New Every Morning~November 22

[Janet]

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Morning Devotional...





Strong Words 
Examine yourselves to see if your faith is really genuine (2 Corinthians 13:5, NLT). 


One day I was talking to a young man who was somewhat of a prodigal. I said to him, "Do you believe in Jesus?

"Yes."

"Do you believe He died for your sins?"

"Yes."

He had grown up in the church and even gone to Christian schools, but he had turned his back on the Lord. I replied, "What is gong to happen to you when you die?"

He said, "I'll go to heaven."

I said, "Are you sure?"

"Absolutely sure."

And I said, "Are you willing to do God's will and surrender your own will to His will?"

Quite bluntly, he answered, "No."

I had to be totally honest with him, and replied, "Then you are not a Christian."

He said, "That's your opinion against mine."

I said, "No, that is what God's word says." I explained to him that if anyone is not willing to do God's will, he had better take inventory because the Scripture clearly teaches: "And how can we be sure that we belong to him? By looking within ourselves: are we really trying to do what he wants us to? Someone may say, 'I am a Christian; I am on my way to heaven; I belong to Christ.' But if he doesn't do what Christ tells him to, he is a liar. But those who do what Christ tells them to will learn to love God more and more. That is the way to know whether or not you are a Christian. Anyone who says he is a Christian should live as Christ did" (1John 2:3-6, TLB).

That was strong language, but that is the holy, inspired word of God. If you are not able to make the Bible the basis of your standards, what are the alternatives?

Don't get me wrong. I believe more strongly than most people that salvation is a free gift of God by grace through faith alone, not a result of works, so that no one can boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). And only God truly knows who are His and who are not. But the Scriptures give us strong words that we can use for self-examination. "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you -- unless, of course, you fail the test? And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test" (2 Corinthians 13:5-6, NIV).

This does not mean that every time we fail God, we lose our salvation. Far from it. But it does mean we should stay on our spiritual toes to please, obey and serve God. Our good works confirm our salvation but do not contribute to our salvation.

Yours for helping to fulfill the Great Commission each year until our Lord returns,

Bill Bright

[Marilyn]

Great Devotional Janet. Thanks.


Just checking in here before I sign off for the night. I just finished crocheting a net scrub pad. That is kind of hard to pullt he stitches through. Cutting the net is a real challenge.

Ok I'll Say

[Jane Walker]

Hey, hey, hey !!!  The log jam must've broken because I got a ton of email notifications for the past three days!        That's a good thing, fer sure.

Larry, I have been seeing advertisements for the Atlanta Acquarium on tv.  Looks like a really spectacular place to visit.  I've seen the Carter Center and the Coke Bottling Company ... Remember the Atlanta Bash?     I don't know when, if ever, I will be able to visit your part of the country, but the Acquarium would be a definite point of interest on any itinerary.

I have been invited to have Thanksgiving dinner with my next door neighbors on Thursday so my daughter is happy!    Joy needs to know that her Mom is not starving and alone, I guess.   

I need to get to bed now ... maybe I'll even get some sleep while I'm at it. 

I'll be back later ... Y'all take care now, y'hear???

[Ed]

A friend of mine has a wall plaque in his  office.  it reads:  "The Offer Still Stands, John 3:16"  In this day and age when everything is changing and turmoil is all around us....one thing remains constant.

Dr Dobson had a speaker on last week talking about thanking God for everyday things,. etc etc. God had recently spoken to my heart on the same subject.  I'm working om my son's 71 Chevelle.  Everything is falling into place.  A windshield installation was held up because of preparation work that was exposed after removal of the old one.

The new glass had a chip in it.  They had to come back the next day, giving me time to do the prep work.  It also allowed me time to work on the instrument panel without the bother of the windshield hampering the work.

I went inside after the days work and God spoke to my heart and said, "Things went OK today and you didn't thank me."  Yes, everything fell into place and I didn't even realize it was Him who made it possible.

This Thanksgiving I've got plenty to thank him for. 

"The days I wake  up, that I can stand up, and look around and know who I am and where I am.  That's a good day."  Robert Hickman, age 100

[Marilyn]

By the time the Lord made woman,

He was into his sixth day of working overtime.

An angel appeared and said,

"Why are you spending so much time on this one?"

And the Lord answered, "Have you seen my spec sheet on her?

She has to be completely washable,but not plastic,

have over 200 movable parts,all replaceable

and able to run on diet coke and leftovers,

have a lap that can hold four children at one time,

have a kiss that can cure anything from a scraped knee to a broken heart

-and she will do everything

with only two hands."

The angel was astounded at the requirements.

"Only two hands!? No way!

And that's just on the standard model?

That's too much work for one day.

Wait until tomorrow to finish."

But I won't," the Lord protested.

"I am so close to finishing this creation that is so close to my

own heart.

She already heals herself when she is sick

AND can work 18 hour days."

The angel moved closer and touched the woman.

"But you have made her so soft,Lord."

"She is soft," the Lord agreed,

"but I have also made her tough.

You have no idea what she can endure or accomplish."

"Will she be able to think?",asked the angel.

The Lord replied,

"Not only will she be able to think,

she will be able to reason and negotiate."

The angel then noticed something,

and reaching out,touched the woman's cheek.

"Oops,it looks like you have a leak in this model.

I told you that you were trying to put too much into this one."

"That's not a leak,"

the Lord corrected,

"that's a tear!"

"What's the tear for?" the angel asked.

the Lord said, "The tear is her way of expressing her joy,

her sorrow,her pain,her disappointment,her love,

her loneliness,her grief and her pride."

The angel was impressed.

"You are a genius, Lord.

You thought of everything!

Woman is truly amazing."

And she is!

Women have strengths that amaze men.

They bear hardships and they carry burdens,

but they hold happiness, love and joy.

They smile when they want to scream.

They sing when they want to cry.

They cry when they are happy

and laugh when they are nervous.

They fight for what they believe in.

They stand up to injustice.

They don't take "no" for an answer

when they believe there is a better solution.

They go without so their family can have.

They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.

They love unconditionally.

They cry when their children excel

and cheer when their friends get awards.

They are happy when they hear about

a birth or a wedding.

Their hearts break when a friend dies.

They grieve at the loss of a family member,

yet they are strong when they think there is no strength left.

They know that a hug and a kiss

can heal a broken heart.

Women come in all shapes,sizes and colours.

They'll drive, fly,walk,run or e-mail you

to show how much they care about you.

The heart of a woman is what makes the world keep turning.

They bring joy,hope and love.

They have compassion and ideals.

They give moral support to their family and friends.

Women have vital things to say and everything to give.

HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN,

IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.

[Janet]

Good morning!  Yes, it is so true that we need to cultivate an attitude of gratitude, for all He does for us and for all He keeps from happening to us!  Thanks for the reminder, Ed. 

We have had our workout and breakfast, now it's time for a shower and getting into the chores of the day.

I pray you will all have a peaceful and fruitful day with the Lord. 

[Etta Sue]

Remember Jerry today.  He would have been 68 today.

I want to thank all of you for the cyber hugs.  I really miss hugs and should give out hugs more.  The more you give, the more you receive. 

Janet, your devotion went along with our discussion at Small Groups last evening.  We have a Marketing Manager in our Small Groups...she tends to tell it like it is.  One of her co-workers told her...'I do good things for people.  I am a nice person.  You say you are a Christian.  You do nice things and you are a nice person.  What's the difference?'  The Small Groups person answered, 'Well, I will go to Heaven and you will go to Hell.'  She said that as soon as she said it, she smoothed it over giving her scripture to verify why she said what she said.  The other person is okay about it because NOW that person is asking the other questions about God and asking for prayers.  Isn't that neat?

Can anyone tell me a quick difference between a Notebook and a Laptop?  I keep thinking I need something when I go on trips to store my pictures...more Sony Memory Pro Sticks...laptop or notebook.  My friend, Kitty, has a device that she puts her Smart Card in and the pictures burn onto a CD...but my Sony Memory Pro card wouldn't work in it.

My sciatic is still nerving!!!  I am thinking about a chiropractor. 

~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^

[Pat]

Hi Folks...

I got up early this morning and felt so horrible with a headache that I went back to bed!  So no post from me!  Sorry!

Now, it's afternoon here in Guelph and I have lots to do around the house.

I remember Jerry for sure, Etta Sue.  Thanks for the reminder.

[karmat]

Hi all!!

Marilyn, your post about women almost made me cry.  Guess that means I work okay, huh?  Nice one.  I may copy it and forward it around some. 

I'm at work, so was able to log in.  Things are clipping along at the Shuford house.  Kristi has learned that her first line of defense with her brother are her teeth.  (On Sunday, November 13, she had 4.  On Sunday, November 20th, she had 7.   Fortunately, they don't bother her.  Just pop in).  Yesterday, he got hold of her arm and wouldn't let go.  She just grunted, opened her mouth and pulled him toward her.  hehehehhe.  He let go really fast, and doesn't mess with her a lot, now.


Etta, I was thinking of Jerry a couple of days ago.  Funny how you can miss someone that you only knew "virtually" and only met once.  But I do.  I'm sending hugs your way.  {{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}  I know they are a real good substitute, but if I were there, I'd give you a real one!!!  (and so would Travis and Kristi!)

[Larry Hanna]

Hi everyone.  Pat, I sure hope the headache is better this afternoon.  Those are no fun at all.

Janet, thanks for the devotional and filling in the blanks on Beth's trip.  It obviously takes a lot of courage to go away from "home base" with the medical hurdles she faces.  However, I join with the other is hoping this is just a very happy six months for her and know you must be happy that someone cares for her as John obviously does.  It sounds like you will have some time to paint during this time as you will have your rentals occupied.  You probably won't know how to fill your hours.  

Karmat, the biting must be a natural defense instinct that small children have.  They certainly do grow quickly.

Etta Sue, it is hard to realize that Jerry would have been only 68 as that sure doesn't seem very old.  I guess it is a matter of perspective.  I was on the phone this morning with the Social Security Administration to setup an appointment to apply for my Medicare card next Wednesday.  I will soon have been retired for 11 years.  I think the only real difference between a notebook and a laptop probably is the weight of the computer.  If you had a laptop or notebook you could sit by your fireplace in the winter and via a wireless connection access your desktop.  Some of the laptops come with memory card readers or you can get an inexpensive reader that just plugs into your USB port.

Marilyn, I hope you hear today about Thanksgiving.  I am sure your family there will not forget on the holiday. 

Ed, my son has had a great time restoring a 25 year old Nissan Z car and he drives it all the time.

Jane, I hope you have the opportunity to get back to Atlanta.  I am sure this Acquarium is going to be a world-wide attraction.  I can't even image the crowds they will have.  They are also building a new World of Coke right next door.

Hi to Ruth Ann and JudyB.  Ruth Ann you will certainly want to tour the acquarium via wheelchair.  It sounds like the place is just huge and there would be lots and lots of walking.  I don't think my wife could stand to do that much walking. 

We are having choir practice this evening at 7 pm rather than tomorrow night since we have a Thanksgiving Eve service at our church tomorrow night.

[Liz]

Hello from a foggy and damp/cold island.  We have been experiencing lots of fog the past while...started after the constant rain stopped.  Ah, the joy of winter!

I have not been posting anywhere lately, Marilyn.  Thanks for the email.  Spent many weeks sitting in a chair as it hurts to lay in bed.  Quite a lot better now and able to spend about four - five hrs. in bed.  Scan showed lots of damage to my back, bulging disks, worn out cushions between, etc.  Boring stuff that can't be changed. Much better now and chugging along again

Lots of hugs going around.  Finally read some of the posting.  Jane, I get hugs from the cats more than people.  Never really been good at that with humans unless know them really well.  Love it when someone gives me a hug tho'....Envy folks who can reach out....my daughter is like that.  Always hugging people!

Amanda is doing well at her job and works about four days per week.  Socking the money into savings for university in 2006.  The store is really nice to her and they are a friendly group.  I believe that God wanted her to have that job.  It is only a ten minute drive away and Wendy can drive her until she gets her own car.

Try not to worry about Bev., Janet.  Easy to say, hard to do!  God will take care of her.

Larry, CNN showed that marvelous acquarium and it is wonderful.  They are going to do a special on it tomorrow and will film from the site.  Worth looking into!

For all you folks about to celebrate Thanksgiving, here is a little poem to put on your fridge door.......

"After Thanksgiving" Poem

I ate too much Turkey, I ate too much corn,
I ate too much pudding and pie.
I'm stuffed up with muffins and too much stuffin'
I'm probably going to die.

I piled up my plate and I ate and I ate.
But I wish I had known when to stop,
For I'm so crammed with yams, sauces, gravies, and jams
That my buttons are starting to pop!

I'm full of tomatoes and french fried potatoes
My stomach is swollen and sore,
But there's still some dessert so I guess it won't hurt if
I eat just a little bit more!



Have a pleasant day and God Bless.

Liz

[Janet]

Good afternoon!

Yes, Etta Sue, we will remember dear Jerry.  It is hard to believe he would only be 68.  Darrel is 68...........  I know you miss him. ((((((((((hugs))))))))))

Yes, Larry, I am very happy that Beth and John found each other.  I can't help be concerned about their day to day coping, though.  Today she is really having a hard time.  She has developed restless leg syndrome, on top of all the other problems.  I have to take her in to see the doctor tomorrow about that.  She has also decided that she needs a rail to grab to help her into and out of bed. (finally!)  I have been telling her that for a while now.

I am chatting with Mieka, and she says:

miekachoy: please ask every one at the CP to check their legs ok
miekachoy: ask if they have a chicken legs
j_damon_67880: I thank God for you!  You are such a blessing in my life!
miekachoy: aawww
j_damon_67880: hahahaha........chicken legs?
miekachoy: if they do not have a chicken legs, they must run fast
j_damon_67880: I think on Thursday they will have TURKEY legs!
miekachoy: perhaps they are a turkey
j_damon_67880: hehehehe......perhaps!
miekachoy:
miekachoy: i will have a giggle if they check to see if they have a chicken legs
miekachoy:
j_damon_67880: Can't you just picture it?  Everybody looking at their legs?
miekachoy:
miekachoy: and then they run
miekachoy:
miekachoy: like a chicken
j_damon_67880: squawk, squawk!!!
miekachoy: is it a chicken sound?
miekachoy:
j_damon_67880: yes
miekachoy: funny
miekachoy: i do not remember a chicken noise
j_damon_67880: When not scared, they say "cluck, cluck, cluck."
miekachoy

I need to vacuum my floors; it's either that, or plant potatoes!  See you later!

[Janet]

The blank spots above had smilies in them, but they didn't copy.

Liz, great to see you, love your poem!  And I am so glad to hear that you are feeling better and able to rest some.  I am a hugger, love to give and receive hugs.  So when I meet you, look out!! 

Now to get out that vacuum cleaner.......................

[Chris & Margit Saunders]

[Chris & Margit Saunders]

Nice to drop in again, had all sorts of computer probs. including with aol accusing me of spamming because I sent off 30 photos at one time! lol.
Margit and I are quite involved in our new Church, it is small but oh. so very much family!
I do speak to Pat and Al now and again, but I guess We have just been very busy and also just back recently from a great two weeks in Germany!
Our love to all of you,
Chris, & Margit too.lol.

[Ed]

My sciatic is still nerving!!!  I am thinking about a chiropractor

Chiropractor's I know about.  I've had the same trouble you are having and it is terrible.  I urge you to go to a chiropractor, but check around and see if any of your friends can recommend one.  Some are very good and some are out for your money.

My now retired chiropractor had a sign in his office....
"If you have a medical condition, it is likely I can help you.
If you have a chiropractic condition, I am the only one that can help you."

Long ago (almost 40 yrs now) I had a terrible back condition.  I tried medical doctors and was not helped, except for the pain killers.  The pain medication doesn't cure the pain, but then you're so high that you don't care.

After trying everything else, I figured I had nothing to lose by going to a chiropractor.  I went to his office and looked at the flight of stairs I had to climb.  I wondered how in the world I would get up those 8 stairs.  Dr Dick must have seen my concern.  He came out of office and helped me up the stairs. 

I've been going to him whenever my back goes out, the sooner I see him the faster I get better.  In August at 85 he retired.  I was directd to a student of his.  He's just as good as Doc Dick only much stronger.

[Ruth Ann Bice]

Hi, to everyone.

I didn't leave for Atlanta today - but I locked myself out of the house and didn't have my cell phone. So, had to break a window to get back in. Now, i need to stay around until tomorrow and hope the repair can be made so I can go to Atlanta.

Y'all have a good evening.

Ruth Ann

[Marilyn]

Hello again here I am

It is so nice to see Chris and Margit here again.  How come you haven't written to me too Chris and sent me photos like you used to do.

I am having pizza for supper. I splerged and bought a pizza and some Ice cream with the $25.00 gift card that my bank gave me today. I gusess I won it.

Well It is just about time to eat so I will be back later.

TTYL

[Sue]

Ruth Ann, I had never heard of waiting in the stairwell for a "handicapped" rescue before.  I'm so glad for the many that do have physical limitations that there is such a thing.

Oh my, a most big post of all time.   
I hope it is not a snore.

Mieka, your posts are never a snore....you are a big bright ray of sunshine!
I took one of you "Hi's" and now I'm tossing it back to you with a hug!

So I took off the sweeper part and took it apart and there inside was a black jujube!  It was all melting on the belt and the belt was stuck to the wooden roller and I almost had a little fire. 

Pat, I am so thankful that it wasn't another fire for you!

EttaSue, I dont know about where you are but here, the dollar stores sell some really great frames...for only a $1
I love the video of Ail and Inki....watched it several times over!
Through your tears today, may you find some bright spot of happiness. 

Pam, nice to "see" you back again.  I had wondered where you disappeared to! (and this from one who has been scarce herself lately.... )

Liz, it's nice to hear that Amanda's job is going well.

I remember a few years back when my back was so very bad.  I went to my Dr. and all he did was quickly assess me, and then spoke to my "now" Chiropractor who shares the office with my Dr. and passed me off.  I now wear orthotics and have a routine "crack" once a month to keep my scoliosis under control.  Some days are worse than others and standing for 7-8 hours a day as a cashier really doesn't help, but I must tolerate it as I need the job for the little it does pay.

RuthAnn, I can remember several times having to "break" into my own home (at the time, it was a two-bedroom apartment on the third floor of a building) because my keys were on their way into the States with my husband who was a truck driver.  The most memorable "break-in" was when my brother was with me and scaled the balconies to get in through the patio door which I had left partially open.  Thank goodness I have a tall brother!

Now to log off, and tidy the kitchen and make a cup of tea and relax for the evening.

[Pat]

I'm SO-O-O-O happy to see you drop in Chris!  What a lovely photo!  Thanks so much for sharing that with all of us.


Nice to see you too, Liz.  I'm so sorry you've been having such a rough time.  Praying for you my friend.


Hello Sue! 


Must go and try to finish my Avon order.

[Pat]

Well, time to lock the door on yet another day...

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