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June 2014 Archives

Printable Issue 2826  Today is Monday, June 2nd, 2014; Karen's Korner #2826

A couple of quotes from two respected Christian leaders over many decades:

"In dialogues with young people, many (say that) more than they want things,

they want to know how to find meaning and purpose.

I suggest they can achieve these desires only when they find three things:

a moral code to follow; a cause to serve; and a creed to believe in."

~  Billy Graham

*

"Let's focus more on the things we ought to do in serving our husband, our wife, our children, our brothers -

rather than on their shortcomings."

~  Mother Teresa

***



Printable Issue 2827  Today is Tuesday, June 3rd, 2014; Karen's Korner #2827

About everyone of my weekday emails from Max Lucado are good ones. Here is one a liked and printed off several weeks ago:

"If you were told you were free to enter the Oval Office at the White House, you'd shake your head and chuckle. 'You're one brick short of a load, buddy.' Multiply your disbelief by a thousand and you'll have an idea how a Jew would feel if someone told him he could enter the Holy of Holies--a part of the Temple no one could enter except the high priest and then only one day a year. Why? Because the glory of God was present there.

"God is holy, and we are sinners, and there is a distance between us. Like Job we say, 'If only there were a mediator who could bring us together.' 1 Timothy 2:5 says, 'There is one God and one mediator between God and man, the man, Jesus Christ.'

"God welcomes you. He's not avoiding you. The door is open. God invites you in."

***

Printable Issue 2828  Today is Wednesday, June 4th, 2014; Karen's Korner #2828

It's starting to get late to be transplanting starter plants, but I reset a handful yesterday:  planting several to replace what hadn't successful originally, plus a few others.

As I planted, I remembered the words of our long-time gardening neighbor Alice, who would coach, "Pinch the tops of the flowers so they will branch out and be fuller and bloom more." How hard that is to do! We tend to pick the bigger plants with the fullest flowers; now we have to take them off and toss them away?

I heeded Alice's long-time advice (on most of them; they are prettier if I don't!) and topped the flowers.

God sometimes does that to us or allows things which 'aren't that beautiful' to come into our lives. As our Heavenly Father, He better knows that as we are 'pinched' by some experience, we will be able to grow, develop, and branch out into the lives He has planned for us.

Praise be to Him!

"He cuts off every branch in us that bear no fruit,

while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful."

~ John 15:2 NIV

***




Printable Issue 2829  Today is Thursday, June 5th, 2014; Karen's Korner #2829

"Heart, body, and soul are filled with joy."

~ Psalm 16:9 LAB

*

Bible Commentary:  "David (writer) found the secret to joy. True joy is far deeper than happiness; joy can be felt even in the midst of and in spite of one's deepest troubles. Happiness is temporary because it is based on external circumstances, but joy is lasting because it is based on God's presence within us. As you contemplate his daily presence, you will find contentment. Don't base your life on circumstances, but on God."

***

I can't count the number of times when something is happening to me/us that I don't like! And I repeat this short verse over and over again. Sometimes my/our situation is not of my liking. If I remind myself that my 'heart, body, and soul are (still) filled with joy", I (plus God) can successfully weather the storm.

Thank, God, that you fill our hearts, bodies, and souls with joy!



Printable Issue 2830  Today is Friday, June 6th, 2014; Karen's Korner #2830

Today is a time of remembrance and reflection as our nation recalls 'D-Day', 70 years ago. Wars have never been welcomed by our country but are sometimes necessary to defend, protect, and preserve our way of life and with it, our freedoms. It also means that any WWII survivors have to be at least 87 years old!

I Thessalonians, in chapter 5, it tells us to 'always be thankful; always keep on praying'. So today, we are thankful' and continue to pray for these remaining WWII soldiers and those who continue to defend us!

*

Doryce called me yesterday with a request to pray for Arlis and 'would I put the request in Karen's Korner'? Here it is!

Have I done this before? No.

Would it set a precedence? Maybe.

Could we do a 'card shower' for her friend who is struggling with serious cancer issues and will be hospitalized for at least 3 weeks? Okay.

 Address: Arlis Sorensen, Iowa Methodist Medical Center; 1200 Pleasant Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50309.

We will deal with more requests like Doryce's in the future!

*

Father God, thank You for the way that You care for us every day; for the way You put people in our lives who are willing to care and protect us. Bless the remaining soldiers in WWII, and were part of our world's horrible struggle on D-Day. Continue to  bless and protect our soldiers serving our country today. We, also, ask Your hand of healing in the life of Arlis - bless her physically, mentally, spiritually. Care for her, soldiers, all of us........as only you can do. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

****


Printable Issue 2831  Today is Monday, June 9th, 2014; Karen's Korner #2831

Today's is a good one from Sarah Young and her "Jesus Calling:  Enjoying Peace in His Presence" (they are all good!). All of them are as if Jesus is talking with us (which He does in His Word, from where Young takes her thoughts):

"SEEK TO LIVE IN MY LOVE,

which covers a multitude of sins: both yours and others'.

Wear My Love like a cloak of Light, covering you from head to toe.

Have no fear, for perfect Love decimates fear.

Look at other people through lenses of Love; see them from My perspective.

This is how you walk in the Light, and it pleases Me.


"I want My Body of believers to be radiant with the Light of My Presence.

How I grieve when pockets of darkness increasingly dim the Love-Light.

Return to Me, your First Love!

Gaze at Me in the splendor of holiness, and My Love will once again envelop you in Light."

**

Today we are to read I Peter 4:8; I John 4:18; Revelation 2:4.


Printable Issue 2832  Today is Tuesday, June 10th, 2014; Karen's Korner #2832

Sunday is Fathers' Day. More and more studies show just how important dads are in the lives of their children. So let's celebrate the dad/child relationship this week!

Something from Max Lucado:

JUST RIGHT

"When my daughter was small, she wrote a song for me. From a musical standpoint, everything was wrong with it. The lyrics didn't rhyme. The rhythm was off. Technically, the song was a failure. But for me, the song was a masterpiece. Why? Because she wrote it for me. What dad wouldn't like that? What father wouldn't bask in the praise of even an off-key adulation?

"Ideally, when we approach God, our motive and the way we sing is as strong as the reason we sing. The words are just right; our worship is as attractive as it is sincere. But many times, it isn't. Many times our worship is less than what we want it to be. 'Lord, help!'

"'You will search for me,' God declared. 'And when you search for me with all your heart, you will find me. I will let you find me'. (Jeremiah 29:13). What a promise!"

***


Printable Issue 2833  Today is Wednesday, June 11th, 2014; Karen's Korner #2833

Today's 'korner' is the first two verses of Psalm 37. The introduction theme on the chapter says, "Trust the Lord and wait patiently for Him to act. This psalm contrasts the wicked person and the upright." The whole chapter is a good one; if you get the chance read the next 38 verses:

"Never envy the wicked!

Soon they fade away like grass and disappear."

~ Psalm 37, 1 & 2 LAB

*

Bible Commentary;  "We should never envy the wicked, even though some may be extremely popular or excessively rich. No matter how much they have, it will fade and vanish like grass that withers and dies. Those who follow God live in a different manner than the wicked, and in the end have the greater treasures in heaven. What the unbeliever gets lasts a lifetime, if he/she is lucky. What you get from following God lasts forever."

*

Dear Father in Heaven, thank You for Your plans, Your goodness which far exceeds what our thoughts and minds can picture. We see only today, and maybe tomorrow; we see evil happening in the news and around the world and we wonder. You tell us that those people and their activities will only last a short time compared to eternity. Thank You that You are You and take good care of Your Children.........US! In Jesus' Name, Amen.

***


Printable Issue 2834  Today is Thursday, June 12th, 2014; Karen's Korner #2834

Several short thoughts:


* "For the concert of life, no one receives a program."

~ A Dutch proverb

*

* "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning."

~ from Psalms

*

* "May the Lord grant me a sword and no need to use it."

~ Czech Proverb

*

"If you live to be a hundred, I wan to live to be a hundred minus one day,

so I never have to live without you."

~ Winnie the Pooh

*

"A sunrise is God's way of telling the world to lighten up!"

~ Roadside church sign

****



Printable Issue 2835  Today is Friday, June 13th, 2014; Karen's Korner #2835

One more Max Lucado (today's email) for Father's Day. He has recently published a book titled "Dad Time". I have not read it nor seen a copy, but I am sure it is typical "Max"; a breath of fresh air:

A Father's Day Remembrance

"I remember my first Father's Day without a father. Perhaps you do too. For thirty-one years, I had one of the best. But now he's gone. He is buried under an oak tree in a west Texas cemetery. It seems strange he isn't here. I guess that's because he was never gone. He was always close by. Always available. Always present. His words were nothing novel. His achievements, though admirable, were nothing extraordinary. But his presence was. Like a warm fireplace in a large house, he was a constant source of comfort.

"He comes to mind often. When I smell 'Old Spice' aftershave, I think of him. When I see a bass boat, I see his face. I hear him chuckle. He had a copyright chuckle that always came with a wide grin and arched eyebrows. And I knew if I ever needed him, he would be there.......like a warm fireplace!"

****


Printable Issue 2836  Today is Monday, June 16th, 2014; Karen's Korner #2836

To celebrate Father's Day yesterday, our church gave dads who attended a couple-inch wooden cube with a printed prayer on each of the six sides.

I am sharing three of them with you today:

Dear Father, when I feel frustrated and impatient,

please calm me with Your peace.

I surrender my need to control, for the good of my family and the serenity of my soul.

In Jesus' Name. Amen.

*

Lord Jesus, You said,

'Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God.'

Help me love and nurture my family with my whole heart, and to live a pure life according to Your Word.

Amen.

*

God, grant me the Serenity to accept my children as they are,

the Courage to lead them with Your guidance,

and the Wisdom to love them no matter what!

****

Printable Issue 2837  Today is Tuesday, June 17th, 2014; Karen's Korner #2837

Dear Lord,

Thank You for the gift of rain yesterday; we needed it. Help us not to complain when it doesn't come at the times, amounts, and ways which we'd like better!

Thank You for utility people who work hard to serve us. (We were without electricity for six hours last evening, getting our power back in the mid-morning today. Someone had to, and continue to work long hours, to get us back to GO!) Help us not to take them, and others like them, who will be helping with clean up of trees, branches, etc. for granted.

Thank You that You take care of everything and have it under control; forgive us when we think and say we want things different than they are. You want us to be a thankful people; filled with joy and prayer. We could do better.

AMEN.

***

Printable Issue 2838  Today is Wednesday, June 18th, 2014; Karen's Korner #2838

A couple Bible verses from Psalms; it talks about 'waning years'. Some of us are getting closer to 'waning' than others:

"I will keep on expecting you to help me.

I praise you more and more.

I cannot count the times when you have faithfully rescued me from danger.

I will tell everyone how good you are, and of your constant, daily care."

~ Psalm 71:14, 15 LAB

*

Bible Commentary:  "As we face the sunset years, we recognize that God has been our constant help in the past. As physical powers wane, we need God even more and more and we realize he is still our constant help. We must never despair, but keep on expecting his help no matter how severe our limitations. Hope in him helps us to keep going, to keep serving him.

***


Printable Issue 2839  Today is Thursday, June 19th, 2014; Karen's Korner #2839

Taken from a Billy Graham Evangelistic Association publication "Jesus Revealed", one entry:

TENDER AND LOVING SHEPHERD

Old Testament Prophecy:

"He will feed His fold like a shepherd; He will gather together His lambs--the weak and wobbly ones--into His arms.

He will carry them close to His bosom, and tenderly lead like a shepherd the mother of her lambs."

~ Isaiah 40:11

*

Prophecy fulfilled in Jesus:

"Jesus:  The shepherd walks openly through the entrance. The guard who is posted to protect the sheep opens the gate for the shepherd, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When all the sheep have been gathered, he walks on ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice."

~ John 10:2 - 4

*

Thought:

"Isaiah was inspired by the Spirit of God to explain how the coming Messiah, Jesus, would lead and care for people as a shepherd leads and cares for his sheep."

*

Jesus, on my own I am like a defenseless sheep, and I tend to wander. You are my Protector and Savior. Thank You that You have allowed me to know Your voice. Thank You that You have led me out of exile by Your death on the cross and that You rescued me. Please continue to guide me and protect me.

***


Printable Issue 2840  Today is Friday, June 20th, 2014; Karen's Korner #2840

A weekly dose of Max Lucado; a daily email message. This one taken from his book "God Came Near":

TO BE SEEN

"If we're not looking up to God, we're looking inward at ourselves and outward to each other. The result? Quarreling families. Restless leaders. Fence-building. No trespassing signs.

"If we see only ourselves, our tombstones will have the same epitaph Paul used to describe enemies of Christ:  'Their god is their own appetite, they glory in their shame, and this world is the limit of their horizon' (Philippians 3:19).

"It's why God came near. To be seen. It's why those who saw Him were never the same. Christianity, in its purest form, is nothing more than seeing Jesus. And Christian service is nothing more than imitating Him whom we see. The Bible says, 'Unless a man is born again, He cannot see the kingdom of God' (John 3:3).

"God came near. There is not truth more worthy of your time."

***


Printable Issue 2841  Today is Monday, June 23rd, 2014; Karen's Korner #2841

Whether people are much of a Bible scholar or not, chances are pretty good they know about Moses leading the Children of Israel out of slavery in Egypt; their crossing the Red Sea when God parted the waters so they could cross on dry land. If we didn't read about it in the Bible, we saw it in "The Ten Commandments" movie by Cecil B. DeMille.

Not so well know is the same ancestry being led back home into God's Promised Land; this time by Joshua. Again God parted the waters of the Jordan River so the masses could cross:


"'Now select twelve men, one from each tribe, for a special task. When the priests who are carrying  the Ark touch the water with their feet, the river will stop flowing as though held back by a dam, and will pile up as though against an invisible wall!'

"Now it was harvest season and the Jordan was overflowing all its banks; but as the people set out to cross the river and as the feet of the priests who were carrying the Ark touched the water at the river's edge, suddenly, far up the river at the city of Adam, near Zarethan, the water began piling up as thought against a dam! And the water below that point flowed on to the Dead Sea until  the riverbed was empty. Then all the people crossed at a spot where the river was close to the city of Jericho, and the priests who were carrying the Ark stood on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan and waited as all the people passed by."

~ Joshua 3:12 - 17 LAB

*

Bible Commentary:  "The Israelites were eager to enter the Promised Land, conquer nations, and live peacefully. But first they had to cross the flood-level waters of the Jordan River. God gave them specific instructions in order to cross, they had to step into the water. What if they had been afraid to take the first step? Often God provides no solution to our problems until we trust Him and move ahead with what we know we should do. What are the rivers, or obstacles, in your life? In obedience to God, take the first step into the water.

"God had parted the waters of the Red Sea to let the people out of Egypt, and now He parts the Jordan River to let them enter Canaan. These miracles showed Israel that God keeps His promises. God's presence among His people and His faithfulness to them made the entire journey from Egypt to the Promised Land possible. He was with them at the end of their wanderings just as He was in the beginning."

***




Printable Issue 2842  Today is Tuesday, June 24th, 2014; Karen's Korner #2842

Something from Max Lucado; talking about things in our families we'd rather have changed. Maybe what happened to us isn't as bad as what Max describes here, but most of us probably have something we'd just as soon would have been different:

GENERATIONAL GARBAGE

"Your family history doesn't have to be your future. The generational garbage can stop here and now.

"Don't give your kids what your ancestors gave to you. Talk to God about it, in detail. 'God, everyday I came home for school to find mom drunk, lying on the couch. I had to take care of baby brother, do my homework on my own. It's not right, God.' Difficult, for certain. But let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Let him replace 'childish thinking' with mature truth.

"A dear friend of mine was called to identify the body of his father who'd been shot by his ex-wife. The blast was just another in a long line of angry, violent family moments. He made this resolution:  'It stops with me.' And it has!"

"God wants to help you--for your sake! Trust Him---with His help, you'll get through this."

***



Printable Issue 2843  Today is Wednesday, June 25th, 2014; Karen's Korner #2843

We live in an older farm home, which has been in the family for one hundred-plus years. Once in awhile a mouse can make its way into our house; usually in the fall when 'wild animals' are looking for a warm place to land. We generally catch 3 - 4 in October or November. But we keep a trap or two set to keep them all 'honest'.

A couple weeks ago, I heard the familiar 'snap'. Usually there are a few seconds of 'scramble' before 'silence'. Not this time. The scrambling sound continued and continued. I had my husband Jim check it!

Seems the mouse wasn't attracted by the 'tasty morsel' I had on the trap; he was caught by one hind leg. It wasn't going to kill him, but he still couldn't escape!

When I looked at the trap (after Jim had dumped the small critter outside), I saw that one corner of the wooden trapped had been gnawed. He wasn't going down without a fight!

I thought about us. Are we sometimes 'caught in traps'? Some that just happen to us? Others of our own making? When those times come our way, are we just trapped? Or do we struggle to get free? Ask God for His help? Do we gnaw on the corner of the trap? Or just give up, as something from which no freedom can come?

Our mouse, Jim set free. Might be a three-legged mouse, but he regained his freedom!

Dear God, thank You that regardless the traps which come our way, we can bring them to You. Thank You nothing can separate us from Your Love and Care. Show us the way; Your Way! Help us to look to You. Sometimes You helps us out of our maze, with little effort on our part; other times You ask us to 'gnaw'. Help us to 'listen' and 'do', according to Your Will. And help us to celebrate the day...always!  Amen.

***


Printable Issue 2844  Today is Thursday, June 26th, 2014; Karen's Korner #2844

A couple of single verses from Psalms to start the day:

"Save me, O God, because I have come to you for refuge."

~ Psalm 16:1

*

"Why be discouraged and sad?

Hope in God!"

~ Psalm 42:6

*

"A thousand years are but as yesterday to you!

They are like a single hour!

~ Psalm 90:4

*

"You bound the world together so that it would never fall apart."

~ Psalm 104:5

*

"Oh, thank the Lord, for he's so good!

His lovingkindness is forever!"

~ Psalm 118:1,2

***

Printable Issue 2845  Today is Friday, June 27th, 2014; Karen's Korner #2845

Something from Sarah Young's "Jesus Calling:  Enjoying Peace in His Presence". There are 365 of them; one for each day of the year. They are written as if Jesus is talking with us today. She doesn't just make them up out of her head or life experiences; they are taken as thoughts from Bible verses. References for this one are Psalm 23:1-4 and 2 Corinthians 4:16-17.

They are all good, but this one was for yesterday:

"Stay calmly conscious of Me today, no matter what. Remember that I go before you as well as with you into the day. Nothing takes Me by surprise. I will not allow circumstances to overwhelm you, so long as you look to Me. I will help you cope with whatever the moment presents. Collaborating with Me bring blessings that far outweigh all your troubles. Awareness of My Presence contains Joy that can endure all circumstances."

***

Printable Issue 2846  Today is Monday, June 30th, 2014; Karen's Korner #2846

Something emailed to us last week by my Uncle Bud in Tennessee. It was a listing of "D" words used to describe the 'devil', 'Satan', or whatever word you choose to describe 'evil'. If we believe in 'God', ' Jesus', 'good', we also need to be aware that there is an opposing 'force':

"Be careful---watch out for attacks from Satan, your great enemy.

He prowls around like a hungry, roaring lion, looking for some victim to tear apart.

~ I Peter 5:8 LAB

*

'D' used to describe the Devil:

danger, defeat, discourage, disappoint, disillusion, disenchant, diminish, dishearten, dispirit, deflate, dampen, deject, depress, demoralize, disparage,

dishearten, divert, deflect, draw away, distract, damage, distress, destroy, deprive, deter, defect, disturb, decay, disgrace, drub, dispute, disprove.

dismay, deny, disallow, disrupt, disturb, drain, deplete, desecrate, defile, damage, demolish, dry, dull, drug, deaden

***