Happy 4th of July!
Happy Independence Day
as our country celebrates
its 249th birthday!
Our 250th next year!!

"At the Flood, the Lord
showed his control of all creation.
Now he continues to unveil his power.
He will give his people strength.
He will bless them with peace."

~ Psalm 29:10 & 11 LAB

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Bible Commentary:  "Throughout history, God has revealed his power through mighty miracles over nature, such as the great Flood. He promises to continue to reveal his power. In Ephesians, Paul urged us to understand how great God's power is. The same power that raised Christ from the dead is available to all who believe. When we feel weak and limited, we need to remember that God can give us strength. The power that controls creation and raises the dead is available to us."

Praise God!

"At the Flood, the Lord
showed his control of all creation.
Now he continues to unveil his power.
He will give his people strength.
He will bless them with peace."

~ Psalm 29:10 & 11 LAB

* 

Bible Commentary:  "Throughout history, God has revealed his power through mighty miracles over nature, such as the great Flood. He promises to continue to reveal his power. In Ephesians, Paul urged us to understand how great God's power is. The same power that raised Christ from the dead is available to all who believe. When we feel weak and limited, we need to remember that God can give us strength. The power that controls creation and raises the dead is available to us."

Praise God!

Today’s entry from Sarah Young’s “Jesus Calling:  Enjoying Peace in His Presence” (July 2):
 

“I AM the Truth: the One who came to set you free. As the Holy Spirit controls your mind and actions more fully, you become free in Me. You are increasingly released to become the one I created you to be. This is a work that I do in you as you yield to My Spirit, I can do My best handiwork when you sit in the stillness of My Presence, focusing your entire being on Me.
 
“Let My thoughts bust freely upon your consciousness, stimulating abundant Life. I am and Way and the Truth and the Life. As you follow Me, I lead you along paths of newness:  ways you have never imagined. Don’t worry about what is on the road up ahead. I want to find your security in knowing Me, the One who died to set you free.”

~ Taken from John 8:32; Philippians 2:13; John14:6

"baptizing them into
the name
of the Father,
and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit..." 
(Matthew 28:19)

This was the topic of Chad Chapman's communion meditation on Sunday. "Many people, often when they become a new believer or just in general, have trouble with how God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit can all be one."

He shared a concept that works for him. "Think of the sun. That is God the Father, the source. The light that comes from the sun, that's Jesus, the son of God. Then the heat that we feel, that is the Holy Spirit, that's the power, the presence. Three parts, but one being."

"Father God, we are so grateful for your teachings and also for the multiple ways we can be taught from You.  You truly do meet us where we are. Amen."

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Today's Karen's Korner says something about 'evil' people. In our history, we know about evil leaders. We witnessed it first hand when we traveled to Europe recently and saw the remains of what Hitler tried to do.

Who among us hasn't heard about adults or family members who do horrible things to young people.

"Your steadfast love, O Lord, is as great as all the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds. Your justice is as solid as God's mountains. Your decisions are as full of wisdom as the oceans are with water. You are concerned for men and animals alike. How precious is your constant love, O God! All humanity takes refuge in the shadow of your wings. You feed them with blessings from your own table and let them drink from your rivers of delight."

~ Psalm 36:5 - 8 LAB

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Bible Commentary:  "In contrast to evil men and their wicked plans that end in failure, God is loving, faithful, just and wise. His love is greater than the heavens; his faithfulness reaches past the clouds; his justice is as solid as a mountain; and his decisions as full of wisdom as the oceans with water. We need not fear evil people because we know God love us, judges evil, and will care for us throughout eternity."

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Our ecumenical Bible study this week had this topic "Living Loved" by Sharon Janes.

Some of the highlights told about Jesus' disciple John, who referred to himself several times in his writings "the disciple whom Jesus loved'.

"Peter turned and saw that
'the disciple whom Jesus loved'
was following them."
~ John 21:20 NIV

Janes went on to say verses like that made her smile. "John knew he was loved by Jesus and that was all that mattered. Supposed you and I lived like that? My name is Sharon, the one Jesus loves. Go ahead and put your name in this blank.  My name is ___________, the one Jesus loves."

He didn't compare himself with other disciples. They, too, were 'disciples whom Jesus loved'.

She continues, "So the next time you feel 'less than', say to yourself exactly what John said about himself. 'I am the one Jesus loves."

"Father, sometimes I can feel so mediocre,
but I know that's not how You want me to live.
Your Word says that I am chosen, 
holy, dearly loved,
set apart-----
equipped by You, empowered by the Holy Spirit,
and enveloped in Jesus Christ.
I am the one Jesus loves.
Help me live like I believe it,
In His Name.
Amen."


***

This is from a recent Max Lucado writing into my inbox. It talks about not being out of God's reach. It made me think of a couple of guys in my world who have troubles of their own making. They weigh on my heart and mind.

Maybe you have someone, or several someone's, who God brings to your mind as you read today's 'korner'. They may not have done anything which affects you directly, but still not good.

NOT OUT OF GOD'S REACH

"Some years ago a Rottweiler attacked our golden retriever puppy at a kennel. The animal climbed out of its run and into Molly’s and nearly killed her. I wrote a letter to the dog’s owner, urging him to put the dog to sleep. But when I showed the letter to the kennel owner, she begged me to reconsider. 'What the dog did was horrible, but I’m still training him. I’m not finished with him yet.'

"God would say the same about the Rottweiler who attacked you. 'What he did was unacceptable, inexcusable, but I’m not finished yet.' Your enemies still figure into God’s plan. Their pulse is proof. God hasn’t given up on them. They may be out of his will, but not out of his reach. And you honor God when you see them not as his failures, but as his projects."

**

Coming home from our recent trip to Europe, I was sick. It was something that took a while to get over. Sometimes when we go downhill physically, we can go down emotionally and spiritually as well!

And that is what happened to me!

Time to pick up my book "100 Things God Loves About You" by Tama Fortner. Number #6:

GOD LOVES WHEN YOU LET HIM CARRY YOU

"He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart."

~ Isaiah 40:11

"it's hard sometimes, isn't it? The responsibilities, the obligations of daily life. It can sometimes feel as if the weight of the whole world is resting on your shoulders. But the world isn't yours to carry; it's His. When you're too tattered and tired to try yet again, you're too wobbly and weak to keep walking, or you've stumbled down one of life's steep slopes, throw your hands up to Him and, say 'I can’t do this by myself!' Because when you reach up, He loves to reach down, lift you up, and carry your....close to His heart."

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Just for fun! Once in awhile I like to include "Side Notes" from an OUR IOWA magazine. The 'notes' are one-liners, vertically, in the margins of some of the pages. These are from the June/July 2025 issue:

"It's good to be blessed.
It is better to be a blessing."

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"Friendship is the only cement
that will ever hold the world together."
~ Woodrow Wilson

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"When your arms can't rearch people
who are close to your heart,
hug them with your prayers."

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"A person soon learns
how litle he knows
when a child begins
to ask questions."

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"Happiness doesn't consist 
in having much to live on,
but much to live for."

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