New Every Morning~July 29

[Pat]

An idle life and a holy heart is a contradiction.
~Thomas Brooks~

Over the past little while we've been sharing scripture and we've covered four areas of our life...

• Beginning in Christ
  
  
• Growing In Christ
  
  
• Maturing In Christ
  
  
• Ministering In Christ
  
  
• Understanding in Christ
  
  and now tonight we are starting...
  
  
• Uniting in Christ
  

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What Is The Fellowship Of All Believers?

1 Corinthinans 12:18-27 says...

But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

And if they were all one member, where were the body?

But now are they many members, yet but one body.

And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:

And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.

For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked.

That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.


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Morning Devotional...

The Shepherd's Psalm--Part (vi)

The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.

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In our last essay on this beloved Psalm, we discussed the frightening experience of "The valley of the shadow of death." During the intervening time, some of us have walked in that dark vale. For me it was the stark reality of a beloved sister's death. For other friends, perhaps it was the discovery that a dreaded disease lurks within. Some may have suffered difficulties of a very personal sort. The heartaches which must be borne alone bring the darkest clouds and the deepest wounds.

Surely a beneficent Creator has so designed our world that the beauties of morning follow the darkness of night. The day breaks:

"When the dusky veil of the night is drawn
When clouds unfold and flee,
When song birds wake, and a saffron dawn
Steals over a silver sea."
Percy French

So it is in the spiritual sphere; when the dark clouds and chilly mists of the valley of death swallow us up we can peer through the darkness and see the warm lights of His banqueting house. By faith we can say with the Shulamite maiden:

"He brought me to the banqueting house, And His banner over me is love." (Song of Solomon 2:4).

It is surely by no mere coincidence that the Psalmist reflects on his journey through the dread valley and then in the next verse speaks of a prepared table. This is undoubtedly the banqueting table of love which the Lord Jesus Christ has prepared for His own. Here we renew and strengthen our fellowship and communion with our lovely King. In the place of His presence we enjoy the regal glory of the King of Kings. We bring joy to His heart and refreshment to our own soul when we see the King in His beauty. As we gaze upon the lovely thorn scared brow and nail pierced hands, our hearts crave to love Him more. It is here that our hearts are tuned to praise His Name.

In His banqueting house there is rest and nourishment for the tired and drooping spirit. It is there, too, that we can tell Him of the somber skies and the rugged roads we have been plodding and in His tender embrace, we learn the truth of Isaiah 40:31. "But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint."

We do not need to await the end of our sojourn in the dark land for He can "prepare a table in the wilderness", and He does this in the presence of our enemies. My! How the enemies of truth are confounded when they expect to find us overwhelmed by sorrow and fear and come upon us feasting with our lovely King Jesus and enjoying our propinquity to Him.

Finding himself in this position, David says, "You anoint my head with oil". (Psalm 23:5) This is most assuredly the same oil with which the King himself is anointed. In Psalm 45:7 it is called "The oil of gladness". The anointing of oil in ancient days was most significant for kings and priest were marked out by such a ritual. How astonishing it is to read that He has "made us kings and priests to our God, And we shall reign upon the earth." (Revelation 5:10)

Beloved friends, the blessings of our salvation are much more than an insurance policy for the next world.

"My cup runs over".    Ah, this prepared table knows no rationing. There is a great affluence of spiritual things for us to feast upon. None need go away unsatisfied. These words call to remembrance Paul's epistle to the Ephesians 1:3-7: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace."

The prepared table is the daily provision for everyone who by faith in Jesus Christ has been saved by His abundant grace.





Jack Scott loved his Lord! He passed away on January 10, 2001 after a lengthy illness.
He is missed greatly by his family.

[Kathy]

Good Morning to all 

I am here before Ria and I pray that she still is not having the migraine headache 

Janet I noticed that you were quitting the statin drug.  I quit for about a year and then my cholestrol jumped back up even though I thought taking the Omega-3 would benefit.  I hope that you can continue to keep yours low with diet and exercise.   It is an extremely hard RX to take for me, too.  I have muscle aches and headaches since I started back last week.

Thanks to Pat again for sharing with us Jack's 23rd Psalm.  So many times do I forget to be thankful for our Lord's blessings each & every day.  Someone suggested that we make a list daily for the wonderful blessings we have. 

Now, back to my morning devotionals.   

[Maria]

Here is Ria dear Kathy and Pat
We are just home this morning at 6.00AM we are called trough the neighbour of my father
that my father has a lot pain in his leg and hipe he can not move the leg.
So we are going to him i have a key from the house and i have called the doctor.
My father say he was again fallen when he would go to bed.
But the doctor say i think he has broken a hipe.
So we are going to the hospital his hipe is broken and he get this afternoon a operation
I ask you all please pray for my father he is 79 years old.
I don't no when i come back on CP sometimes we are here and then in my fathers house or in the hospital. But when i have time then i write a lit bit.
Bye love Ria

[Ruth Ann Bice]

Ria, how painful for your father! Yes, we pray for his recovery. And for you and your family as you care for him.

Well, I overslept again, so must make this  a short visit.

Y'all have a good day.

Ruth Ann

[Marilyn]

Good Morning Thank you Pat for another section of Jack's Shepard Psalm Sermon.

Ria I have sent you an email re your father.

I didn't set my alarm corectly last night but the Lord awakened me at 4:45 so that I was up and on time for prayer meeting this morning. It is so wonderful that this was started by  some of the young adults that serve on the worship team.There were only 4 of us this morning but the power of God is there allthe time so it makes no difference how many or how few are present.  Please keep our group in your prayers.

Time for me to go check out the prayer section here.

Kathy if youare having those symptoms, you should not be taking the the Statin drug. It tells you in the  paperwork that comes with the pills to notify your Dr, if you have those symptoms. I am taking Flax seed oil capsules and the flushless Niacin since I quit the Statin drug. I will be tested again in October.

TTYL

[Liz]

Good Morning from sunny Vancouver Island.  Today I only need to water my Geraniums and Herbs, the kids have returned
This reluctant gardener has happily turned in the water sprayer and sprinkler.  I am inept, but watered with great determination.  Kept everything alive, despite the days of 100 F. temps. we were having.  Now back to a more normal 80 F.  Trinity, the pregnant rabbit, also was kind and stayed pregnant.  In other words, I didn't have to become mid-wife to a rabbit...

I read the posts from yest. and still have more of the other posting to peruse.  Hope Pat's tests prove okay, tho' don't know what they are about.  Also that everyone with illness, feels better today.  That's the one great thing about being alive and a Christian.  There is always another tomorrow...

Read this little blurb this morning and have always liked it.  Think that I will do a little Calligraphy again and make something to put on my wall:

I Believe
      I believe in the sun
      even when it isn't shining.
      I believe in love
      even when I am alone.
      I believe in God
      even when he is silent.

      These words were found
       scrawled on a cellar wall where
      Jews had hidden in World War II
       in Cologne, Germany.

 

Must go and shower and get ready for the day.  Had to banish Squeek to the laundry room as she is in a particularly 'vocal' mood this morning.  Will set her loose on the others the minute I hear stirring from above!

Pleasant day all and God Bless.

Liz

[Janet]

Ria, I am so sorry your father has broken his hip.  We will continue to pray for him, and for you.  These things are difficult for family members to deal with, especially the caregiver.

Kathy, I was only taking a half tablet of the statin (lovastatin) and I think it builds up in the system, I began to have a lot of pain in my shoulders and arms.  After I stopped taking it, the pain went away.  My sister was on Lipitor, and it nearly incapacitated her!  Terrible.  I am now taking a half tablet every other night, plus fish oil and flax seed oil capsules.  I need to go have my blood checked again.  I hope it is doing okay.

My niece just brought her baby, Autumn, for me to keep for her for a few hours while she works.  Autumn is about nine months old, so I have my lap full, and she wants to help me type, too!

Better go, before she types h nnnnnnnnnnnnn     m  ooops, too late! 

Hi, Liz, glad your family are back.   How did it go with Wendy an d  her grandma?  CVXOIXZ78CVKF[9 (FROM AUTUMN)

[JudyB]

Ria I have placed your fathers needs in the "Prayer and Praise" section.

Thankyou for emailling me.

Love you
Judy

[Pat]

Hi Everyone!

It's a gorgeous day here in Guelph today.  Yesterday was chilly and drizzly but today the sun is shining and it's like summer!  LOL  We were all beginning to think that summer had taken a vacation and forgotten to arrive!

I'm so sorry to read about your father, Ria.  That's terrible.  He's going to have to have lots of love and care in the next little while.

Thanks for checking in Ruth Ann and Kathy.  It's so good to see you both.

Marilyn, I admire your zeal in getting up each morning for this prayer meeting at your church.  God bless you.

So glad your family is back home now, Liz.  Bet you did just fine with your gardening!

Hi Janet... Cute to hear of your "lap full" and see the messages from him.  LOL

[Etta Sue]

Sonja ~ Your church's website is great!  Looks like you are covering all bases for information for your church members and friends.  Awesome.  Love the pictures, too! 

Ria ~ My prayers are for your father.  So sorry he fell and now has to have surgery!  That isn't fun.

Liz ~ Haha!  I, too, are glad you didn't have to be a mid-wife to a rabbit! 

Janet ~ I was having some problems with my cholesterol medicines...it was elevating something with my liver.  I had blood tests without a med and it raised.  I had an MRI and it showed no liver damage but he changed my meds to Lipitor.  That is what my husband took 20 years ago.  I am not having any problems at all.  I have a fasting blood test Aug 26.   Hi, Autumn! 

HI JUDYB!!!!!!!

Pat ~ I am glad that it is sunny in Guelph.  You took the sun away from here.....it is cloudy and looks like rain any minute here.

I need to do some housecleaning today. 
I need to do some housecleaning today.
I need to do some housecleaning today.
I need to do some housecleaning today.
I need to do some housecleaning today.

Think I got the message.  Housecleaning this afternoon!!!

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"Good sense is easier to have than use."

[Etta Sue]

I just posted some hints for you busy mothers and fathers, too.  They are in the Recipe section

[Etta Sue]

I found some other hints but I don't think they fit in any of the individual topics in In the Kitchen.  So.....here is the list here.


                             ALPHABET HINTS

A is for aluminum foil.  A piece of it with a knob of washing soda in a jar of
    water makes a silver dip cleaner.
B is for ball point ink which you can remove from vinyl by rubbing it with a    
    slice of raw potato.
C is for camphorated oil.  Applied with a soft cloth it will take white marks
    off furniture.
D is for drip dry.  Shirts dry faster and smoother over a plastic bag put
    over the hanger.
E is for egg slicer.  Use it for slicing mushrooms and beets as well as eggs.
F is for foam rubber.  Rub it over upholstery to pick up dog and cat hairs.
G is for glycerine.  Oil the mincer with it.  It won't flavor the food.
H is for herbs.  Keep them on the shelf in alphabetical order, so they're easy
    to find.
I is for icing.  Add a pinch of baking soda to icing to keep moist and prevent
    cracking.
J is for jam.  It takes less time to make if the sugar is warmed through in the
    oven.
K is for kneeling pad.  Make it from an old hot water bottle stuffed with old
    nylons.
L is for lemon.  A half dipped in salt cleans copper.
M is for magnet.  Keep one in the sewing box to pick up pins and needles.
N is for newspapers.  They make excellent window polishers.
O is for onion.  Pierce it lengthwise with a skewer and it won't come to pieces
    when boiled.
P is for parsley.  Seed watered with boiling water grows quicker.
Q is for quilt.  Keep it from slipping by sewing matching material to one end
    and tucking it under the mattress.
R is for rubber gloves.  When the right ones wear out, hang on to the left
    ones.  Turn one inside out and you have a pair again.
S is for soap.  Rubbed on the bottom edges of a drawer it'll make it run
    smoothly.
T is for tea leaves.  Put them around lily of the valley for more flowers.
U is for undies.  Put the fragile ones in a pillocase, tied around the top, and
    wash them with the rest of the washing in your machine.
V is for vinegar.  Wiped over furniture before polishing gives an extra shine.
W is for window box.  Put a layer of gravel over the earth, so the dirt
    doesn't spatter the windows.
X is for Xmas cake.  The icing won't be ruined if the cake is put on the lid of
    the cake tin and the base over it.
Y is for yeast.  It shouldn't be kept in the fridge or in a cold place, or it will
    die.
Z is for zipper.  It it sticks, try running the lead of a pencil up and down the
    metal parts.  It should then run smoothly.
   

[Larry Hanna]

Hi everyone

Pat, that was a wonderful surprise and I can just tell by the tone of your posting that it did you a lot of good.

Marilyn, I am not replacing any of the screens but instead am making a frame that will have garden wire on it that will cover the bottom half of the screens.   This should protect our cat from a dog trying to get at it during the night.  The screens are just of a nylon or sometype material that isn't strong at all.  I did finish the painting this morning and hope to start putting the wire on them tomorrow and hopefully get the project finished before the end of the week.

Welcome fotonut.

Ruthie, I saw your comment about not having a source to listen to scared music.  I found this to be a wonderful site and if you go there be sure to check out Frank Boggs.  He has a most beautiful voice.  http://www.sacred-music.org/play.shtml

Sonja, it sounds like your kids are having a busy and productive summer. 

Ria, so sorry to read of the fall and broken hip of your father.  I will certainly be keeping him in my prayers.  Hope he can tolerate the operation well and don't be surprised if the pain medication makes him seem out of his head.  It can be really of concern.

Liz, the little poem you included in your posting above sounds very much like the words to a Jane Marshall anthem our choir practiced last evening.  I wonder if her work is based on that poem?  Glad you family has returned.

Etta Sue, do I detect that you need to do some housekeeping today? 

Rachel, I see we were posting at the same time.

[Pat]

GREAT to see you, Rachel!

Yes, you've been missed and we'd be so happy to see your name on here more often.  It's lovely to see you today.

[Pat]

We haven't sung this one together for over 7 months!  And the words are so wonderful...

I Must Tell Jesus
(Click to hear music)



Cast all your anxieties on Him,
for He cares about you.
1 Peter 5:7



Words & Music: Elisha A. Hoffman, 1893.

There was a woman to whom God had permitted many visitations of sorrow and affliction. Coming to her home one day, I found her much discouraged. She unburdened her heart, concluding with the question, "Brother Hoffman, what shall I do?" I quoted from the word, then added, "You cannot do better than to take all of your sorrows to Jesus. You must tell Jesus."

For a moment she seemed lost in meditation. Then her eyes lighted as she exclaimed, "Yes, I must tell Jesus." As I left her home I had a vision of that joy-illuminated face...and I heard all along my pathway the echo, "I must tell Jesus. I must tell Jesus."

Hoffman wrote these words after reaching home.



   

I must tell Jesus all of my trials;
I cannot bear these burdens alone;
In my distress He kindly will help me;
He ever loves and cares for His own.

Refrain

I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
I cannot bear my burdens alone;
I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
Jesus can help me, Jesus alone.

I must tell Jesus all of my troubles;
He is a kind, compassionate friend;
If I but ask Him, He will deliver,
Make of my troubles quickly an end.

Refrain

Tempted and tried, I need a great Savior;
One Who can help my burdens to bear;
I must tell Jesus, I must tell Jesus;
He all my cares and sorrows will share.

Refrain

O how the world to evil allures me!
O how my heart is tempted to sin!
I must tell Jesus, and He will help me
Over the world the victory to win.

Refrain

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[Chris & Margit Saunders]

July 29   

The Church: Harmony at Any Cost

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about
like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 
--1 Peter 5:8

Some misguided Christian leaders feel that they must preserve harmony
at any cost, so they do everything possible to reduce friction. They
should remember that there is no friction in a machine that has been
shut down for the night. Turn off the power, and you will have no
problem with moving parts. Also remember that there is a human
society where there are no problems--the cemetery. The dead have no
differences of opinion. They generate no heat, because they have no
energy and no motion. But their penalty is sterility and complete
lack of achievement.

What then is the conclusion of the matter? That problems are the price
of progress, that friction is the concomitant of motion, that a live
and expanding church will have a certain quota of difficulties as a
result of its life and activity. A Spirit-filled church will invite
the anger of the enemy.  This World: Playground or Battleground?,
112-113.

"Lord, thank You for the many signs that we are alive! Satan must see
real life, and I guess that's a good sign. Give us victory though,
that we might not succomb to his attacks. Amen."

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[Anthony]

Thank you Pat for another wonderful devotional this morning.  Praise God for that anointing oil and the banqueting house that gives every weary Christian refreshment for the journey.  Speaking of being led through death's dark vale, I received this email today:

"Anthony

Just a line to say that Mr Summers went to his Heavenly reward early this morning. He had been diagnosed with leukaemia about 5 weeks ago and latterly had a chest infection."

Just to say that Mr Summers had dedicated his life to winning the lost for Christ.  He was a missionary in Pakistan.  When he was kicked out of that country he returned to Britain and pioneered an Asian Christian Fellowship in the city in which I live.  As a result there are now four Asian Christian Fellowship's in Wolverhampton with hundreds of converts in them.

I am sure that most of us know a Mr Summers. We are saddened to  hear of their departure from this life, but thrilled to recall how God has used them throughout their lives.

I trust that all who are truly spiritually minded will understand why I mentioned Mr Summers. 

Anthony.

[Al Moak]

Janet - just a thought: we had cholesterol problems a while back.  We started taking lecithin, 1200mg daily.  It apparently assisted in reducing the "bad" cholesterol and the plaque it had caused to form, and now things are quite good.

[Papa John]

Ria, I am so sorry about your father's painful condition.  We will be waiting to hear how he gets along.

Marilyn, why did you stop taking the cholesterol medicine?  We have both been taking Lipitor for several years and has really helped to lower the cholesterol.

Etta Sue, my question is, "Did you do some house cleaning today?"

Good to see everyone today.

--- Papa John          < )))><<   
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[Pat]

Anthony, I'm sure that many will miss Mr. Summers after such a life's work that he did with this mission but how wonderful to know that he was ready to meet his Maker and that he's with the Lord now.

Thanks so much for sharing with us this news.

[Janet]

My little helper, Autumn, took a long nap, so she wasn't any trouble at all.  Boy, she is an armful, though!  17 lbs. 14. oz now.  And she is eight months old, not nine as I said.

Beth said she had a terrible headache today, but when I took her supper over, she was feeling a lot better.

Papa John, there are many people who cannot tolerate Lipitor.  It causes their joints to swell, and they have pain all over.  As I said, it almost incapacitated my sister.  It was lowering her cholesterol, but at what cost!  I looked it up on the computer, and there are many horror stories of what it has done to people.  It's great that you are able to tolerate it well.

Thanks, Al, I will take lecithin.  Sure worth a try!

[Ruthie]

Hi Janet, I take flax & blueberry, all ground up.  I put a tablespoon in porridge or juice and drink it down.  Good to see you taking flax and fish oil.  Hope your blood is okay. 

Janet, I have been watching the Democratic Convention on CNN.  Do the Republicans have a convention too?  Will their convention be after the Democratic one.  It bugs me to hear all the criticism of President Bush and the way he handled things.  Will they have a chance to boost up their Republican side?   Thanks Janet.

Ria, I will be praying for your dear father. 

I have heard that cholesterol medicine can be a big problem.  When mine was a little high, I cut down on a number of differenct foods.  Also I believe my cholesterol was up when my stress was up.

Etta Sue...I will look in the recipe section and see if I can whip up something good to eat.   Thank you so much for that list of hints for the home.   They are so useful.

Hi Rachel...good to see you posting.

Thank you Larry for the link to sacred music.   I appreciate it very much.

Thank you Pat for that lovely song and a great devotional.

Janet I am still praying for Beth.   I have taken lecithin in the past and I know it is good for cholesterol problems.  Please buy some.

Rachel...what a wonderful picture of a sunflower.  I took a picture of a daisy up close. I will see whether it turns out as good as yours. 

God Bless Everyone.

Love Ruthie

[Pat]

Ohhhh, Rachel!

Sunflowers are one of my favorite flowers! 

13, 16 and 19 should be over in our bugs and insects challenge!     Those are wonderful!

[Pat]

For all SeniorNetters information, I've put Part 2 of the Shepherd's Psalm on SeniorNet in Manna for the Soul a few minutes ago.  Comments welcome on there.

[Pat]

Footsteps of Jesus
(Click to hear music)


Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me,
he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me'.
Matthew 16:24


Words - Mary B.C. Slade, 1826-1882
Music - Asa B. Everett, 1871


   

Sweetly, Lord, have we heard Thee calling,
Come, follow Me!
And we see where Thy footprints falling
Lead us to Thee.


Refrain
Footprints of Jesus,
That make the pathway glow;
We will follow the steps of Jesus
Where'er they go.


Though they lead o'er the cold, dark mountains,
Seeking His sheep;
Or along by Siloam's fountains,
Helping the weak.


Refrain


If they lead through the temple holy,
Preaching the Word;
Or in homes of the poor and lowly,
Serving the Lord.


Refrain


Then at last, when on high he sees us
Our journey done,
We will rest where the steps of Jesus
end at his throne.


Refrain

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[LadyLiberty]

Pat I don't ever recall hearing this one. The words are beautiful. I can not get the sound but the words are so true!!

             Thank You!!   Love, Lillie

[Janet]

Yes, Ruthie, the Republican Convention will be the latter part of August, and you can bet they will give their side of the story.  I get nauseated listening to all the lies being perpetrated this week about what a "hero" that traitor John Kerry is.  But I'd best not get started on that!

[Pat]

Lillie, you can't hear the sound?  Do you hear other sounds on the computer?

[LadyLiberty]

Pat, Not on this site. No Sound dear! Have sound everywhere else.

                          Love, Lillie

[Pat]

That's strange, Lillie--especially if you hear it everywhere else.

When I post a hymn on SeniorNet, do you hear the music?

Maybe Larry Hanna will have some ideas for you tomorrow.  He's probably in bed right now but he'll read these posts in the morning.  Maybe even Ruth Ann will have some suggestions.