Spiritual Growth

Stuffing or Dressing?

Posted on November 26, 2012 by Karen Thomas Olsen

While I await transport to heaven, I’m keeping myself busy enough, but not too busy. Every cell of my body and spirit knows that “this world is not my home.” Most of you, from all I know, live much busier lives than I do because you have more demands on your lives. Because I have only a husband to care for (and we work well as a team), I have more contemplative and study time. My days are not stuffed. Which reminds me of Thanksgiving and this Christmas season.

Paul and I baked a bird this year to feed a group of ten people around our beautiful Thanksgiving table. Continue reading →

Categories: Spiritual Growth | Tags: Christ, clutter, dressing, space, stuffing, time | 3 Comments

Testing

Posted on November 16, 2012 by Karen Thomas Olsen

Dear Readers,

Please reply to let me know if you find any advertisement/video at the bottom of this blog. I had two reports of such after my last post, but when I have gone into the blog from outside (rather than from the administrative mode which I am on now), I do not find any ad/video. The one video clip was crass and inappropriate. Another person saw a different clip that wasn’t bad, but nonetheless, I want to know if this is happening across the board or if this was a one time thing. If this is going to continue, I’ll check into what I can do. So this post is a test, and I need your response to know if this is going to be a real problem that needs to be addressed. Continue reading →

Categories: Spiritual Growth | Tags: discipline, love, testing, tests | 4 Comments

Cinco de Noviembre

Posted on November 5, 2012 by Karen Thomas Olsen

Continue reading →

Categories: Being Like Jesus, Spiritual Growth | Tags: hate, indifference, love | 1 Comment

Curious Karen

Posted on October 26, 2012 by Karen Thomas Olsen

Yes, lots to explore. Lots to learn! Last time I wrote of being scattered because I’m distracted by so many fascinations. The list of distractions has no end, as long as my heart is beating. So today I find a stack of delightful distractions right here in my house. What delightful distractions surround you? Continue reading →

Categories: Spiritual Growth | Tags: love of learning, spirituality | Leave a comment

Scattered

Posted on October 15, 2012 by Karen Thomas Olsen

I didn’t post an article last week — just too divided. A bit scattered. So many things to do. There’s something fun and positive about this and something negative. I’m thankful that I have numerous activities, projects, and interests. I’m thankful that I have enough strength and energy to pursue them! I’m so glad that the God-given sense of wonder at life and the joy of discovery have not died with long-gone youth!!!

On the other hand, Continue reading →

Categories: Spiritual Growth | Tags: obsessions, Personal projects, retirement | 2 Comments

Song of Encouragement

Posted on October 4, 2012 by Karen Thomas Olsen

Here is a song I learned recently in church. I thought the words might encourage you as they have me!

Rejoice in the Lord

1. God never moves without purpose or plan

When trying His servant and molding a woman.

Give thanks to the Lord though your testing seems long; In darkness he gives a song.

2. I could not see through the shadows ahead,

So I looked to the cross of my Savior instead. I bowed to the will of the Master that day; Then peace came and tears fled away.

3. Now I can see testing comes from above; God strengthens His children and purges in love. My Father knows best, and I trust in His care; Through purging more fruit I will bear.

CHORUS: O rejoice in the Lord.

He makes no mistake. He knows the end

of each path that I take. For when I am tried and purified, I shall come forth as gold.

Lyrics by Ron Hamilton

Categories: Spiritual Growth | Tags: Character, encouragement, God's providence, Rejoice in the Lord | Leave a comment

Prayer for a Blessed Life

Posted on September 26, 2012 by Karen Thomas Olsen

I told you about the teen girls’ all nighter I was to have last Friday night, so let me report. It went very smoothly. It ended up being the smallest one I’ve had with only five girls coming, but you put five teen girls together, and they have a grand time. I had lots of yummy food for them: Paul’s famous enchaladas, veggie plate, chips and salsa, banana bread, brownies….. The girls had plenty of room and gathered in several places to chatter, chatter, chatter. One girl played my piano for quite a while and demonstrated a pleasant and broad repertoire. One girl loves to sketch, and showed her stack of fashion drawings and made some more. They chose some games from my wicker game chest. They stayed up late and I went to bed, trusting them not to burn the house down. Continue reading →

Categories: Spiritual Growth | Tags: bless, blessings, prayer | 2 Comments

To Bless Your Heart

Posted on September 19, 2012 by Karen Thomas Olsen

I’m hostessing another teen girls’ all nighter at my house this Friday night. I’ve been doing this about twice a year for the last 2-3 years. Often I schedule them when Paul is on a mission trip, but he’s gone back to work again, so he’s not flying off to Africa or some other place for a while. (He’s retired twice now. Third time’s a charm, and he seems to be in the charming work stage right now. That’s another topic for another time.) I have a theme for each all nighter, so this time, I chose my theme based upon the lovely, little chorus, “To Bless Your Heart” which is about blessing God’s heart. Oh, how could we ever bless The Blesser? Continue reading →

Categories: Spiritual Growth | Tags: "To Bless Your Heart" by Wendy Corrick, bless, heart, heart of God | Leave a comment

Monsoon Drama: Another Sacred Stage

Posted on September 11, 2012 by Karen Thomas Olsen

I’m sitting on my swing in the front of my house looking out at the Bradshaw Mountains. The sky is filled with billowy clouds, and in the distance I occasionally hear some thunder. It’s the end of the monsoon season here in Arizona. We’ve lived in the Prescott Valley area ( 1 1/2 hours north of Phoenix) for five years now, and this is the most amazing monsoon season I’ve experienced. I didn’t know about North America’s southwestern monsoons before moving here. Continue reading →

Categories: Spiritual Growth | Tags: Faith, monsoons, mundane life, storms, trusting God, weather | 6 Comments

Our Hallowed Father blessing hallowed days

Posted on August 21, 2012 by Karen Thomas Olsen

I enjoy playing the piano in my home for the pleasure of it, and it also is a lovely opportunity to pray and worship. Yesterday, I was playing the old gospel hymn,”Sweet By and By.”

There’s a land that is fairer than day, and by faith we can see it afar,

For the Father waits over the way to prepare us a dwelling place there.

Refrain: In the sweet by and by, we shall meet on that beautiful shore;

In the sweet by and by, we shall meet on that beautiful shore.

That’s the first verse. I suppose many of you remember it, and the melody is now playing in your mind. These are precious words, but the third verse struck me. Continue reading →

Categories: Spiritual Growth | Tags: Hallow, holy, sanctuary, set apart | 3 Comments