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December 2014 Archives

Printable Issue 2956  Today is Monday, December 1st, 2014; Karen's Korner #2956

December 1; wow! Let the countdown begin toward Christmas........and the gift giving!

In the past few months, I have been given and sent lots of things and the pile on my desk has no bottom! Last weekend, I dug out a clipping that someone sent to me. I have no idea who. But I would like to share a portion of it in Karen's Korner today. It is titled "If I could give you one thing......" with the sub-heading "People see you completely different than they way you see yourself", written by Connie Glandon from Charles City, Iowa.

Read with eyes telling the story about yourself. Then think of some other person who could use this message today:


"There is a quote that goes like this, 'If I could give you one thing, I would give you the ability to see yourself through my eyes, only then would you realize how special you are to me.'

"Right now in my family and circle of friends there seem to be so many people who are hurting and going through so much junk in the world. So I am going to take this quote and Connie-ize it for each them.

"My loved one, if I could give you one thing I would give you the ability to see yourself as I do and you would see how competent and brilliant you are....no job interview or technical test can truly measure all the knowledge stored in your magnificent brain and it certainly cannot measure the goodness in your heart or the passion you have for things you love. To me you are a superhero.......you are at a glorious new season in life........you may be alone, but you don't have to be lonely. There are many who are willing to be there for you .... It is good to get comfortable with yourself."

".......if you could see yourself as I do, you would see you are beautiful and funny and that the mirror only shows you what you think, not the truth. Believe me, you are your harshest critic. ....you would see how much of an impact your sweet life has had on our family (friends)......I love you so much. You bring me joy.

".......you would see how much sacrificing you have done for others over the years.........you would see what an amazing, servant-driven heart you have and that you are the nicest person I have ever known........I would tell how thankful I am for you and your ability to tell me the truth even when it isn't pretty. Thanks for putting your arm around me and helping me back on the right path.

"If you are struggling right now because the world seems to be cruel, always remember that there are people out there who see you completely different than the way you see yourself."

Printable Issue 2957  Today is Tuesday, December 2nd, 2014; Karen's Korner #2957

Something from Billy Graham as we come into the Christmas season:


Heavenly Herald

"I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."

~ John 10:10

*

"Christmas is not just a date on the calendar. It is not just an annual holiday. It is not a day to glorify selfishness and materialism. Christmas is the celebration of the event that set Heaven to singing, an event that gave the stars of the night sky a new brilliance.

"Christmas tells us that at a specific time and at a specific place, a specific person was born. That person was (in the words of an ancient Christian creed):

'God of God. Light of Light, very God of very God.'

"That person was the Lord Jesus Christ.

"And from the lips of Him who came fell these words:  'The Son of Man has come to seek and save that which was lost' (Luke 19:10). Like piercing trumpets, these words heralded the divine. They declared that Heaven had come to our rescue and that God had not left us to stumble alone on Earth's pathway.

"What a wonderful and glorious hope we have because of that first Christmas!"

***



Printable Issue 2958  Today is Wednesday, December 3rd, 2014; Karen's Korner #2958

I received this daily email today from Anne Graham Lots; enjoy:

FREE AT LAST!

Being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross!

~ Philippians 2:18 NIV

*

Christ 'made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness, And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross!' (Philippians 2:7 & 8) How awesome to consider that the Creator of the universe, unbound in time and space for all eternity, chose to be bound

~ by a woman's womb for nine months,

~ by the body of a man that knew weariness and hunger,

~ by a Roman cross, with His hands and feet pinned by spikes,

~ by a borrowed tomb.....

"Why? So that you and I might be set free from the problems that threaten to bind us and keep us from fulfilling God's intended purpose for our lives.

"Praise God! We can be free, truly free at last, from all that binds us, because the One Who is gloriously eternal, unbounded by time and space, was willing to be bound!"

***

Printable Issue 2959  Today is Thursday, December 4th, 2014; Karen's Korner #2959

A 'Christmas writing' (or any time!) from Max Lucado:


JUST CALL HIM JESUS

"God's plan for humanity...it was crafted in the halls of heaven and carried out on the plains of earth. Only holiness could have imagine it. Only divinity could have enacted it. Only righteousness could have endured it.

"When God chose to reveal himself, he did so through a human body. The hand that touched the leper had dirt under his nails. The feet upon which the women wept were calloused and dusty. And his tears---oh, don't miss His tears. They came from a heart as broken as yours or mine has ever been.

So people came to him! Not one person was reluctant to approach him for fear of being rejected. Remember that the next time you find yourself amazed at your own failures! Or the next time you hear a lifeless liturgy. Remember. It's man who creates the distance. It's Jesus who builds the bridge!

***

Printable Issue 2960  Today is Friday, December 5th, 2014; Karen's Korner #2960

I am receiving a handful of writings, publications, thoughts from family members and friends -surrounding the holidays and how to handle grief in losing Jim - a husband, or any family member, friend. I am not the only who has ever experienced loss; some tips can be for anyone!

Tips tell things such as how to relieve loneliness, letting others help, easing your adjustment, relying on your faith, do not dwell on regrets.

Here are a couple of quotes; good for me. Maybe good for some Karen's Korner readers:

"But if grief is resolved, why do we still feel a sense of loss come anniversaries and holidays, and even when we least expect it? Why do we feel a lump in the throat, even six years after the loss? It is because healing does not mean forgetting, and because moving on with life does not mean that we don't take a part of our lost loved one with us."

~ Adolfo Quezada, writer

*

Our Australian foreign exchange daughter Karen and her family are working for a year in United Kingdom. Even before Jim's death, she, her husband, and three children had planned to spend Christmas in Iowa with us for a week. While our family is experiencing change, we are excited and looking forward to a busy week of fun, as their eight, seven, and five year olds enjoy snow (hopefully) and cold temperatures for the first time.

"If you feel regretful about something you did or did not do before your spouse died, try to be gentle on yourself. This person who loved you so much would not judge you so harshly; neither should you submit yourself to such painful hindsight."

*

While Jim had heart problems for forty years and was retired from farming for twenty of them, we traveled at least twice a year - all over the world, literally:  we added on enough states to have been to all fifty of them; half of the Canadian provinces; and places such as Beijing, Costa Rica, Australia, New Zealand, Egypt. While we spent time in hospitals periodically over those forty years, Jim was never sick nor hospitalized while we were gone. Upon reflection, what a gift!

We tended to focus all those years: not on what was gone (no longer farming; not able to do.....), but on what was left and, except for the last few months of Jim's life, there was always more left, than what had been taken away from us.

"It helps to consider that our loved ones are happy - free of pain and hassles- and that we will be together again. Also, if you died, would you want your loved ones to deeply mourn the rest of their lives? You would want the to enjoy life as much as possible. They want this for you now."

~ Father Ken Czillinger

*

One day last week, as I pulled up to our farm home, the thought flashed through my mind as I looked at Jim's parked pick up at the end of our sidewalk, "Oh, Jim's home!", before I could catch my thoughts. My next one was, "Wow! he is really 'home'!", much better existence now:  body free from pain, younger, no struggles. I can't dwell too much on what he and Merry now have:  it's a future and a hope, better than what this world can offer......and they are enjoying it!


How about you and any losses any of you may have experienced?


Printable Issue 2961  Today is Monday, December 8th, 2014; Karen's Korner #2961

"Give, and it will be given to you.

A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over,

will be poured into your lap..."

~ Luke 6:38

I had the opportunity to ring bells for Salvation Army in Mason City (Iowa) with a group of volunteers representing our church family on this past Saturday afternoon. We worked in teams, ringing bells for two hours, at seven doors of business places in the city. It is an annual project of our mission and outreach committee.

I told Jim's story of something which had happened to him while he was in the U.S Army, to our volunteer team:

While he was stationed in New Jersey, some of the soldiers would make their way to New York City to experience the sights and sounds of the big city. Jim told that one time someone stole his wallet which included his money and his identification. Not knowing what to do, he made his way to the local Salvation Army; telling them of his plight.

A staff member agreed to walk with him to the nearest bus station, purchased his bus ticket back to base, and gave him several dollars to purchase lunch on the ride back 'home'.

As he boarded the bus, he said to the Salvation Army worker, "How do I pay you back? Can you give me an address?"

"You don't," was the reply, "just remember us whenever you see a red kettle."


Over more than fifty years, Jim saw many red kettles and responded positively nearly every time he spotted one!

The group was repaid many times over by a soldier who was in dire need one day!


Printable Issue 2962  Today is Tuesday, December 9th, 2014; Karen's Korner #2962

"An Ebola Doctor's Return from the Edge of Death" reads the headlines of The New York Times article, printed recently.

Doctor #4 with the deadly disease is Dr. Ian Crozier and he continues to recover with his family who now resides in Arizona.

The Crozier family came to Clarion about thirty years ago. Ian's dad, also a doctor, brought his family of six to our community, when Ian was beginning high school. The family was well-loved and well-received, as they relocated to their new home in Iowa, from their native country in Africa.

A Clarion-Goldfield graduate, the younger Crozier, went to college and medical school in Tennessee. It was early this summer that we learned Ian would be serving a short term in Sierra Leone with the World Health Organization, working with Ebola patients.

After several weeks of his care, Dr. Crozier contracted the deadly disease!

His 'news' was one of the 'best kept' and 'worst kept' secrets in our Clarion area! Stories like his travel fast in small towns; where lots of people know and care for one another. It was the first part of September when several people in town were told that 'Ian had Ebola....didn't want the attention........but would we pray for him?......"

And the word spread. Not wanting the media to get a hold of the information; how do we keep a story like this to stay away from our speedy technology communication and social media?

Everyone knew, what no one was supposed to know......

People prayed; as individuals, in small groups, at churches!

And amazingly, the 'world out there' got the story when the Crozier family agreed to tell it; several days ago.

The good news:  God continues to care for Ian, the Crozier family, as his health continues to improve. As it says in the story:  Crozier had the worst case of Ebola who has survived the disease.....

We continue to pray for, and celebrate with the Croziers, as they enjoy the Christmas season anew.

We can again celebrate a God who takes care of us continually, and performs miracles as real as those we read in the Bible any day.

(I generally don't put web stories in Karen's Korners. If you'd like to read the entire New York Times story, please email me and I will forward it to you.)



Printable Issue 2963  Today is Wednesday, December 10th, 2014; Karen's Korner #2963

Just for fun from a 'pass along' email sent to me by Sharon Dawz; kids describing their take on 'angels':


"I only know the name of two angels:  Hark and Harold".

~ Reagan, age 6

*

"Angels have a lot to do and they keep very busy. If you loose a tooth, an angel comes through your window and leaves money under your pillow. Then when it gets cold, angels go south for the winter."

~ Sara, age 6

*

"Angels live in cloud houses made by God and his Son, who is a very good carpenter."

~ Jared, age 6

*

"All angels are girls because they gotta wear dresses and boys didn't go for it."

~ Antonio, age 9

*

"My angel is my grandma who died last year. She got a big head start on helping me while she was still down here on earth."

~ Ashley, age 9

*

"Angels work for God and watch over kids when God has to go do something else."

~ Mitchell, age 7

*

"My guardian angel helps me with my math, but he's not much good for science."

~ Henry, age 8

*

"Angels don't eat, but they drink milk from Holy Cows!!"

~ Jack, age 6

*

"When an angel gets mad, he takes a deep breath and counts to ten and when he lets out his breath again, somewhere there's a tornado."

~ Ashley, age 9

*

"Some of the angels are in charge of helping heal sick animals and pets. And if they don't make the animals get better, they help the child get over it."

~ Vicki, age 8

*

"What I don't get about angels is why, when someone is in love, they shoot arrows at them."

~ Sarah, age 7

****

Printable Issue 2964  Today is Thursday, December 11th, 2014; Karen's Korner #2964

For the week surrounding the 4th of July, Anne Graham Lotz asked people to 'an urgent call to prayer'. Each day she emailed a list of prayers, praises, and requests for our nation and our world.

Day Two began with these worship words (good for any day!):


"We worship You, Lord Jesus Christ, as the Father's only begotten Son,

the One to whom the Father has given everything.

You are His Heir of all things.

You made the world at Creation,

You bought it at Calvary, and it's Your right to own and rule it.....and us.

You hold the world in the palm of Your hand,

yet You are the same One who sees when a sparrow falls.

The same One who clothes the lilies of the field.

The same One who fed 5,000 hungry men and their families with five loaves and two fish.

You have promised to meet all our needs according to the riches of Your glory,

because You are Jehovah-Jireh,

the Lord Our Provider."

***

Printable Issue 2965  Today is Friday, December 12th, 2014; Karen's Korner #2965

Something written by Sarah Young's "JESUS CALLING:  Enjoying Peace in His Presence", a daily flip-calendar or book entry. She writes as if Jesus is talking to me/us, using Bible verses to back up her writing. This is yesterday's entry:


"I am working on your behalf.

"Bring me all your concerns, including your dreams. Talk with Me about everything, letting the Light of My Presence shine on your hopes and plans. Spend time allowing My Light to infuse your dreams with life, gradually transforming them into reality.

"This is a very practical way of collaborating with Me. I, the Creator of the universe, have deigned to co-create with you. Do not try to hurry the process. If you want to work with Me, you have to accept My time frame. Hurry is not in My nature. Abraham and Sarah had to wait many years for the fulfillment of My promise, a son. How their long wait intensified their enjoyment of this child!

"Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, perceiving as real what is not revealed in the senses."

*

Psalm 36:9; Genesis 21:1-7; Hebrews 11:1 (AMP)

***

Printable Issue 2966  Today is Monday, December 15th, 2014; Karen's Korner #2966

Something which I received in an email, telling of the Christmas story and Christ's birth, but we tend to just remember the JOY of the manger scene and the nativity. We forgot about some of the dilemma of the time. Written by John Eldrege (in part):

CHRISTMAS IS AN INVASION

"The news reports this fall on the execution of children by ISIS guerillas left us all speechless.

"We received a number of desperate emails crying out for prayer. It was---and remains---horrible.

:All this lingers in my mind as I re-read an often overlooked portion of the Christmas story:


"'Herod was  furious when he learned that the wise men had outwitted him. He sent soldiers to kill all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, because the wise men had told him the star first appeared to them about two years earlier. Herod's brutal action fulfilled the prophecy of Jeremiah:  'A cry of anguish is heard in Ramah---weeping and mourning unrestrained. Rachel weeps for her children, refusing to be comforted---for they are dead.'  ~ Matthew 2:16 -18.'


"I have never seen this part of the story portrayed in any pageant or manger scene. For those of us raised in middle America, this genocide was completely left out of our Christmas understanding. Our visions of the nativity were shaped by the lovely crèche displays in parks, church lawns, and on many coffee tables. And while I love those tableaus very much, I am convinced they are an almost total re-write of the story.

"On the night before the military 'massacre of the innocents,' as it has come to be called, another urgent moment took place:


"'After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, 'Get up and free to Egypt with the child and His mother,' the angel said. 'Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to try to kill the child.' That night Joseph left for Egypt with the child and Mary, His mother, and they stayed there until Herod's death.' ~ Matthew: 13 - 15


"This, too, seems right out of the devastation in the Middle East -- refugees fleeing for their lives, taking cover in a foreign county. But nor have I seen this portrayed in the lovely imagery surrounding Christmastime. I understand, the imagery is dear to many of us, but it also profoundly deceiving, it creates all sort of warm feelings, associations, and expectations -- many quite subconscious - of what the nature of the Christian life is going to be like for us.

"The omissions are, in fact, dangerous - the equivalent of ignoring the movement of ISIS......

***



Printable Issue 2967  Today is Tuesday, December 16th, 2014; Karen's Korner #2967

A week ago our Sunday School class spent our hour together taking a closer look at Mary, Jesus mother. Here is just a portion of what we read:


Mary

The Mother of Jesus.

The one human being who was with Jesus from birth to death.

Willing to be available to God.

*

Luke 1:26 - 29 NIV:  "In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."

"Mary was greatly troubled of his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be."

*

Commentary:  "Mary was young, poor, female---all characteristics that to the people of her day, would make her seem unusable to God for any major task. But God chose Mary for one of the most important acts of obedience he has ever demanded of anyone. You may feel that your situation in life makes you an unlikely candidate for God's service. Don't limit God's choices. He can us you if you trust him."

***



Printable Issue 2968  Today is Wednesday, December 17th, 2014; Karen's Korner #2968

Here is something emailed to me yesterday by Nate Haugen, as part of his Christmas newsletter to his friends and family. Nate is a young man who is out of the gay lifestyle and now helps others who, like him, seek a 'do-over'

THE GREAT EXCHANGE

"This past season I have been impacted by the reality of the "Great Exchange". There is something divine when we fully understand the precious gift of Jesus.

"Jesus left His Father's side in order to bear the sins of all man-kind: past, present, and future. He humbled Himself to become flesh and be born by a virgin in a manger. We all know the story but sometimes forget its significance. In any exchange one thing is given in order to receive another thing. Jesus came to give us the possibility of everlasting life in exchange for our petty, selfish, proclaiming sins. Yet, there is more! Jesus came to exchange the way we think about ourselves and give us renewed minds, to give us back our original identity in Him. All this in exchange for our own fleshly identity that we came up with in order to cope in a wicked and simply difficult world.

"If the rooster crows in the morning, we can say 'Yes! Thank you God for the alarm,' but there is so much more to thank Him for! Such as, another day to be alive, another breath to breath, another day to spend in relationship with Him. Likewise with the Great Exchange is so much more than Jesus coming to save us from our sins, say the prayer, and then go on with life!

"This baby that we celebrate and light candles for Sunday after Sunday in December is not just our Savior. He is our healer of past wounds, our joy in place of our sorrow, our transformer in place of our addictions, and ungodly way of living. There is so much to grasp over this baby! The baby is truly not some great man who never sinned, or a past hero. This baby is Jesus Christ, who in the book of Revelation, speaks of having fire in His eyes to bring justice to the nations. I want more justice for my body, soul, and spirit!

"The Great Exchange calls us to boldly follow the Jesus through the narrow gates to a life that is so full of all good things."

****



Printable Issue 2969  Today is Thursday, December 18th, 2014; Karen's Korner #2969

"About this time Caesar Augustus, the Roman Emperor, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the nation. This census was taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.

"Everyone was required to return to his ancestral home for this registration. And because Joseph was a member of the royal line, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, King David's ancient home---journeying there from the Galilean village of Nazareth. He took with him Mary, who was obviously pregnant by this time.

"And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born, and she gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the village inn."

~ Luke 2:1 - 7 LAB

*

Commentary:  "A Roman census was taken to aid military conscription or tax collection. The Jews didn't have to serve in the Roman army, but they could not avoid paying taxes. Augustus' decree went out in God's perfect timing and according to his perfect plan to bring his Son into the world.

"God controls all history. By the decree of Caesar Augustus, Jesus was born in the very town prophesied for his birth, even though his parents did not live there. Joseph and Mary were both descendants of King David. The Old Testament is filled with prophecies that the Messiah would be born in David's royal line.

"The government forced Joseph to make a 70-mile trip just to pay his taxes. His fiancée, who had to go with him, was going to have their baby any moment. But when they arrived in Bethlehem, they couldn't even find a place to stay. When we do God's will, we are not guaranteed a comfortable life; we are promised only that even our discomfort has meaning in God's plan."

***


Printable Issue 2970  Today is Friday, December 19th, 2014; Karen's Korner #2970

(Please note that I am going to take a week off from sending Karen's Korners and will resume on December 29th. Our Australian daughter, Karen, and her family will be with us for one week over the Christmas holiday. We will be around, but in and out. Please celebrate with us and with your families Jesus' gift!) 


I had the opportunity to attend the Sunday School Christmas program of our grandchildren last Sunday morning. Their story had the 'innkeeper' on trial for not finding room in his inn for Mary and Joseph. Luke (fifth grader) was the judge; Molly (third grader) was the prosecuting attorney; Noah (first grade) was part of the jury (choir). Three witnesses (i.e. a donkey) told their side of the story. The innkeeper was found 'not guilty' unanimously by the 'jury'.

My thoughts returned to the play when I received this daily inspirational thought by Max Lucado this morning.

NO ROOM IN THE INN

"Some of the saddest word on earth are 'We don't have room for you.' Jesus knew the sound of those words. He was still in Mary's womb when the innkeeper said, 'We don't have room for you.' And when He hung on the cross, wasn't the message one of utter rejection? 'We don't have room for you in this world.'

"Today Jesus is given the same treatment. He goes from heart to heart, asking if He might enter. Every so often, He's welcomed. Someone throws open the door of his or her heart and invites Him to stay. And to that person Jesus gives this great promise, 'In my Father's house are many rooms (John 14:2). We make room for Him in our hearts, and Jesus makes room for us in His house!

*

Dear Jesus, thank You for giving us Your Life, so that we might have life:  the kind that we can't have without You. And that life you give never ends! Your love and Your gifts are amazing. We can't fully comprehend You and all You want for each one of us. Thank You. We love You. Amen.

***




Printable Issue 2971  Today is Monday, December 29th, 2014; Karen's Korner #2971

Merry Christmas! after one week away from putting together Karen's Korner. Hope that your Christmas was as good and rewarding as ours was!

As you know Karen, Mick, Thomas, William, and Emily (Feeley) came to visit at our Iowa farm home for a week, from Australia via United Kingdom where Mick is working for one year. Adding our daughter Jamie, Tim, Luke, Molly and Noah, in and out for the same amount of time. Then we added on Ed (Merry's husband), his wife Heather plus daughters Eva and Hannah for a one-night outing in Des Moines.

It was great, very memorable.

We knew even before Jim passed away that the Australian tribe was going to be traveling here at Christmas time. So we had months to think, dream, plan.

The Feeley kids had never seen snow and it never gets as cold where they live in Western Australia. So adults and kids began to hope, believe, pray for snow for the holidays. The weather forecast didn't look too promising; maybe a day or two after Christmas. I had warned Karen that even if we did get snow, it might not be the right temperatures for snowmen making.

They flew from United Kingdom on Monday, December 22, landing late that evening. Because of the lateness, they had chosen to stay that evening in a Des Moines motel. I was to meet them mid-morning on Tuesday, December 23.

I was relaxing in my recliner early that morning, listening for the weather forecast. I couldn't believe my ears when I heard, "It has been raining here in Des Moines, but there is a small band of snow which has fallen overnight near Fort Dodge."

What? I flipped on the porch step light and there it was.....about 4" of the white stuff. Plus it was perfect for grabbing a handful to make a snowball.

The band of snow was narrow. No snow as I drove south probably 20 miles. I broke the good news to the five Feeleys in Des Moines and we headed 'home'.

Popping out of our vehicle upon arriving back near Clarion, the snow throwing began. Snowmen parts could be made by rolling the balls only a few feet. We barely had time to eat lunch!

And the 'snow making' weather continued the next day and the next - Christmas Day. The six family kids (ages 10, 9 , 8, 7, 6, & 5) worked all afternoon on the 25th, building a snow fort plus 150 snowballs for 'ammunition' to 'fight the adults'. Don't know if anyone won; we probably all did!

Not sure all the snow men still remain upright, but at one time we had eight! Our neighbor called and told us if we ran out of snow, we could use some of his!

Last night the Feeleys spent the night at Jamie's, ready to catch a flight back to their temporary home in the UK this a.m.

But we are left with memories of a Christmas when God saw fit to answer our simple prayers 'for the gift of snow' for three kids from Australia who wanted to see snow. And He gave us the 'right kind and right temperatures'!

What a wonderful and caring God........who loves us more than we can imagine!

Matthew 7:7,8 (in part) says, "....ask and it will given to you.....for everyone who asks will receive....."


Printable Issue 2972  Today is Tuesday, December 30th, 2014; Karen's Korner #2972

From Max Lucado:

Why Would He Come?

"The God of the Universe was born into the poverty of a peasant and spent his first night in the cow's feed trough. He left the glory of heaven and moved into our neighborhood. Who would have imagined he would do such a thing?

"What a world he left. Our classiest mansion would be a tree trunk to him. God became a one-celled embryo and entered the womb of Mary. He became like us. Just look at the places he was wiling to go:  feed troughs, carpentry shops, badlands, and cemeteries.

"The places he went to reach us show how far he will go to touch us. He loves to be with the ones he loves!"

***


Printable Issue 2973  Today is Wednesday, December 31st, 2014; Karen's Korner #2973

It's coming - 2015! Happy New Year's Eve Day!

Something from the Bible to have us stop and think about 2014 and 2015!

"Don't long for the 'good old days,' for you don't know whether they were any better than these!

"Enjoy prosperity whenever you can, and when hard times strike, realize that God gives one as well as the other----so that everyone will realize that nothing is certain in this life."

~ Ecclesiastes 7:10 & 14

*

Bible Commentary on these verses:  "The 'good old days' are easy to talk about, but they may never have existed. Sometimes we remember only the good things about the past, forgetting that those days also had problems. Instead of living in the past, decide to live for today. Live in such a way that way that you will look back on today as one of the 'good old days'.

"God allows both adversity and prosperity to come to all. He blends them in our lives in such a way that we can't predict the future or count on human wisdom and power. In prosperous times, we love to give ourselves the credit. Then in adversity, we tend to blame God without thanking him for the good that comes out of it. When life appears certain and controllable, don't let pride make you too comfortable or God may allow adversity to drive you back to Him. When life seems uncertain and uncontrollable, don't despair----God is in control and will bring good results out of tough times."

***