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Scripture: Romans 12:5
"So it is with Christ's body. We are all parts of his one body, and each of us has different work to do. And since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others." NLT

The story is told that during World War II Allied bombers wreaked havoc over Europe to help bring an end to the war. In a small village near an industrial plant, one of the bombs fell off-course and destroyed the village cathedral.

After the war, the people of the village gathered any items of value and gave them to the pastor to sell, in order to buy materials. A contractor was hired to rebuild the cathedral.

The contractor was given a strict time frame in which to complete the building. He had no trouble finding brick masons, stonecutters and carpenters. But He needed three stained glass artisans and could only find two in postwar Europe. One day a disheveled-looking man came to the contractor and said he was a stained glass artisan and had heard the contractor needed help. The contractor scoffed at the man with tattered clothes, unkempt hair and a rough face covered with stubble of a beard.

"You? You are a stained glass artisan?" "Yes," replied the man with a smile. "Not only that, I will work for three meals a day and a place to sleep at night. When my window is finished and if you and the townspeople approve of it, then pay me the same rate of pay that you are paying the other two artisans." The contractor felt like he could not lose and agreed to the man's requests.

As the man was leaving, he asked for one more item. "Could you put a curtain around the window where I will be working? I do not like people watching me work." "Sure, okay," replied the contractor. He asked the man's name, but he said his name was not important.

Months went by and the building rose from the ashes. Every morning the
man would speak to the other two stained glass men and then quietly go behind his curtain to work. Finally the day came for the townspeople to inspect their new cathedral right on schedule. A quiet hush fell over the building as they approached the curtain covering the man's window. The contractor barked out, "Are you finished yet?" The man tapped his hammer one last time and said, "Sure, take the curtain down!"

There before the people was the most magnificent, most wonderful, most elegant and most beautiful stained glass window anyone had ever seen. The contractor was relieved to see the astonishing work. Then the contractor asked him if he could at least tell them where he got the glass to make the window. It was far superior to all the glass in the other two windows. "Sure," replied the man.

"Every morning as I talked to the other two workers I would reach down into their trash barrels and take out the broken, unwanted pieces of glass. I used those discarded pieces to make my window."

This is just a story, but it is a story that has a lot of meaning to me. It is my story, for you see I was one of those pieces of broken and discarded glass. It is a story that tells how God, working through others, took what I had become after my car accident in 1994 and made me whole again. (You'll find my testimony under option 4 http://www.rejoice3.org then click testimony) It does not matter how shattered, broken or discarded I felt, nor does it matter what sins I had committed. He put me back together in a far different and superior manner than anyone could have imagined.
So who are you in the story? Are you feeling like a discarded piece of glass that will never amount to anything? Perhaps you are the skeptical contractor, not believing that something can be made of what seems to be nothing? Maybe you are one of the townspeople, giving all you can to help rebuild other people's lives. Perhaps you are like the other two stained glass artisans. Your life is acceptable, but maybe you have become complacent. You stopped striving to be the very best. Maybe you are the almost-completed window and God is tapping the final pieces into place, crafting you even more into the image of the greatest Masterpiece ever, Jesus.

I don't know who you are, but I do know that if you will let Him, God will not stop working on you --- He will never give up on you until you become all that He intends for you to become.

Prayer: Father, thank you for picking me up and crafting me into what you desire. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!

Pastor Bill  

I think the past few weeks have sort of caught up with me, as I am really, really tired tonight.  I went to the care home and visited Beth and Mom, stayed for their church service; then went tonight to a small group meeting.  They are starting a study on School of the Prophets.  I don't know if I like it or not, I slept through most of it!    There were only eight of us there.

So now that I have the devotional posted, I am headed to bed!  Good night! 

Yea Many of us are those discarded pieces of glass.  But When Christ is the center of our being we are not what we should be, we are not what we are going to be...but thank God we are not what we were!

I will be off line for the most of this coming week.  I am getting upgrades done.

Have a great week everyone.

Thanks for the great devotion.  It is good to read and remember how He took this shattered and broken life back in Sept 1972 and created a "new creature in Christ."

GORD:  Earlier this year we attended a Dr David Jeremiah  "What In the World Is Going On" conference in South Bend, In.  We live in Michigan and made it our runaway weekend.  That conference was packed, too.  What an eye-opener it was.

His latest book "What In the World Is Going On" was offered that night.  The book counter was 10 people deep.  So we left w/o the book. 

God does provide, as 2 weeks later we received a book from Billy Graham.  It was the same book, only it was free.  I would recommend it to anyone that wonders how all of today's world events tie into the final days

I heard that Janet was serving great goodies in here! 

So, I'm here Janet!  Thanks for the coffee and tea and the nice munchies!

Hi everyone.  It is cold for Georgia this time of the morning at 33 degrees.  I think it is time for my leather coat and gloves.

Today I will concentrate on packing up for our trip.  Since we are taking the car I am sure it will be full.  I have a couple of errands to run this morning and then my men's luncheon and that will be my day. 

Janet, thanks for the devotional for this week.  I hope you got a good nights sleep last night.  Now that your sale is over you can take your mind away from it. 

Gord, sorry to read of the nose bleed problem.  It must be a bit unpleasant to have a tube up your nose.  Sure hope the bleeding doesn't continue.

Larry, I'm hoping our temperature will get up to 33 today.  At 7:00 this morning my outdoor thermometer registered 18 degrees Farenheit.  For our metric-oriented friends, that would be -8!

Hi Everyone...

Well, having a total computer crash is certainly not nice!  I've never had one before but I've been doing a Backup with my Clickfree backup system every several days so I didn't lose any photos but getting the information back on my computer is a different matter! 

Awwww, Pat!  I'm so sorry to hear about your computer crash.  NO, they are NOT fun, not at all.

I must get busy around here.  At least I don't have any real HAVE-TOs today.

Aren't you glad God loves you?  I sure am!

I got a cartoon this week explaining how dinosaurs became extinct.  A male and female dinosaur was watching Noah's Ark disappear in the horizon.  One dinosaur said to the other, 'Oh crap!  Was that today?'  (So that explains it!) 

I am heading to the doctor's office for my flu shot.  I called this morning to see if I could get mine in Nov when I go for blood work or later at an appointment but the nurse called back and said she thought they might be out by then.  So I am going today after their lunch at 1pm. 

Then I will be going to the hospital to see Ivalou and take her her clean clothes. 

Tomorrow I have a dental appointment in the A.M. and Euchre in the P.M.  Will visit Ivalou in between. 

And yes, I, too, think that Ivalou AND her granddaughter, Lauren, AND my other niece, Keri, have great attitudes over their illnesses and diagnosises.  I have a comforting thought that an angel in heaven named Ruby is watching over them.  Ruby is my Mom!  She's watching over all the family!

Good afternoon, friends. I'm getting out and about more after falling and messing up my left shoulder about a week ago.

Janet, thanks for that wonderful devotion. I've often said that as we look back on our lives, we can see that God Himself is building a stained glass masterpiece of our lives. We can't see it now when we are broken and feeling sad ... only later will we see how He used each piece of our life in that masterpiece.

Brrr - it wasn't 18 degrees here in Nashville, but 28 in OCTOBER is certainly a rarity. That usually happens about late December or early January!

Jane, what wonderful prospects for your Thanksgiving Day with your children. Makes me smile to think of how full of love and thanksgiving your heart must be even before the big day (for the U.S.) comes.

Janet and Larry, when I left my home for this great apartment, I cried like a baby. Yet, I've discovered a new life, new friends, more mobility, and most of all, I've realized that all those treasured memories of mine did NOT stay with the house...they came right along with me to my "new life."  

I, too, have listened quite often to Dr. Jeremiah, especially as I was driving to work each day. His programs are so great and he seems to be a wonderful leader.

I've had more than one of those computer crashes. It's certainly not a lot of fun, that's for certain!

Y'all have a good day.

Ruth Ann

I am all ready to head to the dentist office for a cleaning.  Then to the hospital to watch Ivalou work in therapy! 

Then I will come home and get my salad in time to go to Euchre at 3pm. 

Say a prayer for Lauren.  She is at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton getting her first chemo today.  She will be there at least 5 hours this time.  She will have chemo every other week for TWO YEARS!  Bless her heart!

Ruth Ann, I am so glad your new housing arrangement is being a blessing to you.  And I hope peace surrounds you there, along with lots and lots of love!

Since we have an almost-empty garage out here, we are going to hang some sheetrock inside it.  Before, we couldn't even SEE the walls!  So it is a good time to do it.  This isn't the "house" garage, but a separate one.

Darrel had some running around to do for alarms; but he is back home now, so we can go do that chore.  We never seem to lack for work to do.

It is another perfectly lovely day here, but they say it will be the last of this kind for a while.  It is close to 80* outside! 

Sunshine here today not much else is new, Just stopping by to say hello and thank you Janet for the great devotional.

Hi everyone.  I am writing from Paducah, Ky this evening.  It seemed like we were on the road a really long time today but had a very nice and safe trip thus far.  We have two more days of driving about 400 miles a day to get to my sister's house in northern Iowa.  We are staying in a nice Comfort Inn Suites tonight and had a very good dinner at Logan's Road House. 

I was thrilled a little while ago when I opened my e-mail and discovered that the father of our great grandchildren had sent me pictures of the three great grands.  Unfortunately our granddaughter is no longer in the pictures as she decided to live her life in a different way and we were afraid that contact with our great grandchildren would be lost.  They live in New York so it isn't likely we are going to see them in person again.  So I consider it a blessing that their father wants to share about them with us and he is sending us hard copies of the two older one's school pictures.  Tomorrow is the oldest great grandson's 7th birthday.

I will be brief tonight as am pretty tired as did most of the driving.  Looking forward to a restful night.

Father, thank You for Larry's reacquaintance with his great grands.  I pray You, Father, to change his grandaughter's mind in these matters, and I pray You'll continue to enable Larry to know how the ggs are doing.  Oh Father, bring Your salvation into this picture, I pray, through our Lord Jesus Christ.

   to Paul  .....and, many more happy days

Larry:  That is such a shame that your DIL has chosen to go her own way.  I feel sorry for your son and the grands.  Paducah - I would really love to go to that quilt show some day. 

  That is what I am looking at right now.  Not much but it is still snowing lightly.  No, make that medium.  I have to drive to the Boulder area today and stay overnight with daughter as we leave for the airport tomorrow morning. 

Praise report:  The laptop is working well this morning.  Yesterday, the entire page was flashing off and on and I was at my wit's end thinking "what did I touch"..  I shut everything down four times and then it now seems normal.  Thank goodness, I did not want to leave this not working & Don come home & find this mix up.  He is at the cabin and they are supposed to hook up the gas finally, promised for $400  this morning.  That was yet another nasty surprise - too many of them on this property.  Now, we just need the CO - certificate of occupancy. 

Father, I pray for Don and Carol today.  I pray You'll yet enable them to fully enjoy their residence in the mountains.  Oh clear the obstacles, problems, and difficulties, I pray, and enable them to fully enjoy what You've given them through our Lord Jesus Christ.

On a seperate subject, y'all please go to Prayer & Praise.  I have a new prayer request in there.

Al, I have seen your request and prayed accordingly.

Carol, prayers going upward concerning your travel and also the situation at the cabin.  Have a good trip!

It is rainy here in our corner of Kansas today, after a high of about 90 yesterday.  Not too cold yet, but snow is predicted, and it is continue to be wet all week.  Darrel and I rescued several pieces of furniture which were bought but not taken yet, and were getting soaked.  They are too good to just watch them fall apart in the rain!  Why don't people act responsibly, anyway?  

This would be a wonderful day to curl up with a good book....or to paint...or something like that.  I have a lunch date with a lady from church, and after that I will do one of those things.  It could be a long, cold winter.  What do you think?

Busy day.  I was at the hospital at 8:30am.  The conference meeting was today and Ivalou is coming home next Wednesday!  The Physical therapist had Walgreens bring a transport chair for Ivalou.  I was really worried about lifting the wheelchair into the trunk or backseat and back out again.  The transport chair is lightweight.  And Ivalou can move about in it by using her feet to go.  I didn't leave the hospital until around 3pm.  Long day. 

I called my DSL company to see what I can do to get wireless with the laptop at my sister's house.  They said for me to go to an electronic store and purchase a Signal Booster.  Then I can get online at Ivalou's.  So at least I won't be without internet at her home! 

And I had forgotten to call the cafeteria to tell them what Ivalou wants to eat tomorrow.  So I called Ivalou's room and she answered the phone!  First time I called her room number.  So she gave me what she wants to eat tomorrow and I called it in from here. 

Jeff, Ivalou's son, has the ramp at the front door built, a new dead bolt on her front door...she didn't have a key for the old one, a ramp at her utility/family room door and a hand held shower in the bathroom.  We are getting her all set up to come home the 28th! 

Tomorrow Kitty and I are going swimming.  I found my old nose clip...probably 30+ years old...so I am anxious to use it while swimming.  I never learned how to put my face in the water without a nose clip.  Never learned how to keep the water out of my nose! 

That's it!

Hi everyone and Happy Birthday, Paul.

Al, thanks for that prayer.  I know these things are in God's hands.  Carol, it is my granddaugther and not my daughter-in-law that is involved as these are my great grandchildren.  I heard again this evening from their father and am heartened by that.

Etta Sue, good news on Ivalou and all the preparations that have been made.

Carol, sure hope you get your certificate of occupany soon as know this has been an ordeal.  Hope you have a good trip.

We are spending the night in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  It was a long day but the weather was good and most of the roads were good.  We are about 5 hours away from my sister's house so won't have such a long day today.  Pat was so tired that she is already asleep.  I didn't get as tired today as I did yesterday but will retire early.

Good morning.  Larry was the only one to post after I posted later than usual yesterday!  Everyone must be raking leaves!  Or carving pumpkins! 

It is kind of cloudy and overcast today.  Kitty and I are going swimming and then see if I can find a Signal Booster somewhere.  I need to stop at the hospital and get Ivalou's dirty laundry.    

I can't wait to see Ivalou come home to her home tomorrow morning for a home evaluation!  Her DIL Linda came last evening and cleaned her home...probably couldn't see what she did when she was done.  Jo is coming tomorrow from Ohio.  We will all be tying up ends to get Ivalou home next Wednesday.  Need to purchase her a new cordless phone with two or three handsets!  She only has two phones in the house but she sure needs a phone in the bedroom.  Extra cordless handsets would be cheaper than wiring new phones. 

Etta Sue, all your news about Ivalou is so encouraging!  Thanks for keeping us posted.  Your family's help gives a good example of "devotion".  Too bad we can't get it into a photograph and post it in our latest challenge. 

If you haven't checked out this challenge Click Here and see what ideas folks have about the subject.  Maybe you'll get inspired and add something of your own!  But hurry, you only have until Sunday evening.   

Etta  Sue, I think it is just wonderful how your whole family is "circling the wagons" around Iva Lou at this time.  If ever I have a medical problem similar to hers, I know I wouls feel very, very blessed to have such caring and loving family rooting for me.  God bless each one of you!

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY TO PAUL!!!

Larry, I hope you and Pat continue to have a good trip and enjoy it.  It is so nice you can still check in with us while you are away.

  I am going to play with my Cricut machine, connected to my laptop---if I can figure out how the software works.

Everybody must be sleeping in or really busy this morning!

After more rain, it appears the sun is trying to peek through.  But they are still predicting snow!

Today at the Senior Center, I am giving them a little spelling test.  This is just to give them a little idea of the words we were given to spell at the State Senior Bee.  We aren't grading them; each person will check his/her  own, it is just for fun.  I have chosen five small words and five big ones.  Any more, and they would rebel.  

I called the lawyer's office yesterday, and they have all the information they need on Beth's case, so we should be hearing something before too much longer.

On Joyce Meyer this morning, her husband Dave was speaking about how every American has the responsibility to study the history of our great nation and be proactive in preserving our rights.  Very good.  He also talked about how little of the truth of the founding of our nation is even in the history books used in our schools today.  Sad.  And he is right--if we stand by and do nothing, our rights will continue to be stolen from us.

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We ought to thank our God for the "rights" that we have, too.  And we should engage often in prayer for our nation.  Prayer should include confession, thanksgiving, petition, etc.  Our Lord has placed us in this nation, so it's our responsibility.