“Karen’s Notes!

Insights from a Glory-Bound Lady”

Selected Notes

Volume 5 Number 38 “As Only Karen Could Put It!”

September 21st, 2022

Some of the dear folks who make Karen’s Notes a part of their Wednesday routine may not know that Karen was the JOY Club Director for Baptist Church Planters. She had a love for children, knew the value of reaching children with the gospel and served in that capacity for several years.

As the JOY Club Director, she received many phone calls from people who were serving in children’s ministries throughout the United States and Canada. Often she would share with me at supper time about the calls she received and interest in JOY Club that was expressed. Typically, she spoke of the precious servant-like spirit of the children’s workers scattered across these two countries. It would be rare, but every once in a while she encountered a person who was somewhat proud and arrogant. Apparently, she encountered such a person one day. She never mentioned names or locations, but what she wrote in her personal Bible study journal made me smile. It really made me think as well. Let me share the verses she was thinking through and then in typical Karen-like brevity, I’ll share what she wrote about pride versus humility.

“For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith” (Romans 12:3).

Karen wrote: BEWARE of pride. Let God be the one to “toot” your horn and He will ultimately receive the glory.

Michael’s observation: You know me. It would take me many words to get to the heart of the matter. Many of you knew Karen personally, and you know that it did not take her many words. That statement “Don’t think more highly of self than we ought” is powerful and practical. Everything about our lives, ministry, and opportunities are solely because of God’s grace. As only Karen could put it, we must never be tooting our own horn. May God always receive the glory for whatever He accomplishes.