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Morning Devotional...









READ: Job 42:9

   So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite did what the LORD told them; and the LORD accepted Job's prayer (Job 42:9).

Notice God's insistence on intercessory prayer here. What an interesting thing this is. God tells these friends, "There will be no pardon for you without Job's petition on your behalf. If you want to be received and forgiven, you must not only bring the sacrifices but also my servant Job must pray for you." What an instructive lesson this is on prayer. The significance of prayer is underscored in this passage, and it is so important that God says that unless Job prays, He will deal with the three friends "according to their folly" (Job 42:8 ). How impoverished our lives and the lives of our friends and loved ones are simply because we think prayer is unimportant, and we do not bother to pray for one another. God emphasizes this here: "Your friends will not be accepted, Job, unless you pray for them." When Job prayed, they were indeed forgiven and pardoned.

What a beautiful picture of forgiveness here! I love to picture this scene in my imagination. Here is Job's chance, if he ever wanted it, to get even with these friends. When God sent them to him with their hats in their hands asking for pardon and asking for his prayers, how easy it would have been for him to have said, "Aha! I thought you'd come around! You were the ones who gave me all that trouble. You ran me down, you falsely accused me, you said all those evil things about me, and now I've got you where I want you. I'll let you sweat a little bit. I'm going to get even with you!" That is what many of us would have said, but it is obvious that Job does not do that.

I wish we could have heard his prayer. I am sure it would have been something like this: "O Lord, here are these three friends of mine. They've been stubborn, hardheaded, foolish, ignorant men, just as I was, Lord. You forgave me, and now I ask you to forgive them as well." What a beautiful spirit of forgiveness is exercised here. Job might have said, "I called them miserable comforters, and that's what they were. I suggested that they were proud and cocky, and wisdom would die with them. But Lord, I was just as proud and just as ignorant. You forgave me, and so, Lord, I ask you to forgive them as well." The Lord heard Job's prayer and accepted it, and his friends were forgiven.

I do not think there is anything more contrary to the Christian spirit than having an unforgiving heart, holding a grudge, refusing to speak to another Christian, or behaving coldly in relationships with each other. Nothing is more removed from the spirit of Christian forgiveness than that. What a beautiful thing to see Job praying for his friends without a vestige of resentment or an attempt to get even on his part, but holding them up before God. God honors that prayer, forgives these men, and restores them to His grace.

   Lord, thank You that in inviting me to pray for others, You are inviting me to participate in Your forgiveness.

Thanks Pat for putting these thoughts up by Rays Stedman one of my favourite Christian teachers. If we don't forgive others we are putting ouselves in bondage to them for the rest of our lives and our prayers about most other things are unlikely  to get further than the ceiling. I have just posted on my blog a very challenging thought on forgiveness from Amy Carmichael from her little book called "if".

love from Geoff T in Adelaide South Australia

Hi everyone and a special welcome to Geoff T.  It is great to have you join with us here and share your thoughts.

I had a very quiet and restful day yesterday.  We had a good church service and then I spent the rest of the day resting, readiing and just taking it easy. 

Today I have to see my cardiologist to talk about the results of my last stress test.  This evening we have visitation at the funeral home for a long time friend who passed away right before Christmas.  He was 97 years old and he and his wife had been married for over 70 years.  It is going to be strange not seeing him sitting in his particular spot in the church service.  His wife, who is a few years younger, still gets around.  Their daughter moved in with them several years ago to help them.  The last vehcile they purchased and the wife drove was a pickup truck because it was easier for them to get in and out of and they had a higher view of the road.  It was quite a site to see this tiny little lady, over 90 years of age, behind the wheel of the pickup.  Also a little frightenting.  She doesn't drive anymore.

Marilyn, it is wonderful that you got to talk with your son after so many years.  Things can change and we should never give up on situations.

Pat, thanks for the devotional for this week. 

Carol, when we lived in Alaska many years ago we went through several earthquakes, including one where my desk chair and I went sliding back into a bookcase and everything rocked.  Our landlords had gone through the big 1960's earthquake in Anchorage and she was terrified everytime a quake occurred. 

Thank you for a wonderful devotional, Pat.  We do need - or at least I need - to be reminded of the importance (and difficulty) of forgiveness.

I know I posted yesterday but it is gone.  I remember Garfield eating!  Oh, well!  That's cyberspace for you! 

Church was great as always.  I ran the overhead.  When we went to our Sunday School classroom, it was snowing big time.  Still four of us women went out to eat.  I was going to Ivalou's before coming home to tell her goodbye but there was no car in the drive.  She called around 5pm.  They left earlier because of the snow and I don't blame them one bit. 

I just lolled around the rest of the day yesterday. 

I have already been to the bank today and I have a throat doctor appointment at 11am.  I was going to go mattress shopping but I don't think they go on sale until after the New Year!  I don't get a newspaper and I don't watch the commercials on TV so I am not sure when the mattress sales start.  If anyone knows, let me know!  My mattress is 40 years old!!!  Time for a new one and maybe I won't wake up stiff and sore! 

Off I go.  It is white out there.  Cold out there.  But the traffic is moving good on the highway and the plows have been by here in the last half hour.  So I will be fine.  Need to get some groceries in also!

Good devotional Pat.  Thank you for that.  IT seems some people forgive easier than others...I wonder why that is?

John is down starting the fire.  It was warm enough last night that we decided to not stuff it.  Oh well this now will take time.

I am dog sitting. This dog has a very high pitched cry. It is constant.  She had a surgery on her leg and has a pin in it.  The cold really bothers her.  I just have a problem with the pitch.

Judy, I can hardly tolerate a high-pitched yipping dog's voice!  As bad as fingernails on a chalkboard!  Ugh.

Etta Sue, we bought a tempurpedic mattress last time and really love it.  No more waking up stiff and sore in the morning.  As for sales, I haven't a clue, but you can check online!  

Pat, I enjoyed the words of the devotional today.  As has been said, forgiveness is something we all need to give, and get!  And as to why it is so hard for some to forgive, only God knows.  Personally, I think the more selfish we are, the harder it is to forgive others.  Lord, please help me not to be selfish!

Geoff T. good to see you posting here.  How is the weather "down under?"

Larry, I hope you get an unexpectedly good report from your cardiologist!

Mark is here working on my computer, and Curtis is helping Darrel with alarm work.  God is good.  How I love having these grown-up grandsons around!

Good morning,  I am finally recovered from my trip south. I had a wonderful visit with my friend Willa and her family where I stayed the first night.  I went to visit my former client in the nursing home, she was 100  last July. It  really is hard to see her so fragile and  telling me that the nurses are beating her up. I spoke to her family and they tell me that  she  complains of them being rough with her all the time. I don't really know what is going on but it sure disturbs me.

After dinner and gift giving at Sarah's parent's home I went  home with them to Blue Lake and we stayed up until 1AM talking and played a board game some where around midnight. The drive both ways was uneventful and it is so pretty driving right next to the Pacific Ocean.

I contacted #2 son on Facebook yesterday and we talked a little bit. I have looked for him for 17 years all I knew was somewhere in NC but there are so many people with his same name, I finally gave  the search. He is in Huntersville at first I thought he was in Charlotte He said it use to be a small town when he first moved east  back in the early 90's.

I know I said the above yesterday,  but at least I am still in my right mind and not  

Marilyn there are those who take delight in saying they are net being treated right.  There are times that talk needs to be ignored.  Glad you connected with more family.

Gradually the dog is warming up and the crying is stopping.  With a pin down her leg that gets cold....I really can't blame her for crying.  the pain from the cold must be terrible.

We have snow here again.  This should be a good blow.  We usually have a good sized dump right after Christmas.

Back later.

Cold here on the island.  Brrr!

Christmas was nice and also quiet.  No company this year.  Lots of turkey and wonderful food.  I didn't bother going into Boxing Day Sales with the kids.  They were going to a movie and I didn't feel up to such a long day in the city.

This is the time when I become very tired of Christmas music and decorations.  Put the music away....decorations to follow shortly.

My friend B. and I are going to attend a Chris Botti Concert in Seattle in Feb. when my family gets back from Florida.  They are going for two weeks.  So will be on my own with the little animals.  Hope the weather doesn't get real bad when they are away.  I am looking forward to also seeing my old school friend/roommate who is coming from Tacoma to have dinner with us.  I was her bridesmaid many moons ago when we lived in Calgary.  Her husband died of cancer a few years ago.  They had a wonderful long and really happy marriage.  He was an American and living in Calgary with his parents at that time.

I also have a new 23" monitor, Larry.  Surely is easier on my eyes and I am enjoying it lots. It has a non glare screen and that helps my Glaucoma....eyes get quite sore.


My sister in Australia (90yrs.old), wrote that she lost her little dog to ill health and she is feeling very down.  I wrote back that when she feels better it would be nice to find another little poodle to love.  We all need something to make life happpy.  She is in poor health but built a lovely home within her daughter and SIL's home.  They are doctors and take good care of her. so they also can help with a little pet.  She really loves poodles.

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

Liz

Welcome to Geoff T! It is nice to see a new face in here. 

I had a little pain problem last night & it was from something wrong in food - wrong for me.  It was either too much coffee all day or eating popcorn but at least I did not have to go to emergency - very little sleep though and today a headache.  Other than that - we give thanks for all the good days we are given. 

Larry:  Nice note you had to Marilyn about how things change and we really should never give up on praying.

Liz:  I hope all goes well and you do get to that concert. 

Anyone know what the Alberta Clipper is?  We have an Alberta Clipper heading this way.

Watched a good movie Fireproof.  If you can get a copy it is well worth spending time watching.

Heading to bed, Night all!

Hi everyone.  Have a few minutes before leaving for coffee so will go ahead and post.

I had a very good visit with my doctor yesterday.  The stress test indicates my ejection factor hasn't lessened since the last angiogram was done.  Since the increase in medication is working at this time we are making no changes or doing anything else with procedures or tests.  I did discuss with him going to a new cardiologist that Kaiser now has in my local health center.  It would be a lot closer and much easier for Pat when I have to be in the hospital.  He supported my position and said I could always come back to him if not satisfied.  So will seek my next appointment with the new doctor.  I was also able to get my pacemaker checked while I was there so that saves another visit next month.

We are attending the funeral I wrote about yesterday at 11 am today.

Liz, my new monitor is also a non-glare surface.  My laptop has the glass on it and it can have glare but have adjusted to it.

Time to leave the house.  Hope everyone has a great day.

Judy, if you're in the path of an Alberta Clipper, it sounds as though you are in for some weather!   

In fact, that may be what's causing our bitter cold temperatures today.  It's only just above zero at 9:45 a.m. and not expected to get out of the teens all day. 

Yes, Fireproof is a good movie.  Grandkids Curt and Toni received The Love Dare book that goes along with the movie, for Christmas.  I am wanting to see Blind Side.

Larry, thanks for sharing your good report!  Praise God, He is still taking care of His own.  Each day we have to live in some degree of good health is a blessing.  And when we get promoted to Heaven, that will be the best day of all, even though we usually don't think that way.  It is then so hard for those who love us.

What is an Alberta Clipper?  Sounds like a tall sailing ship....  If it needs water, it won't be heading my way!  

Carol, I hope your problem has been resolved, and your headache has gone away.  I had a bad night, too, but last night was better.  Being up for several hours in the wee hours doesn't make for much energy the following day, does it?

I have a doctor's appointment this afternoon.  And I just called to get one for Darrel.  He has been sick since Christmas Day, getting worse each day.    He keeps having this recurrent prostate problem that really makes him feel terrible.  I wish they could find something to cure it, not just quiet it down for a month or so.

We never did get any snow to speak of, still dry here.  But we are thankful the awful wind died down, and the temperature is fairly mild.

I hope you all have a great day!

Edit:  An Alberta Clipper is WEATHER?  Do tell us more!  I have never heard of this before! 

The girls are watching Mayday on the TV.  Kass is wanting to be a pilot and finds this interesting.  Better this than some of the other garbage that is on.

It is a sunny day, the sun glistening off the snow is quite beautiful.

Have to run I want to call Pat before too much later. She is in for a snowstorm today.

Hello to all my new friends at CPC. I do quite a bit of reading, but very little posting..... it just doesn't come naturally!!
What wonderful Christmas' you all had and comments made of how Christ was more remembered this Christmastime than in previous ones was reiterated by our pastor, this past Sunday.
Although we, Ontarians, have heard the term, Alberta Clipper, many times, I "Googled' it and came up with this:
http://www.usatoday.com/weather/wclipper.htm
which seems to be the most straightforward definition.

May God's Blessings follow all of you this coming year.

RuthL

I am enjoying Hotel Gann very much!  It is so quiet, lazy and comfortable here.  No interference.  The phone only rang once all day yesterday!  I wonder how Ivalou is doing.  I know it isn't quiet where she is.  Two adults...five kids...and if Jo is doing her job of babysitting...more kids!  Just hope that Ivalou takes time to rest and put her feet up and do her own exercises!  There I go, wondering about Ivalou!  She's my sister and I love her! 

Someone said that mattress sales are after the New Year and maybe not until President's Day in February.  I am really not in the mood to go shopping when it is soooo cold outside!!  I did check out the Tempur-Pedic mattresses online.  Janet, are they hot?  My Memory foam mattress pad was so hot!  I am looking at the Sleep Number mattresses.  I can change them if I change!!   

I may watch some more home movies today.  That is fun to see what I did 20 years ago!

Waiting to drive over for a yearly mammogram.  My headaches are under control with Ibuprofen and I hope it will be alright soon as we are going to the mountains tomorrow for about five days. 

JudyB:  I know about the Alberta Clipper because we used to get quite a few in Minnesota and they even dip into CO at time.  (We blame every bad wind on somewhere in Canada  )  Just kidding!

Larry:  We know what convenience is important to where you have medical care. 

Don is signing on to a new doctor outside of the VA and this is because:  if and when the new health care bill goes through, there will be many many doctors who will freeze their patient list - they can only handle so many and they have mainly kept their patients but not taken on a more patients.  So, if anyone believes they need a specialist (particularly in cardiology) be sure to get registered with the new doctor now.

So That is where all the cold weather comes from...Alberta!  Doesn't that originate in Alaska!   Isn't that USA country?      Just Kidding!

Kass ran out of gas in the snow blower.  That means a trip out to get more. Might as well get all running done at once.

RuthV has 220 feet of driveway to shovel today.  I have told her to be careful the snow is heavy and we don't need her or Everette in the hospital!  I am so thankful for Kassie and her enjoyment of using the snow-blower.

Was speaking to Pat earlier.  Paul has left, and she will let me know when he gets home in the south.  We need to pray for safety for him, although he has new tires on the van.

John and Elizabeth are stacking the last of the wood that is downstairs.  We are going to Tim Horton's for Coffee with Doug and Kassie has 2 gift cards that are burning holes in her pocket.  So give us an hour and we will be gone.

Have a great day everyone.  A former pastor put this on Facebook.

Happy New Year!! Each new year brings anticipation, and sometimes a touch of fear, but, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. (Hebrews 13 : V8) and it is good to remember, "the grass withers and the flower fades but the Word of the Lord remains forever. And that word is the Good News that was preached to you." 1 Peter 1:24 - 25

'Mornin ...    It's raining (again) here today!  Not too surprising for Oregon.  I don't have plans to be out in it, so will enjoy it from inside.

Janet, I saw The Blind Side right after it was released,last month. The local bank hosts free movies for seniors (50 and over) once a month, on the 4th Tuesday.  These are first-run movies and always G rated.  That is a very good movie -- and a true story.

The "Real life" family/star portrayed in the movie will be on 20/20 tonight.  Check it out, if you can.

I've (sorta) cleaned up my place, and have it back to "normal" again.  I'm ready for a new year to get started.  

Good afternoon:        Christmas was wonderful, this evening we are going to our daughters for dinner, perhaps we will leave a little earlier to do a little site seeing then head on over to her home.

I had also tried changing some setting without much success but now all is corrected. 

Have a great rest of the day.

Ruth

Ruth Glad you had a great day.  Wish Sue and the family a Happy New Year from us.  Are you doing anything for New Years Eve?  John will be gone and the girls go to bed early so I will be for the most part alone.  That is fine I will curl up with a good book and enjoy the solitude.

Thanks for welcoming me to this forum folks. I am on my way to work at 8:30am on ther train on Wed 30/12/09 as I write. It will be 39 celsius today in Adelaide which is over the 100 farenheit temperature. Can I please make a  prayer request. My eldest son and his wife are separated at the moment and both  Christians. Divorce looks like it will happen. We love them both dearly. It is a lot about forgiveness which is on this devotional. It is one of the most critical doctrines of the Christian faith when you see the devastation it can cause. I believe some healing is taking place at present. I believe there is no situation that is so bad or no evil that the Lord cannot overcome if we walk by faith and not by sight. Can those who beleive this please pray for my son Darren and his wife Nat who I have mentored as a photographer and we have photographed many weddings together.   love form Geoff T

Geoff, one thing you can be sure of.  When you ask for prayer from this group the prayers go forth!  I am praying that the forgiveness required in this situation will be found and that the Lord will lead the way, for all parties, to His will.

Geoff, I will be, and am, praying for Darren and Nat.  Forgiveness is not about who's right and who's wrong ... it's about releasing the other party from our own hard (or hurt) feelings, and finding healing in our own spirit  Unforgiveness can only hurt the one holding onto it ... I probably haven't said that correctly, but I know the Lord can bring about His perfect will in all things as we ask for it. 

O Geofft, I can attest as a pastor that every forgiveness situation has two sides.  As has been said, unforgiveness only hurts the one holding on to it.  Oh may our Father bring both Darren and Nat to confession and forgiveness through our Lord Jesus Christ.

I also googled Alberta Clipper, as I wasn't satisfied with what Mr. Webster told me.  Guess I need to get modern and google first, huh?

I will also pray for Darren and Nat.  Our God is able---and willing!

Please pray for Darrel.  He has been sick since Christmas day, fevers and chills and prostate problems, now passing blood.  He went to the doctor this morning, he just gave him a prescription for Cipro and sent him home.    Our doctor is out of town until next week so he had to see another one.

See you tomorrow.

Janet don't let him play around with this.  Murray our brother is still too fresh in our memory.

Geoff I to am praying.  I also know how hard it is to forgive at times.  Father soften the hearts of this family and give them your grace to forgive each other.  I ask this all in Your precious Name.

God bless you all
JudyB

Geoff I too am sitting here praying for Darren and Nat.

Janet I am also praying for Darrell.

Not much new here just  staying in out of the rain. I did go to the bread store today for a couple of loaves of bread and made some more   homemade organic yogurt. I like to  put a little ground flax seed and a little cinnamon in mine when I get ready to eat it.