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Morning Devotional...


READ: 1 John 5:1-5

For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith (1 John 5:4).

Consider what is involved in this phrase "the world." Think of the moral pressures that we face in the world today, the outlook and standards of the godless society that is surrounding us, constantly intruding upon our consciousness with tremendous pressure to make us conform to these attitudes and standards of life. Think of the temptation to cheat and lie; to get ahead at all costs; to be dishonest, not only in filling out our income tax but in every aspect of business. Another common pressure that comes upon us from the world is to be sexually immoral, which is especially evident among the young and the unmarried. We are encouraged to feed the fire and satisfy the urge, though it may be wrong and deadly. The pressures around us are tremendous these days, seemingly overpowering at times. There is the pressure to harbor wrong ideas, to react against others the way the world reacts, to strike back and give as good as you get, to be resentful and jealous, to be ambitious and cruel. Don't you feel all this? The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—all this is of the world.

How do you overcome the world? How can you go on, moment by moment, day after day, year after year, living a life that is absolutely contrary to that, based on totally different standards, totally different objectives, totally different evaluations? And to endure not only for ten years, but for decades, against that kind of moral pressure? How do you keep unmoved in the midst of this and not only remain unmoved yourself, but reach out and win others to your side? John says it is "by faith"; that is all. Not by the faith that you once exercised twenty years ago when you first became a Christian, but by faith in the life of Jesus present in you now. By faith in Him at work in you, in the midst of the pressure, countering it with the pressure of His own life.

I once heard of a captain of a ship who was describing what it was like to go through a storm. He described the ship in the midst of the waves mounting on every side, with the wind blowing hard and the pitiless rain coming down. The ship seemed a helpless victim of the storm, caught up in the power of these mighty elements that were raging on every side. Its doom seemed sure. But he said, "I stood there on the bridge of the ship and I grasped the railing. I felt the throbbing of the engines deep down inside the hull. The storm, the wind, and the waves seemed to be saying to the ship, 'You cannot come, you cannot come.' But I heard the answering throb of the engines saying, 'Yes, we shall; yes, we shall; yes, we shall.' And so we do." That is the way we overcome the world.

If we give in, if we reflect the same attitudes and actions as the world, we have succumbed to the world and to the wiles of the devil. We have lost our testimony and all power to witness. But if our dependence is on the life of the Son of God, His life is in us, and then, "This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith."


Father, I sense the call to battle against the subtle and devious forces of a worldly age. Grant that I might have renewed faith in Your power and move out to meet the world in a venture of faith that makes every day a thrilling adventure.

From the writing of Ray Stedman

As I was reading my email this week, and remembering that Janet was dealing with such a very ill daughter and wouldn't be able to do the Thoughts for the Week this week, I had the above devotional come into my inbox and thought that I'd share it with all of you as it blessed my heart. 

Let's remember to keep Janet and Beth in our prayers as they go through this traumatic time together.

Also, Rachel, our cousin's daughter is very low now.  She could last from two days to longer.  There is no way to predict.  But she's being moved from the Sick Kids Hospital in London to a palliative care facility across the road as they just want to keep her comfortable now.

She needs someone there at all times now to just sit and hold her hand so I'm going to volunteer to go down to London one night and see if I can help.

Please continue to pray for the family.

Pat:  It seems especially sad and hurtful when the patient is so young and this is the case of Beth and Rachel.  I pray for strength for all in the family and friends. 

A few years ago, we drove from D.C. home via Chicago and the trip really did go fast.  We stayed overnight near Chicago. 

We are not building a cabin but having water and electricity put into the place we bought along with one son.  It will be great because we will finally be able to get in there and do some decent work - such as painting and adding light fixtures.  The road is all mud and continues to be such a problem and that will be worked on fairly soon - when we see all the mud it just reminds us of how tough the mountain pioneers lived.  They had months of virtually no travel possible and no supplies until it would dry out enough for a wagon to get through.  They didn't nag about running water and electricity and no heat. 

Good morning everyone.  This is a cold day.  We woke up in the night with the dogs going wild.  I thought maybe another moose was in the field, rolled over and went back to sleep.  When I got up this morning there was a strange car in the driveway and it too a bit for me to connect the pieces.  We have a trailer parked on our property.  The owner of the property say that their son would be up at some point to stay for holidays.  That is who was here upsetting the dogs.  I am wondering how cold he is....it is so cold out at night.

John is off to work again.  It was so nice having him home.  We got a lot accomplished despite the effects of the flu going through the house.  

This is the last week for cadets, at least formally.  On Saturday they have the annual inspection and the CO's dinner.  The dinner is a formal affair and the cadets look good all dressed up in their uniforms. Both Kassie and Elizabeth will be promoted to the rank of Sargent.  From here on in the ranks have to be worked for and are not automatically granted.  

I have the lawns to mow, but I think I will wait till tomorrow.  The forecast is for a warmer day.  We still have the plants in the garden covered, and I will uncover them in the morning.  This was the first time in our (North Bay) history that we had snow on the 31st of May.

Has anyone heard from Janet?  We are continuing to pray for them

Pat how are Norm and Judy?  Let Judy know we are praying

Also Let Cathy know we are praying for our cousin.

Hi everyone.  It is going to be up to 90 degrees here today and is already getting pretty warm.  I only need to be outside again to go to my Monday men's luncheon and then to get the mail and can stay in the rest of the day.  I already walked for today.

I am trying to set up some medical appointments for later this month.  Nothing urgent, just routine like checking my pacemaker/defibulator and I have a growth on my lip that needs to be removed.

I have also been thinking about Janet and Beth and the family.  Pat, I don't think I knew about your cousin's daughter.  It sounds like such a sad situation.  

Liz, there is no accounting for some people.  Hope you didn't let that bother you.


Pat, thanks for the good devotional for this week.   

Larry you can send some of that heat up here,  We are running our furnaces it is so cold.  Very unusual for this time of year. 

Those of you who don't know about Rachael check out the Prayer and Praise.  I will post there to put it at the top of the list.

Be praying for the folks in Sudbury there is a level 3 emergency at one of the mines called by the fire department.  We don't have any further information.  But the home owners have to turn off all furnaces, air conditioners and close all windows and doors.

Time sure does fly....5/12ths of 2009 is in the past! 

My A/C man is here and checking to see if the diagnosis of a new pc board and a transforming is what is needed to get my A/C working again. 

Seems we aren't being able to have lunch together for Kaye Don's birthday.  His 74th birthday was yesterday.  I couldn't today because of the A/C man.  Tomorrow is Beef and Boards and can't tomorrow.  So it looks like Wednesday...unless the A/C man will be coming back then!  Oh, well!  Ivalou and I had a nice long visit with him and Barb yesterday afternoon.  That is what counts.

Nice day today in Indiana.  Kind of cloudy but the temperature is comfortable. 

My prayers are for all who are sick and ailing and for their families and loved ones. 

Judy, what does a level 3 emergency mean?  And why do all the energy sources have to be turned off in the area?  It sounds frightening! Of course, we know the Lord is in charge, but imagine those unfortunate people who don't know Him!

Update on Judy and Norm McKenna...

I was just speaking to Judy in the Henderson Hospital and she's been speaking to Norm on the phone.

It seems now that the massive heart attack didn't happen in the home but only the bleed did.  Then when they transferred him to Hamilton General Hospital for the surgery on his brain, the heart attack happened on the operating table and they saw it happening on all the machinery, etc. and were able to use the paddles, etc. and Judy has been told that had he not been in the O.R., he would have died at that time.

Today, they have taken the drain out of his brain and he now has stitches in his head.  His speech is slurred a bit and the cardiologist is coming in to check on the extent of the heart attack.

So, keep the prayers going heavenward for this couple.

Larry, Here's the link to read about Rachael.

And you can also read her story on Caring Bridge here:

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/rachael

OK I just got the update on the Level 3 Emergency.  There was a sulfuric leak.  It has now been contained and the situation has been downgraded.  The Fire department is still on the scene, but they don't feel there is any more reason for public concern.

Pat Norm was in God's hands with his health.  Any idea what the prognosis is now?

Right now, with Norm, it's a waiting situation to keep monitoring him, Judy.

Pat, thanks for the link.  I now remember reading about Rachael when you posted that information.  I had just forgotten.  Thanks also for the info on Norm and Judy.  Sure wish we would hear something from Janet.

It is 11:00 PM and it has been a very quiet day here on CP. 

I found out tonight that Elizabeth didn't finish  the level to get her promotion.  Natural consequences have taken effect.  I like it when that happens.  She is sad but understands.

It is still quite cold up here.  This is so unusual. 

Well I am off to bed.

Love and prayers to all.

Fotobirder:  Wonderful picture!  Thank you and
 
Pat:  Thanks for highlighting the picture from Fotobirder!

JudyB:  Sorry that Elizabeth is feeling sad.  You said :Natural Consequences happened.  Sometimes that can be a great learning experience - I don't know the situation.  Our daughter & family saw two moose over the weekend as they were driving in the mountains.  Moose rarely come down this far but I have seen elk in the edges of the city and cougars are spotted more often.  They are fearless.  Do you have cougars?

I just wrote a note to Don's cousins in Michigan.  The government has taken over GM and insisting on closing plants and I hope that someone knows what they are doing - very stressed people who are suffering. \\

39* windchill here today. The temp is in the low 40's and we have to have a wind because it is impossible to just have a nice and gentle rain here. 

Hi everyone.  It is truly a beautiful day here.  After coffee we went to our local park to walk as there is an activity at the church gym.  The weather was just right for walking outside and the park has lots of nice new sidewalks and also places to sit down and rest.

Carol, the Federal Government has done few things well over history.  I am not optimistic.  Have you seen the piece that appeared in Pravda (Russian newspaper) describing their shock at how fast America is rushing away from capitalism.  I don't think we have seen anything yet.  Don't mean to be political but this is the way I feel.

Judy, I think we let our children learn life lessons when they find out that things have consequences.  Disappointment does not crush spirit but often gives us new resolve to meet the challenges.

Not much on my schedule today.  I will attend a meeting this morning and then stay in where it is cool.

Prayers are going heavenward for Norm, Judy, Janet and Jane.  Jane do be careful! 

Kaye Don has stock...75cents a share now..and gets his retirement from GM.  Ivalou gets her husbands retirement from GM.  All three of us have savings at GMAC.  Kaye Don and Ivalou have no medical or drug plans through GM since the first of the year.  Slowly GM is pulling away from them.  Scary. 

I have been calling my class members.  I am having a picnic/weiner roast in the woods the 13th.  Same ol' thing.  Those who never show up, are busy.  Those who are always around, will be here. 

The A/C man was here and I am to get a new A/C unit with a heat pump.  That will help with my bottle gas bill in the winter also.  I doubt if it will pay for itself in my life time though.  Wasn't planning on purchasing a new A/C unit but thank God, I have the money without getting into my savings.  They will be here Friday and Saturday installing it...told them I trust them to lock up while I am having surgery.

Ivalou has cut my hair this morning and I have showered.  Tonight is Beef and Boards and we are to see 'Annie'.  I love the musicals and the dancing! 

I may wish I had my A/C today.  It is 82° already but the weatherbug also says the high today is to be 82°!!  I am thinking it will be higher than that.  But it is still very comfortable in here with some ceiling fans going and one oscillating fan.

hello everyone,
just thought i'd let youknow i'm still around i know i haven't been online very much just got finished with school a couple of weeks ago then its been moving and what not... i hope all is well with all ya'll
Sarah

Good to see you Sarah.   Come back sooner to say hello.

I have been busy in the kitchen and still want to make some banana muffins home cooking for auntie, tomorrow we are doing a little shopping flowers for the garden a few groceries and yes we must have lunch together.

Judy:  The snow drops just arrived how I have no idea but they are beautiful.

Have a great afternoon.     
Ruth

I've been busy today, Shampooed my hair, it takes forever to dry even with a hair dryer, it is getting so long now, about 2.5 inches above my waist. I typed out the instructions for the feeding and bathing of the dogs (Happy has a prescription shampoo) and called to make their reservations for boarding when we leave for vacation  next week Saturday. They told me to bring the feeding and bathing instructions, collars/harnesses and leashes for walks, their beds and enough food for their stay.They will be all bathed and clean when we pick them up.

I am just back from walking both of them, one at a time , climbing these hills is getting to be a real chore, with my asthma. I have to make sure I use my inhaler before we go and also suck on a cough drop while we are walking, first uphill turn the corner then downhill, turn another and down some more then across the Baptist church parking lot and back up  again to reach our street. These are also long block not the regular city size blocks.

It is 59° now so it is comfortable to  walk in short sleeves. When I first moved north to McKinleyville in 2003 from Lucerne Valley I thought 59° was cold, It was 120° in the shade the day I left the desert, July 12, 2003.

Well back to working on my PSP lessons

Stopping in for a minute to say hello!

Nothing exciting has been happening (thank goodness) so not much to talk about.  Went carpet bowling yest. and won my game.  That was not especially exciting.....

Today I bought the Auslogics program that Etta Sue mentioned.  Have used the trial and really like it.  My almost 7 yr. old Sony has shown a real power spurt!  I bought the Sony VAIO new and it was a smart purchase.   

Have been thinking about Beth and little Rachael.  Guess since Janet has not posted, things are probably not great.  Will continue to pray for everyone.

It was nice seeing you in here Sarah.  Hope married life is great and all is wonderful in your world.

The news has become so sad.  It is like a whole new world has suddenly taken the place of everything that was familiar and safe. We are experiencing lots of layoffs in the lumber industry and many families are hurting.  Also many are breaking apart....

Here on the island, we are having a heat wave.  Temps. in the high 80's F. and not usual for June.  More like August.  I am not complaining, but find it more comfortable just sitting in shade in the garden.  Poor Judy is freezing and we are melting.

I waited until a bit ago for my walk (7 P.M.) and only just got back.  Still really hot out there!


Facebook is still a puzzle and I am not going to do any I.Q. tests, thanks very much.  Once had a very high I.Q., but my brain tends to hibernate now and not about to find out how much of it is missing.
Time to go.  Pleasant Day/Evening and God Bless.

Liz

Hi everyone.  It looks like I will be first to post with for today.  It is a few minutes before leaving for coffee.  We probably won't walk this morning since it is Bible study at the church at 9:30 and a couple of our group attend.  We are getting close to the end of the study of the Book of Romans.

Other than choir practice this evening, after the morning at Bible study and some visiting afterwards, I have no other plans.

Sarah, nice to see you posting and I expect you were glad to see the end of the school year.  Where did you move to?

Marilyn, that astma doesn't sound very pleasant at all.  That is something I have never had to deal with personally or within my immediate family.  It sounds like you are getting things well organized before your vacation.

Etta Sue, I bet you will notice a big change with a new A/C.  Is it only a heat pump for both the heating and A/C?  It is a different type of heating, particularly, and I had some problem getting used to it.  Hope you really like.  Hope you enjoyed Annie.  There is some good music in it.

Hi Ruth and Liz. 

Time to leave for coffee.

Us ladies that go to Beef and Boards like to get there early.  It was my turn to drive and it rained on us on I-465.  But it stopped when we got there and walked into the theater without rain.  While we were waiting in the lobby it started pouring down rain.  I couldn't even see my car in the parking lot.  The tree limbs were all dancing around.  The wind was really strong.  And before the curtain opened and we could go into the dinner theater, the sun came out!! 

'Annie' is a great show.  The little girl that played 'Annie' is a local little girl.  Beautiful little girl and a beautiful voice.  As usual, at Beef and Boards, I didn't hear or see a falter.  And Daddy Warbucks voice...gave me goose bumps, he is so good!  And Miss Hargety...so outlandishly funny with her facial expressions and actions.  Reminded us of Carol Burnett.  Great show.  I really enjoyed it.

Then one of the ladies works as a greeter at a funeral home and I took her to her car.  The parking lot was full of leaves that the wind had blown off the trees and on farther north, there were stop lights out and dark homes and streets.  But the closer to home the less water, no leaves on the ground and all the lights were on.  In my drive, it was wet but dry where a maple tree hangs over the drive.  All in a 20 mile drive. 

It is raining today though...gentle rain.

Now I have to purchase a new coffee maker.  I made my coffee this morning and while reading my devotions, I thought...I forgot my coffee.  So I got up and the coffee maker was on but no coffee made.  I thought...I probably forgot to put water in it so I added water and it overflowed!!  I unplugged it...turned it off...plugged it back in...turned it on...nothing.  So now a new coffee maker is in the makes! 

I think we are going out to eat today with Kaye Don and Barb...I haven't heard anything yet.  And I must clean house today.  Hopefully tomorrow I can mow the yard and Friday get the beginnings of the A/C unit and surgery!

Larry ~ All I know is the unit is A/C and a heat pump.  He thought it was all temperature control and if it goes below the temp set, the heat pump turns on.  If it goes above the temp set, the A/C turns on.  He also said that it will change from high BTU's to lower BTU's depending on how hot it is or cold it is.  I am probably not explaining it right...just sound more energy efficient to me and that I like!

Hi, friends, I'm back from Atlanta. My granddaughter's kindergarten commencement was really cute, and of course she looked beautiful in her pale mint green colored dress and white sandals. It surprised me to know she has read 50 books this year and is now reading on 3rd grade level! At this rate, wonder how young she'll be when she enters college!

I'm certainly tired. I'll be heading to bed right away, methinks.

More tomorrow. Prayers for both Beth and little Rachael.

Prayer Meeting was wonderful tonight.

And it was good to see that they were all praying for Judy and Norm McKenna and also for our Rachael (who is very low now.)

Paul left for Virginia but he wants to be back in time for my birthday as we have a wedding to also attend on June 13.

Busy, busy!

You easterners are a sleepy bunch!  I'm the first one in here, and it's already 6:46 here, meaning it's 9:46 there.  Now come on, don't keep me so lonely!

Now, Al!  Stop picking on us easterners!  I'm almost as "eastern" US as you can get and I'm here!

I'm going to assume that I woke you, Jeanne!  That's called a grauitous assumption.  Anyway, I'm glad you're here.  Good morning!

Hi everyone.  Postings are slow here the last couple of days.  It is misty and light rain here today.  We didn't walk this morning as the gym is being used by the church for a summer camp this week.  

Also, I needed to remake some sponsor certificates for the Golden Games as I had met the head of the games at McDonald's this morning to give him one he had asked me to make.  However he told me he had sent an e-mail I didn't get to add his name and title to 3 other certificates.  So he stopped by and I remade them so he could take them with him.

My schedule is clear for the rest of the day.  Last evening I ordered the little box for Netflix that will let us watch what they have available online for instant viewing on our big TV.  It picks up a wireless signal from streaming video and they have over 12,000 different older movies, TV series, etc. available.  This will be part of Pat's birthday gift but she is getting it early so she can go ahead and start enjoying it.  

Etta Sue, it sounds like your timing was perfect in terms of the rain.  I remember watching Carol Burnett in the movie and she was good.  Glad you all enjoyed the show.

Ruth Ann, your granddaughter must be very bright and also getting a lot of encouragement from her parents to read.  Glad you had a nice trip to Atlanta.

Pat, you and Paul are going to know the roads back and forth really well.  

Hi Al and Jeanne.

Al, your gratuitous assumption was eminently erroneous!     Now that I've depleted my vocabulary, I'll just say "Good morning everyone!" 

It's sunny and pretty, and promises to get almost up to our normal high temperature this afternoon.