“Karen’s Notes!
Insights from a Glory-Bound Lady”

Selected Notes
Volume 6 Number 42
#286 “Never, Never, Never Do These Things. I mean NEVER!”

October 18th, 2023

The young man thought he had absolutely no chance!
A certain, unnamed teenage young man was absolutely most unathletically inclined. In the same class in his high school was a certain unnamed teenage young lady who was absolutely most athletically inclined. Hence, the certain teenage young man thought he had absolutely no chance to ever date the certain unnamed teenage young lady.

All that changed one early January morning in 1969.
The certain unnamed athletically inclined teenage young lady when asked for a date said, “Yes!” All right, I know that you know I am speaking of Karen and myself! She was not only interested in sports, she was really good. When we graduated from high school, she was voted the most athletic of the gals of our senior class. Though she was good in each of the girls’ sports, her favorite was basketball.

I’m not surprised that I found a brief note written to herself at Hebrews 12:1-2.
“Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2).

This note was in Karen’s personal Bible study and included “NEVER!”
For this great contest (12:1-2) there are rules of the race.
Never waste energy by complaining (Hebrews 13:5,15).
Never lose focus by comparing self to others (Hebrews 12:2, “looking unto Jesus”).
Never slow down by collecting and clinging to things (Hebrews 10:34).
Never disqualify self by compromising (1 Corinthians 9:24-27).

Let me send you on your way with this good reminder for you and me.
Even for those of us who aren’t so athletic, we still remember that our Christian life that we seek to live is described as being a race. I am so glad that the race is with the Lord and myself and not against each other. This is the reason I must intentionally keep my focus on the Lord Jesus.

For many of us it is hard to imagine that we are already into mid-October 2023. As the days and weeks fly past, if you know Christ as your personal Savior, I believe it is necessary that we keep these “Nevers” ever before our attention. How about you?

May I quickly add a “by the way”?
If your teenager says, “Don’t worry, mom and dad. It’s only a date. I’m not going to marry…” Uncle Mike has this reminder for you. From the time that Karen said “yes” to the date, we never dated anyone else. Your teen’s date might very well end up as mate!