Karen's Korner

Today is Thursday, May 15th, 2008; Karen's Korner #1314

Today's Karen's Korner is from Joel and Victoria Osteen titled "Rejoice Always"; it is for you........but also for me...today!

Rejoice Always

"Rejoice in the Lord always. And again I say rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4, NIV).

"Did you know that you can rejoice always? In fact, as believers, we are commanded to rejoice. Rejoicing opens the door for victory in your life. When you rejoice and worship the Lord, you are making a declaration that your God is bigger than your problems! You are making a declaration that you trust Him! Now you may be thinking, 'How can I rejoice if I don’t feel like rejoicing?' Well, that word 'rejoice' in the original Greek is 'chairo' and it is actually a verb, an action word. You can choose to rejoice with your words and with your actions, no matter what you may be feeling. You may have to do what David did in Psalm 103, and actually tell yourself, 'Bless the Lord oh my soul and all that is within me.' When you make the choice to rejoice always, God will pour out His supernatural joy and strength upon you so you can live in victory in every area of your life today! "

Lord, thank You for Your Word today that brings freedom to my soul. I choose to rejoice in You always. I choose to declare Your goodness and faithfulness in all things. I bless Your name today. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Today is Wednesday, May 14th, 2008; Karen's Korner #1313

I received this from one of the Mechems, mom or daughter, who lived at one time in Iowa and now reside in Colorado. It is really good; maybe longer than some Karen's Korners. If time is short today, hang on to until a day you have some extra 'needs'.

Lessons in Life By Columnist Regina Brett

"To celebrate growing older, I once
wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column
I've ever written. My odometer rolls over to 50 this week, so here's
an update:"

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their
journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. E verything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry;
God never blinks.

16. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get
busy dying.
17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.
18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one
is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no
for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie.
Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years,
will this matter?"
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone, everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time, time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends
will. Stay in touch.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you
did or didn't do.
35. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.
38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's,
we'd grab ours back.

41. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
42. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
43. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
45. The best is yet to come.

46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
48. If you don't ask, you don't get.
49. Yield.

50. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

~~~

Today is Tuesday, May 13th, 2008; Karen's Korner #1312

Rather than traditional Christmas gifts, Jim and I gave Jamie and family; Ed and family an overnight stay at a motel complete with swimming pool. The first time it worked into everyone's schedule was this past weekend. Because we had a four-year-old, a two-year-old, a one-year-old, and two under one, we opted for a Des Moines motel with a zero entry pool and a maximum depth of 18 inches. It had water which was a couple of ticks cooler than a bath tub.

Even though it is shallow, our petite 2 1/2 year old Molly could barely reach the bottom when walking through the deepest part of the pool area. Getting water in her eyes or getting her headed ducked under the water was one big NO! It took her awhile to realize where the six inch portion was versus the eighteen inch.

Each time she would venture farther from the edge, I would walk with her saying, "deeper, deeper, deeper". Most of the time she would hang on to my hand as she ventured further with the water now lapping up to her chin as she marched forward. She wasn't afraid because I held her hand or I was right there to grab her as if she would mis-step.

I began to ask myself if God sometimes asks me to walk out into the ponds of life, farther and farther. Does He say "deeper, deeper, deeper"? And do I keep walking. All the time either holding His hand or watching for His eyes and face to make sure He will rescue me should I lose my footing and go down into the water of life's struggles?

Do I trust Him, like Molly trusted me? Or do I turn back toward the ankle deep water? Never venturing into the future He has intended for me?

Dear Father in Heaven, thank You for being my guide and for holding my hand; not just through the storms of life, but every day. Help me to trust You more and believe that You will rescue me from every situation which life might throw me. Thank You that you don't want me to be afraid and that You want me to keep on marching 'deeper, deeper, deeper'. In the Name of Your Son who makes the walk possible. Amen.

Today is Monday, May 12th, 2008; Karen's Korner #1311

A couple more Bible verse entries from "God's Guilding Touch for Mothers", as we walk away from celebrating Mothers' Day on Sunday:

GOD WALKS WITH MOTHERS THROUGH IMPATIENCE:

"But those who wait

on the Lord

shall renew their strength;

They shall mount up

with wings like eagles,

they shall run and

not be weary,

they shall walk and

not faint."

~~ Isaiah 40:31

GOD ENCOURAGES EACH MOTHER TO PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER:

"Now this is the confidence that we have in Him,

that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask,

we know that we have the petitions

that we have asked of Him."

~~ I John 5:14 - 15

GOD COMFORTS MOTHERS AS THEY LEARN TO CALL ON HIM:

"I will both lie down in peace, and sleep;

For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety."

~~ Psalm 4:8

"The angel of the Lord encamps

all around those who fear Him,

And delivers them."

~~ Psalm 34:7

"He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High

Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress;

My God, in Him I will trust.'"

~~ Psalm 91:1-2

****

Today is Friday, May 9th, 2008; Karen's Korner #1310

Some special Bible verses selected and printed in "God's Guilidng Touch for Mothers"; for moms at Mothers' Day:

GOD'S PLAN IS FOR MOTHERS TO COME TO HIM IN PRAYER:

"Let us therefore come boldly

to the throne of grace,

that we may obtain mercy and

find grace to help in time of need."

~ HEBREWS 4:16

GOD TEACHES MOTHERS TO WALK IN HIS WORD BY PRAYING FOR HIS WILL:

"Be anxious for nothing,

but in everything

by prayer and supplication,

with thanksgiving, let your

requests be made known to God;

and the peace of God,

which surpasses all understanding,

will guard your hearts and minds

through Christ Jesus."

~ Philippians 4:6-7

GOD WALKS WITH MOTHERS THROUGHT HEARTACHE:

"The Lord will

guide you continually,

And satisfy your soul in drought,

And strengthen your bones;

You shall be like a watered garden,

And like a spring of water,

whose waters do not fail."

~ Isaiah 58:11

GOD DELIGHTS IN MOTHERS WHO ARE SEEKING HIM:

"O God, You are my God;

Early will I seek you;

My soul thirsts for you;

My flesh longs for You

In a dry and thirsty land

Where there is no water."

~ Psalm 63:1

GOD WALKS WITH MOTHERS THROUGH FAILURE:

"Cast your burden on the Lord,

And He shall sustain you;

He shall never permit

the righteous to be moved."

~ Psalm 55:22

"Love bears all things,

believes all things,

hopes all things,

endures all things."

~ I Corinthians 13:7

****

Today is Thursday, May 8th, 2008; Karen's Korner #1309

A couple of sayings from Christian best selling author Barbara Johnson's "Every Time I Get My Act Together The Curtain Comes Down!" flip calendar. Some of her best for Mothers' Day week:

** Adolescence is the awkward age when a child is too old to say something cute and too young to say something sensible.

** Any child can tell you that the sole purpose of a middle name is so he can tell when he/she is really in trouble.

** The joy of motherhood: What a woman experiences when all the children are finally in bed.

** Just when a woman thinks her work is done, she becomes a grandmother.

** The handwriting on the wall means that the grandchildren have found the crayons.

** Motherhood: If it was going to be easy, it never would have started with something called labor.

** On Mother's Day, I think moms should be able to wake up and say to themselves: I'm not just a housewife, I'm a domestic goddess!

Today is Wednesday, May 7th, 2008; Karen's Korner #1308

From Max Lucado's book "The Gift for all people", chapter titled LEAVING THE PORCH LIGHT ON:

"He's waiting for you. God is standing on the porch of heaven, expectantly hoping, searching the horizon for a glimpse of his child. You're the one God is seeking.

"God is the waiting Father, the caring Shepherd in search of his lamb. His legs are scratched, his feet are sore, and his eyes are burning. He scales the cliffs and traverses the fields. He explores the caves. He cups his hands to his mouth and calls into the canyon.

"He is the Housewife in search of the lost coin. No matter that he has nine others; he won't rest until he has found the tenth. He searches the house. He moves furniture. He pulls up rugs. He cleans out the shelves. All other tasks can wait. Only one matters----the coin of great value to him. He owns it. He will not stop until he finds it.

"The coin he seeks is you.

"God is the Father pacing the porch. His eyes are wide with his quest. His heart is heavy. He seeks his prodigal. He searches the horizon, yearning for the familiar figure, the recognizable gait. His concern is the son who wears his name, the child who bears his image. You.

"He wants you home.

"God wants you to be free of yesterday's guilt. He wants you free of today's fears. He wants you free of tomorrow's grave. Sin, fear, and death. These are the mountains he has moved by the power of the cross. These are the prayers he will answer through the gift of his love.

"The message is simple: God gave up his Son in order to rescue all his sons and daughters. To bring his children home. He's listening for your answer."

Today is Tuesday, May 6th, 2008; Karen's Korner #1307

Last weekend was our annual Sister Slumber Party (there are five of us!). As we walked around the streets of Amana, Amy (sister #3 who is a year younger than I am) sometimes would have to sit down to rest her hip.

On Christmas eve of 2000, their house burned. While standing in the street watching the firemen work and with all of the excitement, Amy collapsed. They temporarily forgot the house and worked to revive Amy. While scurrying to load her into a rescue vehicle, they dropped her off the rescue board. Thus she has some after affects of the 'non-secured' rescue attempts.

Occasionally, she has someone say to her, "You should have sued them."

Amy's response, "Why would I sue them? They saved my life!"

Do you have something going on in your life which you know only God can fix? Did you pray for the rescue of a loved one only to have your prayers go unanswered? Or not answered the way you believe was the 'right' one? Are our thoughts tangled in the fact that, if we could, we would sue Jesus for neglect in 'dropping us on the street of life' or for His non-attention?

Maybe we are like Amy, grateful with our thoughts of thankfulness to God, regardless of our prayed outcomes and the grateful words, "He saved my life!"

Dear Father God, thank You for Your love and care and saving grace. Thank You that You have rescued us spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. And many times physically. Forgive us for any time we have not been rescued physically in the way we would have chosen. Help us to remember Your words to us that 'all things work together for good to those who love You'. Thank You for saving our lives. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Today is Monday, May 5th, 2008; Karen's Korner #1306

A well-known children's Sunday School song, verse one, two and three; for the little kid in all of us. Sometimes we need to be reminded:

Jesus loves me this I know

For the Bible tells me so

Little one to Him belong

They are weak but He is strong.

Yes, Jesus loves me

The Bible tells me so.

Jesus loves me still today

Walking with me on my way

Wanting as a friend to give

Light and love to all who live.

Yes, Jesus loves me

The Bible tells me so.

Jesus loves me this I know

As He did so long ago

Taking children on His knew

Saying let them come to me.

Yes, Jesus loves me

The Bible tells me so.

Today is Friday, May 2nd, 2008; Karen's Korner #1305

A daily devotional email sent to me last October by Shirley Choat:

"Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong." 1 Corinthians 16:13

"We must remember that it it not in any easy or self-indulgent life that Christ will lead us to greatness. The easy life leads not upward, but downward. Heaven always is above us, and we must ever be looking up toward it. There are some people who always avoid costly things, and that which requires self-denial, self-restraint or sacrifice. But toil and hardship show us the only way to nobleness. Greatness comes not by having a mossy path made for you through the meadow, but by being sent to cut out a roadway by your own hands. Are you going to reach the mountain splendors?

"Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men and women. Do not pray for tasks equal to your power. Pray for powers equal to your taks. Then the doing of your work shall be no miracle, but you shall be the miracle.

Be strong, we are not here to play, to dream, to drift;

We have hard work to do, and loads to lift.

Shun not the struggle; face it. 'Tis God's gift.

Be strong, it matters not how deep entrenched the wrong,

How hard the battle goes, the day how long,

Faint not, fight on, tomorrow comes the song.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - Stand up, speak out, and bravely pray, in God's name.