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Morning Devotional...


Digging For Treasure

I rejoice in your word like one who finds a great treasure (Psalm 119:162, NLT).

Dear friends:

As a student as Princeton Theological Seminary more than 50 years ago, I sat enthralled day after day at the feet of one of my professors, Dr. Howard Tillman Kuist.

Dr. Kuist was one of the most outstanding Bible teachers I have ever known, and I have known many. He developed the Kuist Bible Study methods. He was also one of the most godly men I have ever known.

Dr. Kuist would begin his lectures with prayer. He would then begin, for example, to exegete the Gospel of Luke. Day after day he opened up to us the treasure house of God's Word, revealing meanings and nuances that most people miss in their study of the Bible.

The Bible is like that, you know. Much can be gleaned from a surface reading, but there are hidden treasures there for the serious seeker -- one who is willing to search out the deeper meanings in the original Hebrew and Greek texts, and from the historical and cultural contexts, which often shed light on the surface texts.

In writing to his son in A.D. 412, St. Augustine wrote: "Such is the depth of the Christian Scriptures that if even I were attempting to study them and nothing else from early boyhood to decrepit old age, with the utmost leisure, the most unwearied zeal, and talents greater than I have, I would still daily be making progress in discovering their treasures."

The brilliant Sir Isaac Newton, called "the Father of Modern Science," may have had the highest I.Q. of any person in history. Unknown to most, he was a Bible scholar and avid student, fluent in ancient languages, and he translated directly from the Hebrew. He was unusually drawn to the prophet Daniel, which he began studying at age 12 and continued until he died at age 85. In fact, The Columbia History of the World, a secular history book, remarks, "At the end of his days he spent more time studying and writing about the prophecies in the Book of Daniel than he did in charting the heavens."

I say all this to stimulate your own interest in digging deeper into this treasure chest of truth we call the Bible.

Thank God for dedicated teachers such as Dr. Kuist who help us in our journey. I found myself so inspired listening to him as he took us deeper and deeper into the spiritual realm, I felt as though I truly had a visit with our Lord Jesus Christ himself. Here was a man of God who had studied to show himself approved, a workman rightly dividing the Word of Truth.

Yours for fulfilling the Great Commission each year until our Lord returns,

Bill Bright

Hi Janet!

Thanks for starting a new "Thoughts".  I'll go now and read your devotional.

Let's fill up this topic with lots of posts this week, folks!

With the help of Mr. Webster, I want to give you the meaning of the word exegete (I sure didn't know what it means!)

Exegete: An expert in exegesis.   

Exegesis: to lead, to explain, to guide, to perceive quickly an explanation, critical analysis or interpretation of a word or literary passage, esp. the Bible.

Whew!

Thanks, Janet ... It is always so interesting (to me) to find a teacher who will expound/exegete the scriptures.  The pastor/teacher at the fellowship I have attended is such a teacher.  He takes the Word and, verse by verse, digs into its meaning and background .... He calls it "exponential teaching" ... lotsa big words but it sure brings out nuggets of truth one would not notice in the "ordinary" reading/study of the Bible.

BTW~  I like your new avatar!   

sorry guys my house is a mobile home i see it as a house i have lived in it for 16 years now longest i've lived anywhere even if we do keep moving it. its still home.... for now.... anyways sorry for the confusion.... the first time we drop it was when the ball of the tractor broke the house dropped 1-2 feet the second time we had jacked it up to move the tractor out and the boards buckled under it as soon as the tractor was clear of the hitch... it fell about 3 -4 feet... during those two times everyone said at least its on this lot and not on highway 171 so guess what we got it moved 4 and 1/2 blocks and it fell in the middle of 171 :S so much for that... just as we were pulling out on 171 the highway patrol and DOT showed up by concidence :S we didn't have permits got out of the fines due to who we are i guess.. the hitch had broke this time and we had to call a tow truck for our house  then we got it moved the other 4 blocks to our new lot and it fell half way on the lot :S luckily in this process no one got hurt and everyone kept a watchful eye out for eachother... the lord was really smiling down on us but our house still didn't want to move when we wanted it too.... i just got off the phone with my brother he is in hawaii until tomorrow morning which completed his 14 day trip from hugoton kansas to fiji to new zealand to austraila to hawaii back home... he said he had a blast and his suit case is nearly doubled luckily he packs light to begin with!
good night all i'm off to bed so i can work at the store tomorrow morning then at the house til our meeting tomorrow night :S
Sarah

Good Morning, Well here I am back to my normal routine of getting up at 4:30 am to do my devotions and get myself ready to go to Curves for my daily workout at 5:45. I kept in touch with Willa while I was gone and as soon as I got home yesterday. She tells me that our friend and  Christian Sister, Vera has stage 4 cancer of the stomach. Please pray for Vera.

I had a wonderful time on my vacation at the Sunriver Resort  near Bend Oregon. I bicycled everday, one day it was 5 miles and I could sure feel it at the end of the ride.I went to one of the pools to swim early inthemorning and then sat in the hot tub for awhile.  The High Desert Museum was another highlight of the trip.

Sitting on the  porch and watching the wildlife as it came across the golf course was delightful. There were robins, squirrels and deer that visited. I got a couple of pics of a doe that came every day and evening . I could talk to her and she would turn her head as if to pose for the pic. All in all I had a great time on this first vacation in 28 years.

On my arrival in Oregon I noticed a nail/screw in my tire  so before I left Oregon yesterday I went to Walmart and bought two new tires for my car. The trip home was uneventful, fog most of the way and some smoke from the fires after I got into California. The dogs were sure glad to have me home. I brought them treats and each got a new stuffy toy. The grass needs mowing badly so I will do that today after work. It is good to be home again and back to the routine of daily life, however I sure enjoyed the vacation.

Hi everyone.

Before I forget and Marilyn you reminded me of this with your new tire purchase, please view the following video of a piece on ABC News about tires.  It is very informative and something we should all know about.

http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=4826897 

Marilyn, glad to see you had a safe trip home and an enjoyable week.  Now back to the normal routine. So sorry to read of your friend's cancer.  It seems there is so much cancer.

Janet, thanks for the Bill Bright devotional piece.  I think one of the reasons I am enjoying our Bible study with our minister is he can take one or two verses and make an hour study from it as we search for its meanings.  Enjoy your day with Abby.

Sarah, thanks for the explanation of your house dropping.  I didn't think about it being a mobile home.  I really could relate because years ago when we lived in Illinois we had a mobile home and when I transferred to Kentucky I had it moved by a professional mobile home mover.  The only park I could find for a lot was an really old one.  When the driver turned into the park the wheels under one side of the mobile home went into a ditch and the home tilted severely and was stuck.  I had to go and buy heavy duty plywood to put under the wheels and we had a terrible time getting it out of the ditch.  Fortunately there didn't appear to be any damage when we were finally able to get into it.  It sounds like your move was one you will never forget.

Carol, my daughter and I used the Skype yesterday and it worked very well until I tried to do somethings on her computer using LogMeIn and it took too much bandwidth.  She has the lowest high-speed DSL service.  I know you will enjoy being closer to your family.  We enjoyed having our son reasonably close for a long time and he was a big help to us.  Now that is gone.

Etta Sue, I noticed I have had the same problem with checkbook keeping in the last year or so.  I try to be so careful but find I don't get things posted in the checkbook or make a mistake.  Currently my wife is taking care of the checkbook and paying the bills.  I think it is important that she know about this and I don't mind giving up the duty.  This reminds me that it is time to start thinking about paying the bills for July since this is the last day of June and payday is tomorrow.

We had a not too pleasant experience when we went out with our group after church yesterday for lunch.  We got seated right away and the orders were timely and then we sat and waited and waited and waited.  Finally Pat caught the eye of the manager and ask him what was going on.  Then our main food came out before the salads and bread and it was brought by another waiter.  Obviously our waiter wasn't having a good day.  It probably took us two hours to have lunch and when you have a bunch of senior citizens anxious to get home for that Sunday afternoon nap that is not a good situation.  Fortunately the food was very good.  (Pat and Paul we were at the Snellville Diner.)

Speaking of eating out, I am leaving in a a few minutes to have lunch at IHOP with a friend.  I don't mind being gone today as this is the day for the housekeeper.

Hope everyone has a very pleasant day.

Half of 2008 is just about over!!! 

I have to hurry and post this while it is still morning in Indiana!! 

Larry ~ Good information about tires.  I didn't realize that tires could dry rot so quickly.  Very good information but I doubt that I climb under my car to see how old my tires really are. 

Marilyn ~ Glad to see you back in the old routine and happy that your trip was so enjoyable.  I know your furkids are glad you are home. 

A sunny/cloudy day in Indiana and cold.  Earlier it was only 58°!  Now it is 66° and only suppose to get to 72°.  I have some clothes drying on the line outside and they should dry pretty quick since the wind is blowing. 

Have a great day everyone!!

Noisy lawnmowers out there.  I had to run outside and show them the duck eggs so they won't go near that spot.  

Samantha:  Your house has been dropped - that must be a heart-stopping feeling to watch that happen.  It sounds like you have a great attitude on moving.  

Jane:  Just saying hello - enjoying your summertime?

Larry:  I'll check out the tire info.  We saw a young man on his motorcycle with very bald tires - so dangerous.  This last trip, we saw more tire and motor problems by the side of the road than we have in years.  It has to be lack of money.  

Pat:  Larry even knows where you and Paul eat.....isn't that funny?  

Marilyn:  Lovely spot you vacationed.  So Sorry about your friend with wicked cancer.  

Janet:  Thanks for the devotions - I like the "hidden treasure part".

Don is at the VA doctor's for reg. appointment.  I have been trying to line up painters for August.   We are still waiting on negotiations on this house and it shouldn't take this long.  

Just a quick note.  Having a rough time here this week.

Pat is there a warranty on your lap top???

My goodness, Sarah, the movers sure had a bad time trying to move your house only a few blocks!!  Sounds like you are as busy as ever.  This will be your senior year of college, right?

Larry, I tried and tried to watch the video on tires, but kept getting the one about Amy Winehouse (disgusting) instead.  Cyber gremlins, I guess.  I really appreciate that Darrel keeps close watch on the tires on our vehicles.  He says he doesn't believe in driving around on "rags."

Carol, I think it takes duck eggs 28 days to hatch, if memory serves correctly.  It will be fun to see the little ducklings when they come waddling out!

My friend Pat cut about 5 inches off Abby's hair for her a while ago.  The ends were split, and her hair came all the way to her waist.  I think it will be easier for her to care for a little shorter.  Abby did call her Mom and ask if it was all right first! 

A little later I will drive Abby to meet her Mom or her Dad, as I have to work tomorrow.  I'm counting down the days!  We went swimming this morning, and the water felt just heavenly!!  I didn't realize how very much I have missed swimming.  And it's good exercise, too.

I need to go make something to go with a steak, my honey says! 

Judy, hope the rough patch is over quickly.  I do understand.

Quote from: Pat on June 30, 2008, 12:05:39 AM
Hi Janet!

Thanks for starting a new "Thoughts".  I'll go now and read your devotional.

Let's fill up this topic with lots of posts this week, folks!

You got it, Pat!



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OK, I've had enough.         




                            LOL   

 Scotty, I'm not quite sure that's what Pat had in mind!  You're a pill!  (And we love you.)

Quote from: Janet on June 29, 2008, 11:25:20 PM

In writing to his son in A.D. 412, St. Augustine wrote: "Such is the depth of the Christian Scriptures that if even I were attempting to study them and nothing else from early boyhood to decrepit old age, with the utmost leisure, the most unwearied zeal, and talents greater than I have, I would still daily be making progress in discovering their treasures."

I am sure that many...nay, all of us...have read a scripture for the 4th, 5th or even 20th time, when the Holy Spirit will reveal to us something that we have never seen before.

I have done so and I used to say to myself, "Why didn't I see that before?"  Now I am pleased that God has chosen to reveal a little bit more of Himself to me and that I was able to see/read it.

I have a friend that I asked "Why don't you read the bible?"  He said, "I read it once, that's enough."  Then I asked him if he'd asked the Holy Spirit to reveal any meaning he might have missed?"  Couple of days later I saw him and he thanked me.  He said he opened the bible and asked God to reveal something to him."  He did.

On the same token, I have another friend that reads only the bible for revelation.  I told him, I need other's insight into things I do not understand.  That's why I read books other than the bible to further my knowledge.

On another matter:  Tomorrow being our 48th anniversary, I shall now go in and change my profile information to reflect that.

Quote from: Janet on June 30, 2008, 08:52:46 PM
Scotty, I'm not quite sure that's what Pat had in mind!  You're a pill!  (And we love you.)

      That's exactly what my mom says!

Much love to everyone!

Will be nose in to the computer all week, but very thankful to have the opportunity for this consulting contract.

Y'all have a good evening.

Hi everyone.  It looks like another beautiful day here.  We had a chance for rain yesterday but non was forthcoming.

I don't have much on the schedule today so will spend some time getting ready for a couple of obligations I have coming up tomorrow night and Friday night.  I do have a meeting to attend this morning and Pat wants me to stop by Kroger's after coffee to pick up a few items.

Ruth Ann, how long will your consulting job last?  Is this to be a long-term arrangement?

Ed, you are so right in your comments.  Each time I read in the Bible I allow myself to be open to a new idea from God.  Happy 48th anniversary by the way.  You have a couple of years on my wife and I as next Monday we will celebrate our 46th anniversary.

Scotty, I see you are a good counter and you gave me a chuckle.  It reminds me of the old saying about "being careful what you ask for". 

Janet, so sorry you weren't able to see the piece about the tires.  It basically talked about the fact that tire can become dangerous around 6 years after they are manufactured and that there is a code, usually placed on the side of the tire that is hidden from view that shows the week and year a tire was manufactured.  It also talked about the fact that you may buy "new" tires that were manufactured a number of years ago and could be immediately dangerous regardless of the tread wear.  Here is a different link that has the written story as well as a link to the video:  http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=4822250  Glad you were able to get to the pool.  I well remember how much you always indicated you enjoyed your swimming.

Judy, hope the week improves for you.

Carol, yes, I think we will be seeing more car breakdowns along the side of the road.  People are probably going to keep their cars longer.  Hope you hear from the painters soon.

Etta Sue, sounds like you had a marvelous day yesterday.  I can well remember how wonderful clothes and particularly the bed linen smelled after coming off the clothes line.  Around our area we just never see clothes lines anymore.

Time to get the day started.

     Well Scotty, it's nice to see that you've mastered counting to 7!!!!!! After looking at all those 7 posts, the thing that really caught my eye was the beautiful script you use for your name. At first my thought was to send a post to you and ask you what the beautiful font was. On second thought I decided to copy it and paste it into MS Word, so I did. It copied exactly and after highlighting it, it came up to my amazement as Edwardian Script ITC and I already have it installed on my computer.
     I decided to tell you anyway so Pat will be happy!!

Good Morning, I have been to Curves, done my devotions, had my breakfast and am ready for work. I was pretty busy around here yesterday after I got home from work. I  walked both dogs, went across the street to talk to Bill, mowed front and back yards, watered the front, did some laundry, and cleaned the kitchen. I still have more watering to do today and vacuuming the living and bedrooms after I get back from having my nails done and walking the dogs.

I have been tryng to get caught up on all the posts.  Carol have you sold your house?

I see Pat is back in Virginia, but jane already told me that on the phone.

Those of you who know Bobbie Gould from SN,  yesterday  her dog January crossed over to the Rainbow Bridge. Please keep her in your prayers.

Happy Anniversary Ed and Mrs. Ed.

Karma and Nards here are you?

Good devotional Janet.

HI Etta Sue, Scotty, Pat, Paul, Larry, Samantha, Michael, Nita, Jane, Larryboy,  and all others that can't remember right now, I hope you all have a very blerssed day.

I'm here!  We just got back from Huntsville AL.  The day we were at the airshow (Saturday) it was really really hot and breezy.  Had we not had the breeze, the heat would have been literally unbearable.

The next day, Sunday, the wind caused a lot of destruction and even the death of a little boy.  

But, we're home now and just trying ot get back in the swing of things.

We have to walk earlier in the mornings as the temperatures are rising - tis Summertime.  

Larry:  I did contact the painters and have them set aside some days after we close.  It is all so difficult when one is waiting to actually close, get the keys 5 days later and then try to get the house ready before moving in.  This time, we actually have a couple of weeks to ready the place and every day will be great to have.  We need to get a few groceries today and mail a package - am trying not to drive because the move and all is so much driving back and forth.  

Judy:  Sending a hug and prayer for peace to you.

Janet:  We arrived home on the 15th of June and I only saw 3 eggs, there are ten.  I am so glad that you are quitting that job - you have too much in other work anyway.  Sometime, send info on that trip you and Darrel are taking to the far east.  Can always dream.

We are still negotiating some things for the new place.  The roof is a concern that we must have a professional look it over.  This is just too stressful at times.

Karmat:  Such a sad story about the storm - I am so glad that you and your family is safe.

Hello everyone! 

I know I've been absent from the forum, lately, but we've had VBS at our church.  For those of you who were praying, thank-you thank-you thank-you!  We really needed it.  Satan did NOT want this event to occur!  Though the numbers of children were down, so were our workers so God gave us what we could handle and we were able to spend more time one on one with children.  In all, we have about 20 new brothers & sisters in Christ.  Several were going into 6th and 7th grades and at least one parent came to Christ!  Our big community event also went well, but we could tell satan was there trying to crash the party, but God was victorious, as always!!!!  Praise HIM!!!!!!  Please pray for the follow up as our church body and teams that are here from out of town continue to do follow up on each family that attended our event.

God also blessed our church by providing a 15 passenger van that someone has donated to the church!  We don't even have a building, yet, so this is awesome!  We have some older people that need rides as well as some children that don't come because of needing rides.  God has seen fit to have them in attendance and we are so grateful!

Another thing God is doing in my life personally & professionally, is I am under a deadline this week for my first magazine cover!  I was just wanting to do an article for the inside of the magazine, but then they checked out my website and asked how much I charge for a cover shot and I almost fainted!  I am getting to place a half-page B&W add as compensation for this first cover and we will negotiate for future covers.  They also already have a winter picture in mind for the next quarterly issue.  They said they were so happy to find me because they are a Christian magazine and when they buy stock photos they are often advertizing photographers that also take inappropriate photos and they don't like to endorse them.  God is good!

Well, I'm off.  My ad is due today.  Hopefully, soon, I can catch up on what's happening with all of you, my friends.  In the meantime, take care and know I do think of and pray for you.

Blessings, Kathleen

                        Happy Birthday, Larryboy!