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Morning Devotional...
October 30, 2011






Would you ever renounce your faith?
Arise, O Lord! Do not let mere mortals defy you! Let the nations be judged in your presence.
Make them tremble in fear, O Lord. Let them know they are merely human.

Psalm 9:19-20 NLT


Forty martyrs

"History knows them as the 40 martyrs of Sebaste. They were soldiers in the famed Twelfth Legion of Rome's imperial army, around A.D. 320. One day the captain informed his troops that Emperor Licinius had sent down an edict commanding all soldiers to offer a sacrifice to his pagan god. Forty of the soldiers were followers of Christ, and they refused.

The emperor decided to make an example of the soldiers, so he marched them onto a frozen lake and stripped them of their clothes. "Renounce your God and you will be spared from death," he told them. Not one man came forward. Throughout the night the men stayed together, singing their song of victory: "Forty Martyrs for Christ."

When morning came, 39 of the men had frozen to death. The one survivor recanted his confession of faith. The officer in charge that night had been so moved by the scene that during his watch he'd come to Jesus, so he broke rank and walked out onto the ice. Stripping his clothes he openly confessed his faith in Christ. He refused to renounce his new faith. When the ordeal was over, the Roman soldiers carried 40 frozen men off of the ice.

In comparison, my life is like a long night on a soft mattress. I may one day be faced with serious consequences for my faith. You may, too. Will we have the strength of character and heart and faith to stand strong just the same?"

from Embracing Eternity by Tim LaHaye, Jerry B. Jenkins and Frank M. Martin (Tyndale) p 58

Judy, good thoughts today!  I did notice the date above says October 23, and today is the 30th.

We had a great service this morning.  Our new Youth pastor/Worship leader spoke, and what a beautiful, clear message!  Phil is only 23 years old, but already has so much wisdom.  I think he will accomplish much for the Kingdom!

Darrel is emptying the kitchen cabinets, at the moment, moving glasses.  So we will have tables loaded with dishes in the living room.....

Larry, I don't know how many rewrites/edits will be needed, but I want to finish as soon and as WELL as I can.  I spent 10 hours working on the book yesterday, still lots to do.  But it is coming.....

I wanted to work on the book today, but it seems Darrel wants to empty cabinets, so.........

Ivalou drove herself to church today and didn't go out to eat with us.  I hope Ivalou isn't addicted to therapy.  Seems that ever since she 'graduated' she has been having a lot of 'I don't feel good' days. 

The sermon today was on Surviving Hurt that others inflict upon you...from losing a job to loved ones saying something hurtful.  It really hit home with what I am going through lately.  I must pray about what to do the NEXT time words hurt me.  Then being hurt was talked about again in Sunday School.  I really needed church today!!

Three of us went to eat.  I even went to Dollar General afterwards and was home by 1:30.  That's early for church, Sunday School and eating out. 

Not sure what the rest of the day will bring.  I am not sleepy.  Maybe I could read and stay awake!

Larry The Duck beat the Cougars (Wash. st) 45-28 It was quite a good game.

Hi, friends, It's a warm, sunny day and a good one to be alive. I think I feel like carving a pumpkin today!



Love to all y'all,
Ruth Ann

No carving pumpkins here today - good luck with that job!

Larry:  Send Sunday sounds like a really nice program and with it being often on the calendar, people can participate when they are available. 

Don is changing a light bulb and reinstalling the automatic light in the garage overhead.  Ace had the correct bulb.  I put in three hours on genealogy and talked for an hour to cousin's husband.  Both have health problems right now.  Church, of course, this morning.  We are still talking about the last minute call last evening to come for supper at a dinner group - one couple was ill and the other 4 people asked us to come and not bring any food.  I threw the leftovers back into the freezer and we walked up the street - chatted for almost four hours.  One couple is bothering me a little and she always has to say "I never SEE you in church" - well, Don can't understand every speaker so he doesn't go when he knows he can't understand their speech.  I go alone then and not every time - we have four children with things happening - anyway, I like to quote a missionary who lived with my family for some time.  Jake always said that he "took the Lord with me".  But - I didn't say anything. 

Reading that so many back in the stormy area are without electricity.   It sounds like it will take a long time for that to get back to normal.  I hope all the CPer's are alright. 

Carol, that IMPLIED criticism is the pits!  Our pastor said this morning that family is more important than church; and announced that on the Sunday after Christmas there will be no services at church, for us to spend time with our families!  Refreshing! 

Ruth Ann, I don't even have a pumpkin to carve, but that's a hard job, unless you have the right tools.

We took most of the dishes out of the cabinets today, well, the upper ones, anyway.  And I moved lots of stuff out of those in the laundry room we decided to replace, too.

AND.....I think I have my manuscript almost ready to send back again!!  WOO-HOO!!!  What a journey!  I want to call my editor tomorrow and check on a couple things with her, but I really think the only thing left to do is work on the table of contents, which has been changed a lot.

I'm tired, can you believe that??   

Janet!  Tired?  You?  I can't imagine why!   

Hi everyone.  The last day of another month and now we start into the holiday season.  We had a very nice time singing at the assisted living facility yesterday morning.  We sand four hymns with them and in between the hymns we did three choir anthems.  Most of our choir were able to be in attendance.  At noon Pat and I went to Ruby Tuesday's for lunch.  I brought most of my steak and sides home as after I ate my salad I was full.  Pat will have it for her dinner tonight.  We had planned to stop at Wal-Mart after lunch but I was so tired from the morning that we came home and I rested the rest of the day.  Today is the men's luncheon at 1 pm and then I have a meeting to attend this evening.  We have decided not to greet trick or treaters tonight but will just retire to our bedroom and watch TV in there.  Neither Pat nor I have the energy to constantly answer the door and we usually have a lot of kids come by. 

Judy, thanks for the devotional.  Tests of our faith are being experienced in so many places in this world now. 

Janet, are you getting entirely new cabinets?  Nice that you are pleased with your new young minister.

Etta Sue, I have learned that words are not facts and that they can only hurt me if I decide to let them.  It sounds like your sermon and Sunday School lessons were right on track with what you needed to hear and doesn't that often happen to us.

Jeanne--yep, 'super woman' was tired.  But I was wide awake at 4 AM, so got up at 5 and finished reading The Help.  Wow, that is a great book, especially from a first time author!  Much better than the movie, but if they had included everything in the book, that movie would have to be 6 or 8 hours long!

I am ready to work on my Table of Contents, then send the manuscript back again.  I hope to get most of the necessities done before we leave on the 10th, as we will be away for three weeks.

Larry--yes, the bottom cabinets were ruined, and so all have to be replaced, as they cannot match the ones we have.  What a long process this has proven to be.  Glad you enjoyed singing yesterday, wish I could have heard you!

I'm just checking emails and CP, then it's back to the book!

I had to leave Hawaii.     After removing the facial 'skin' they saw that she needed a radiator and two things at the right top and bottom that the radiator fastens onto.  I call them stabilizers.  Brian pushed on the radiator and it swung back and forth like a swinging door!  So if the parts come in, it will be done tomorrow.  If not, probably Wednesday. 

And tomorrow night is Beef and Boards and I was to drive.  It will be our last time to go since we didn't sign up for next year.  But Ivalou said I could drive her car.  She is going this time also.  We are seeing 'It's a Wonderful Life'.  Hope she enjoys it.  She says it tires her out to go but she would go since Betty can't go.  Think it is all the sitting so I am going to have her stand some and when we get our food at the buffet to have a waiter/waitress carry her plates to the table for her.  That will help, I am sure. 

It looks like another bright sunny day here in central Indiana.  There wasn't any frost this morning.  I was up early enough to see it today!! 

And did I say I love to start my car from the house and when I get to my detached garage, the car is already warm?  Love that and I am sure in months to come, it will become nicer.

Etta Sue:  Am so glad you mentioned your garage is detached.   The car does shut itself down after a period of time and that is a great safety point but still it would be awful to have all that CO2 in the garage.  Love "Wonderful Life". 

Janet:  Thanks - I was feeling bruised but did not ask her if she packed any boxes for the troops.  The couple seems to have the need to mention everything they do as Christians.  One of my cousins is the same & her letters are exactly the same year after year - it is like she is in a time warp.  Great that they contribute so much so I won't take that away from them. 

All over the news are the last words of Steve Jobs.  He was a 50% believer and had questions about heaven then the last hours of his life he said, "Oh, WOW" three times.  Something big must have wowed this techie genius - won't it be wonderful to see that day?  His sister reported this news so it was confirmed. 

Carol, about those who seem to have a need to tell everything good they do, I always think "Methinks she doth protest too much!"  Doesn't the Bible say to do our good deeds in secret, so that He who sees in secret can reward us openly?  Not that we have to be secretive about it necessarily, I think it refers to bragging......just my opinion.

I would love to see what WOWED Steve Jobs, for sure!!  I thought his graduation speech to the kids was great!

I have ---I THINK--finished the book!!  I  got an email today from my conceptual editor with some suggestions for a title, since we can't use the one Beth chose.  I have been working on it steadily since 7 this morning.  Sometimes I wonder if I am part bulldog!! 

Hi, there,

Actually that pumpkin was really large, and the girls had a wonderful time carving it. They took turns and enjoyed all of it. I cleaned the seeds and then roasted them with mixed butter and olive oil. They decided this year they wanted to use cinnamon sugar and other pumpkin pie spices instead of salt as the seasonings. We had so much fun.

I was cooking beans, but fell asleep and they burned.  I really wanted beans for dinner tonight!

Now, I'm providing the treats, and it was wonderful on Wednesday night last week when young children from the church across the street came by and did "trick or treat so others can eat" - we provided items that will be used to feed those in our neighborhood who need food. I really like that idea.

Y'all have a great evening.

Ruth Ann

Larry Keith's monitor died and he wants to know what is a good brand  to get? One of his sons recommended an LG.

After a difficult day of being misunderstood i am reverting back to my favourite verses.


Phillipuans 4:8-9
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

Ruth Ann, when you mentioned carving a pumpkin, I thought you were joking!  Glad you had such a good time, but sorry about those beans!  Trick or Treat So Others Can Eat is a great idea!!  And it won't rot their teeth! 

Marilyn, who is Larry Kieth?

Judy, those are such worthy verses on which to stay our minds, I think of them often, too.  Hope today is much better for you.   

Boy.....the days are ticking quickly by....we leave on the 10th, will be gone 22 days.  I wish we hadn't scheduled and paid for this trip when we did, but maybe we need a break.  We sure don't want to lose the money we paid for it!  And I'm sure it will be fun.

Larry, I need advice about being able to use my laptop while in Europe.  Are there any special things I need to do before leaving to assure I will be able to access my email, etc?  I MUST stay in touch with my publisher during that time!  Thanks.

Sun is shining and I am about to go walk, have missed my walk for a few days and that's not good.

Janet Gad-about, where are you going this time?  I would love to travel like you do.  If I just had a man...

I have never carved a pumpkin.  I have heard that pumpkins are starting at $5 each this year.  And you see some families with several on their steps or porches!  And those are the people who you think shouldn't be spending money on pumpkins to sit outside and go bad...just for show! 

And even though my garage is detached, I would never start the car with the garage door down.  My garage isn't insulated.  I don't know if it freezes in there or not but I do know that snow comes in from somewhere and rain always leaves a puddle right where I have to stand to get in the car!!  But it will be nice to get into a semi-warm car this year.  And the heated seats will be nice, too!  That feels good on my back now!

Well, I got up this morning and Ivalou has a big, yellow out-board boat in her drive!!  I was wracking my brain trying to think whose it is.  Kaye Don has a two-car garage and his motor home/boat detached garage empty all but his boat.  So I would think if it was his family's boat, they would use his garage.  So I called Ivalou.  The boat belongs to her oldest granddaughter's husband.  They are coming Saturday to clean out Ivalou's garage so he can put it in the garage.  Maybe....just maybe Ivalou will get rid of things that she has said needs to go since there will be someone else to do it for her!

Tonight is our last night for Beef and Boards, at least as a V.I.P. member.  Maybe we ought to get desserts for a treat and celebration!!

I just remembered that I forgot to use Halloween animations this year!  Now it is November!!  Hope everyone survived Halloween.  I didn't have any trick or treaters out here in the country. 

The verses I have posted are ones that I use to help prevent the depression cycle.  I struggle with this and the Word is my only "antidepressant", whether in music, written word or the spoken word that truly works. 
Right now I am struggling with truth.  and the question "why isn't the truth revealled to those who are believing the lie" 
John's answer is that the truth has been revealled they are choosing not to believe it.  Then they need a 4X4 instead of the normal 2X4. 
This goes with the Word as well.  Why is it so many "believers" are willing to embrace  the world and its false teaching instead of sticking to the Word?
I know the Bible speaks of the falling away, I know in my head that is the answer, but my heart says they KNOW the truth of the Word. I have been told my ramblings are religiosity, but I am not a religious person.  I am very much a stumbling pilgrim. 
I wonder how different we would be if we actually faced Christ.  Yet we do and most of the time ignore Him.

I'm sorry for rambling.  These are just the thoughts I've had over the past couple of weeks.

Judy, I was enduring insolence and taunts once, and that's when I found my favorite verses in Lamentations that come from the 3rd chapter. In the Living Bible translation, it seemed to speak to me, about someone who was going through some of the same difficulties I was having. Then, there's that wonderful few verses that begin, "Yet, his mercies are renewed afresh to us each morning..." Ahhhhh, what a relief for me that God Himself in His Word knows that we endure these times and He provides us fresh mercies every morning, for He knows we need them desperately.

Janet, just in your mind, edit Marilyn's question by putting a comma between Larry and Keith. You'll see that she was asking for Larry's help, too.

Wouldn't it be good if more churches did the trick or treat so others can eat activity!

I'm SO excited - tomorrow's the day I get to meet my new little great grandson. What fun that will be.

Much love to everyone.

Ruth Ann

Thank you Ruth Ann for  clarifying my query.  Yes Janet I left out the punctuation.

I am waiting for Puppy Love to call me and tell me Happy is ready to be picked up from his grooming appointment.

I will be doing some artwork this afternoon that has to be done by tomorrow morning at the latest. I am the co-owner of a stationery group; on Wednesdays I send out a new stationery for the group members to work on on send in to the group. So I need to get busy.

Judy my favorite part of that chapter is verse 6-7 "Be anxious for nothing, but in all things by prayer and supplication and with thanksgiving let your requests be know to God and the Peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus"

Hi everyone.  I turned my desktop computer off last evening and when I restarted it this morning it came up with a message that my hard disk was in the process of failing.  In fact, it had failed.  I have several alternatives to decide what to do.  I just checked on the prices of new hard disk drives and probably would be better off to just get a new desktop computer as mine is over six years old. I do have the hard drive backed up on an external hard drive that is suppose to boot if the hard drive fails.  I have my computer that I have a Linux operating system on and have decided this afternoon to update it to the latest version and use it for awhile until I find the new computer that I want.  It will help keep my mind active in using two different operating systems on two different computers.

It is a truly beautiful fall day here in the Atlanta area.  The trees are just gorgeous.  We did no do trick or treating last night as were gone during the time the kids would have come to the door.  My granddaughter sent us pictures this morning of our four great grandchildren in their costumes.  I am sure last evening was a big evening for them.

Pat is going to a book club meeting at the church at 5 pm and then we will go out to eat when she gets home.

Janet, sounds like your book is coming down to the final details before publishing.

Etta Sue, good thing your mechanic found the additional problem.  Hope you enjoy the Show this eveining.  Starting the car from the house is a nice feature I don't think you had mentioned before.  You will love those heated seats.  We had them in our Saturn and now have them in our Hyundai Sonata.

Judy, great that you have verses that help you through difficult times.  It is fine to ramble when you need to do so.

Carol, glad you mentioned the car shuts down after a certain time as I would probably start it and get busy doing something else and use up all of my gas.  Steve Jobs must have seen the big computer in the sky.  Wonder if it was an Apple? 

Ruth Ann, the "trick or treat so others can eat" is a nice thing.  Glad you could be with grandchildren and share in their job of carving the pumpkin.

Marilyn, I think it is best to go where they have them displayed, if you have such a place closeby, and see which one looks best for his eyes.  I think most of them have a pretty good picture.  I think the LG is probably a good brand. 

Janet, I have never traveled overseas but will ask my good friend Rod tomorrow if he has any advice.  I know he took his Netbook with him to New Zealand.  However, when he went to Europe a few weeks ago he just took his smartphone and used that when he could find a wi-fi signal. I know it probably isn't a good idea to put it in your luggage.  Lloyd Hammond over on Seniors and Friends did that and by the time he got home his 10 day old laptop was ruined.

I hope my rambling caused others to think.

Haven't heard from JOhn yet today.  Must get off here soon,  seems he calls when I am on line.  Have a great evening everyone.

Etta Sue, we are going on a River Cruise down the Rhine and Mosel rivers, will be in six countries in three weeks.  Have fun at Beef and Boards tonight!

Larry, I called our internet service people today and they have a new feature which will let me check my email from anywhere.  He walked me through the process of application, so I HOPE I am all set!  And no way would I put this computer in my luggage!  My whole book and lots of other stuff is on it!  I think I will put it in my carry-on, but believe I have to take it out to pass through security.  I called to ask if there is WIFI on the ship, and they said yes, but while cruising, sometimes there is no service when too far from a tower.  Anyway, it is imperative I be in touch with my publisher as we approach the deadlines!

I took the emails from Tate Publishing and read them to Beth and John (he was on the phone) and they are pretty excited about the book! 

Gotta run, see you tomorrow!

I prefer to believe that Jobs was surrounded by angels and saw the holy Trinity. 

Judy:  You may think you have been rambling but it is just the words I took to heart - Ruth Ann wrote on the very same thoughts.  If we just pause and listen, the words are right in front of us.  Thanks be to both of you.  Hello to John.  I hope the winter roads are kind to him. 

Janet:  We had to lug our computer once and it is difficult.  You can get and send email on an IPod with wifi.  We used it last time & Don even did his daily Quicken with it - sent messages and called on SKYPE if you install it before you leave.  Have someone help you - it is worth it and so easy to carry on trips.  By the way, there may be other brands but I only know this one.  Good luck.  Congrats on the book.  Tell us where you are going in Europe. 

Larry:  We had to get a portable drive for the laptop at COSTCO - they had a coupon & it helped.  Desktops have really come down in price so good luck.  I know you know how to shop these things. 

We are under blizzard warning for tonight and tomorrow so did errands early - the sun is still shining. 

Carol, I am SO NON techie, I don't even know what an Ipod is, let alone own one!  Wish I did, if it makes things easier.  Must learn about some of the new gadgets, but frankly, they scare me!  Well, not scare, exactly, but they make me feel dumb, and I do NOT like that! 

Hi everyone.  We are looking forward to another nice day today.  Yesterday was one with some frustrations in the desktop computer area. Nothing I tried yesterday seemed to work.  I have made the decision to get a new desktop computer.  I have found one that I will probably buy tomorrow when I am up at the mall area and won't have to make a special trip to MicroCenter. 

Today we have Bible study this morning and I need to pickup some medicine that I ordered via snail mail and that was shipped on October 20th and that has never been delivered.  They are replacing the medicine and if the package comes I will not open it and mark return to sender.  In the future I will just ordered my prescriptions and pick them up and avoid the mail problem.  Tonight I have a business meeting to attend and will have to miss choir practice.

Janet, my friend has found using the internet on a ship to be very expensive and thus he avoids it.  The last time I traveled with my laptop I had to put it on the scanner but don't remember having to start it up.  I hope you have saved your book file onto a CD or memory stick as a backup as this is very important.

Carol, hope you avoided a blizzard.  You sure have exciting and changeable weather out your way.  An iPad or one of the Android tablets do work well for email and surfing and are certainly much lighter.  I can get my email and access the web via my inexpensive ebook reader as well as my smartphone so I am all set. 

Janet, you have such a wonderful mind that you don't need to be afraid of computers and things like the iPad or one of the other tablets. 

Janet:  Don't put yourself down - techie is something that has to be around a lot for anyone to learn it.  I could not do what you do - scuba diving.  I would sink to the bottom.   

Larry:  Good luck with your new desktop.  Isn't it fun   

Still snowing.  This is not a blizzard at least to me the snow has to be horizontal.  We did have gusts but cars are on the road and it is still snowing at maybe 8 or 10 inches height.  Poor people in the city protesting and they are mixed with homeless who are really the poor people. 

Janet ~ Don't be afraid of computers.  They won't hurt you.  I am not afraid of computers.  I think they are challenging...at least, it is a challenge when I know something is wrong and I figure it out...even by trial and error.  It is outside the computer that I know nothing about.  Like external hard drives, net working and such.  And I know no one that I can call on to help.  BUT I will say that ever since I had Windows replaced last fall, my laptop has been running wonderful! 

My friend in Mexico Skyped me this week and said, 'I have something that I learned that will make your computer run faster!'  I am leery of that since I believe that is what caused my problem last year...downloading programs to 'fix' my computer and I got several viruses!  But it had something to do with Internet Explorer and when I got to where he said, I didn't have anything ticked which was the way he said it should be.  So I was okay by him!!

Larry ~ My desktop was built in 2002.  Sometimes when I turn it on, the calender says Dec 31, 2001 and I have to reset everything.  Oh, it is slow but it still works.  I will probably use it to make my Christmas cards and I will move things from the laptop to the desktop with flash drive so I have things stored in two places...sometimes three! 

Beef and Boards was great.  Wonderful how the theater had different areas on stage to do different things for scenes.  Halfway through, I remembered the story of 'It's a Wonderful Life'.  The guy playing Mr. Bailey did a fantastic job.  I would think that would be very tiring every night and twice on Sunday!  It was my last show to see there.  I was kind of nostalgic but I won't miss it when the snow is on the ground. 

I got a call from the Body Shop yesterday afternoon apologizing for not getting the car done yesterday.  But if I don't hear from them today by 1pm, I am to call them.  I do have Crochet Angels tonight AND the DDS tomorrow but Ivalou said I could use her car for those appointments if I don't have Hawaii back. 

I wish we would get some strong winds, then I wouldn't have to 'mow' my leaves!!  But I want the wind to come from the northwest so the leaves will go into the fields instead of Ivalou's yard! 

Ah, a river cruise.  That would be the life!  Any kind of cruise would be wonderful right now.  I am getting so antsy...wanting to go somewhere!!

Another morning of meandering thoughts.
I heard from a brother who is going for surgery,and would I pray for him and his wife.  Of course I will.  The request reminds me of a part of a verse....Al Moak would know the address....Bear one anothers burdens.  Does that mean, "Dear Lord bless my friend make everything work out well for them today.", end of prayer?  Or does our Lord mean something deeper.  Could it mean "Lord let me carry some of the burden for that person, that they don't feel the weight of it so heavily."  Carrying the burden in prayer, in the groanings of our heart.
It is so easy to tell someone to give the burden to the Lord and leave it there.  That is a Pat answer and my name isn't Pat, that is my sister. 
There are so many burdens being expressed here, by most of our members, and we often give the flip answer "I'm praying for you." when they may need more.  I know I am guilty here.  Then there are the unspoken burdens.  The ones a loved one may not be comfortable mentioning. 
Sometimes you knw there is something wrong my their absence, or their light and airy words.  But what about their heart pain, that may be slowly killing them from the inside. 
There are things in life that are too painful to mention, especially in the open forum. 
I believe this forum was set up to cause us to Glorify God in all we do, say, and hear.  Does Christian Photographers meet that mandate?  If it does Praise goes to our Lord.  If it doesn't then what can we do as members to bring us back to the mandate of Glorifying God in all that we do here and elsewhere?
Sorry for the ramblings of this pilgrim