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  September 11, 2001

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Morning Devotional...


The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God...in whom I will trust...and my high tower.
Psalm 18:2

The date, September 11, brings to our minds the tragic events that occurred two years ago. Many observed then that our world would never be the same.

But God is the same!

As our rock, He provides a strong foundation underneath.

As our fortress, He is a strong defense round about.

As our deliverer He is a strong commander at our side.

As our God, He is a strong object for our faith above.

And as our high tower, He gives us a strong vantage point for what lies ahead.

In Him I will trust.


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Good to see you here.  I hope you will be returning soon and often ...

PAT~I split wood the first year I was here...the next time I had some help.  Last year the wood was in really big chunks (like for a furnace) and it was hard wood--myrtle and oak--and full of knots (like Marilyn's head!) ... not such an easy task, to say the least.  

I had another letter from my grandson in Iraq.  It is so good to be able to connect with him again.  Funny, he had to use duct tape on the envelope and wrote ... "Sorry, this is all that will stick in this environment."  He says the temps have been as high as 157º ... rather warm, I'd say.    

I will be back later.  For now, I'll head back to my corner and sip on a cup of green tea.      

See ya~~~~~

Thank you Pat.  I have just come home from going to a live theatre production of an Agatha Christie  play.  Al was not enjoying it, so I suggested leaving early.  He is getting much weaker now.

Ria, I had Al write out a little message in Dutch for you with hopes it would make you feel especially at home here.  Don't understand the language and hope it is typed correctly:

Goede Morgen,

Ik hoop dat je goede dag heben God's zegen.  Al


You will have to translate and did it turn out right?  I hope that your back is better today and am remembering you in prayer.

The 11th was a sad day for everyone  but it reminded me of something I read recently:

The soul would have no rainbow

If the eyes had no tears.


Proverbs has always brought me a great deal of comfort when things don't go well.  I try to remember Proverbs 12:21 when provoked :

No lasting harm comes to a righteous person,

   but wicked people have lots of trouble.

Works for me!  God Bless, Liz.

Lovely thoughts already this morning from my sisters.

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I devour books! I love reading biographies of the great and the good. Over the past few months I have been reading about the exploits of men and women of extraordinary commitment and courage. Not all of them have been Christians.

I have studied the lives of those who have conquered Mount Everest, those who have crossed the Antarctic and Arctic on foot and those who have sailed sing handed around the globe.

There were others, closer to home that I have admired including Rev Jackie Ross and Maureen McKenna.

Each of them had a goal. They were all dedicated to the task in hand and nothing could deviate them from fulfilling their objectives. Courage, determination, grit and forbearance saw many of them through. The finest however lived by faith!

I cannot help but think of Noah in the same light. Against fearful odds and no doubt endless criticism he courageously honoured His God by obeying His command to the letter. He never wavered in his task nor questioned it; he simply got on with the job.

Christians in our day also require a great deal of commitment and courage as we endeavour to proclaim the unsearchable riches of Christ in a hostile environment.

Those most committed are those whom God Himself has shut in to the task. They seek not their own glory but the Master's. They are totally committed to the work they have been called to.

I heard of one such person yesterday. Courageously fighting the ravages of cancer she proclaims the Truth with amazing courage and an extraordinary radiance from her hospital bed.

Noah lived by faith and it was his total acceptance of God's Word that kept him going each day. It was a mammoth task to build such a structure, yet he flinched not at the challenge.

Perhaps it was once he had finished his task and he and his family were safely inside the Ark that the inevitable questions would start to make his faith to waiver.

We are not told this and I am only surmising.

The seven final days sitting in the Ark before any sign of a flood must have been trying to say the least. True he had God's Word for comfort yet I am sure that these seven days in particular passed very slowly indeed for him.

Have you ever thought of how he felt in these days?

His work and his faith were rewarded as God Himself sealed him into the Ark. It is as if God shows His approval of Noah's work by concluding the work Himself by shutting him in. Noah and his family could not have been in a safer place.

The Ark was God's way of salvation against the forthcoming judgement and it was a perfect salvation for His chosen ones.

There is a Judgement facing each one of us as we head swiftly towards eternity. Life will come to an end for us all whether we choose to believe this or not. The testimony of the world in 2003 seems no different to that in Noah's day. Sin abounds! God is not mocked and sin must be punished.

Those who do not have their sins forgiven face God's wrath and a lost eternity. If we continually refuse God's way of salvation then there will be no escape, an eternity in hell awaits. Do we understand this? Do we believe this to be the Truth?

Our God is a merciful and gracious God and He has provided a way of escape, a way of salvation. God sent His Son Jesus Christ into this world to redeem a people unto Himself. Sin had to be punished and blood had to be shed in order that sinners would be saved.

Christ died in the room and place of sinners on the cross at Calvary. He bore in His own body the punishment due to us for our sins. He bore God's wrath and curse in order that we may be set free. He died and rose again, God showing His approval openly on resurrection morn.

Jesus Christ is our Ark. God has made provision for a safe passage for His chosen people. The free offer of the Gospel is open both to you and to me today. It is time for you and I to enter into the Ark and find safety before Judgement day calls.

A word for those who may wonder about whether they are saved or not.

God's way of salvation is perfect. The provision is all His own. Just as Noah and his family were secure within their Ark, all who come to Christ by faith are secure.

Once saved we cannot be lost!

Salvation does not depend upon our good works or us; it is totally dependent on the finished work of Christ. It is all of grace.

If you will but trust your soul to Him today then you will be saved.

Fear not, God Himself has shut us in. We are accepted in the Beloved. We are secure within the Ark. He who has begun the good work in us shall perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.

We may from time to time lose our grip upon our Lord, yet His secure and loving embrace will never fail. His nail pierced hands will never let us go.

With God on our side we can also do great exploits for Him. Our time on earth is short and our dedication to our Master should be just as visible to those around us as the Ark was in its day.

If God be for us who can be against us? Let us therefore be bold, be courageous and be committed to honour our God in the short time we have left.

Here are some of the books I mentioned earlier:-

Maureen McKenna – 'From whitewashed stairs to heaven.'
Rev. Jackie Ross – 'An Irregular Candidate'
Ernest Lloyd – 'The importance of being Ernest.'
'Memoirs of Thomas Boston'
Ernest Shackleton – 'Endurance'

Your brother in Christ

Iain

8 p.m.

Thank-you Iain for reminding me that Jesus has built an Ark for His children...we are safe here.

Christopher reads the life stories of the great Explorers and adventurers and I love to read about the saints...some with a small "s" and some with a big "S".....

I have a lovely book by John Pollack "A Fistful of Heroes".........telling about Newton, Moody, Elizabeth Fry, Stonewall Jackson, Lord Shaftesbury, Mary Slessor, R.A. Torrey, Hudson Taylor, Robert Raikes and many others.
I sent for it from Gospel Cards at £5.99  U.K. although as it is still in print I am sure folks will be able to purchase it in U.S. and Canada.  I REALLY RECOMMEND THIS....EASY READING TOO.

Dear Ones I do wish you a day of Peace and Joy.......WE HAVE JOY. ( Galatians 5:22...)

Love in Jesus' Name.
Jenny.

                       


               HELLO BONNIE........


                                WELCOME IN.......
                                                               
                                                 
                                                 LOVE JENNY


                                             

I will fear no evil, for You are with me;

Mr Moak I thank you SO much for your wonderful work in the Psalms. They are a great help to me so many days.



Mr Iain, I work hard to learn the Psalm 23 this week. I think it is a much help to many who have a courage like Noah as you share.

I do undarstand they have a courage and Know if they die they will be with God in Death, It is my wonder if they still have a fears in life?  

I do not have a fear to go to live with God, it is my every wish. But I have a Many fears to know the ones I love in life are safe in life.
God is my shepard and he will watch over me in life, but there is still much pain in life and some events to tear your heart. I have many fears at times and I do trust God. But I often have a fears that all that I so love in life will be gone.

I have a shame for this at times because I try so hard to do what is Gods wish. I try so hard to have a trust that He will do what is best. I only do not want to lose that which is so dear to my heart. For this I have a fear and at times a shame because I know it is Gods wish for me to not have a fears at all.  

Is it a sin if I have a fear if I know it is Gods wish that I am to "Fear Not"  


Hi Ms Jenny  
Hi ms Jane  
Hi Mr Iain and Ms Pat  
Hi Ms Elizabeth  

Good morning
Pat thank you for the devotional this morning
Iain i also thank you for your devotional you booth are
very good.
Mieka that is a nice Psalm Psalm 23.
Jane how are you in this moment because now there
is silence around the death of Bev. God has taken her body away. NOT WHO SHE WAS AND WHAT SHE HAS SAY. That is saying with you God bless you Jane
Yesterday i have take a look on the TV to America
the pictures and rememberings from 11 sept.
I have not so good sleep this night i always saw
the pictures of America It is so terrible.
Yes Pat our world world would never be the same
Also today there is terrorism on the world.
We must pray for this world.
Now my husband is to the hospital with my father for
research also monday and then they started the
radiotherapie.
Elizabeth
Ik hoop dat je een goede dag hebt God's zegen Al
maar ook jij (but also you) Elizabeth.

I wish you all a very good day and God is blessing You
All.
Bye for now
Love Ria

            WELCOME  BONNIE

Good Morning to all..it is about 7AM here and I have been trying to catch up on all the posts in NM since yesterday.  

Thank you, Pat, for the songs.  'Does Jesus Care ' just touched my heart and soul and so appropiate for 9/11.  Then, too, it was our wedding anniversary this past week and although it has been 7 years since my husband passed, the day never passes that I still get emotional thinking of the good times we did spend together, of the family we had together...uh oh..now I'm crying

Mieka, I think that we all have fears and that is a purely natural feeling that the LORD gave us.  We can always turn our fears over to Him and, if you are like me....I must turn it over to Him over and over until I finally feel at peace.  I pray for the lost ones in my family and friends...but I know that the final decision is up to them.  However, I will never give up praying that the Holy Spirit will convict them to give their lives to Jesus.

A BIG welcome to Bonnie!

A blessed and Christ-filled day to all. TTYL

Good Morning Everyone...

I had a lovely chat today on Yahoo with Diana_g who registered with us quite some time ago and she's going to be looking in today!

Hello Diana!
I have to "shake a leg" and get ready to travel to London to the Dental College.  I almost forgot about that.

I'll be home later on this evening.  Hopefully I won't have too sore a jaw!  

Thanks for that good word today, Iain.  I so enjoy your writings.

Kathy, I sure know the feeling.  It's not as long for me and it's so real each day.  There's not a day that passes that I don't think of Jack.  This past week has been especially difficult as I have a new pantry cupboard and it's beside my china cabinet that had to be moved 4 inches to the left for it to fit.  Well, to move it, it had to be emptied and all the dishes have been washed.  I found so many little treasures that Jack bought over the almost 40 years that we were married.

What memories!

Lots of "tenderness plants"!  My father used to buy my mother a little African violet or some other plant when they had had a disagreement just to let Mum know that he loved her a lot and he's apologize and present Mum with a little "plant".  Well, over the years, Jack did the same with me.  But sometimes, the "tenderness plant" wasn't a real plant but maybe a nice china cup and saucer or a small china bell or some other little keep sake.  All are now so precious.

Must run and get ready to travel to London.

Hello Pat
It is so nice to have found this place.
Have a good day and (May God Bless )

WELCOME  DIANA

Kathy that are dificult days the dat that you husband
husband is passed. I know i also have lost my first
husband. But when the date is coming that is dificult
God bless you Kathy and He is with You
RIA

Good morning again!  

I will be going to the Nursing Home this afternoon to sing with our little group.  This started in May or June and the people there are so appreciative.  We are now "permanently scheduled" for the 2nd Friday of each month.  The first time, Bev was with us ... but that was the first time.  One time Ron joined us ... I doubt if he can take time from his work to be there now.  We never know exactly who will be there but we do know Nora will always bring her guitar and song books! She would even come over during the time Bev was in the hospital and Nora spent 20 out of 24 hours with her there!  When Bev was at home, Nora continued to stay by her side to care for her, but she came to the Nursing Home to sing when it was our "turn."

RIA~To answer your question: We have discussed the way Bev has so triumphantly departed this world.  Her body was not going to heaven, so God had to "shut it down" to release her to be with Him.  Her last words, as she sat up in bed and pointed heavenward, were "I'm going up!  I'm going up!" ... The testimony of her life of faith and complete trust in the Lord, is still touching lives here and around the world.  No, she did not die, but lives eternally with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  We are sad for our loss, because she left a huge hole in our lives, but not sad for her gain!

Oh, by the way, yesterday I found out who removed my note asking for help from the church bulletin board! They called and left a message on my answering machine.  I may call them today if I can't get this other person over here to do what he has been promising to do.    God is so good...all the time!

WELCOME, BONNIE!!

WELCOME, DIANA!!

It's great to have both of you here!

Iain, I also enjoy inspirational biographies/autobiographies very much.  I brought home some old books of my Mom's which have short stories of very courageous people in them, and am really enjoying reading those.

I have some errands to do in town, then have to be here to download an alarm system for Darrel while he is in Liberal, so I must hurry so I will be available when he calls!

Talk to all of you later---love and blessings to all of you!

Good Morning. Thank you Pat and Iain for the devotionals. Pia I pray you pain will soon subside.  Hello to you Jenny, Elizabeth, Jane, Kathy.

Welcome to Bonnie and Diana_g we are so glsd that you have joined us here on cP tell us about yourselves and please come every morning or throughout each day as is convienent for you.

Bea is to get  the resuslts from the Ob/Gyn doctor today.

By the way Jenny Victor has had a hard time of it ever since last December when he was incarcerated. He goes back to court on Sept. 26.

TTYL

BONNIE!!
DIANA!!

Good morning all!

Pat ~ Thank you for the morning devotional.  

Iain ~ Thank you for reminding us that Jesus is our Ark.  I read a fiction book on the ladies in the ark.  I have tried to find it again but it was a borrowed book.  What faith it took for those 8 people to get on that Ark with all those animals.  

Mieka ~ Bless your heart.  You have found your way for salvation and you fear that your loved ones won't.  That is okay to fear that.  Just show your light and hopefully, they will see the way to recieve the same salvation that you have recieved.  Bless you, little one!

Another sunny day.  After all the rain of a few days ago, now it is dry!  The ground is cracking, it is so dry.  But the farmers will be harvesting the corn and soy beans soon.  Then it will be great to see other cars at crossroads again.   And a much bigger plus....all the dust in the air makes bee-you-tea-full sunsets and sunrises...if you get up that early!  

I pray that everyone has a blessed day today in the arms of God.

<)))><<~~<)))><<~~<)))><<~~<)))><<~~<)))
"God will never lead you where His grace cannot keep you."

PAT i thank you for the song this morning
now it is in the beginning of the evening in Holland

Papa John how is your day do you have a lot of pain.
God bless you Papa John.

Papa John may i ask something Was Johnny Cash also
living in Nashville. On later age he is coming to the
believe in God. May he rest in peace. I have CD's from
him
Bye for now
Love Ria

      I am so frustrated right now.  We are out of water.  Melaura was washing dishes and she ran water to rince them and we are now out of water.  I have a load of laundry in which I cannot finish and it will be evening before I will be able to prime the pump and finish what I have started.  Well there is other work to do without the water, so..........

We will be alone tonight, Kassie and I, I am taking the 2 older girls to cadets and then Bonnie will pick them up and bring them home tomorrow.  John has a course to teach and will be home tomorrow night.  He is taking mother home tonight as well.

I will be back later.  Love JudyB

Hello everyone.  It is an absolutely gorgeous day here in Western North Carolina.  Blue sky, warm, gently breeze, lots of pollen (cough, cough, sneeze); simply awesome.  

Capt. Destructo is taking an afternoon nap so I thought I would jump in and say hello.

HELLO

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Pat{/b} you devotions hits home for me today.  Zachery just got out fo the hospital. He had another remicate infussion done.  He pulled throught it ok.  He will start to get them every 6 weeks now.  I sure hope this helps.  It sure makes me realize how I need to keep my trust in the Lord through all this.  God will provide and heal Zachery.

Thank you all for the warm welcome again.  You all means so much to me.

I have lots to do today.  Have a great day!
Love Sonja

Sonia, what a delight to see your smiling face again!

Jane, your recount of Bev's homegoing reminded me of my dad's death. I arrived at their apartment house just as the security guard passed by. As he let me in one door, my son (who will soon be living with me and is an unbeliever) arrived at the opposite door - this was about 11 o'clock at night. Within the length of time it took for the guard to return to the door I came in, my son and his wife and children who live in England (who "happened" to be in Tennessee on vacation - isn't God good to plan our itineraries) knocked on the door he had just locked.

Well, when it was apparent Daddy would go that night, I began to sing hymns. My stepmother, Helen joined in, so I switched to alto. My unbelieving son's bass next chimed in. Then, my son who is in the music business in England began with his rich tenor. Someone went down to the library and retrieved hymnals for all in the room, and we sang Daddy over Jordan.

Just as he passed over, his eyes opened and I once more saw that beautiful, whimsical smile of his, he raised his trembling hand to heaven, and his last words were "Halleleujah!"

Yes, we shed tears at the funeral, but they were tears of joy as parishioner after parishioner stood to recount ways "Brother Duke" had enriched their lives, stood by when they were broken hearted, given them money when they were hungry, prayed for their sick, dedicated their babies, married their young, buried their dead.

At the end, our family gathered around me as I sat at the piano, and we all sang "I'll Meet You In the Morning." There were 31 family members singing in that last choir that I'm certain Daddy heard.

I can imagine him just inside the Pearly Gates, raising his hand in a victorious salute shouting, "Halleleujah!" And most likely at his side was my mother, his faithful companion for 42 years before her death 15 years prior to Daddy's death.

Ruth Ann

10 p.m.

Ruth Ann I am off to my bed now but I have to pop in and tell you thank-you for sharing about your Daddy.

That was beautiful.

Love to all and God Bless,
Jenny.

Ruth Ann:  That was a lovely family story.  

thinking of your burdens.  Carol

Hi Pat:

Thank you for the devotional.  I was especially touched when I read it as well as listened to the music "Hiding in Thee"    It's good to know that no matter what happens in this world or to this world  we have the mighty Rock to run to and hide in.  Wow!

Will post later after I read all the other posts.

Ruthie

Just going to check in to say hi this evening and say welcome to Bonnie and Diana.  I have read all the postings here in NEM.  See you all tomorrow.

Ruth Ann, thanks for sharing about your Daddy's homegoing.  How sweet that memory must be to all who were there.  

I'm just popping in to say goodnight to all of you!

Goodnight, All!

Ruth Ann what a wonderful homegoing your Daddy had.

At my Mother's memorial service  Gilbert leaned over and said to me "Grandma knew exactly where she was  going" I told him "She certianly did".

I have posted a photo  of my Oldest son Don and the gal he lives with in the photos page.

TTYL