Thoughts for the Week~Feb. 16

[Don]

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Morning Devotional...

Painful Truths

Verse

Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:14–15


The doctrine of eternal retribution has been held and taught by an overwhelming majority of Christians since the days of the apostles. Almost all, if not quite all, of the church fathers and of the great doctors and saints down the centuries believed that the Bible teaches that the finally impenitent will be cast into a hell from which there is no escape and with no further opportunity to repent and avail themselves of the mercy of God and the benefits of Christ's atonement. They believed, as the vast majority of Bible-loving Christians today believe, that the personality of the impenitent man is perpetuated beyond the moment of physical death, and that the man must face a strict accounting of deeds done on earth and hear the sentence of doom pronounced against him.

I have read the arguments put forth against this belief and acknowledged the force of them, and though my human heart could welcome any gleam of hope, however faint, that might yet remain for the lost, the Scriptures are too plain to allow that hope to exist.

Frederic W. Farrar, the celebrated dean of Canterbury, pleaded with great moral earnestness and overpowering eloquence for what he called "eternal hope" for all men, and like a defense attorney managed to find among the works of the Latin fathers quotations to support that hope. But the weight of evidence on the side of the traditional belief is too great; there can be only one conclusion: the Bible teaches the doctrine of eternal retribution, and every calm, reasonable man will accept the doctrine; or if he rejects it he will reject the Bible along with it. The man who will not believe in hell must surrender his right to believe in heaven.

Thought

There are great truths of God's Word that are joyfully received. They give peace, hope, encouragement and much more. There are also truths that are painful to us. They declare to us the condition and doom of loved ones who have never experienced the second birth.

Prayer

Father, may painful truth in Your Word motivate me to share Your Good News with those who have yet to receive it.

From Devotions By Dr. Tozer

[Larry Hanna]

Hi everyone.  It looks like it will be another nice day today.  I plan on going to church this morning.  I think we have finished going through Stacey's things we brought out to our home and pretty well have things ready to donate.  The housekeepers will be here tomorrow and one of the ladies takes things to a charity that has a thrift store.  Pat has washed and washed and cleaned and cleaned these items.  There is still plenty to do so am going to be brief this morning.  I read the message boards up to date while still laying in bed this morning and at breakfast so will pass on individual comments for today.  Someone asked if Comcast is still charging and the answer is yes.

[Jeanne Lee]

Thanks for the great devotional today, Don.

John, I know you're familiar with the intersection in Wilton of Ballard Road (where Scottie's is) and Route 9.  Yesterday someone ran the red light at that intersection and caused a three car pileup that had both roads closed for a while.  Fortunately, no serious injuries.  I read of your close calls in Quebec and your protection by The Pilot!   I'm sure both you and Judy will be most happy when you can leave the truck to someone else to drive.   

[Janet]

Praise to God my Healer, I am back!  No headache, no body aches, and I slept well until about 3:30 this morning.  I got up and had time to spend with Him, the best part of my day.

John, I am glad the Master Pilot keeps you safe.  I know He has protected me many, many times on the highways!  What an awesome God we serve!  He is worthy of all our praise.

Larry, I am glad you feel up to attending church today.  And my heart is still with you and Pat as you continue dealing with Stacey's things.  I know it must be so terribly hard for both of you, and my heart hurts for Pat as a mom.  I hope you can feel my love and my prayers.

Don, thanks for a great devotional for today.  We do need to hear the hard truth and may it spur us on to reach others before it is too late!

We are ready to leave for church.  See you later!

[Colin]

Hello everyone! I don't visit here too often do I!I am so sorry for the loss of your daughter Larry and my thoughts and prayers are with you and your wife at this sad time. I will share with you this poem which I composed a long time ago but the truth of it is always the same for each person who dies in the Lord.

IN GLORY

Come with me my angel band
A child of mine drifts to sleep
I must go and take their hand
And cross them over the Jordan deep

Ceased and still once beating heart
Folded hands across the breast
Come my angels; we must depart
To bring them over the waters crest

Extinguished now life's flickering flame
A soul it stands at Jordan's flood
Their hope for glory in my blessed name
And cleansed from sin in my precious blood

We will make the crossing swift
Leaving Jordan's brimming brink
A precious soul will not drift
Or in the rushing torrents sink

I will hold through waters wide
When life is gone and breath it fails
A child of mine in the flowing tide
With my hands that bore the nails

Oh you angels shining bright
Ever have you seen my face
Think when searching eyes will light
And my child at last on me will gaze

I will bear them to golden shore
Through the river's onward flow
Where my redeemed can explore
All that Heaven has to show

Their voice in sweet chorus raise
Golden crown adorns the brow
Thanking me in their hymn of praise
Lord for being in your Glory now

Colin Moffett

I hope it is not as long since I am back. May God bless you all.

[Pat]

Colin, it's just so refreshing to see your work here at CP.  What a lovely poem for Larry and Pat.  I'm sure that they will appreciate it so very much.

Now, please don't make it a long time till you're back! 

[Janet]

Colin, I echo Pat's words---do come back soon and often!  We have missed you, and do enjoy your poetry.

[Marilyn]

Good Morning, Colin it is is good to see you here this morning.

Pat I stopped taking Celebrex several months ago, Since I have lost 43 lbs my knees rarely bother me, if they do an Advil or Tylenol  is all I need. However when my shoulders and neck start to hurt, I get desperate  for relief. The ER Dr. told me to take two Tylenol and two Advils at the same time and that didn't even take the pain away. The only thing that did was the Flexeril and Percoset. I am fine now no pain any where on my body. Hallelujah, By His stripes I am healed. God is my Healer.

Janet glad to hear that you are also feeling better.

Larry you have you and Pat  in my prayers.

[Janet]

Marilyn, that's wonderful news, that you are now pain free!  True cause for celebration.

I read somewhere that Celebrex causes many bad side effects.  But, don't they all?

Lovely day here today!

[JudyB]

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This is our "back 40", It is so pleasant to look out and see the wildlife wandering through.  However there is nothing moving back there at this time, the snow is too deep. If I were to walk into that field I would be almost to my hips and sometimes to my waist in snow. The deer are struggling to find food and many are dying.  I believe wildlife and humans alike are anxious for spring. 

Don thankyou for the devotional today.  That is a much needed reminder.

Our pastor is not afraid to hit the hard topics of immorality and adultery.  That was today's topic.  For a 40-something year old man he is clearly walking down the path of the Lord's leading.  He sure keeps his people on their toes.  We have been warned next week he is speaking on "money" (Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.)  Looking forward to hearing this!

Have a great rest of this Sunday, the Lord's day!

[Pat]

Lovely photo Judy!  Were you standing at your door or at the driveway?  Nice view for sure!

Janet, I know when I've forgotten to take my Celebrex for sure and so far haven't had any bad side effects. 

[JudyB]

I have taken Celebrex for a couple of years and never had an adverse reaction.  I too sure know when I don't take it.

Pat that was across the driveway looking back. Parallel with the front of John's truck.  The Snow there has been cleared leaving a 2 foot bank on the side.  I am dreading spring runoff this year, The Township have improved the ditches and drainage, however the creek can only take so much water without overflowing its banks.  If it does......I am stranded at the house unable to use our road.  This has happened in the past.  I am praying for a slow melt.

I saw a little boy in church today that was wearing a sweater that was all cables. Looking at it from the distance I felt it was hand made......so went up and talked to him. His mom bought it in Ireland. I looked at the tag on the back and sure enough it was an Aron knit hand knit in Ireland. He was there with his parents a couple of years ago. I asked him how he liked the trip " It was fine but the steering wheel is on the wrong side of the car!" LOL I told him they think ours is on the wrong side, He was puzzled at that!

[Jeanne Lee]

Janet has sent me some wonderful photos and I've posted them HERE  Be prepared for a couple of surprises!   

[Carol]

funny about being on the wrong side. 

It is in the 80's here in AZ.  We just got our phone, internet and TV working.  This happened the last two years.  A terribly run company here.  missed Olympic hockey and phone calls but all is well now.  A
Fter church we went for coffee and internet to let the kids know. 

Don has begun cleaning the patio as he will paint the concrete again because someone above spilled paint on our patio.  I will give him a hand.  it is not a fun job. Cousin and wife Arrive Thursday.

Taco salad for tonight a little too spicy. 

love Colin,s poetry! 

[Carol]

Super duper pictures Janet.

[Pat]

Carol, did I miss something?

Is this a vacation place you own or have you moved?  I wondered when I read that Don would be painting.

[Ruth Ann Bice]

Since I'm back before Janet is, I'll tell you that she went to a costume party. The costume was on loan.

Aren't all those photos great!

Today has been relatively busy - church, then lunch with the after-church-lunch-bunch, then a visit with my daughter, hubby and the two "grand-dogs." Of course those little cuties are going to welcome me with tail wags and happy barks - grandma always brings yummy treats in one of her coat pockets.

Then after returning home, I've had to do some data processing for one of my sons who needed it done yesterday (don't y'all hate it when the memory slips and you don't do something in a timely fashion)?

So, here it is, on the way to 11 pm, and I'm not finished for the evening.

Much love to all of you,
Ruth Ann

[Don]

Great shot of the back 40 Judy, looks like a nice place to live. I would really love to live somewhere in the wide open places like this or maybe Alaska but I don't think I could handle all that snow and the long winters. We have had a couple snows this winter 2" the first time and then 6" a couple weeks later and it shut everything down. Talk about cabin fever, I'm a outside person and I can't take it. It's 32 here with a expected high of 46 today up to 74 Friday so you know where I will be.

Have a great day everyone.

God Bless

[JudyB]

Don where we are the snow doesn't stop us, everything continues as normal, just at a slower pace.  I have rarely had problems getting out, the only time that I get stopped is if the creek overflows its banks with spring run off.  Thing is we expect the snow and are prepared for it.  It is a normal part of life for us!

[Larry Hanna]

Hi everyone.  A very busy day and I haven't had time to read the messages since yesterday and will have to do it later.  All is well but attending to more details for the Memorial Service and other things that have come up today.  I should have more time tomorrow.

[Carol]

Pat:  We bought a little condo in Arizona (east of Scottsdale) when the market was low three years ago - for investment and the fact that we had been renting other places  for ten years.  Then, the market slumped but it is on the way up again.  Don likes to paint the patio - well, he doesn't like to actually paint but you get the picture.  If we didn't have so many friends and relatives in this state over wintertime, we wouldn't even consider it - plus, the children are telling us that this winter has really been tough with extra strong winds. 

JudyB:  I understand normal in your lifestyle and wish you safety especially this springtime. 

Lots of visitors at church yesterday so it was packed.  They may have to rent another part of the strip center - that is a goal. I just finished piecing a back for one of the next quilts.  It has been so nice to meet so many good people - (several are from Canada & they come for almost six months). 

Phone call from neighbors at home - they are coming but not staying here.  Everyone at home has been down to check our driveway & they drive their cars on it to make it look like we are home  . 

Ruth Ann:  I bring treats for all the dogs as well - they love it.

[Ruth Ann Bice]

Hi, friends, I'm checking in tonight. Have been having phone troubles, so got together with the provider, and we got things worked out.

A dear friend of about 50 years passed away today. I'm so sorry we've lost her. And, now with the winter weather, I don't know if I can get to northern Ohio to pay my respects and attend the funeral.

It seems I've picked up some bursitis in one of my knees, so Physical Therapy, here I come! That almost always seems to help when problems arise.

Y'all have a good rest of the day.

Ruth Ann

[Larry Hanna]

Hi everyone.  I awoke about 4 am and couldn't go back to sleep so decided I might as well get up and get busy.  There are a number of things I need to accomplish this morning so it will be another busy day.  Since it is no longer icy here and people should be at work and it is not a Federal holiday I hope to get the final notifications finished.  Yesterday the housekeepers were here and took away all of the things we had set aside for donation from Stacey's things and our house is straightened away. 

We found a free clinic that was more than happy to have the medicine and the insulin pens and one of the housekeepers took that to them.  We were so glad to see someone be able to use the medicine rather than destroy it as there was hundreds of dollars worth of medicine with the seals intact and not outdated. 

I think the final large item is to get someone to remove the rest of her things from the apartment so I can close-out there.  I have about decided to arrange for a local moving company to come and pick up the things and take to a donation site as we are running out of days to vacate the apartment.  It will be worth the cost for my peace of mind.  I contacted the Salvation Army yesterday and they couldn't pick up until mid-March so that was out.  Still trying to get the Atlanta Mission to call and see if they could pick it up and think I will contact Goodwill today as well.   

It was a nice warm day yesterday and will be warm again today.  It is to be sunny and get up to 71 degrees. 

Colin, it was so pleasant to see your posting on the 16th and thanks for your thoughts and prayers.  These are the things that have sustained us the last several days.  Thanks for sharing the poem, it is comforting. 

Judy, what a picture of your back 40.  That is really deep snow.

Jeanne, thanks for posting those pictures for Janet.  Janet, I assume that one dress is not something you take out of your closet to wear to church.    Nice to see the picture of your lovely Beth. 

Ruth Ann, so sorry about your long-time friend.   

I have written a long posting.  I have caught up on reading all of the postings I missed yesterday and appreciate your all sharing. 

[Don]

63 here today so I think I will work on my garden. Worked on my wood pile yesterday for next year as I suspect it will get cold again. My widow neighbor has a dead tree in her yard that needs to come down so I may work on that also.

Had my youngest grandson yesterday and really enjoyed that.    Still miss Tyler And Justin since they moved away and guess I always will. 

Have a great day everyone and stay safe.

[JudyB]

Larry do you have a Bibles For Missions down your way?  If so they may be able to help you out.  All the profits foes to giving Bibles to Missions and everyone who works there is a volunteer,  No money goes to wages.

John headed out last night and was able to take our grandson with him.  It was good for JC to have time with John's wisdom, we see him far too little now thay have moved south.

I am going through pictures of mine from years ago.  OH the memories, I need to back them up onto DVD's so I don't loose them.  That is my proiect for today, organizing and backing up.

O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph. (Psalms 47:1)

[Ruth]

Feb. 18th and yes we woke up to yet more snow.

I have just finished enjoying all of your company. Now I need to get  our banking finished.
Mel took the time to vacuum for me and now he is out clearing the driveway yet again. This time is working on the neighbors as well.

Farewell until tomorrow.

[Liz]

After reading about all the weather problems, our rain seems rather good....the snow has finally left and have hopes that will be the end for this winter.  Spring is around the corner here on the island and it will be most welcome.

I have had the most confusing week and came here to find some sanity.  My SIL put in a cable system called Gateway and it is meant for HD TV's.  They have them, my older Sony does not.  It make all the channels appear with the same black top and btm. line that is on the HD ones and only solution is a new tv.  So I have had to buy a new one and am waiting for Costco to deliver next week.  I use them as they have a good extra warranty and 2 free years of their own....total 5 yrs. for a nominal extra sum.  However, buying a TV now is worse than selecting a new computer.  Have learned more than ever wanted to know and off course, also had to buy a new tv stand.  I purchased a Samsung for the first time....always used Sony products in the past.  Got a 40" as my 81 yr. old eyes are not so great now and need all the help around.  My income is very small and this is a real blow to budget.  What make me so upset is that the Shaw techs who installed the system lied about everything to me and did not have an answer to anything.  Ah. this wonderful new world we live in now!

I love that picture of your snow Judy.  It reminds me of winter on the prairie and the beauty and peace of the country.  Also like Janet's pictures and it was nice to see one of Beth.  Amy is a very beautiful gal!
Okay, I feel better after reading all your posts.  Will continue to pray for everyone.

God Bless, 
Liz

[Don]

Thunder with heavy rain now, 47 degrees, thank God it's not snow and ice. High of 72 today.

Coupon shopping with the wife this morning.

Have a great day everyone.

[Larry Hanna]

Hi everyone.  What a gloriously beautiful day we experienced here yesterday.  It was sunny and we saw 72 degrees in the afternoon.  Today is suppose to be near 70 as well with the possibility of a stray shower.  I was very busy yesterday and got a lot done.  The highlight was the call from the Atlanta Union Mission saying they could pick up the remainder of Stacey's things at the apartment tomorrow.  I was becoming quite concerned that we were running out of days.  The housekeepers will go down with me Saturday morning to clean the apartment and then I will have to go back again on Monday to have the apartment inspected and turn in the keys, etc.  I plan a quieter day today as will go to Bible study and to Dunkin' Donuts afterwards.

Don, I remember growing up and working on a woodpile is a lot of work.  Of course, working in a garden is as well.  Guess it won't be long before the first planting of the season.

Judy, thanks for the suggestion.  As I wrote above I think the problem is solved.  The Atlanta Union Mission feeds and houses the homeless in Atlanta so feel we are contributing to a good cause.  I bet grandpa and grandson will have a great time together. 

Ruth, you are certainly having a lot of snow.  Very nice of Mel to help the neighbors.

Liz, it seems this has been a long, hard winter and spring will be most welcome.  You will enjoy your new TV.  We also hope to replace our family room TV later this year.  You will see a big difference in your picture.   

[Marilyn]

Hello everyone. Liz it is good to see you here. A new TV, we have been looking at some of the flat screen TV's for a few months now, No idea when we will be getting a new one.

Larry good to hear that you are getting things taken care of re Stacy's things. When I went to work on Monday I saw we had another Vet tech  working when I inquired about the regular Tech  we were told that her husband had died suddenly. He was in Reno working on one of their houses and she was here in Oregon at their ranch. We don't know what happened to him yet or when she will be back.

Please pray for the Lawrence family