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Oldiesmann: I'm not aware of any Jenny. Not sure why activity has died down on this site so much though 2023-06-12, 00:06:36

JennyW: Also, does anyone know other photo sharing sites that are Christian? 2023-05-16, 08:47:03

JennyW: Hello Everyone! I really miss activity on this site. I've been discouraged by photography sites where you have to sort through so much explicit content in order to see photos that truly glorify God. I'd love to see this site pick up again. 2023-05-16, 08:46:36

Janet: Carol, I am just reading this.  So sorry for your loss, glad your beloved Don knew the Lord and you have the assurance of his eternity  and that you WILL see him again.  Much love to you.  Janet 2022-06-18, 08:49:36

Oldiesmann: So sorry for your loss Carol. Praying for you and your family :( 2022-05-01, 17:13:05

Carol: My husband Don is with the angels.....Our family was able to hold  ourselves together for the last moments.  Juar rhoufhr you might want to know. 2022-04-29, 23:35:15

Carol: Thankful:  Don is home from hospital.  I found him unconscious with head outside on the floor and the rest was in the shower.  At the same moment, one son was walking through the front door to visit.  Two fire trucks came racing in and they took over After 2021-12-29, 22:01:26

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New Every Morning~Lord's Day April 13

Started by Pat, April 13, 2003, 12:29:41 AM

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Pat





[/size]


Morning Devotional...


They were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten Me.[/b]       Hosea 13:6
This do in remembrance of Me.[/b]     Luke 22:19-20


What a tragedy! When Israel's enemies were subdued, when food was plentiful, when life was good, "they forgot God."

As we move  along in our lives, for the most part, life is good. The possibility exists that we could forget God. This is why the Lord took a loaf of bread and a cup of wine and said, "Eat and drink in remembrance of Me."
                                                            --Charlie Tempest



We do remember Thee as Thou hast said,
And think upon Thee as we break the bread,
Recall Thy dying love, Thy cross and shame,
Drinking the cup of blessing in Thy name.  

--G. Goodman


"Click for Waterloo Wellington, Ontario Forecast"

Jane Walker

PAT~ Thanks for the devotional (however "shortened" you want to make it  :)) I love the Lord so very much...I also know it can happen that we become complacent when things are going well with us and we are tempted to "forget God"  I don't know how I could do that, and I pray that I never will.  I want to always be in His presence and enjoying his goodness.

I recently prayed a prayer of surrender to His will and the bottom line was "No matter what it costs my soul, I want what You want, Lord."  That sentence was very difficult for me to say aloud, but I did...and I meant it.  Just yesterday I was hit with some really strong accusations and words from someone who really dislikes me tremendously ... It hurt and I reeled for a while today, but then the Lord reminded me what I had prayed..."No matter what it costs my soul...."  Ooh!  It didn't take long for me to surrender even this hurt and let Him cleanse me with His love and mercy.  

I truly do want what He wants ... Not my will, but Thine be done... That's my daily prayer.  Make that hourly.    :)

I'll be back ... probably after church tomorrow (today) but you can count on the fact that, even if I don't post, I'm here ... watching and listening and loving all y'all!

Take care

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass .... it's about learning to dance in the rain!

Anthony

Good morning everyone.  Thanks for the devotional Pat.  It is very true that people very often think about the Lord when things are going wrong.  When things are seeming to go right we can feel that we have no need of Him.  However, God is very merciful and He certainly answers our cries to Him when we do fall on bad times.

Jane, I can identify with your trial.  It is difficult when we find people are accusing us of something that we are not guilty of.  Mind you, even though it hurts us extremely, it is a blessed place to be in.  The Lord said, blessed are you when men shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake.  It's good to be able to rest in Christ while it's happening and also good to be able to pray for the people who are behaving badly towards us.

Pat, I hope you had a great evening.  It sounds as though it tired you somewhat.  Hope you get  a good night's sleep.  I am still hoping for that blessing, it hasn't come yet.

God bless all and look forward to your fellowship.

Anthony.

mieka

I hope you will all know how much I love my God and how much of my life belong to him when I ask this question of everyone. It is my wonder if it is a need to go into a church on Sunday to show my love for God. I know I would not be here without his love, and I know that I would not be here today if he have not give to me my friends who have make for me a place to live and a chance to learn all that is life. I eat of the bread when I have hunger and I drink of the water when I have a thirst. But I give the bread and the water to others on my Sunday because they need it more than I. I do not go to a church on my Sunday, I give my Sunday time to those who have no family to care for them. I know here, there are many churches of many names and I know they all have love for God. Is it wrong of me to not go into a Church on my Sundays to watch everyone listen to the words of God, as a preacher will talk of them? Or is it ok to keep my Sabbath holy by giving what I have to give of my heart and my time to those who have no food and no one to care for them.

DougPaz

Good morning all!  

Just a short note before leaving for church.  Mieka, I read your post with great interest as I used to think that going to church wasn't as important as just my relationship with God.  I now believe that visits to God's House are a very important part of that relationship.  There are a multitude of reasons.  I learn every week from sermons and lessons.  Education is ongoing and you can never learn enough. Fellowship with other Christians is equally or even more important.  You can learn and gather strength from them as well as impart your love and grace as well.  Many people need more help when they are hurting or having doubts about their relationship and can draw from you.  The other thing is your support of the Church so that they can witness and help others through missions and as a place to draw other believers.  Think about these things before you make your decision.

I hope that everyone has a blessed day!

DougPaz

Etta Sue

#5
Us four ladies really enjoyed dining and attending my church's Easter Cantata last evening.  Really moving.  The cantata was titled "Bow the Knee".  A wonderful presentation.

I have a full blown springtime cold.  I am seldom sick.  I don't feel sick now.  Just out of it.  My eyes are watery, the throat is sore, the cough sounds like a bull frog.  I am taking some cold pills, using cough syrup and have a Hall's in my mouth and still coughing.  I am already for church.  I must sit on the aisle so that if a coughing spell comes on...I can go outside the santuary and not bother others.  Today is also the teen worship and I love staying for it.  But I will see how regular worship is before thinking I will stay for teen worship.  

And then this afternoon is when I can print my PSP lessons.  

But the sun is shining brightly.  God is giving me comfort in my thoughts and deeds.  I thank God daily, hourly for his comfort and knowing that he is with me always.  

I pray that everyone has a blessed day being with your God at church or wherever you are.




Jerry L. Sowers

Just to show you all I do get up early, I am posting before church! Etta Sue will be here to pick me up in about 20 minutes.

Mieka ~ I went many years without going to church. I did watch church on TV, but I found for myself that I enjoy the comradre of others in the church. A church is not the building, but the people. I think what you are doing fits into Gods plan for the church. It is in itself a church! God Bless you!

DougPaz ~ You said it better than I did.  

Ruth Ann Bice

Good morning, Mieka,

I feel much better when I attend church. The closeness of being with friends and fellow christians helps to strengthen me, and often the message the minister prepares gives a focus on certain aspects of my life that I may need to review.

Your strong desire to serve others is most certainly Christlike.

I often think of the word JOY. Someone has made an acrostic of the word, so that it says:

Jesus first
Others next, and
Yourself last

This seems to typify your approach to your faith. May God richly bless you.

Ruth Ann
...his compassions fail not.  They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.


Janet

Hallelujah!!  We have seven of our Pow/Mia's back!!  Praise God!  All appear to be healthy........I'm sure all of you have probably heard the good news, but I just wanted to Praise God for his mercy and lovingkindness!

I will be back later!

Janet
My book Rising Above available at JanetDamon.com

Anthony

Janet, I have just heard the good news about the missing military personell who have been found. I also saw pictures for the first time of the young girl coming home to the USA. It's lovely to see these people returning, but it makes you think about the ones who are still missing or in captivity.  Let's continue to pray for them.

Anthony.

Meika perhaps one possible answer to the problem on what to do on Sunday, is to do both.  Go to church to worship with others there, and then spend the rest of the time ministering to people in your community.  

mercychild

Good morning everyone.  I hope you all had a restful evening.  First I'd like to welcome everyone I haven't had the chance to welcome before.  My password wasn't working, so I couldn't get on to post.  

Anthony-it's so good to see you back!  As usual, your responses are insightful.

Meika- Hebrews 10:24-25 says, "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another and so much the more as you see the Day approaching."

I hope this helps.

God bless you all.  Jen.

Al Moak

#11
Meika - I think we need very much to consider the purpose of the church gathering before deciding whether to join it.  Writing about that gathering, the writer to the Hebrews said, "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the day approaching."  (Hebrews 10:24, 25)  
The purpose is the fellowship of God's people with one another, a purpose we need to fulfill more and more as we see the day coming in which our Lord returns.
In other words, the reason we need to gather in the church is that God's Word tells us we need that gathering.  May God bless you in continuing to help others - during all the other days of the week.  But may you also find it a joyful thing to be with God's people for strengthening one the one day He has prescribed for that kind of fellowship.
In other words, the question shouldn't be, "do I enjoy going to church or do I enjoy helping people instead?" But the question should be, simply, "Does the Bible tell me to join in the church gathering?"  Yes, it also tells me to help those who need my help - but it tells me that I need the gathering of God's people one day each week in order to be strenghened for helping others the rest of the time.

Sonifo

Good morning everyone!

What a beautiful day the Lord has made.  

Yesturday was so nice out that we all got a little to much sun and got a sunburn.  I am not to bad, but Mike and Troy's faces are red like a tomato :-[.  Time to break out the sunscreen.

Mieka,  I don't think it is a must to go to church.  If you feel that God is happy with you then keep doing what He leads you to do.  
Just remember that it is nice to go to a place where there are other christians, like this place.  I love to go to church because it makes me feel the joy of being a christian and the there is one lady who gives the biggest hugs.  She give everyone a hug.  I can't miss a hug like that. ;D  I also like our church because we do a lot of things together.  Like picnics and bar-b-ques, watermelon feeds, bible camp to help those kids in the community whoo don't know God.  We also have musicians and singers come and put on a concert for us.  There is also a group of kids that come from Louisana ever summer and they have bible camp and put on concerts at the local park and resturants.  They are a blast and my sons want to do something like this when he gets that age.  It can be fun if you join the right church, but until you feel comfortable keep up with what you are doing.  God is pleased I am sure.  You might want to try a church every once in a while or even have someone go with you just to check it out.  I call it church hopping.  Hop till you find the right church.  hehe ;D


I am off to get ready for church.  Hope you all have a good day.

Sonifo

I just got this in the email and thought I would share a good laugh.

The minister's little six-year-old girl had been so naughty during the week,
that her mother decided to give her the worst kind of punishment.  She told
her she couldn't go to the Sunday School Picnic on Saturday.

When the day came, her mother felt she had been too harsh and changed her
mind.  When she told the little girl she could go to the picnic, the child's
reaction was one of gloom and unhappiness.

"What's the matter?  I thought you'd be glad to go to the picnic." her
mother said.

"It's too late!" the little girl said.  "I've already prayed for rain!"

Janet

Meika, I commend you for doing the work you are doing to help others.  But as several have already stated, the church is a very important part of the life of a follower of Jesus.  It is a time to "recharge our batteries" so to speak; a time to be comforted, encouraged, and uplifted, as well as challenged to live more fully for God.  So I would encourage you to try to find a church that will welcome you, will pray for you, and in which you can fellowship with other Christians as you grow in your walk with the Lord.

Anthony's suggestion about going to church first, then helping others later in the day is a really sound one.  I hope you will consider it!

Yours is a very thought-provoking question, and I thank you for asking it.  Always feel free to ask questions, that's the way we all learn!

We are ready to leave for church now, be back later to see what's happening on CP!

Jesus hugs,
Janet
My book Rising Above available at JanetDamon.com

Pat

Good Morning Everyone...

Wow!  I was tired last night but it was a "happy tired"!  

It's great to see you all here this morning.  Wouldn't it be nice if we all knew what part of the world we all lived in?  I live in Ontario, Canada west of Toronto about an hour.

Where do you live?

Meika, I think you've been given some very good ideas in here--especially from Anthony and Al.  Joining a church has absolutely nothing to do with our going to heaven when we die but going to church and joining with others who love the Name of Jesus Christ to worship Him is such a wonderful thing to be able to do.  

I'll be back a little later as I'm just about to leave the house for church.  

But I'm going to include a little quote from Al Moak just before I leave as I think that this is so true, Meika.

QuoteThe purpose is the fellowship of God's people with one another, a purpose we need to fulfill more and more as we see the day coming in which our Lord returns.
In other words, the reason we need to gather in the church is that God's Word tells us we need that gathering.


"Click for Waterloo Wellington, Ontario Forecast"

Marilyn

Good Morning to y-all. I am part way ready for church the face is on and the hair is curled. I've had my cup of coffee and now for some fellowship with my cyber church family.
Pat: thank you for the devotional this morning/last night.
Anthony: good to see you posting this morning.
Mieka: you have received good solid advice from our frineds here and even Pastor Al has given you the best Biblical advice. I can't add to any of it because it is all good. As for myself I prefer to go to church,  the contact with my church family, the praise and worship services and the Sunday School classes are always very informative. Pastor's sermons are straight out of the Word of God and I too, learn something every thime I go. i have missed church only once on Sunday morning in the last 3 years.

Well I am going to look around here and then finish getting ready for church.
Love to you all
Marilyn

Oh my I forgot I have a praise report. A man that I have been praying for--for the last 5 years has given his heart to our Lord, and gone through a christian Drug rehab program. He called last night ( he is also my ex live in boyfriend) he confessed his love for the Lord, told me he is now working and living in the aftercare home of the rehab program. Praise the Lord.

Marilyn
"Good people take care of their animals, but even the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel" Prov. 12:10
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Al Moak

With you, Marilyn, I thank our gracious Father for the answer to your prayers.  I also add this continuing prayer: "Father, teach this man more and more.  Move him to join with Your people and to be strengthened there.  Oh Father, grant him a new and joyful life free from all the slavery of going his own way."

Anthony

#18
I had to smile with Marilyn this morning when she said about putting her face on.  It conjured up all sorts of images in my mind.

Pat, it's good to see you up and ready for fellowship this morning after the night out.  I  hope you didn't get too tired.

Al, that was a great little exposition on the purposes of church life.  I think maybe God blessed that to more than you may realise.

Mercychild, thanks for the welcome back.  It's great to meet up with you again.  Did I hear right yesterday, that you were singing last night?  Boy, would I love to have heard that!

Janet, thanks for your input into the discussion too.  It's a tough question, but I think it's good to be able to discuss these things together.  Hope you have a great day at church today.

Sonja, you like going to church for the watermelon feeds ::)  It's funny you should say that, because I have put on over 3 stone since going to my present church.  I'm not sure that's the reason for continuing to go there, but the cooking is a great bonus  :o

Anthony.

Larry Hanna

Hi everyone!  Very interesting discussion here today on attending church.  Meika, thank you for posing the question.  

I decided it would be best if I didn't go to church this morning.  Although I am feeling a lot better from the flu as still have a few chills and feeling a bit weak.  Don't think I would be contagious but don't want to make anyone else ill.  My wife did leave for church a few minutes ago.  I really hate missing out on singing with the choir on our special Easter music this morning.  They are doing "Love So Amazing", which is a choral meditation on the sacrifice of Christ.  

Marilyn, thanks for the tip on the citrus preparation to fight the flu.  I will keep that in mind for the future, although it has been years since I had the flu.

Our country certainly has a special reason to praise our God today with the return of the 7 soldiers.  In our newspaper today is a full page of pictures and names of those soldiers killed in the war.  It is a very touching thing to view to know these service men and women gave their lives that we might retain our freedom, including worshipping the one and only God and our Savior, Jesus Christ.  

Larry

Sonifo

Anthony~That isn't the only reason I go to church.  It is for the hugs.  ;D ;)
Just kidding.  I love church because it helps me to feel the joy of being a christian.  Being with others makes being a christian so much easier in these days where people think being a christian is uncool.  I have grown so much since I have been going to church, but it does help to have a church that is fun and not just sitting all the time.  We have great fellowship and wouldn't trade it for anything.  
I think I have grown even more since I joined this site.  I have been able to ask more questions here then I have at my own church.  
Mieka~Don't be afraid to ask the questions.  We may not all agree but we still love each other in here.  God has brought us together and will keep us together.  
sonja

Marilyn

Thanks Al for the continuing prayr for this man, his name is Don.He also invited me to attend the set Free Chruch. That is the name of the rehab program and they have their own church. I don't know if any of you have heard of the Set Free Ministries. Well I am off to churchnow I shall return later. I will visit his church at a later date.
marilyn
"Good people take care of their animals, but even the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel" Prov. 12:10
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Pat

Quote from: lowtekrednek on April 13, 2003, 12:34:47 PM
If I came on anti-church Im sorry. As Sonjia said do some church hopping till you find the right one. My wife and I have had a few bad experiences in the past with churches where some members welcomed you with open arms on Sunday morning butyou were dirt under their feet any other time

Yes, I would agree with that but I'd add one thing...  PRAY ABOUT THIS as you search for a church home...

Pray that the Lord Jesus would guide in this very important matter. It's wonderful how He works if we pray first.

Isn't it wonderful too that we don't have to look at people?  I just thank the Lord so much that people don't look at me and say, "Oh I want to be more like Pat!"  If they did that, they'd certainly be way off track! ::)  But I think it's great to be able to say, "I want to be more like the person Jesus would have me to be."  

My reason for going to church is to worship Him and in so doing, the blessings I receive are many.


"Click for Waterloo Wellington, Ontario Forecast"

Pat


By the way, folks, I do hope that you've been checking out our Photography forums...

There's some nice ones being posted..

Here's an example of some nice little spring flowers[/b]



"Click for Waterloo Wellington, Ontario Forecast"

Pat


Let's sing!...







THE BIBLE STANDS
(Click title for music)

The Bible stands like a rock undaunted
'Mid the raging storms of time;
Its pages burn with the truth eternal,
And they glow with a light sublime.

Chorus:
The Bible stands tho the hills may tumble,
It will firmly stand when the earth shall crumble,
I will plant my feet on its firm foundation,
For the bible stands.

The Bible stands like a mountain tow'ring
Far above the works of men;
Its truth by none ever was refuted,
And destroy it they never can.

The Bible stands, and it will forever
When the world has passed away;
By inspiration it has been given;
All its precepts I will obey.

The Bible stands ev'ry test we give it
For its Author is divine;
By grace alone I expect to live it
And to prove it and make it mine.










"Click for Waterloo Wellington, Ontario Forecast"

Papa John

#25
Well, here on Sunday afternoon I have read the posts for today.  I think Al, Anthony, and others have given very good advice.

We need to understand that the church is the saved.  If one is saved he is a part of the church.  He doesn't get into the church by joining a group.  He gets into the church by accepting Jesus and his gospel.  When Paul spoke to the elders of the church in Ephesus he said:

"Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood."  Acts 20:28  (KJV)

The church is the body of Christ.  "And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. "  Eph 1:22-23  (NIV)

God wants his children, the church, to enjoy fellowship with each other in local congregations.  He wants them to meet regularly for worship and for mutual edification.  This is obvious to us when we read the New Testament and see the early church.  

1 Tim 3:14-15  These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.  (KJV)

As Al and others have indicated from Hebrews 10

Heb 10:23-25  Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for he is faithful that promised; And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.  (KJV)

We have had prayers answered today with the news of the POW's who have been found.  Praise God !

--- Papa John    ;D
 
Eph 2:8-9  For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast.(NIV)


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alt="Click for Nashville, Tennessee Forecast" height=41 width=127>

mieka

It is a surprise to come here today to see so many have take so much time to answer my question. I will take all these words with me this week. This is a wonderful place and I thank you all that you allow me to come here. I have gone to many of the churches many times each week to be alone with God. I did not know it is Gods wish that I should also gather with others each week. This week I will try to think of a ways I can do it, but for today I am glad I can gather here with all of you. I have so many questions in my heart. It is my hope that in time you will not grow tired of them.

Denise

What a cute little story~
You've gotta love a little naughty head like that ;D
God must really get tickled with our antics~ well, sometimes anyways.
Hope you're all feeling Gods blessings in your life today.
Denise

Anthony

Marilyn I am sorry I didn't comment on the good news of Don.  God is able to do what no-one else can do.  Praise God for Don and I do trust that he will continue to grow in spiritual things.

Meika I am so glad that the people here are helping you with their answers.  One way of finding out if a person is giving you good advice is when they direct you to the words of the bible.  I do believe you have had some good advice today.

Pat thanks for reminding Meika and all of the rest of us to pray for guidance.  How important that is.

Sonja what demonation to you go to?  In our independant evangelical church, we never get any hugs, just hand shakes.  It's good to express ourselves with people we feel safe with.

Lowtekrednek I don't think we've met, but God bless you for  your input.  Different thoughts on issues can be a great help.

Larry, I'm sorry to hear about the flu bug.  It's considerate not to want to pass it on to the other members. I hope you feel better soon anyway.

Al, thanks for your input into the discussion.  That scripture from Hebrews is so important isn't it.  Of course there are many of our brothers and sisters who have no building as such to meet in.  A friend at church has come from Uzbekistan to live in England, the authorities forbid christian meetings, but the believers meet in people's homes and have fellowship in secret. As long as we meet with other christians and encourage one another in the things of the Lord.

Denise, nice to see you today.  Hope everything is well with you.

Anthony.

Marilyn

I've just come home from church and started cooking myself something to eat.  I have been truly blessed today as well as last night after receiving that phone call. Here's the rest of the story. Back then when we were living in sin and doing all those drugs and living a life of serving satan. There were 2 houses on that property and all four of us there were doing the same things. A woman who had been delivered from that kind of life prayed that all of us there would receive the Lord and give our lives to HiM Now ALL of us are serving the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 of us are in the same church here in Lucerne valley. That woman was my friend Kitty and how pleased I was to stand at the microphone and give that testimony about that phone call and see the smile on her face. She hadn't been to church in about 2 months but was there today. Her prayers were answered in a big way, So were mine and Jason's prayers. Jason is one of the other people who lived next door to me at that time.
I just wanted to give you all the whole story and ask you to just PRAISE THE LORD. HALLELUJAH


Marilyn is doing the Pentacostal HappyDance
"Good people take care of their animals, but even the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel" Prov. 12:10
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