Christian Photographers Community

Come and join us this week and share with us your plans and thoughts for the week!  We sing, share and encourage other members here.

Hope to see you posting this week!

• Prayer and Praise    Thanks for visiting this area of our site to share prayer requests and items for praise!

• See the last photos uploaded to our Gallery

Morning Devotional...

Scripture: 2 Samuel 22:3
"My God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the strength of my salvation, and my stronghold, my high tower, my savior, the one who saves me from violence"

In early 1941 with storm clouds of war all around the American Military was preparing for eventual war --- but not yet prepared. Each new American recruit whether Army, Navy or Marine was issued an interesting book when reporting for duty.

Each recruit received a book called "Song and Service Book for Ship and Field." A book of Christian prayers and songs! On the first page of this book was the following:

Almighty God, we make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in thy holy protection, that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government, and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States at large.

And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things, we can never hope to be a happy nation.

Grant our supplications, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

(This prayer was written by General George Washington, at his headquarters in Newburgh, New York on June 8, 1783. The prayer was immediately dispatched to the Governors of all States. This prayer was written six years before Washington was elected the first President of the United States of America in 1789.)

Prayer: Father thank you for a new wave of God fearing men and women leading the USA. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!

thank you Janet for the devotion, it looks Like I am the first to post in our nice clean new forum.

Rainy and dreary here today. I guess I won't be walking the dogs unless  the sun comes out for a little bit. I need a break every now and then. I am moving right along on the pink baby Afghan I am making. this pattern sure goes fast, but I  am being good and taking breaks to give my hands some rest. I just hope  the gift is appreciated by my grand daughter who neglected to invite me to hers or her brothers weddings. My feelings got hurt then but I am over that. If they don't want me in their lives it is their loss. They know my phone number.

I hope and pray everyone has a wonderful Sunday. I sure am happy with my life here in Oregon.

Hi everyone.  We didn't see the sun yesterday as it was overcast a just a bit chilly.  We attended the birthday party I spoke of yesterday and it was set up outside.  Everyone filled their plate and and we did eat outside but most everyone moved inside after they ate as they were cold.  It was a very nice affair and well attended.  I met some folks I hadn't met before and got to see a lot of friends that I did know. 

Yesterday was one of my very tired days.  We did not go out to lunch and as soon as church was over we headed home for a quick lunch and then both of us rested a good part of the afternoon.  By the time we attended the party I was feeling better but was once again tired by the time we got home and went to bed early.  I do hope today is a better day in terms of energy but will have to wait and see.

Marilyn, you are wise not to dwell on what has past.  Perhaps someday your grandchildren will realize what they have missed by cutting off the relationship with you.  Glad your project is going well.

Janet, I had never seen the prayer written by George Washington.  I can't even imagine in today's society that such a little booklet would be allowed to be given to new military persons. 

Other than my Monday Men's Luncheon my schedule is clear today.  I do need to contact the IRS to get an answer about the way I reported something last year and to see if I need to file an amended return.  It won't have any impact on my taxes but might mess things in sometime in the future.  There is also a local tax matter I need to work on due to the great devaluation of property and the basis the County sets the tax base for our property taxes.  Sounds like an exciting day doesn't it.

You are right Larry, it hard thing to do but the one that causes the greatest peace is to step over the hurts and leave them at the cross. It is a difficult thing to do especially when it concerns family.

It is white and freezing.  We have snow again. 

We had a wonderful message in church yesterday.  The title was Are you a Judas, and he gave the characteristcs of a Judas.  Really left us a lot to think about.

Kassie came home from babysitting last night.  She has a lot of decisions to make and I am trying to get her to think about what she wants to accomplish with each decision she makes.  A difficult process for her.

I am off have a great day.

A great Sunday service sitting beside my sister.  Then 5 of us ladies ate at Bob Evan's.  One lady is new to our little church and is going to the retreat.  Very nice to get to know her better. 

I came home and put some laundry in the washer while I caught up online.  Then when it went into the dryer, Inky and I took a nap.  A long nap.  About 4 hour nap!!  I started to fold the clothes and they were still damp!  So I set the dryer for another hour.  Still damp.  Then I realized I had it on AIR!  I had aired an afghan the day of cleaning and forgot to set it back to heat.  So after 4 hours of the dryer running, I finally got dry laundry! 

I went back to bed around midnight and sleep sooo good. 

Now I am ready to go out the door and take Ivalou to her neurologist!

I got this in a email today.  Before and after the Japan Earthquake.
  If you don't feel the devastation after seeing these, your heart is dead.  Don't forget Part 2.

Saturday I had the path to my propane tanks cleared.  Saturday night the news reported that so far this year we've had 28 inches above normal.  Today it's snowing again and there's another four inches.  And the path is disappearing.    

Well, I worked again today, and will again tomorrow; BUT THEN I am retiring!!  I did tell her I will help out maybe one day a week until she gets some more people hired, but I'm looking forward to more freedom!

Mom is fading pretty fast.  She's becoming less verbal, appears to be sleeping more and has all but stopped eating.  And today she started having pain in her side.  Of course, Hospice will make sure she doesn't suffer.  It's just hard to see her go, knowing it is happening and there is nothing I can do.   

The prayer by George Washington (apologies to Etta Sue, because I know she doesn't like old English) is an important part of our country's history; and I for one, feel sad that America is being ripped from her roots and cast adrift on a sea of propaganda, ignorance, humanism and crooked politics.  We cannot fight the whole world's battles!!  It's utter folly to try to stretch our troops to fight three wars all at once. 

But we do know the Creator of all the universe, and He is still in control.  All these things must happen before Jesus can call to us, "Come up hither!"  What a joyful day that will be!

I had a good visit with the hospice nurse today, and am appreciative of their support during this stressful time.

   Hi to all.  My computer has not been working properly so it was away getting fixed.  The man that fixed it is very reasonable and did such a good job.   Then I have been kept busy with going back and forth to Toronto and also being with my grandkids which is a lot of fun.

Larry and Pat:  Hope that you are both well and it must be nice to have that warm weather.  How is your daughter?

Janet:  Thank you for the devotional and also your time to do it.

Al:  How are you doing we have not talked for a long time how is you health you could send me an email my address is ngbrown@bell.net  Keep well.

Etta Sue:  Thanks for your previous devotional and it was good.  How is your sisters health doing I hope that you are both healthy.

To all others on C.P.   please continue to pray for Japan and all the people that have nothing it must be so hard.  May the Lord look after them.  God's richest Blessing's to all We praise his name for his goodness to us.

Good morning!  See you after work!!

Janet ~ I searched for the prayer by George Washington.  If this is the one, it is a great prayer we should use daily.  I did have to read it three times and dissect it but got the meaning.  The words are musical when read but I don't get the thought until I checked some words for different meanings.  Just me.  I do like the prayer.

Gord ~ Ivalou and I are fine.  I really don't think Ivalou is as good as she was this time last year because of pain in her right arm and taking pain meds that make her sleep so much, therefore her agility has lessened.  Her neurologist yesterday changed her pain meds.  She asked him what they were for...pain.  And if they will make her sleepy...no.  She was still having pain with her old pills and if she sat for 5 minutes, she was asleep.  She has started rehab again and her physical therapist said her right arm and spine is full of knots. 

Ivalou has always been one to have a pain somewhere that is sometimes excruciating.  Then she will do something that will really hurt and it will disappear!  Back of legs, shoulder blades, neck, etc.  She says she isn't stressed so I don't know why this happens to her.  Thank God that isn't in my genes! 

Today I take Ivalou to the DDS.  After that we are going to a pub...yes, a pub...for a hamburger.  The DDS staff once told us to eat there and it was the best hamburger we ever ate.  I wouldn't go there in the evening but for lunch when it is about empty, I will.  Never alone though.  Not that it is in a bad neighborhood...just remember what bars used to be and want no part of that scene again.  Am I digging myself a hole and climbing in?  Going for the food and not the drinks or the camaraderie!

Then since Kroger grocery is near by we make see if there is anything in there that we can't live without!

It is cloudy and suppose to rain today.  Only 46 degrees.  But while sitting here I saw a squirrel run across my yard and the birds are everywhere!  My tulips, daffodils and narcissus are greening up.  Maple trees are budding.  Ah, spring!!

Did no one see the before and after Japan earthquake?

We are on the "down" side of March.  Still snow to be expected, and even into April, but the six foot piles plowed up along the road are shrinking.  And before yesterday's extra 4 inches, the leach (leech?) field line in my back yard was clear of snow.   

Hi everyone on a truly beautiful day in Georgia.  It is warm and no wind.  I have to think our freezing weather is over for this season but one never knows.

My wife left me a note this morning when I got home from coffee that she had gone to the Senior Center to visit with a friend and to play some games or work on the puzzle they always have available.  I was glad to see her feeling up to getting out on this beautiful day. 

I have a meeting this morning and then at lunch time the lady I work with on the Golden Games is stopping to pick up the paperwork I have completed and to leave another big bunch of applications.  She said there will be one more small bunch after this and then we will wrap up the process before the games with the reports they need. 

Gord, we are all doing about the same.  Some good days and some when we could feel better.  Just spoke with my daughter, or perhaps should say listened.  She has an appointment with the foot doctor and he was 90 minutes late in calling his first patient.  She expects to spend the whole day at the hospital where she has the appointment as well have to get medications afterwards.  She had taken something for her lunch and bottled water.  It is good for her to get out of her apartment.

Jeanne, it seems that you and Judy and Pat can't get away from that snow.  Hope your path doesn't get filled back in.

Etta Sue, it seems that most places to eat around here also have a bar.  However, have not experienced any problems in that regard as are never there at a late hour. 

Janet, sorry to hear of the continued downward spiral your mother is in.  It is good that she is under Hospice care so she doesn't suffer unnecessarily.

Judy, I feel for young people trying to live in the environment of today's society.  It is good that you have communication with her and can listen to her as she struggles with decisions she needs to make.

Time for me to leave.  You all have a nice day.

It is interesting when 2 sisters go on a double date.  Even more interesting when the younger sets up the older!.  Topping off the evening they were both home before cirfew.  I love the chatter about the evening, and the set up sister was "so cute", as was her guy.  This is a young man who has strong principles.  We will have to see where this goes!

It is not as cold today as was yesterday.  Again the last dump of snow is melting slowly.  Jeanne looks like our weather is about the same.

Etta sue you really didn't dig yourself a hole. There is a place in North Bay that is a bar at night but in the daytime is a lovely restaurant.

Bye for now

Amazing and so sad, the pictures of Japan.

We drove to Yuma to visit with cousin & wife and they leave for Washington soon.  He wants so badly for us to go together over to Sweden to meet relatives and his wife is afraid to fly.  Finally, I told her "Why not?  You are Good with God!"  She laughed but really, our lives are not in our control so why fret over such things?  We were probably more in danger driving back to the Phoenix area in heavy rain yesterday.  Oh, and we did cross into Mexico just for some pharmacy things & a little bit of shopping.  Not much, but I do love the little handmade baskets that are only $2 and the people are so poor that it is sad sad sad. 

Janet:  I am getting really tired & have to rest between company but need to invite a few more cousins.  Our friends just need a place to rest so this is it - we do love them & want to help them relax between hospital visits.  Good that your mom is sleeping so that means she is resting and that is to be thankful for - hugs to you & Beth.  Have heard knee surgery is more painful than hip surgery. 

Larry:  Good luck with all the paperwork.  We are contesting our taxes too because the value has gone down. 

Judy:  How sweet with the girls.  It is a lovely time of their lives and soon they will be away.  I miss all my children but they won't move in with us again.   

Al:  Do understand about the evacuation orders.  If you didn't do so then the worst could happen.  Nice that you have hills between you and the ocean. 

Hello Gord!   Is it almost springtime for you?  Take care. 

Almost finished knitting one last piece of the sweater and I made a mistake.  This is so stressful at times and should be soothing. 

It seems there's more to come.  Depending on which channel I watch we could get anywhere from one to eight inches of snow tomorrow night and into Thursday.  Plus, temperatures are expected to be from 10 to 20 degrees below average for the next week.  Oh well!  That's March in northern New York State.   

Yes, Etta Sue, I did look at the before and after pictures of Japan.  So sad, there just aren't words.

And here in our corner of the 'desert' there are two huge wildfires raging; with winds gusting to 60 MPH.  One has burned an area of over 50 miles already.  One is in the adjoing county to the west of us, the other in Oklahoma near Guymon.  Guymon is only about 60 miles from here, too.

Today was my last day at work!!!  Oh, joy!!

Gonna go watch The Biggest Loser, see you later!

Hello all from a dusty burnt area of my world,
We had massive wildfires all over the area today and I do believe at one time there were as many as four grass fires burning at one time :S. Been a bit of a crazy day. There were the 2 that Janet mentioned and then 2 in my county but they were not near as big as those up north and over east. Our radios still have not stopped going off with the firefighters out working these fires . But I need to be off to bed so I can get up early and prepare to teach the kids tomorrow and I hope I don't wake up with 2 black eyes as I think Ruth may have cracked my nose when she head butted me Have a good day all
Sarah

Hi everyone.  Up early this morning, have had breakfast and put together my two medicine boxes for the next two weeks.  This morning is Bible study at the church and then I plan on coming home right after as have a lot of work to do on the new applications I have to process for the Golden Games.  I think there are 110 applications in this batch and there will be another 60 or so to go that I haven't received yet.  Tonight is choir practice and we are starting to work on our Easter music as well as the regular music.

Sarah, those little ones can get to us in more ways than one.  Sorry to hear of the fires and you and Janet have mentioned.

Janet, hope you can get some rest today since you have finished your job.

Jeanne, brrrr.  Wish I could share our great weather with you.  It was almost 80 yesterday and to be that again today.  The pollen count has become very high and soon everything outside will be covered with pine pollen, which doesn't affect folks as some of the other grass and tree pollen but sure makes a yellow mess on everything. Hope you don't get snowed in.

Carol, were you saying that you all are going to Sweden with your cousins or just that you were encouraging his wife to fly over with him?  You are so right about the safety of flying versus driving. 

Judy, those young teen years are tough ones for those responsible for them.  Glad the girls had a nice evening and made it home by curfew.  Kids push against the rules but I firmly believe they are glad they exist as it helps them set boundaries. 

I was just thinking...I remember when Sarah was looking for prom dresses online.  How time flies!  Now here she is wondering if she has black eyes from a head-butting from her daughter, Ruth! 

Well, I got Ivalou to the DDS and the staff and I talked about Droid and applications!  Then Ivalou and I did get our hamburger and it was just as good as I remembered.  Wonderful.  Price is higher but they are everywhere. 

Ivalou decided she was too tired to get groceries and would wait until we go to WalMart so she can get her Fish Oil Concentrate also.  Maybe today. 

Today I take Ivalou to rehab.  She thinks the different pain pills, the tape and exercises she is doing is helping.  Yay!  We may go to WalMart after eating somewhere. 

Tonight is Wednesday Night Live at church.  No prep for that.  Just watch an Andy Stanley video and listen to Steve. 

It rained here overnight.  The sun is trying to shine.  But the temp is to drop drastically and perhaps by morning there will be snow on the ground.  What???  Well, it is still March even though the calender says SPRING!

I have knitted 6 dish clothes for the Silent Auction for the Retreat for Women.  We plan to put two or three in baskets for the auction.  Dish clothes are the only thing I knit.  No two are alike!  I know I made a big mistake in one but I don't know how to correct a mistake once I make one.  So I just keep on!  They won't fall apart and besides, they are used to wash dishes!

Ha ha ha!   And if anyone is so picky that they demand PERFECTION in their dish cloths, well........I just don't know about them! 

Hi everyone I see it is about time for me to check in again.  Nothing much going on here, I am still crocheting on  the baby afghan and working on the scarf/shawl that I am knitting.  I am about half way through with the afghan. still taking time out to work on my graphics too.

Dreary day here, a little bit of rain, more coming sporadically tonight according to the weatherman. Went to the free monthly Senior movie yesterday morning, Keith took most of the day off and he went with me this time after checking the office. Then after lunch he went back to the office for about an hour and was here when I got home from taking Happy for a walk.

1. Sleep my love, and peace attend thee
All through the night;
Guardian angels God will lend thee,
All through the night,
Soft the drowsy hours are creeping,
Hill and vale in slumber steeping,
I my loving vigil keeping,
All through the night.

2. Angels watching ever round thee,
All through the night,
In thy slumbers close surround thee,
All through the night,
They should of all fears disarm thee,
No forebodings should alarm thee,
They will let no peril harm thee,
All through the night.
       
Newer Verses
3. While the moon her watch is keeping
All through the night
While the weary world is sleeping
All through the night
O'er thy spirit gently stealing
Visions of delight revealing
Breathes a pure and holy feeling
All through the night.

4. Love, to thee my thoughts are turning
All through the night
All for thee my heart is yearning,
All through the night.
Though sad fate our lives may sever
Parting will not last forever,
There's a hope that leaves me never,
All through the night.

I can hear Pat bursting into song as she reads those words.

G'night everyone!

Hi everyone.  I see I am first here on this Thursday morning.  We are expecting another nice day with the temperature in the mid-60s.  It wasn't quite as warm yesterday as the day before and we kept the house closed as the pine pollen is covering everything now and we don't need to be breathing it and having it get on everything.  Our cars now have a yellowish appearance from the pine pollen.  Other pollens are also very high and lots of people are suffering.

We had a nice choir practice last evening and are working on some wonderful music, including a new piece that has recently been added to our library that has a beautiful message and a beautiful melody.  The only thing is that it is a bit difficult for the bass voice to stay in the upper range for a long time and this piece requires that in the final stanza. 

I did get all of my Senior Golden Game applications processed and today will print out the certificates of participation for each application and then will be done with this until I get the last batch.  I was able to find that there was a paper jam in my laser printer and it is now working well, which is a big relief.

I have a quiet day planned today with nothing I know of on the schedule after coffee and perhaps walking a bit at the gym.  Pat has a doctor's appointment but doesn't need me to accompany her as it is a routine appointment type appointment.

Etta Sue, hope you got missed on the snow.  I see that there was a bad tornado in Pennsylvania over night and lots of snow in the NE.  Do hope Jeanne isn't snowed in again.

I remember when Ivalou and I were in Louisiana in the spring and the pine pollen.  We don't have that here.  We have mostly maple and oak trees.  Then the Love Bugs!  What a mess they are, too! 

I went to Bible Study, Wednesday Night Live, last evening.  Steve dismissed us right at 8pm.  I was pretty much first to leave the church.  It wasn't raining but when I got in my car, there were a few drops on the windshield.  About a mile from the church it was hailing!!  Marble size hail.  Then it started raining real hard.  I pulled into my garage and waited until a song was done on the CD I was listening to.  I opened the car door and the noise was terrible.  Metal garage so all that rain was really loud.  Plus sirens at Lapel was going!  I checked my Droid and had a voice mail.  It was Tony telling me there were bad storms in my area.  So I called him and he said there were storms in central Hamilton County, my county, and I am east central.  When the rain slowed down and I came on in the house.

I settled down to watch 'Survivor' which was recorded at 8pm.  Weather broke in saying a tornado was predicted between Lapel and Hardscrabble and heading to Pendleton.  We are in that path.  Then Ivalou called me and said our niece called to see how we were and said she had spotted a tornado from her front window and went to the basement.  That is 1.5 miles away. 

As far as I know, no tornado touched down but on the 11pm news, they were showing damage to homes and trees in Noblesville.  Showed one house with vinyl siding and about a 3-inch diameter limb stuck in the siding!!  Gazebos blown away.  Carports blown off.  Roofing and eaves gone!  One house the whole side was blown off and you could see the studs in the attic area! 

So I thank God for saving my family and I.  Today I see no damage around my house or Ivalou's.  BUT yesterday afternoon it was 72 degrees.  Right now it is 32 degrees!!  Whew! 

Kitty was going to take me for my eye exam today but she just called and said that her husband is sick...she thinks sinus drainage and maybe sick from eating chicken that wasn't completely done last night.  We were going to go swimming but I may not do that now!  I don't like to come back out with damp hair when it is this cold. 

I sure am praying this eye exam tells me that my right lens is completely wrong on these glasses.  No matter where I look, the right lens/eye is fuzzy! If not, I think I will wear a patch over the right eye...then I could see!

Wow, Etta Sue, what a harrowing evening you had.  So glad you are safe, and had no damage to your or your sister's property.  Thank you, God.

Larry, glad you got the lion's share of the applications and certificates processed.  I'm sure the organization appreciates all you do for them.  You are a blessing!

I took my painting buddy Dee to breakfast this morning.  Called my sis Shirley and my daughter Kerri.  Got packed for the overnight trip to Salina.  Next on the agenda is Beth's care plan, and seeing about Mom.  Then just after lunch, we (sr. director and husband and I) will be leaving for Salina, the Bee is in the morning, we will return home tomorrow afternoon.  Pray for me!

Okay, kids, keep things running until I get back!   

We didn't get the 8 inches.  In fact, we didn't even get the 1 inch.     We did get, and do have, the 15-20 degree below average temperature.  But reading Etta Sue's description of what went on around her I can't complain!

Good luck, Janet, at the spelling bee.  I'll be praying for our success tomorrow.   

Larry, I'm glad your printer problem was only a paper jam that you were able to fix.  Do you use a database or spreadsheet program for the applications, etc?

The sun is still shining.  The radio station up here gives the temperature , then gives the wind chill.  Today they said the temp was -13*C, but it felt like -7*C with the sun shining!  That is so unusual.  We are enjoying the sun I must say.

Larry it is a nuisance when the paper jams, and not always easy to fix.

Janet I pray you do well at the Bee!

My physio therapist wants me to schedule the surgery on my other shoulder..  Not sure About that,  If I do go for it it will have to wait till at least September.  I really would like my summer free.  He keeps pushing me with the exercises.  I guess that is a good thing.  My range of movement improves every week.  Now to get strength back!

Must go  talk later.