Karen’s Korner
This is a weekly one minute video devotional to help inspire, engage and remind each of us of God’s presence and what He is able to do when we acknowledge his leadership in our lives. Many times, this devotional will be a resource for pastors, and leaders to use in the development of their sermons and Bible studies.
IN YOUR KORNER: 52 Weekly Devotional Thoughts by Karen Ming: Purchase on Amazon
I CAN ENDURE
Last week we talked about God equipping us for our task, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t moments of “just plain endurance and surprises”.
Mary’s favor would lead to much pain: her peers ridiculed her, her fiancé nearly left her, and her son would eventually be ridiculed and murdered. But through her endurance, her son would arrive as the world’s only hope. Luke 1.
I AM A VIRGIN. “How can this happen? I am a virgin.” She never fully understood the plan or miracle, but she endured what seemed impossible.
I AM THE LORD’S SERVANT. Mary responded, “This is amazing, I will be the mother of the Lord.” Sometimes we do not know what we are signing for.
I WILL ACCEPT EVERYTHING. “May everything you have told me come to pass.”
Mary has been praised by countless generations for her submission and obedience. If sorrow weighs you down and dims your hope, think of Mary. We can endure and see God’s plan.
REFLECT: Do you need help with your task?
TRUTH: You can tell Jesus how you feel. He gives you strength.
PRAY: Lord, we will endure with your help.
ARE YOU EQUIPPED?
We can go to church but still not understand that we can be equipped for everyday life and its challenges. At this Christmas season, I was beginning to stress and feel “I can’t do all I need to do”. I was reminded “I am equipped for each day.”
Mary was visited by an angel, but this was not enough for her to immediately accept the challenge. Luke 1.
THE NEWS. “Grace to you, young woman, for the Lord is with you, and you are anointed with great favor.” You are going to be a mom! (My words)
THE QUESTION. “Mary was deeply troubled over the words of the angel. “How can this happen?” Ever felt troubled over some news?
THE DELIGHT. “Do not yield to your fear, Mary, the Lord has found delight in you. The Holy Spirt power will come and overshadow you.”
Mary was equipped only by God. Today, you can be equipped by God for every task.
REFLECT: Are you feeling overwhelmed?
TRUTH: God delights in you.
PRAY: I accept your help.
HOW CAN I BE THANKFUL
In our culture, Thanksgiving Day is a time to be with family, eat, laugh, and share together. We enjoy our blessings. We can have this perspective because our heavenly Father knows us, our value, and our future. (Matthew 10)
ALWAYS AWARE. "Not even one sparrow falls from its nest without our God knowing or being aware." This is quite amazing.
ALWAYS VALUABLE. "You are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows." You are so valuable that God sent his Son to die for you so you could have true life.
ALWAYS CALM. "So don't worry." Your Father cares deeply about every detail of your life. Wow, this is our choice.
You may feel fearful and anxious, even in special moments. God will not take away all of your troubles, but he will help you hold up under the wear, tear, and stress of everyday life.
REFLECT: Are you having trouble being thankful?
TRUTH: God places special value on knowing you. Know this today.
PRAY: Lord, we choose to trust and be thankful.
IMPOSSIBLE
Sometimes we get in a situation where it looks like there is no hope. There is no answer; it is impossible without a miracle.
In Matthew 9, Jairus, a leader of the synagogue, did not come to Jesus until his daughter was dead. It was too late, but:
JESUS SCATTERED THE CROWD. “When Jesus entered the home of Jairus, he saw a noisy crowd of mourners, wailing and playing a funeral dirge.” Jesus had to get rid of the fearful and faithless.
JESUS GENTLY TOOK THE DAUGHTER’S HAND. Jesus always goes personal to the one in need. Knowing the right response, he took her hand. He is a personal God.
THE GIRL STOOD TO HER FEET. “She immediately stood to her feet.” Jesus brought life when it seemed too late for anyone to help.
If your situation looks hopeless, remember that sets the stage for Christ to do the impossible.
REFLECT: What seems impossible in your life?
TRUTH: She had a new life. The report of this miracle swept through the countryside.
PRAY: Lord, help me believe for the impossible.
WE ARE HOME!
Many of you followed my trip to Kenya.
My son, Brian, and I taught at a two-day Pastors and Leaders Conference. It was a blessing to see over 300 men and women encouraged and challenged to move forward.
Then, I partnered with Windy Rhodes and her team for our second Medical Clinic. It was one of the most amazing mission trips yet! In four days, we saw approximately 1,700 patients, ministered to 500 children, and saw 203 souls won to the Kingdom of God, 5 healings, and 3 deliverances! We also held a day of street ministry and visited a children's home.
Lives were changed forever. Friendships began and strengthened. Many went into this as strangers and came out as family.
Thank you to all who supported and prayed for our team. We truly could not have done this without you. Many gave, many prayed, and we were chosen to go. Our God is always so faithful.
We are already planning the next clinic. Please click below if you would like to make a gift!
WHAT DO I DO?
We all need to know “what to do” in all our life situations. Regardless of your age, we face challenges and decisions that can come with help to “know what to do”. Because of who I am in Christ, I can stand on his promise in Psalm 32:8.
CLOSENESS. “I hear the Lord saying, “I will stay close to you.” Yes, He understands what we need to do.
INSTRUCTION. “I will instruct and guide you along the best pathway for your life.”
GUIDANCE. “I will advise, watch over you and guide you with my eye.”
We can stubbornly leave God only one option, let us go our way. God longs to guide us with love and wisdom and teach us the best way to go. You can trust his hand to lead you.
REFLECT: Do you need help with what to do?
TRUTH: “Don’t make me tug you and pull you along, just come with me.”
PRAY: Lord, I surrender my heart to you and please tell me what to do.
FULLY RESTORED
One of the greatest stories we can share is a miracle of “healing”. We know it is supernatural. I can share that I have been healed many times. One time I had Bell’s palsy in my face, and I was completely healed in two weeks with no side effects.
David in Psalm 30 was fully restored.
YOU HEALED ME. “Oh, Lord, my healing God, I cried out, for a miracle and you healed me.”
YOU BROUGHT ME BACK. “You brought me back from the brink of death, from the depth below.” Sometimes we can feel we are falling into a pit of death.
YOU RESTORED ME. “Now here, I am alive and well, fully restored.”
I have seen so many cry out for help, desperate to be restored. I am so sorry if you are going through this type of situation. But there is hope!
REFLECT: Do you need healing today?
TRUTH: Through Christ, you have access to healing that makes you whole in every way.
PRAY: As your child, I can be fully restored.
PLEASE GO WITH ME
Have you ever felt “I don’t want to take this journey” or go somewhere alone. I am leaving for Africa for a mission trip and for months I have prayed for total protection. I can rely on Psalm 91 and know Who I am in Christ, “I am His child, and I have his protection.”
MY PART. “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High, has benefits.” We have a promise.
GOD’S PART. “You will find rest in God’s shadow; He is your refuge and place of safety rescued from the hidden trap of the enemy.”
“His massive arms are wrapped around you protecting you.”
The writer’s faith in God shows a protector that would carry him through ALL the dangers and fears of life. This is a picture of trust.
REFLECT: Have you experienced God’s protection?
TRUTH: Today, you can run under his cover of majesty and hide.
PRAY: Lord, I trust you for safety wherever I am.
And I would appreciate your prayers for the next two weeks while I am in Africa at the PCG Pastors Conf. and Medical Clinic.
WORRY TOO MUCH?
Probably if we are very honest, we could think of our caring and concern many times becoming worry. We can worry over almost everything (many of which do not happen). Matthew 6, Jesus gives his children the answer to worry.
DON’T WORRY. Jesus said, “This is why I tell you to never be worried about your life.” He lists food, water, clothing -basic necessities and needs. We know how difficult it can be at times to meet all our needs.
SEE HIS PROVISION. “For all that will need will be provided, everything your body needs.” What a promise.
HE HAS KNOWLEDGE. “Doesn’t your heavenly Father already know the things your bodies require?”
I don’t know your needs today. But as God’s children, we can plan which is time well spent, while worrying is time wasted. Worriers can be consumed with fear and find it difficult to trust God. Worry immobilizes; concern moves you to action.
REFLECT: Do you worry too much?
TRUTH: Don’t let your worries affect your relationship with God.
PRAY: Lord, you know my needs.
IDENTITY OR IMAGE
Have you ever felt you lost your identity, or you were not sure who you were becoming? When you don’t know who you are, you can spend your life trying to be who others want you to be. As Christ followers, He changes your identity. Galatians 2
OLD IDENTITY GONE. “My old identity has been crucified with the Messiah and no longer lives.” Legally, God looks at us as if we had died with Christ.
OUR NEW IDENTITY. “And now the essence of this new life is no longer mine, for the Anointed One lives his life through me.”
ONE IN CHRIST. “It is no longer I live. Christ lives his life through me; we live in union as one.”
This may be hard to understand. Our enemy loves to attack our identity. Christ identity is what I need. Image fades: His identity stays, stands and holds.
REFLECT: Are you struggling with your identity?
TRUTH: Our new life is empowered by the faith of the Son of God.
PRAY: Lord, I want your identity.
YOU AND ME
This week, I had a family reunion with my brothers and families. Being in their presence was meaningful and fun, and it reminded me how vital it is to be in God’s presence. It truly defines “who we are in Christ.”
Moses realized this in Exodus 33. He concluded that God’s presence:
SETS US APART. “For your presence among us sets your people and me apart from all other people of the earth.” Moses relied wholeheartedly on God’s directions.
BRINGS FRIENDSHIP AND FAVOR. “I will indeed look favorably on you, and I know you by name.” So endearing.
GIVES REST. “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” This rest means to be soothed, quieted, secure and to live peaceably.
GOD, I love when it is you and me. Your presence is so sweet. If you haven’t experienced His presence, try talking to Him. Then listen and linger.
REFLECT: Do you sense God’s presence in your life?
TRUTH: This process deepens as our relationship grows.
PRAY: God, help me to desire your presence.
I AM FREE
“Not guilty, let him go free.” What would those words mean to if you were on death row? The entire human race is on death row, justly condemned for repeatedly breaking God’s holy law. Without Jesus we would have no hope. But in Him, we are declared free, as promised in Romans 8.
NO GUILT. “There is no condemnation or guilt for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice.
LIBERATED. “For the law of the Spirit of life…has liberated us from the “law” of sin and death.” This is “who we are in Christ, liberated and free.”
LIFE. “And we are free to live, not according to our flesh, but by the dynamic power of the Holy Spirit.” This is life lived abundantly.
Once we say yes to Jesus, we will want to continue following him, because his way brings life and peace.
REFLECT: Are you living free from guilt?
TRUTH: We must choose daily to center our life on him.
PRAY: Thank you, Jesus, because I am free.
NEED SOME GRACE
We have been sharing “who we are in Christ”. Paul, an ex-murderer, tells how he received the gift of grace. Ephesians 3 teaches us about this gift and what it does for us.
INCLUSIVE. Paul reveals the secret: “The gospel of grace has made all people (Jews and non-Jews) coheirs and joint heirs of the promise and members of his body.” No one is left out!
EMPOWERED. “Paul says that grace alone empowered him to preach, teach and tell of Christ’s divine mystery.”
BOLDNESS. “This divine plan was destined from eternal ages and fulfilled by our Lord Jesus Christ.”
How does this relate to me? We all need grace -his favor and power. Through Christ, we can have boldness and free access as kings before the Father. All who believe this good news equally share in His inheritance.
RFLECT: Do you need grace in your life?
TRUTH: We enjoy this because of Christ. We find grace in our time of need.
PRAY: Thank you, Lord, for your grace.
HIS CHILD
Everyone has been a child, and those of us with children understand they are a gift, a blessing, and our lives are deeply involved with them. We have been sharing about “Who we are in Christ”. In I John 3, John tells us we are God’s children because of his marvelous love. What an indescribable gift.
BELOVED. “Look with wonder at the depths of the Father’s marvelous love that he lavished on his very own beloved children.” Now we are his children.
UNRECOGNIZED. “The reason the world doesn’t recognize who we are is that they didn’t recognize Him.” It is very clear to us; we are His children.
REFLECTIONS. “In the future, we know that when it is finally made visible, we will be just like him.”
How does this affect me? Knowing this motivates us Christians (his children) to live righteously and become more like him.
RELFECT: How does knowing that you are his child affect you?
TRUTH: We have hope as we look forward to seeing Christ.
PRAY: Thank you, Lord, that I am your child.
MY PLAN ISN’T WORKING!
We plan many things, and we can become good with details. But we can only make “our plans” until we accept God’s love and salvation. It becomes a NEW PLAN for our lives: what we do, where we go, who we are with. Ephesians 2:10 shows us we are:
GOD’S MASTERPIECE. “For we are God’s masterpiece created with intention, skill and care and deliberate expression of His love.” You are special.
GOD’S NEW CREATION. “He has created us anew in Christ Jesus. This is through God’s unmerited favor not our effort and ability.”
GOD’S NEW PLAN. “Recreated so we can do the good things he planned for us.”
As we surrender to Christ, we get our PLAN A, which was designed for us from the beginning. Now we can know and become who he wants us to be. Maybe this is new for you, but this changes everything.
REFLECT: Are you stuck making your plans?
TRUTH: We can see through God’s eyes. He loves us.
PRAY: Change me to follow your plan.
NO CONNECTION?
Do you ever feel you don’t belong? Belonging is a core part of “who we are in Christ”. Regardless of our earthly family situation - whether good, dysfunctional, or absent - when we are reborn in Christ, we gain a new family and a divine connection. Ephesians 2:18.
ACCESS TO FATHER GOD. “For through Him (Christ) we have access to the Father by one Spirit.” We can have a relationship with our heavenly Father.
ACCESS TO THE HOLY SPIRIT. Jesus promised He would send the Holy Spirit to live within us.
ACCESS TO GOD’S FAMILY. We become members of God’s household- not a building, but a group of people bonded together by His Spirit.
Perhaps this is a new concept for you. What is your relationship with your earthly family? Now you also have a new family, and we are citizens of God’s kingdom.
REFLECT: Do you need to get plugged into this new family?
TRUTH: Take advantage of your new family.
PRAY: Lord, help me connect!
CHOOSE ME
Did you ever long to be called or chosen for a position, maybe for a place on the team? What if I told you never to worry again; the God of heaven has chosen you for a new plan. Ephesians 1:4-5.
CHOSEN TO BE HIS OWN. “We were chosen even before he laid the foundation of the universe.” This tells us that salvation depends entirely on God not on anything we’ve done to deserve it.
CHOSEN AND ORDAINED US. Because of His great love, he ordained us to be seen as holy in his eyes. How can this be possible when we make mistakes? Only through Christ.
ADOPTED US. His perfect plan was to adopt us as his delightful children through our union with Jesus which brings him great pleasure.
In our world, this seems impossible, but we are called and chosen (and never abandoned again). You are not a random person in the crowd.
REFLECT: Have you accepted his call?
TRUTH: He has marked us with his love.
PRAY: Lord, thank you for choosing me.
ARE YOU REBORN?
What if I told you, you can be reborn? Jesus introduced this powerful idea to an influential religious leader in John 3, shaking his entire theology and worldview.
THE QUESITON: How can someone be born when they are old? Jesus used this figure of “new birth, to show that a relationship with God isn’t about simply trying harder, but about a complete spiritual rebirth.
THE PROCESS. “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” Jesus gave His own life to make this rebirth possible for us.
THE INVITATION. How can this happen to me? Because Jesus died for everyone, anyone who belongs to Christ becomes a new person. Your life is recreated in His image.
REFLECT: Have you surrendered your life to Christ?
TRUTH: You can’t be born again physically, but you can be reborn spiritually by giving your life to Christ and receiving God’s greatest gift: forgiveness.
PRAY: Lord, I give you my heart, forgive my sin. Amen.
WHO ARE YOU?
How do you see life – the good and the difficult? Whatever your past, know this: you are not an accident. Your existence was planned before your birth, a truth beautifully captured in Psalm 139:13-16.
KNOWN BEFORE BIRTH. “You watched me as I was formed in seclusion: you saw me before I was born.” This is the foundation of our identity.
KNOWN INTIMATELY. “You shaped me first inside; then out, you formed me in my mother’s womb. Body and soul, I am marvelously made with divine intention.”
KNOWN FOR A PURPOSE. “We were intentionally created by a Father who continues to work within us so we can fulfill the great plan He has for our lives.”
When you feel worthless, remember that you are God’s creation. His workmanship is marvelous. See His hand in your life from the beginning until now.
REFLECT: How do you see yourself today? As His marvelous work?
TRUTH: “How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.”
PRAY: Lord, help me see myself the way You have always seen me.
IS IT WORKING FOR YOU?
Sometimes we blame God or others because nothing seems to be working out for us. God has promised He works in everything not just isolated incidents for our good. How can this happen? Romans 8:28
GOD MAKES IT HAPPEN. “We know God causes every detail of our lives to be woven together to fit His plan bringing good into our lives. IF…
WE LOVE GOD AND HEED TO HIS CALL. This does not mean everything is good- evil is prevalent in our world. BUT…
GOD WILL FULFILL HIS PURPOSE. Those who have accepted Christ has a new mind-set and perspective. They trust in God to turn every circumstance around for our long-range goal.
Are you searching for happiness or to fulfill God’s purpose for your life? As we become more like Christ, we discover our true selves and who he is creating us to be.
REFLECT: Are you trying to make sense of your life?
TRUTH: He knew us and destined us before we were born.
PRAY: Lord, I am following your plan!
WHO IS IN CONTROL?
We all like control. In the family classes I teach, we see how a small child can control their parents, which can cause problems in later years. The desire for control is nothing new. Paul addresses this in Romans 8.
DOMINATED BY SINFUL NATURE. “Those dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things: this mindset fights against God’s plan, refusing to submit to God’s directions.”
CONTROLLED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT. “Those controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit.”
IMPARTATION OF LIFE AND PEACE. “When the Spirit of Christ empowers your life, you are not controlled by the flesh but by the Spirit.”
I realize again we don’t have to commit a major sin; we can allow the sinful nature to control our thoughts instead of the Holy Spirit. Daily we must choose to center our lives on God.
REFLECT: Who is in control of your life?
TRUTH: If you have the Holy Spirit within, you CAN BE controlled by the Holy Spirit.
PRAY: Lord, I give you control.
WHO DO YOU BELIEVE?
We all face situations that cause doubt and fear, but to see the miracle, we must believe what God says. Mark 5 shows how Jesus had the answer all along.
MY DAUGHTER IS DYING. Jairus, leader of the local synagogue, fell at Jesus feet. “Please come and heal my twelve-year-old daughter so she can live.” He was desperate believing Jesus for a miracle.
YOUR DAUGHTER IS DEAD. While Jesus stopped to heal another woman, messengers from Jairus’s house arrived, saying, “Your daughter is dead.” Jesus turned to him and said, “Don’t be afraid, just have faith.”
YOUR DAUGHTER ISN’T DEAD. “She’s only asleep,” Jesus explained. The girl was truly dead, but Jesus used the image of sleep to show her condition was temporary and she would be restored.
Today, many laugh at the claims of Christ. The next time you feel hopeless or afraid, just have faith. Read God’s promises and believe.
REFLECT: Who will you believe?
TRUTH: “Little girl, get up!” And she immediately stood.
PRAY: Lord, I will believe you.
I MESSED UP
Did you ever want to do something so perfectly that you messed up trying too hard? Paul was writing to the Philippian Church, and he wanted them not to “mess up” because he was absent. He gives the formula for not messing up. Philippians 2:12-13.
FOLLOW HIS INSTRUCTION. “I taught you in the past when I was with you.” We simply need to obey the truth God has already shown us. This is a caution.
LET GOD WORK. Salvation isn’t something we earn or deserve. “Working it out” means letting the change God has started have its full effect in our lives.”
GIVE GOD CONTROL. The true secret to a changed life is submitting to God. He is the one who provides both the desire and power to please Him.
We have all “messed up”. But instead of striving in our own strength, let’s give God control.
REFLECT: Are you struggling with messing up?
TRUTH: God revitalizes and implants within us the passion to please him.
PRAY: Lord, I give you control and work in me.
PLEASE COME!
Our small dog named “Snickers” has been trained since a puppy. When we say “Come” she comes and is rewarded. Jesus invited people to come, and a reward was often given in ways they could never imagine. Matthew 4, 11, 19.
COME, FOLLOW ME. To a group of fishermen, he declared, “I will show you how to fish for people.” He called them to leave their trade behind to join him for a new, greater purpose.
COME, IF YOU WEARY. “Come if you are tired and carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” How many of us can relate to feeling weary and needing that rest?
COME FOR YOUR BLESSING. Jesus told his disciples, “Let the children come to me for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Then he laid his hands of each of them, offering a tangible blessing.
Jesus invites us to come to a beautiful life now and literally forever. A relationship with God turns a meaningless wearisome toil into a life filled with purpose.
REFLECT: Are you just weary?
TRUTH: We come with child-like faith.
PRAY: Lord, we need to find your rest.
THE BIG INTERRUPTION
If you are like me, you enjoy planning your life’s activities as much as possible. I’ve always loved to be organized, take notes and be ahead of the game. But all at once there’s a big interruption and they can come in many ways. Jesus disciples faced these interruptions. Mrk 5
EXHAUSTED AND MAKING A CHANGE. Jesus had been teaching and performing miracles to big crowds. They were tired.
TIME TO REST AND RENEW. We’ve all been here. I say many times after working “I’m done, well done”. Jesus took his disciples in the boat away from the crowds.
BIG INTERRUPTION. “A fierce storm came with high winds breaking into the boat.” The disciples woke up Jesus, scared and afraid.
Do you feel you have no surplus of energy and maybe feel beat up or beat down by helping others and from your circumstances. Jesus was with them all during this interruption. When they asked him for help he brought calmness instantly.
REFLECT: Have you been hit by an interruption, maybe a storm?
TRUTH: He wants you to find your peace in your dependence in Him.
PRAY: Lord, help me learn in my interruptions.
MAKES NO SENSE
Sometimes we go through things, and they make no sense. We can’t see clearly. I wonder how the blind man felt in John 9 when Jesus spat on the ground and put mud on his eyes. I am sure it didn’t feel good.
GO. “Go wash in the Pool of Siloam.” There’s a time to obey and go even when we don’t understand why or what is happening.
WASH. “So the man went and washed.” This was a choice to be obedient. Jesus had his reason for the man to wash.
SEE. This man came home seeing. He had been blind since birth but now he said, “Now I can see”. You may be suffering, feeling like everything is messy, and muddy in your life. Instead of asking, what did I do wrong or why, ask God for his strength and a clear perspective.
REFLECT: What do I need to see? TRUTH: Who healed me? This man named Jesus.
PRAY: Lord, even if I don’t understand, I will trust you.
BE CONFIDENT
In life we make minor, important, and major decisions every day. We all make decisions and need help at times. I am planning another medical trip with another missionary, but we needed finances, date changes, and these are only two major ones. I have learned to be more confident because of the relationship I have with my Lord. He tells us how to ask in I John 5:14-15.
ASK IN AGREEMENT. “We are confident he hears us when we ask for anything that pleases him, his will.”
STAND IN FAITH AND CONFIDENCE. “We don’t demand what we want but discuss with him what he wants for us.” We can share our desires.
RECEIVE THE ANSWER. “Then we know he will give us what we ask for.”
I keep learning he must be the Lord of everything. Give everything to him, pray with confidence and he will always come through. I see it all the time!
REFLECT: Does he need to be Lord of everything?
TRUTH: The emphasis is God’s will.
PRAY: Lord, your will be done.
THE RIGHT SONG
I have seen people who had the right song for everything. There are times you feel like singing and times you struggle. I want to praise God this week because I have seen his faithfulness again. Psalms 95 tells how we can praise.
LET US SING. “Let us sing to the Lord.” Maybe you feel I am not a very good singer, but we can have a song in our heart, and it belongs to the Lord.
SHOUT YOUR LOUDEST PRAISE. “Shout your loudest praise to the one who saved us.” Regardless of what we are facing “he saved us, forgave us and keeps helping us.”
HAVE A THANKFUL HEART. “Don’t hold back your praises, come to him with thanksgiving.”
We can sing, shout, and praise for He is the greatest of all. We can’t sing when we go by what we feel or what has happened.
REFLECT: Are you willing to sing to the Lord?
TRUTH: The Lord is a great God, king above all.
PRAY: Lord, help me praise you in song.
