Thoughts for the Week~April 6

[Don]

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Morning Devotional...

Knowledge That Bloats

Verse

Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. First Corinthians 8:1


The soul of man, says Matthew Arnold, is a mirror suspended on a cord, turning in every breeze, always reflecting what is before it but never reflecting more than a small part of the whole.

The size of the mirror varies from man to man, but no one is able to comprehend the vast panorama that lies before and around us. The mental giant has a larger mirror, to be sure, but even the largest is pathetically small.

As long as we know that our view of truth is partial we can preserve that humbleness of mind appropriate to the circumstances; but let us once get the notion that our view is total and we become intellectually intolerant. Let us become convinced that ours is the only sensible view and our ability to learn dies instantly.

Thought

Recall of errors in understanding truth encourage humility, without which we tend to assume intellectual infallibility altogether erroneous. We have all known those afflicted with that disease. Are we ourselves infected?

Prayer

Lord, I have not mastered Your Word. I am still a struggling student. Help me to remember that fact.

From Devotions By Dr. Tozer

[Don]

Good morning all, I didn't post much last week but I have read all the posts. It was just too nice outside to sit very long in front of this comp. It has been a long winter and I have spent way too much time looking at this monitor.

Finally got started on my fall cleaning of my yard that I usually do during the winter months and it's not a minute too soon as things are coming alive and fast. I believe Spring has finally sprung, at least here anyway. Judy, Jeanne and the rest of you up north hang on it is coming.

Praying for you all, hope everyone has a Great week!

[Larry Hanna]

Hi everyone.  It is a gloomy day here with the good possibility of rain.  We are going to church this morning, will probably have lunch with our friends and then will have a quiet afternoon and evening.  Tomorrow will be a very busy day starting with being with my neighbor while his wife has the triple bypass surgery after being in the hospital for 9 days just waiting so it could be performed.  Pat spoke with our DIL yesterday and she was feeling some better but still doesn't know whether she has MERSA or not.

I watched most of the basketball games last evening but also finished reading the book by Robert Gates called "Duty" about his years as Secretary of Defense, what an awful job. Yesterday I put the laptop that Stacey had used back to factory condition and am working on it.  I am also going to load Ubuntu, which is a Linux program.  It creates a virtual partition on the hard drive and installs Ubuntu there. When you reboot you choose which Operating System to use.  It does not disturb the Windows system at all.

Don, thanks for the devotional thoughts. 

[Jeanne Lee]

Don, thanks for this morning's devotional.  Dr. Tozer's messages are always right to the point and always thought provoking.

I hope you're right that spring is on the way.  I am starting to see quite a bit of bare (brown) ground, but still no green.  And there are still some pretty big piles of plowed up snow - and a lot of very wet ground and ankle deep puddles.   

[JohnB]

Hi folks Just a quick post to say that I have arrived safely in Moose Factory ON to do the School bus driver improvement course. It was a good flight up and the weather is great up here. Sunny and very mild. Taking lots of pics with my cell phone. People are real nice up here as well Mostly native here. A lot has changed here in 20 years. Be back Later Blessings everyone.

[Carol]

Next week if Palm Sunday - time is flying.  Everyone has been asked to bring their cuttings from their palm plants (yes, they are in Arizona) and we will have a little procession.  Many in the congregation are leaving this week in order to be at their northern homes by Easter. 

We have to send a fax out today and will go to the local spot for that - other than that, it is nice and quiet here and time to put together a lunch. 

[Marilyn]

Happy Sunday to you all. Next Sunday after church we are having an Ice cream social to hone one of the ladies who has finished with  her treatments, for I don't know what. but she hasn't been able to eat Ice Cream, I think she had a feeding tube. Herr mother has cancer and the Lord prompted me to pray for her after church. We had already prayed for her as a group earlier. On Easter Sunday we are going to be having breakfast before church.

[Ruth Ann Bice]

Hi, friends,

Don, it truly is beginning to look like spring. Even to the point that my son has turned the water back on at the house. It's largely uninhabited except when he comes in on a break from trucking, so we keep the water off to prevent damage from an unheated house.

Marilyn, it's so great for us to listed for the Spirit's prompting.

Jeanne, hopefully spring will occur in your vicinity soon.

John and Judy, it's good to see y'all here.

Larry, how nice that you can still do the detail work on computers. There's no telling how many $ you've saved by utilizing your knowledge. I'm still simple enough that I'm thankful someone else around the area will take my computer and work on it for my $.

What a wonderful way to praise our Lord - with your own palms! Our pastor saves the leaves from the palms, dries them, burns them, and the ashes are those that are used on Ash Wednesday the following year.

May our Lord be with each of us this Sunday.

Love to all,
Ruth Ann

[Larry Hanna]

Hi everyone.  I wanted to stop back again today as there is a good possibility I won't get here to post tomorrow.  It is a really full day so probably won't have much computer time.  We had a nice joint Contemporary/Traditional service this morning with Communion.  We then went to a buffet for lunch with five others.  We are suppose to have 2 to 3 inches of rain starting later tonight throughout the day tomorrow.  So I will be putting my new umbrella that I got at Christmas to good use. 

John, glad your trip to Moose Factory went well and you found good weather. 

[JudyB]

John is having a great time at Moose Factory.  There have been BIG changes up there in the last 20 years.  They now have 5 churches and malls and he figures 3/4 of the island is developed. There was a museum on the island when we went up (20 years ago) that has been made into a school.  There are no traffic lights, however there are stop signs, but stop signs are not regulated by the highway traffic act so people don't stop!  Can you see us getting away with that down here?  Charges would fly so fast it would make your head spin.  I can't wait to see his pictures, it will be good to "see" what he saw.

In the meantime I have to get his food for the coming week ready and get some other work done. 

Have a great day folks!

[Don]

Make sure you post pictures for the rest of us Judy. I read about Moose Factory on Wikipedia and it sounds like a different world from where I live. Looking forward to some photos.

[Ruth]

Don:  Moosenee and across the river Moose Factory are different worlds but I must say that when our family had gone to visit we felt welcome and came home with the same wonderful feeling.
The life style is much slower and we also felt it was less competion as well.  Lets hear Johns thoughts of the modern day up there and pictures as well.

[Pat]

[JudyB]

I will have John post the pictures, I will resize as he doesn't know how.  He will be on the plane in 1/2 hour.  I hate flying and this is the only part of the trip that concerns me.  I know God is in control however the human side of me still is concerned.

His meals are done including rice pudding for desserts. Supper for tonight is done as well! Now some housework and then relaxing to knit.

Will be back later!

[JudyB]

Well John is on his way home, about 10:00 he will come in the door.  There will be stories to tell for a long time.....he has had quite the experience. 

[Larry Hanna]

Hi everyone.  We have had a very rainy day and a lot of this area, including our county, is under flood threats for the next three days.  I think most of the rain is now over.  My neighbors wife came through her surgery well.  I spent a little over two hours visiting with him as he waited.  I had to leave to get to have my toe checked by the doctor in a routine followup.  He gave me some antibiotic as there may be a little infection.  However, he said I could wear my shoe again if it isn't uncomfortable and I think it is going to be fine.  Our DIL is still in the hospital.  My son called late this afternoon saying the Great Call emergency device had finally been received and he was going to get it setup with the information they need to provide the service.  I had a good lunch with the men's lunch group at an Asian buffet.  I will attend a meeting this evening and then watch a little of the Championship Basketball game if I am not too tired.  It doesn't start until after 9 pm and I doubt I can stay awake until it is over.

Judy, that sounds like a very interesting town where John went.  Know you will be glad to see him back home.

[Ruth Ann Bice]

Hi, friends,

It's good to hear from each of you again.

I've needed a quiet day today, so will close for now.

May our Lord be with us today.

Ruth Ann

[Larry Hanna]

Hi everyone on an overcast but nice day.  We are to see some sun today and to get to about 65 degrees.  I noticed that the first green is showing in my yard, which looks good.  I don't have a lot planned today.  I will go to a meeting this morning and then have a 2 pm appointment to have my pacemaker/defibrillator checked, which takes about 5 minutes.  Unfortunately, I have to drive for an hour to get to the Kaiser facility that checks it.  I did manage to stay up and watch the basketball game last night. 

Ruth Ann, glad you were able to rest yesterday.   

[Pat]

[Jeanne Lee]

Pat, thank you for that graphic and quote!  I have been concerned about needing shoes since two pairs have "bit the dust" in the last couple of weeks, and just reminded myself last night of that assurance.  And then this morning I find your message!   

[Pat]

Awww...  Jeanne, So happy you enjoyed that verse.  God bless you.

[Jeanne Lee]

Oh, He does, Pat!  He certainly does!   

[JudyB]

Well home from the Mall.  New mouse Mine was useless and a new one was in order.  I bought my grand daughter wooden letters that spell out her name and a wooden princess figure all for her to paint...She is 5 and will need a bit of supervision.  Also some Kinder eggs for the 3 older grands.  Maddox hasn't said anything to his mommy yet, however it is coming!

John got home last night.  He has a lot of stories to tell many still untold.  So much has changed in Moose Factory.  He left again this morning driving and getting frustrated.  First the wheels on the trailer were not working right and had to take it to the garage to get that fixed, the road Between Sturgeon and Warren was so bad that in a 60mph zone he was traveling 30mph.  Then he found out that there is an accident past Sudbury and the road is closed with no detour.  He is headed to Iowa for a Thursday delivery. I keep reminding him that there are only
3 weeks left and he is done!

It is a beautiful day here, sun shining and we are finally in the double digits and more to come!  I am looking forward to summer this year with John home it will be wonderful.

Have a great day folks!

[Ruth]

A warm hello to all:

Pat: Thanks for the graphic & quote that is one that I would  frame but I am running out of wall space.

I had a terrible nights rest was it the weather or just a lack of pain pills.
while out this morning I bought a new knee brace so am hoping it will provide more support, until the day arrives when I have surgery.

The reason for our going out was the yearly eye examination and good news no changes, I did buy a new pair of glasses just because I liked the change.  Foolish spending perhaps but an expensive $365.00 treat just to cheer myself up a little.

As it was nearing lunch we went to a new to us  restaurant where a friend works. A lovely meal and not to expensive.  It was a bowl of beef barley soup for Mel I had a bowl of mushroom both home made and to die for. then we both ordered what they call beef sliders. 2 tea biscuits filled with a large portion of shredded beef , cooked onion shredded cheese and gravy.  along with Cole slaw on the side. Mel ate all of his plus one of my sliders as it was so filling, I'm still not hungry for something tonight.

Judy hurry with the pictures John would have taken I am interested in seeing the changes that taken place thoughout the years.

John: Did you have any bannok .

[Ruth Ann Bice]

Hi, friends,

It's been a really busy day, what with helping people to get proper nutrition, helping someone else with understanding their insurance better, and eating with friends, and then much later, a late meal at Cracker Barrel with my son, the trucker.

Three more weeks! That will seem like such a long time to both of you.

Larry, what a busy person you are!

Ruth, now, you need to whisper in my ear the definition of bannock.

Jeanne, yes, our Lord does provide, doesn't he.

Pat, thank you for that lovely, and timely, graphic. You really do work at encouraging us. It hasn't gone unnoticed.

Y'all have a good rest of the day,
Ruth Ann

[JudyB]

Ruth no bannok that is a touristy thing.  The tepee was up however not in use as it too is for tourists.  Doing the pictures tonight.

I have eaten and still hungry, ate more and still hungry, had a protein shake with 1/2 banana and still hungry, Think I am soon going to bed, see if I can sleep maybe this isn't really hunger.....??

Now for the pictures for Ruth!

[JudyB]

I tried to post the pictures last night and nothing was working for me.  Up this morning, clear head and everything worked well.    Here are a few of the pictures John took.  It was quite an experience and he has agreed to go back if more training is required. 

An interesting point, Stop signs are not controlled by the Highway Traffic Act.  They don't stop for the stop signs!  Straight through the intersection even with a police officer sitting at the intersection!  Wild I say! Everyone does it, and nothing is thought of it...I guess the signs are for decoration!

[Ruth]

Ruth Ann:  Bannock is comparable to tea biscuits but done a little different as well perhaps Judy will find a picture and proper explanation for you.

Judy or John and I correct in saying  the natives drive  by their rules, but the training that John gives  must apply when they come to the main land where life is different. 

I must check the pictures then get busy with some in house work. 

[Larry Hanna]

Hi everyone.  Another nice day here in Georgia.  I did go to Bible study this morning and then to Dunkin' Donut and didn't get home until after noon.  There is nothing else on my schedule for today so will have a restful afternoon and evening.  Our DIL went home from the hospital today but will have to have daily antibiotic IVs for an indefinite period.  She will learn to do this at home after two or three treatments.  She did find out she doesn't have MERSA.  Hopefully things are looking up for she and our son. 

Judy, thanks for the pictures and info provided.  It reminded me of a couple of places I stayed on business trips when we lived in Alaska at the end of the 60's.

Ruth Ann, glad you were able to share a meal with your trucker son. 

Ruth, good for you in treating yourself to new glasses.  My wife did the same thing a couple of years ago.  Sure sorry to read of your knee pains.  I assume you will be having knee replacement surgery?  Pat is sure glad she had it done as well as the hip replacement. 

Jeanne, isn't it interesting how we get what we need when we need it.  That was a beautiful graphic that Pat posted.   

[Ruth Ann Bice]

Hi, friends,

I've primarily been on the phone today, so have little to report.

At any rate, y'all have a wonderful day with our Lord.

Love to all,
Ruth Ann