New Every Morning~December 15

[Etta Sue]

 

I choose kindness...
I will be kind to the poor,
for they are alone.
Kind to the rich,
for they are afraid.
And kind to the unkind,
for such is how God has treated me.

Max Lucado

PLEASE...

SIGN OUR GUEST BOOK

 

Morning Devotional...

Jesus on Doing Good Things
Matthew 6:1-18  NLT

    1"Take care! Don't do your good deeds publicly, to be admired, because then you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. 2When you give a gift to someone in need, don't shout about it as the hypocrites do--blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I assure you, they have received all the reward they will ever get. 3But when you give to someone, don't tell your left hand what your right hand is doing. 4Give your gifts in secret, and your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you.

    5"And now about prayer. When you pray, don't be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I assure you, that is all the reward they will ever get. 6But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father secretly. Then your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you.

    7"When you pray, don't babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered only by repeating their words again and again. 8Don't be like them, because your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! 9Pray like this:

    Our Father in heaven,
       may your name be honored.
    10 May your Kingdom come soon.
      May your will be done here on earth,
         just as it is in heaven.
    11Give us our food for today,
    12and forgive us our sins,
       just as we have forgiven those who have sinned against us
    13And don't let us yield to temptation,
       but deliver us from the evil one.
   
    14"If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. 15But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.

    16"And when you fast, don't make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, who try to look pale and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I assure you, that is the only reward they will ever get. 17But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. 18Then no one will suspect you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in secret. And your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you.
How does your public life compare to your private life?

   It's easier to do what's right when we gain recognition and praise.  To be sure our motives are not selfish, we should do our good works quietly or in secret, with no thought of reward. 

   Jesus says we should check our motives in three areas:  generosity (v. 3), prayer (v. 6), and fasting (v. 16). 

   Those acts should not be self-centered but God-centered, done not to make us look good but to make God look good.  The reward God promises is not material, and it is never given to those who seek it.  Doing something only for ourselves is not a loving sacrifice. 

   With your next good deed, ask, Would I still do this if no one would ever know I did it?
The Best of the Bible--365 Must-Read Bible Passages

[Etta Sue]

My neck is tired.  Been crocheting all afternoon and not used to it.  But I have my little baby afghan 34" x 12" already.  Should be 34" x 42" when done.  It is so soft.

Ivalou and I were suppose to go to the high school for their Christmas program with the choirs and the bands.  But!  It started sleeting rain so we stayed home.  We are to get  up to three inches of snow tomorrow but it may not be that much since the major part is to be east of me.  Watch out, TBear!  It is heading your way.

TBear, sounds like you had a tiring day.  That was nice of the principal to let Kayln go home with you.  That is a long drive to drive it twice in a few hours.  Tell Rolan to hang in there....he will be just fine.  I have been talking to God and he knows what needs to be done! 

Jane, there certainly is a difference between being alone and lonely.  I am never lonely....I can always find something to do to keep away from being lonely.  My SIL told Ivalou she was worried about her daughter being so lonely since her husband works so much and now he is the fire chief of Lapel.  She forgot that Ivalou and I don't have husbands...does she worry about us?  I doubt it! 

Time to go to bed and rest my neck and back.  Chiropractor tomorrow....IF I can get out of my drive! 

Did anyone see 'Christmas in Washington, DC' on TNT tonight?  Wonderful to hear all the songs about Christ in our nations capital and our President talking about Christ's birth.  Wonderful!!! 

ttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt

[Jane Walker]

   Those acts should not be self-centered but God-centered, done not to make us look good but to make God look good.  The reward God promises is not material, and it is never given to those who seek it.  Doing something only for ourselves is not a loving sacrifice. 

   With your next good deed, ask, Would I still do this if no one would ever know I did it?

Thanks ETTA SUE!  I get the greatest pleasure out of doing things anonymously!  To me that is just plain FUN!  I get a bit embarrassed when anyone is aware of something I do or say.  It is so much better (for me) to just let Jesus act and speak through me ... I must decrease but He must increase!  I enjoyed the devotional for today.   

My neighbor told me they will be very happy to use their pickup to get the wood a lady told me she had "if you have a way to get it" last week.  I think I have enough to last until Saturday and then we will make a wood run!      God is so GOOD!! 

Gotta get stuff done around here so .......... y'all take care and I'll see yuh later.   

[WinterRose]

  Thanks gang for all the notes & I will UPDATE this afternoon when we get back from the specialist !! So, keep them prayers going up !!

you ETTA your a good friend to have around !!

MORE LATER !!

[JudyB]

I have often said to the girls that kindness doesn't cost anything.  That Quote from Etta Sue is so true.

I am weepy today as I think of my darling grandson.  He accepted Christ as his saviour 2 years ago.  Vic is such a sweet boy, and he would be proud to hear Drake his brother going around the house singing "Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me" over and over.  Vic lives with his dad as the facilities to help him are better in Dad's town.

The wind has set up, the sky is overcast, and the forcast is for 25 cm of snow today.  I am surprised that the school board didn't cancel busses.  They cancel them for less so often.  John is on his way south so he will hopefully avoid battling the weather this trip.  HE has done his share of outrunning the weather already this year.

TBear I will continue to pray.

Happy birthday Sue.

Got to go I have costumes to sew and the concert is Sunday.

HAve a good day.

[karmat]

Thnaking of you in my prayers Teddybear.

It is a rainy rainy day here.  The temperature is hovering just over freezing (that's what you say when you don't want to convert to Celsius from farenheit) so a drop or two and it could get messy out there.  Glad I'm "in."

Maybe maybe mabye my new-for-me-used-by-someone-else camera comes today.   I'm strting to ge ta little anxious for it.  Rather, I'm starting to get a little anxious for it.  (the first sentence was made while looking back over my shoulder at kristi who finds the most obscure things to put in her mouth).  Just wanted to let you see what you would get if I didn't proofread.   (Not that I proof a lot!)

Ah well, better run before she gets ahold of something she shouldn't.

laters

take care, stay warm, and be safe

[Pat]

Praying, TBear...  Keep us posted.

Karma, what camera are you getting?

Hi to everyone else.  I have some errands to run right about now so this is just a very quick post.

[karmat]

Rebel 300.  Nard got one as well, but got his like 3 weeks ago.    its cool, he let me take a picture or two with it.  I'm watching the driveway still.

[Etta Sue]

I am sitting here in Indiana watching the most beautiful snow fall.  It is breath taking.  Great big flakes just floating down.  But accumulating.  And I have to go to the chiropractor in a little over an hour. 

As Karma said...it is hovering around freezing.  So far I can still see my drive as the snow is melting as it falls there.  Where I could see grass between the snow drifts, I can still see grass.  And I see water droplets on the lines on my clothesline!!  Just hope it hovers around freezing until I return from Noblesville. 

TBear ~ I will be watching for your report on Rolan.  Do take care and be careful on these roads. 

My WeatherBug says 30.8°F.  Not good!  Just want everyone to be safe...including myself...out on these roads! 

THINK SPRING!         

[WinterRose]

- UPDATE ...


Well ladies we saw the GI SPECIALIST and the long & short of this entire matter is that my husband is checking into the hosptail today and they will be running some more tests. Right now the DOCTOR is telling us that it maybe Crohn's Disease as they are not sure right now but they want to run a scope test along with a COLONOSCOPY on him with some other stuff so .. we are having a BLIZZARD out here with HEAVY SNOW and well he is going to take himself back up & meanwhile I am going to be here waiting to get a ride on ANGEL WINGS to get me there so ... I will update when I can.  Keep praying and see you soon !!

[Larry Hanna]

HI everyone.  I am writing from the library as we have a power outage at the house since about 8 am this morning due to an ice storm.  They say there are about 140,000 people, mostly in the metro Atlanta area, that are without power.  So if I don't get back on today you will at least know why.  It was just the trees and power lines that iced as the roads are just wet.  The rain is suppose to be moving out of the area and it is suppose to get to 20 degrees tonight.  Our son is coming over when we get home to bring in the kerosine heater and I will have to go and get some more kerosine so we can stay warm.  I think I will leave the heater on the back porch for the duration of the winter.

Tbear, know this is a worrisome time for you all.  However, they need to know what the problem is.  I have cousins (who are brother and sister) who both have Chron's Disease.  However, just cross the bridges as you come to them.

I have only 6 minutes remaining on this computer and then will be locked out. It just flashed and said I now have 35 minutes remaining so guess no one was waiting to use it. 

Etta Sue, I hope you don't have to go far to the chiropractor with the bad weather in your area.

Karmat, it sounds like you and Nards can have "battling cameras" since you each will have one of the same type and model.  I know you will enjoy it.

JudyB, with all the storms in the lower 48 I hope John is getting to go where the storms are not. 

Hope everyone has a good evening and are able to stay warm.  I am hopeful that our power will be back on when we get home.

[Liz]

Nice devotional, Etta Sue.  Our good deeds don't need to be advertised!

I have been off the computer for a bit again and had lots of reading to catch up with everything. 

TBear, I am so sorry that your husband is ill and will pray for him and your family.  Like so many others will be doing....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SUE.

Marilyn:   

Marilyn, I accidently deleted an e-mail from you and would you consider sending it again?  Things have been a little strange around here and I had lots to delete from the computer....Got carried away

I hope that this is not what you were referring to about e-mails not being wanted.  Under normal circumstances, I would have read it.  Thus the request for a repeat.  I do not reply to emails very often....once got an unexpected one from someone who used to post here...lives in England.  She was upset about something happening with her son.  I made the mistake of replying, gently reminding that he was an adult and had to make his own choices.  She sent it back with:  REMOVE ME FROM YOUR MAILING LIST.  Actually, I had never thought to email her and did not have her on any list.  Ah, me.  That's life!

My SIL's Mom died Tuesday night and so this will be a sad time for all of them.  He is very sad and the first time ever, I have seen him with tears in his eyes.  A very quiet and reserved man.  We have now stopped the food brigade and time for Wendy to rest.  She is soo tired!  The funeral will be next week when the church is available.  All of her children were with her and she was much loved by all...so that is something to be happy about. 

Weather is quite cold now and frost is in the air.  Sounds like a song.  I agree that 'Mary Did You Know' is nice.  The Gaither version is great.  I have a number of versions; everything from Kathlee Battle & Christophe Packening to Kenny Rodgers, etc.  I am also fond of many of the new songs like:  'It Wasn't His Child', 'There's A New Kid In Town', Emmanuel, etc.  I have three of Amy Grant's Christmas Albums and especially fond of those!  She sang Emmanuel on one of Billy Graham's Christmas Specials and it was beautiful.  I had to have the music.

Went to Victoria  yest.  and met my Christian friend of 30 yrs., as we always try to get together during the holidays.  She is from England originally and always reminds me of Mary Poppins....don't let her know that!   

It is so nice to read Meika's posts and see her lovely photo's.  I got so busy looking at the pop up pictures, almost didn't get here to post.

Jane, I understand what you are saying.  Even with people around, we can still be lonely....but not sad.  The lose of a child can leave such a huge hole in one's heart...God has a way of making that hurt less difficult to deal with...

Pleasant Day all and God Bless.

Liz

 

[Sarah]

hey everyone
sorry i haven't been able to reply been reading what little i could. been busy i have had finals and what not all over the place plus going to work and what not so i ahve been busy! well  i need to run  and get the room finished packed up so that tomorrow i can move out adios!
sarah

[WinterRose]

5:20 pm ... UPDATE - My husband found his way to the hospital and so he is doing as well as he can ... he will be having the BIG TEST in the morning so keep him in prayer !! 

Thanks much !!

[Larry Hanna]

Just a brief note.  We came home around 3 pm and found the power had been back on for about an hour.  I decided I had better get the heater in from the storage shed and then went to get kerosine.  I like to never have found any but finally found some at the hardware store.  For 2 1/2 gallons is was almost $16.  Sure hope we don't have to use that heater very often.  I was shocked at the steep price.

Tbear, glad that your husband is safely at the hospital.  Hope you will be able to rest tonight.

[Al Moak]

Well, just got back from having a crown temporary put on one of my teeth.  On Jan 17 I'll get the permanent.  They sure are expensive - $850 to get it all done.  I'm glad our Lord has the keys to the treasury, and He also cares more than I ever could or would.

This Saturday we're going to a place over in the next town to hear a flute quartet.  One of our church members is a wonderful floutest and a teacher of flute as well.  It should be great.  We're also going to go see the Narnia Tales some time in the next week or two.  Hope we don't miss it.

Larry - I'm sure glad you got your power back!  It's so great to have it back after those times that it almost makes it worthwhile to lose it for a while.

[Marilyn]

I have not been home long it was a long day today.  My cable was offline but working for the TV most of the day from what I've been told. I had all kinds of emails when I finally got on line a little while ago. Liz it was nothing that you said or did. Thank all of you who have responded to me either here or email. I believe the person knows who they are.  No one else responded to the same thing with anything but "praise the lord". Thanking me for sending it.

Got to go  fix supper now.

[Jeanne Lee]

Goodness, I didn't realize how late it is - 10:47 here on the east coast. 

Yes, there definitely is a difference between "being alone" and "being lonely".  I've never had a problem with being alone and I don't think I ever feel lonely. 

This afternoon my lights started to flicker - not go off at all, just getting bright and then a little dimmer, but constantly.  First thought was that the bulb in my reading lamp was either loose or ready to give up, but when I turned on another lamp the same thing was happening.  I became a little concerned (read that "panic") that there was something seriously wrong with my electric, so called a couple of people in my church asking advice.  One of them made a few more phone calls and found that it was a problem with the power grid in town and was happening all over, and that the power company was working on it.  WHEW!  About an hour later all seemed OK. 

Almost time for the 11:00 news and weather - supposed to have 5 to 10 inches of snow tonight and tomorrow morning...  unless it turns to freezing rain.  So I think I'll just go check things out.

[Pat]

Not that long in from a Pot Luck Supper so here's a link to tomorrow's NEM...

CLICK HERE