My sister Jan enjoys reading the 'Chicken Soup for the Soul' books. She copied and gave me, one entry from 'Chicken Soup for the Surviving Soul' which has entries written by those who have survived cancer. The writer says nothing about cancer. No matter can be 'good news' for any of us.

The Best Day of My Life

"Today, when I awoke, I suddenly realized that this is the best day of my life, ever!

"There were times when I wondered if I would mike it to today, but I did! And because I did I'm going to celebrate!

"Today, I'm going to celebrate what an unbelievable life I have had so far; for the accomplishments, the many blessings, and yes, even the hardships, because they have served to make me stronger.

"I will go through this day with my head held high and a happy heart. I will marvel at God's seemingly simple gifts:  the morning dew, the sun, the clouds, the trees, the flower, the birds. Today, none of these miraculous creations will escape my notice.

"Today, I will share my excitement for life with other people. I'll make someone smile. I'll go out of my way to perform an unexpected act of kindness for someone I don't even know. Today, I'll give a sincere compliment to someone who seems down. I'll tell a child how special he is, and I'll tell someone I love just how deeply I care for her and how much she means to me.

"Today is the day I quit worrying abut what I don't have and start being grateful for all the wonderful things God has already given me. I'll remember that to worry is just a waste of time because my faith in God and His Divine Plan ensures everything will be just fine.

"And tonight, before I go to bed, I'll go outside and raise my eyes to the heavens. I will stand in awe at the beauty of the stars and the moon, and I will praise God for these magnificent treasures.

"As the day ends and I lay my head down on my pillow, I will thank the Almighty for the best day of my life. And I will sleep the sleep of a contented child, excited with expectation because I know tomorrow is going to be the best of my life, ever!"

~ Gregory M. Lousig-Nont, PhD.

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(Sorry for no Karen's Korner yesterday. My computer has been in the 'computer hospital' pretty much of the week for a check up. The computer guy was at home working on it yesterday when my 'post' time was up, so I missed!)

On November 15, my mom would have celebrated her 100th birthday! She passed away 5 1/2 years ago at 94 plus. As you know enjoy, and many of you have, words from Sarah Young in her "Jesus Calling:  Enjoying Peace in His Presence".

This is what she wrote for November 15. I really liked it:

"Approach problems with a light touch.

When your mind moves toward a problem area,

you tend to focus on that situation so intensely that you lose sight of Me.

You pit yourself against the difficulty as if you had to conquer it immediately.

Your mind gears up for battle, and your body becomes tense and anxious.

Unless you achieve total victory, you feel defeated.

"There is a better way.

When a problem starts to overshadow your thoughts, bring this Matter to Me.

Talk with Me about it and look at it in the Light of My Presence.

This puts some much needed space between you and your concern,

enabling you to see from My perspective.

You will be surprised at the results.

Sometimes you may even laugh at yourself

for being so serious about something so insignificant.

"You will always face trouble in this life.

But more importantly, you will always have Me with you,

helping you to handle whatever you encounter.

Approach problems with a light touch by viewing them

in My revealing Light."

~ Taken from Psalm 89:15; John 16:33

***

Yesterday and today are both days we can remember to celebrate veterans and Veterans' Day. Hopefully, we either recognized some current and past military men and women yesterday or we will have the opportunity today!

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"We are pressed on every side by troubles,

but not crushed and broken.

We are perplexed because we don't know why things happened as they do,

but we don't give up and quit.

We are hunted down, but God never abandons us.

We get knocked down,

but we get up again and keep going."

~ 2 Corinthians 4:8 - 10 LAB

*

Bible Commentary:  "Paul (writer) reminds us that though we may be at the end of our rope, we are never at the end of hope. Our perishable bodies are subject to sin and suffering, but God never abandons us. Because Christ won the victory over death, we have eternal life. All our risks, humiliations, and trials are opportunities to demonstrate Christ's power and presence in us."

***** 

Something written by Max Lucado as we had into the weekend and worship times on Sunday:

EVERY GIFT IS NEEDED

"Two of my teenage years were spent carrying a tuba in my high school marching band. Not necessarily what you'd describe as a call from God, but it wasn't a wasted experience either. I learned some facts about harmony that I'll pass on to you. Would you attend a concert of a hundred tubas? Probably not. But what band would be a band without a tuba? Or a flute? Or a trumpet? Or a steady drum? Get the idea? The operative word is need. They need each other. By themselves, they make music. But together, they make magic.

"What I saw decades ago in the marching band, I see today in the church. We need each other. Not all of us play the same instrument. Not all of us make the same sound. Some are soft, and others are loud. Some convert the lost. Others encourage the saved. And some keep the movement in step. But all are needed!

"'Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ' (1 Corinthians 12:12)."

****

Taken from "One Minute Prayers for Women" by Hope Lyda:

PRAISE

"May my prayer be set before you like incense;

may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice."

~ Psalm 141:2

*

"I talk too much. My prayers don't leave room for breath, and reflection. I petition without praise. Lord, lead me to a deeper prayer life. Even as I pray right now, I can let my mind wander to things that need to be done, or requests I want to make while I have Your attention.

"Let me come to You in silence and with a spirit of worship. May my words wind their way to You like tendrils of burning incense. In Your presence I will surrender my own will."

***

YOU ARE ON GOD'S MIND

"I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands."

~ Isaiah 49:15 - 16 NKJV

"Noah was totally helpless to change his situation. There was nothing he could do except to stay on the ark and tend to the needs of his family and those of the animals until God in some way brought deliverance. He had to keep his faith in God while simply waiting out the silence that followed the storm.

"Although He had seen silent, God had not forgotten Noah. In fact, since Noah and his family were the only living persons on the face of the earth, we can be sure they had God's total, undivided attention every moment.

"Do you think God's silence in your life means He has forgotten you? Oh, no! God says He has engraved your name on the palms of His hands. He says that a mother could forget her nursing baby at mealtime before He could forget you! You are in God's heart and on His mind every moment. He is fully informed of your circumstances and will bring about change when He knows the time is right."

~ By Anne Graham Lotz

***

It's election day and an opportunity to make our voices heard on the direction of our government leadership, from local offices to those in the federal government.

As I watched a portion of the news this morning, I couldn't help but think how tired candidates must be from the campaign and the sprint to the finish line, regardless of political party alignment!

Isaiah 40:29 - 31 says, "He (God) gives power to the tired and worn out, and strength to the weak. Even the youths shall be exhausted, and the young men will all give up. But they that wait upon 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."

Bible Commentary on these verses states, "Even the strongest people get tired at times, but God's power and strength never diminish. He is never too tired or too busy to help and listen. His strength is our source of strength. When you feel all of life crushing you, and you cannot go another step, remember that you can call upon God to renew your strength."

We have His strength of energy and mind 'to wait on Him' as people vote and election returns come in later tonight. And since God is in control of everything that happens in the world, He reminds us that "Victory is Mine"!