Thoughts For The Week~Feb. 4 2018

[JudyB]

From Our Forums

• Prayer and Praise     Thanks for visiting this area of our site to share prayer requests and items for praise!

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Chris Saunders

Your Damascus road may be just ahead..

Amazing how God allowed Saul to be born a Jew, become a scholar, then a Pharisee, sitting at the feet of the likes of Gamaliel, then become a persecutor of Christians, hauling them off to jail etc.
Looking after the garments of evil men while watching the stoning of Stephen, a very fine young man.
All this wrong life, was used to prepare him for meeting with Christ and loading him with guilt to break his heart for the life he had led, he spoke of it many times..of how he deserved death for the way he had treated the Lord's people, and the Saving Grace and Pardon, and Mercy of the Lord Jesus just broke him down and he became the most loyal, grateful, servant that God ever had.
Perhaps you don't know the Saviour at the moment, and think that the life you have led has disqualified you from Salvation, use Saul of Tarsus who became the Apostle Paul to ask for pardon, if God could forgive Saul he can certainly forgive you, don't despair saying that you are not good enough..that's right no one is good enough. It has nothing to do with goodness but the mighty Grace of our merciful Saviour.
God changed a wicked, evil, Saul, into the great Apostle Paul, let Him change you too.

[JudyB]

.

My Faith Looks Up To Thee
(Click to hear music)

"We live by faith, not by sight." 2 Corinthians 5:7




Words: Ray Palmer, 1830.
Music: "Olivet (Mason)," Lowell Mason, 1830

Ray Palmer wrote these lyrics upon receiving a vision of Christ shortly after his graduation from Yale University, while working as a tutor at a New York school. However, he kept them to himself until meeting Lowell Mason on a street in Boston, Massachusetts. When Mason asked him to write something for a new hymnal, Palmer dug out his old notes and produced these lyrics, written two years earlier. After taking the lyrics home and reading them, Mason composed this tune. Several days later he saw Palmer again and said:

You may live many years and do many good things, but I think you will be best known to posterity as the author of My Faith Looks Up to Thee.



   

My faith looks up to Thee,
Thou Lamb of Calvary, Savior divine!
Now hear me while I pray, take all my guilt away,
O let me from this day be wholly Thine!

May Thy rich grace impart
Strength to my fainting heart, my zeal inspire!
As Thou hast died for me, O may my love to Thee,
Pure warm, and changeless be, a living fire!

While life's dark maze I tread,
And griefs around me spread, be Thou my Guide;
Bid darkness turn to day, wipe sorrow's tears away,
Nor let me ever stray from Thee aside.

When ends life's transient dream,
When death's cold sullen stream over me roll;
Blest Savior, then in love, fear and distrust remove;
O bear me safe above, a ransomed soul!

[/color]

[JudyB]

Larry it does seem to be the same thing you and John have, Again last night up coughing.

Good to get out to church today, it has been too long since we have been out, sickness has taken a big toll on our lives this past year.

I spoke to pat today, she is so pleased with a new mattress he family helped put onto her bed, they made the bed and she can now have a more comfortable sleep.

Heather was over to see her as well and Heather's son shoveled the drive and walkway to the door.  That was much appreciated.  We have yet to get ours done, our snow blower won't stay running, and the drive is too long to do by hand.  Tomorrow John hopes to figure out what is wrong with the snow blower.

It is amazing to walk out to the bush with the dogs running ahead of me.  It is so quiet you can hear the snow falling.  I dislike the cold we have to endure but love walking the dogs during a snowfall.

Have a great evening everyone, and God bless you with sleep!

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.  After a very rainy day yesterday today is sunny and beautiful.  I spend all day in my easy chair as was feeling pretty punk.  However, this morning I seem to be feeling better and actually felt like getting a few things done.  However, by the time I finished my shower I was ready to lay down and rest for a bit and am just now getting around to eating my breakfast.  While I was laying down I did read the things I ready daily plus all the postings in the discussions I follow. I did watch the PGA Golf Tournament in Phoenix.  They have the biggest crowd there of any golf tournament in the world.  They had over 700,000 people in attendance during the days of the tourney.  It is not the usual fairly quiet fans watching.  It was an exciting finish and required an extra hole to be played to decide the winner.  By the time it was over it was time for the Super Bowl to begin and that turned out to be a very good game.  I found the commercials not entertaining at all and turned off the sound during the halftime show.  Guess I am getting to be an old fuddy-duddy.  Nothing on the schedule for today other than getting more rest.  I think I may be able to lay on the bed this afternoon, which I haven't been able to do for a few days. 

Judy, thanks for getting us started on a fresh week and posting that fine devotional piece by Chris.  Nice to see you and John were up to attending Church.  I haven't been to Church now for two weeks, the longest since we moved here.  However, I won't go back as long as this miserable cough continues.  Nice to read that Pat got a new mattress and hope getting better rest will help her get back on the road to recovery.   

[Carol]

Pat:  So happy to read that you have a new and more comfortable mattress.  You need that rest. 

Judy:  I do remember walking in soft or crunchy snow - going out to work in the dark and starting the Suburban to haul children to two different schools while two others caught a bus.  That faithful Chevy Suburban always started right off even though it sat outdoors.  We had a husky/elkhound dog stop by to live with our family and he wanted to be in the snow all the time.  Just loved that dog. 

Chris - thank you for your thoughts and writings.  Forgiveness is first and foremost in our teachings.

We did watch the football game yesterday - we wanted the Vikings to play.  It was minus 2 degrees before the game started - good old Minnesota!  More than a few times, the place was colder than Alaska.  The radio stations in Alaska would call our local radio station and laugh whenever that happened. 

I have Ecclesiastics for a self-study - just started that today.  "Meaningless meaningless"  how true that phrase!  All our human goals are meaningless. 

[Ruth Ann Bice]

Hi, friends,

I'm beginning to get over the sinus-sore throat version of this stuff. So thankful I can breathe better. God is good, and for that I'm very thankful.

I'm still taking care of things for my sister-in-law. We talked by phone this evening. I don't see much improvement in her condition. Medicare laws will limit how much longer she can stay in rehab. I'm concerned.

It has been such a treat to come here and be so glad to be with y'all again! I didn't take notes, but am certainly grateful we have this forum to help us keep track of our friends and loved ones.

May our Lord be with us all.

Ruth Ann

[Jacqueline]

Amen...to that, Ruth Ann...
.....................................................................................

Have you ever wondered where the word Amen originates from, what it actually means?....

https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/376-what-does-amen-mean

[Larry Hanna]

Hi everyone. I am just not feeling like writing this morning as don?t feel up to doing so. I have read the postings.  Hope to feel better tomorrow? as have to get out for a doctors appointment.

[Jacqueline]

[Marilyn]

Thank you so very much Jackie.

[Jacqueline]

Marilyn...
...you are most welcome, I hope your Special day went as planned...

Larry Hanna...
...I am now getting a tad concerned over you...hoping your report from your Doctor turns out a positive feedback report, I am aware you have been under the weather for several days now, particularly with that cough.....

[JudyB]

Marilyn wished you a Happy Birthday on FB.  Hope you had a blessed day.

Larry praying you are starting to feel better.

It's late I am off to bed!

[Jacqueline]

....Just felt the need to post this as I know our Jeanne Lee would have aproved and believed this to be so true...as I do...

[Jacqueline]

Judy...
...a good morning, and, or wishing you a good night.....

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone on a cloudy and rainy day.  We have a high percentage of opportunity for thunderstorms this afternoon. I had a very good night last night sleeping in my bed with the CPAP and oxygen and feel more like my old self this morning.  I can't eat breakfast this morning as have to give blood in a little while in preparation for my GP appointment on Friday.  I also need to stop at the city hall and pay the taxes on the cars and get the tags for this year.  Finally I have a 10:45 appointment with the my cardiologist.  I had considered canceling it but glad I didn't now.  If I have time after doing the first two things I will stop at the restaurant and get a breakfast sandwich otherwise I will have to wait until lunch time to eat and I really don't need any less energy.  Scott has to work this evening and I cancelled us out of going to the Wednesday night dinner at the Church.  So Jennifer and her friends will be coming out to have dinner with us this evening. 

Marilyn, a belated Happy Birthday to you.  Hope you had a nice celebration.

Jackie, those were beautiful graphics you posted.  Please don't be worrying about me as I think the worst is probably over.  All the prayers and expressions of concern have been appreciated and things could have been so much worse if my lungs had been involved.  This has been the strangest period of sickness I have ever experienced.

[JudyB]

Well today has been difficult to say the least, John yesterday fell as a result of snow over ice by the garage.  He was in a fair amount of pain and ordinarily it would be  to bed with a couple of Tylenol.  He is not ordinary since last April.  We were concerned there may have been damage to the spine where he had surgery done.  We left here at 5:30 pm after supper, and waited in the ER till after midnight to be seen.  Looking back on the evening we sense the hospital staff were on a work to rule.  In the time before shift change at 10 only about 5 people went through to see a doctor.  There were 2 waiting rooms full of people some elderly with heart complaints, who the nurse we saw said that they should be on monitors.  Once the new shift came in they were putting the patients through 5 at a time and we were seen in about 2 hours.  He had a xray, and we were assured there was no damage to the spine.  Home at 3 and to bed.  We both kept waking up but did manage to get some sleep. 

This has been a beautiful day, sunny cold but the snow was sparkling.  Temperatures are up to about +10 F.  Considering we have been having about -14 F for the last few weeks.

I am off to bed have a blessed sleep everyone!

[Janice]

It's getting late but I am still catching up on my reading.  It has been a long day so I feel too tired to go to sleep. I went to Amarillo today (daughter took me rather)...I had appt to see my Retina specialist about my Macular Degeneration, and learned that I have it in both eyes now. However, this second one is still the dry type.  I have to go back Tuesday for another injection in the first one.

We had an early appt, so we were finished before noon.  Drove down to Canyon and joined up with my SIL for lunch at Braum's.  Her husband (my brother) was on the golf course.  You will find him there anytime the weather is good!  All my other brothers played football in high school, but Wayne was too small to play that so he took up track and then golf later on.  He is quite a good golfer too, as he has been mentioned in the Amarillo newspaper sports columns for outstanding shots, etc.  hole in one, once. He shot his age one day...70.
The weather here is so unpredictable...mostly cold cold nights and mornings.  But temps reach into the 50's quite often later in the day.  Have not had any rain for months, I would even welcome some snow.
Hasta Ma?ana and good night y'all.

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.  It looks like we will have a beautiful day today with it getting into the 60's and mostly sunny.  My morning didn't go exactly as planned yesterday but pretty close.  When I got to the lab about 10 am I learned that their lab tech had gotten another position and they couldn't do lab work at our downtown location at this time.  So I decided to stop at the caf? to get something to drink, I couldn't eat as needed to be fasting for the blood tests,  However, none of the regular coffee drinking friends were there so only stayed a few minutes and decided to go on to my doctor's appointment, which was in a building attached to the hospital.  I did make a very brief stop and got my taxes paid on my cars and got new tags for 2018.  I had a long wait to see the doctor but she finally came in.  Apparently all of her staff are out sick except for one lady who handled the appointment desk and she was having to fill in calling patients, etc.  The doctor was pleased with how I have been getting long heart wise and no changes in medications.  It was close to 1 pm when I went on over to the lab at the hospital to get the blood tests done.  I had planned to stop somewhere for a sandwich on the way home but it was raining pretty heavily so just came home and fixed a sandwich and then spent the rest of the afternoon resting as was beat.  Our granddaughter and her friend came over after she took her dad to work and they fixed the main dish for our supper last night and then the ladies played Farkle.  As they left they took the garbage can to the street to me.  Unfortunately the automatic garage door opener had stopped working.  I will probably have to call for service to be done on it today.  The garage door isn't very heavy and can be manually raised and lowered so the cars are not stuck in the garage. 

In a little while I plan on picking up my friends from the assisted living facility and going downtown to coffee.  I will probably pass on attending the Wisdom Group at 11:30 as am feeling some residual tiredness this morning from yesterday's activities.   I am going to suggest that we go out to eat later today as we haven't been out to eat for a couple of weeks.  That will be my exciting day.  I did have results from the PSA test done yesterday and my PSA has spiked about double from what it was a few months ago so it sounds like my prostate cancer is on the increase.  I will discuss this with my GP when I see him early tomorrow morning. 

Janice, so sorry for you that the Macular Degeneration is now impacting your other eye.  Nice you could enjoy lunch with your SIL.  Your brother sounds like he is a very accomplished golfer and that reminds me that the Pebble Beach golf tournament starts today.  I heard them say last week that all the big names in golf will be participating.

Judy, those falls on ice can be so bad and glad the x-ray didn't show any damage to the spinal repair John has had.  You sure had a long wait in the waiting room.  Did you have a book or something to occupy your time while you waited.  I didn't touch any magazines or sit close to anyone yesterday at the doctor's office or at the lab as the flu is so rampant here and I sure don't want to get it. 

[Carol]

Judy:  So glad to hear the outcome for John wasn't worse.  Ice on the streets is such a dreaded ordeal - and one doesn't have much choice.  thank heaven that John did not have a spinal injury.  Such a long wait for you two -

Janice:  You do have a long drive to Amarillo.  How nice to have family in that area to visit.  I am sorry to read that your macular degeneration has been found in the other eye.   I have no idea what the procedure is for you and what the average outcome can be expected - prayers for you. 

Larry:  Having your granddaughter visit and make your dinner - how special for you and Pat.  Prayers for your cancer diagnosis - no doubt you will start treatment.

It is very dry in the Tucson area and they have not had the "wet" season as usually expected.  Fire danger is high.  It looks like that across many areas - here, it is so dry that we have run a humidifier for months.  Today, our DIL is at a funeral for her mother in Fort Worth.  We will see her later sometime. 

Pat:  Can you check in with an update on your condition?  Prayers for you.

[JudyB]

Carol I will call Pat in the morning and give you all an update.

I just finished watching the Olympic Skating Team event for men and pairs short program.  All the skaters did very well, there were some nasty falls though.  It will continue tomorrow.

We went out for dinner tonight, a local restaurant has a new owner, and she has added a Mexican flair to the menu.  Must say I like the changes she has made.

Good night all Rest well and peacefully

[Larry Hanna]

  Hi Everyone.  I am getting a late start this morning.  I had an 8 am doctor's appointment, a routine appointment with the GP, and all is well.  In a few minutes my son will be here and he is going to go to Costco with me for some shopping.  The housekeeper is already here so a lot going on this morning.  I am feeling better each day and almost back to normal. 

Carol, I will continue watchful waiting on the prostate cancer.  My doctors seem to agree that it is likely my heart will give out before the prostate cancer will cause too many problems.  However, I keep my options open depending on what happens in the future. 

Judy, it is always nice to go to a new restaurant, especially if it is a pleasant experience with good food.  We will probably watch the Olympics this evening as I think it is then they will be showing the opening ceremonies. 

[JudyB]

Like promised I called Pat tonight.  Here is the update.

1. About the 15th of January Pat fell and broke her wrist.  It is still swollen and painful even though the cast is off.  She has Physio coming to the house to work on that.

2. She has a really bad situation going on with her liver,  her numbers are way too high and as a result she has been taken off all pain medication.  She is scheduled for an MRI on her abdomen, I am not sure when that will be, she may have told me, however I don't remember.

3. The doctor who looked after her wrist is also the doctor she was referred to for hip problems.  Her left hip is literally bone on bone,  She has some hoops to jump through for him and the suggestion is that she will have full hip replacement this coming August.  In some instances the doctors can do a partial replacement, but hers will be a full hip replacement.

4. When she has sufficiently healed from that they will then prepare her for the full hip replacement on the right hip.  It is almost bone on bone.  There is no date on that.

Today all she did was sit in her recliner from 2 AM on till I called, getting up once to go to the washroom.  Homecare was in and made her some tea and toast, other than an orange that was all she had to eat, unfortunately she didn't have the strength to get up and heat up anything to eat.  When I spoke to her she was heading to bed for the night.  She hasn't been on the computer for about a week.

That is the update, not good news, and much to pray for.

[Jacqueline]

Judy....
....no not good news at all but...looking on the positive side....sounds at this present time, most of these things can eventually be put right, given time, ie, ( hip replacements - broken wrist, )....I am more concerned over Pats liver...My thoughts will go with her as she undergoes that MRI machine....and of course its results..

[Larry Hanna]

  Hi Everyone on a foggy South Carolina morning.  We have the possibility of rain in the forecast later today but we will be in the mid-70's this afternoon.  After a pretty busy three days, at least for me, I find myself without much energy this morning.  I don't think I have completely recovered from whatever had laid me up for 2 1/2 weeks.  My calendar is clear for today so will just rest and take in some of the Olympic coverage later today and perhaps watch some golf later this afternoon.  I have already emptied the dishwasher and have things ready to fix Pat's breakfast when she gets up. 

Judy, thanks for the update on Pat's situation.  I so feel for her and one can't exist very long on tea and toast.  Do they have a meals on wheels type program in Guelph as it sounds like she could use something like that.  Sorry to hear of the liver problem.  That is one of the dangers of taking a lot of pain medication, which I know she has had to do for a long time.  August is a long time to get the hip replacement.  I know my wife has been very happy with her both her knee and hip replacement.  Unfortunately they can't do a back replacement which is what is causing her so much pain along with the fibromyalgia pain she has endured most of her life. 

Jackie, I share the same concerns you expressed for our Pat.  I have known Pat for around 20 years and know she has dealt with a lot of pain in all that time but know the last year and more have been very difficult for her.   

[Carol]

Pat:  You are in our prayers.  I have heard that the hip replacements do very well, still, that is a heap of recovery time.  Wishing I could bring you some soup or a tasty meal. 

Larry:  glad to read you are feeling better.

Judy:  Thanks for letting us know. 

[JudyB]

Pat has meals on wheels however she was too tired/weak to be able to get it ready.

I have had a big day today doing this and that, so heading to bed early.  Have a good night everyone!

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.  It is going to be a rainy but warm day here in South Carolina.  I was so tired yesterday that I spent most of the day laying down and not feeling energetic today.  I will miss Church for the third week in a row as just not up to going.  We just realized that today is our Great Granddaughter's Birthday so our small birthday gift for her is going to be late.  I will send her a Jacqie Larson card later this morning.

Carol, I guess I spoke too soon yesterday as seemed to have a bit of a relapse with some of the coughing returning, just not as bad as before. 

Judy, glad to hear that Pat does have the meals on wheels.  Does her family realize the condition she is in?  She obviously needs help.  I wonder if she has let her church know she is so ill?  Glad you were up to having a big day yesterday and hope that means you are feeling a lot better.   

[Jacqueline]

....and a most blessed day...

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.  Hi everyone.  Our day is starting out at 61 degrees and headed up into the 70's with only a small chance of anymore rain today.  I actually felt like getting up this morning after spending most of the last two days laying in bed with my eyes closed.  I am thankful for audiobooks and was able to listen to a good one and help pass the time away.  I have nothing special on the agenda and have no plans for my Birthday until Wednesday when we will be able to be with Scott and hopefully Jennifer and her friend will be able to come out.  We do have the Dairy Queen ice cream cake in the freezer that I won and picked up last week when we went there to eat one evening. 

Jackie, thanks for the beautiful birthday card.  I liked the Biblical saying you used on the card. 

[Jacqueline]

Larry Hanna...
...this was why I thought it more appropriate posting your card on our Christian site....I knew it would be more appreciated...

...........................................................
Well had a 9.30 am home visit from both a recently newish MS Specialist Nurse and an Occupational Therapy assessment, they both came together, two separate cars, from two opposite corners of our County....they were here for a good 2 hours...neither had I seen before and I have lived here almost 2 years now come middle of March...And would you believe? the Occupation guy came in response to a request I put in for metal handrails more than 1 & a half years ago...just as well we got them installed by our managers recommendation of our residential parkhome " metal man, " just a 2 or 3 month wait after we moved here...His letter said it was only now they had put my case together...