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Morning Devotional...


Moabites and Ammonites

   The firstborn bore a son and called his name Moab. He is the father of the Moabites to this day. The younger also bore a son and called his name Ben-ammi. He is the father of the Ammonites to this day.

(Genesis 19:37-38)

- Genesis 19:37–38
Moses concludes the account of Sodom and Gomorrah's destruction in today's passage, telling us that Lot fathered the Moabites and the Ammonites by his daughters (Gen. 19:37–38). Before we consider the history of these two nations, let us look at an important lesson the original readers of Genesis were to learn from Sodom's end.

While the book of Genesis is God's written word to us, it was first given to the nation of Israel. This audience was to read Genesis and understand it was the Lord's will for them to possess the land of Canaan. Abraham's return to this area from Egypt (12:10–13:1) and the Lord's promises to give Canaan to the patriarch's legitimate heirs (12:1–9; 15:18–21; 17:1–8) are some of the proofs this land rightfully belonged to faithful Israelites.

Yet the covenant community would later be tempted to embrace the same violence, idolatry, and immorality practiced by the inhabitants of Canaan (Judg. 2:1–5; 1 Kings 12:25–33). Therefore, Sodom's destruction also warned that Israel (indeed, any nation) could lose everything if it fell into the same sins. More often than not, regrettably, the ancient Israelites did not heed this warning (Isa. 3:8–9).

God also inspired Moses to explain how the Israelites were related to the other peoples living in the area. The Moabites who lived just east of the Dead Sea and the Ammonites who occupied the countryside north of Moab were both tribes related by blood to Abraham as they descend from his nephew (Gen. 19:37–38). But given the incestuous origins of Moab and Ammon, we are not surprised that contact with these peoples often brought much trouble for Abraham's children as these peoples sinned like their parents. Moab led Israel into Baal worship on its way into Canaan (Num. 25:1–3). Both the Ammonites and the Moabites hired Balaam to curse Israel as it journeyed toward the Promised Land and were thus forbidden to enter the Lord's assembly (Deut. 23:3–4).

However, the curse on these peoples is due to lack of faith, not ethnicity. Those Ammonites or Moabites who trusted in Yahweh could be incorporated into the Israel of God (Ruth 1–4).

Coram Deo

Children often repeat the sins of their parents, and so the later enmity between Israel and the peoples of Ammon and Moab is not surprising. Just as the sons of Jacob were not to follow the evil customs of these nations but instead be a light to them (Isa. 42:6–7), so too must the church, the Israel of God today (Gal. 6:16), strive to point ungodly people to Christ. Pray for a friend who does not know Jesus and seek opportunities to share your faith with him.


From Ligonier Ministries, the teaching fellowship of R.C. Sproul.  http://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/moabites-and-ammonites/

Hi everyone on a beautiful Sunday morning here in Georgia.  I made a quick trip to McDonald's to get Pat and I some breakfast.  It will warm up later today.  We will go to church and out to lunch somewhere and then I will enjoy the afternoon listening to Don's classical music program. 

Jeanne, it has been a bit of an unusual summer.  Your weather sounds so pleasant.  We are suppose to be in the lower 90s all next week. 

Ruth Ann, I am sure you have been a big help to your SIL since you had jumped through the hoops when you moved to the apartments.  Afternoon naps are great and I try hard not to have to miss them or at least a period of rest on the bed.   

Marilyn, I have not heard from Al.

Janet, I firmly believe that our weather will be exactly what God wants it to be and there will always be some cool periods and some warmer periods.  I do think man can pollute the waters and land.  On the news last night they talked about a patch of trash in the middle of the Pacific ocean at is as large as the state of Texas.  That just boggles the mind.  It is amazing how a good night of sleep can revive us. 

Buddy, thanks for the devotional for this week.  It was very interesting. 

Thanks for the devotional today, Buddy.  It's very interesting, especially in light of the confrontations lately between Israel and Hamas.

Al Moak...

I've been in contact with Joel and he says Al is doing "pretty good" but I've tried and tried to phone Al and he doesn't reply.  Also, he doesn't know how to get into the Answering Machine so no use leaving a message.

Joel got my phone number and was going to get Al to phone me while he was there with him.  But I haven't received the call yet.

Sad...   

Buddy, thank you for the great devotional for this week. 

Great devotion selection, Buddy.  It is so easy for us to read accounts like that and think, "those crazy people, what were they thinking?"  They directly saw God's power over and over, yet they succumbed to destructive temptations time and time again.  Yet we are no different...we see His power and sovereignty, we profess our faith in Him, yet we, as individuals and nations, also fall victim to deadly temptation.  Thank goodness Jesus Christ paid that penalty for us, so that we will be the benefactors of His grace and mercy!

Hope everyone has a great week!

Hi everyone.  It has been a morning filled with activity.  I went to coffee, the housekeepers are here, Pat just left for a massage and then will go to Walmart and then we may go out to lunch (yet to be determined).  This evening I will attend a meeting.  I need to find someone to come and repair my garage door so I can get my car in and out of my garage.  I have a Samsung smart phone that I used before I got the iPhone and am getting it set up to give to the young Nigerian lad as he needs it to use in his chemistry class as a reference.  I hope it will solve his needs as the wi-fi portion works but it will not work as a phone.

Pat, thanks for the info on Al and good to read he is doing pretty well. 

Have you looked at the entries for our latest challenge - DAIRY?  We're voting now and you don't need to have entered a picture in order to vote.  It's open to everyone.  Have a look at all the photos  HERE and choose your four favorites.

Don and a neighbor are working on my sewing machine cabinet - Don is sawing wood and neighbor is working on an acrylic level that goes around the machine. We are waiting for a phone call from #2 grandson who goes to Fort Collins on Wednesday for university - he said he would meet us or come over before leaving.

I spent time  cleaning irons, tea kettle with vinegar today. All are working great now.  Tomorrow, early morning we will be at the VA for Don to take a couple of tests for lung capacity.  It isn't easy living at this altitude and adjusting after being a near sea level takes a toll on both of us.  My test results were good - now it is his turn.

Pat:   I hope you hear from Al or his son.  Thinking of Al often. 

Larry:  Very kind of you to help the young man from Nigeria.  I am sure that if we look around the house there are unused things that could be of help to those who are really needy.  We try to donate to the Sal Army most and they use the money so well............. Broncos are off to a good start, isn't that so? 

OK - Jeanne, off to vote. 

We had a nice little shower last night, well, early this morning, I mean.  But our temp was somewhere near the 100* mark and is predicted to so the same for several more days.

I had been having this pain in my side and didn't know what it was.  Went to my chiropractor and found out my rib was out of place.  Sure is a relief to have it put back in!  Abby had three ribs out the other day when she came up to see him!

I am going to stay with the little girls again tomorrow while Toni tries to finish packing up the house.  I hope I get more sleep tonight, so I won't feel so tired tomorrow.

Jeanne, I voted, too.

Hi everyone on a cloudy morning.  We had a nice rain last evening and it looks like we could get some more today.  At least it is keeping the temperatures out of the 90s.  I was able to get someone here yesterday to repair my garage door so now can get my car in and out of my garage.  I should have a more laid back day today with only a meeting this morning and the rest of the day free. 

Jeanne, I did vote.  Our milking parlor on the farm sure didn't look like the one in the picture.    We did use milking machines however and never had to milk by hand. 

Carol, a friend made one of the acrylic levels to go around Pat's machine when she got the new sewing cabinet several years ago.  Is this your #2 grandson's first year in the university?  Hope Don does well on the lung capacity tests.  I know that climate sure did a number on me when we were there and I vowed never to go back.  My legs and feet were very swollen and I had angina about the whole time we were there.  I don't pay much attention to the pre-season football scores.  We are very close to college football season, which I do enjoy and also the pros.

Janet, have you been lifting too much to get your rib out of place.  Glad you got some relief.  I bet the little girls love having you care for them. 

Larry, I suspect that I have been leaning over to get the light on my Bible in the early mornings so I can see to read it.  The lamp isn't quite bright enough, I suspect, and so I get myself in a kink.  That's the only thing I can figure I did.  May not be correct, though.  And I'm always lifting heavy things, so who knows?  Sure has been a relief today not to have it hurting!

I had a good, but long day with the little dolls.  (G-g-girls.)  I got into some tight places while playing hide and seek with them, and finally had to come out as they never did find me.  Once I was only under the dining room table!  But I couldn't sit up straight under there!  And once we start playing, they never want to stop!

Our trip to Niagara Falls is fast approaching--we will leave on Sept. 12.  Daughter Kerri and her son Justin are leaving Sept. 17 for Germany, to visit the younger boy who is in the Air Force there.  Kerri is beyond excited!

I am heading to bed!  See you all later!

Hi, friends,

It has been a busy first part of the week, and promises to be busier the remainder of the week. My sister in law will be moved into her apartment by the end of the week. I supervised putting up her hospital bed today and also attended the signing of her lease. She was absolutely worn out by the end of the meeting.

So, if I'm too busy to come back this week, you'll be able to understand why.

Much love to all,
Ruth Ann

  I guess it is about time that I was back here.  Well there has been a lot happen since I was over in Scotland to see my mother..   My Mum is 97 and she is in a nursing home and she is in her bed most of the time she has had a stroke and it was on the right side I believe that she new that I was there and her great grand kid's were there a few times when I was there and we also think that she new that they were there.   She would answer us by nodding her head and one day the nurse and went into her room she turned around and surprised us and said  good morning so that a great shock as she had not talked for a long time.

Larry hope you and Pat are doing well and not doing more than you should.

Janet.   When are you going to be in Niagara falls? and are you coming to the Canadian side.  If you are I would like to meet you all and as I was a tour bus driver I would like to show you around the Falls and the  surrounding area's when you are here so please let me know the date's that you will be here and I do have a Dodge Grand Caravan seat's a total; of 7 passenger's  My home phone # is 905-732-1548

Hi Pat Big Sis.   Hope that you are good.  Noreen has her final date to put in the new fool knee replacement which is the 21st. of Oct. so we are praying again that when the doctor goes into her knee that there  will be no infection at all and this would be such an answer to prayer.  Praise the Lord for his goodness to us.

Well again as per usual it getting late and I need to go to sleep  May the Lord be with you all and give you a wonderful week.  Love in Christ.   Gordon and Noreen.

Hi everyone on this bright Wednesday morning here in Georgia.  We are now having those hot and humid days of summer here.  Today is the regular Wednesday with coffee at McDonald's, Bible study with the pastor, a hour or so at Dunkin' Donut visiting, and then plan on going out to lunch with the group.  Pat is going after Bible study to another quilting shop with her good friend.  It is a ways south of Atlanta and they will have lunch together.  I have a couple of other stops I want to make unless I am too tired but they will be brief. I found yesterday that my old Android phone is not working at all now as the screen remains black.  So I probably will not be able to fix something up for our young Nigerian lad.  I feel badly as had mentioned it to him on Sunday.  However, I wrote him an email last evening to tell him and he wrote back the subject of his email "It's okay grandad".  He is a special young man.  I haven't given up on trying to fix him up so he has what he will need for reference in his chemistry class but will have to see what is doable.

Janet, have you ever tried those book lights that provide a bright light down on the page.  For some time I have used the Bible that is on my phone and iPad called YouVersion and am able to read it in any light as the iPad provides its own light as does my iPhone.  At Bible study I use this app on my iPhone and it is easy to hold in my hand.  I can access many different versions of the Bible and it makes finding the Books, Chapters and Verses so easy.  It works on Apple as well as Android devices.  You can also adjust the size of the font and set a black background with white letters, which I find very usuable.  Glad you were not hurting yesterday and hope today is the same.  It sounds like the little dolls had a great time with you and that do also had a good time with them. 

Ruth Ann, hope the move for your sister-in-law goes well and you don't hurt yourself in the process. 

Gord, so glad you were able to go see your Mother in Scotland and that she surprised you with the "good morning".  Pat and I are doing well.  Pat saw the doctor yesterday and now has an appointment next month with a podiatrist and will likely be having some foot surgery again before long.  Hope you and Noreen as doing well and that Noreen is recovered from your knee surgery. 

Hi, friends,

I'm a little dismayed today.  My sister in law is now hospitalized with pneumonia. She wasn't able to speak with me in mid morning. So, I'll try again in a little while. This may make it difficult to complete the move in a timely fashion.

Otherwise, it was a humdrum day here in Nashville, except for some thunderstorms, and a service call to my internet provider. A new modem was installed today, which goofed up the internet connections for a while. Now, all that is taken care of.

Y'all have a good rest of the day.

Much love to all,
Ruth Ann

Ruth Ann, that doesn't sound like a humdrum day!   

New people have been moving in across the road all afternoon.  They have a medium size dog that apparently was upset with all the coming and going and the strangeness and kept barking.  At least I hope that's the reason for the barking and it won't be a regular thing.

Hi everyone.  It is going to another hot and muggy day here in Georgia.  I will attend our Thursday Men's luncheon at Steak and Shake at 11:30 and then stay in where it is cool and that will be it for today.     

Ruth Ann, what a downer to have your SIL have to go into the hospital.  Just remember it will all work out as God has it planned so no need to worry.  You don't need additional stress.

Jeanne, having a barking dog close by isn't a pleasant thing.  It has been several years since we have heard a dog barking.  A couple of neighbors have small house dogs and I seldom hear them barking. 

Another beautiful morning here and another afternoon of daily storms predicted.  I read that a girl was suspended from school for saying "Bless You" when a classmate sneezed - not here but somewhere in the formerly Christian nation. 

Janet:  You might like to visit your relative in Germany too - they do get lonesome.  My brother spent years there and we were glad because he lost two dear friends in Vietnam.  Ribs out of place, never heard of such a thing. 

Ruth Ann:  gentle hug for you for all your good works.

Gord:  Glad you were able to get to Scotland to see your mother.  Prayers for Noreen on her knee surgery. Wish I could go to ride in your van; it sounds like a super fun way to travel. 

I just found a leak in the water heater and called a plumber because Don can't do plumbing at all.  He does about everything and helps neighbors as well.  We have been on call for getting one neighbor in or out of the car to the hospital this week and now we wait for him to get well enough to come home.  He is a joy to talk to as he is always giving thanks and so filled with the spirit.  Only once in years have we seen him "down" and that went away really fast.  Another neighbor just recovering from hip surgery had a terrible fall so she is in need too.  That is the neighborhood. 

Larry:  Not so good on Don's lung assessment.  He meets with his doc next month and she may recommend an inhaler for him to use a few times per day, we don't know. 

I guess I was borrowing trouble with the barking dog.  Since they have finished moving in I haven't heard a sound.  So shame on me for getting all riled up over nothing!   

Cloudy and muggy today, although the temperature is only 69.  That's way below "normal" for August.  I don't think we can consider anything normal any more.   

Carol, it is my grandson Addison who is in Germany, in the Air Force.  When daughter Kerri called, she said Addison has been loading stuff for the emergency air drops to the Christians isolated on the mountain, so I was glad to hear he had a small part in helping  them.  I never knew until he went into the Air Force that there is specialized training for the guys who load the planes, and that is his job.  Makes sense, but I just hadn't ever thought about it!

Gord, we are going with a big group (two big buses full) of senior citizens from our neighboring town.  I would like to meet you, though, so will let you know when we will be where in your area.  Sound good?  And if there are things we don't mind missing, we could ride with you--or maybe wouldn't miss anything, but have even more fun, meeting friends!  Thanks for the nice invitation.  I will be in touch.

Larry, it is really hot and muggy here too; must be well above 100 again today.  But I am so thankful we do always have cool nights.  What a blessing that is!

Jeanne, good news that the dog has quieted down.  It probably was just nervous about the new environment.

Ruth Ann, I hope all goes well with your SIL.  And as Larry said, God has everything planned.

I am reading the book End of the Spear, and it is so good!  I know they made a movie of it, too, but I haven't seen it.  The lengths some people go to in order to help others and bring them the Good News of the Gospel is really amazing---and inspiring!

Darrel and I made a big freezer of ice cream this afternoon.  Our freezer makes 1 1/2 gallons.  So tomorrow I will take some to Beth and Maxine.  I can hardly believe Beth is having another birthday a week from today!  So I will be doing something special for her then.

   Good afternoon to all on C. P.    Well today it is very nice day and humid also.  We have a good summer and am thankful to the Lord as the farmers around where I live need this for there crop's.

anet.  Thank's for the reply and I do hope that we will be able to meet up when you come.  Do you know if you are staying on the U. S.A. side or the Canadian side?   I do hope that you are on our side.    So let me know the date's of your arrival.



To all others have a wonderful day.  Love in Christ.   Gordon and Noreen.

Gord, I'm sorry I didn't reply to you before to say how glad I am that you did get to spend some time with your mother.  And I'm glad to know you're home from Scotland, safe and sound.  It will be great if you can meet with Janet when she's on her tour. 

Meanwhile, God's blessings on you and Noreen.   

Well I am back at work after using my 3 funeral days. The funeral itself was Tuesday. My step-mother wanted a simple graveside service for immediate family only. The chaplain who St. Joesph hospital (who led my dad to Christ.) did the brief service.
I have learned more about who my dad was in the last week than I have since I moved out of the house. I have only looked through 2 small metal boxes, but even in those I have found papers, photos and notes I have never seen before, and I can't ask questions. :^(
My step-mother's relative's told me how much my dad talked about my brother and I.
I never knew.  So sad. We each assumed the other wanted to go their way not realizing we both wanted to get closer.

That is so sad Glenn. 

Hi everyone on a very warm and humid Georgia Friday.  I am staying in as much as I can today.  I will be going to Longhorn's for our ROMEO's lunch at 11:30 and that will be it.  One of the men at coffee this morning was giving out pints of bread and butter  and also lime pickles and he gave me a jar of each.  We had enjoyed his lime pickles last year and they were very good. 

Carol, I heard the same report on the "Bless You" comment by the student.  It is unbelievable how fast our country is destroying our schools and families.  It makes me rather glad I am as old as I am.  I just can not understand why we want to tear down the finest country in the world but suppose it all goes back to the ideas of power and greed.  Nice you have the opportunity to help your neighbor during his time of need.  It is so good to hear of neighbors helping neighbors.  That is the way I was brought up as farmers always helped each other when needed.  Sorry to read that Don didn't get a better lung assessment.

Jeanne, glad the dog situation isn't a situation anymore. 

Janet, your grandson Addison's work in loading the planes is another example of the generosity of America to those in need. Pat just told me she saw the heat index for Kansas City was suppose to be 106 today.  It has been a long time since I had homemade ice cream.  It sounds so good. 

Ken, so sorry you weren't able to enjoy a good conversation with your father.  Glad you are learning more about him.  Is your father still living.  (Don't mean to be prying so ignore my questions if they are inappropriate for you.   

Larry you missed the announcement in prayer and praise about Glenn's father passing away.  Check it out  here

It has been raining here now for a couple of days and I want sun again.
I really enjoyed the devotional 

Hi All,

It's hot here in Missouri.  Looks like it is 92 but the heat index is 106.  I got off work and had to go outside and feed the birds and watering the flowers and it didn't take me too long to figure out that it is hot.

I'm working tomorrow.  I though I might as well work since it is too hot to be outside.  I can use the extra money.  My wife and I are planning on going to the Grand Canyon.  We are planning on leaving Sept. 6th (the Lord willing).

I wanted to share a poem that was read at my dad's graveside service.

May I Go Now?
By Susan A. Jackson

May I go now?
Do you think the time is right?
May I say goodbye to pain filled days
and endless lonely nights?

I lived my life and done my best,
an example I've tried to be.
So can I take that step beyond the light
and set my spirit free?

I didn't want to go at first,
I fought with all my might.
But something seems to draw me now
to that warm and loving light.

I want to go, I really do,
it's difficult to stay.
But I will try as best I can
to live just one more day.

To give you time to care for me
and share your love and fears.
I know you're sad and are afraid,
because I see your tears.

I'll not be far, I promise that,
and I hope you'll always know.
That my spirit will be close to you
Where ever you may go.

Thank you so for loving me
and know that I love you too.
That's why it's hard to say goodbye
and end this life with you.

So hold me now just one more time
and let me hear you say,
"Because you care so much for me,
you'll let me go today.