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Morning Devotional...


[He] brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.
Acts 16:30-31

Here is a man who had come to a point where life was meaningless and not worth living. Yet, he finds himself in the presence of two men who, even though beaten and in prison, still have joy and fulfillment.

He asks them the most important question anyone can ask: "What must I do to be saved?"

How wonderful it is to know that there is an answer to this question.

Jesus Christ can forgive us our sins, give us a new life and a home in heaven for all eternity.


Have you trusted Christ as your Lord and Saviour?
                                                                       --Crawford Paul

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Good morning everyone. sorry I haven't posted much. I have been very busy with photos and family stuff.  You are all still very close to my heart and maybe when the cold weather aproaches again, I can spend more time with you all.  You are all in my prayers and thoughts.  Have a fun summer. Remember to wear sunscreen.  
Love you all,
Sonja

SONJA!! And you remember that we love you and when you're on your vacation, you wear sunscreen too!  OK?  Take lots of photos to share with us.

Give Zach a hug for me!

Jenny U.K. 9a.m

Thankyou Pat...Perfect words for me this morning.  I know I am saved in my heart but there are moments when memories of the past flood in and this morning I had one of those.

Everything depends upon our faith that Jesus died for us. That His blood covers us....Not just at that moment when we become Born Again, but always.......We do need a topping up of Holy Spirit regularly, a fresh anointing because the Water baptism
is a once only experience.......Wonderful wasn't it.......Wow!..Anyway I needed this site this morning....
May the Lord bless you all and "Top you all up"...and "bind us together"...Amen!

A fine devotional Pat. A question that we all must ask.

Sonya - It did my heart good to see your lovely face again. If you moved to the Western Isles would you post more as its always cold here! You are in my prayers sis.

Jenny - Glad your soul was refreshed this morning. Its such a long time since I heard the beautiful hymn you quoted - 'Bind us together Lord.' My Romanian friends sung that to me on one of the occasions when I was leaving them. It brought back some wonderful memories. Thanks sis.

'Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid. There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.'

John 19:40-42.

'In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.'

Two portions of Scripture from the same book in the Bible but could there be more of a contrast? Do these Scriptures talk of the same Person? Surely the One who gave life, sustained all living creatures and who created the heavens and the earth could not be the same Person as the One carried to the grave?

Did the Living One become the dead One? He did! Can you fathom this love?

Can you grasp the humiliation? Leaving glory and being born of a woman. Taking upon Himself a true body and a reasonable soul. Our God becoming a very real man! Can you imagine living for over 30 years in this world without sinning? Can you imagine the hurt and the heartache that He would have endured each day of His life surrounded by sinners?

Jesus Christ is our Lord and our God.

When you think of Jesus what do you imagine Him to be like? Is He some ghost like figure with magical powers? Does He still have a body that we would recognise? Is He simply an access to God the Father? Is there a difference between them? Is Jesus your God or not?

Often our minds concentrate on His sufferings on the cross and often only His physical sufferings. I cannot help but wonder what He suffered each day, when my own soul - a sinful one at that - is grieved daily by those around me. It seems these days I am hurt more by my brethren than my enemies.

In Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. Did that fullness still dwell in the corpse that they carried to the tomb? The hope of Israel was dead! He had been beaten, scourged, crowned with the curse of the earth and crucified in full view of all who passed by.

If He was truly God, why did He allow this to happen? If He had all power, why did He not come down from the cross and slay his murderers? Why did He not call upon legions of angels to help Him is He could not manage a way of escape for Himself?

Praise the Lord of Glory that He suffered all these things for a sinner like me!

Had He come down from the cross, had He saved Himself, had He not died then there would be no salvation for Iain! Iain would be heading for a lost eternity!

He offered Himself a living sacrifice for sin. He paid the penalty that the Justice of God demanded for my sin. He paid it in full. My account is wiped clean. My sins and iniquities He will remember no more.

I do not worship a dead Christ!

He was laid in the sepulchre, it is true. He was dead, it is true. Praise His name He rose from the dead! He is risen indeed. I worship a living God. He is alive for evermore. He is my refuge and my strength, my Rock, my Shepherd, my shield, my salvation and most of all my Best Friend.

I ask you my friend to consider these things. Did Jesus die for you? What is your answer to that question? Are your sins forgiven? Do you have peace in your soul?

Are you expecting to go to heaven or to hell when you draw your final breath? How long halt ye between two opinions? Choose you this day, whom you will serve. If Christ be God, then follow Him.

May light shine in the darkness of your heart today and may you comprehend it. I beg of you, be ye reconciled to God.

I set before you this day, life or death. Choose life! Do you ever ask yourself this question. Does Jesus really love me? Take a good look at the corpse that they carried from the cross to the sepulchre. It's lifeless! Why? For whom?

I pray with all my heart that your answer will be - FOR ME!

LOL

Your brother in Christ

Iain

Jenny 10.a.m. U.K.

Iain thankyou dear Brother!

JESUS CHRIST MY LORD AND MY GOD....MY SAVIOUR.... MY FRIEND.... MY ALL IN ALL....THE STARTER AND THE FINISHER.
THANKYOU! I LOVE YOU.

Father God, for all Your promises fulfilled in Jesus Christ, my Lord & Savior, I give You thanks.  For fellow believers who can teach and encourage..I give You thanks.  May each of us today take Your Word  and be a witness to alll who are in our lives.  Thank You, Thank You...in Jesus precious and Holy name..amen

AMEN and AMEN!
Wonderful sentiments this am. and HOW TRUE!

I have a poem I wrote at christmas time. I was going to wait to share it, but I think it fits well with Iain's and Pat's devotionals so here it is:


A Babe in the Manger

A babe in the manger, the symbol of love,
That God in His Mercy sent down from above.
A birth that was humbled by sheep, cows and hay.
Witnessed only by shepherds and angels that day.

A birth that was spoke of for miles around.
But the Babe in this manger wasn't wearing a crown,
Wasn't clothed in fine linens, wasn't bathed in sweet oil.
He was wrapped in a rag, which was covered with soil.

His young mother was speechless, his father was numb,
As they gazed at the face of this God given Son.
Did they know the events the future would bring,
That this child they were holding was the true King of Kings?

Did they consider that His purpose on earth
Would be healing the sick, giving dead souls new birth?
That His feet and His hands would be nailed to a cross,
Or that He'd be redemption for the suffering and lost?

As they gazed at their child with their hearts full of love
And sang praises to God in the heavens above,
Did they ever imagine that the world would be saved,
Through the death of the Son they were holding that day?

[size=10]SING TO THE LORD, ALL THE EARTH; PROCLAIM HIS SALVATION DAY AFTER DAY. 1 Chronicles 16:23[/size][/b]

Pat ~ I wish I had known about this site when I was seeking God.  But I didn't have a computer then either.  As I say....it isn't too late to accept Christ but it may be too late NOT to accept Christ.

SONJA!!!!! ~ Great to see you.  I have missed your posts.  I know you are having a busy summer with the kids and your outside activities.  We all seem to spread ourselves thin when it is nice to be outside.  Stop in when you can and give us a 'hello' like you just did.  BTW, still will call you when I get in your home town.

I was up early...too early but the phone woke me.  Not a pleasant awakening especially with Jerry in the hospital.  BUT God is good!  It was Jerry's son in Italy.  Nermin and Daniel are home now.  I talked to Nermin.  She sounded so great.  I love those 3 like they were my own.  They are planning on coming home for Christmas.  I told Nermin that she knows they can stay here.  She assured me that she wants to stay here.  I am her American Mom.  She is from Turkey.  That made me feel so good.  My heart is still smiling.  To think that I will be holding baby Daniel soon.  Christmas will be here before we know it!!!

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'Being different isn't the same as making a difference.'

Etta Sue
What an appropriate time to welcome a little one and hold them in your arms. I can sense your excitement through your email.
Jenny, Sonifo and Sonya-
So nice to hear from all of you.
Wishing everyone all God's best - today and everyday!

Hi from another beautifully sun-drenched day here in Georgia.

Iain, I am amazed at your ability to write such powerful devotionals on a daily basis.  God certainly is blessing you (and us through your words) as you share your thoughts.  Pat, what a vital question your devotional poses.  

Sonja, good to see your posting this morning.  Hope you will stop by occasionally just to say hi.  It is important that you spend your time with your family during the summer holidays.  We just don't want to lose track of you and sure enjoy your beautiful photography.

Etta Sue, those middle of the night or early morning phone calls can be very scary.  Sure glad yours was good news.  I am sure Jerry will be excited to know his son and family will be there at Christmas and he will get to see that new grandson.  It sounds like you have a wonderful relationship with his family.

Jo, I enjoyed your poem and it is good to read anytime of the year.  

Kathy and Jenny, good to see your posts this morning and will look forward to reading the other postings we will have today as it is good to hear from each of our CP brothers and sisters as often as they can post.  

Good Morning:The devotionals this morning brings to my mind my own personal wilderness experience that I went through before I met Jesus.

Abusive men, drugs, alcohol, so much sin in my life, oh the years I spent in that place called Egypt. Then wonder of all wonders, I discovered that I really was and am loved by a great and wonderful Father who gave His only son for me. I was lost but now I'm found I was blind but now I see.

Oh Father thank you for loving me,delivering me and setting me upon a firm foundation. I thank you Jesus for laying down your life for me. I love  you so much and I trust you and depend on you. Amen

Sonja!! How good to see your post this morning!  Come in when you can and just say hello---we really miss you!

Etta Sue, I have a question for you.  You keep saying "it isn't too late to accept Christ, but it may be too late NOT to accept Christ."  I'm sorry, but this just isn't  'computing' for me.  What do you mean?  I think I know, but still it confuses me.  Probably just a different way of saying it may soon be too late and we won't have another chance??  Anyway, please explain.  Thanks!

I have to go take Abby home, she has ceramics class today.  I will be back later.

It's such a lovely day here in Guelph!  The breeze is so nice.  I came home and made a pot of coffee and went out and sat on the swing with it and my Bible.  Then Geordie came and sat down beside me!

Great to see everyone popping in.

How's your summer going everyone?  Do you have any vacation planned?

I'm trying to get things together for my trip west with Judy and Norm McKenna to Calgary.  I'm getting my camera batteries all charged up and packing my battery charger and taking my laptop to download all of the photos I hope to take!

(Hope I don't bore you when I get home with my trip photos!)

I'll be back later.

(Thanks Heather for coming over late last night and helping me get online!  I thought Iain was going to have to do the NEM again!!)

Hey, hey, hey ... I'm HOME !    

I made the last portion of the flight home and arrived here at about 10:45 p.m. last night.  I was tired but very happy to come home to this quiet, peaceful, wonderful, cool li'l home by the sea!  Meeting and greeting all those relatives (there were over 100 at the reunion) and then traveling all over the place with my sisters ... well, that was neat, and I really enjoyed it but ... all good things must come to an end and I was READY!  

Today I will be doing laundry, writing letters (emails) to let everyone I got home safely, and I will have a picture or two to show y'all in the Photograph area.

I'll try to get back here later to check in on y'all and to hopefully give you an update on what's been happening in my corner of the world the past week or ten daze.  

Take care

WELCOME HOME
JANE!

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I just read this, and it brought tears to my eyes.  TIME is indeed the most valuable thing we have to give!

Thanks For Your Time
--Author Unknown

It had been some time since Jack had seen the old man.
College, girls, career and life itself got in the way. In
fact, Jack moved clear across the country in pursuit of his
dreams. There, in the rush of his busy life, Jack had little
time to think about the past and often no time to spend with
his wife and son. He was working on his future, and nothing
could stop him.

Over the phone one day, his mother told him, "Mr. Belser died
last night. The funeral is Wednesday." Memories flashed through
Jack's mind like an old newsreel, as he sat quietly remembering
his childhood days. "Jack, did you hear me?"

"Oh, sorry, Mom. Yes, I heard you. It's been so long since I
thought of him. I'm sorry, but I honestly thought he died years
ago," Jack said.

"Well, he didn't forget you. Every time I saw him he'd ask how
you were doing. He'd reminisce about the many days you spent
over 'his side of the fence' as he put it," Mom told him.

"I loved that old house he lived in," Jack said.

"You know, Jack," she said, "after your father died, Mr. Belser
stepped in to make sure you had a man's influence in your life."

"He's the one who taught me carpentry," Jack said. "I wouldn't
be in this business if it weren't for him. He spent a lot of
time teaching me things he thought were important... Mom, I'll
be there for the funeral."

As busy as he was, he kept his word. Jack caught the next flight
to his hometown. Mr. Belser's funeral was small and uneventful.
He had no children of his own, and most of his relatives had
passed away.

The night before he had to return home, Jack and his Mom stopped
by to see the old house next door one more time. Standing in the
doorway, Jack paused for a moment. It was like crossing over into
another dimension, a leap through space and time. The house was
exactly as he remembered. Every step held memories, every picture,
every piece of furniture... Jack stopped suddenly.

"What's wrong, Jack?" his Mom asked.

"The box is gone," he answered.

"What box? " Mom asked.

"There was a small, gold box that he kept locked on top of his
desk. I must have asked him a thousand times what was inside.
All he'd ever tell me was, 'the thing I value most,'" Jack said.

It was gone. Everything about the house was exactly how Jack
remembered it, except for the box. He figured someone from the
Belser family had taken it.

"Now I'll never know what was so valuable to him," Jack said.
"I'd better get some sleep. I have an early flight home, Mom."

It had been about two weeks since Mr. Belser died. Returning
home from work one day, Jack discovered a note in his mailbox:
"Signature required on a package. No one at home. Please stop
by the main post office within the next three days," the note
read.

Early the next day, Jack retrieved the package. The small box
was old and looked like it had been mailed a hundred years ago.
The handwriting was difficult to read, but the return address
caught his attention: "Mr. Harold Belser" it read. Jack took
the box out to his car and ripped open the package. Inside was
the gold box and an envelope.

Jack's hands shook as he read the note inside. "Upon my death,
please forward this box and its contents to Jack Bennett. It's
the thing I valued most in my life."

A small key was taped to the letter. As his heart raced and
tears filled his eyes, Jack carefully unlocked the box. Inside
he found a beautiful, gold pocket watch. Running his fingers
slowly over the finely etched casing, he unlatched the cover.
Inside he found these words engraved: "Jack, Thanks for your
time! Harold Belser."

"The thing he valued most...was...my time." Jack said out loud.
He held the watch for a few minutes, then called his office and
cleared his appointments for the next two days.

"Why?" Janet, his assistant, asked.

"I need some time to spend with my son," he said. "Oh, by the
way, Janet, thanks for your time!"

--Author Unknown

Oh, Janet!  

Janet ~ That's beautiful    

Make sure you check your Instant Messages on here to see if someone has sent you one.

They are up at the top right of every page.  It will say something like this (with your own name and not mine!):[/b]



[/b][/color][/size]



BUT don't click "Reply" to the email notification that you might receive since I'll get that!  And I don't want to read your private mail!  LOL

Make sure you reply to any IM by clicking on it right here on the forums and reply to it there.

This might be a good time too to empty your INBOX and OUTBOX.  

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Just this side of Heaven, is a place called Rainbow Bridge...

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food and water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing: they miss someone very special to them; who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. The bright eyes are intent; the eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to break away from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. YOU have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

THEN YOU CROSS RAINBOW BRIDGE TOGETHER...
 

Alan

Alan!  It's great to see that you found your way here to our little "Tea Shoppe" at the corner!

Pull up a chair and make yourself right at home.  I know that everyone will welcome you and make you feel at home here.

  :'(Ok Janet now you did it, You just had to make me cry didn't you .

Jane Welcome Home, Glad you enjoyed your trip.

Etta Sue be sure to say hello to Jerry for me and give him a big hug. we miss him.

Speaking of missing someone,  Sonja, I have really missed your beautiful face. How is Zach doing? Has he adjusted well to his new diet? Hope you are having a really great summer. Hurry up weather and cool off so Sonja will join us again.!!!

Larry 6 weeks already, it doesn't seem that long. How are you feeling? Lots of improvement I hope.

Mieka, Hey girl where is your picture? Are you still running on the beach every day?

Ruth Ann I am still praying for you. Do we have the new grand child yet?

Heather we've missed you too. How is the new job going?

Hello Iain, did you have your tests? What were the results? I really appreciate the time you take every day to write the devotionals. They tell us so much about your walk with our Lord.

Pat: you are so sweet to be taking your neighbor for his treatments, all the work you do here and your wonderful help whenever someone is in need.

Janet I value your friendship and please keep us informed on Beth's recovery.

To everyone I have left out, forgive me, I see this is getting very long and will post more later. Gotta eat a late breakfast. Too much time on the computer already this morning.

Love to you all

Marilyn

Okay ... I just backed up and read the posts from before I got here today ... I tried to read here while I was at my sisters (both of them) places, but there were a couple days that I was computerless ... such a sad state of affairs!

Pat, I always enjoy the devotionals you post here ... and add to that Iain's great commentaries each morning!  Then there's Papa John and Al and Shinenlite and others with great inspiritational thoughts.  Wow! How can it get any better than that?

Sonja ~ I love your work as a PROFESSIONAL!  And I know your time spent with the family is the most important thing you can do.  We don't always have family, y'know.  Enjoy them all while you can.  All too soon they are out and about.  That's as it should be, I guess, but the influence of a Godly mother never fades or grows old.  They'll love you always for your love and for teaching them in the ways they should go.  It's great to see you posting whenever you can ... take care of yourself, too, now y'hear?  

Jenny~Have a great day in the Lord today.  You can always know that you are His special child, and when those times of doubt come along, just climb up in Your Father's lap and let Him hold you close to His heart.  His wonderful Son died for us so that, as we accept Him, we can know that we know that we are redeemed ... once for all!  

Iain~Your words each morning are always so sincere and from the heart. Thank you for illuminating the contrast between those two scriptures.  What a wonderful Savior!

Kathy~I say a loud AMEN too!

Jo~I appreciate your poems and writings.  Keep on keeping on.  We only have to take one small step toward Him and He comes running to us!  

Ettz~I'm happy for you that you'll soon get to hold that little guy "for real" ... There's just something so special about holding a baby in your arms and seeing such innocence and potential all in one little bundle of love.  Sure sorry we missed getting together "in person" but there's always a next time "they" say!  

Hi Larry!  How are the treatments coming along?

Marilyn~Are you all settled in now?  How's the job situation?  How do you like the change in weather (and scenery) from where you were living?  Of course, I know you are enjoying your next door neighbors!  Take care.  Thanks for the welcome home!

Janet~I am not Etta Sue, but I'd say you have the right meaning to what she wrote.  Anyway, maybe I'm not Ettz, but we've decided we're closely enough "related" we could be sisters!  haha

Pat~ It was HOT everywhere I went after leaving home on the 17th.  It started with 100º in Kansas City when I got off the plane; then my sisters and I drove across Missouri, Illinois and part of Indiana, and it didn't get any cooler!  We did manage to experience a couple really dandy thunderstorms and torrential downpours, however.  After the reunion, in Muncie, IN, we went on into Tennessee and spent a couple days there.  It was HOT there, too!  Really nothing compares to the west coast as far as I'm concerned.  Today is sunny, breezy, and cool ... I love it!  

Well, I forgot my password at webpost.net   so I guess I'll put a couple pictures on my other website so I can post them for y'all...  

I'm off to do just that right now!  I'll be back!

P.S. Welcome, ALAN !~You got in here while I was busily writing my marathon post!    I have read about Rainbow Bridge before and I think that's a lovely sentiment.  The loss of a pet can be truly devastating.  Thank you.

Well tonight is the night for the rehearsal and tomorrow night the wedding of our granddaughter, Ruth.  We have a house full of family as everyone gathers in for the wedding.

Pat, thanks the devotional this morning.  I have always liked the story of the conversion of the Philippian jailor.  I believe it helps us to understand better what is involved in saving faith.

Acts 16:29-34  Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,  And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?  And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.  And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.  And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.  And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing[/b] in God with all his house.  (KJV)

It is good to see everyone today.

--- Papa John              <)))><<

 

Quote from: Jane Walker on July 25, 2003, 01:12:59 PM
Well, I forgot my password at webpost.net   so I guess I'll put a couple pictures on my other website so I can post them for y'all...  

Hey Jane...where is that "other website?"  I've been using webpost too, but I find it cumbersome to have to first send the pictures there and then do the rest.  I'm still looking for an easier way out!

Hi Pinkie...

QuoteI've been using webpost too, but I find it cumbersome to have to first send the pictures there and then do the rest.  I'm still looking for an easier way out! [/size]

Pinkie, that's what I do every time I post a photo.  I use FTP and upload the photo to my webspace and then use that URL for the photo once it's uploaded.  I don't know of any other way to do it.

 Hey Alan!
Glad to see that you've made it here!

Have you seen all of the prayers that have been going up for you?