Cousin PJ3 8/20/19

I'm pleased to have voiced a devotion by my cousin, Perry Johnston III.

As the Creekside Weekly Devotional Program is in it's final months, I'd like to thank George Bragg for the incredible work he's done to bring devotions to the world over 150 times per year, since the program's inception in 2000.  His encouragement, wisdom, and knowledge will be treasured by us all.  And to his dear wife Mary, thank you for allowing George to give us the devotional program.  We have learned, grown, and shared. Truly, we are blessed.

Now What? Part 1

First Published May 10, 2019

Whether you have recently confessed Christ as Lord of your life, you have been a Seasoned Saint for decades, or you are somewhere in between, we need to address the issue of what comes after a person accepts Christ. As a new convert, you are vulnerable to many of the same challenges and trials of life. Standing up and saying, “I’m a Christian!” will not make troubles go away. For some, challenges are intensified.  Just read about the Apostles.

Also, you are not going to instantly understand the entire Bible. Sometimes spiritual maturity takes an entire lifetime to achieve. But, take heart, God has not left us empty-handed!

***

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),… Ephesians 2:4-5

Is = ων (being; present active) means now; always now.  You are in God’s mercy. Period. And God made us alive through Christ. So… you are spiritually alive and healthy!

***

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works,

Which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

You have purpose in growing spiritually. And God has a path to make that happen.

***

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off

Have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:13

All of this is possible through the blood of our Savior, Jesus the Christ. We have hope!

***

…And that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross,

There by putting to death the enmity. Ephesians 2:16

We can now approach the throne of God in prayer.  He will hear our requests. We have peace.

***

Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord… Ephesians 2:19-21

If we keep our focus on the corner stone, setting our actions, decisions, and attitudes, in reference to Christ the Head of the Church, the Kingdom of God will stay strong.  Our personal lives will also reflect the solid and strong faith we continue to develop.

Copyright 2019 by Karen Vaughn

Moving Forward

As I get ready to move into a new phase of my life, I'd like to invite you to visit my second YouTube Channel: MrsKarenVaughn Voice.

It contains my narration voice over demo tape, an audition sample video, and a narrated book for my grandson.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMnm0oVk4Qn8g3plnXcswag?view_as=subscriber

Many thanks to my voice over teachers, family, and friends who were so supportive.

BTY, my Commercials Demo may be found at voices.com.  Search for Karen Vaughn.

God is Good.

-Karen

Spiritual Rhythm

First Published July 9, 2018

 
Rhythm. It’s all encompassing. There is rhythm throughout God’s creation. The earth rotates about the sun creating the cyclic seasons.  The earth spins about its axis giving us night and day. The moon is crucial, effecting the tide’s ebb and flow.
 
From within, our heart beats sending life giving blood throughout our body. We breathe rhythmically, inhaling air and exhaling carbon dioxide.  Our blood has been enriched with oxygen.
 
I think God made creation and us with rhythms for a purpose.  In those areas where we can make choices, rhythms are important.  We sometimes call these rhythms habits.  We make choices about our hygiene rhythms.  We make choices about our eating rhythms. We work and play with rhythms (schedules) in mind.
 
When it comes to our relationship with God, we might not be so rhythmic.  We pray spontaneously (when we want something).  We fellowship when it suits us.  We study the Bible when we have a writing deadline (I’m busted!)
***
Proverbs 22:17
Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge;

So, how do we (okay, I) regain my spiritual rhythm?  First I must confess my slacking and bad time management and pray that the Lord will guide me to be a better steward. Then, I’ve got to start.  Maybe a jumpstart like a defibrillator would do the trick.  Total emersion in prayer and study may be needed to ensure a proper focus towards God’s will. A slowly accelerating and deliberate plan may be best for me.  None the less, I must start. 
 
How do I keep up the momentum?  I’m easily distracted and need reminders to keep me accountable. A friend might be helpful. There is also technology.  I set my phone alarm for two reminders. One goes off midday and the other rings in the evening. I can be diligent. I have faith.
 
Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
 
***
Dear Lord, My spiritual rhythm was fading, barely beating.  It seemed overwhelming to try to regain it. Through your word you promise that I can have faith.  Please help me to continue that faith and focus on revitalizing my rhythm, keeping it strong.  In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Copyright 2018 by Karen Vaughn

Psst!

First Published June 7, 2018

Proverbs 22:17

Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge;

School year end is upon us.  Once again in thousands of schools and universities, students will be cast out into the wide world with diplomas in hand.  I offer “Five P’s” to help carry you or your favorite graduate to the next stage of life!

***

Pray

Matthew 6:6

But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

***

Purpose

Matthew 7:7

…Seek, and you will find…

***

Prepare

Proverbs 24:7

Prepare your outside work. Make it fit for yourself in the field…

***

Plan

Proverbs 15:22

Without counsel, plans go awry, But in the multitude of counselors they are established…

***

Power up

James 1:22-25

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.  For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.

***

Lord God, today I pray for the young believers that are soon going out into the world.  Help them to be steadfast in your promises, never be timid to pray, have a definitive life purpose, make time to prepare through diligent work and rest, have a strong reasonable plan, and power-up, putting their plans into action. I also pray for those that do not yet know you will be enlightened and moved to accept your Son as Savior. In His name I pray, amen.

Copyright 2018 by Karen E. Vaughn

Orange Crush

First Published April 20, 2018
 

There is a freeway interchange in Orange County, CA where Interstate Highway 5, California State Route 57, and California State Route 22 intersect. I first navigated this nightmare around 1977 on my way from college to the north to a hair modeling gig (another story for another time) at a hair products show at Fashion Island, Newport Beach to the south. The traffic was bad.  The accidents were bad. The confusing signs were bad. My headache was bad.

A year later when my then boyfriend Jeff planned to drive us to a Kappa Mu Epsilon Math Society party at Newport Beach, I related my horrifying experience. “Oh, you can easily bypass the Orange Crush!” he said. The what?
***
One of biggest problems I have with reading scripture inside and outside of the Bible is the context. The impact of the words at that moment may be squelched by my need to find out the “who, what, why, where, and how” surrounding the verse. But that’s those are important details for truly understanding scripture.

How can we understand God’s word better? The solution is simple. We just need to be consistent in reading, asking questions, listening, praying, and doing.  The real stinger word is “consistent,” and the Bible addresses this.

My mouth will speak words of wisdom; the meditation of my heart will give you understanding. Psalm 49:3. Reading and listening to God’s word will give results.

Deuteronomy 11:18-19 is also wisdom for us as children of the word. Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

We can gain understanding of the scriptures. The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. Psalm 119:130

There are many references that address understanding scripture.  We need to stay diligent, focused, and opened to continually learning.
***
“The Orange Crush is the name of where the I-5, Orange, and Garden Grove, freeways cross,” Jeff continued. I thought he was talking about the popular soda pop. I knew about the tasty Nehi Company product, but I hadn’t driven around Southern California much and didn’t know about the nick name given to the tangled mess of roadways also called the Orange Crush.
***
Lord, you know that I truly desire to understand your Word.  Help me to be consistent in study, clear in asking questions, quick to listen to wisdom, strong in communing with you, and confident in doing your will.  Thank you for those in my life who teach your precepts.  They hold a torch for your truth.  Thank you for your son, Jesus, who died on the cross that I may find peace and salvation.  Amen.

Copyright 2018 by Karen E. Vaughn

Belated Pi-Day Chuckles

Fun Facts –     Mag-pi : an irrational bird.

Pi-ano: a transcendental musical instrument.

Pi-ca: font type π in height.

pi-man Lambert:       Used a tan-ed pi.  Very irrational!

American Pi: 3.14… stars

: It was transcendental!

Fruit pi: fig, a plum, a peach, raspberry,…

Pi’d Piper:

Pi-thon: official Pi-Day mascot

Mrs. Vaughn’s Pneumonic – Now, I wish I could blackbelt my number facts and learn concepts acceptably

Inner Beauty

First Published October 11, 2017

                                               

Galatians 5:22-23(NKJV)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.  Against such there is no law.

***

Recently a dear lady was laid to rest after a short, but very intense bout with cancer.  The ceremony was beautiful with hundreds gathered, mourning the loss of Susie. Several multi-story windows in the church allowed us to gaze into the blue sky with mingling billowing clouds, and an occasional soaring bird. Truly it seemed like a heaven-sent picture.

Later on during her Celebration of Life gathering, friends and family lined up to say a few words about the life of beloved Susie; a life characterized by her dedication to her husband and children, her community and charity work, and her hobbies.  One common thread emerged: Susie exuded inner beauty unlike many had ever encountered in a person.  She was kind, good-natured, joyous, …the very list of the Fruit of the Spirit.

No one disagreed. She was remarkable and the loss was so painful.  But what I didn’t see in the nearly 33 years that I knew her was that there were two main things that contributed to her inner beauty. The first thing was a given: her faith in God and Jesus Christ. Only by Heaven’s Grace could she pray for others, help others, be compassionate for others, accept others, and be joyous through tough times.

Secondly, Susie’s Fruit did not appear from feeding on the mishaps of others, but rather that fruit sought to plant seeds, to allow all that knew her to continue to grow in love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. And this is what I learned from her absence. By His Grace I entered into faith, and by my life I can grow in spiritual maturity, planting the seeds from the Fruit of the Spirit.  That’s Inner Beauty.

***

Dear Lord, Thank you for the moments that I had with Susie and the lessons of faith reignited in my heart.  I pray that my life will grow in the Spirit and that others will see you as the seeds of that fruit nature.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’" Luke 10:27

“Love is like pi – natural, irrational, and very important.” - Lisa Hoffman