Christian Photographers Community

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Morning Devotional...

Streams in the Desert


"Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me" (Mark 8:34).

The cross which my Lord bids me take up and carry may assume different shapes. I may have to content myself with a lowly and narrow sphere, when I feel that I have capacities for much higher work. I may have to go on cultivating year after year, a field which seems to yield me no harvests whatsoever. I may be bidden to cherish kind and loving thoughts about someone who has wronged me--be bidden speak to him tenderly, and take his part against all who oppose him, and crown him with sympathy and succor. I may have to confess my Master amongst those who do not wish to be reminded of Him and His claims. I may be called to "move among my race, and show a glorious morning face," when my heart is breaking.

There are many crosses, and every one of them is sore and heavy. None of them is likely to be sought out by me of my own accord. But never is Jesus so near me as when I lift my cross, and lay it submissively on my shoulder, and give it the welcome of a patient and unmurmuring spirit.

He draws close, to ripen my wisdom, to deepen my peace, to increase my courage, to augment my power to be of use to others, through the very experience which is so grievous and distressing, and then--as I read on the seal of one of those Scottish Covenanters whom Claverhouse imprisoned on the lonely Bass, with the sea surging and sobbing round--I grow under the load.

--Alexander Smellie

"Use your cross as a crutch to help you on, and not as a stumblingblock to cast you down."

"You may others from sadness to gladness beguile,
If you carry your cross with a smile."

Hi everyone on this Monday morning.  We had a very cool and overcast day yesterday, never getting above 72 degrees.  A sweater actually felt good as had gotten chilly in church.  After church we invited our Nigerian grandson to go to lunch with us and come and spend the afternoon with us, which he did.  We went to a Mexican restaurant and he experienced some new food tastes as Pat and both shared a little from our plates before we started eating.  He liked what he tried.  He introduced Pat to a Nollywood movie, which is the Nigerian counterpart to our Hollywood.  This morning the housekeepers will be here.  I have nothing on my schedule after coffee this morning except attend a meeting this evening.  We likely will have some rain today.

Carol, thanks for the info on the Pot Holders.  Pat has mentioned Carol Doaks before so know she is aware of her and that may be the source of one of her patterns.  It has been a long time since I have gone to an actual mall and hope to avoid them in the future as well. 

Pat, thanks for this weekly devotional.  It is very good.

Another wet and rainy day here with some sun.  The farmers will have to wait another week to get the rest of their hay off, and all it is good for is bedding for the cattle.

We had a wonderful day in the Lords House yesterday.  Yes busy but wonderful.

Our little Ivy is not well at all right now, low grade fever and runny nose.  Her beautiful smile was not there.  I felt in her mouth and sure enough a molar was coming through eating was out of the question, however she sure enjoyed the icecream. In the evening her dad was letting her play on a platform with wheels, which was clearly marked that the platform wasn't a toy and sure enough she fell and has a goose egg on her forehead.  I was annoyed that he hadn't read the sign!

I am enjoying working through Psalms.  seeing things I have missed in the past.  Isn't that the way with scripture!

Have a great day

It really is fall around here.  Low 40's at night and not quite 60 during the day, with mostly sunny skies and brisk breeze.  Very little color in the trees yet, but once it gets started it should be special this year.

Pat, thanks for this week's devotional.  I needed it to calm me down this week.  My cross has gotten heavier and I really need HIS help carrying it and the reminder that He is here to do just that.   The propane company is messing with me and my car needs repairs and for the last month I've been fighting an attempted invasion by fruit flies.  I think the fruit flies are just about controlled now.  The only place I find any lately is around the computer - where there is never any food or drink. 

You asked to mention what we are "doing" this week and so far I do know that two couples are invited to dinner Wednesday night.  My menu is to have a Swiss cheese toasted on a grill over new potatoes, tomatoes, asparagus, a tiny piece of ham with a green leaf salad on the side.  We have made this a few times with only once someone forgot to take their cheese out in time which resulted in a really burnt piece.  Easy meal - one couple is moving soon and the other couple are good friends too. It is a called Raclette and the grill is set right in the middle of the table - really difficult to find the cheese.   

So, that is Wed as well as our morning bible study.  Cleaning house begins today because it just takes me longer and longer. 

JudyB:  Yes, sorry about your little one having an owie from the mishap.  Psalms are so interesting and I have gone through them many times always relearning. 

Hello friends, I realize I haven't been here for a while so I thought I would stop in this morning and update you on what's been going on with me.  For those of you haven't heard I have gotten both of my corneas replaced and I'm now seeing pretty well and I'm back to my Photography and my Photography studies through the New York Institute of photography.  It's so cool to see the contrast and the saturation of things now, that I couldn't see before; in addition to the sharpness. My right eye is 20/20-1 and my left eye is 20/25-2. This is my I corrected vision. I still need reading glasses for close up, but what a change from being nearly blind.  I praise God for the great outcome! My vision should still improve for another 1-2 years.

This week I'm busy packing and getting ready for a trip that my husband and I are taking for 25th anniversary and our fifth wheel trailer to Glacier National Park. We will be gone for three weeks and we are very excited about this trip!  We have been through a lot in the past, especially the past 4 years and we really need this time to get away and just be by ourselves. Just this year, My older brother committed suicide in March and our youngest daughter got married the end of May, to a man we met about four days before the wedding and our oldest daughter moved to Utah to concentrate on her Irish dance competition for about a year and a half. She just moved in July so we've had a lot of changes in our lives and a lot of grief in just going through a lot of life things and it's been very difficult but God has been our strength in this time of grief and change and we thank Him for his faithfulness to us through it all. God is good, even when life doesn't feel good.

Well, I guess that's it for now. I will be leaving the 20th and won't be back until October 13. I may not have Internet that whole time so I won't be able to do my moderator responsibilities during that time unless I can find a place with wireless so hopefully you will all understand and I will check in when I can or when I get back.  According to some research I did, the fall foliage should peak while we're at the park, the elk will be in rut and the bald eagles should be gathering to forage on their migration so we're hoping to get some great pictures. 

Blessings, Kathleen

P.S. My husband upgraded my camera to the Canon EOS 70D as an anniversary gift. What a difference eight years of technology makes. It's incredible!

Kathleen, what you have had to deal with and overcome makes me ashamed of my little gripes!  Thank you for sharing.  You and your husband certainly deserve your time away and I pray it will all go even better than what you are planning.  We'll be waiting to see the results of the trip as recorded with your new camera. 

Hi, friends,

It's been another busy day, and earlier I felt too tired to do anything else. Now, that feeling has left and I'm doing much better.

It was such an honor and blessing to have breakfast with my son and daughter in law from Atlanta. They were here for the weekend, and included me in their visit.

Then, more things to do for someone who right now is totally helpless and really needs someone to help.

Tomorrow I may not be here - it includes playing piano for the morning devotional period, taking a lady to the dentist, and then an appointment for me as well, at another location.

I may end up coming home and collapsing! 

Pat, I really appreciated that wonderful message. I'll be returning to read it more than once.

Y'all have a wonderful rest of the day with our Lord.

Ruth Ann

Hi everyone.  Since this is Tuesday I was able to get a little slower start this morning.  It is another overcast morning.  The forecast is to get to 84 today but it never made it to the forecast high yesterday, which was nice. 

Yesterday turned out to be much busier than I had thought it would be.  A fresh small oil leak was discovered on the garage floor under the PT Cruiser.  So I called and was able to take my car in to get it repaired and to get the oil changed as well.  Pat met me at the garage so I could leave the car and we then stopped at Shane's for lunch.  Then I took her to Aldi's for groceries and while she was shopping I stopped at the AT&T store to check on the iPhone 6 and other phones.  They were not taking pre-orders and I made no decisions yesterday but may go back to an Android phone.  Went back to Aldi's and Pat was just ready to check out.  I then went to my meeting last evening.  Today's schedule is basically to attend my meeting this morning and then have a quiet day. 

Judy, getting those teeth for a baby is a tough time for them. 

Jeanne, sorry to read you are having to deal with these burdens but just remember that "this too shall pass" and as you know God is in our corner and will give us the light we need at the right time.

Carol, that sounds like an interesting sandwich and it sounds like each person gets to put together their own sandwich. Do you have cheese shops in your area or supermarkets with a special cheese section?

Kathleen, what a wonderful gift to have your eyes restored so you can enjoy the world around you and resume your photography.  Your trip sounds great as well and should revitalize you both from the trying times you have been dealing with this year.  Remember that most libraries now have internet and I think all the McDonald's have internet.

Ruth Ann, you have a very busy day planned and hope you don't exhaust yourself.  Nice of you to help the lady who is totally helpless. 

I just spoke with a friend who is at her cabin in very northern Minnesota and she with daughter are closing it up soon.  Isn't the cell phone wonderful?  She needs to have a clump of Birch trees removed because they are a danger to part of the cabin - which was damaged last year by a tree & just rebuilt.  Lots of work with a cabin.

Larry:  The Raclette dinner isn't a sandwich.  Hard to explain but perhaps you can find it on the internet.  It is a special cheese melted under an electric broiler heat then scraped off and  poured over veggies mainly.  One of our big stores here has a large cheese section.   

Ruth Ann:  It is always so special to be with any of the children - your breakfast must have had you beaming with happiness.

Don is not sleeping well at all and I finally got up at 5:30 and went downstairs to the treadmill.   Planning on catching a nod or two this afternoon but really, mornings are my favorite time to be up and around. 

Kathleen:  I wish you a great healing time on your trip.  You will see some spectacular scenery - enjoy your new camera.  If you can find a Denny's on your trip, they have wifi.

Good Morning   
I am finally able to breathe easy since my daughter's phone call this morning.  Joy called last night to let me know that she was at the Amtrak station in Portland, Oregon, and was going to have to spend the night there.  She was returning from taking her son to northern Washington and her connection had been 4 hours late so she missed the train to California.  She told of a harrowing few hours, in 95º heat, on Portland's light rail, dragging her bags with her, trying to find a place to stay.  The hotel she finally got to wouldn't let her use the handwritten numbers of her son's credit card (wanted the actual card), he was paying her way, so she had trekked back to the train station thinking she'd just stay at an all night coffee shop (the station closes at 9:30,opens again at 5:30 a.m.).... there were none.  The security guard suggested the shelter, but she didn't think that would be feasible...  and she had no place to go .... seems that station is remotely located and there's nothing nearby.  She didn't have any money and was very tired (make that exhausted) and began to cry.  She wanted to just stay in the station all night, but they wouldn't let her.  So ..... she spent the night on a bench just outside with the security guard checking on her frequently.

Needless to say this mom was very concerned all night ... her train doesn't leave for California until 2:30 this afternoon.  She called this morning to let me know she had "a very interesting" night with the transients and others who stopped by to use the benches at the station .... She says she has many stories to tell, and I can only imagine!     I think I will not be totally at ease until she lets me know she has made it safely home tomorrow morning.  I am so very thankful that our Father was watching over her. ... 

For sure, my family is always up for drama and adventure ... never a dull moment.

Jane, your family does manage to keep you on your toes!   

Weather report for northern New York:  cloudy and cool, not expected to rain for a few days.   

Hello to the friends here on CP

Mel is meeting a friend for  and I am taking the time to say hello.

It has been a cool summer but really is my kind of temperatures.  But now it is getting just a little to cold. In fact cold enough that the furnace was needed and yes it would not come on. A call was made and now we have the furnace serviced for the year. The problem was a sensor that needed cleaning in fact I think Mel said the dust needed to be blown off. The bill was $100.00

I have a lot of little tidy up jobs that I am working on and when completed I will be glad. One of the larger jobs is making our son an all wool pull on  sweater for ice fishing. I am using an old blanket that I had got at an auction for $7.00. and yes it is 100 % wool. 

Hello, friends!  I just posted (with Pat's help!) a couple pictures HERE.

And they're wonderful, Janet.  Thanks! 

It truly was a very busy day. I'm so thankful that tomorrow has no deadlines.

The photos are so nice, Janet. It's so good to see y'all "in person" gathered round that table.

Y'all take care.

Love to all,
Ruth Ann

It is great to see the "gathering" in Niagara, what a great opportunity to spend some time in fellowship!

The day before yesterday I returned from a week in Hawaii - I was there to work, not play! - and it sure is good to be home.  Was my first trip there, and while I am glad I was able to see a few islands, I much prefer our Rocky Mountains and drier climate.  Now if I can just get caught up on things...

Finally got around to reading this week's devotion, and I really like the final line, "I grow under the load."  That growth can occur in a number of areas, but generally I believe the "loads" are opportunities to grow in relationship and obedience to God.  Guess I have a lot of growing yet to do!!!

I will be off to spend the next couple days in Wyoming, then most of next week locked in a conference room in Dallas, TX to lead a training course for some of our employees.

Hoping everyone's week is blessed by His presence!

This morning finds me with lots to do to finish getting ready for our trip.  Laundry, packing, packing, did I mention packing?  We are going to be in our 5th wheel so I have to pack all the food as well, and I am on a very restricted diet due to Celiac disease and other food allergies as well; pretty much everything from scratch so there's a lot of prep work to do.  Fun fun! 

I'm still trying to decide if I want to leave my dog with my mom while we're gone or take him with us.  He's small (around 10 lbs) and I know he's not allowed on the trails at Glacier so it seems boring for him to be locked up while we're off hiking and taking sunrise, sunset and wildlife pictures.  I'm leaning towards leaving him with my Mom at this point.

Thanks for all the Wifi ideas!  I haven't been to Glacier so I don't know what's available there, but perhaps on the way or on the way home.  We usually try to unplug from most media when we go camping, so we'll see.  It's always a nice break to have that media fast once in a while.

Jane, that's so horrible about your daughter.  How scary!  I will pray she gets home safely and that God will keep His loving, strong arms of protection around her.

Jeanne Lee, it's all relative.  Even if your problems aren't as severe as someone else's seems, doesn't mean yours aren't affecting you.  Just give it all to God.  That's what I have to do or I would be insane by now.  Only God and His amazing grace have gotten us through it all.  I love Romans 15:13 "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."  That verse has become one that I say often when things seem dark and hopeless.  We also have a saying, "God's got this!"  that we like to remind each other around our house.

Well, back to the packing.  Have a great day everyone and thank you for your prayers and comments.

Blessings, Kathleen

Have any of you been to Glacier, especially in the fall, and can tell me what I should absolutely not miss? My research did turn up some information...the fall foliage should peak while we're there, the bald eagles should be gathering to forage before their migration. (up to 1,000 have gathered) Part of the Going to the Sun Road will already be closed, and one campground is closed due to grizzly bear activity.  I'm so excited to photograph wildlife and the beautiful scenery.  Any suggestions are very much appreciated.

Great pictures of your get together, Janet, Pat and Gord (your spouses, too).  Thanks for sharing ... wish I could've been there with y'all.  BTW, Janet, now that you know how to do it, we'll be expecting photos from you on a regular basis from now on. 

Well, Joy's saga continued ... she made it through the night outside the Amtrak station but, needless to say, she didn't sleep!  She said she did lie down on her bench at one time and dozed off until a "scruffy looking man" chose to sit on that very bench!    She sat up quickly and stayed alert the rest of the night.  In the morning she made it to a Denny's and visited with some fellow passengers over 4 cups of coffee (trying to stay awake).  She told me she got back to the train station with just over $6 left and sat to visit some more.  Shortly after noon, she says, she noticed she had an hour and a half so "must have dozed off again" .... she was deeply sleeping when she woke with a start to see the people were boarding her train!   She nearly missed the train again!  She said her heart really was racing.

She called me yesterday evening "somewhere in Oregon" just to let me know she was on the train, and heading home.  We lost contact because the train was going through tunnels and forest ... I believe she should be fairly close to her destination by now, and grateful to be home. 

Jane, what an experience she had to deal with! I'll be very thankful when she arrives safe and sound.

Love to all,
Ruth Ann

Wednesday - we had our now retired pastor lead the discussion today and he is going to be there for the next five weeks.  Sad - I will miss about 4 of his lectures.  He is the best speaker we have ever listened to over all the years and now winding down just a little after bringing together a huge congregation.  He speaks Greek and Hebrew and seems to never stop learning - a really education in history and the bible.  I always feel that we have been led to live here in this neighborhood because I did not want to live in such a young area but that is how the cookie crumbled when we were looking for a home.  Amazing!

Jane:  How fortunate that your daughter stayed awake -- there are too many out there who would slip near and steal from a sleeping person.  Angels are watching all around us. 

Friends are coming for dinner tonight.  Gotta go.

Jane, I'm glad you got word that Joy was on the train at last.  The Lord was clearly watching out for her.

Kathleen, I have (and do) put my worries into God's hands.  It's just that I sometimes don't let go entirely.    

Did everyone see all the wonderful sunset/sunrise entries in the latest challenge?  It's time now to go back and vote for the five you like best.  Look them over and then vote HERE!

Hi everyone.  It has been a very busy day and I haven't had time to read or post.  So just stopping by this evening to say we are fine and will explain more tomorrow.

Hellooooooooooo from far away of into boonies. just Kidding, I am still in the same place. Keith's oldest is in town and will be here tomorrow with the family, Yep we finally get to meet the twins, I will be taking lots of pictures. Had some rain today and I also go the day off from work at the clinic. The kids were supposed to be here today but that got changed last night, my boss called this morning and suggested I take the day off since there were coming. I was in the car about to drive   off to the clinic when she called. Wow i was so grateful that I had the extra day to get the house vacuumed etc.

Jane our daughters and grands keep us hopping with the drama don't they!

We have had 2 and a half days of good weather.  The farmer got half his hay mowed before the rain started again!!!  Janet I willingly will send rain your way!

Tonight I decided to trim up Cimi's feet and clip her nails.  They are grossely long!  Well she hates having this done and I insisted.  By the time I was finished so was she.  Exhausted with the stress.  I gave her about a hour to rest and then told her it was bath time.  (she hates baths too) Very meekly she went to the bathtub and waited to be lifted in.  When done I used 2 towels to dry her......and took her to John.  She lay on the couch between us, shaking and shivering.  He took a dry towel lay it over her and cuddled her.  I think he has a great big S on his forehead!  She is happy now, clean and sleeping.

John has already headed to bed, so I had better get going!

Kathleen, I am not an expert on Glacier, but have taken several opportunities to wander through and around it.  Eventhough the Going-to-the-Sun road isn't opened, there is still a LOT to see.  I haven't explored the west side of the park much, but take your time traveling Hwy 2 along the southern border all the way to East Glacier.  When you see the signs for the Goat Lick, stop and look up the mountain on the north and down to the river valley on the south, and you'll most likely see a bunch of goats in the area.  I really like Running Eagle Falls at Two Medicine Lake, and if the bear warnings aren't too restrictive, I'd suggest hiking around any of the lakes...the scenery is always breathtaking.  Travel up Going-to-the-Sun from the east side...it is the best side!  Make certain to hike up Sunrift Gorge, you've never seen anything like it!  Baring Falls is just okay...there are many better places to hike   Really, you can't go wrong anywhere in the park.  Every landscape is amazing.  Bring your widest angle lens, and you'll still want to go wider to capture the majesty of the mountains.  Here are links to a couple blog posts with photos from my trip to Glacier last summer; http://bigskyken.wordpress.com/2013/07/06/rugged-majesty-from-trough-to-arete/and http://bigskyken.wordpress.com/2013/08/05/billy-goat-gruff/.

Hi everyone.  Well today is off to a busy start as I just got back from a shopping trip to Walmart, which took over an hour trying to find what I was looking for.  My electric cart also stopped about halfway through my shopping.  I have my regular Thursday men's luncheon and then later this afternoon will meet here with a friend for an hour or so.  That will be plenty for today. 

I am way behind on reading postings as was busy all day yesterday with Bible study and didn't go to Dunkin Donut as Pat had a dental appointment and I had to go pick up my repaired car.  I then ate lunch and finally stopped at the AT&T phone store where I decided to go back to the Android phone.  I got the latest LG L3 and I like it a lot all ready.  The screen is bigger than the iPhone I had and that little extra room really helps.  With that phone you could buy an LG 7 inch tablet for $1.00.  I certainly couldn't pass that up as was planning on replacing the old Kindle Fire, first addition.  So Pat has a new tablet.  I was able to trade in my iPhone 5 for $200 as I had no further use for it. I was planning on going to Walmart yesterday after the stop at the phone store but was just too tired.  So came home and rested and worked on getting the devices set up.  There is still work to do but these are minor things. 

I have read quickly through all the postings from yesterday and so far today but will pass on individual comments as most of what I would have said has been mentioned by someone else. 

Quote from: BigSkyKen on September 18, 2014, 12:22:12 AM
Kathleen, I am not an expert on Glacier, but have taken several opportunities to wander through and around it.  Eventhough the Going-to-the-Sun road isn't opened, there is still a LOT to see.  I haven't explored the west side of the park much, but take your time traveling Hwy 2 along the southern border all the way to East Glacier.  When you see the signs for the Goat Lick, stop and look up the mountain on the north and down to the river valley on the south, and you'll most likely see a bunch of goats in the area.  I really like Running Eagle Falls at Two Medicine Lake, and if the bear warnings aren't too restrictive, I'd suggest hiking around any of the lakes...the scenery is always breathtaking.  Travel up Going-to-the-Sun from the east side...it is the best side!  Make certain to hike up Sunrift Gorge, you've never seen anything like it!  Baring Falls is just okay...there are many better places to hike   Really, you can't go wrong anywhere in the park.  Every landscape is amazing.  Bring your widest angle lens, and you'll still want to go wider to capture the majesty of the mountains.  Here are links to a couple blog posts with photos from my trip to Glacier last summer; http://bigskyken.wordpress.com/2013/07/06/rugged-majesty-from-trough-to-arete/and http://bigskyken.wordpress.com/2013/08/05/billy-goat-gruff/.

Thanks, Ken!  I appreciate you taking the time to comment with these details.  Your beautiful photos have gotten me even more excited about our trip!  The road is going to be open except for the east side between Logan Pass and St. Mary so we will get to see some of it.  We arriving at the west entrance and then we will drive down around the boundary and up the east side as you suggested.  I'm getting SO EXCITED!  I hope the fall foliage does not disappoint, but it should be at peak while we're there.  I think I already mentioned that in my other post.  Thanks again!