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Morning Devotional...



READ: John 16:12-15

He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. (John 16:14).

Sometimes when you listen to Bible teachers today, you get the idea that there is to be a kind of Jesus-oriented Bible teaching with which we begin the Christian life but that as we mature we are to move on to Spirit-oriented truth, to recognize that the sign of maturity is to be concerned no longer with Jesus but with the Spirit. Nothing could be further from the truth! The work of the Spirit is to glorify Jesus. The Spirit-filled life is the life in which Jesus is central. And the one who matures is the one who grows deeper in an understanding of Jesus.

How encompassing is this range of teaching? "All," Jesus tells us. "All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you" (John 16:15).

A young man asked me the other day, "Is it right for a Christian to study secular subjects that have nothing to do with the Bible?"

My answer was, "Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 3, 'All things are yours, and you are of Christ; and Christ is of God (12 Corinthians 3:21-23). And Paul, speaking of Jesus Christ, tells us in Colossians 2, 'In him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge' (Colossian 2:3). As you investigate any realm of science or knowledge, if you do so in reliance upon the indwelling life of Jesus and the teaching of the Spirit of God, He will open that branch of truth to you."

George Washington Carver was born a slave, but he managed to get an education as a scientist. He said that the hunger of his heart was to discover the secrets of the universe. "But," he said, "God said to me, 'George, that's too big for you. I've got something more your size. You take a peanut and work on that." And so he began to investigate what God has hidden in a peanut. He found over 330 different products that could be made from the peanut, revolutionizing the technology of his day. But he always remained a simple, Bible-believing servant of God who relied upon Him to open his mind to truth. That is what Jesus means. "All that belongs to the Father is mine, and it will be made available to you through the Spirit."

   Lord, thank You that You would share with me all that the Father has. Teach me to listen to what Your Spirit is saying to me through Your Word.

From the Writings of Ray Stedman

Good morning.  A wonderful day in Indiana.  Bright and sunny.  No Sunday School today.  A past minister that is now a missionary will be giving a talk then it will be an all church pitch-in dinner so he and his family can visit with everyone. 

Last evening I decided to check out my VHS VCR player to make sure it worked for Womens Fellowship Bible Study that I will have here in August.  Well, the last time I used it a tape got stuck in it and I haven't tried it again.  Same thing this time!  So I got another VCR from the closet and tried it.  It worked but sure needed cleaning and still is streaky!  But it was higher in size.  So I ended up lowering the shelf so the VCR and the DVD-R could both sit on the shelf...then I lowered the shelf beside of it so it would look right.  I sure didn't think that 8:30pm I would get myself in a project like that!     What was I thinking?  Now to see if I can get it to play tapes without being streaked. 

I am off to church in a bit.  I have some images to upload to the computer there.

Hi everyone.  I was busy yesterday and can't even remember whether I posted early yesterday morning or not but doesn't matter since that is in the past.  We were gone all morning and went out to lunch with a group at a Mexican place.  Came home and rested for awhile and then was gone all evening, not getting home until about 9:30.  It was a nice day.

Pat made me scrambled eggs, hash browns and toast for breakfast.  I very seldom eat anything for breakfast other than a banana or a food bar, although she often offers to fix me something.  Needless to say it was quite good.

I am ready for church.  This will be the last Sunday for about eleven months, with one or two exceptions such as Youth Sunday, that I will be able to sit in the pews as choir resumes Wednesday night and we will be back in the choir loft next Sunday.  I have enjoyed the time off but at the same time missed the practices and singing.

Etta Sue, it sounds like you will have a wonderful day at your church.  Hope you get your VCR working as you want.  That sure is a cute graphic.

Liz, your granddaughter was very fortunate not to be seriously hurt when she hit the tree.  Glad that the insurance is going to work out.  There is something wrong when we pay and pay for insurance and then are afraid to use it when needed.  I added a feature to mine that supposedly guarantees that if I have an accident that my rates won't increase.  However, have been down that path when our daughter was on our policy for many years.  The food banks here are begging for food as the demand is go high.  We have over 10% unemployment in our county.  We support the food bank thru our church.

Marilyn, sounds like you are quite a dessert maker.  The apple crisp and cake sound good.

Gord, I think I understand what you experiencing with your son as have been there with our son a couple of times but I always stayed out of any decision process and let him make his own decisions.  We were there to listen when he wanted to talk and often that is all another person wants.

Janet, do hope that Jyou are getting rested up.  If  you need help with your sign in and password to CP I can help you as you aware.  Just e-mail me.

It is going to be hot today with the chance of rain.  Let me not forget to be grateful for all of the blessing God has given me.

    Well I guess I will be first today.

Larry:  Thanks for your encouragement about Danny my son.  He was able to purchase a Jeep Grand Cherokee and we had it checked out to see if it was worth buying and the mechanic said it was so we hope it will not cost to much to get it certified.  How is your daughter doing and also your son?

We also had a excellent morning yesterday at church.  Then in the afternoon I went to do some volunteer work to do with a gospel concert and there is most of the time well over 200 plus people there so it is a lot of fun as it is southern gospel which I love and this takes place each week during the summer with different groups from the states and Canada.

Well must get to sleep have a wonderful week and may the Lord give you all many opportunities to witness for him.  God bless

Good morning everyone!  Another bright, sunny day in Indiana. 

Yesterday was so great!  Our pitch-in was wonderful.  Not too many people in our little basement but enough to be comfy and friendly.  And of course, the food was superb. 

Then I did something that I don't like to do on Sunday.  I mowed.  But Saturday Tony came and the underneath of the mower deck was caked with grass and dirt and hadn't been mowing good for a month or more.  Yesterday it mowed like a new mower!  Sons are great! 

Today Kitty and I are going to Nashville, Indiana.  A couple in our photo guild has their photos in Ferrer Gallery there.  And we want to check out the Cornerstone Inn where my women's retreat will be in March and where we hope to have the Lapel Class of 1960 reunion for our 50th Anniversary in May 2010.  Then we are coming back to Carmel.  There we are either going to go swimming or go to a seminar on InterStim therapy tonight.  Ooops!  Need to call and see if they have room for two people tonight.

Thought I better communicate while I still can.  I may be offline for 1 to 3 days sometime this week, as the computer is doing strange things.  I may have to take it in to repair.  I'll still be online until I  take it in, though,  and I don't know yet when that'll  be.  Au revoir.

Hi everyone.  It looks like we had a pretty quiet day here on CP yesterday.  After attending church and going out to eat with a group of 14 from our church we had a quiet and restful afternoon and evening.

I went to coffee and then to walk at the gym but we only walked a few rounds.  There was a basketball camp in the gym so we had to go upstairs and walk the hallways, which are carpeted and rather difficult to walk on.  The air is very heavy here today as the humidity is high and the weather really affects how much I can walk without bringing on the angina. 

Gord, our daughter is seeing the cardiologist today to follow up on the echo gram they did last week.  She seems to be a lot better in terms of her heart but has a number of other problems and suffers a lot with severe pain from her foot and her back.  Our son seems to be doing well.  I look forward to seeing him this weekend as will be in Augusta for a convention.

Etta Sue, sounds like you have a busy day ahead. 

Good Morning everyone.  am here reading every day several times so I do keep up with what is going on in all your lives.

Happy is recovering nicely and is pretty much his old self. he is staying away from Bebe who attacked him the other day for no reason. She has done this   several times over the years.

I am going to exercise class shortly will see Jane there.

Well, I'm back in Ontario.  Weeds are certainly high as a result of all the rain.  So, lots to do in the garden.

I forgot the power supply in Falls Church so have to get a new power supply here in Ontario as my laptop doesn't work very well without one. 

A sunny day here in southern Ontario the first in many days, I must admit the grass in growing and so are my garden plants  the beans and tomatoes plants are doing well.   

I was able to do a couple loads of laundry and hung them out to dry can you smell the freshness from where you live?

Also there has been no construction going on for the last 10 days I sure love it.  According to plan they are to start again on Wednesday with our hydro being shut off for 8 hours, so the machines can work without wires getting in their way.

Time to bring laundry in and prepare dinner.    Ruth

This has been quite a day.  John was admitted to hospital today.  I posted in prayer and praise. 

We have a undecided day weather wise, it may rain but at this point the sun is shining.

Bye for now
JudyB

Pat:  Thank you for today's devotions.  In one of the sermons I heard from our pastor, he mentioned Einstein believed in God because everything is planned in our earth and not random so there has to be a planner.  Nature doesn't plan. God has a plan.   

Hot weather for the next few days here in Vancouver Island - I am not feeling too good.  We can't get a cross breeze and no air conditioning. 

Yesterday, we missed the first ferry and had to wait - I had Don stop later at a famous Tim Hortons for coffee.  Yes, it is really good.  Finally found a grocery store after two people gave me wrong directions or I didn't understand their directions, which is more likely.  But - much too hot in here to even heat the kitchen so we ate out in lovely air conditioning then had to come back. 

We had a wonderful visit with my cousin who is a true believer.  Ate fresh fruit and salmon for dinner that night - he had caught the salmon. 

Al:  Sorry, we are returning east instead of going south and east.  Stopping in Montana.  Thank you for  asking. 

JudyB;  I will check out about John right now.   

Fun day yesterday.  The Cornerstone Inn in Nashville, IN, did put a block on the two dates that we might have for our 50th Class Reunion next year.  Kitty and I stopped at the Outlet Mall and she got Companion 2 Bose Speakers for 30% less than what I paid for mine.  Then we went swimming at Carmel.  So a fun day. 

This morning I was up early and went shopping at WalMart in Noblesville.  Too much money spent.  But I did get a VCR/DVD player.  I have all these VHS tapes and no VCR that plays good enough to play them.  Now to get it installed! 

Another beautiful day in Indiana....

Yes Carol, it sure is hot on our Vancouver Island.  I didn't realize you were coming here as well.  What part of the island are you visiting?  Enjoy your stay and try a Tim Horton Iced Cappuccino, they are really good ...and refreshing.  Almost make the heat seem worthwhile  .

I risked a long walk to the bus and went into town for some paint.  The garden bench needs work and it is one of my special spots to read books.  That book I was reading was interesting until half way, then turned from historical to weird...bah!  Have a new Michael Palmer now and they are always good.

Must go and water the pots outside, fill the birdbath, water fountain, etc.  Might spray Misty to help keep her cool....she is not a happy cat with all this heat and a fur coat.  Thank goodness for this lovely garden with lots of shade and beautiful roses.  Guess I should take a picture or two again. 

Pleasant Day/Evening and God Bless.

Liz

I am having a bite to eat and heading out to the hospital.  I would like to be there when the Doctor comes in. 

Be back tonight

Hi everyone.

I have been in contact with Janet and trying to help her gain access to CP.  For some reason her desktop can't connect and they don't have a wireless system set up yet so she can use her laptop.  Here are her exact words she sent me today:

"Maybe everyone will forget about me before I get to post again.  Will you tell them I am trying, and that Beth is doing very well, and is so happy to be "home" again.  All her nurses love her and are glad to have her back."

I keep suggesting possible solutions so hope something works soon.  Pat and I suggested she delete her cookies but that didn't work and I also suggested deleting the Temporary Internet Files as sometimes browsers reload saved pages rather than going to the site again.  This afternoon I suggested she try with Internet Explorer rather than Firefox, which she was using.  If that doesns't work we will try something else as certainly want her to be able to post here among her many friends.

Not much to write about as have had a pretty normal day.  Pat was gone most of the day as had left early to take a friend to the hospital for a surgery but as soon as she was headed to her room Pat came home.  It looks like it is going to rain later today.

Etta Sue, sure you will enjoy your new VCR/DVD player. 

Judy, hope you found John feeling much better this afternoon.

Liz, glad you had a safe trip to pick up the paint. 

Carol, you will be glad to get back to the dryer air in Denver. 

I am finally getting my internet fix, I was in serious withdrawal. I am so busy today, I spent 2½ hours waiting to pickup some free food, then I came home and  brought 2 wheelbarrow loads of wood to the back yard and stacked that, and made Keith his lunch.

After lunch I hauled 3 more loads around back while he split some. We got about 3-4 cords dumped in the front last evening by one of his clients. He made a deal with the client that he would drop the interest on the bill the client  owes. The client is way behind on paying his bill. When Keith went back to work I got on the computer I still need to take the dogs for their walks.

HELLLOOOO!!!  Yes, it really is me!  I got tired of waiting for Darrel to hook up the wireless router, so I started the process myself then he came in and helped me some, and here I am wireless--on my laptop!  I still cannot get the reply box on my desktop, but just so I can connect with all of you, I really don't care which computer I need to use!  Talk about withdrawal, I had it bad!

I have missed all of you.  I have continued to read the posts, even though I had to be quiet.  Thanks, Larry, for your attempts to help me, I sure don't know why nothing was working for me.

Beth is looking good, eating good, and says she feels 99% better now.  She is still very weak, but they are being good to exercise her limbs each day, and that should help.

I feel like I missed my whole summer, two family reunions, my painting class, the fair, my birthday (but Darrel came and surprised me that day and took me out to dinner, so that was great) our fair and the two I was to judge for, our wedding anniversary (maybe we will do something to celebrate that later), Ulysses' 100th birthday celebration activities, Fathers Day, and lots more.  But I gained my daughter back from the brink of death, so that makes it all worthwhile.

I hope everyone is doing well.  Judy, how is John?  Carol, enjoy your travels.  Will you and Liz be able to meet while you are on "her" island?  Etta Sue is her usual busy self, Marilyn is tending dogs as usual, Pat is traveling back and forth to the point we don't know where she is, Larry is doing his usual coffees, exercises and church activities.....so I think most are doing fine.  And that's a good thing!

I spent most of the day cleaning.  Darrel is a great cook, but not a great cleaner, so the kitchen was in need of deep cleaning.  I'm so thankful for his uncomplaining support all through this ordeal.

I want to keep on chattering, but I will spare you!    But it is so good to be back among friends!

Janet, it is so good to see you back with us, and to know that Beth is doing so much better.  I know you ALL are happy about that! 

I have been having difficulty with my computer, and being - staying - online.    Whenever I get back to California, my grandson has said he will fix me up with a much better OS.  He works in IT and works on computers all day ... he said he'd install new hardware and either Vista or XP.  I just have to take my computer with me next time I go --- whenever that'll be.   

Night all

Very tired tonight.

Yikes, Janet, Jane, Nita all having computer problems! My main little complaint is a bit of pain in the back, but probably because I'm trying to faithfully follow our leader, Larry, and his example of daily exercise.

Judy, God be with you and John. Rest well tonight.

Janet, how GREAT that you're able to be back online. I certainly understand about computer withdrawal. These last few weeks with the hurry-scurry related to my house, I've had precious little time to even sit down at the computer - primarily because it's here in my "home" (the apartment), while I've been working at the house. It's odd...my mind has begun calling it "Danny's house!"

Marilyn, I imagine those are some serious calories y'all are burning while working with that wood. I've heard that there's an up-tick in bartering goods and services during this recession.

Carol, I imagine that while it's been great to be with your friends, it will also really be good to be able to sleep in your own bed again.

Y'all have a wonderful evening. (If I didn't mention you, I've most likely had another "senior moment" so I beg forgiveness.)

Ruth Ann

Awake at 5:30 AM with an itching rash on my swollen ankles.  This condo is so hot that we are trying not to be here unless we have to get back.  The pilot light on the fireplace even heats the glass cover so hot.  No relief yet.
Sorry for complaining about it - we are so tired and trying to stay well.  I feel so sorry for the people here.

Liz:  You must be suffering.  We are in Nanaimo  - north of there.  Don wants to go to the west coast today if we feel a little better.  It is beautiful here.  Good idea on your iced coffee.  Say, you have the original Canadian Geese here - we only have the immigrant ones 

Janet:  Yahoo - you are back!  What a journey for you and Beth & Darrel as well.

Would you believe that back home in Colorado they are having much cooler weather as well has heavy rains daily?  We do get a normal monsoon  in late summer but this is record-setting.  Our daughter has been trying to tile what will  be an outdoor BBQ setup and it has been so difficult to finish.

I just saw a t.v. station mentioning that it is 76* F at 6 AM in Seattle and it is their warmest recording of that high temp. ever for that time of the morning.  Does not look good for any of us cooling down.

JudyB:  Praying for John and you. 

Also, we cannot get any Verizon connection , and not even our list of numbers on the cell phone.   

Another hot morning!  We are not used to this heat either, Carol.  Seattle is usually the same temp. as here....the kids get back from there today and will probably be exhausted.  Nanaimo can be pretty....but not in this heat.  Sorry that you are visiting during this temp. change.  Could it be global warming???

I decided that nothing would change my discomfort, so went ahead and painted the bench in the garden.  Not a breeze anywhere, so needed a shower when finished.  Misty is so hot, she keeps looking at me and giving this sad little meow.....I put ice in a bowl in front of the fan, not much help.  We never have long spells of heat, so air conditioning is not in many of the houses.  Will be in future.  Although I am allergic to air conditioning, so either way it means trouble.

JudyB, I hope John is better.  Have been praying.

Time to go and do something useful. 
Pleasant Day/Evening and God Bless.

Liz

Good morning, Everyone!  Above is my favorite animation again.  Keep looking at that green stuff.

Janet ~ Glad you found your way back to us and great news to hear Beth is doing so much better!!!

I didn't get my VCR/DVD player put in the entertainment center but I want to do that today.  Trash is tomorrow and I want to put two VCR's in the trash! 

Tonight Ivalou, Marge, Betty and I are going to the movies tonight and then eat out somewhere.  So I must get busy!!

Ruth Ann, I also had one of those moments, and failed to mention you and Liz, and many others.  Please forgive me.  We are having a cool and misty day today, pleasant change from the high 90 amd over 100* days.

Liz, I have been hearing that the earth is actually cooling a bit, not warming.  Seems crazy that one degree or so could make such differences.  But, for sure, the weather patterns have been crazy this year.

I am going to help Darrel with alarm work this afternoon, and right now need to go meet him at the Sr. Center for lunch.  He has gone yet again to the doctor. 

See you later, and thanks for the welcomes back!

Good Morning, My back is still in good shape, I have been  pretty careful of how I lift  and throw the wood down from one end to the other so I can put it in the wheelbarrow. The only thing that really bothered me was my toes. Last night when I took my shoes off  I realized the reason for that is my toenails are too long.

There is still a lot of wood in the front yard, Keith has been  splitting it down into  fireplace size pieces  and small enough for me to handle easily. He is using a splitting maul and oh boy is that thing heavy. He is getting huge biceps from swing that  maul.

He doesn't have a chain saw or power splitter. We will  be using the fireplace this winter to heat the front part of the house, living room, kitchen and family room; we usually close the pocket door from the foyer to the family room.  We don't use the heat in that -part of the house much at all in winter.

Hi everyone.  Janet, so glad to see your posting and know you can once again connect with us.  Now you can use your laptop from the comfort of your easy chair or where ever you want. Just be sure you keep it on a flat surface so that it can cool properly.  Once I put mine on a pillow for height in a motel and it shut down.  I thought there was something wrong with it but found out it was just overheating.  Such good news concerning how Beth is feeling.  Once the infection was gone then the healing could occur quickly.

Pat and I went to Bible Study this morning, then to Dunkin' Donut and then the group went to lunch at Baby Jane's, a nice buffet that is only $6 for seniors, including ice tea or coffee.  Now we don't have to have supper.  I start my choir practice again tonight, even though I won't be here on Sunday to sing.  We practice for upcoming services so important to practice.

Carol, is there some reason you have to stay where it is so hot?  I read that over 3,000 places have had record low temperatures this summer, including Chicago.  It was cool here this morning and I wore a sweater all morning and it was comfortable.  It has warmed up and is pretty humid this afternoon.

Ruth Ann, please don't follow me as a leader in exercise as I am afraid I would not set a very good example as am very limited in what I can do. 

Marilyn, hauling wood is a lot of work, as is splitting the pieces.  However, you will enjoy it when it gets cooler.

Just a quick drop-in...I see you all are doing well! That's great!  Hope your day goes well today...

It rained nicely here yesterday...God gave us a good drink...This morning it's nice and foggy and I'm on my way out to the park to hopefully catch some fog photos...Feel like a little kid anticipating ...Sees you all later-

This is the day the Lord hath made, I will rejoice and be glad in it!

Hi everyone.  See this has been a quiet place since I last posted with just Juanital posting since I did yesterday afternoon. 

We are having a muggy and probably rainy day today.  I don't have anywhere I have to go for the rest of the day.  I have several things I want to work on here in my office so will be busy.

Hope everyone has a nice day.

Yesterday we were in 106* F in the interior part of Vancouver Island.  We did make it to the west side and the ocean and it was a wonderful 86* F.  The rain forest area is very dry and I have not seen one slug.  Fire danger is extreme.

Larry:  Yes, trapped here because we traded this week and we have pre-paid for two nights at Whistler hotel or we would definitely be heading home.   

Janet:  And, back home in our Colorado mountains - the temp is to drop into the high 30"s F. and almost snow - am not talking mountain tops but near our cabin.  There are signs of earth cooling and extremes in temp.  We had the coolest spring and summer at home. 

Ruth Ann:  Yes, it was a lot of fun and very interesting to see what old friends have been doing for fifty years - yikes.  We are at the nice age that no one was bragging or showing off their earthly accomplishments  and just happy to be at the reunion.  Thankful is the real word. 

Liz:  I feel so sorry for you and all in this heat.  It is such a shock to your system.  Take care - we really did love our drive to the west and especially the giant trees.  Now, that area was cooler.  We found an iced coffee at a Tim Horton's - so nice.