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Morning Devotional...

Psalm 26


In this psalm the worshippers declare their faith to one another, to any who will listen, and to the very angels of God.  It's what we should want to do, too.

They sing, "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear.  The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" They're just saying that God is the One Who can shed light on the problems, the difficulties, and even the meaning of life.  They make it clear that relationship to Him is what makes everything meaningful, supplies overcoming grace, and inspires the fortitude needed in every situation.  Simply put - no matter who or what the problem - GOD's light and salvation are the answer.  So you can sing, "Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war may rise against me, in this I will be confident!"

Having such complete confidence, there's only one thing more needed - that it might never cease!  So with the psalmist you can go on to  sing, "One thing I have desired of the Lord, (and) that will I seek - that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple."  It's great to be in the temple singing this song - but what you also need is to stay there, to always be be looking to Him, and never to go elsewhere for help.  Then, if God grants you this prayer, and you know from this psalm that He will,  then you can sing, "He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock."  You'll be safe and immoveable in Him!

So join the singers of this psalm, and then you can be truly confident in life.  You can sing, "And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord!"

That's real faith, and with it you can  pray, "Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice!  Have mercy upon me, and answer me!"  You can do that because God Himself has called you to do it.  You can sing, "When You said, 'Seek My face,' my heart said to You, 'Your face, Lord, I will seek.'"  You know that, even in the most extreme emergency, even if your own father and mother forsake you, even then - "the Lord will take care" of you!

So then you can go on to sing,  "Teach me Your way, O Lord, and lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies."  You can also  confesses that you would indeed have lost heart if you hadn't believed that you would indeed "see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living."

So - actually having such solid, joyful faith in the Lord - you can also turn to your fellow worshippers and sing to them, "Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!"

God is like this with you, even when you don't realize it. So, is your relationship with Him the foundation for everything you do?  Is He the One you're seeking today?  Do you love Him, so that your ultimate aim is to go and be with Him forever? Based on that relationship, do you pray as He's invited you to pray?  And do you share the joy of that relationship as often as possible with brothers and sisters in the congregation of those who love and worship Him?  That's the way it should be in the life of every Christian!
Al Moak

Here's a hymn that reflects these thoughts.  Just click to hear the music.

Great devotional, Al.  Thanks so much

Happy St. Patrick's to you all!  Lovely devotional Al. Well I am off to drown the shamrock...ahem...well to have more tae anyway! Hope Paddy turns the stone today....all enquires about that statement should be addressed to Pat. Take care. 

Thank you for the devotional Al.

Anyone hear from Larry??  I have been gone a couple of days.

Beautiful day today, Pat I wish you were up here with your camera.  The hoar frost was amazing.  on the tiny twigs, and sparkling shining glistening.  We had an amazing time looking at this wonder.

Got to run

love to all  JudyB

Well, this is a very important day for me.  I have an appointment with an orthopaedic physician this afternoon.  He has had opportunity to look at the xrays, and hoefully to study what may or may not be the true cause of my hip problems.  Please pray with me that he will seek to really know the problem, really help me overcome it.  I look to our Lord for His mercy.

Al, I do pray the doctor looks to God for the wisdom to properly diagnose and treat your hip problems.

Glad all our folks in the Atlanta area are safe!  Praise God!

I just skimmed the postings this morning, will come back to read more thoroughly.  My sister called and asked me to work for her today, so I'm off to the other kitchen!

Happy Shamrock Green Monday to you all---Colin, I want to hear your explanation of that! 

Good morning all!

Just popping in for a moment to say "Happy St Patrick's Day."

Take care, wear green, and be good!

No green on.  No drinking of the green.  Not going anywhere today.  So celebrating the green in my heart!! 

Marilyn ~ I clicked on your blog and clicked on some of the clickables.  I am thinking that a few years ago I might have been scammed but got out of it before he got that far.  It seemed that he never answered questions and was never available on the weekends and no explanation why.  Also said he would call and wouldn't and never at a decent hour if he did.  And he was suppose to be from Ohio!!  Not Jerry, either.  I remember 20/20 or Dateline was telling about Nigerian scammers but they didn't tell the 'signs' and language they used. 

Well, I am not getting my sweeping done sitting here at the computer.     Today was trash day and I am having Texas Chili tomorrow for Euchre.  So I went ahead and opened 8 containers and put the contents in the crock pot so I could get the containers in the trash today for pick up.  I got the card tables and chairs from Ivalou's but they are still in my car...too wet to walk in the lawn between her and I.  Just need to bring them in the house before it rains this evening.  Anyway, I will be ready....or not!

I got an eye exam appointment for Thursday morning.  I haven't had an eye exam for 4 years!!  I tell myself that my eyes haven't changed.  I can still see my fingerprints and read signs on the road before Ivalou can.  But my glasses are wearing out.  I have to put fingernail polish on the metal that is worn.  It breaks my face out without a coating of something on the metal. 

And I called Social Security to start drawing my own Social Security instead of my husbands...now drawing Survivor's Benefit.  They are to call me at 2pm Friday and we are to do everything on the phone to make the change from his SS to my SS. 

That's it.  Got to get that sweeper going....    

Hi everyone.  Yes, Judy we are all fine down this way.  We feel very fortunate that none of our county was affected by the storms although there were watches for our area. 

Al, sure hope you get some encouraging news or at least find what is causing you the problems.  Thanks for the devotional for today. 

Janet, your respite from your cooking job was short-lived.  Nice you and your sister can fill in for each other.

I had a fun but tiring day.  After coffee and walking at the gym, I called and was able to get an appointment to get my oil changed in one of the cars this morning.  I called my friend Rod and he went with me.  It took only about 20 minutes for the oil change and then we went to MicroCenter, then out "On the Border" for lunch and then to Fry's and Best Buy.  I was looking for a CD player that is portable for Pat to use to listen to books on CD as she walks.  It needs to be one that will resume playing where you left off.  I have one but have loaned it to our daughter.  We didn't find one and I was worn out so we came home.  I will check with her tonight and if she is still using it will see what I can find on the Internet.

Pat has finally found a new lady to do our housekeeping work every two weeks.  She has been trying to do it herself but it was just too difficult for her and left her feeling bad with the fibromyalgia.  Sure hope this lady works out well and can do it for a long time to come.  It isn't easy to find someone you can trust and who does a good job. 

Hello all y-all Just stopping by for a few moments to say Hello  and be on my way back to my redng of the new Diane Magazine I picked up at Curves this morning.

Nothing new here

 

Pat, you nut!!      That's a good one!  (By the way, what is calliopsis?  Never heard of that before.)

Larry, did your grandson get too busy to clean for you?  Sure hope the new person works out, and I agree, it is hard to find someone who is honest and dependable to clean house.

Well, I survived my first shift working alone.  It is a lot different when you have another person there who knows the ropes better; but I made it just fine.  Had to make biscuits tonight for supper, hadn't done that in many years.  But they turned out really good. 

I'm tired tonight.  I worked all morning in my own kitchen, cleaning out cabinets and getting rid of stuff; went to the senior center and walked on the treadmill, ate lunch, then went to work, and got home about 8:30.  So I guess that's reason enough to be tired.

Abby says yes, she wants to come spend some time with me during her break. 
That makes this Grandma happy.

Etta Sue, I wore a green heart on my shoulder today.  But our aprons are green, too, so.........  One of our local lawyers is a colorful sort of character (you'd have to meet him to fully understand).  Anyway, he came into Park View tonight wearing a huge green bow tie with red flashing lights, a troll with orange hair and green clothes pinned to his jacket, and green striped socks, which he showed off.  He's something else! 

I need to get to bed.  See you kids tomorrow!

I went to the Senior Center in Arcata today for dinner (lunch to some y-all) They sure know how to fill up a plate, I got 3 pieces of Corned beef, and the rest of the plate was full of a combo of cabbage, very small round white potatoes, and lots of sliced carrots and a piece of dark rye bread. I was so stuffed all afternoon.

When I got home I took the dogs out for their walks. It didn't rain today but more rain is expected the rest of the week. I should have mowed this afternoon  the yard sure needs mowing.

tomorrow after work I have an appointment to have my hair trimmed by about ¼"-½" and have my acrylic nails put back on, it has been about two years since I have had my acrylic nails taken off. Right now Ineed to do something good for myslef so I amspluging with the money I have been saving for just these things.

Etta Sue I wish I had known all that info from that website three months ago. I'm glad you didn't get scammed.

Hi, friends,

I got in from Atlanta about 8 or 8:15 last night, and was tired enough that I jumped straight into my nighties and slept the rest of the night away.

Larry, thank you for letting everyone know I was okay. I'm thankful I can get online at CP, but SeniorNet won't recognize my password when I'm down at the kids' home.

This promises to be a plenty busy week at work for me. Lots of deadlines. Janet, don't work too hard. Those biscuits kinda made me wish for one before I go to bed, but I won't do that tonight - too late.

Pat, what a funny post!

Here's the story I posted on SeniorNet about my experiences with Kassie's birthday:

Y'all would have felt sorry for my granddaughter - she was supposed to have her family birthday party with a hamburger/hot dog cookout Saturday night, but with the storms we decided to put it off until right after church on Sunday at lunchtime.

At any rate, we didn't know the forecast when I took her out Saturday afternoon. We had a shopping excursion, and ended up at a department store. She's thin as a rail and always so happy to receive any clothing gift she's given. So, I didn't realize we were going to do a "FIRST" outing of this kind.

Her eyes just sparkled as she browsed from rack to rack. I encouraged her to choose 3-4 dresses she liked and we could go to the dressing room to let her determine the ones she could put back and those she might like to have.

Yes, like a good grandma, I dutifully kept my eyes shut as she put the dresses on, and then we talked about the merits of each dress - and discussed the things she that might prompt her to reject some of her choices.

She ended up with a dead-heat over 2 of the dresses. So, I proposed a compromise. I've always bought the girls' Easter dresses (which comes up next Sunday), and so I suggested we narrow the choice down to the one she wanted to wear for Easter.

Then, we went to the nearest price scanner and checked both dresses, for almost all of the racks had great discount percentages posted on them.

Ah-hah! Both were within reach! So, she went out with 2 really cute dresses - one for her birthday gift and the other for her Easter costume.

I took one really happy young lady home. However, on the way home, it began to be dark and very cloudy, and it started a soft rain. She wailed, "Grandma! This is gonna be an AWful birthday!" And, I smiled, patted her arm, and reminded her that sometimes when things don't turn out like we wish, as it might not for the kids to play outside, then in later years she could say, "Now, THAT was a birthday to remember!"

About that time, the phone rang, and her worried mom was on the line begging us to scurry on home before the storms really hit.

So, it ended up turning out okay, and the kids had a grand time Sunday afternoon playing basketball outside while we grownups enjoyed a good old fashioned gabfest indoors! [Wouldn't it be fun to be young enough to want to run and play, and just barely old enough to enjoy her first big shopping excursion! She'll be 13 tomorrow.]

A good time was had by all. And, as the party began to disperse, Grandma headed back to Nashville to try to rest up for a busy day today.  

Good Morning everyone. Had a minute so thought i would drop in and say hello. It's a very busy time of the year for me so haven't been spending much time here, but i ran across this so thought i would post it. Hope it's ok to post it here.

Celebrate Whats Right With The World
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=28163893

Hope you enjoy it.
Have a blessed day everyone.

Pat, that was hilarious.

I've seen several of you mention eating at the sr. center.  Ours in Canton has the best food.  I eat there a lot on Wednesdays.    The lunch is brought in just after my community college class ends (I'm the teacher) and they often invite me to stay and eat.  Most days I accept. 

Don Good to "see" you .  Hope you have a great day.  May God Bless you.

Busy day here.

JudyB

Good Morning:    I have been busy doing this and that and only have a short time even now. I have to leave at 1:30 for work.  Mel has taken the van in for its feel good check and I do expect him to be home soon. I expect he is having the air in the tires changed to the other kind that is better can't remember the name.  Our March break is over and now it is back to work 4 days this week and 4 days next week I like that. 

Pat: Enjoy your time with Paul.

Marilyn: Glad that you caught up to this scan artist we need to be so careful even with those we might trust.  I have been blessed with esp and so often it has been correct. But do not get me wrong I have also made mistakes.

Jeannine: Glad that Michael is home.

Judy: How is the new job going.

Janet:  Try not working to hard.

I have some tidying to do in the kitchen so had best move along.

I am glad it isn't this cold today.  It is rainy but 49°. 

Don ~ Thank you for posting the video of Dewitt Jones.  I, too, grew up reading and looking at the wonderful pictures in the National Geographic.  And he is right, you didn't throw them away...if you wanted to get rid of them, you passed them on. 

Pat ~ Very smart to have your bridal registry at a drug store...   You never know when you might need some of those medicines and products.  I know Paul said he doesn't take any medicines and I don't think you do either but ya never know!  I know it is a joke...I'm not being serious with ya either...

Well, my house and food is all ready for 7 visitors to play Euchre.  I am tired.  I couldn't go to sleep last night so got back up and watched TV until 2am.  And I was up around 8:30am...my two furgirls wouldn't let me sleep any longer...  Like I say it is cloudy and rainy...at least maybe the ladies won't spot any cat hairs or dust bunnies flying around!!     The Apple Crisp is out of the oven and the Texas Chili is in the crock pot.  Smells good at my house!!

Good morning on this rainy day.  Rain is forecast most of the week, so guess we will be wet.   First day of Spring is coming soon!

I'm heading out the door for a doctor's appointment.  Just scheduled maintenance. lol

Have a blessed day, all.  Nita

Hi everyone.  I had a busy morning although didn't go walking as had an appointment at 9:30 and then had a meeting at 11 to attend.  I have taken it easy this afternoon and will this evening.  Tomorrow our new housekeeper is coming.  I think someone asked about our grandson not wanting to do the cleaning anymore and we feel that is the situation.  He missed the last time he was scheduled to be here and didn't bother to call.  He recently became a new father so expect his time is taken when he is not working.  We hope to see he and and his family in a few days and get our first experience with the new great grandchild.

Well, got to  the Orthopaedist ok, and he showed me the xrays, pointing out that there was really nothing terribly unusual about them, with the possibility that there may be arthritis on the hip itself.  He gave me a steroid shot (probably Cortizone), and told me he thought that would do the job.

It did feel a little better almost immediately, but he says full results should take anywhere from 2 to 3 days.  So I'm definitely encouraged.  Please pray God will mercifully continue the improvement.

Al, I will pray for you.  persistant pain can get you down.  I've got something going on in my knee that causes me pain when I sit down or get up.  I guess I'd just better keep walking. lol

I had my cholesterol check report today.  Cholesterol is a little high, but my bad cholesterol is REALLY low.  I think she said they like it to be under 130, and mine is 30.  That's great.  I didn't mention my knee to the doctor, but I think it's just arthritis.

Jeannine, I forgot to say that I'm so happy you have Michael home again. Kind of feels like the world has righted itself again, huh?  What a wonderful mother he has in you.   Blessings, Nita

Grrr!  Lost it, will try one more time. 

Ruth Ann, thanks for sharing your shopping trip with your granddaughter.  It made my heart smile.  What a lovely memory for both of you!

Toni and Abby came up, with baby Lexi, to scrapbook with me today.  We took them to the Senior center for lunch, and I had to laugh when I read what Marilyn said about the portions served at their center, because when we got home, Abby commented, "Boy, old people sure don't eat very much.  I'm still hungry!"    Actually, I thought we had a nice lunch:  salisbury steak, baked potato, green beans, fruit salad, fresh rolls.  Abby is still growing like crazy, almost as tall as me now.  Of course, my grandson Addison says, "That's not much of a feat." 

While I was at the care home this evening, my boss was working there in the kitchen, she came out to talk to me, and ended up asking me to work for the next three days.  I was already scheduled for Saturday, so that makes 5 days this week!  Not really part time, is it?  I may need to rethink this.......

Thanks for the thoughts, friends.  I do know how to speak up if I have to work too much; but so far, am enjoying it.  I have some concern about my hands/wrists, though, been having some pain there.

In case I don't get here tomorrow, have a good one! 

Well now I am a painted lady I got my hair trimmed and nails done today like I said I would. All beau tee fied now. Didn't walk the dogs and the sun came out at 6PM. Some weather we are having eh Jane and Nita. I should have mowed yesterday 'cause it supposed to rain the rest of the week. at least the wind isn't blowing.

Al I am glad to hear that  the xray didn't show anything. So nothing serious we hope. I guess you'll  have to start taking Aleve or something like that for the pain. I could say a few other things but you know me it would be sarcastic.  I wouldn't want you to  over the head.

I better go before I get myself in trouble here.

Hi, friends, I've enjoyed reading tonight. Since we've had such a terrible drought (both here and in Georgia), I'm mighty thankful Nashville's supposed to get plenty of rain tomorrow.

I went to Bible study tonight - I thoroughly enjoy those Tuesday nights when I'm able to go. We have potluck and it's hard for me to fix anything, since church is close to work and home is in the other direction!

After retirement I won't feel like such a freeloader, even though I make very good contributions to our offering basket each time I go.

Al, do feel better soon.

Y'all have a good rest of the day.

I woke up to lake front property.  I rained all night and the ground was already saturated.  I kept hearing a noise all night...the sump pump running...but so I didn't sleep very sound.

Euchre was a success.  Even gave out my Texas Chili recipe and was told it was the best Apple Crisp they had ever eaten.  And the microwave Caramel Corn was delish...only a dab left in a huge bowl. 

I am waiting for Kitty to call me.  We are going to an art supply store to get acrylic for three picture frames and then go to Hobby Lobby to return glass that I bought and get some matting boards.  Then to Kitty's for her to matte my pictures for a photo contest.  We have to take the framed photos next Tuesday!!

Hi everyone.  I wonder if CP has been down today since only Etta Sue has posted and it is already after 4 pm EDT.  It has been raining here all afternoon but no storms or warning that I have heard and have had the radio on all afternoon.  It looks like the rain is easing off.  I think the worst of the storms in Georgia were predicted for the Northern part of the state.

We had the new housekeeper here today.  She was here for about 7 hours but appears to have done a super job, which is the important thing.  Of course, this was her first time so know she probably worked a little slower than normal but we had been spoiled by the other lady we had who could clean our entire house in just a little over 4 hours.  Fortunately we had an agreed upon price regardless of how long she took and she had told us it would take her about as long as it did.

This was Bible study day with the pastor and we had a good period of study on two of the Parables.  After I got home Pat and I went out to lunch.  Tonight I have choir practice. 

Janet, I think the place where you are working know a really good worker when they get one.  Hope you continue to enjoy it but don't let them take advantage where you are working a lot more than you want to.  I remember when we would visit my folks or when we were staying with them and would go to the senior center for lunch.  If anything they had too large a lunch and I don't think anyone would complain about the portions.  They had very good lunches and a lot of variety.

Etta Sue, is the caramel microwave popcorn something you buy in a bag or do you do something to the popped corn after it is popped?

Al, glad you are finding relief.  Those shots can be very helpful.

Marilyn, it sounds like you got all dolled up. 

Ruth Ann, I am sure you are not a free-loader.  Have you started counting the days until your retirement?

Nita, it sounds like you cholesterol is pretty good.  Do you take anything for it?

As for counting the days, I probably should begin counting, Larry. I think I've determined it will either be 12/31 of this year or 1/31 of next.

I surely do need a housekeeper. I'll try to get that set up before I go out for retirement.

Now, I need to focus on trying to get the estimates for this huge repair project to my house..yikes!

Hello Everyone...

It looks as if CP has been down. 

Well, it's here now so let's all start posting, folks.