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Morning Devotional...





For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. 1 John 2:16


For myself, I fear any kind of religious stir among Christians that does not lead to repentance and result in a sharp separation of the believer from the world. I am suspicious of any organized revival effort that is forced to play down the hard terms of the Kingdom. No matter how attractive the movement may appear, if it is not founded in righteousness and nurtured in humility it is not of God. If it exploits the flesh it is a religious fraud and should not have the support of any God-fearing Christian. Only that is of God which honors the Spirit and prospers at the expense of the human ego. "That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord."


A thousand years of remorse over a wrong act would not please God as much as a change of conduct and a reformed life.



As we turn away from this world, Lord, let us glorify You with our lives.

From Devotions By Dr. Tozer

The 180 degree turn and not turning back.    Sometimes so difficult yet with His help possible!  Thank you Don.

-43 today with not much of a warm up.  Our car does not get warm at all barely takes off the chill. So today we are staying home.

Have a great day folks and stay warm.

Simple and to the point, as Tozer so often was!  Thanks for the message, Don.

Hi everyone.  It is another sunny and chilly morning but suppose to get up to the mid-50's this afternoon but we have a wind alert.  We had a pretty quiet day yesterday.  This morning we plan on visiting the Presbyterian church here in North Augusta, having lunch out and that will probably be pretty much it for today.  Yesterday I ordered new wireless headphones to use in listening to the TV and they are suppose to be delivered today.  We are anxious to check them out so that will probably be the big activity for today although know we will probably have to charge them up before we can use them. 

Ruth Ann, aren't you glad you didn't waste any efforts on worry about your car.  Glad things worked out so well for you and that you got safely home.  There are a lot of good people and we see it demonstrated in events like you experienced. 

Janet, glad you were able to go to your painting meeting.  Hope the ribs soon feel much better.  I am getting our headphones through Amazon.  They are Sennheiser over the ear wireless.  My friend, Rod and his wife, have used this brand for along time and really like them.  After we try them out I will let you know how they are working and send you the link where I ordered them.  If I forget, please feel free to remind me.  This could well be the answer to your problem since the volume from the TV can be set very low or basically off and the person with the earphones can set the volume they need.

Don, thanks for the Weekly Devotional for this week. 

Judy, how do you even get your poor car to start when it is that cold.  Do you have a garage for it or a head bolt heater?  It sounds like a good day to stay in.

Hi Larry. Yes our car will start in this cold. A bit reluctantly though but it does start. We do have a block heater in it and do plug it in when we want to go out in the cold as it makes it a little easier for the engine to get going and less wear and tear. But we decided to stay indoors today. This cold doesn't agree much with our bones. Even the school bus that I drive which has a diesel engine will start to minus 30 degrees without a block heater. The Volvo I drove when I was trucking i never plugged in and it would always go. Modern technology is much better these days than it was back in the day.

Thanks, Larry--I will look forward to hearing how you like the earphones.  That sounds like the answer for us!

John and Judy--Brrrr!  We are having colder temps, but nowhere near yours!  Poor old Boston is literally buried under (I think) seven feet of snow!  The city is paralyzed.  Glad I do not live in Boston!

Church was good this morning.  Afterwards, I went to see Beth, as she had called last night while I was in the hot tub, and I didn't want to risk falling while scrambling to answer the phone.  She left a message, but I couldn't understand what she was saying.  She only wanted to ask me to bring her a mango water from Sonic!  I said, "Really, Beth?  You called me at 8 at night to ask me THAT?  You nut!"  And I rapped her (gently) on the head with my knuckles.  I hadn't ever heard of that drink, but she likely saw a commercial for it on TV.  She always wants to try whatever is new! 

I wish one of my grandsons were here--or Abby--to help me learn some stuff re photos and computer.  Sigh.............

I think I may try to take a little nap! 

Mango water:  that sounds sweet and good on  a hot day. 

Ruth Ann:  Praise for your safety in the car stopping event.

Awaiting arrival of our youngest son as he flew into Phoenix and rented a car.  He will drive to Tucson now and leave sometime on Monday as his meeting is on Tuesday.  Thankfully, he has a day off so we can visit.  He wants to go to a famous pizza place tonight and we hope the weather holds so we can take him around the area. 

JohnB:  Years ago in Minnesota, we had a Chevy Suburban outside and it always started - the dependable one.  I was the frozen one.  Glad you can stay indoors now and not have to be on the road - this winter is especially dangerous with all the snow on the east coast. 

Good devotional, Don!  Thanks for sharing it!

Hi, friends,

With no transportation or phone to call ask for a ride, I stayed in. One of the largest Baptist churches televises their entire worship service, so I was very thankful to "attend" by way of television today.

Yes, I think of the several people who helped me. It's amazing the grace and love and kindness I was shown yesterday. And, with the cell phone broken, it was really generous of those individuals who called AAA for me. It was good to lie down and rest in the valley, knowing that problems are only opportunities with thorns on them, just like the most beautiful roses also have their thorns. It's odd that I had started out planning to go to a smaller grocery store, but felt checked in my spirit not to go that way. I believe God in his all-knowing love saw to it that I would be easy to find and that the right individuals would be passing my way on the busy street.

Y'all have a good day.

Ruth Ann

Hi everyone.  It was 30 degrees here this morning when I got up but expect a high of 55 this afternoon and perhaps some showers.  Our son is coming over this morning to help get the new headphones that were delivered to our door yesterday installed on the TV.  It is a simple process but the TV has to be moved on the mantle of the fireplace and I can't hold it and make the two plug-ins needed.  I have a couple of other small chores I need some help with as well.  I think I will go to Lowe's later that morning and probably we will do some other shopping as well.  It appears our friends from Georgia probably won't be coming over for the boxes today.  I do hope to hear from the stair lift people today and will give them a call later and hope they are working today.

John, thanks for the info on the car and today's buses and trucks. 

Janet, I did connect the new headphones to my computer and played some music.  I used my headset and Pat her headset and we each could hear the music and control the volume.  I should have more information on the use of them on the TV by tomorrow morning.  I bet the time of day has little relevance when you are confined as Beth is.

Carol, hope you all like the pizza and have a great visit with your son. 

Ruth Ann, how often we hear stories about folks feeling the compulsion to do something different that what they had planned with the outcome being good.  Hope you get your car back soon.

We woke to about an inch of that fluffy white stuff this morning!  The highway was a solid sheet of ice as I drove to the gym, but by the time I came home, was all clear!

I went by the care home and spent some time straightening up Beth's room, sorting out and removing old faded or torn tee shirts, cut the stems off one inch on the beautiful red roses John sent her for Valentine's day, (two dozen of them!) washed the vase, got fresh water and added the flower food.  I hope this will make them last longer for her.  She is SO excited about John's plans for moving to Kansas!  And so am I!  I never saw such a pure, selfless love as John holds for Beth.  It is just astounding.  God bless that special man!

It was good to get back to the gym and have a good workout today.  But I forgot to have Kristi weigh me.    Oh, well.....tomorrow! 

I just ate a big salad for lunch.  Yum!

Thanks for the info on the headphones, Larry.  I look forward to more.

We did get home in time to attend the dinner theater at Dodge City with our friends which we will attend Friday night.  That's always a fun time.

TTYL!

Hi everyone.  We had a very rainy night but now it appears the rain is over and we are in for a couple of days of cloudiness.  We stayed in all day yesterday.  Our son was over yesterday morning and we worked on getting the new headphones work with the TV.  They work fine with the Dish but due to the limitations of the television we weren't able to get them to work with the apps on the smart TV such as Netflix.  We are going to try a couple of work arounds.  They do work very well with the Dish programming.  Today we need to get to the grocery store and I would like to try to get our driver's licenses.  I think I have all the documents but won't know until I go to the DMV.  We need to begin hanging some of our pictures as have nothing on the walls yet.

Janet, it sounds like you had a very busy day.  Glad you could spend some time with Beth.  We really enjoyed using the headphones to listen to a couple of programs from Dish last night, including two of the Downton Abbey episodes.  We put the TV on mute and just each controlled the volume we wanted with the headphones. 

Wow!  Looks like a really slow day here on CP!  Only faithful Larry has posted since my last one.  I went to the gym this morning, and weighed.  I thought I may have gained a few pounds, as they fed us like Kings on the trip; but was pleasantly surprised to learn I actually lost 2#!     Happy, happy!

Then I came home to shower and change and went back to town to meet Beth at the dentist's office.  She didn't have any new cavities, but quite alot of plaque, since the care home didn't take her for her last appointment, and they don't do a good job of brushing her teeth.  I have been buying battery powered toothbrushes for her, but the hygienist suggested I get her an electric SonicCare one, so I will look for one on Thursday when we go to the heart doctor in Garden.  She and John are SO excited about their pending plans! 

I attended Rotary Club again at noon, and their guest speaker was Jerry Moran, one of our Kansas Senators.  How I wish every senator had the good sense this man has!  He's a Kansas treasure!

I hope more of our members come in and post!

Hi everyone.  After a dreary and cloudy day yesterday we have blue skies and a beautiful morning.  There are wind advisories our for our area today.  I made a quick trip to Lowe's this morning for a couple of items needed as we continue to get settled.  Our son said he was coming over this afternoon.  We had no success in getting our driver's license yesterday because what I thought was a birth certificate all these years is only a record of it being recorded.  So now have to send for both or our birth Certificates, which cost $15 each and wait another two or three weeks.  The request form has to have our signatures notarized, which we will do later this morning when Pat gets ready as we need to go over to the Credit Union to get that done and then I can mail the requests. 

Janet, did you do a lot of walking on your trip and eat different types of food from what you are used to? Glad you are happy with Senator Moran.  You are right as it has been pretty quiet in here the last few days. 

I'm glad we aren't having the mountains of snow poor Boston is getting--and more on the way, they say!  Our weather is nippy, but not bad at all.

Yes, Larry, we did lots of walking, on all kinds of uneven surfaces, and lots of climbing stairs.  And we ate totally new (to us) foods, too.  But healthy eating--lots of wonderful fresh fruits and vegetables, hardly anything that was fried, not as much meat or sweets.  Desserts were usually wonderful fresh fruits.  But I was still concerned I may have gained some weight, and so happy I hadn't!

Tomorrow we both see a heart doctor in Garden City.  I fully expect to get a good report, and one for Darrel as well.

I was surprised by a short visit from Abby yesterday evening.  She was here to see Dr. Saxon and came here to get all prettied up for the game last night between her town, Hugoton and ours, Ulysses.  She has grown up so quickly--where have the years gone? 

I will come back later to see if it's still just Larry and I in here.  Come on, folks, we want to hear from the rest of you!

We have been wondering who was taking boughs off the Cedar trees. John was outside and saw branches flying.  He waited around and found it was the neighbour cutting the boughs off the trees.  He has deer in his back yard just shivering.  Apparently if they eat cedar it warms them up.  I didn't know that.  I guess he will be back for more!  It is almost tempting to buy some deer food from the store that sells animal feed.....That would be an expensive proposition though with the number of deer in the area.

Tomorrow i join a group called Senior Ladies.  We have a good time of fellowship, eating and a brief message.  A good time for all.  Two friends will miss this month as well as they are still in Florida.    Sure wish I could join them to get away from this cold.

When John got up it was -18 or about 0 F.  We are to get up to the single minus digits next week.  It is starting to improve.

(The neighbour just came back for more boughs!)

Judy, are these YOUR trees, or the neighbor's?  That would make a difference!

Janet the trees are along the road, i suppose they are by rights Township property.  We really don't care that he is doing this, it is just good that the deer are being fed. Our snow in the back field is 4-5 feet deep and they cannot get through, we haven't seen deer since early winter.  His back yard has enough trees as a wind break that they can get through to him.  I hate to see the animals suffer this way, even though it is nature.  If we can help then so be it.  He has been back a couple more times.  More power to him, I can't help we don't have a snow machine that is working well enough.

Thanks for the explanation, Judy.  I sure don't want to see animals suffer, either.

Hi, friends,

How interesting to hear of the situation with the deer. I do some consulting for a man and his wife, and occasionally do the work in their home in a suburban area. They really enjoy watching the deer that hang out in their back yard.

I'm still "homebound" without my cell phone or my car. Most likely things will begin to improve in these areas today. That repair on my car is certainly going to be expen$ive! But, these things must be expected, especially since the car is a 2007 model. I surely do wish they were still making them.

Janet, it's good to hear your good news, both for the weight and for John and Beth. I hope he will like living in Kansas. Best wishes for y'all with the doctors' appointments.

Larry, it seems that when we relocate there are plenty of little bumps in the road. I'm so thankful that your son is able to help.

Love to all who come here,
Ruth Ann

Hi everyone.  It got down ot about 20 degrees here last night and won't get over 35 today although the sun in brightly shining.  We have had a busy morning and now awaiting the arrival of our very good friends from our old area.  They are coming over to pick up the packing boxes we used in our move as they are in the process now.  So no time to chat this morning.  Hopefully tomorrow I will have more time. 

We had our youngest son visit for two and a half days so we fit in a morning at the Pima County Aircraft museum - he loved it.  Don gets to see the plane he flew and I get to see the plane I worked on years ago.  Many years ago.  Matthew left and we hustled to get the bedroom ready for my cousin and spouse.  They are from Seattle - oh, boy you should hear the goofy tax that is going to be leveled on trash collections.  The latest idea in that city is to tax people who have too much food thrown away.  A certain percentage will be allowed.  This is part of the mayor's edict - who is a Socialist.  I can see all kinds of unintended consequences with this law. 

We had such wonderful visits and now we are taking a look at the To Do List.  Yesterday was Ash Wednesday and we didn't get to church - it seemed to come up too fast this year.  There will be Wed night services until Easter.  This visiting cousin's church does not believe in baptisms and they do not acknowledge Lent - even Good Friday.  Well, that is their prerogative.

Janet:  Hoping your tests went well.  Yes, that is such good news that John is moving - is he moving from a big city to your area ? 

Larry:  It sounds like you are carrying on daily and it will be good to get rid of the cardboard. 

Hi, friends,

Well, I now can communicate via cell phone, and can drive to run errands. The cell phone was set up last night, and then the man from the garage came to pick me up about lunchtime today.

My wallet is a little light, but oh, how thankful I am to feel like I can be productive once again.

Larry, Carol, Janet, and all others who come this way, may our Lord bless and keep us tonight.

Love,
Ruth Ann

Be sure to vote in the "Mini Challenge #90~YELLOW" thread.  We have only had five people vote so far.  Voting closes: February 23, 2015, 08:51:43 AM.  You can find the thread here. http://www.christianphotographers.com/community/index.php?topic=13241.0

I voted--hard to choose as all were such good photos!

Praise the Lord!  Both Darrel and I got good reports from the cardiologist today!!

And I managed, with much trial and error, to create a photo book at Walgreen's!  Phew!  I needed four hours instead of the two I had available, then I could have put lots more pages and thus lots more photos into it.  But---it's a start!  The clerk was very helpful and patient, and I finally got the hang of it!

Carol, you must be such a great hostess, as all seem to enjoy visiting you.  You should go visit some of them, so they would understand how much work is involved! 

Yes, Ruth Ann, John has lived all his life in a big city area, so Kansas small town living will be a total change for him.  But he has spent quite a few weeks here, two and three at a time, so he does know pretty well what to expect.  And, bless his sweet heart, his entire focus is just to be with Beth. 

Hi everyone on a very cold South Carolina morning.  When I got up this morning it was 18 degrees but suppose to hit 40 this afternoon and down to around 20 tonight.  We had a very enjoyable visit with our friends and Eddie put up some large pictures over the beds and a what not cabinet on the wall and helped our son with the large quilt bracket on the hallway wall so Pat and display our beautiful white on white hand quilted quilt on the wall.  Today the chair lift in the stairs is to be installed.  That will be enough activity around her for today.  The indication was it would take about 4 hours to install it.  Then our next project will be to get Pat's sewing room upstairs all set up for her and to find a computer desk for her for her desktop computer, which will be upstairs.  Our friends took most of our moving boxes back to Atlanta with them but could not fit the large wardrobe boxes in the pickup bed.  I will put them out next Thursday to have the trash men pick them up.  I was finally able to get my second car in the garage last night. 

Carol, I heard about that crazy food wasting tax and wondered how in the world it could be administered.  Will it apply to homeowners as well as businesses?  Hope your to do list isn't too long.  Mine is getting shorter each day as we mark off an item or two.  Of course, there will always be new things added. 

Ruth Ann, good to see you now have both your cellphone problem fixed and have your car back. 

Buddy, I will look at the photos and register a vote in a little while.  Thanks for the reminder and link.

Janet, always good to leave the doctor's office with good reports.  Pat and I will see new doctors next week and I expect the same results as you all had since these are get established visits and not for a particular problem.  I knew you could do it and now you should have a beautiful photo book. 

Larry, yes, I did it there in the store, with help, but really need to be able to do it online so I can take advantage of their email specials.  I's much prefer to have been able (had the time) to put 40 pages or so into the book instead of only 10.  That gives me 20 pages of photos, which didn't make a dent in all the ones I took!  But it's a start! 

I have been to all three of my appointments, and have the last load of laundry in the washer.  We will leave about 4:30 to meet the friends with whom we go to Dodge City for the dinner theater.  I hope to be able to rest a bit before then. 

See you later!

We had news that a neighbor at home died.  She was diagnosed less than a week before she passed - she called hospice, they came and she refused food and liquids and was gone so fast.  Her choice. 

We have one unmarried son who is dating a gal with two teen girls.  He and his newest date are friends from some time and he brought flowers for her plus flowers for the girls and took them all out to dinner.  The girls wanted Mac and Cheese.  I hope to meet all when we return - this sounds interesting and the teenagers do like our son.  .......one never knows what is around the corner. 

Janet:  Enjoy the dinner and theater.  Really and truly enjoy.  We can't go to those events anymore because it is just garbled language for Don. 

Hi everyone.  It is a bit warmer here this morning than the last few days and we expect to see 60 degrees around 5 pm.  We did get the chair lift installed yesterday and it sure is going to make going up and down the stairs much easier.  I expect we will do some work up in Pat's sewing room today.  As of now we plan on going out to lunch and doing some shopping for a computer desk for Pat.  I think that is about the last piece of the puzzle of putting the house together in terms of furniture.  I might even hang some pictures today. 

Janet, I am sure the next photo book you do won't be as difficult as you now know you can do it.  Pat yourself on the back for having made your first one as the learning curve at the beginning of something we have never done before is always the most difficult.  What show did you see at the dinner theater.   

Carol, that is mighty fast to go after a diagnosis.  It sounds like your family may be increasing sometime in the future. 

Larry, compared to our weather here in the north country, you are living in the tropics!   

Janet, your photo book sounds great.  But we can't see those pictures!  You do have an album here, you know.  There is nothing in it so far so there's lots of room.  You can create separate sub albums for different categories, such as where a group of pictures were taken.  such as "Amazon" or "Galapagos"...  or "Underwater" or "Landscape"...  or "Amazon Underwater"... - broken down any way you want.  We can post a few in the Photos topic with a link to your album so everyone can see all of them.  I can resize and load them for you (if you send them to me), or you can do it yourself and I will help you all you need with that. 

If you want to work on it using the telephone, we can do that, although my hearing aids and phone don't aways work too well together.