Have you felt offended gravely? What did/do you feel like doing to your offender? Supposing your siblings plotted to kill you, sold you into slavery, then as a slave you get falsely accused of a crime, get thrown into prison where you languish for a dozen years then somehow get promoted to a very high…
Author: Karen E. Young
Sharing the journey of fumbling my way to pleasing Jesus as His follower, as a wife, mother, businesswoman/ entrepreneur, cook/baker, employer, writer, occasional singer, lifelong learner, and aspiring dancer.
Undivided: Barbie Mindset
A pastor asked me, “How integrated are you?” I wanted to google “integrated” so I could better grasp the question. I looked it up afterwards: “To make into a whole by bringing all parts together; unify”. He said that each person is made up of three components: spirit (the God-aware part), soul (mind, will, desires where…
Not a Negastar
It can be easy to dwell on the negative circumstances that happen from day to day. “The nerve!”, I might say for people who cause offense. “Now what?” to yet one more demonstration of Murphy’s Law. The list can go on. The mind is the seat for transformation. What we dwell on has the power…
Perfect Valentine
Eight years ago, I got invited to a ladies’ luncheon where I heard the speaker, Deonna Tanchi, talking about the stages of love. If I remember right, it was something like this: 1. Romance; 2. Reality; 3. Resentment; 4. Retaliation; 5. Rage; 6. Resignation or Restoration. Romantic movies popularize notions like “You complete me”. In reality, we…
Through the Fire
Isaiah 43:2c-3a contains this specific phrase to talk about how God is our protection, cover, and shield from the fire. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. 3 For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. If there were a fire, I…
Ear-Tickler or Truth-Teller
As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend (Prov 27:17). I so appreciate in my life truth-tellers who will tell me straight to my face what I need to hear, not just what I want to hear. They will speak the truth in love (Eph 4:15), just like it is, whether in rebuke, exhortation,, or revelation of a painful…
Attitude of Gratitude
It’s easy to well up with gratitude for blessed days like today. Love, grace, peace, joy, and music overflowed. Indeed this is a gift from God. Thank you, Lord! But the verse in 1Thess 5:18, Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus, reminds us that we need to condition our minds…
Strong When Weak
The times when I am keenly aware that I am weak, limited, and helpless are the times when I am intentional about seeking God for direction and strength. Figuratively on my knees, I await His cues and keep asking His Holy Spirit to lead me. Those are the times when I am most prone to…
Answer, Show, Rescue, Teach, Lead Me
Psalm 143 7 Answer me quickly, O LORD; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit. 8 Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for…
Dear Demi (and other Demi’s)
You are not alone. You are a beautiful woman and a beautiful mom. No man, I mean N-O M-A-N, no matter how outwardly gorgeous is worth destroying yourself for. You were whole before him and you will be again. Your children need you whole. You are so talented and have much to give the world….
