Karen Moore's Blog, page 2

Note to Self

Most of us need reminders, ways to keep important ideas and information at the forefront of our brains. Chances are good that we put sticky notes around to serve that purpose. We create lists so we can at least check off those things we accomplished. We might even talk to the person we see in the mirror and hope our intentional chat will keep us on track. Regardless of our system for jogging our failing memories, we might still be missing a beat, not giving ourselves the message that is most helpful. It occurs to me that God was intentional in His desire to help people remember Him. Let’s look at a few of the ways He has tried to help us along.

Every time we see a brilliant rainbow, we might be reminded of God’s power, mercy, and desire to keep the earth in good shape. The rainbow served as His commitment to not flood the earth again. It might also remind us that God is totally in control of this planet.

God instituted feasts and celebrations to help His people remember what He had done for them. For some of us, Passover and Easter, Hanukkah and Christmas, celebrate God’s love for us and remind us of His ongoing sacrifice and presence. Communion helps us remember the words of Jesus and His redemption. Symbols serve as reminders of what we believe and what we hope for in the future. That’s why we wear crosses, carry prayer stones, or make sacred spaces in our homes. We don’t want to forget all that God has done.

So back to our sticky notes. Here are a few ideas to add to your collection:

Thank You, God!

Rejoice and Be Happy!

Share!

Love one another!

Give and Give some more.

Forgive, and forgive again.

Pray without Ceasing.

Praise and Sing

Be the Blessing

Shine Your Light

Invite God in Today

Be of Good Courage

These sticky notes might not be the ones that organize your day, but they might be the ones that make your day. They might be the ones that give you assurance and comfort. Let these get you started and keep adding your own. Don’t worry, God will help you remember those important notes to self that you rely on. This memory jogger is simply about setting your priorities.

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Let’s Faith It!

I read a great definition of faith in Charles Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening book. It says: Faith is the oil enabling the wheels of holy devotion and of practical holiness to move well; and without faith, the wheels are taken from the chariot, and we drag ourselves along.” Spurgeon was an English Baptist pastor who preached and wrote and taught in the mid 1800’sin London.  His legacy lives on.

If we simplify the quote for ourselves, we might say, “Faith is the oil that keeps us moving to become better people.” Without faith, according to our version of Spurgeon, our wheels, our movement forward ceases and we just drag ourselves along. 

So what does that mean for us? What can we do to keep our faith properly oiled, keep our little light on, so we can keep moving forward? My sense of this is that we need faith before we even begin to recognize that holiness exists. We need faith to plug into resources that would give us more faith, more oil, more possibility. Some of us may recall days when faith did not bring us the oil of gladness. We didn’t think about matters of faith because we thought we could do life without it. After all, we are clever and smart and capable. We know enough about life and people to be able to get along. Yes, but where are we getting to? We may just be dragging ourselves along, expecting nothing much up ahead.

Perhaps it helps to think back to when you were a child, when you had childlike faith. You accepted God on His terms, believed in His love for you, and trusted He was in control. Years pass by and your life experience fills you with questions, or perhaps builds walls around your heart and you forget what faith meant to you. Since the same God who knew you and called you by name as a child, still wants to lead you forward, still wants to nurture you and guide you on your way, then you may have to take a new approach. Faith it! You may have to open your heart to the idea, the possibility, the sweetness of faith and try again.

God is still calling you to faith it. He wants you to live in confidence that you are never alone, never without hope, and never without His amazing love. Faith is the oil that keeps your wheels turning in God’s direction. 

Let’s Faith It Together!

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Just for Today

According to Psalm 118:24, this is the day. This is the day the Lord made, the day He acted, created, did something vital to our existence. Actions create the opportunity for a response; God acted, so what’s our response? The Psalm goes on to say, that God made this day, so we should rejoice and be glad in it. We should be smiling from ear to ear. We should be ready to do a happy dance. So, what’s getting in the way?

Perhaps we have become so used to giving all our energy and power to our to-do lists, or our jobs, or our circumstances, that we scarcely can remember what day it is, much less celebrate it. We have routines that we imagine must be accomplished, things that only we can do, people who need us, and responsibilities we can scarcely manage. If we happen to recall that God’s mercies are new every morning, that might help us feel more like celebrating, but we’re so busy cleaning up yesterday and preparing for tomorrow that today simply doesn’t exist for us. The odd thing is that today is all we have.

That renowned comedian, Groucho Marx, said, “I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn’t arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I’m going to be happy in it.” Makes me wonder if Groucho read the Psalms. Our challenge is to step aside from the news, the social media, and those things that depress the spirit, and focus on what we can do now, today, that will make a difference. The fact is the list is nearly endless. No matter what you do for a living, whether you are single or married, or whether you are experiencing challenges, you can celebrate. You can offer encouragement to your neighbor, praise your co-worker for helping you, thank your children for being so thoughtful, and pray for all those who vex your spirit or challenge your soul.

God is with you today, cheering for you, holding you up, and loving you right where you are. He is ever-present, and that means He knows everything going on in your life. He sees you right where you are and all He wants from you is that you will look up, let Him help you, let Him comfort you, and bless you because that’s what He wants to do today. That is your reason to celebrate, to rejoice and to be happy. You don’t have to wait for tomorrow to be loved and appreciated. Time to do that happy dance!

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Is It Belief or Believe?

At one time you had a number of beliefs, things you had a strong feeling about or things you accepted as true. You may have had a belief in the basic goodness of human beings, or a belief in treating others with kindness. You may have had a belief about what you’d grow up to be, or where you’d live. You can name your beliefs.

Your beliefs about life and how to live in the world probably changed as you grew up, became more educated, and had more life experience. Your beliefs stemmed from your family of origin, your culture, or your community. They were part of the system that helped you interpret the ups and downs of life. As you’ve no doubt learned, some of your beliefs were actually false. They were influenced by the opinions of others. Eventually, you needed more than someone else’s opinion and searched for answers on your own. That’s when believing became possible.

You believe in God. You believe because you recognize that God is not just someone else’s idea; He’s your experience. Every action you take toward knowing God better, helps you understand why you believe. You are completely sold out, passionate, determined about what you believe. You don’t just say “I believe God is real.” You say, “I know God is real.” You know with every fiber of your being that God is your Creator, your Redeemer, your connection to eternal life. You believe because it’s a matter of heart and soul and that attachment leads you from here to heaven. You believe God is, and nothing can change your mind about that. 

God doesn’t set His agenda on the beliefs of human beings. He looks to the heart to discover what you believe. He knows your beliefs can change with the wind, with circumstances, and with age. What won’t change is what you truly believe. That’s what makes the difference in everything you will do in this world and the next. Ideologies, philosophies, thought leaders of every age may pass on their beliefs. What they believe though, will pass on with them.

Only God can help you sort the difference. All you need to do is believe with your heart, mind, and soul. 

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What’s the Big Idea?

You’ve probably had someone admire your creativity, and then say to you, “I don’t have a creative bone in my body!” Your friend may genuinely feel that way, but the fact is, everyone is creative in one way or another. Since the Creator of the whole universe, who had more imagination than any living soul will ever achieve, put a portion of Himself in each of us, it’s a given that we’re creative. You’re creative. Your friend is creative. It’s what you do with it that makes a difference.

The reason you can’t trademark an idea is because a lot of people can have the same idea. The one who can trademark it though, is the one who did something concrete with the idea. They published it, or manufactured it, or put it in some tangible form. In other words, they did something to make the idea their own.

You might say faith in God is an idea. For some people, it’s a nice idea, but not one they choose to work with in their daily lives. For others, it’s an idea to be discussed, studied, imagined and built on. They look for ways to add their unique spin on it because they want to own it for themselves. Like any idea, it only becomes yours when you personally do something with it.

You’ve been given amazing creativity, in fact, no one else is creatively you in quite the same way. God inspires your heart to see how you will develop the idea of His love and faithfulness. He knows when your idea of Him is personal, your faith in Him will go from simply being an idea, to being a reality.

Why not pull out that water color piece God inspired you to paint ten years ago, or the manuscript that still sits in a box under your bed? Why not go to the Source of all inspiration and seek guidance as to what you can do right now to fulfill your life purpose for Him?

You’re creative and what you do with the gifts God gave you matters. In fact it’s more like a big idea waiting to lift up your spirit and light up your soul. God gives you a new canvas everyday and He looks forward to seeing what you’ll do with it. Step out in faith, brush up on your scripture, and put a foundation under your idea. Your Interior Designer will help you along.

You’re already His masterpiece!

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No Artificial Sweeteners

John Piper said something akin to, “The biggest judgment of God on the world comes with the hardening of people’s hearts.”  As we look at news reports from around the globe, and often right here at home, it appears that many people have become comfortable with walking along on stony ground, with stony hearts to match. I suspect we may not even be aware of losing our sense of humanity, goodness, and treating others the way we want to be treated. 

So why have we put away the values most of us were raised with; the ones that suggest we help our neighbors, treat each other with kindness and respect, and make life a little bit easier for one another? Hard-hearted people spread fear and bitterness. We want more sugar, just not artificial sweeteners. We want genuine, meaningful, and abundant love to spill over and pour out on friends, family, and even complete strangers.

Life is a heart thing.  Sure, we have to protect ourselves, but bitterness can’t be allowed to take root in the soul of our corporate humanity. Kindness means we are aware of others, willing to lend a hand, and willing to offer comfort and genuine caring. God extends to each of us the gift of grace and kindness. He gives us a heart born of love! Why? Because love is God’s operating power, His bottom line, the thing He’d like us to understand even if we don’t get anything else while we’re on earth. Love turns the world right side up again.

So More Sugar and Less Vinegar!

We don’t have to be theologians or politicians or scientists or rock stars to simply be a little kinder.  As Mother Teresa said, “We want to be the living expression of God’s kindness.” We want to set our humble hearts at the feet of a Savior who forgives our rudeness and shortcomings almost daily, and be people who bless each other’s lives. God wants us to carry His genuine sweetness into the lives of others as a reflection of His compassionate heart. God sends His love to everyone, even to those who don’t acknowledge He’s there. He works all things together for the good of His creation. Imagine what it would mean to each of us if everyone worked for the good of others. 

Open your kind and generous heart to God, so He can give you a little more power, fueled by love.  He’ll throw in some grace and mercy and forgiveness too because those are the tools of His trade…and yours.  Be sweet! Be loving! Let your soft heart lead you into a life of kindness. You can save the vinegar for your French fries!  

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You’ve Got What It Takes!

Now, here I am, eighty-five years old. I am still as strong today as I was the day Moses sent me out, and I am just as ready to fight now as I was then.  Joshua 14:10-11, NCV

 

So, yes, you’re getting older! Getting older brings changes that may weaken your body, but they don’t have to weaken your spirit, and they definitely won’t weaken your soul. You’ve got what it takes to face the challenges the day brings. You’ve got what it takes because you’ve been growing in wisdom and discernment. You’ve been getting stronger in your faith and in the strength of your convictions. You’ve been being shaped and molded into the person God wants you to be. The years are a gift to you, so let them work for you.  The people around you want you to shine.

It can seem easier at times to opt out. You can come up with pretty handy excuses, the kind no one would fault you for using. Unfortunately excuses, even good excuses, won’t move you forward. You were not designed to give up on the things God placed on your heart a long time ago. You may think you are too old, or too busy, or too out of shape to get back in the game. But the truth is, the only thing truly out of shape is your sense of youthful energy, the kind that goes on to win the day. 

Joshua, from the Old Testament, lived to fight, not because he was a scrapper, but because he was a man on a mission. No matter how old he was or what his circumstances looked like, he had things to accomplish for God. He wasn’t going to give himself an easy out and he wasn’t giving people around him excuses either. He wanted to stand up and be counted because he knew he had what it takes to get the job done. You do too.

You may look in the mirror and imagine you don’t have any fight left in you. You’re anxious and discouraged, uncertain, and overwhelmed. Nothing meets your expectations.  Maybe you can take a note from Joshua and make the choice to try again. Prepare for the bell to sound and fight with all you’ve got.  Don’t do it just for yourself. Do it because it’s your calling, and the most fulfilling thing you can do. You are surrounded by the grace and mercy and direction of the Holy Spirit. You are equipped and ready. Let God know you are still there, still ready to suit up and go into the arena of life where you’ve been called to do His will. 

The comforting fact is God sees you right where you are today. He sees your heart and He’s willing to give you the strength you need. Just give Him the courage of your convictions. Let Him build you up and renew your spirit and lead you for the sake of all those who need your unique gifts. You are ready, willing, and able! You can trust the God of all that’s possible to guide you toward your heart’s desires. That’s your mission!

Let’s pray!

Lord, I often feel defeated, and in that state, I know I don’t accomplish much.  I pray today that You will strengthen and renew me in body, mind and spirit so I might stand up and fight for Your causes in this world. Amen

 

 

 

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New Year, New Choices

 

We like to have a choice about how life works. We value our independent spirits and our God-given talents and abilities. As we step into the uncertainty of 2025, we may wonder what to think or what to do to make life make sense to us.

If we look out at the world, we may question our options and opportunities. After all, everything changes, and change brings what-ifs, either-or, and maybe’s. It may not even be a question of the right choice, over just making a workable choice. So, what can you do to relieve the pressure of big decisions?

 

Options, Obstacles, and Opportunities…Oh, My!

That beloved comic from the early 70s, Flip Wilson, gave us all an out when it comes to the choices we make. He’d put a big grin on his face and say, “The Devil made me do it.”

Though Wilson made us laugh with that remark, his slogan may not have been far from the truth. More often than not, a poor choice usually means we are stepping away from God and going on our own.

If you’ve ever read, C. S. Lewis’ amazing book, The Screwtape Letters, you might cringe at how easy it is for our minds and hearts to be influenced toward those things that are anything

but good for us. We close our eyes and jump in and wonder why we are drowning in personal problems we helped to create ourselves. Sure, we had excuses.

We had something we imagined to be a good reason, but the odds are we were looking at all the wrong things. We let ourselves be deceived by the wolf in sheep’s clothing.

So, what can we do to make better choices in the days ahead?

 

Remember This

Start the year by remembering  that the devil, your poor choices, your general life messes aren’t the end of the story. You have made many good choices. 

As a believer you’ve elected to take God up on His option, His opportunity for a bright future. You made the choice of a lifetime, when you chose to accept God’s love and mercy,

His forgiveness, and His plan of salvation. 

Ding! Ding! Ding! You win! That choice makes a difference that you’ll notice every time you choose God first in 2025.

That choice means you have another chance to do things better next time. Why? Because God has you covered. He restores you and offers His forgiveness.

He’s got your back.

 

So today, make good choices. Pray about them. Change your mind. Pray again. Seek God’s direction. You can be confident about every choice you put before God’s throne.

Just remember, He chose you to be His child, and He will keep choosing you.

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A Child Is Born

When I look back at where I was born, I am amazed at all I’ve experienced since then. I was the third child of my very young parents, my mother still in her teens, my father doing his best to keep the roof over our heads. Those were tough years for them, yet, I was oblivious to the ups and downs of life, safe in the care of people who loved me. We each have a story, a beginning, a time when we totally depended on our families, and the world around us, to keep us safe and help us grow.

As we approach Christmas and the birth of Jesus, we might ponder his young parents traveling to Bethlehem. They didn’t have all the answers, they just knew they had to follow the laws of the land and be counted for the census. They knew it would be a tough journey, even though it wasn’t a journey they chose for themselves.  Uncertain, they trusted God and moved forward anyway.  Mary and Joseph probably didn’t understand what God was really doing; they just knew they were part of God’s story. Jesus was their baby, and yet, He was the Son of God.

You came to earth as the child of your parents, but because of Jesus, you are also a child of God, redeemed for eternity. That means no matter where you were born, God sees you and knows you. No matter how far you’ve traveled or how many ups and downs you’ve experienced, the journey has enlightened your path and given you purpose. You were called out of that place where you were born to become all that God designed you to be.

Isn’t it an amazing thought that God sent His Son into the world in the form of a baby, so our hearts would immediately be drawn to Him, and lives would be changed? The ancients anticipated His arrival, followed the stars, harkened to the angels, all to get a glimpse of Him. Let us join them this Christmas, trusting that no matter how rough things are, or how far we’ve traveled, that the journey before us is ever and always to find peace in the One we call God’s Son.

John 1: 12 says, “But those who did welcome him, those who believed in his name, he authorized to become God’s children, born not from blood nor from human desire or passion, but born from God.”

Merry Christmas to all God’s children.

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That Bright, Shining Star

The planet Jupiter is the brightest star in the night sky during the Christmas season. We’re drawn to the bright stars in the heavens when they appear, and the Star of Bethlehem may forever be a mystery as we imagine the Magi visiting the Christ child. Of course, some rule out that shining star as fiction, and others imagine it to be a conjunction of several stars and planets that looked like one star. All we know for sure is that God was inspiring the hearts and minds of many people to look up and see what had happened.

Biblical tradition notes three ancient astronomers seeking the Christ child, but there could have been more. Some people studied the movements of the stars their entire lives anticipating the birth of the Messiah. They trusted that an incredible event would occur and be a sign that the Savior of the world was born.

As three ancient travelers went on their way, they noticed a brilliant star that kept moving just ahead of them. How long it was there, or how many months they followed it is unknown, but they trusted they were being guided. They were so certain they would find the holy child that they brought gifts, rare and glorious gifts that paid homage to the One they waited years to see. Perhaps in some way, they inspired our own traditions of gift giving at Christmas.

So, imagine their joy when the star simply stopped, and they discovered the baby King for themselves.  Chances are they never looked at stars the same way again, never once forgot the guidance they received. They left their gifts for the family filled with awe and wonder. The Bible doesn’t follow up on the lives of those steadfast seekers to tell us how they were affected, but it is likely they were changed forevermore. Perhaps they spent the remainder of their lives trying to take in all they had seen. They had gotten a glimpse of the Savior; the One Isaiah had written about. Their eyes were opened, and they had an incredible story to tell.

Now, centuries later, we still need a glimpse of the Savior. We need to look up and let our eyes be opened to all that God has planned. The same God who led Moses through the wilderness with a fire that burned and guided his direction for forty years, wouldn’t have any trouble using His own creation to guide the hearts and minds of those who looked for Him then and seek Him still. Christmas is a precious season of the year because it moves our hearts toward the gift of God.

Don’t stop searching until your heart finds rest in the One who was born just for you.

Blessings, dear friends, and may God guide you into the year ahead with great joy.

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