotional Epidemic!
We would have to admit that anger is swirling all around us. Either as individuals, families, communities, churches, and certainly in our world! One way or another we experience anger.
One of the Bible verses we read was Psalm 37:8:
"Stop your anger! Turn off your wrath.
Don't fret and worry ---
it only leads to harm."
The Bible Commentary on this verse says, "Anger and worry are two of the most destructive emotions. They reveal a lack of faith that God is in control. We should not fret and worry instead, we should trust in the Lord. When we dwell on our problems, we will become anxious and angry. But if we concentrate on God and His Goodness, we will find peace. Where do we focus our attention?"
It isn't that we may become angry at a situation or person, we need to take a second look at the source of that angry. What is the context of that anger? We can't let that anger take control of that situation. Or us. We need God to ask for His help us recognize what is happening and why. We may need to refocus. We may need to ask someone else to forgive us.
God,
please help us!
Guide us!
We have trouble handling our
worries,
fears,
anger!
You are the great I AM!
Thank You!
Amen.
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Today is Wednesday, May 8th, 2024; Karen's Korner #5118
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Yesterday's writing by Stephanie Sample, taken from '365 Days of Prayer for Women::
WHEN WE DOUBT
"Have mercy on those who doubt."
~ Jude1:22 ESV
"Lord, how it must grieve you when we doubt! Scripture is filled with your faithfulness, power, and promise. Still, we question. We wonder, are you really there? Will you really come through? We know you are great, but we doubt you'll deliver. Or worse, when things get dark, we start to wonder if maybe we made the whole thing up. Nothing can last; no earthly love can truly satisfy. It's what we are used to, so we project it onto you. But you are so gracious, God, that you stick with us even then. You keep proving yourself, no matter how many times we ask it of you. In your mercy, you take that projection of doubt and bounce it back as blessed assurance."
"What are you doubting?
Can you believe for God's mercy?"
***
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Today is Tuesday, May 7th, 2024; Karen's Korner #5117
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Side Notes, vertical comments in the margins of each magazine, taken from the April/May edition of OUR IOWA magazine. Always fun!
"I remember my mother's prayers
and they have always followed me.
They have clung to me
all of my life."
~ Abraham Lincoln
*
"It is never too late
to become what
you are capable of becoming."
*
"When you invite trouble,
it never refuses the invitation."
*
"I got booted from the coffee club,
because I wore a tea shirt."
*
"A friend is one who overlooks
your broken fence
and admires
the flowers in your garden."
*
"Live simply,
live generously,
care deeply,
speak kindly,
and leave the rest to God."
*
"The greatest compliment
you can ever receive is
for someone to say,
'I feel good about me
when I'm around you.'"
*
"How much does a chimney cost?
Nothing,
it's on the house."
*
"Friends are the
chocolate chips
in the cookie of life."
***
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Today is Monday, May 6th, 2024; Karen's Korner #5116
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I was reading Psalm 34 this weekend. Marked in the margin was a note that I had used it as a Karen's Korner in March 11, 2021, #4404. I re-read it!
If it was good then, it is good today too! It talks about Molly and her coming speech. She graduates this Sunday. We celebrated with graduation party yesterday.
Our granddaughter Molly who is a high school freshman has a couple of entries in this year's state speech contest. The competition is today.
I texted her yesterday to wish her good luck.
Her text back to me: "Thank you. I think my speech will go well!"
I liked that confidence. I probably would have thought or texted "I hope I do well". What does it hurt to think it 'will' go well.? She didn't say anything hoping for a 1 rating; just that her speech would go well.
I have a couple of things on which I am working to do. From Molly's viewpoint, "I think they will go well!"
What do you have to do today that you think 'will go well'. Before it happens?
*
"I will praise the Lord no matter what happens. I will constantly speak of
His glories and grace.
I will boast of His kindness to me."
~ Psalm 34:1-2b LAB
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Today is Friday, May 3rd, 2024; Karen's Korner #5115
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Today is my birthday. Happy birthday to me!
If you are celebrating today too. Or near May 3, here is a Bible verse for you.......and me:
"Even in old age
they will still produce fruit
and be vital
and green.
This honors the Lord,
and exhibits His faithful care.
He is my shelter.
there is nothing
but goodness in Him!"
~ Psalm 92:14 & 15 LAB
*
Bible Commentary: "Honoring Gog is not limited to young people who are still blessed with physical strength and vitality. Even in old age, devoted believers can produce spiritual fruit. There are many faithful older people who have much to share and teach from a lifetime of living for God. Seek out an elderly friend or relative to tell you about life experiences with the Lord and challenge you to new heights of spiritual living."
***
God,
help me, help us,
to share You with others!
And help us as we grow older,
to still listen to those who are
older and wiser than we are!
Amen.
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Today is Thursday, May 2nd, 2024; Karen's Korner #5114
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Our church family is going through 1 Peter in our worship services. It shouldn't take too long as it is a book with five chapters.
A couple of weeks ago, our pastor concluded with several 'takeaways':
Here is his list of 'loving God and loving others. Take a second look and think of one name in each on the list to pray for today:
family, friends,
co-workers, neighbors,
cashiers, waiters/waitresses
community members, church family
local police, EMT workers
teachers students,
politicians
Now comes the harder part of the list:
people who hate you
insult you,
wish that bad would happen to you
(some of this list might not be personal,
they could be names we hear in the news
or leaders of bad countries!)
Jesus said,, "There is a saying, 'Love your friends, and hate your enemies.' But I say Love your enemies!
Pray for those who persecute you!
In that way you will be acting as true sons of your Father in heaven. ........If you love only those who love you, what good is that!
Even scoundrels do that much.
If you are friendly only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even the heathen do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect."
(Matthew 5:43 - 48 LAB)
****
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Today is Wednesday, May 1st, 2024; Karen's Korner #5113
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Welcome to the first day of May!
This is something written by Max Lucado from the first part of April:
GET OUT OF YOUR SHELL
"God loves all people groups and equips us to be his voice. He teaches us the vocabulary of distant lands, the dialect of the discouraged neighbor, the vernacular of the lonely heart, and the idiom of the young student. God outfits his followers to cross cultures and touch hearts.
"Pentecost makes this promise: if you are in Christ, God’s Spirit will speak through you. Let God unshell you. Galatians 6:4 (MSG) says, 'Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that.'
"Discover your language. With whom do you feel most fluent? For whom do you feel most compassion? Amazing what happens when we get out of our shells."
***
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Today is Tuesday, April 30th, 2024; Karen's Korner #5112
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Today's "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young is a good one. They are all good, but I really liked this one. For April 30:
"When some basic need is lacking----time, energy, money----consider yourself blessed. Your very lack is an opportunity to latch onto Me in unashamed dependence. When you begin a day with inadequate resources, you must concentrate your efforts on the present moment. This is where you are meant to live---in the present; it is the place where I always await you. Awareness of your inadequacy is a rich blessing, training you to rely wholeheartedly on Me.
"The truth is that self-sufficiency is a myth perpetuated by pride and temporary success. Health and wealth can disappear instantly as can life itself. Rejoice in you insufficiency, knowing that My Power is made perfect in weakness."
~ Taken from
James 1:2; 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NASB)
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Today is Monday, April 29th, 2024; Karen's Korner #5111
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"But Peter said,
'We don't have any money for you!
But I'll give you something else!!
I command you
in the name of
Jesus Christ of Nazareth,
WALK!'"
~ Acts 3:6 LAB
* Bible Commentary: "The lame beggar asked for money, but Peter gave him something much better---the use of his legs. We often ask God to solve a small problem, but he wants to give us a new life and help for all our problems. When we ask God for help, he may say, 'I've go t something even better for you.' Ask God for what you want, but don't be surprised when he give you what you really need."
***
Thank You, God,
that Your Word
is filled with
good news
for all of us!!
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