Christian Photographers Community

Welcome to our weekly topic entitled, "Thoughts for the Week"!


Each week we start a new topic which begins with a short devotional and/or a hymn and then we share all week with other, our comings and goings in our daily life.

If you wish to share a scripture verse, tell us about an outing that was special, talk about your problems with your car, or whatever it might be, please feel free to join us.

This week's devotional is entitled, "In Debt to the Attributes of God" by Alistair Begg

See you in the coming week!

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

Morning Devotional...







In Debt to the Attributes of God
Allistair Begg

Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
Romans 8:12

As God's creatures, we are all debtors to Him: to obey Him with all our body and soul and strength. Having broken His commandments, as we all have, we are debtors to His justice, and we owe to Him a vast amount that we are not able to pay.

But of the Christian it can be said that he does not owe God's justice anything, for Christ has paid the debt His people owed; for this reason the believer is in debt to love. I am a debtor to God's grace and forgiving mercy; but I am no debtor to His justice, for He will never accuse me of a debt already paid. Christ said, "It is finished!" and by that He meant that whatever His people owed was wiped away forever from the book of remembrance. Christ has completely satisfied divine justice; the account is settled; the handwriting is nailed to the cross; the receipt is given, and we are no longer in debt to God's justice. But then it follows that since we are not debtors to our Lord in that sense, we become ten times more debtors to God than we should have been otherwise. Christian, pause and consider for a moment.

• What a debtor you are to divine sovereignty! How much you owe to His disinterested love, for He gave His own Son that He might die for you.
  
  


• Consider how much you owe to His forgiving grace, that even after ten thousand offenses He loves you as infinitely as ever.
  
   


• Consider what you owe to His power; how He has raised you from your death in sin; how He has preserved your spiritual life; how He has kept you from falling; and how, though a thousand enemies have surrounded your path, you have been able to hold on your way.
  
  


• Consider what you owe to His immutability. Though you have changed a thousand times, He has not changed once.
  
  

You are as deep in debt as you can be to every attribute of God. To God you owe yourself and all you have: Offer yourself as a living sacrifice; it is but your reasonable service.

Hello, Pat!  I enjoyed that devotional, but have a question.  What does he mean by "his disinterested love?"  It just doesn't seem to 'fit' and I am wondering about that.  Is the Lord ever disinterested in anything about His children?  That really caught my eye!

We are about ready to go to the gym.  Darrel is going today again, will take it easy, of course.  We see a new cardiologist on Thursday.

Mary didn't show up.     I do wish she wouldn't tell me she's coming, and not come, or at least she could call and say she isn't coming!

Hi everyone.  It is a cloudy morning but they say little possibility of rain today.  When I came to my office this morning I found my computer out of order.  I have a backup hard disk that I will put in my computer later but the data is two years old so think I will just do a complete reinstall.  I don't think I will have lost much of importance as save most of my files on the cloud. I have my usual Monday activities plus Pat has her pre-op physical this morning.  She didn't sleep well last night.

Janet, glad you enjoyed the work at the home but sounds like you paid a price.  I enjoyed the actual game last night but thought the half-time show was a mess as couldn't understand a thing that the singer said.  It was quite a light show and then they had to stop the game due to a power outage in the stadium.  At least not all the light went out.  Our church for several years has taken a Souper Bowl collection after the services to go to our local food bank. 

Jeanne, the sports world never takes a break.  Football continues into basketball season, which pretty much continues into the baseball season.  Thanks for filling in the gap in my knowledge of the ice and snow remover product.  The only commerical I really liked was the M&M's one although the clydesdale one was nice.  However, must admit I didn't pay much attention to the ads.  Great story about Dr. Tillotson.

Judy, hope you don't need to redo your test.  Heres hoping you soon get a high speed internet connection.

Jane, thanks for keeping us updated on Faye's writings. 

Hi RuthV. 

Pat, thanks for the devotional. 

Thanks, Pat, for the devotion.  Did I miss the 'go to the next Thoughts' post?  I had to come here manually. 

And thanks for Dr. Tillotson's story.  I, too, would love to visit with him.

I found out that Rose's visitation isn't until Wednesday and funeral is Thursday at their church.  I wonder why so long of a wait. 

Today Kitty and I are going to Hobby Lobby.  I have a few things to get and Kitty always has painting supplies to purchase.  She asked me to lunch with her and Bob but I declined.  I will try to be there by around 12:30.

Thanks for the comments on the story of Dr. Tillotson.  They are very nice people, the kind you like having as friends/neighbors/community members.

We have had our workout and are back home.  I need to do some cleaning around here, then have another dental appointment at 2:45. 

Larry, there were a couple of those commercials, especially the kissing one, that I found just disgusting.  I have no idea what they were advertising.  I must admit, I was reading on my Kindle Fire and not watching closely, though.  I was rather pleased that the Raven won, even after losing their momentum after the problem with the stadium lights.  I went by the church for a few minutes early in the game, and made a plate to take to Beth.  She was in the dining room when I walked in, saw the plate and her eyes got big and she said, "Oh, boy!"  So that was worth the trip to town, to make her happy!

I would rather like to see the Bud commercials.  Maybe I can Google them.

Etta Sue, what a  cute white Teddy Bear you posted!

I like to shop at Hobby Lobby, they are a Christian company and deserve our support.  They are fighting the Obamacare requirement for them to provide contraception meds for their employees.  Not right to be forced to do what goes against their conscience.  But then, what IS right about Obamacare?  I received an email from someone the other day, a comic piece where Obama is talking to an really elderly woman saying to the effect of "Sorry, you cannot have a hip replacement but you are eligible for free contraception."  What a joke!  More truth than fiction to his comments though.

Janet, I got my KindleFire out and ready to do a little "research" now....haha.  My little brain thinks any effort to understand what I am doing is research.  E-mail coming in a little while.

Hello to everyone.  Pat, thank you for the devotional today.  A good one!
Adios,  ~Janice

Interesting that during the Super Bowl, I saw several players - some with scriptures tatooed and one at least giving the sign of the cross.  On both teams. 

We just watched a video of our grandson giving his senior speech.  It was so honest and refreshing that it brings tears to our eyes.  He had a time adjusting and had demerits or whatever the first year and half and was almost asked to leave school when he took an entire day to think about things and turned himself completly around.  He knew his parents and us prayed daily for him.  The mates really cheered after his speech.  It was so inspiring. 

I have been trying to find an inexpensive dress - never have seen so many trashy dresses so I may have to wear the one bought years ago.  A nightmare.  I could sew my own dress but just detest even thinking about it - too much work. 

Etta Sue:  It sounds like your friend's Homecoming is a blessing in pain relief. 

Janet:  There is a good sized ranch near Granby, Colorado with the name Tillotson

   Hi to all.  Had a very busy day as I did some volunteer at the mission then to do Grand kid duty and also help our daughter-in-law as she did not have a car and she had to go to the new babies doctor for a check up as she has a bad cough and she still is so tiny but she has gained some weight praise the Lord for that.  But please pray for her as she is so young.  Her name is Brynley and she is so beautiful and we want her to get well so we do appreciate your prayers.

I will say goodnight as I am very tired tonight.  God's richest blessings.and all our love in Christ.  Gordon and Noreen.

This was my devotional for today.  So many I hear questioning God becaue of the number of ungodly leaders so many countries have  I hope you find this as interesting as I did.

How can God be in charge when some rulers are such tyrants?

The king's heart is like a stream of water directed by the Lord; he turns it wherever he pleases.

Proverbs 21:1 NLT

God's authority

God rules his creation. Nothing is outside his authority — not even the leaders of the nations and kingdoms of this world. No person is placed in a position of power outside of God's will. This can be a great comfort when we see leaders take over in various places, especially leaders with whom we do not agree.

So what does this mean for the cruel tyrants of the world? It means that they too are under God's authority. Satan may author their evil acts, but their wrongdoing can only occur within the boundaries God sets. Why those boundaries are where they are for some nations is a question only God can answer. But we can rest assured that no power is in authority outside of God's plan. God always accomplishes his will, even through the most wicked leaders. God is always the final authority.

WISE WAYS  How will you pray today for the leaders of your country, as well as for leaders around the world?

Today, Lord, may I trust that you are the sovereign authority over all that happens in my nation. May I trust you, even as I work on your behalf.

A leader has two important characteristics: first, he knows where he is going; second, he is able to persuade other people to go with him.
AUTHOR UNKNOWN

A real leader faces the music when he doesn't like the tune.
ARNOLD H GLASGOW

Adapted from The One Year® Book of Proverbsby Neil S. Wilson, Tyndale House Publishers (2002), entry for February 21

Hi everyone.  It is an overcast day here in Georgia but not too cold.  I got up fairly early this morning and tore into my desktop computer to change out the hard drive.  I finally figured out how to remove the old hard drive (it was simple once I got the right combination) and put in the replacement drive and powered it up.  Unfortunately, it didn't work either.  I called my friend, Rod, who is very knowledgeable about computers and he is going to bring over a tester later this morning to be sure the power supply is working as he said that could be the problem.  So I will stay home today and not attend my meeting.  Pat thought maybe I should get a new computer but think this one can be fixed.  I don't think I will probably replace the desktop as no longer do much on it that couldn't be done on a laptop.  However, that is down the road.

Janet, is Dr. Tillotson and his wife in the care home?  I agree with you on that kissing commercial.  Glad Beth enjoyed the plate of food you took to her.  I know that the food in care homes, gets very boring.  I think the same is true when we eat in the same place over and over.

Janice, I also saw that cartoon about the hip replacement not being available under Obamacare but offering free contraception. 

Carol, nice that you could see your grandson's senior speech and it sounds like he is a very fine young man who can think for himself. 

Gord, do hope your new granddaughter continues to gain weight and that the cough soon goes away. 

Judy, it is sometimes hard to accept that God has directed the way some of the world leaders take their countries but I do believe that it is all a part of God's plan for the world.    Thanks for sharing that piece.

Good morning, friends,

I, too, missed the link to this discussion. It certainly is good to read all your posts.

Today I'll be ambarking on a project that will keep me busy for a number of days - making something with chicken scratch embroidery. It looks like lace when finished, but does take some time.

Y'all have a wonderful day with our Lord - and keep those postings coming.

Love,
Ruth Ann

Ruth Ann, what is Chicken Scratch embroidery?  I had not ever heard of that, is it done on a sewing machine?  I am guessing it is done on a foundation that can be torn away, because of the lace effect you described.  I would love to see some of that!

Judy, thank you for the song, "No one ever cared for me like Jesus".  My grdtr Sara sang that song at Earl's 95 year old sister's funeral awhile back.  We told her to choose a song that she liked. 
Thank you also for the devotional about God's Authority....how true that is.

Larry, I want to thank you for your posts, you always remember everyone and comment on their posts.  I am guilty of going blank when I post, for I have forgotten most of what I read.  I don't mean to leave anyone out, but I just forget.  So thank you, for your insight on all subjects. 

My daughter retired (early out) from her job at Social Security (SSI section) at the end of the fiscal year.  She now has a part time job as assistant to our Director of Missions for the eastern side of NM, for our state Baptist Convention.  She is so much better off, her SS work was so stressful it was just ruining her health.  I can tell so much difference in her health and outlook on life now. 

My grdtr Patty and hubby and son will be here this week, for a final visit before leaving for Korea next week. They have to be in Seattle by the 13th. They are to take one car to Dallas to have it shipped, and bring their other car here to leave with her mom, my daughter.  Then rent a car to go back to El Paso. They will have at least a 2 year assignment in Korea, possibly 3 years.  Good grief!  I may not ever see them again this side of heaven...I am 80 and surprised to reach this age!  My mom didn't. 

Everyone have a great day.
Blessings,  ~Janice

The conflict in Syria continues to escalate.  Are we on the brink of world war three?

Still waiting for Mary to show up.  Last night after I was in bed, she called to say she was about five miles from Guymon, would go spend the night with her mother and come here today.  We shall see.......

Janice, thanks for the help with the Kindle!  I am gradually figuring out some things, but get so frustrated when I can't get anything on the screen except what I last had, turn off and back on, same thing. Yikes.  Kids now won't have these problems, my 2 year old great granddaughter can use her little iPad with no problems already!   

I worked out this morning, Darrel had a chiropractor visit.  If Mary gets here in time, she said she wants to take us to lunch.  I really dislike not being able to depend on what she says.

Does the part in the devotional about God's "disinterested love" not bother anyone but me?  Hey, Al--what do YOU think?  I just do not understand it.

I must go, need to shower before lunch time.

Wow I have the Rogers wireless hub.  This is fantastic.  Things are moving along so quickly!.

Kitty and I did get to Hobby Lobby.  She gave me 2 small skeins and a Pound Cone of Sugar and Cream cotton yarn.  I will make necklaces with the small skeins but use the cone for dish clothes!  Good Florida projects while they watch things on TV that I don't care for!!  At Hobby Lobby I got two more small skeins of cotton and three skeins of Yarn Bee Chrysalis.  It is the same as Premier Starbella If you click on that you will see a YouTube on how to use this yarn and make a Ruffled Scarf.  I finished a Chenille scarf last night and started one of there ruffled scarves.

Today I went to the pool and then to a Mexican place for lunch.  Then to Walmart.  I found a couple of gowns to wear in Florida...then went to where card table and chairs were.  I found a 5-piece set but no way could I put it in a cart and no where was a clerk!  Finally I saw two clerks walking together so I told them my dilemma.  That called Mark to bring a dolly.  He followed me to check out and took this big box to the car and put it in my truck! 

Then my car turned right into a Nails place.     I have never had my nails done....never..ever!  My nails look terrible.  They are soft, break easy and the thumb nails have splits, ridges vertical and horizontal and even dips.  Most of my nails are spoon nails.  So now I have the prettiest nails that I have had since I was in high school!!  But I have already bummed up my index finger on my right hand...

Then home.  I got the big box of table and chairs out of the trunk and then walked it and turned it end for end to get it into the house. I gathered the trash since this is trash day and unpacked my table and chairs.  Now it can all go out tonight with the trash!! 

Now it is computer time.  The sun is trying...really it is...but not quite making it!  It is still below freezing.  Someone at church Sunday said the normal at this time of year is 37°.  Not this year.

Oh, yes!  And I got a call while getting my nails done from the heat pump people.  The parts they ordered came in so they are to work in the heat pump in the morning...$$$$.  It will be costly but hopefully, it will keep this house warm during the day.

Congrats, Judy on the 'speed-up!'

Etta Sue, that sounds a lot like some of my days!

Mary still hasn't shown up, so I'm going to keep reading.  This Kindle is so habit-forming!

JudyB:  I just finished changing your new email address.  Thanks for the message. 

I did go to the knitting group and of course, made a mistake while chatting.  I can't talk and knit at the same time.  Meeting some very nice gals, and one is at our new church. 

We always like the Budweiser commercials especially since we lived in Fort Collins and could visit the Clydesdale horses and colts plus Dotty the Dalmation.  If you ever have a chance, go to the free tours at least and it is spanking clean and just the nicest place.  You don't have to have any beer - yuk.    They brought out a horse and you should have seen Dotty perk up and she had to go over to nuzzle the huge horse, it was so sweet. 

Cleaning everything today.  A cousin & husband are coming for lunch tomorrow so I plan on making lemon cupcakes from fresh lemons here and a soup and Thursday the pastor is coming so he will have a chicken fiesta salad, cornbread and lemon cupcakes.  Friday, we plan to go to an art fair with friends a few miles away.   Hopeful that the rain will stay off until that afternoon. 

Janet:  Sorry about the no-show.  Nice that Beth is feeling good and ready for that good food from church. 

Etta Sue:  Great that they are to work on heat for your house. 

Lindsay Vonn - a great skier was injured today.  We hope that she makes it back to compete in the Olympics.  She is a good friend of Tim Tebow.  (That is all my local news from home). 

Janet I just read the story of Dr. Tillotson, Very interesting, thank you for sharing your stories.

"His disinterested love" I think it's a poor choice  of  words.  God is not "disintested, but the meaning is that He  doesn't receive personal gain  from it.

Thank you Al for that.  I was wondering as well!

Hi, friends,

It was not a stressful day, but a day filled with activities and phone calls.

I'll be praying for one stressed out and ready to give up couple I know. I pray for each of them, for the family, and for the couple as a couple.

Well, it will be a restful day tomorrow. I'll be calling the doctor for fresh prescription for my strips for the new blood sugar monitor. Also, putting away things bought at WalMart today. Then doing a bit of research on the computer - what a nice day for which to prepare.

Y'all have a wonderful day - I agree, I can't remember to respond to each message like Larry, but it's so interesting to follow the conversation as it evolves.

May our Lord grant each of us a blessing today, and then may we rest in His peace as we prepare for the evening of rest.

Love to all,
Ruth Ann

Hi everyone.  I wanted to post early this morning as it is going to be a busy day.  After coffee I will go to Bible study (Pat is not going today) and then have ROMEO's men's luncheon at 1 pm at Golden Corral.  I also need to stop at Kaiser to pick up a prescription for Pat that she left there on Monday.  We are suppose to get up to 65 degrees today-very nice for early February.  My friend and I determined yesterday that my desktop has bitten the dust as the motherboard is gone.  It is not worth replacing it so now have to decide what to do, either get another laptop for use in my office or another desktop.  I am thinking I won't do either at this time since when my SIL is here for 2 1/2 weeks I won't be using my office since it will be her room.  I could just continue to use my laptop but don't want to get into a habit of sitting in this chair all day long in front of the TV so want to continue using my office in the morning.

Ruth Ann, I never heard of chicken scratch embroidery.  I sure it will be beautiful when finished. 

Janice, I see you had the same question on the embroidery.  Glad I am not the only one who didn't know.    Please don't worry about not commenting to each poster.  There are some days I don't do much of that either.  I do appreciate your thank you note.  Sure glad your daughter was able to retire from Social Security.  Having been a federal employee in a very stressful job I can relate and have never missed the work, only the people. It sounds like she has a lovely job now.  Many years ago Pat worked at the Synod of Mid-america in Kansas City and I think she enjoyed the work as wasn't a stressful situation. Hope you will be able to see your granddaughter on her return from Korea.  Don't forget you can maintain face-to-face contact with her over the Internet via Skype or Facetime with an iPad or iPod Touch.

Janet, just remember that the menus are at the top of the screen if you want to navigate to something else.  However, the big icons make it much easier to find things in most instances.  It is a shame that your friend is not more dependable but we have no control over other people.

Judy, so happy for you finally getting a high speed Internet connection.  This will open up a whole new world for you.

Etta Sue, I don't have a clue on the yarn but really don't need to know more than what you have said since I will never be a knitter.   Glad you are happy with her nails.  Maybe they can repair the one that was banged up.  You certainly had a busy day yesterday.

Carol, nice you have a knitting group to attend.  I have seen the Clydesdale horses a couple of times and they are huge but beautiful animals. 

Hi Marilyn.  Is this a workday for you?

Al, thanks for the explanation of "His disinterested love" as I had no clue.   

Well, Mary still hasn't shown her face around here!  She called last night to my cell, but I was in my recliner with a lot of stuff on my lap, and by the time I got over to the table where my phone was, she hung up!  And then turned her phone off immediately!  I have left her at least five messages, no return call as yet.    We do have other plans, cannot wait around on her for a whole week!  Sorry, TMI 

Larry, I forgot to answer your question about the Tillotsons.  No, they are not in the care home.  I did everyone there and in Assisted living whose permission I had, now am branching out into the community, because people are really enjoying the stories and want me to continue writing them.  Thanks for asking.

Time to go work out, so I need to get my gym clothes on!  See you later!

I have two ruffled scarves done now.  The new skeins go fast! 

Janet, that was hit by Jan's car, called last evening.  She is having surgery on her shoulder today as I am typing.  She said shoulder replacement.  Didn't know they did that.  And they won't be going to Florida unless the doctor says she can do rehab on her own instead of at a facility. 

The heat pump guy is on his way! 

Ivalou needs a perm and I need a haircut before going to Florida.  We are trying to find time and a place for that since our beautician is not doing hair because she had rotator cuff surgery like Ivalou.  There is a beauty college in Noblesville and we think we will go there next Wednesday! 

Today is the visitation for Rose and tonight is Wednesday Night Live. 

Ivalou needs to go to CVS and we need to take our papers to get our taxes done. 

Even for me, I am busy this week!!  And it looks like next week will be the same!

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Patty and Richard (and of course my GrGrSon Sidney) arrived last evening to my dtr's house, just down the street from me. 
They will be here a few days.

Elaine came by my house last night to ask about parking a car or two at my house.  Also she told me that Richard got a jury duty notice in her mail box yesterday!  How ironic, he is on his way to Korea and gets a jury notice!  Of course he will be excused.  They have been keeping Elaine's address on their car titles, etc. and New Mexico uses that registration list to select juries.

Yes, Larry, we intend to use Skype but someone will have to show me how to use it again.  I signed up for it several years ago and only used it once.  I think my KindleFire has a camera for that purpose.  Patty once sent me the sweetest picture that she had made of Sidney on Skype with his dad in Kuwait, giving each other a high five! 

Janet, your friend Mary sounds like someone I know.  She was so bad about saying she was coming, and then did not, that I finally told her that was rude and to stop making promises she didn't intend to keep.  I do not usually tell people off, in fact almost never.  But after awhile you get fed up.

I wondered about the "disinterested love" also, and figured it must have been in a certain context and I am no Bible scholar for sure. 
There is another question I have though.  About the judgment for Christians.  Some say that is all about the rewards and some say we have to answer for our sins there.....what about the scriptures that say when we confess, our sins are forgotten and gone as far as the east is from the west.  I tend to believe our judgment will be about the rewards.  Any comments from anyone?

bye now, ~Janice

Great and thoughtful question, Janice.

I tell the devil to stop filling my head with thoughts of having to deal with my sins after  death because
I, too, believe strongly that our sins have been forgiven or the death on the cross is in vain.

Please , dear Al, or anyone else let us know what you feel..

Joyce