Thoughts for the Week~Apr. 28

[Pat]

Come and join us this week and share with us your plans and thoughts for the week!  We sing, share and encourage other members here.

Hope to see you posting this week!

Perhaps Today!


Perhaps today shall sound the mystic summons,
The shout, the voice, the trump, not by all heard;
And, from their scattered silent resting places,
The dead in Christ will rise to meet the Lord;
While we, the ransomed living, in a moment
Shall be caught up--according to His word.

Perhaps today, from evry clime and nation,
Shall souls redeemed ascend to meet the Lord;
To suffering ones--great, glad emancipation;
To those who toil for Him, a sure reward;
We look not down a track of unknown years;
It may be that today our Lord appears.

Perhaps today, with problems fresh outbreaking,
With growing evils rampant o'er the earth,
When sore distress, nigh--every land is shaking--
Perhaps today the Saviour may come forth.
Earth's leaders fail; the forces are too great;
But--lift your heads, the Lord is at the gate!

-Selected-

Our sorrows are multiplied when our sins are.
~Matthew Henry~

Morning Devotional...

Lip Surgery

"'Woe to me!' I cried. 'I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips' Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, 'See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.'"  - Isaiah 6:5-7

And I know of no greater sin of mine than my lips. My unholy thoughts, though many, are my private sins that affect only me. My unholy deeds, though heinous, are few and far between.

But my words are many and their damage is public. In a few short sentences, I can cut a baggage handler at the airport down to size for dropping my wheelchair. In a string of vexings and hammerings, I can skewer my husband's plans for the weekend. In a twisted maze of flatterings, I can manipulate any unsuspecting soul.

Oh, what a burden. To possess such an instrument is more than I can bear at times. But while the reality of my sinful lips depresses me, God corrects me with one important observation: "See, this has touched your lips."

For Isaiah, it was the burning coal used by God to drive home His point that outside intervention is needed. Through painful imagery of cauterized lips, Isaiah learned an important lesson. His lips were impure, but God touched them and declared them clean.

But that is not the end of it. God desired to use those lips. When asked, "Whom shall I send?" Isaiah had the righteous audacity to say, "Here am I. Send me."

Lord, purify my words by Your presence in my life. Remove the dross of selfishness and pride from these lips. Make them sing and speak of You all my days.


Taken from Diamonds in the Dust. Copyright © 1993 by Joni Eareckson Tada. Used by permission. Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49530






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Take My Life and Let it Be
(Click to hear music)



I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Romans 12:1,2

I went for a little visit of five days (to Areley House). There were ten per­sons in the house, some un­con­vert­ed and long prayed for, some con­vert­ed, but not re­joic­ing Christians. He gave me the pra­yer, "Lord, give me all in this house!" And He just did.

Before I left the house every one had got a bless­ing.

The last night of my vis­it af­ter I had re­tired, the gov­ern­ess asked me to go to the two daugh­ters. They were cry­ing.  Then and there both of them trust­ed and re­joiced; it was near­ly mid­night. I was too hap­py to sleep, and passed most of the night in praise and renewal of my own con­se­cra­tion; and these little coup­lets formed them­selves, and chimed in my heart one af­ter ano­ther till they fin­ished with "Ever, On­ly, ALL for Thee!"
Havergal Manuscripts

Author:  Frances R. Havergal, 1836-1879
Musician:  Henri A.C. Malan, 1787-1864 [/size]




Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my hands, and let them move at the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet, and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee.


Take my voice, and let me sing always, only, for my King.
Take my lips, and let them be filled with messages from Thee.
Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect, and use every power as Thou shalt choose.


Take my will, and make it Thine; it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own; it shall be Thy royal throne.
Take my love, my Lord, I pour at Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for Thee.

[Larry Hanna]

Hi everyone.  It is already 64 degrees this morning and only a small chance of rain during the day.  We did have a substantial rain last evening for about an hour and that was all.  Just went up to McDonald's to get Pat some breakfast as she appears to be coming down with a cold or perhaps it is allergies and didn't feel like fixing her breakfast.  I did get my laptop fixed and back in operation yesterday.  Just my usual Monday activities of a men's luncheon and a meeting tonight. 

Pat, thanks for the new devotional for this week.

[Jeanne Lee]

Pat, what an important reminder of how our words can be used to hurt or offer comfort, whether without thinking or intentionally.   Thank you!

I need to get a load of wash done and out on the clothesline, and get some grocery shopping done.  This looks to be the only "dry" day this week.  But it's not snow!   

[JudyB]

Lovely Pat, and interestingly Those 2 verses in Romans are the verses that Pastor John preached on yesterday.  You know I love that hymn, I still remember hearing an angel sing it in '61.

A night full of dreams last night this came out of one dream.  Forgive quickly, Love completely and remember God is sovereign.  That is a good message for every one to avoid the bitterness that can creep into our lives,

I won't be around much as I have an extremely busy week coming.  John retires Wednesday and I am heading down to pick him up then over to Pat's.

Have a great day folks,

[Carol]

Thanks for devotions to be ever mindful of our words. 

We are going to IKEA this morning and just to check out measurements of things, not to really buy anything right now.  Mondays are free breakfasts with coffee so it will be crowded but worth the wait.  Don will bring a book while I do the maze walk then return to show him what is interesting.  If I can find it again    We do like their chairs because they are so comfortable. 

Jeanne:  Love hanging sheets online but this neighborhood bans clothes lines.  I get around it by having two large portable drying frames and on our mainly sunny days do use them for a lot of things hidden by the deck.  Double 

Pat:  Are you still up north?  I hope the snow and ice melt slowly so there won't be any floods for you. 

[Ruth Ann Bice]

Hi, friends,

I'm in, and right back out! This is my son's last day with me. What a joy it has been to be with him.

Love to all,
Ruth Ann

[Gord Brown]

   Gordon Here. Sorry that we have not been around as it has been a very busy time here. between doctors and helping the kids it just never seems to stop.   God is so good and Noreen got a very good report from the surgeon last Friday she has been able to remove her brace and tomorrow we will find out if she can take of the pick line.   Again  thank you all for your prayers and continue to please pray as she still will have to have an other surgery in Sept.    Will try to be on line more often.  God's richest blessing's to all.  Congratulations John on your retirement.   Gordon and Noreen.

[Jeanne Lee]

Gord, as always, it's great to see a post from you.  And with such good news about Noreen's progress.   

Judy, now you've got my curiosity bump going.  What "angel" sang that hymn in 1961?

[Larry Hanna]

Hi everyone on a cloudy, stormy morning here in Georgia.  We were under a tornado watch most of the evening and night and until eleven am today.  So far only some rain and a little lightning and thunder.  Pat starts her PT today and unless she wants me to take her I will attend a meeting this morning and then spend the rest of the day at home as more storms are predicted for today and tomorrow. 

Jeanne, our tongues get us into a lot difficulty with words we wish we hadn't spoken or letting words spoken by others upset us, which only hurts us.

Judy, tomorrow is the big day.  Will there be a retirement party for John at his work or will you two just celebrate with Pat, as see you will be going directly to her home.

Carol, it has been years since I was in an IKEA store.  There is one in Atlanta but I won't be shopping there. I agree with on clothes dried on a line outside, especially sheets. 

Gord, sure good to read that Noreen is doing well and making such progress. 

[JudyB]

We are going to Pat's I really can't say anything will be done by the company except "good-by".  I am looking forward to seeing Pat and Heather, (she is helping Pat with a job), I haven't seen either since Christmas.

Jeanne the person who sang will have to tell you herself!

I have yet to talk to Mel.  Last we spoke Ruth could be home as early as today, or as late as Friday.  That we will see when she comes on line!  I may try and call when I go by tomorrow.

We have an overcast sky, and a windy day.  I would like to see the rain hold off and let the wind finish drying up the yard.  Then we can get out and clean up and start the gardens again.

Have a great day everyone!

[Larry Hanna]

Hi everyone.  This has been a busy morning.  I got up a bit early and went to Krogers at 6:30 for some shopping as wanted to have it done before coffee.  I then went to coffee, Bible study and Dunkin' Donuts and it was noon before I got back.  Nothing else on the schedule for today.  Some areas south of us had quite a storm last night with power outages and trees and wires down. However, all of that missed our area.  It is overcast but don't really expect rain this afternoon. 

Judy, this is the big day.  Congrats to John for a job well done and to you for being there to support him.  I am sure Pat and Heather will be happy to see you both.  I didn't realize that Ruth had already had the operation although knew it would occur soon.  I have a a pretty good idea about what the next few weeks holds for her.

[Ruth Ann Bice]

Hi, friends,

Well, my son has returned home to his wife and family, and I've been resting.

I got my new diabetic shoes today. It's always nice to get new shoes, isn't it, even though they look exactly like the last ones. Yes, but, they aren't worn down and "tired." I'll keep the others in case I need to pass through high waters, etc.

Y'all have a good rest of the day with our Lord.

Ruth Ann

[JohnB]

Well we got home late last night after having a lovely dinner with Pat and our daughter Heather who is at Pats place helping Pat with some things. We had a nice visit after dinner and my favorite pie for dessert. It had been some time since we had a visit there and it was nice to catch up. Well I looked out into the driveway this morning when I let the dogs out and first of all saw that it was raining. That's OK we don't have to shovel rain. Secondly there was this strange phenomenon of a missing vehicle after 7 years with the Company I was working for. Now that I have retired that will be no more and will take a day or 2 to get used to. Now it is time to turn the page and start a new chapter in my life and looking forward to it. One thing I will miss' that came to me this am is not being able to contact friends in various places and get together for a snack and some fellowship. It took me a while but I now see the hand of God in all this and look forward to see what He has laid aside for us in the days to come. So far it looks like He intends to keep me quite busy' but doing new things. As a retirement gift Judy bought me a new digital camera' so I will have to start using it and get used to it and post some off my pictures so stay tuned for another photographer coming on board here. Also as a retirement gift the Company I was working for is going to buy me a new lens to go with it. WOW  This is exiting. I'm at a loss for words here except to say thank you to my dear wife Judy and my former Company Laidlaw. Also than you to Pat and Heather for the Lovely retirement dinner. Sometimes we loose touch with the fact of how much people care about us due to the rush of life. But times like the message comes through loud and clear and can be a bit overwhelming. Going to run for now. Blessings everyone

[Larry Hanna]

Hi everyone.  It is going to be a nice day here but not get to 70 degrees until late afternoon.  Not much to write about today.  I will probably make a quick trip to the local grocery store to pick up a couple of good buys from their grocery ad and make a quick stop at CVS to pick up something Pat needs.  I did find out that our credit union will sponsor a shredding day on June 12th so have between now and then to get my papers cleaned out to take to shred.  Pat has PT this morning and just now said she thought it was already helping as she was able to put her own sock on this morning, something I have been helping her with.  Hope everyone has a nice day. 

Ruth Ann, I probably should buy some new everyday shoes but these are so comfortable I hate to give them up.  Glad you were able to get your new shoes.  Our shoes get hard use don't they? 

John, I bet you make that transition in not seeing the truck in your drive pretty quickly.  I bet you are going to feel a great sense of relief knowing the pressure is off after being under it for so many years.  You certainly had a sterling driving career.  Maybe you and Judy can make a trip south one of these days.  We always have an extra bed and open arms to our friends.  Blessings to you John.  I am so glad I had the opportunity to spend that hour visiting with you sometime ago. 

[Ruth Ann Bice]

Hi, friends,

I'm here for a few moments. I'm about to head out and check my son's mail and then go to the grocery. The pantry is in need of replenishing.

Y'all have a good day.

Ruth Ann

[Carol]

Don was talking about all of our "wasted time" today as everything we tried to do we were unable to find at the store or accomplish.  However, a good friend and neighbor called and asked to come over and return an empty casserole dish - she is caregiver for a cancer fighter - her dear and faithful husband.  He always has a happy face despite very rough days and a wonderful word of faith each and every day. 

She said she could only drop by for a minute but it turned into an hour - she had the cell phone handy.  She really needed to talk and since I am not family, it is sometimes easier to tell someone else what is going on - I am so glad to be here and felt like it was planned for me to stop my silly stuff and just be with her.  That is in my thoughts right now.  Just before she came, I was complaining about "getting nothing done and getting nowhere" and now it dawns on me that this is much more important. 

Anyway, Don has been working on keeping this laptop going and it is beginning to be a pain.  We had a coupon for a chicken place - a two-fer for lunch and it was so big there is enough for supper leftovers tonight.  To my delight! 

Ruth Ann:  How nice for you to visit with your other son.  More and more, I just want to see the children often. 

Larry:  Wonderful that the PT is helping Pat. 

You should see the mountain range now.  Heavy snow yesterday and it is beautiful the entire scene.  I am so glad we did not move to the mountains - it is May and they are still skiing. 

[Larry Hanna]

Hi everyone.  It was a cool morning but suppose to be nice now for several days.  At coffee this morning we had a local politician, who is running to be our State Senator, come and have coffee with us and we had some interesting discussion.  Nothing else on the schedule today for either Pat nor I.  Pat is really battling a very bad cold and severe cough.  I have been searching my office over for the death certificates for Stacey as need to use one and had about nine left.  I sure hope they didn't get accidentally thrown out with some other papers.  I even went to the bank to look in the safe deposit box this morning and they weren't there. 

Carol, nice you could lend an ear to your neighbor.  It sounds like what you did by being there for here was a real accomplishment even though other planned things didn't work out as hoped. 

[Larry Hanna]

Hi everyone on a beautiful day here in Georgia.  I see I was the last one to post.  I have no specific plans for today after a nice time at McDonald's this morning.  We had a good turnout.  I did resolve the problem involving the death certificate with a telephone call.  They told me it wouldn't be needed as they had the information needed from other sources.  So I should not need the certificates but still hope they show up one of these days.  I am wondering how much longer Janet and Darrel will be on their trip. 

Hope everyone has a very nice day.

[Marilyn]

Here is a link to some photos that I took yesterday hiking around at the beach on  the cliffs etc. http://s224.photobucket.com/user/tudogmom/library/2014%20Photos?sort=3&page=1

[Ruth Ann Bice]

Hi, friends,

It's good to hear from each of you. I've had a quiet day, with me doing measured tasks as time and my will accomplish them.

Y'all have a good day.

Ruth Ann

[Don]

Time to start a new "Thoughts for the Week"  HERE