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Morning Devotional...



The whipping was the first deed of the soldiers.

The crucifixion was the third. (No, I didn't skip the second. We'll get to that in a moment.) Though his back was ribboned with wounds, the soldiers loaded the crossbeam on Jesus' shoulders and marched him to the Place of a Skull and executed him.

We don't fault the soldiers for these two actions. After all, they were just following orders. But what's hard to understand is what they did in between. Here is Matthew's description:

Jesus was beaten with whips and handed over to the soldiers to be crucified. The governor's soldiers took Jesus into the governor's palace, and they all gathered around him. They took off his clothes and put a red robe on him. Using thorny branches, they made a crown, put it on his head, and put a stick in his right hand. Then the soldiers bowed before Jesus and made fun of him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" They spat on Jesus. Then they took his stick and began to beat him on the head. After they finished, the soldiers took off the robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified. (Matt. 27:26–31 NCV)

The soldiers' assignment was simple: Take the Nazarene to the hill and kill him. But they had another idea. They wanted to have some fun first. Strong, rested, armed soldiers encircled an exhausted, nearly dead, Galilean carpenter and beat up on him. The scourging was commanded. The crucifixion was ordered. But who would draw pleasure out of spitting on a half-dead man?

Spitting isn't intended to hurt the body—it can't. Spitting is intended to degrade the soul, and it does. What were the soldiers doing? Were they not elevating themselves at the expense of another? They felt big by making Christ look small.

Allow the spit of the soldiers to symbolize the filth in our hearts. And then observe what Jesus does with our filth. He carries it to the cross.

Through the prophet he said, "I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting" (Isa. 50:6 NIV). Mingled with his blood and sweat was the essence of our sin.

God could have deemed otherwise. In God's plan, Jesus was offered wine for his throat, so why not a towel for his face? Simon carried the cross of Jesus, but he didn't mop the cheek of Jesus. Angels were a prayer away. Couldn't they have taken the spittle away?

They could have, but Jesus never commanded them to. For some reason, the One who chose the nails also chose the saliva. Along with the spear and the sponge of man, he bore the spit of man.

The sinless One took on the face of a sinner so that we sinners could take on the face of a saint.

 

From He Chose the Nails: What God Did To Win Your Heart
Copyright (Thomas Nelson, 2000) Max Lucado

Hi everyone.  Slept in a bit this morning but am now ready and plan on going to church later this morning.  This will be the first time for two or three weeks.  Pat had a good nights sleep without pain medication so think that is a good sign.  She just needs to regain some strength as doing anything really wears her out.  Nothing else on the schedule for today. 

Janet, I have a good friend who has Macular Degeneration and has been able to hold it in abeyance using the special vitamins.  Hope they will have the same result for you.  A seven hour wait for a two minute procedure does seem extreme.  Was part of the waiting needed after the procedure or all of it before the procedure to have your turn?

Carol, I was alarmed to read that Don climbed on the ladder.  Sure glad there was no fall.  I think holding the ladder is more to prevent it from sliding than being able to protect the person on it. 

Marilyn, condolences on the loss of your best friend Kitty.  It is hard to give up friends.

Etta Sue, sounds like you really overdid your painting back in 2001 and have paid a high price for it.  Hope the eye doctor can be of help on Wednesday as sure that is very nagging. 

Judy, glad you were able to post.  I didn't realize you had experienced a lightning hit as thought your computer had just quit working.  Glad you have an alternative method of communication with the Blackberry.

Jeanne, thanks for the devotional thoughts for this week. The account of the treatment of Jesus is certainly a tough one to read but reminds us of the sacrifice he made on our behalf. 

Thanks, Jeanne Lee, for the devotion. As Larry said, it is difficult to read, but really gives a good visual of what it must seem like to Christ when we sin...even today.

Marilyn:  So sorry about the way you learned of Kitty's  death - it is sad to lose a friend. 

Larry:  Neither of us take the ladder without trepidation and we sure do not want to call our closest son as he does enough climbing.  We are careful and I can't stand height anyway.  Gives me the heeby jeebies. 

Don found this site:   www.earlychristianwritings.com as he became interested after today's sermon.  We have read some of this previously - just don't know what to think about it.  The phone call just as we got in the door was from a grandson who wants to bring over his girlfriend so we can meet her.  So, I made a batch of snickerdoodle cookies for their visit. 

Jeanne:  Thank you for devotions and all you do for CP. 

A neighbor/friend came to sit next to me during the service and she fell asleep almost half the time during the service and it is all the fault of the pain pills she takes just to sit in church.  Her back is always hurting.  Then, she weaved quite a lot while walking out and I noticed her balance is getting worse.  She is widowed and not that old but we are really concerned about her living alone. 

Judy:  I meant to mention that I have started knitting another sweater of the pattern I sent to you.  Gosh, it does take me forever but it will be finished some year.  This one has wool from Nova Scotia so it is really lovely yarn.  A yarn shop went out of business. 

Good devotional today, sad, but a good reminder of Jesus' love for us.  Thanks, Jeanne.

Larry, the waiting was all beforehand, only had to stay about five minutes after the procedure.  That place was a madhouse!

And that reminds me,I must go put the drops in my eye!  I forgot them this morning!

Back after I have a little nap......zzzzzzzzzzz

Hi, friends, I'm back from an extended absence. All is well, and I can't wait to get back into things again.

Ruth Ann

What a difference a day makes!  (sound like a song?)  Yesterday was hot and humid with several series of thunderstorms, high winds and heavy rain, just too sticky feeling to do anything.  Now this morning it's crystal clear, low humidity and not expected to get much above 80!   

 Hi everyone.  Back from coffee and making a bite of breakfast for Pat as she is very weary again this morning.  She is concerned her fibromyalgia is coming back in full force as she has been taking aspirin and that blocks the effects of the guifenisen that she normally takes to help kept it under control.  I sure hope she is wrong.  We had a little rain early, and I emphasize little.  Today is the first day of school in our county and they are have an enrollment of around 163,000 students in the county school system.  It is a multi-billion dollar a year operation.  Monday's are my busy day as have my men's luncheon and then a meeting in the evening I want to attend. 

Jeanne, the low humidity days are really enjoyable. 

Ruth Ann, Welcome back.  I missed you.

Janet, I find it hard to believe it was necessary to have to sit there seven hours.  They must schedule everyone for the same time and then just let people wait.  Sounds like a poorly managed office.

Carol, it is sad to see our friends and neighbors decline in health.  I usually sit next to a man at church we have known and once made a trip to Kentucky with he and his wife, who is now well into dementia.  He is still a very nice person but wants to talk all the time during the service and needs direction as no longer realizes what is going on around him.  His daughter is now coming and sitting with him as his wife sings in the choir.  I am happy to be able to fill the roll of helping him when she is not there.  It sounds like it won't be too many year before you have a new generation of your family if your grandson is introducing his girl friend to you. 

Hi Ken.

Yes, indeed...what a difference a day makes, in so many ways!  Last evening I was taking my friends (the wife who is on dialysis and not doing well) to a church meeting in Hugoton.  There is a man speaking there who operates in the supernatural, long story, but so exciting!  Anyway, I was involved in an accident, a "cow taxi"  (semi-truck with cattle trailer) sideswiped me.  Took off my driver's side mirror, totally ruined one of the brand new $200 tires we jut put on, bashed in the front quarter panel and ruined the bumper.  Darrel has gone to Hugoton to pick the car up, as the front suspension seemed so messed up I couldn't drive it home.  My friend and my son-in-law put the donut type tire on it, but it shimmied and shook terribly if I got over 10 MPH.  Sigh.....  The devil will steal from you any way he can!  Darrel drove down in our other car and picked us up.

BUT----our God is greater!  Even though we were very late to church because of the accident and the time the Sheriff took with his paperwork, we got there for the last part, and Paula got to be prayed for, and believes she received something special!  We will go again tonight, taking Beth along.  We refuse to let the devil defeat us!!

Welcome back, Ruth Ann, we missed you!

I must get busy, extra things to do today.

It is hot and Don has begun painting the 2nd. half of the garage floor this morning.  I see he has the fishing rods set aside for us - we are going fishing later this week with the entire family.  Other people take cruises and have parties for their 50th - we have been celebrating all year and doing lots more with the family.  My kind of celebration.  I must run to the store to get more baking supplies for making biscotti , cookies and such although everyone watches what they eat they do like a treat after hiking and all. 

Larry:   I doubt my grands would marry early as they are bent on more schooling but one never knows.  She wants to major in math.  It took me a long time to find my guy and  not in high school.  Enjoy the men's luncheon.  I think I missed my mother most of all when she had dementia and there were so many things I wanted to talk about and after she died, I still mourned the loss of those wasted years with more than a few angry moments of the dreadful disease.  Long walks helped. 

Janet:  Just missed your post - thank heaven you are alright after that shaky episode.  I hope they find the culprit.  I do hope they can fix your car quick too. 

Sometimes it seems that some of those semi drivers take their half of the road out of the center!!  That would be scary to be side-swiped by a semi!  Ouch!~

Busy again today.  I have already mowed the grass and finished my second cup of coffee.  Now to head to the utility room!  My utility room is almost as large as my living room.  Mom was a seamstress so the sewing machine was always open and she was a kitchen beautician and always had her hair cutting tools handy.  So it has a cabinet with a large sink in it and washing machine and dryer on one wall.  The opposite wall has cabinets table top high to the ceiling and under them is my desktop and a long table.  The AC/heat pump is on that wall, too.  One end of the room is a closet that was for outdoor clothes...when they still milked cows...but now has shelves in it and wonderful for storage...big items like crockpot, picnic baskets, coolers, cat litter and cat food!  There are three doors but a lot of floor space.  I like that room...it is bright and sunny...to the south! 

Oh, well.  I am chattering ....or maybe just spacing out so I don't have to get in there and start cleaning...   I best get busy.  Tonight is church council and the rest of the week is busy so no time for cleaning!!

Hi, friends, well, it's nearly midnight in some areas where our CP members live.

Today has been one filled with a conference call, then helping a friend with transportation and she, in turn, fed me lunch at Cracker Barrel (yummy plate of veggies), then to grocery, and my son's home (but he's getting sick so I didn't linger long).

Now, it's time to "rest my eyes" until morning, then choose a song to sing for our Devotional period downstairs where I often play piano. When I play, they expect me to sing a solo, as well.

Well, y'all have a great rest, then a wonderful day when you awaken.

Ruth Ann

Please pray for our new church that we want to build.  We are not giving up but we do want to do what God's will is.  It seems all the permits are granted except one...the drainage permit by the county commissioner.  The last meeting he said he was not going to budge...either a 3-acre pond or 8000 feet pipe for drainage.  3-acre is 3 times more than where I live!!  And he didn't say how large of a pipe!  We think that this commissioner wants us to solve the water problem of drainage in Clarksville...a little town maybe 4 blocks long and two blocks wide!  Which there isn't a water standing problem now but it isn't up to 'code' so we are, in a sense, a developer and he wants to sock it to this developer.  So if you would all help me pray for a solution to this problem and in God's will, please feel free to do so.

The utility room is done!!  I rewarded myself with bacon, tomato and mayo sandwich last evening!  It feels so good to have a clean house. 

Today Ivalou and I are going out to eat.  Then I am taking her to the salon...then myself to the pool.  Then back to the salon for my haircut and hopefully by then, Ivalou will be about done with her perm! 

Janet, our Father surely had His protection around you.   Praise God that no one was injured.  It's a lot easier to fix a car than a person.  How wonderful that, even though you arrived late, Paula received prayers and "something special".  Maybe tonight will be even more promising.

Etta Sue, it sounds as the that commissioner has a bone to pick with someone and is taking it out on your church.  But we know that even if it is the devil driving that poor man, the Lord's Will will be done.

Hi everyone.  We have an overcast day and it is to just be in the 80s with a 60 percent chance of rain today.  Just have an activity this morning and then the rest of the day is free.  I will have to figure out something for dinner tonight with Pat's help.  I felt better yesterday than I have for a couple of weeks and sure hope that continues.

Janet, alarmed to hear of your car accident and certainly hope none of you were hurt beyond the shock of the accident.  Cars are only metal and have no feelings. The devil worked hard to keep you from getting to that church service and most folks probably would have just returned home.  Was this a hit and run accident or did the truck stop?

I have forgotten but it sounds like this was your 50th wedding anniversary also.  Pat and I have yet to do a thing to celebrate ours but hope to be up to doing something later in the year.  Having lost my mother due to the effects of dementia I can relate to your feeling of anger at the disease.  We currently have two good friends who are in various stages of dementia and it is so hard to see the disease progress over a period of time.

Etta Sue, loved your description of your utility room and storage area.  We have shelves across the front of our garage where we store large appliances and things we seldom use.  You can never have too much storage.  Hope your church is able to work out the drainage problem and get that final permit.  Sure hope you all are not forced to go to court to resolve the issue. 

Ruth Ann, has your son now moved into the house where you used to live?  We always enjoy eating at the Cracker Barrel but they always seem to be so busy.  I am glad you are still strong enough to sing. 

Good morning Jeanne. 

We like to stop for breakfast at Cracker Barrel when traveling.  A Marie Callendar's just went out of business after many years here - blame the economy because it was being used by groups a lot but their expenses just kept on going up and up and fewer customers.  So sad. 

Don says this is his last day of painting garage walls, floor and door to the house.  He tells me to burn his clothes but that cannot be done - to the trash though.  Our neighbors have been curious about painting a garage inside and they are having a good laugh at Don's clothes.  They will miss seeing him out there in the garage.  He has a workshop in the basement so that is where he goes for his hobbies. 

Larry:  Yes, it will be our 50th.  Can't believe it and we are so fortunate to celebrate.  My parents had 35 years and Don's parents only had 25 years.  Yes, you do need to plan something for your 50th.  It is a big thing anymore and look at what you have come through! 

Our insurance gal said the estimate on the car is $3000.  I was expecting more.  She said they told her the car is NOT driveable-- and it surely isn't!

I have been to the chirppractor and the eye doctor.  The laser procedure, while giving me a clear "window" through which to see, unfortunately did not improve my vision in the left eye.  I am getting new glasses, to the tune of $500+  Ouch.

Now it's time to meet a  friend and go to Dodge for a Christian Women's Club meeting.

See you tomorrow!  Probably later, though as have to be at the Home at 7:15 to go to Garden with her to sign papers for the endoscopy they will be doing.

Janet I suspect you were in the drivers blind spot and couldn't see you.......not excusing him, just know from personal experience that there are HUGE blind spots on semi's.

I am at Heather's for the evening. thus the internet. 

John's dispatcher is back off holidays, and John is back to low miles....this is getting sooo frustrating.

Have a great day folks!

HYMN HISTORY:

Rev. Alfred Ackey (1887-1960) was preaching during an evangelistic crusade. After the service he was trying to persuade a young man to give his heart to Christ, when the man said, "Why should I worship a dead Jew?" Ackey stated, "HE LIVES! I tell you, He is not dead, but lives here and now! Jesus Christ is more alive today than ever before. I can prove it by my own experience, as well as the testimony of countless thousands." Later that evening the young man gave his heart to Christ. It was during this experience that Ackey wrote not only the words but also the tune for our hymn, "He Lives."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I serve a risen Savior, He's in the world today;
I know that He is living, whatever men may say;
I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer,
And just the time I need Him He's always near.

In all the world round me I see His loving care, And tho my heart grows weary I never will despair;
I know that He is leading thru all the stormy blast,
The day of His appearing will come at last.

Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian, lift up your voice and sing
Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ the King!
The hope of all who seek Him, the help of all who find,
None other is so loving, so good and kind.

He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

humming along on "He Lives"  Thanks to Judy.

Yes, Larry, he's living out there and slowly getting work done on the house. I truly hope the job with the Air Force he applied for will come through for him. How great that would be!

Judy, what a blessing to hear that hymn again.

Well, tomorrow's an EARLY morning for me. Now, where's that "I don't do mornings" cartoon Pat used occasionally!??

Today was certainly busy - the Devotional Time downstairs, a bit of food and then an hour of rest, took an elderly friend to the doctor (which ended up being a 4-hour marathon), got Smart Cards for my son and me (the Smart Cards work all year long and the discounts more than pay for the low cost of the Card), purchased a tankful of gasoline, took the lady home, noticed my son had sent a text during the time the phone was turned off, went to meet him, forgot and lost my cell phone at the restroom in the facility where we met (fortunately, no one had been in there, so when I found it, it was "patiently sitting there waiting for me to return"), then returned here and cooked a bit of dinner.

WHEW!! Busy day, lotsa miles on little Josie and me, and now, tomorrow's another day.

May our Lord richly bless each of you and your extended families is my fervent prayer tonight.

Ruth Ann

Hi everyone.  We had no rain yesterday although other parts of our area did have some heavy downpours.  This is going to be a full morning as once coffee is over I will head to the Hyundai dealer to have my 30,000 maintenance done.  They have a courtesy van and I will have them take me over to Kaiser as have a doctors appointment this morning and have to have another blood test done for check my PSA count.  I will then call the courtesy van and they will pick me up and I will then pick up my car or wait until it is finished at the dealers.  Since I had to go for this appointment and also needed to get the maintenance done I decided this would be a good use of my time rather than make a separate trip and spend all that time sitting at the dealers.  That will be enough for one day.

Carol, during a span of 50 years we do come through a lot, some of which is pleasant to remember and some of which I try not to think of very often.  However, it just proves that even during the darkest of times there will be a sunny day ahead.  Glad Don is finishing up his painting. 

Janet, are they going to total your car or fix it.  Wow, those are expensive glasses.  Sure hope they help your vision.

Judy, does the dispatcher have favorites who get the miles that John would normally get? 

Ruth Ann, I will be pulling for your son to get the Air Foce job.   What is a smart card?  Is it like a discount card?  Sure glad you found your cell phone.  You sure did have a busy day.

Don is off to the VA for a check on a spot on the top of his head.  I just returned from a refreshing walk and now getting ready to bake chocolate chip bars.  It is just glorious to have windows open all night and into the morning. 

Larry:  that is good use of your time to combine your Must Do list.  Don is glad to have the project finished as well.  He has thrown the awful clothes out.  They were ragged anyway - we keep some old clothes for those chores.  We took a load of things to Salvation Army yesterday and stopped to share a hamburger.  It had bleu cheese and bacon on it so a half was more than enough food. 

Janet:  How are you doing with the new glasses? 

Ruth Ann:  Sending up a prayer for your son & the job possibility.  Is the smart card the one that can be scanned by just passing it over the machine?  Glad that you found your cell phone so quickly - another thanks be! 

I took Ivalou to the eye doctor today.  I talked to Dr. Miller about my left eye.  After describing what I feel, he said that sounds like dry eye and that I need eye drops or artificial tears.  Funny, I called the office a month ago and told the receptionist what my eye was like.  She called back later and said Dr. Miller said he would have to see me. 

Anyway, it seems that Ivalou has a bruised right eye.  Blood has formed in that eye.  She takes coumadin.  She barely bumps her arm and a big blood bruise will come on her arm but she said she hasn't hit her eye.  He said it didn't have to be hit to be bruised.  So now the 17th she goes to a specialist and they may lazer her eye.  She will need new glasses but not until after she sees the specialist.  Like she says...Always something!

We ate lunch at Steak and Shake and then back to Walmart to do some grocery shopping. 

FROGGS looks like it will be a wiener roast without the roast!  We are still under an open fire ban.  I thought maybe we could put charcoal in the fire pit instead of wood...charcoal doesn't spark but our Fire Department Chief says the ban says charcoal grills are allowed...not just charcoal.  So I didn't even call Kaye Don to see if charcoal in the pit would be okay since he didn't opt to take a chance on a wood fire and getting a warning.  Counties are lifting the ban but not my country...same county as where the guys won't okay permits for new buildings!!

Tomorrow is my class lunch.  Then I want to go to Lowe's and see if I can get a new umbrella for my bistro table outside!

Just home from Garden City.  Beth had the EGD and everything is fine, nothing abnormal at all, all the way into her duodenum.  She does have fungus condition in her mouth that also showed up in the duodenum, so was given a prescription for an anti-fungal mouthwash, which she will swish around and then swallow.  Said it will take a month or longer to clear that up, but they think that might be the reason she is having trouble talking, as it causes extreme dry mouth.  She tolerated the procedure well, and was ready to go eat as soon as she was awake!

Larry, they will repair the car.  I had a call from the adjuster today and she said the estimate is $4600+ so they must have found more wrong with the front end suspension than they first thought.

I had very little sleep last night so am really sleepy now.  Maybe a little nap won't keep me from sleeping tonight---I hope!

Etta Sue, I never heard of a bruised eye, sounds painful.  I hope your sister gets over that quickly!

Carol, my new glasses won't arrive for at least a week.  I look forward to getting them, and then I really hope I won't be costing us any money for a long time!
Glad Don got the painting job done, am sure that's a relief!  Way too hot here to be painting outdoors other than very early in the morning!

I got calls from two area Rotary clubs yesterday inviting me to speak for them, so that's a blessing.

Now I think I will do as Ruth Ann says and 'rest my eyes' for a little while!

Hello everyone, janet I am sorry about your car but thanking God that you were not hurt.

More sad news today. Will'a Son in law passed away early this morning and John Gilbert's FIL is in the hospital after seizing all night long he is not expected to make it out this time. Both Sarah, and her sister Erin are with Ann at the hospital and Gilbert is taking Savannah for her Dr appointments today then they will go there too. So it is not a happy day around here today.

A lot happens on here in a few days absence!! 

Janet, I am sooo thankful that our Lord was watching out for you on your trip to church...and that He is greater than the ruler of the world. 

Etta Sue, I will definitely pray for the establishment of your new church.  Though we are the church, it is definitely a wonderful thing to have a building to meet in.

Carol, sounds like your garage is coming along. I remember being absolutely astounded at the size of it!!!

Larry, I am still praying for Pat.  I am so glad that you are willing to sit with this friend who is not quite all there.  He is still a child of God who needs to hear His Word, and fellowship with his church family.

My news is that I will be able to go on vacation next week, and will be paid my vacation pay for that week.  I had quite a chat with my supervisor this morning, and we were able to iron things out without my union steward getting involved.  Praise the Lord, for He is mighty, powerful, and in control!!!

I forgot to share that I am on the mend.  Still having a bit of difficulty walking, but the discomfort is almost nonexistent, and the swelling is gone!!