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Morning Devotional...



Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one's praise will come from God. 
--1 Corinthians 4:5

God may allow His servant to succeed when He has disciplined him to a point where he does not need to succeed to be happy. The man who is elated by success and cast down by failure is still a carnal man. At best his fruit will have a worm in it.

God will allow His servant to succeed when he has learned that success does not make him dearer to God nor more valuable in the total scheme of things. We cannot buy God's favor with crowds or converts or new missionaries sent out or Bibles distributed. All these things can be accomplished without the help of the Holy Spirit. A good personality and a shrewd knowledge of human nature is all that any man needs to be a success in religious circles today....

We can afford to follow Him to failure. Faith dares to fail. The resurrection and the judgment will demonstrate before all worlds who won and who lost. We can wait. 
Dr. Tozer in "Born After Midnight", 59.

"Father, keep me faithful today. I don't need to succeed in the world's eyes; I'll wait. Amen."

Hello folks!

For me the day was very busy.  I give a lady her chemo needle every Thursday and there was a mix-up today with the dose but that got straightened out.

Also, today was the day of our brother's surgery and so I was a little bit on edge waiting for the phone call from my sister-in-law.  Judy finally called me with some news and that was good.

He's doing as well as can be expected and is praising the Lord so that's great!


You will notice that this topic has been opened for three days!  I am going away for a much needed break from the computer.  I'm going to a Photo seminar in Detroit that is being sponsored by Outdoor Photographer and I'm really looking forward to this.  The two professionals that I'm going to be meeting are very well known and maybe I'll try to get a book signed by one of them.

So, I'll see you on Monday! 

Fill the topic here with so many posts for me to read and make sure you vote carefully in our Mini Challenge!

Hi everyone.  It has turned cooler here in Georgia but we had little rain.  I am just back from coffee at the local senior center.  We stayed for about 2 hours today as no one seemed to be in any hurry to leave.  For no particular reason I am feeling tired today.  I may have to give in an nap a morning nap, something I really don't like to do. 

Pat, thanks for the devotional.  I hope you have a wonderful weekend at the photography event in Detroit.  I am glad that you are able to get away for a few days. 

We had an e-mail from my cousin's wife in Micigan that they are going to be in Atlanta this weekend.  So we are going to go with them tomorrow to the North Georgia moutains.  Supposedly the leave will be at their peak.  I will take my camera but make no guarantees as am not much of a photographer. 

Not much to say today so will be brief.  Hope everyone has a good day.

Manna ~ The Cross is to Abandon Self for HIM
Martha Kilpatrick
Oct 20, 2006


Luke 9:23 Amplified Bible
And He said to all, If any person wills to come after Me, let him deny himself [disown himself, forget, lose sight of himself and his own interests, refuse and give up himself] and take up his cross daily and follow Me [cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying also].

The Amplified Bible gives the most profound definition of "deny yourself."  And this version describes perfectly the manner of "following.& quot;  Cleave, conform, die. 

There are four great words that surround the Cross. 

IF: the choice. The cross and discipleship are the same issue, but they are always a free choice.

WILLS: the surrender of the will.

COME AFTER ME: follow Christ, not thrills, not perks, not causes, not people but the Lord Jesus.

DENY:  reject, renounce, forgo your Self's dreams, ambition, desires and above all RIGHTS.

The Cross is ever a choice, daily a choice to take God's side against your self-preservation and self exaltation. 

It is not the choice to be a victim of human dominance, the weak giving-in that calls itself a noble cross. No. The cross is following Jesus. That means God's will. When your pursuit is God's will, you will collide with the cross and that is when you choose whether to stand on God's side against yourself or your side against God.

Hi Folks...

Had my hair done so now I'm "bootiful" and now I'm doing a few things around the house and then will leave around 2 or 2:30.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.  I don't go away too often for a complete break away from the computer so this will surely be different.

Talk to you all soon.

QuoteService is the overflow
of superabounding devotion.
Oswald Chambers

If everything goes well, we are planning on doing a little service work in February. 

Today, Don is going to paint the kitchen ceiling and my job is to put blue tape around everything on the walls. 

Pat:  You weekend sounds wonderful - a very interesting weekend & I hope that you learn even more - you are so talented with the photos already..

Larry:  Enjoy your trip to your lovely mountains!  The colors may still be there for you - our are almost gone by now with another big snow predicted now.  Not at the house, I don't think.

Carol

A very quiet day again today at work, so stopping in to read and say hi.

Enjoy your weekend Pat!

Time to heat my lunch and then I'm not sure what I will do for the afternoon....but must be here until 5.

Thanks to Sue for discovering that there is a new page open, but the old one wasn't locked.  I have locked it now (several posted on yesterday's) and now we will use this one for three days.

Have a wonderful trip, Pat!

You too, Larry!

Marilyn, I really like Martha Kilpatrick.  I see you get her daily Manna too. Her words have blessed me so many times.

Sunshine here today.  I need to get outdoors and start cutting down 4 0'Clocks.  I have them everywhere and I've recently read that they were toxic to dogs.  Not sure how toxic, but recently Rocko was sick for a few days, so I want to be sure that they aren't the cause.  If they're gone, they won't be.

Next, I'm getting the "get rid of all the stuff" bug.  I've been cleaning out closets and drawers for two days.  Where does all that stuff come from???

I guess Pat is gone, but I pray she has a very relaxing and refreshing vacation learning more about something that she loves.  PHOTOGRAPHY!

Gotta get busy. Take care on this wonderful day the Lord has made.  Nita

I posted in yesterday's NEM this morning.  So I moved it in here.

Bright and sunny here today but cold.....brrrrr!  And I need to 'mow' leaves! 

Ivalou called and wanted to know if I wanted to go with her to IHOP last evening.  So we both had breakfast for dinner. 

Today I have swept the house and I am doing some laundry.  Perhaps this afternoon I will mow.  It is only 42° right now so I don't think it will warm up much more.  Brrrrrr!

EDIT:  I did mow and it was mightly chilly out there in the wide open.  I also put styrofoam in four vents for the crawlspace for winter.  Then I showered and then ate lunch at 2:30.  All the laundry is folded and put away.  Now it is time to put my feet up and relax.  My back tells me I shouldn't have done everything in one day!!  It's still only 49°F.

Thank you Marilyn.

I'm 66 this year and wondering when I will old. 

I wonder when will I reach the age that the young'uns discount what I have to say cause I'm an old man.

I wonder how many more aches and pains I have to get, before I suggest (very strongly) to my B.W. that we move to Az.

I wonder.................

I'm just full of wonders today.

Happy Belated Birthday, Ed!!

Well, I woke to a gloomy day today.  Glad I got everything done yesterday!  Not much on my plate to do today except wait and watch for the furnace guy.  I don't think anything is wrong with the furnace...just getting it cleaned for winter use. 

Colder today.  It was 42° yesterday and today it is only 41°F. 

Here's hoping everyone has a great Saturday!....it is Saturday, isn't it?

Etta Sue: Love those footprints.

Ed:  I hope that everything works out best for you. 

Don did paint the kitchen ceiling yesterday and today my job will be to edge the walls with a primer because the paint in there now is too dark to receive the paler color. 

This is tiresome but it will be worth it.  That must be my lesson for today - a person needs to put some effort into their lives or nothing will happen.

Carol

Good Morning everyone.

Yes Nita I do like Martha Kilpatrick, Jane sent me the link to their website and I too get the daily letters.

I have set up my sewing machine to finally do the hem on my quilt, yes it will be finished I will take a photo later.

This morning my across the street neighbor are going to Harbor Freight to buy one of those Tent Garages, It won't fit in my car so we are going in his truck.  He will put it up for me and and anchor it down with Rebar so the wind won't blow it away. I am also planning to mow this afternoon.

Not much else going on around here, my business is doing well and I don't have to do anything except give away free gifts to those that I want to help stay healthy. I don't try to sell anything I  just want to help others. The nurse in my Doctor's office was so excited to receive this gift as well as those at my beauty shop. They could SEE the difference in the me.

Gotta go get dressed now.

TTYL

Hi everyone.  Like everything else in life things are subject to change.  Last evening when Pat spoke to my cousin's wife they decided it would probably be too crowded in the mountains so we will go this afternoon to Milledeville, which in the early 1800's was the state capitol of Georgia.  I am sure the leaves will be pretty around there as well.  There are several historic things to see around there.  My cousin has been traveling all week and they decided they wanted not to get an early start on the day.  This is fine with me as 5 or 6 hours out is fine with me rather than 10 or 12.  Maybe I won't get so tired. 

Spent most of yesterday in bed as was really tired.  I finally got to feeling better late yesterday afternoon and seem to be ok today.  It just doesn't take a great deal to tire me and have decided I need to lighten the already light load of responsibilities I have with some volunteer work so that I can rest when I need to rest and not feel I am letting someone down.

I got started last evening on working on the midi files of all of the songs that are sung at Calvin Cove so I can convert them to mp3's and they can use the CD's to accompany the singing if they want.  That way they are dependent on someone playing the piano for them to be able to sing with some background music.  I want to have the project done by the end of the year as that is when I am giving up the once-a-week responsibility on Thursday afternoons. 

Marilyn, nice to see that your business is going well and that you are feeling better.  Hope you like your new tent garage.  I have seen some of those around here.  It will keep the sun and rain off your car.  It is nice of your neighbor to help you get it and get it setup.

Carol, that sounds like a lot of work but sure your repainted kitchen will look very nice.  Has the snow melted out your way?  What kind of service work are you planning on doing in February?

Etta Sue, surely you won't have to mow too many more time.  It sounds like you are getting all ready for winter. 

Ed, a belated Happy Birthday.  You are just a few months older than I and sometimes I feel very old and other days I don't. 

Nita, good luck with your "cleaning out" project and getting rid of your Four O'Clocks in your yard.  Sure wouldn't want to poison your dogs with those.

Hi Sue.  Are you liking your new job?  Sure you would rather be busy than have time to kill on a job.  Once-in-a-while having a couple of quiet hours is nice but it is very tiring to not have productive work to do on a job.

It is a beautiful and sunny day here in Georgia and a bit on the chilly side so far, perhaps crisp is a better description.  God provides us such beauty and it is our responsibility to take the time and notice and appreciate it.

Good Morning

Larry, I am enjoying my new job but many days I do wish it were busier.  It is sometimes a struggle to find things to keep busy with.

Now must get off the computer as there is much I wish to get accomplished today and not many hours left.

Quote from: Larry Hanna on October 21, 2006, 11:28:27 AMYou are just a few months older than I and sometimes I feel very old and other days I don't. 

Sometimes you feel like a nut.  sometimes you don't. 

My pains come and go.....mostly come. 

I have but to look around me (and not very far either) to see those whose health is worse than mine.  When I feel tired and hurtin, God places someone in front of me that IS worse and soon I forget my own troubles as they seem so small.

Doesn't stop me from complainin'...juss helps put things in perspective.

Some have asked to see my quilt when it was finished, so here it is.


[attachment deleted by admin]

Lookin' good, Marilyn.   

I worked out in the yard again today.  Seems there is always something needing pruned, trimmed, mowed, or pulled.  I try to stay on top of it by doing a little at a time all year 'round.  That way I can save my pennies from paying someone else to do one big job several times a year.

There's only one problem with that .... I can only do a little at a time and there always is more than I can get done before I have to stop.    

I've been watching as my neighbor prepares their lot for a new manufactured home.  Tuesday they hauled the old double wide out of here and today they have a backhoe over there leveling and clearing etc.  They are having a home built to their specifications and will set it up on the same lot where my friend has lived for more than twenty years.  Lots of excitement around here.

Ed, I'm late (as usual) but still want to wish you a HAPPY BIRTHDAY.     You shouldn't be concerned with aches and pains at your age!  Maybe relocating to Arizona is the solution, y'think?

I gotta get to gettin' ... I'll be around

Why thanky Miz Jane.

I went to get my tent garage an had to get a rain check, They only get in a few and they are for the rain checks, So I have to caall early Thursday morning to make sure I get one. Bummer!! I didn't mow I got  to playing with PSP and the time just went on by Icould still mow except I have already showered and washed my hair and dont want to get he mower out anyway.

TTYL

ps ya really wanted to know all that stuff huh?

 

This is tiresome but it will be worth it.  That must be my lesson for today - a person needs to put some effort into their lives or nothing will happen.

Carol

[/quote]

I fully agree with you on that, Carol.  I'm sure we all have personal experience both with the doing and the not doing (either ourselves or others.)

I was doing today, but not hard work.  I spent the whole day at the library scrapbooking with several other ladies.  Fun, not hard at all, and yet I am more tired than when I get good physical exercise.  Go figure!

Pretty quilt, Marilyn.

Ed, I, too, am 66 this year, and feel every day of......about 35!!  Seriously.  I am so thankful for excellent health, and try to take good care of my earthly temple, so I can be useful as long as I live here in my earth suit. 

Abby went with me to scrapbook this morning, and she is going to be good at that.  I gave her a small scrapbook, and yesterday took several photos of her playing with friends, printed them, and she had fun creating her own little scrapbook.  She was getting a little restless by about 1:00, so Pat and I took her to lunch, then brought her home and she spent the afternoon with Grandpa.

A very dear friend of mine lost her husband today.  He had been ill for some time; I was so afraid he would die while we were in China.  She called me immediately after he passed, and I went by to see her.  It will be so difficult for her, as they depended on each other for everything.  He was 84, I think, and she will be 90 in December.  She is one of my painting students, and I loved them both so much.  She told me today that I am her best friend in the world.  I consider that an honor.

I'd better hush and get something else done!

Quote from: Jane Walker on October 21, 2006, 05:07:29 PM
You shouldn't be concerned with aches and pains at your age!  Maybe relocating to Arizona is the solution, y'think?

For the last 40 years of my life aches and pain have been a daily matter.  I can take them one at a time, but some days they gang up on me...like they did Friday.

Arizona may be on my horizon, but my B.W. won't have no part of it.  Can't say as I blame her...her aches are not mine.  So I'll be the martyr of the this two-some.  Naw...I'm just kiddin'  I don't think I want to leave my kids and grandkids behind....So until it gets REALLY bad, I'm here.

As I said before...just when I start feelin' bad God always shows me someone worse off than I....like a gal in our church...she can walk but her breathing is so bad, she's tied to a wheelchair.  At least I can walk anywhere.

Good evening everyone. A very belated Happy Birthday Ed!!!

It is  minutes till the Lords Day, and I a heading off to bed to get some sleep.  But first, I have a message from Pat.  I heard from her earlier this evening, and she is having a marvelous time.  She is taking a necessary break from the routine of her day.  I know she will share about it when she returns.

I have had a busy day today, the girls have sports and music lessons in the morning every Saturday.  Teenagers sure keep you running, with all their energy, I wish I could tap into it even for one day!!!

Well night all.  God bless you as you worship tomorrow.

Love JudyB

Night, Judy...and all.  I'm headed to be too. 

I'm looking forward to a wonderful church service tomorrow.

Marilyn,your quilt is so pretty.  I love the bright colors.  Just having that around me would make me happy.    Are you glad it's finally finished?

I had to do an ugly job today.  I had a cat run over at the end of my driveway yesterday evening.  It wasn't mine, and I don't know who he belonged to.  No one got him, so today I had to go get him and bury him.
Tonight my back is not happy with me.    It was one of those things you just do because you have to.   I was sure wishing my son would come over about then, but no one showed up, so I figured God knew I could handle it.  It was still sad.

Jane,  it never stops, does it?  If you have an outside, things keep growing.  If it wasn't for my boys,  it would be easy for me to consider an apartment.  But I have the boys, and so I'll be here until I go be with the Lord, I guess.

I'm glad Pat is having a good time...and that's she's taking a break from her routine.  That's important.  (yeah, she said...haha...like I know!)  I'm still happy she's having a wonderful time.  Can't wait to hear out it went.

Night all.  Nita

Early Sunday morning - the best time of any week.

Larry:  We hope to work in Texas in February - for Lutheran Disaster Services - a group from church is in planning stages.  There are a lot of elderly who need clean-up and more still after the hurricane damage.  We have to have 10 at least.  We can't do much but maybe can help in any way.

Janet:  Your student who lost her husband is 90?  That is amazing.  It has to be so hard for her and nice that you can visit at this time.

Judy B:  Hello - I have been wondering about you.  Sounds like you are on the go with the teenagers - I can remember those days of long ago.  Blessings to you.

Nita:  Sorry that you had to hurt your back by being the one to bury someone else's cat.  I hope that you are better this morning.

Jane:  We don't have much yard work anymore - just the house is enough and sometimes more than enough.  Did you get your wood stacked for the cooler wintertime?

Marilyn:  Love your quilt & especially the purple sashing. 

Carol

Marilyn - that quilt oughta be on a wall instead of a bed.  On the bed it would keep me awake, but on a wall it would help me stay awake!  Besides, I could daydream that I was looking out a window at another quilt!  Seriously, that's a good one!

Jane - I wish I could still get out and do at least a little yard work, but I'm cut down to a small minimum.  The reason is, I don't have a cane (or something) to use to get up from kneeling.  I can kneel ok, but then comes the getting up, and I don't know how to do that.  I guess I need a garden cart with brakes on it - so it won't move when I get up.  If you have one, send it down.

Hi everyone.  We had a wonderful day yesterday with my cousin, his wife and son from Michigan.  They got here a little before noon and we headed out.  We stopped in Monroe, GA, which is not very far from where we live as they were having a street fair, and we ate in a quaint little sandwhich shop.  It was pretty expensive but it was very good.  

We then drove to Madison, GA, and drove around through the town and the old historic district.  Finally we drove to Milledeville, which was the early state capitol of Georgia.  They have restored the old Governor's Mansion, which is beautiful and the old state capitol building, which is now a part of the military college located there.  There is another State University there and most of the buildings are made of some type of stone.  My cousin and family had been there several years ago and the town was very run down.  They were amazed at the changes and it is now a lovely place to visit with many big old homes as well as the colleges and the old Governor's mansion.  

We got there too late to tour it but could walk around the outside and look in the ground floor windows and see how they had restored it.  

We then drove back towards home and stopped and had pizza before coming back to the house.  They left about 10 pm.  
Every moment was enjoyable but Pat and I are both exhausted this morning.  We will attend church but then will come home and not go out to eat so we can rest this afternoon.

Later this afternoon my very good friend is planning on coming over to help me with a little computer problem as want to get my computer cloned onto another hard disk to have in reserve.  It shouldn't be a difficult problem but have to setup the second hard drive and then do the cloning.

Marilyn, the liked your new quilt.  It looks like you have done a nice job on it and it is very cheery.  Sorry you weren't able to get your tent garage but it sounds like just a short delay.

Carol, I am sure the people in Texas will appreciate any help that can be given.  That must seem like a never ending nightmare along the coast and where so many homes were destroyed by the hurricanes.

Nita, sorry you had to bury the cat but it was a kind and considerate thing to do.  You are fortunate to have your sons close by to help you where needed.  We no longer have that situation although our son is only about 2 plus hours away.  Fortunately I am able to have a lawn service to take care of the outside and there isn't too much inside that needs to be done, although it seems like about everytime he is here there are a few little things we ask him to help us with.

Judy, nice to hear that Pat is having a wonderful time.  I am so happy for her that she could attend.

Ed, I certainly agree with you and have said so many times it is so easy to look around and see the folks that are in much worse health than I am.  In many ways I am very fortunate in that I am not in any constant pain and don't suffer from arthritis.  We just have to learn our limits and adjust accordingly.  I am a little like you in that I wouldn't mind moving into a retirement community but my wife doesn't like the idea very much and it really isn't something we need to do at this time.

Janet, you are probably fortunate that Abby's attention span to the scrapbooking lasted as long as it did.  It looks like she is going to love doing the same types of things that her grandmother loves with the painting and craft things.

Jane, I can't even imagine what must be involved in moving out one mobile home and moving in another.  However, am sure it will be very nice.

Sue, I feel for you in trying to find something to keep busy.  I think we each want to feel that sense of satisfaction that we have earned our keep for the day with what we have been able to accomplish.

Guess it is time to signoff for today.  Sorry this is so long but just felt chatty this morning.  Hi Al, we are posting at the same time.

Thank you all for the lovely comments on my quilt it is filled with a mattress pad  therefore it is very warm.  I really enjoyed making it  and the time it took to do all the hand quilting was a real joy.

Jane you can come and pull weeds at my house anytime. Actually I need to use the weed eater along the edge of the house and the fence. The black berries  I have to cut with the something stronger than the weed eater. I just cut them one by one with the hand cutters. They do get out of control around here and have to be cut back frequently. The nasturtiums and borage just grows wild in the yards and that gets out of control too.

Larry you are always so thoughtful and have something to say to everyone. That is hard for me to do most times I can't think of much to say to each one.

Carol I would so enjoy going someplace to do something for someone else in need.  What a blessing that would be for me to be able to touch someones life like that.

Al is there anything that would keep you awake? I don't think it would be my quilt. If you really wanted to work in your yard you would find a way to get  up off your knees. Hey brother you know I am only giving you a hard time as usual.

Nita burying that cat sounds like something I would do. Sorry it hurt your back but sometimes ya gotta do what ya gotta do.

Hello JudyB good to see you here too. How is John doing? Pat said something a day or so ago about some surgery.

Time for me to go to church.

TTYL