Thoughts of the week June 23.

[JudyB]

From Our Forums

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

Morning Devotional...

Wonder at Your Adoption
By Charles Haddon Spurgeon

"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God."1 John 3:1,2

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us." Consider who we were, and what we feel ourselves to be even now when corruption is powerful in us, and you will wonder at our adoption. Yet we are called "the sons of God." What a high relationship is that of a son, and what privileges it brings! What care and tenderness the son expects from his father, and what love the father feels towards the son! But all that, and more than that, we now have through Christ. As for the temporary drawback of suffering with the elder brother, this we accept as an honour: "Therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not." We are content to be unknown with him in his humiliation, for we are to be exalted with him. "Beloved, now are we the sons of God." That is easy to read, but it is not so easy to feel. How is it with your heart this morning? Are you in the lowest depths of sorrow? Does corruption rise within your spirit, and grace seem like a poor spark trampled under foot? Does your faith almost fail you? Fear not, it is neither your graces nor feelings on which you are to live: you must live simply by faith on Christ. With all these things against us, now—in the very depths of our sorrow, wherever we may be—now, as much in the valley as on the mountain, "Beloved, now are we the sons of God." "Ah, but," you say, "see how I am arrayed! my graces are not bright; my righteousness does not shine with apparent glory." But read the next: "It doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him." The Holy Spirit shall purify our minds, and divine power shall refine our bodies, then shall we see him as he is.

Listen here to Brock Speer!

[Pat]

What a great devotional, Judy, to start the week!  Thanks for that!

It's so hot here in Guelph!  I just can't cool off. 

[Jeanne Lee]

Wonderful start to the week, Judy. 

Real "roller coaster" weather.  Three days ago I couldn't get warm and now the problem is trying to stay cool.  And of course we have threats of thunderstorms every afternoon/evening. 

[JudyB]

I have to take a friend to the hospital at 2 today.  I was hoping to stay home, and get some work done, however this will be a nice break to the day.  I have gardening to do, getting rid of weeds. I'd better get at it before the heat really gets going.

A few years ago ravens killed off a family of falcons that had nested in our roof, only one of the adults survived.  I didn't think any more would be back, however sitting outside I watched a pair come and go as they cared for the young!  Now to try and help protect them from the ravens.

On Saturday we were down in Southern Ontario again.  We had a wonderful visit with my childhood friend, and her husband.  After about 20 years apart, we had a great time together reminiscing.  The stories we shared, memories I had, her memories, all intertwined into a beautiful piece of fabric of our lives.  I was so disappointed that we were not able to take any pictures, my battery had died we didn't find out till it was too late. 

We left South Cayuga for a HOT ride back to Pat's.  On the way we picked up a box spring and mattress, and in tying it down John got really dirty crawling around on the ground to make sure the pair wouldn't move. (they didn't) We went to Pat's, and he had a shower then a nice cool off in front of her air conditioner. 

Well that was our weekend.  Have a great day everyone stay cool!

[Janet]

Judy, glad you are safely home, glad you had nice visits with both your childhood friend and Pat.  One of these days, I am going to go visit Pat!!

I am waiting for Darrel to get dressed so I can take him to the hospital for a blood draw.  I called and tried to gt him in to see the doctor ASAP but the earliest he can see him is 1:00.  He has done nothing but sleep now for about 36 hours.  He gets up for a little while, and the next thing I know, he's right back in bed!  Something is definitely wrong!

It did my heart good to see Wallenda finish his walk across the Grand Canyon on a cable, kiss the ground, thank the Lord, hug his family, and then all of them held hands and prayed.

What do you all think about Edward Snowden, and all the hoopla about trying to get him back and jail him?  Shouldn't we have been told about the NSA spying on us?  Didn't Snowden do us all a favor?  So why is he being called a traitor?  I do NOT get it.  I think we need whistle blowers.  So much happening in our world, lots of it not good.  I don't even pretend to understand all of this. 

It looks to be another hot day shaping up for us here.  Hope you can all find respite from the heat, and enjoy your Monday.  Love you! 

[Larry Hanna]

Hi everyone.  It is a nice morning here in Georgia but is overcast.  We had a nice day yesterday in attending church and then going out to eat with Friends.  Pat took a pain pill and rested and by church time was ready to go.  Today will be the typical Monday with my weekly men's luncheon and a meeting tonight.  Today we are eating at a family owned Italian place that we all enjoy and have been to several times.

Carol, sure hope our air quality improves soon as know the bad air is hard on many folks with health issues.  I expect to hear from the Heart Center today and should get some idea of the schedule that I will have.  If I don't hear by afternoon I plan to call them as I got the paperwork Saturday and they should get it today. 

Janet, it sounds like you have a reason to be concerned about Darrel and certainly glad to see  he is seeking medical attention this morning.  Glad your sister is better. Regarding Edward Snowden, while it is awful that the govenment is spying on its own citizens we can't have the people who take oaths of office to keep the secrets making the decision to reveal whatever they want.  If he would have stayed in the US he would still be in a lot of trouble and this would be civil disobedience.  However, fleeing the country and going to China and Russia, who are certainly not our friends, puts things in a different light. 

Judy, a good devotional thought from the week fro Spurgeon.  Thanks for sharing it with us. I have never heard of Brock Speer before.  Enjoyed the video. Hope you got your garden weeded before it got too hot.  How nice that you could see your childhood friend again over the weekend. 

Pat, hope it is a bit cooler for you today.  Do you have AC in your house?

Jeanne, I think we have only a 30% change of rain later today, which was the same as yesterday and it never developed. 

[Jeanne Lee]

Edward Snowden took an oath not to reveal the information he obtained in his job. 

By revealing the supposed (I'm still not sure he's telling all of the truth) secret surveillance of computer and phone usage he has informed terrorists just how much is being done, and how it's being done, and is allowing criminals to circumvent the government's watch for potential terrorist activity.  This constitutes aiding and abetting the enemy and is therefore an act of treason.  That makes him a traitor.  And now by fleeing to other countries he has become a fugitive as well. 

The NSA is not, as I understand it, actually "spying on us", but watching for signals and indications of possible terrorist activity.  Average citizens have nothing to fear, IMO.

[Carol]

Janet:  No doubt you are at the hospital right now - prayers for you two! 

One thing I do well and that is to keep secrets.  After working for two pastors and volunteering for another - mum's the word.  I know nothing.  Don still has secrets from the Air Force and has never divulged them.  I agree that much more should be open as citizens deserve the truth. 

Wishing for gentle rains and not our storms.  One wildfire by the town of South Park has had over 75,000 acres burn.  We had a wonderful time with our three grands yesterday and a couple of parents. 

JudyB:  I liked the video.  Thank you. 

[Janet]

We are back home from the doctor's now.  Darrel has a raging UTI.  I just hadn't thought of that possibility.  Dr. Appling wanted to put him in the hospital, but agreed to let him come home if he promised to let him know if he gets worse.  I said, "If he doesn't, I will!"  Dr. Appling told Darrel that's the reason married men live longer than single men!  He put him on Levofloxicin and said he should see significant improvement within 24 hours.

Thanks for the input re Snowden.  I'm still not sure I think he is a traitor or should be hunted down.  I really think the government will try to have him assassinated, just to cover up their own wrong-doing.  I am so sorry that I do not trust our government at all any more.    And I have heard all the "talking heads" trying to build a case against Snowden.......

It has clouded up and thundered and rained a few drops.  I hope it will stick around and really give us some much needed rain!!!

[LakeLady]

Judy, haven't been here in awhile.  Have to say your devotion to start this week was right on target for me.  Thank you very much.  Greetings to all and I hope to catch up soon.  Take care and God bless!

[Ruth Ann Bice]

Hi, friends,

I'm up early today. Gotta do laundry first, then prepare to do some work in a friends office this afternoon.

Brock Speer's parents (Tom and Lena) and my grandparents formed the first mixed quartet. When my grandparents didn't want to take on increasing demands of travel, etc., the Speers began using their children. That family is a fine family, and well respected in "our neck of the woods." Often I see one of the daughters while shopping and we still stand a talk a while. That video brought back some really good memories for me.

Have a great day.

Ruth Ann

[Larry Hanna]

Hi everyone.  It is another hazy summer day.  It got very warm yesterday especially getting into the car that had been sitting in the sun.  This is going to be a fairly buzy day as have a meeting this morning and then at 4 pm our friends are coming over so I can try to show her how to use her new iPad that her kids gave her for Mother's Day.  Unfortunately, this is a friend who is suffering some serious memory loss so I know that is going to be a challenge.  I am going to try to prepare written instructions and illustrations so she will have something written to refer back to as she tries to use the iPad.  I have decided not to try to show her how to use the library site as I find it somewhat difficult to manipulate at times.  She lives close to a library and can go there for help if needed.  Pat is going to fix a roast in the crock pot and we will share dinner with them.  It has been a long time since Pat has fixed a meal for guests.

Lakelady, good to see a post from you. 

Ruth Ann, isn't it a small world that you know the Spear family and your own families early involvement with them.  Hope you don't work too hard todayl

Janet, hope Darrel is feeling better today with the medication.

[JudyB]

Another hot muggy day. I am just in from the garden, and have got some, not a lot, of weeding done.  The Dogs are learning to stay out of the garden area as I tell them OFF!  The cats are another issue though, they just don't care and when I chase them they just go further on the garden.  Lee Kirkwood gave me a deer repellent recipe and I am in the process of preparing the "stinky" stuff.  I have lost to the deer this year and I am hoping it will deter the cats as well.

That is about all the news for Powassan for now have a great day folks!

[JudyB]

Isn't the Love of Jesus Something Wonderful?

Author:  John W. Peterson, b. 1921
Musician:  John W. Peterson, b. 1921




There will never be a sweeter story,
Story of the Saviour's love divine,
Love that brought Him from the realms of glory
Just to save a sinful soul like mine.


Refrain:
Isn't the love of Jesus something wonderful,
Wonderful, wonderful!
O isn't the love of Jesus something wonderful!
Wonderful it is to me.


Boundless as the universe around me,
Reaching to the farthest soul away—
Saving, keeping love it was that found me;
That is why my heart can truly say:


Love beyond our human comprehending,
Love of God in Christ— how can it be?
This will be my theme and never ending,
Great, redeeming love of Calvary.

[Marilyn]

I got good news in the mail yesterday from Medicare, They approved the appeal  for payment of  my CPAP supplies and back paid my supplier  to last October.  Whew that was such a relief. Thank you Jesus. I may have some additional exciting news to share. As you all know I have been using Sensa for quite some time, I've lost 26 lbs to date. Well the company has asked if I would be interested in flying all expenses paid to Los Angeles for a make over and photo shoot telling my story on camera for an infomercial. I filled out all the paper work yesterday and emailed it back with before and after photos, Now I am just waiting to hear back from them.

We got home from the vacation on Sunday.  Here is a link to the photos I took at Craig's graduation. I still need to edit the photos taken later. I got several of Mt Hood and 8 of a mama raccoon on the deck of the condo. O won't post all the duplicates. Had a great time  even if the weather didn't coperate, We swam one day and rode bikes in between the times it rained.
http://s224.photobucket.com/user/tudogmom/library/Craigs%20Graduation?sort=3&page=1

[Jeanne Lee]

Marilyn, what good news about your Meidcare coverage.

I've been watching the Sensa ads the last few weeks and I have thought of suggesting to you that you should contact them with some before and after pictures, and your weight loss story!!!  How great that they have contacted you.  I hope you'll hear from them soon and I'll be watching for you in the ads.   

(We'd like to see an "after" picture, you know.    )

[Marilyn]

More vacation photos http://s224.photobucket.com/user/tudogmom/library/Vacation%202013?sort=3&page=1

Before Photo http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd222/tudogmom/March292012side.jpg

After Photo http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd222/tudogmom/May92013_zpsd9926a70.jpg

[Jeanne Lee]

Marilyn, you've done just great! 

[Marilyn]

Thank you Jeanne, I'll be sure to post the after the make-over photos and the  tape will be on You Tube so I'll post that link too.

[Pat]

Marilyn, what a great weight loss!  Wonderful!

[JudyB]

Good going Marilyn.

[Janet]

Lookin' good there, girl!  Congratulations!


I just talked to my sister Shirley.  They have taken out the IV AFTER it caused her to get pneumonia by saturating her with liquids.  She had to be on oxygen for several days.  Still hospitalized, but hopeful she may go home this afternoon.  Thanks for your prayers.

Darrel seems a little bit better, but still refusing to eat, and not drinking nearly enough water or other liquids.  Sigh.........

I did another interview yesterday.  I really enjoy doing those.  Now to get it typed up--and I need to go back and take a picture of Sy, too.

[JudyB]

It is a nice cool day, such a great relief from what we have been having.

Janet I suggest you get Darryl to a urologist for a scope.  This is important.  Men don't usually get UTI's.

I have to go into North Bay today, then back home to get some more deep cleaning done. I usually prefer to do my housework in the cool of the evening, but this morning I am starting as it IS cool!

Have a great day everyone.

[JudyB]

In the Presence
(Click the above to go to a webpage where you can play the music for this Hymn. Just click on the right pointed arrow to play the music and if you do not use tabs be sure to open a new webpage for the music so you can go back to the first webpage to sing the words along with the music.)


VERSE 1
In the presence of Your infinite might
I'm so small and frail and weak
When I see Your power and wisdom, Lord
I have no words left to speak

VERSE 2
In the presence of a holy God
There's new meaning now to grace
You took all my sins upon Yourself
I can only stand amazed

CHORUS
And I cry holy, holy, holy God
How awesome is Your name
Holy, holy, holy God
How majestic is Your reign
And I am changed in the presence of a holy God

VERSE 2
In the power of Your glory
All my crowns lie in the dust
You are righteous in Your judgments, Lord
You are faithful true and just

 

[Larry Hanna]

Hi everyone.  I have been gone all morning with coffee, Bible study and then visiting with friends at Dunkin' Donut.  Pat didn't go today.  We had a good time with our friends yesterday afternoon and sharing a dinner with them.  Nothing else on the schedule for today.  I am feeling much better today than I did yesterday. 

Judy, cats always do what they want. Nice to have a cool morning this time of year.  Hope your housekeeping went well.

Marilyn, it sounds like you will have an exciting time in Los Angeles recognizing your significant weight loss.  Also glad you won your appear on the CPAP.  I will look at your photos when I finish posting on the message boards for today.

Janet, sure hope your sister is able to go home today and Darrel is a little better.  I am sure drinking adequate liquids is vital to his recovery.

[Marilyn]

Thank you  for the nice compliments on my weight loss. Much appreciated.

[Larry Hanna]

Hi everyone.  It is a nice looking morning.  We had a brief but heavy rain here last evening and more in forecast for today.  As usual on Thursday I slept in this morning and then had my breakfast and just now getting to the computer.  Since my calendar is clear for the day,  I am going to tackle some priority items which I just now listed on my note pad so I won't forget. The top of the list, after the message boards, is to contact Comcast and try for the 4th time to clear up this billing problem.  Then after 11 am I plan on calling the Aurora Theater to arrange for tickets for Les Miserables, and then a few other things like going for a haircut.  My friend with the cancer wasn't able to stop for coffee with us yesterday and I fear this is really a bad sign.

Marilyn, it sounds like the compliment on the weight loss is well earned. 

It has been quiet in here since I posted yesterday.

[JudyB]

Woke up this morning with the dogs still awake, they have been waking me up at 3:30 during the heat wave!  I was so cold I had to get up and find a blanket to put on the bed!

Taking the Dogs out the dew on the grass was heavy.  Really nice to walk in!

Instead of my normal hymn check out this! Here I have just re-listened to the hymns and tears flow freely.

[Janet]

Well, we missed another good chance for rain this evening.  It got really dark, lots of thunder, a little bit of rain, then the wind came and blew the clouds away.  It has been so terribly hot and dry, and that causes the winds to be worse.  We are under warnings of 60-80 MPH winds.....again.    And you all know how much I love the wind.  NOT.

Etta Sue, Etta Sue, where are you??  I am missing you!  Please come tell us how you are doing, what's happening in your life, and Ivalou's......You can't leave us!  (Please?)

Time to go put another frame corner in the vise!

[Larry Hanna]

Hi everyone.  It is a very nice morning after some heavy rain last evening.  We had a good turnout at the Senior Center this morning for coffee.  Today is my ROMEO's lunch at a local pizza place.  At least it is handy for me today.  Nothing else on the schedule for today.  I did get most of the things on my list accomplished yesterday including getting the Comcast billing problem solved, at least for this month. 

Judy, I sure wouldn't like to have the dogs wake me up at 3:30 in the morning.  It sounds like your heat wave must have passed.

Janet, such unpleasant weather you have been experiencing while we are having rain almost every day here in the SE.  Those winds sure dry things out quickly as well.