Thoughts for the Week of Jan. 7

[Etta Sue]

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Morning Devotional...

Jesus and Ten Lepers
Luke 17:11-19  NLT

   As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, he reached the border between Galilee and Samaria.  As he entered a village there, ten lepers stood at a distance, crying out, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!"

   He looked at them and said, "Go show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy.

   One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, "Praise God!"   He fell to the ground at Jesus' feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan.

   Jesus asked, "Didn't I heal ten men? Where are the other nine?  Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?"  And Jesus said to the man, "Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you."

For what are you thankful to God?

     Jesus healed all ten lepers, but only one returned to thank him.  It is possible to receive God's great gifts with an ungrateful spirit--nine of the ten men did so.  Only the thankful man, however, learned that his faith had played a role in his healing: and only grateful Christians grow in understanding God's grace. 

     God does not demand that we thank him, but he is pleased when we do so.  And he uses our responsiveness to teach us more about himself.
The Best of the Bible--365 Must-Read Bible Passages

[Etta Sue]

Another gloomy day in Indiana.  Rain.....rain.....rain....bor-ring!  But God gives us rainy days so we will appreciate the sunshine when it comes!!

Nothing much new except I took a nap and watched TV and talked to Tony, my son, on the telephone.  Yeah, a great day! 

>^..^<    >^..^<   >^..^<   >^..^<   >^..^<   >^..^<   >^..^<  >^..^<

[Jane Walker]

Hey there, all y'all......       Looks like I get to be firstest here today ... after Etta Sue, that is.

Since a couple of y'all (Janet and Nita) have asked for me to post an article I've written, I have done that ... In Manna ... Y'all can read it here: [http://www.christianphotographers.com/community/index.php?topic=5886.0

I sure would like to remember how to make that a "clickable" but so far ......   

[Colin]

Hi everyone from a cold grey wet rainy day from N.Ireland. Etta Sue....you are not the only one who gets the rain...it has been raining here for nearly three months non stop! Lovely devotional today...we have plenty to thank the Lord for and it is always polite to say thank you. Hope you are well and do take care of yourself.
Hi Jane, you are the second firstest and I am the thirdist firistist...I think! Read your very interesting story and left you a little comment.

Will be back later...see you all

[Colin]

NINE

Where are the nine; the Lord he said
Just one from ten has returned instead
To give me thanks and glorify my name
But nine went on to their shame

I passed through Samaria and Galilee
Ten lepers came and searched out me
Have mercy on us they called from afar
For we know good Master a healer you are

Go show yourselves to the priests I commanded
Just a simple thing of them I demanded
Now one has returned cured and fine
But where are the other ungrateful nine

This one is a stranger and not of my race
But he has found in me a resting place
Health for his body and redemption for his soul
For his faith in me has made him whole

Where are the nine of my native land
Who should have come to shake my hand
They could have showed their thanks in a warm embrace
But none of that nine have showed their face

And do they not think how I may feel
When I took time to cure and heal
That I must take this pain and hurt
When they treat me just as dirt

How many people to this very day
Would return to me and simply say
Thank you Lord for what you have done
We are grateful to you God's only Son

And one who comes I will always greet
From any ten who will with me meet
And when I know that they are fine
I shall always ask for the other nine


Colin Moffett

When I read Etta Sues devotional I remembered I had written a poem in a similiar vein and thought I would just post it here in support of her.

Still raining! My car is in the garage because of leaking coolant which is coming into the inside of the car. Not exactly a brilliant start to my week but then things could always be worse!  Like on Saturday...I went to a timber yoard to get some planks of wood. The assistant asked...what size..and I replied 4 by 2 please and then he asked ...how long do you need them. Well..I said...I am building a shed and would like to keep them if possible!
I was coming back home and called into the doctor. I said...doctor I need some more of those sleeping pills for my wife Marlene. Has she run out of them...he asked. No...I said...she has woken up!

Ok Ok..I do my best! Take care...Colin

[Samantha]

 :)Etta Sue, that is what my preacher preached on yesterday!  The ten lepers and which one was thankful.  Must be I needed to hear (see) that again!  Thank you all for the work you do on here.

Not much going on in my neck of the woods.  School starts back tomorrow,(Oh Joy!)

The question I asked last week was more for Terry than for me, I'm still hanging on to God, I know He will come through for us even when we think we can't hang on anymore.  Thanks for all the replies.

Later,
Samantha

[Etta Sue]

As most of you know, I am a member of SeniorNet also.  Today Oscar of Florida posted this link.

http://www.extremeinstability.com/06-12-31.htm

If you can at all, I would like you to visit this site.  It is pictures of Nebraska during the ice storm that Colorado, Kansas and Nebraska endured in December.  There are some fantastic pictures there.  Think of Carol and Janet as you view them. 

Thank you!

[Jeannine]

Good morning all,

Hi Etta Sue! This week's devotional makes ya stop and think for sure!

Janet ~ today makes day four the car won't start  .! So we will try to get it to a mechanic and then figure out how to pay for it. We really need it but what are you going to do on next to no income? Pray!!!

It is sunny, rainy, and windy here all at the same time. Hmmmm... I think the weather is just as confused as the flowers. It is supposed to get colder here and snow some, we'll see.

Talked to my brother yesterday, it was his birthday. He said he forgot about it until his wife wished him a happy birthday. Guess he wanted to forget about it.

Michael is fine, he is watching a dvd on the unit he got from Santa. His eyes are glued to it.  No comments from the peanut gallery...Colin I know what you are thinking!

We had an awesome church service yesterday!!
Ok, time to go. Everyone have a wonderful day in the Lord.

Blessings,
<><Jeannine

[Janet]

Thanks for that link, Etta Sue!  If it hadn't been for the journaling, I would have thought those were taken here in Grant County!  Looks exactly the same as here.  My foster brother lives near Grand Island, my sister in Hershey, Neb.  She said they didn't have as much problem there around Hershey with ice. But I see from those pics that Don and Carol have had plenty!!  So, those of you who look at those photos, have a glimpse into my world of the past two weeks.  And we still have sheets of ice all over the ground, it thaws on top, then freezes, all smooth and slick! 

Jane, thanks for posting, I will go read it! 

Colin, lovely poem to go with Etta Sue's devotional today.  Thanks!

I'm cleaning house and whatever I can find to keep my mind off my stomach.    And spending lots more time with my Father.........

[Sarah]

Hello all, we are busy trying to get things ready for another round of snow and ice here  don't really care for it but i guess we need it. the pictures that etta brought in about the ice storm doesn't look a thing like here we got SNOW lots and lots of SNOW. the ice all went to the central oklahoma panhandle. anyways things are going great here i guess warmed up to 45 today so far so maybe more of this snow will get melted before the next round hits. anyways i'm off ttyl
Sarah

[Carol]

The sun is melting the icy roads and they will refreeze tonight and it will be the same tomorrow - meanwhile, we can actually see a bit of the road surface.  Trying not to fall - Don wants me to hold his hand & I am afraid that I could pull him down.

Etta Sue:  Thanks for the site of the storm pictures.  The eastern plains did have ice much more damaging than us - we had drifts & ruts in the roads but there is so much damage and sorry to say but a massive loss for ranchers and farmers.   

Gord Brown:  An Extreme Makeover - that is a neat title. 

Larry:  My brother in Seattle must have been out of his mind with happiness - poor Seahawks just have a terrible time & I wish them the best of luck.  It is only a game but gets irritating to lose year after year. 

Jane:  I have been still in church and trying to listen or watch for a sign and two sentences on Sunday's service said "the children will see the light" - it was in our prayers and it struck home to me because this has been in my prayers for years and years.  Now, I can relax - still keep up my hopes and prayers but I know that this will come true.  I meant to start out mentioning what an interesting life you have led and love how you explained the true circle of living. 

Back to the salt mines - errr, quilting all this month & it is my mission to get enough quilts ready for our trip.  Right now, we don't know where we will sleep in Texas or if we can have any kitchen facilities - I could certainly cook for everyone if they just give me a stove & oven. 

Carol 

[Larry Hanna]

Hi everyone.  It is sunny and cooler here today.  We had rain most of the day yesterday and the night and there were tornado warnings until 11:30.  One county south of us had damage. 

Our housekeeper was able to come today.  She hasn't been here for a couple of months so she was really needed.  We are happy that she is feeling up to working again as she hasn't been well.

We picked up our daughter to take her to see the chiropractor this morning.  Her back has been giving her a lot of problems and the treatment usually make some feeling come back into her legs and feet for a little while.  We went go to lunch with her and then took her back to the subway to return to her apartment.

This is going to be a rather busy week.

Janet, the way I do postings where I try to comment to what others have posted is that each time I go to a different page before I click I hold down the Control Key and that open the subsequent page in a new view.  Then I can quickly look back on one or more previous pages without losing what I have written at the bottom of the most current page.  Hope that makes sense.  It works very well.  As I am sure you know you can have multiple windows open at the same time and with tabbed browing it is a simple matter of going back and forth.

I have a friend coming to the house in a few minutes so guess I had better go ahead and post this message, which I started this morning and just now getting back to after being gone for several hours.

[Marilyn]

I was here this morning but didn't have time to post, . I did follow Jane's link to her article, Wow so interesting Jane, it really held my attention. I also looked at the Ice Storm pictures Etta Sue linked us to.  Another Wow there.


My Internet connection is still giving me problems i am thinking maybe I need a new modem, I am taking this one over to the cable people tomorrow to have it tested and get another one if this one is bad. They can't get a technician out here when I will be here until next Monday.

Good to see you positing again Sarah.

Janet apology accepted. not a problem just be careful now. I am not awkward or clumsy either but I still fall from time to time, a miss step and so is usually what happens.

Gotta go now.

[shutterbugmom]

Not much time, but I wanted to check in.  So many people already have been here today.  

I am quite sore today, but I have had worse accidents than that fall I took yesterday.  Tomorrow I may even been more sore than today, being the second day after the fall.  I will try to stay up on my legs in the future, as God intended.

I posted a special photo today in memory of my father, who's 80th. birthday would've been today.  I "borrowed" the things from my mother's house while she was out, so I could surprise her with it for Christmas last year.  The old flag I used for a backdrop was my grandfather's.  I miss my dad much, but I know he's in a much better place.  

Thinking of you Pat, JudyB and Ruthie today at the funeral for your auntie.  Praying for peace that passes all understanding.

More another time,
Kathleen

[Liz]

Alas, no relief from the rain here on the island.  Forcast is for snow tomorrow....which means lots of ice!! 

The roof on BC Stadium collapsed.  It is the largest air supported roof in the world and the stadium holds 60,000 people.  Plan is for it to be used for the opening/closing ceremony of the 2010 Olympics.  It was built in 1982 and no problems until all this bad weather   Fortunate that no one was hurt.  More and more damage keeps happening....feel so sorry for all of you who are battling the snow.  What strange weather.  I am beginning to feel like this little poem, some annoyed person wrote:

Granny
   
Through every nook and every cranny
The wind blew in on poor old Granny
Around her knees, into each ear
(And up nose as well, I fear)

All through the night the wind grew worse
It nearly made the vicar curse
The top had fallen off the steeple
Just missing him (and other people)

It blew on man, it blew on beast
It blew on nun, it blew on priest
It blew the wig off Auntie Fanny-
But most of all, it blew on Granny!

                   
Nice to read all the posts and the devotional was great, Etta Sue.

Pleasant Day/Evening and God Bless.

Liz

[mybcjazz]

Hi Everyone,

Well, it's been quiet here.  Mrs. Soileau is in San Diego, CA with her Mom, visiting our college-student-son, Casey.  Jazz and are both missing here quite a bit.

On Sunday, I preached at a church northeast of Hiroshima.  Their pastor was recently diagnosed with arrhythmia and had to step down.  It was a blessing to see the small body work together to get the service ready and care for one another's needs.

Please pray for Seto Uchi (seh-tow-oochi) Church, as they wait for a new pastor.

Monday was "Coming of Age Day" in Japan.  If ya wanna see some pretty kimonos, head to the Gallery!

In His Grip,
Kevin

[JudyB]

John and I are back from the funeral.  We met up with cousins we haven't seen in ages.  Seems we only see family at funerals now.  Sad really.

WE HAVE SNOW! ! ! ! ! !  It started last night, about 4 inches and the drive north today we drove through snow squalls.  It is good to be home. 

I am closing off early, we are tired and need to wind down before we hit the sack.  Time for a cup of tea.

Night all
Judy

[Jeannine]

Morning All,

Colin ~ having observed your penchant for making an even sillier word picture from a chance phrase I thought you might do the same with Michael, You know eyes glued to the movie?... ok if you do I think Michael would get a major kick out of it.   Is it still raining there? We finally got below 32*F and the furnace came on for the first time in weeks. We are supposed to get snow today, we'll see.

Hi JudyB ~ glad you and yours are safe home from the funeral. It is sad that the only time we really see all the family is at funerals or other heartbreaking times.

Marilyn ~ hope you get it fixed soon.

Hi Samantha, Sarah, Kevin, Larry, Etta Sue, Pat, Al, Janet, Jane, Gord, and whoever else I forgot to mention. I'm really not all that great at remembering names, just faces.

I hope everybody has a God filled and Blessed day today and everyday!

God Bless,
<><Jeannine

[Carol]

Larry:  I held down the Control key and then hit REPLY as that is the next page, I think.  Finally, I realized that there is a box saying Thoughts for the Week of Jan. 7 above - in fact, three because I clicked it 3 times.  so, now I will check if it is easy to return to Thoughts.  This must be what you are writing to Janet.  Say, it does work for me - thanks a bunch you brilliant guy!

Here, we are to have a decent day and tomorrow the temperature plummets.  I feel so sorry for those who work outdoors, concern for son & SIL who are on planes weekly & enduring long waits.  The ice isn't going away quickly and that is unusual.  So many people losing money as business is so slow & having to close so often since before Christmas. 

Liz:  I have not heard about the collapse of your stadium roof.  Pretty tough winter! 

We will go to the gym again this morning and probably pick up groceries and supplies to have on hand for this next round of snow. 

Etta Sue:  It has been much too warm for your normal winter, hasn't it?  Take care - you might still get a wintery blast as well.

Carol

[Colin]

Hi everyone from N. Ireland...I am not going to mention the weather..not even that it is still raining and cold and windy. Not going to mention a word about it!
I will not answer you all individually but consider all your posts  read and digested by me.
I will single Jeannine out though because I had to go looking for a dictionary to find out what penchant meant! I thought that is what you meant about Michael and his eyes glued to the movie...well I didnt want to become unstuck by passing some smart remark and making him tear his eyes away. Stick with it Michael is what I say! Talking about eyes...I met my friend down the street with a big black eye and asked him...who give you that. Nobody give it to me ..he said...I had to fight for it!

Glad you and John are home safe JudyB. Take care.

[Etta Sue]

Last evening was great at Kilbuck Photography Guild.  I am always amazed at the great photographers in that club.  Just one eye candy after another. 

I am ready to go out the door to Greenfield.  Nancy had eye surgery yesterday and goes back today to get the patch off.  It won't take long but she can't drive. 

Then this evening is Beef and Boards and we are seeing 'Ten Little Indians'.  I have no idea what that will be but I haven't seen a bad show there yet. 

We had a dusting of snow last night.  You have to look hard to see it because it is only next to edges like roads, drives and trees.  Sun is out now so it will be gone in not time at all.

Thanks to all who commented on the Devotion and the Ice Storm photos.  Those photos are beautiful unless you are Janet and living in that.  Such destruction from something so beautiful! 

I'm out the door!

(^)^(^)(^)^(^)(^)^(^)(^)^(^)(^)^(^)(^)^(^)(^)^(^)(^)^(

[Marilyn]

Good Morning.  Well my Internet is working fine this morning so I am not going to disconnect the modem and take it to  the cable company today. I have enough going one without having to stop there and stand in line for 30 minutes.

First of all at 8:15 I have a Dr. appointment to get my blood draw results and  talk about a couple of other things. The I have to have Jan in Eureka by 11:15 for an Eye Dr. appointment. She also wants to stop at Micheal's Crafts to get some note cards and I need  some yarn. the we are going to dinner/lunch at Coney Island hot dogs. I have been  wanting a Polish dog with sauerkraut. after we get back  I will come home an walk the dogs, I have to hen a robe for Ruth  as soon as I can have the time. then I Have to go prepare supper for Ruth at 5 pm and a business meeting at 7pm. Are y-all tired yet?  Tuesdays and Wednesdays are  busy days for me.

Soon I will have to go out and thaw the windsheild on my car. Yes it is frozen again.
I am still waiting for all the parts for my tent garage to arrive. I recieved one of three boxes.

Sorry I have not commented on  your posts. I have read them all.  Judy B you are sill going to call me right?

TTYL

[Janet]

Hey, y'all!  We still have several inches of ice on most of the streets in town, huge piles of dirty snow everywhere, and our road thaws just a little, then freezes again at night.  We were hoping the ice would melt before the new blast that is predicted for Thursday and Friday---rain and ice---and Saturday, more snow.  Doesn't sound like much thawing will occur.

My brother lives in the SE corner of Colorado.  He is 73 years old, and a diabetic, insulin dependent.  He couldn't get out to go to town (lives in the country) so he called someone, and they sent a helicopter out to drop his medicine in the yard.  Later, they came back, landed, interviewed him, and it was on TV.  I didn't see it, don't even know what channel it was on, but my aunt in New Mexico saw it and called Mom.   My sister and brother in law from Nebraska went down to my brother's, taking a snowmobile for him.  They took the topper off an old pickup bed, turned it upside down, and used it to haul hay out to his cattle.  So many stories come out of a huge storm like this.

I need to be about doing some things here.  I shall return!

[JudyB]

Marilyn Yes.

Well looks like the snow may stay a few more days.   Looks like it may be gone by the week end.  Saturday it is to rain and that should melt the snow, as well the temp is to be +6*C or 43*F.  These temperatures are almost unheard of here in the North.  I for one am not complaining, I don't like the cold and this is a welcomed respite.

Pat you get home safely?  You too Ruthie?

Well it is time to go, I have other stuff to do here.

Till later
Judy

[Larry Hanna]

Hi everyone. 

It is sunny but chilly here in Georgia today.  It has been several days since we had a chilly day.  I was gone all morning as went to the church organist home to try to fix her printer.  The ink cartridge wouldn't come out of its resting place to be replaced and I wasn't able to do anything about it.  I am sure the printer has broken and it is only about 18 months old.  She is not computer literate in the least and so will be going back to help her.  It was lunch time when I got home and after a bite to eat I took a nice nap under my electric blanket to get warmed up.

I think I stayed up too late last evening watching the Ohio State/Florida championship football game.  It was a few minutes after midnight when it was over.  However, I did miss most of the last quarter but woke up to see the very end and know who won (Florida did).

Carol, I had never used the control key and the reply button together but I see that works well and just gives you the reply window.  Thanks for sharing that as I was just referring to using the control key with the next page number but that way on the last page where the posting box it I have had to scroll back up and down to respond to messages on that page and your way eliminates doing that.

JudyB, I know what you mean about seeing relatives only at funerals.  It is sad but guess it is a commentary on our current life styles and the distances we put between family members.  I also experienced that with our family reunion.  Glad you are home safe and sound and that snow didn't turn out to be a problem.

Marilyn, it sounds like your internet provider was having problems more than a modem problem.  I am sure you will be glad to get your car garage put back together.

Kathleen, that was a very nice thing to do for your mother in remembrance of your father.

Liz, I hadn't heard of the collapse of the stadium either.  Will they be able to reinflate it?  Hope you can stay in out of the ice and any snow.

Kevin, hope your wife has a good trip to visit your son and that you "hold down the fort" while she is gone. 

Jeannine, hope Micheal gets enjoyment from the play on words that Colin did for him.

Etta Sue, hope you really enjoy your evening out and the play.  I haven't seen that play either.

Janet, isn't it wonderful that in times of difficulty like your storm there are safety nets available to deliver medicine.  It was also very thoughtful of your sister and brother-in-law to take your brother the snowmobile.  It sounds like you all may be getting more snow and ice.

[mybcjazz]

Good Morning Everyone,

Thanks for your comments about the "Coming of Age Day" picts I posted.  Yes, the kimonos are expenisive to buy or rent.  Usually the parents spring for those.

The young people arrive, laugh, take pictures and wait to go into the hall.  There, they are congratulated, a young man and woman give a short speech, kind of a vow to be responsible adults, then they will hear a boring talk about the responsibilities of being an adult, pick up their gift, and it's over.

Well, there are more pictures to be taken, pictures with the Mayor, pictures with former classmates, and so on.

Oh, they can now legally smoke and drink, too, and many do on this day, just to show how adult they've become.

You can see a few more picts here.. http://mybcjazz.multiply.com/photos/album/37

In His Grip,
Kevin

[shutterbugmom]

Good day everyone!

I don't have much time today.  We are off to Irish Dance class in a little bit and have to go to Costco first.  We live about 18 miles outside of Boise, so when we go in to town, we do as many errands as we can.  Dance class is in Boise, too.

I'm enjoying the website and everyone's posts.  Fun jokes, Colin!  I take it you're our website "clown".  Laughing is great medicine, so keep it up.  I need it since I'm still healing up from my fall.  A couple of small bruises and one BIG one!  Not as sore as I was yesterday so that is a praise!  Thanks, to those of you who've been praying for me.  I appreciate it!

Processed several more church directory pictures today.  I'll be glad and relieved when it's finished.  I'm extracting each family and putting a different background on each one for continuity.  Fun stuff!  At least Photoshop CS2 is WAY faster than the Elements 4.0 I was using.  And I can keep them as PSD files, in case I need to change something, now that I have my 500G My Book.  That was my Christmas present from my husband.  He's so good to support me pursuing my dream!  When my kids graduate and are out on their own, I will get serious about photography.    But then, I'll miss my kids.  

Well, blessings to you all!  Until next time...Kathleen  

[mybcjazz]

Kathleen,

Glad your son liked my dragon pict!  Pass on my "thanks"!

In His Grip,
Kevin

[Colin]

Hi Kathleen/shutterbugmon...me..a clown!...whatever give you that impression
Two Irish cannibals are eating a clown.  One says to the other...does this taste funny to you!

I was reading about Larry taking a snooze under his electric blanket...well we have a very clever inventer who crossed an electric blanket with a toaster....it worked really well but he kept popping out of bed at night!

Etta Sue...I ment to comment...poetic or what! ....on the snow pictures. Pretty awesome. Glad our winter is never as bad as that...beautiful scenery though! When we do get a little snow now in Ireland we have stopped making snowmen...they take too long to build because you have to spend time hollowing the head out! Well they reckon us Irish have no brains but we know to put a stop sign at the the top of our ladders. Not many people would think of that!

Ok...I am off for some tea and toast

Hello to everyone I have not mentioned...oh by the way Kevin..thank you for taking a photo of the mother-in -law...I will pay to get it framed.

GOODNIGHT!!

[Marilyn]

Hi All. I am home for a few hours, well  just a little while longer before I go fix Ruth some supper. I don't know how long she is going to be able to stay at home. Home Health called me and said she had called them 5 times today and also the ER at the hospital. The bather was there to give her a bath and the nurse had been there to see her too. I am beginning to think it was a mistake to bring her home. Please pray for her.

Hi Colin, Kevin, Kathleen ( I'm not calling you Karen today) JudyB, and Pat where are you? Hi to Larry Etta Sue, Carol, Janet, Sarah and Jeannine.

Gotta go now.