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January 2018 Archives

Printable Issue 3708  Today is Monday, January 8th, 2018; Karen's Korner #3708

Hey, I am back up and running!

My apologies to Karen's Korner readers for being 'off the air' since mid-December. There was problems with my server and the only 'readers' I could contact were the ones who emailed me wondering what was happening. Son-in-law Tim got me up and running again on Saturday.

I had several good potential Christmas 'korners' but Christmas 2018 is coming.

Instead we will welcome 2018! This is something sent to me by a friend yesterday. It is a poem complete with You Tube graphics. Here are the words:


NEW YEAR'S PRAYER

By Charlotte Anselmo

Thank You Lord for giving me

The brand new year ahead

Help me live the way I should

In each new day I tread.


Give me genuine wisdom

That I make help a friend

Give me strength and courage

So a shoulder I might lend.


The year ahead is empty

Help me fill it with good things

Each new day filled with joy

And the happiness it brings.


Please give the leaders of the world

A courage born of peace

That they might lead

And all the fighting cease.


Please give all upon the earth

A heart that's filled with love

A gentle way to live

With blessings from above.....



Printable Issue 3709  Today is Tuesday, January 9th, 2018; Karen's Korner #3709

(I should be up and running. Sent out a Karen's Korner yesterday, but I have no indication from anyone - including me - that it actually went out. I am going to try again today (including my opening paragraph for yesterday).

"Hey, I am back up and running!

"My apologies to Karen's Korner readers for being 'off the air' since mid-December. There were problems with my server and the only 'readers' I could contact were the ones who emailed me wondering what was happening. Son-in-law Tim got me up and running again.

"I had several good potential Christmas 'korners' but Christmas 2018 is coming."

If this one doesn't go out, nor tomorrows, I'm contacting Tim again.

*

"The godly pray for those who long to kill them."

~ Proverbs 29:10 LAB

*

Bible Commentary: "Proverbs is full of short characterizations that, put together, give us a picture of what it means to be a godly (God-like) person. This one parallels Jesus' counsel to pray for our enemies (Matthew 5:44). Few acts are harder to do, that is why godliness is rare. Measured by this standard, are you like God?"

*

I have a way to go;

what about you?

****



Printable Issue 3710  Today is Wednesday, January 10th, 2018; Karen's Korner #3710

While I am 'up and running' again, some korners are going to readers. Others aren't receiving them. Son-in-law Tim continues to work to resolve the problem!


Among other things over the holidays, I traveled to Washington for a short week to visit my sister Jill and her family in the Seattle area.

I returned home on Friday last week. Responding to 'orders' at the Sea-Tac Airport, I had my boarding pass and photo ID ready for checking in. Went through security. Started gathering my things afterwards. To speed up the process and rather than unzip a couple of things to get my driver's license back into the right spot, I instead doubled over my boarding pass with license and put it in my jacket pocket. "I'll get this to the right spot when I get to the boarding area and begin my wait," I thought.

I walked through the airport to my waiting area. Searched my left pocket. Boarding pass. No license. I searched right around where I sat. Retraced my steps. Asked a TSA agent where I had last seen it. He searched. No license. Even though I was going to have a layover in Denver, I didn't need to go through security again.

Worst case scenario: I'd have to get a duplicate license at the courthouse when I got home. Could be worse.

I started my walk back to my boarding area, going with and against the sea of fellow travelers. Stopped at a gift shop, grabbed something to eat, had a bathroom stop. When I took my seat, the gal from the service counter there, walked over to me and said, "Is this your driver's license? Someone left this on my desk." (How could she recognize me......my photo doesn't like me, does it?)

Can you believe it? Thousands of people all going some place else and I was important enough to be 'found'.

I made up my mind I was going to thank United Airlines when I got home. My chance came on Saturday afternoon when I got an online survey. Along with all the 'boxes', there was a place to 'say something'. The drop down menu on the screen had about ten categories on what I could say:  troubles with 'baggage'; 'seating'; 'wait time'; 'climate'. No place was there any place for me to say 'thanks'. I chose 'other'.

A couple of' take-aways' for me:  there are lots of good people out there. LOTS of them. If we listen only to the news, we might wonder. I was deemed important to somebody. I wasn't sure about my fate at the airport. But I (all of us) are important enough to God ALWAYS to be with us wherever we go. Whatever we do.. And when good things happen, thanks is part of continuing those good things.....

Praise God!

Printable Issue 3711  Today is Thursday, January 11th, 2018; Karen's Korner #3711

Jesus is the Bridge Builder

"God's plan for humanity, crafted in the halls of heaven and carried out on the plains of earth. Only holiness could have imagined 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 its 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 cam 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!

~ By Max Lucado

***

Printable Issue 3712  Today is Friday, January 12th, 2018; Karen's Korner #3712

"About four o'clock in the morning, Jesus came to them (his disciples), walking on the water! They screamed in terror, for they thought he was a ghost.

"But Jesus immediately spoke to them, reassuring them. 'Don't be afraid!' he said.

"Then Peter called to him: 'Sir, if it is really you, tell me to come over to you, walking on water.'"

~ Matthew 14: 25 - 28 LAB

*

Bible Commentary:  "Peter was not testing Jesus, something we are told not to do. Instead he was the only one in the boat to react in faith. His impulsive request led him to experience a rather unusual demonstration of God's power. Peter started to sink because he took his eyes off Jesus and focused on the high waves around him. Then his faith wavered when he realized what he was doing. We may not walk on water, but we do walk through tough situations. If we focus on the waves of difficult circumstances around us without looking to Christ for help, we too may despair and sink. To maintain our faith in the midst of difficult situations, we need to keep our eyes on Christ's power rather than on our inadequacies."

***


Printable Issue 3713  Today is Monday, January 15th, 2018; Karen's Korner #3713

As readers know, I read (not every day) Sarah Young's "Jesus Calling:  Enjoying Peace in His Presence". I like all of them; some more than others. Here is what Young wrote for January 13:


"Try to view each day as an adventure, carefully planned out by your Guide. Instead of staring into the day that is ahead of you, attempting to program it according to your will, be attentive to Me and to all I have prepared for you. Thank Me for this day of life, recognizing that it is a precious, unrepeatable gift. Trust that I am with you each moment, whether you sense My Presence or not. A thankful, trusting attitude helps you to see events in your life from My perspective.

"A life lived close to Me will never be dull or predictable. Expect each day to contain surprises! Resist your tendency to search for the easiest route through the day. Be willing to follow wherever I lead. No matter how steep or treacherous the path before you, the safest place to be is by My side."

~ Taken from Psalm 118:24; I Peter 2:21

***

Printable Issue 3714  Today is Tuesday, January 16th, 2018; Karen's Korner #3714

I had fun at Christmas time. I had decided to give little presents to people every day between Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Just for fun; maybe someone who was shut-in or maybe not have many people in their world. Or maybe those I just happened to see when I was running errands. It was fun!

So much fun that I had a sense of 'why is this over' as the day came closer. I just felt like there were so many people to love and care about. So little time.

And then I thought about Jesus and His Life, He knew why He had come and why He had to die. Even if He was the Son of God, even if He lived a perfect life, He could only by one place at one time. So many people to love; so little time.

But He also knew that if He died and rose from the dead, His Spirit would be given to each believer. The Holy Spirit given to each one of us!

His Spirit could be sent and shared with dozens. Then hundreds. Then thousands. Then millions. His 'army' could march on into eternity. Together.

Today is a good day to learn. Love. Share His Life and Love with others.......

Printable Issue 3715  Today is Wednesday, January 17th, 2018; Karen's Korner #3715

"And may the Lord make your love to grow,

and overflow to each other and to everyone else,

just as our love does to you."

~ I Thessalonians 3:12 LAB

*

Bible Commentary:  "If we are full of God's love, it will overflow to others. It's not enough merely to be courteous to others, we must actively and persistently show love to others. Our love should be continuously growing. If our capacity to love has remained unchanged for some time, we should ask God to fill us again with His never-ending supply of love. Then we can look for opportunities to express His Love."

**


Printable Issue 3716  Today is Thursday, January 18th, 2018; Karen's Korner #3716

Taken from "Faces in the Crowd" by B.J. Hoff; "Celebrating Our God Who Knows Us By Heart.":

DETOURS

"Life's journey include detours-----

changed plans, failed dream,

wrong-way turns, even dead-ends.

Sometimes we feel abandoned,

left to wander in the wilderness

of defeat, discouragement, and despair.

But in His time, God steps in

to give Direction.


"We often chafe when we're forced

to retreat or stand still and wait-----

we want to advance.

But God knows we need training

and faith-building

and lessons in trust.....

Discipline.


"We strive to achieve, but God says, Learn.

We strain to run, but God says, Walk.

We struggle to do, but God says, Be....

And trust Me

with your Destination."

*

"In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed.

In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling."

~ Exodus 15:13

*

MY GOD AND MY GUIDE....

"Light my ever step upon life's journey......

Whether I'm walking or standing still,

changing courses or pressing straight ahead,

may I live every moment close to You, in Your Love."

****

Printable Issue 3717  Today is Friday, January 19th, 2018; Karen's Korner #3717

(I hope the newer Karen's Korner format is working for you. It reads a bit different and looks a little different. If you' d rather read it, the 'old' way, click on the blue-green dot at the bottom or the underscored 'view Karen's Korner web site' at the top.)


The last handful of weeks have been a time when I have had to ask for lots of help:


* when the Karen's Korner server no longer worked;

* when my portable phones weren't working right;

* when a change in format didn't allow me to do what I normally do for THE CLARION WIRE (weekly email newsletter);

* when my furnace wasn't running the way it should;

* when my water stopped working because of the cold.


I liked it better when everything works and I don't have to ask for help!

Each of the times something didn't work right, I had to ask a different person for help. And they did!

God wants us to know that we can't handle this life by ourselves either. He wants us to ask for His help. We were never expected to be 'god of our lives'. Because of the world in which we live and they way we are made, we can't do it ourselves.

When we try to 'run our lives' on our own, even if we try (like my furnace or computer), there will be things that we can't do without help.

The sooner we ask for His help the better. Asking for help even before things happen which we can't do or things which we can, but for which He'd like to be a part, our lives will be so much more enjoyable and less frustrating.

Thank You, God, that You are such a caring and loving God.

Help us to trust You more and to ask You to part of our everyday lives.

Be with each of us today as we go about our daily tasks,

whether it looks like we can handle it alone or not.

Go with us.

In Jesus' Name. Amen

*

Printable Issue 3718  Today is Monday, January 22nd, 2018; Karen's Korner #3718


Christ Lives In His Children


"Proliferating throughout Scripture is an enticing and inviting preposition---the preposition IN. Jesus lives IN his children. From Revelation 3:20, Jesus say, 'Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and open the door, I will come IN and eat with him, and he with me.'


"God IN us! Have we sounded the depth of this promise? With God IN you, you have a million resources you didn't have before. Can't stop worrying? Christ can. And He live WITHIN you. Can't forget the past, forgive the jerk, or forsake your bad habits? Christ can! And He lives IN  you! Oh to be so full of Him that we can say with the apostle Paul, 'It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives IN me!" (Galatians 2:20).


~ By Max Lucado


**

Printable Issue 3719  Today is Tuesday, January 23rd, 2018; Karen's Korner #3719

A GREATER MIRACLE


"Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him."

~ John 11:14 - 15 NIV


"Jesus was glad Lazarus had died without Him?! What does that mean?  We know it doesn't mean He enjoyed knowing that Lazarus had died or that He enjoyed thinking about the family's grief and despair.


"Jesus was teaching His disciples--and you and me---a life lesson. And what a life lesson it is! The lesson is this:  There is a greater miracle than physical healing! It's the miracle of the Resurrection! Be encouraged!


"Even if your prayer is not answered:

~ and your loved one is not healed;

~ and your marriage is not reconciled;

~ and your financial problems are not solved;

~ and your child is not found --


"there is hope! Jesus was glad because He knew God would be glorified to a far greater extent by the death and resurrection of Lazarus than He would have been by Lazarus' healing and recover from sickness.


"Would you rejoice with Jesus for the greater miracle that IS coming to you?"


~ By Anne Graham Lotz

**



Printable Issue 3720  Today is Wednesday, January 24th, 2018; Karen's Korner #3720

One more entry taken from "Faces in the Crowd"; 'celebrating Our God Who knows us by heart' by B.J. Hoff:

LIFE GIFTS


Thank you for my yesterdays,

the memories that I cherish,

those precious moments captured

by the heart throughout the years.

Thank You for Your guidance through

the trials and the triumphs---

Your presence was unfailing

through the good times and the tears.


Thank You for the promise

that You hold all my tomorrows

securely in Your hand

as You walk with me on the way.

Most of all, Lord, thank You

for this present hour of blessing,

for the splendor of this shining gift---

the glory of today.


*


"This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."

~ Psalm 118:24

*

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."

~ Hebrews 13:8


*

LORD OF MY LIFE

"Where would I be today, Lord,

if You had not been

in my yesterdays?

How could I face the future

without You?


"Thank You for filling my past

and my present with Your love

and Your grace

and Your mercy.....


"Thank You for Your promise

that I will spend

all my tomorrows

with You."

***


Printable Issue 3721  Today is Thursday, January 25th, 2018; Karen's Korner #3721

I have no idea how many times the word "JOY" appears in the Bible; must be something God wants for us to have and enjoy! He gave it and give it to us!


"Always be full of joy in he Lord:

I say it again: REJOICE!"

~ Philippians 4:4 LAB


*

Bible Commentary:  "It seem strange that a man in prison (Paul, writer of these words) would be telling a church to be joyful. But Paul's attitude serves to teach us an important lesson-- our inner attitudes do not have to reflect our outward circumstances. Paul was full of joy because he knew that no matter what happened to him, Jesus Christ was with him. Several times in this letter, Paul urges the Philippians to be joyful, probably because they needed to hear this. It's easy to get discouraged about unpleasant circumstances or to take unimportant events too seriously. If we haven't been joyful lately, we may not be looking at life from the right perspective."


***


Printable Issue 3722  Today is Friday, January 26th, 2018; Karen's Korner #3722

A friend gave me the book "A Stand-up Comic Sits Down with Jesus" by Rich Praytor. Each chapter has something funny (either his thoughts or someone else's), a Bible verse, an inspirational thought, and a prayer.

I read chapter 39 last night. The title is "The Rules----This Time By Men"; there are 26 of them. I am including ten of them; some of them made me smile -- others made me laugh. Remember that I have a twisted sense of humor


* if something we said can be interpreted two ways, and one of the ways make you sad or angry, we meant the other one;

* whenever possible, please say what you have to say during commercials;

* ALL men see in only 16 colors, like a Windows default setting. Peach is a fruit; pumpkin is also a fruit. We have no idea what mauve is;

* when we have to go somewhere, absolutely anything you wear if fine. Really.

* anything we said six months ago is inadmissible in an argument. In fact, all comments become null and void after seven days.

* I'm in shape. Round is a shape.

* shopping is not a sport. And no, we are never going to think of it that way.

* most guys own three pairs of shoes---tops. What makes you think we'd be any good at choosing which pair, out of 30, would look good with your dress?

* we are not mind readers and we never will be. Our lack of mind-reading ability is not proof of how little we care about you.

* if you ask a question you don't want an answer to, expect an answer you don't want to hear.

*

HIS PRAYER:

"Father, give me the grace to accept the ways in which other people are different from me.

I pray I would embrace the differences I have with my spouse and learn to accept them as he/she accepts mine.

Thank You, God, for differences and the joy they bring.

Amen."

***


Printable Issue 3723  Today is Monday, January 29th, 2018; Karen's Korner #3723

I recently received a clipping from my sister Jan; it was an editorial written by John Skipper and printed in the Mason City Globe Gazette. He was welcoming the new year with a couple of observations (in part).


Annual hope for a year of snow cones


"My friend Lois Awe has an idea on how to make the world a better place.

"She wonders what it would be like if people all over the world approached each other every day with the simple question:  'What can I do for you today?'

Among other comments, Skipper quotes a couple of comments from Max Lucado. At one time, Lucado had a conversation with his six-year-old daughter, explaining to her that his job was to provide good news to people, to comfort them, to lead them in the right direction and to try to make them happy and content.

"The little girl thought for a moment and said, 'Why don't you just give out snow cones?' Skipper continued, 'As we begin the new year, I wonder if there are things each of us can do personally to make the world a better place.'"

"And I agree with Lois. A good start would be to ask, 'What can I do for you today?'

"But as is so often the case, sometimes adults waste a lot of words explaining a philosophy that a child can say succinctly in once sentence.

"So here's a New Year's resolution for me -- and for you if you want to try.

"How about if each of us, in our own way, makes an effort to offer up a few snow cones this year."

***


Printable Issue 3724  Today is Tuesday, January 30th, 2018; Karen's Korner #3724

Several short thoughts:


"The Bible is our supreme source of revelation.....

It is the only guide of life which really leads the spirit in the way of peace and salvation."

~ Woodrow Wilson



"I am the daughter (son) of the King who is not moved by the world

for My God is with me and goes before me.

I do not fear because I am His!"


*


"Some people grow wiser;

other only older."


*


"True friends see heart to heart even when they don't see eye to eye."


*


"If God answered the prayers you've been praying,

would it change anyone else's world but your own?"


"


"We are not divided, all one body we,

one in hope and doctorine; one in charity.

Onward Christian soldiers, marching as to war

with the cross of Jesus going on before."

~ Onward Christian Soldiers, Subine Baring-Gould


***


Printable Issue 3725  Today is Wednesday, January 31st, 2018; Karen's Korner #3725

"And now just as you trusted Christ to save you, trust Him, too, for each day's problems, live in vital union with Him. Let your roots grow down into Him and draw up nourishment from Him. See that you go on growing in the Lord, and become strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives overflow with joy and thanksgiving for all He has done."

~ Colossians 2:6 & & LAB


*


Bible Commentary:  "Accepting Christ as Lord of your life is the beginning of life with Christ. But you must continue to follow His leadership. Every day He desires to guide you and help you with your daily problems. You can live for Christ by 1) committing your life and submitting your will to Him; 2) seeking to learn from Him, His life, and His teachings; and 3) recognizing the Holy Spirit's power in you."


***