Thoughts for the Week~March 2

[JudyB]

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Morning Devotional

The Believers Conduct

by Charles Stanley Pathways to His Presence


We must guard against falling into the trap of turning our walk with the Lord, into a grocery list of dos and don'ts.  Should this ever happen, the passion, the zeal, the fervor that we once had for the Lord will vanish.

It is easy to get away from a relationship and enter into a rigid pattern of relating to God.   We can come to the point where we don't feel or express anything , acting almost like robots for God.  To fear God isn't to be frightened into doing what he wants us to do.  To fear God is to worship, respect, hold in awe, and love him so much that we desire to do what is right. We desire to serve Him in a way that pleases Him and brings glory to His name.

Peter knew we have to meld discipline with passion.  With God's love serving as Peter's motivation, he fulfilled the law.  This is the beginning of understanding how a believer needs to conduct himself.  At the end of this portion of scripture,Peter reminds us where our hope is: "Your faith and hope are in God" (1 Peter 1:21).

If you are living a life that supports your words, why would you do anything but serve Him?  Our conduct reflects what we truly believe about our God and His Word.  What message does your conduct convey?

Lord when I asked you into my life, it was so I could be Your disciple, not Your robot. Keep me from turning our relationship onto a list of rules and duties.

ABBA FATHER
(Click to hear music)



Abba Father, let me be
Yours and Yours alone.
May my will for ever be
Evermore Your own.
Never let my heart grow cold,
Never let me go.
Abba Father, let me be
Yours and Yours alone.

[Carol]

Good Sunday to all.  The worst of the heavy rains look like they are over today.  Rain was needed and now provided --- however, it all came at once.  I hope that is helped the drought. 

We have the friendliest church ever and there are only 55 of us members.  Very slow growing = this congregation gives and gives with all sorts of projects and I think I told you that they never want to have a building fund but only rent space so they do keep more money for good works.  I like this concept to be truthful. 

Such nice people - we are pretty sure two couples will check in with us on their trips back to their home states if they drive through Colorado. 

I have to update the GPS TomTom now via the computer download and also fill out a survey for something bought online so there will be a good coupon in case I buy something else.  Sales gimmicks for sure. 

John:  Life is amazing, isn't it?  Good for you on your "retirement" life. 

I forgot who mentioned the television problem - we use TV ears at home and it certainly helps when some talk so fast or have accents.  It helps me too but most of all for Don as Closed Captioning is really not very good.  The TV ear unit sits by the television set and plugs into the t.v. itself and to an electrical outlet.  The best price is usually found on their web site - search for TV ears.  I hope you try it. 

[Liz]

Thanks carol.  We had a break with the headphones.  The new flat screen TV's do not have a jack for headphones and it means old ones won't work without a complicated box and optic cable.  SIL found me a new optic headphone made by Sony costing  at $299 plus tax.  He finally got the thing to work and I can once again hear the TV.  do not even want to think of what all this has cost me.......but my life is pretty limited these days so it does make the days brighter.

[Larry Hanna]

Hi everyone.  It has been a beautiful 72 degree day here in Georgia but we will have rain tomorrow but still not really cold.  We all went to church this morning and then my sister and BIL took us all out to lunch.  We came home and they went out to walk to take advantage of this nice weather, which they definitely aren't having in Iowa.  We had our combined service this morning and the final hymn was a very upbeat and lively rendition of "I'll Fly Away" and another very upbeat piece.  I am going to tease the minister Wednesday that we are going to have to be careful or we Presbyterians may tarnish our reputation of being the "frozen chosen".  People were commenting after the service about how they liked the upbeat music led by our praise band. 

Liz, glad you got the hearing problem with your new TV figured out.  We have had a pair of TV Ears for several years but our set may have been defective and we never used them very much. 

Jeanne, thanks for the new devotional for this week.

John, glad your training went so well and that it may open new opportunities for you to use your expertise in the future.

Janet, I haven't been so lucky to find money in any of the papers I have been sorting. 

Carol, sounds like you have found a very fine church and I think I agree with you about the rental of the property as a big church plant is certainly expensive to maintain. 

[Don]

Good Morning Everyone, Well we had a beautiful warm day yesterday but that is about to change. We are now under a Winter Storm Warning until midnight. Rain turning to freezing rain and sleet. Sure hope we don't lose power.

Our low last night was 50 degrees and our forecast low for tonight is 14 degrees.   Back up to 70 degrees by Saturday. Can't help but love this NC weather.

Gotta figure out what I am going to do today. Sometimes that is the hardest part of my day.

Hope everyone has a GREAT day.

[Ruth Ann Bice]

Hi, friends,

Today has been a difficult day, since we awakened to cars and trucks (including salt trucks and snow plow trucks) sliding off the roadway. Finally, on one particularly bad curve, the driver of the salt truck finally got traffic moving by dropping shovel full after shovel full until the entire large curve was covered, all the while trying to keep his own balance!

I've been staying in closely to try to get finished with this cold. Finally, I felt clear enough to go downstairs to get the mail, and learned I'm weak enough that just the one trip was enough to get me winded.

Y'all have a good rest of the day.

Ruth Ann

[Larry Hanna]

Hi everyone.  We have had an overcast and much colder day today but the sun came out for awhile this afternoon.  We will be leaving the house around 6 am in the morning to get my sister and BIL to the subway station so they can get to the airport for their return flight to Sioux Falls, South Dakota and then they have a little over 100 mile drive to their home.  My BIL went to coffee with me this morning and to my Monday Men's Lunch.  We spent all morning just visiting.

[Carol]

We are packed and ready to drive to Tucson in the morning.  Our friend wants us to stay a week but we will only stay two or three nights, more is much too much for her.  Don will look over her insurance (her husband passed in Nov & they were buddies & also worked in the corporate world).  She can't find one policy. 

Other than that - I found more new fabric at the thrift store with lovely colors so it is ready to donate to the church quilting group.  This is a hunt I enjoy.  We really have found some good people at this new & very little church so we may be getting short visits as they meander north to their homes, never can tell.  Of course we will be leaving before they return to their northern homes.  I mean, they may decide to drive on the freeway that isn't too far from our house. 

Larry:  I have heard the grim stories about freezing pipes in MN so I sure hope your sister's place is alright.  With the frost going so deep this year, nothing can be done - it  is really a disaster.  So nice that she and her husband could come for Stacey's service.  How wonderful to have such a good group on that day. 

Ruth Ann:  Rest well.  Sending up a prayer for your complete recovery.   

[Larry Hanna]

Hi everyone.  We got very early this morning and I took my sister and BIL to the subway, which is about a 45 minute trip each way.  I got back about 7:45 this morning.  It seemed like their visit was too short but they were ready to go home and I guess the visit was long enough. Nothing much on the schedule for today except I plan on attending a late morning meeting and this afternoon will take one of the boquets we made from the flowers used in the Memorial Service to our friend who is in rehad after suffering another stroke.    It was a lovely basket of flowers and it made up 5 or 6 small bouquets.   My SIL is still with us until Sunday when she will fly back to Kansas City. 

Carol, it sounds like you found a real bargain on quilting material.  Hope you had a good drive to Tucson this morning and a nice visit with your friend.  It is nice of Don to help her with her insurance work. 

More friends brought in our dinner for last night with some delicious beef stew, jello salad, bread and dessert.  More friends are coming tomorrow night bringing dinner and they will stay to share the meal with us.  Perhaps we will play a card game or two. Our church and other friends, including you all,  have been so kind and caring to us and it has really helped during these difficult days. 

[JudyB]

It is a cold day again today, Weather reports say this cold is to last till April....One thing about that is the melt off will be slow.  Today out our window is -10 C.  we have had it colder, however it is a damp cold which penetrates.

Larry as wonderful as it is to have visitors there comes a point where you are glad to be alone again, back to familiar routines.

I have read all the posts and enjoyed them.

John is heading to Rochester today, he should be there about 10:30.  Then he will head back in country. 

I am finishing a sweater Heather started, I have to get at it, and get it off to her.

[Don]

Cold and Icy!

Have a great day everyone.

[Jeanne Lee]

We're up to 20F.  And that's an improvement!     But starting Thursday we may get up as far as freezing during the day for a few days.  Of course it will be back to the teens at night, but even that's better than below zero.

[Ruth Ann Bice]

Hi, friends,

Our temps rose to the mid 30s today, and the sun was shining brightly.

I had one of those nights - awakened at 3am, and the eyes refused to close. So, finally, I did book work and quiet things till quiet hours were over, then took the trash to the drop chute, worked on that clean laundry that wanted to be put away, then paid the rent and headed out to take care of my errands in the community.

You ask about quiet hours? Well, in an apartment tower with occupants being either elders or those with disabilities, it makes me VERY grateful that the hours from 10:30 pm to 6:30 am are designated as quiet hours. Some rules really make sense.

So, after my busy day, of course, I feel like it's already midnight. 

Judy, a certain trucker I know was in the Bronx in New York today. Hope all went well.

Y'all have a wonderful evening.

Ruth Ann

[Jane Walker]

Hey there, y'all .... I'm just dropping by to say "hi"  and to let y'all know that I'm heading south again sometime tomorrow.  I have a doctor appointment in the morning, and figure I'll go ahead and leave sometime around noon or so.  I'll only go halfway toward Sacramento and stop for the night, then continue on into the homeplace on Thursday.  I'm getting too old to attempt the 9 hour drive all at once any more. 

I have stuff to take care of in order to get the place legally into my daughters and my names on the title.  I have all the paperwork required now, so this should finish the process.  My daughter Dot is finally working (still in training) but has not been paid yet.  There is always something that causes a glitch in the smooth running of this family.  Her girls are struggling financially and she has no transportation to her job ... since her youngest is using her car ... so I'm hoping I can help alleviate some of this pressure.  I had planned to only be there a week, but found out that Joy will be in town the weekend of the 14-16 so I will hang around long enough to spend some time with her before returning to the Pacific Northwest. 

I won't have access to a computer while there, unless by happenstance, so will be out of communication for a while.  I look forward to my return when I will be able to visit with y'all once again. 

Y'all take care now, y'hear?  See ya soon.......

[Jeanne Lee]

Praying for safe travel, Jane.   

[Don]

Have a safe trip Jane, hope you can get everything straightened out. Will say a prayer for you.

Oh and by the way if it don't hurry up and warm up here in NC I'm going south also! 

[JudyB]

I have found out why I dislike the hardwood so much.  In the past it has smoldered and left a bed of ht coals in the furnace and no heat in the house.  In speaking to a northern friend she told me what the problem is.  The chunks of wood is too big and that slows the fire down to become a smoldering mess.  I personally prefer aspen or as some call it poplar, it burns hot and I can fill the furnace to the top and forget about it for about 6 hours.  Much lighter to lift as well.  OK off my soap box!

It is a beautiful sunny day the temperature out my window is.....-8C.  It is supposed to warm up to the 0C mark this week, and thus the beginning of our spring melt.  This year it looks like it will be slow, which suits me fine.  Slow melt means less flooding.

John had a call yesterday to do a defensive driving course in Moose Factory.  Check where that is on a map, and you will need to look at James Bay!  He has agreed to the course, his expenses will be paid, now to find out if he can fly up there or has to take the train!  This is going to be interesting.  Got to run to see what I can find out for him.

Have a great day folks, God bless.

[JudyB]

Woow Train from Cochran to Moosonee is 101.36 return  By plane is .......Wait for it.....





.........................$775.18................................

And that still means driving to Timmins.....................

Well I know what he will say!  Don't you!

[JudyB]

I have a flight cage for 12 finches in my bedroom. The reason is simple, they need consistent heat also I have a cat. The bedroom door is 'always" closed, except for this morning! I headed downstairs too quickly for the "loo" and didn't wait for my old girl Cimi to follow.

Just now I heard the patter of cat feet, and Zeke barked....one bark. "Yes Zeke I hear it too!" .....and I ran. Birds are OK, cat is out, and the door is again closed!

OK TMI!! I am a chatter box today!

[Jeanne Lee]

Judy, I'd much rather go by train anyway!   

[JudyB]

Thing is train means 2 overnights and a 4 and a half hour drive to get to the train.  I even asked if the train came as far as Sudbury, it doesn't.....So not sure what the final cost will be.  We did the train ride years ago on a holiday the first week of August.  They had frost on the ground, and it was a cold holiday! The ride was spectacular!

[Janet]

What's with the email notifications?     I got behind again, no notices.  Phooey.

I haven't been feeling up to par lately.  I don't know what's wrong but I feel really dragged out, no energy, no zip.  Not like me at all.    I am praying about this, if you'd like to pray for me, too, that will be wonderful.

I felt the Lord was telling me to just take it easy today, so I have.  I had a night similar to Ruth Ann's last night, gave up and got up at 3:30, so am sleepy.  I did take a short nap this afternoon.

God bless each of you.

[Larry Hanna]

Just going to stop by and say hi.  It has been a busy day and I am very tired.  I was gone all morning and this afternoon after resting a couple of hours I went to Home Depot and bought a new LG washer, which we are to get on Friday.  I also had to stop at Kaiser for a prescription for Pat.  I will be retiring early tonight.  I plan on staying home tomorrow.

[Marilyn]

stopping by to read the postings and let you know I am still alive.  It has been poring rain off and on and the wind  come up in gusts, blowing pretty hard at times. I told Keith I hope none of the tress fall on the house. We have so very tall tress in the back yard that have branches that  over hang the long deck.

[Jeanne Lee]

Marilyn, I sure hope no trees fall on your house. 

That's not the problem around here.  From the way things are going we may never actually get to summer.  Originally we were supposed to get up to freezing on Monday and maybe even above that on Tuesday and Wednesday.  Then it got pushed back to Tuesday, then Wednesday - and now possibly upper 20's on Sunday, with night time temperatures staying in double digits above zero.  sigh 

[Janet]

We didn't get any snow last night, but got very heavy frost that on first glance appears to be snow.  What a long winter this has been (and still is!)

I was shocked to read that the dreaded daylight savings time returns this Sunday.    Ugh.  It is just now getting to be light when I get up in the morning!

I wish you all a blessed day.  Darrel and I and my sister Jeanie are going to Garden City today to do a little shopping.  There are so many things we can't buy here in our small town.

And... ....I got an email notice this morning!   

[Larry Hanna]

Hi everyone.  It is a cloudy morning and suppose to rain this evening with possibility of some sleet and icing tomorrow morning.  I had a 12 hour rest/sleep night and feel refreshed this morning.  Pat got some new Cusinart cookware yesterday to use on her new stove.  The old cookware wouldn't really work well on the glass top range.  This is the nicest cookware she has ever had.  Late this afternoon friends are coming over to share dinner with us.  The nice part is they are bringing the dinner.  Pat finally contacted the doctor and got some muscle relaxant medication and think it helped her back spasms that she has been suffering.  Nothing else on the schedule for today so hope to get some of the little details I need to attend to done.  They are things I can do on the computer or at my desk. 

Jeanne, I feel for you and that terrible cold. 

Marilyn, sounds like some really undesirable conditions out your way.  Do you need the rain?

Janet, sure hope today finds you feeling more up to par. It sounds like you have simply worn yourself down and need to rest.  It seems that the time change has come about very quickly. 

Judy, that sounds like some trip John will have to make to get to his teaching assignment. 

Jane, hope you had a good trip to California yesterday and today and this trip completes the business affairs you have been working on. 

Ruth Ann, even the 6:30 am ending of the quiet time seems to be pretty early for retired folks.  The quiet of her last apartment in the retirement community was something that Stacey really appreciated as that had not existed where she had lived for 5 years. 

Good morning Don and anyone else I have missed.

[Don]

Good morning Larry and all the others that come here. That rain and ice you were talking about is headed our way for tonight and tomorrow but is suppose to be all rain for us. It has warmed up a little but still freezing at night. Suppose to be back up in the 60's for the weekend , my fingers are crossed.

Finally was able to find the parts for my saw, they are used parts as new ones are no longer available. Will try to get it running today and maybe work on the tree I have laying in my neighbors front yard.

Have a great day everyone.

[Jeanne Lee]

What a morning!  I woke up a little late at 8:30 and felt colder than I usually do, but didn't think much of it.  Went to the thermostat to change it to daytime program and discovered the indoor temp was down to 52!     It's not supposed to go below 60.

So I called the propane company to have someone check things out, afraid it would turn out to be my 22 year old furnace.  I explained it was truly an emergency - helpless old lady, all alone...  They contacted a driver who would check the tanks and then see about starting the furnace.  It turned out I was out of gas, even though I've been trying very hard to stretch it out.  He filled the tanks and came in and eventually got the furnace running. 

Now it's finally nice and warm in here - and I have to go out to run a couple of errands.     But all the while I'm thanking the Lord for His wonderful blessings.

[Carol]

We just returned from a nice drive back from Tucson.  Desert flowers are beginning to bloom - we take a shortcut that is all desert and only had to pass one RV on the road - that is a miracle in itself. 

Don is taking a short nap and I am waiting for a dentist to call back.  Last night, a crown fell out while I was using floss - it looks undamaged and I am not in pain but I don't want to wait until Monday to see a dentist.  I don't know what to do - doesn't any office actually answer a phone call anymore? 

Our friend who was recently widowed did have a very sort list of things for Don to repair and he gave her some advice on several things.  She is doing wonderfully - much better than we expected. 

Another phone call from a brother and he is not coming to Arizona from Washington state - fuel prices have gone way way up.  He owns a warehouse in a Seattle suburb and rents it out and now that little town wants to get rid of a gas station, a tire company and his heavy equipment warehouse so they have have it all walking area, a park and such.  Major adjustment & loss of income for him.  Our father built the business and the newest politicians want anything like that out of there - so this is what is happening. 

Jeanne Lee:   That was fortunate~ and yes to being thankful! 

I am going to drive to the dentist's office and see if anyone is there to speak to me.