(My apology for no Karen's Korner yesterday. No reason why, I just forgot! My 'new way' of sending:  I post it and it is emailed out at 10 a.m. I looked at the clock yesterday morning; it was 10:20. Too late! So that means you'll get one on Saturday........to make my 'five per week'!)

Something forwarded to me by Shirley Choat who is a faithful 'forwarder' of writings by others. The one below is written by a Pastor Sydow; prayer by a Pastor Freeman:

Joseph, Guardian of Jesus

"Though the Bible tells us little about the husband of Jesus' mother Mary, we know that he was a carpenter or builder by trade. He is also shown as being devoted both to God and to Mary and Jesus. Is is assumed that he died before Jesus became an adult."

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"May those who love your salvation say continually, 'Great is the Lord!'"  

~ Psalm 40:16

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""Jesus said, 'You heard me say to you, 'I am going away, and I am coming to you.' If you loved me you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I.'"  

~ John 14:28

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"I didn't really want her to go with friends to New York City. I was going to be by myself, but I'd miss having her at home when I came in. However, I knew she would have a great time. I had been there many years ago and had told her some of the things I saw. As much as I wanted her to stay, I wanted her to have a wonderful time.

"So, several years ago, Sue took the trip with 'the girls' and had the time of her life. I survived, but I also experienced great joy when she cam home and shared her stories with me.

"Jesus knew the joy of being with the Father and looked forward to His presence. It was hard for the disciples to understand or to let go. They wanted Him to themselves. They would have preferred that Jesus not journey through the cross and death into eternity. They still held on to the hope that an easier way could be found. But without the cross, there could not have been forgiveness. Without death, there could not have been a resurrection.

"Waiting for loved ones as they approach their deaths, we may be tempted to cling tightly to them, in hopes of keeping the alive just one more day. Jesus reminds us that if we really love them, we will rejoice with those we love that are 'going to the Father'. May we be among those 'who love the salvation of God and say continually, 'Great is the Lord!' May we learn to trust that what God has in store for us is far greater than anything we could cling to in this life."

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"Oh, how I long for the company of loves ones who have died, my dear Father, But I know that they have already reached their final home with you. Comfort my heart with the knowledge that one day we will all worship you together once again. In the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen."