Christian Photographers Community

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Morning Devotional...



...Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
--2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Ten thousand enemies cannot stop a Christian, cannot even slow him down, if he meets them in an attitude of complete trust in God. They will become to him like the atmosphere that resists the airplane, but which because the plane's designer knew how to take advantage of that resistance, actually lifts the plane aloft and holds it there for a journey of 2,000 miles. What would have been an enemy to the plane becomes a helpful servant to aid it on its way....

If this should seem like a bit of theorizing, remember that always the greatest Christians have come out of hard times and tough situations. Tribulations actually worked for their spiritual perfection in that they taught them to trust not in themselves but in the Lord who raised the dead. They learned that the enemy could not block their progress unless they surrendered to the urgings of the flesh and began to complain. And slowly, they learned to stop complaining and start praising. It is that simple--and it works!

This is by Dr. Tozer in...We Travel an Appointed Way, 32-33.

"Lord, I wish I could more readily 'stop complaining and start praising.' I pray for Your grace to work within me that I might allow the trials to lift me aloft rather than press me down. I'll do it in Your strength today. Amen."

Hi, everybody!  We had lunch with John and Beth today, and they said they went to a Valentine's banquet at the church where they were married, on Friday night, an had a nice time.  I'm glad she is getting out some.  Still no appointment for her, so I told them I don't care where we have to take her, just get her the first available appointment!!  It's been over a month already!

I am getting an iPad Air, it should be here on Wednesday.  I hope it isn't too hard to learn how to use it.  And Curtis sent all the photos from my iPhone to Walgreen's yesterday, so we are going to Garden City tomorrow to get them, also to have a little something done to the pickup.  I need to get the photos out of my camera, as well; there are a lot more on it than on the phone.

Pat!!  So good to see a post from you!  How are you feeling now?  I wish I could just come to your house and spend some time with you.  I'd cook for you and spoil you rotten!    But I guess for now, I will stay at home in Kansas for a while, at least!

Have an enjoyable evening!

Oops!  I was a tad too late in posting today.  I just finished posting as Pat was closing the door.  Oh, well.

Pat, good words from Tozer today.  I have been praying for the strength to resist complaining,and to remember to praise more and more.  It's HARD to remember that, if you listen to the election coverage very much!   But today, I heard this:  Our God is LARGE, and He is in CHARGE!!  I need to think about that more!

This crazy warm February weather is still with us, but it was a little cooler today, and they are predicting showers  for Tuesday--maybe!  The wheat is really starting to suffer from the drought, so I pray we do get some moisture.

See you fine folks tomorrow!

Janet, I could not have put it any better....... no matter what happens in our lives, God is in charge!!!

Ruth!! It's so good to see your post!   And Janet, no worries!  I've moved your post into this topic so all's well!

  to both of you!

Hi, friends,

I've been inside and resting some. It usually is a busy workweek, so weekends are precious. This week, I'll be busy Monday through Wednesday, then again on Friday.

I had an instance of a surprise benefit from our Lord at exactly the right time this week. I got groceries, and we have shopping carts set aside for us to take heavy things to our apartments, with expected prompt return of the carts. As I pulled in, I looked and saw no shopping carts. Well, I sat and listened to christian radio for a few moments, gathering my strength for 2 full round trips to my apartment to use a smaller cart I have in my apartment. (The groceries wouldn't have fit into the cart for just one trip.)

Well, as I reached the doors to go inside the apartment tower, a lady brought two carts to store them! So, I praised the Lord as I returned with a shopping cart to my car to load all of them and make those 2 trips diminish to only 1.

God is SO good to us, and cares for us in so many unexpected ways.

Love to you all,
Ruth Ann

Thanks for this Pat. It is a while since I posted anything on this site but I do look at the competition winners and occasional posts.
It is good to see some familiar names still here. You are a very faithful core group.
I joined in about 2009 when there was a lot happening and I was having difficulty with depression.
I found some comfort from some of you at the time for which I am still very grateful.
Things have settled down a lot now and we have 4 wonderful grandchildren with a 5th about to arrive.
Being a Grandparent is so rewarding.
I am still busy at blogging and doing occasional lay preaching and meeting up with lots of friends for coffee in my retirement.
I am still a passionate photographer and still occasionally teaching and mentoring up and coming photographers. Blessings to you all from Geoff in Adelaide South Australia.

Hi everyone on this cloudy South Carolina morning.  We are already at 61 degrees and the forecast is for an over 60% chance of rain throughout the day although it hasn't started yet.  After church yesterday Pat and I went to the Sunrise Grill.  They have really good hamburgers and potato salad.  Today's schedule is relatively light.  I will go to a meeting at noon and then at three pm Pat has a medical appointment and I will drive her there. 

Pat, so good to see your postings pop up and I hope that means you are feeling more chipper each day.  I appreciate your fine devotional.  I know that Paul talked about taking pleasure in infirmities but fear I am not to that point but do accept them as a part of maturing in life and recognize that when I am weak I can rely on Christ to help carrying my burdens.  Currently when I think of tough times I have to think about our Christian brothers and sisters in Syria and Libya and other places that are facing such dire times and having their faith questioned, sometimes to the point of death.

Janet, it undoubtedly is a lift to Beth's spirits to do things like attend the Valentine Banquet with John.  I hope you will really enjoy the iPad Air.  If you get stuck on how to do something please call me and I will see if I can't help you.  Also you can usually find a Youtube video that provides answers to about any question you might have on using the device.  A Google search is also a good way to find answers. 

RuthV, what a pleasant surprise to see your posting.  I hope you will visit here with us more.

Ruth Ann, aren't you glad you waited a few minutes in your car and then the carts became available.  I used to have the same problem helping Stacey with her groceries or when we would take her home from a visit to our house and we usually had quite a bit in the truck to carry in.  The carts were supposed to be stored outside the basement door but often people would just leave them in the hallways or by the elevators and you would have to hunt for them. 

Geoff, it was a read letter day yesterday with both you and Ruth V posting again.  It sounds like you are enjoying your retirement and you can't beat having coffee with friends.  I have been retired for 21 years and for about 20 of those years I have enjoyed going to coffee with my retired men friends.  It was six days a week for quite a few years and then we dropped back to four days a week.  Since I have moved I now usually only go to coffee one day a week with several of my church friends. 

How great!  Posts from folks we haven't been hearing from!   

Pat, a good reminder that when we are weak it gives God room to be strong for us.  I had a sample of that yesterday.  My car (it's a 1987) decided to take a rest. Of course I prayed for help and put my pride in my pocket.   I asked my next door neighbor to take me to the store - and since he was there to help I was able to stock up on larger and heavier items.  Some things I've had to do without because I don't have the strength.  So my weakness, and the Lord provided help via a neighbor.

And, Pat, it is good seeing posts from you - hoping and praying that it means you are well on the mend.

Janet, it is really wonderful that John is now taking over some of the care of Beth.  I'm sure some of the outings they are having must be especially lovely for her - in fact for both of them.

My old lap top was acting up this morning but all is well with just letting the oldster waken slowly. 

Janet:  What a super trip for you and Darrel.  I have thought about Beth's doctor message to you and it sounds like Beth's condition is more than that doctor can deal with but then you should have a referral.  Prayers for guidance and comfort.   - Shingles are over - such a blessing because we had prepaid reservations. 

geofft:  Hello again - we do hope you continue to check in with us often.  Being a grandparent is such a wonderful gift - I so agree. 

Ruth Ann:  You are always so grateful for the smallest gifting deeds. 

John B:  - where are you?  I thought of you yesterday while driving from California to Tucson as there is a 7 mile stretch with 6% grade downhill - trucks can only go 55 mph.  Don was snoozing away and I was so thankful for light traffic and used the downshift often.    

Good morning from sunny but cold Oregon, I have to go to the store sometime today to but some Cold Eze for the cold that has attached itself to me. I had to get a replacement for our visit to the nursing home today because I didn't want to give my cold to the patients/residents there. I am praying that by Friday and my hospital visit I will be better.

I got a call from Dr. Rosin's nurse today.  They have made Beth an appointment with a neurologist in Colby, Kansas, for April 12.  That's a long wait, and a long trip, but at least now we do have an appointment.  When I visited her this afternoon, she was sleepy, bu I was able to figure out what she was trying to tell me.  She wanted to look at their wedding photos.  Seems John hadn't really shown her the albums that were made for them, so I held them so she could see, and I read her all the nice poems, quotes, etc. that John's sister Vicky had put in the one she made for them.  I also went through the one her sister Denise made, so she could see each picture.  That got several nice smiles from her.  I'm glad to say that John is very happy, and never misses a chance to tell people about his wife!     That man is a treasure!

It was cooler here today--60*, with some wind to make it feel colder.  We MAY get some moisture tomorrow.  I really do hope we will.  The guy is saying cool and windy, too.

Carol, so glad the shingles didn't linger!  But do remember vinegar, should they try to return!

Larry, I may take you up on your offer of help with the iPad.  I'm still learning the iPhone!  And Curtis said all the new Microsoft computers are being shipped with Windows 10, which is as hard to learn as switching to an Apple computer.  So I'm thinking I will keep this one, and pray it doesn't crash, as I have so much on it that I don't want to lose!

I didn't sleep well last night, so I'm getting sleepy already!

How wonderful to "hear" from some of you who have been among the missing for quite a while!  Please come in often and visit with us!

Quote from: Carol on February 22, 2016, 10:52:29 AM

John B:  - where are you?  I thought of you yesterday while driving from California to Tucson as there is a 7 mile stretch with 6% grade downhill - trucks can only go 55 mph.  Don was snoozing away and I was so thankful for light traffic and used the downshift often.   

Carol, I just live a little less than 7 miles (11 km) from John & Judy. I have not been in touch with them for a while. It may be mostly my fault.... I seem to get SO busy with things in my life.
It is now tax season.... so I am even more busy!!

Hi to everyone at CP!!  I'll try to keep this tab open. That way I'll check in more often.

This is my office these days.

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Yes Carol Judy and I have traveled that road!

Ruth we should get together again soon!

Geoff, it's so good to see your post.  Grandparenting is such a wonderful "occupation" for those of us who have grandchildren.  I so agree.  And during the past 3 years, I acquired two GREAT grandchildren!  And that's equally as pleasant!

I'm so happy to see you back here.  Please don't be a stranger any more.

Hi everyone.  Our forecast has changed from rain today to just cloudy.  We are looking forward to today as our friends, Ed and Karen, are driving over from Grayson to visit us for the day.  Ed is the man who I picked up for coffee for about 10 years.  That will be the highlight of our day.  Yesterday's medical appointment for Pat turned into a two hour experience.  She was tired so we stopped at Chick-Fil-A for a quick dinner. 

Jeanne, I am happy to see your neighbor helped you out in getting to the store and getting stocked up.  Sorry to read that your car decided to take a rest. 

Carol, I got Pat a new laptop last August and it continues to have problems staying connected to the Internet.  It is under warranty so I must contact Toshiba and see what needs to be done.  It sounds like the network card is failing in the computer.  Sure good news that your shingles are over and you were able to enjoy your trip to California. 

Marilyn, that old cold seems to be attacking a lot of people and sure hope it won't stay on too long.

Janet, know getting that appointment scheduled has to be a relief.  Specialists seem to be so busy these days.  Anything you want to keep that is on your old computer should be backed up on CD's or on a cloud storage site or a large capacity external drive or thumb drive.  If you have a Google account you can back up documents on the Google cloud or one of the other free cloud services. 

Hi RuthV.  I have another friend who does taxes for H&R Block and she is always busy this time of year.

John, I see you are still into trucking.  Good to see you post as it has been a long time. 

Pat, I agree grandchildren are special and great grandchildren are also very special. 

Hi Larry. Yes i am still in trucking in a small way. I plow snow on a call in basis as the weather dictates. Gives us a little extra income. I don't do much else during the winter months anyway. Summer has become our busy time with wood gathering, hay cutting and other things. Hope to take a view short little trips this summer around Ontario as well. Have some upcoming dates to do some school bus training as well. It has been a long time since I last posted. Will go for now God Bless everyone.

John, very little snow to plow here so far this winter. Right now a lot of bare ground - but of course there's still another week of February and the month of March. 

We'd love to see more from you  and it's been a long time since Judy posted, too. 

Even with this cold  I am getting things done that need doing. I  am using Cold Eze to help this cold get a move on out of here.

Today Freckles and I will be going to my co-organizers home to get the School program organized. We start at the schools with he dogs on March 8th. This program will be teaching the kids K-2 how to care for dogs, the do's and don'ts as well and cleaning up after them. Thursday  Furry Friends has the monthly meeting and we have to get people signed up for the month of March, and get all the little coloring books assembled that we give to the kids. I am really enjoying being part of this group of people and dogs.
For the clean up part of the demonstrations we have some plastic poop and we show the kids how to take a bag,stick our hand in the bag and pick up the poop, turn the bag  out and tie the top. Once they realize it isn't real poop they seem to enjoy that port too. OK I know TMI!

We are back from having a coffee and grocery shopping.  Don is in such pain that he had to take to bed for a while - appointments for him are a few weeks from now.  It is his shoulder. 

Distressing news from a friend last night - his wife was taken to hospital and told to go home and put her affairs in order - all this could have been different news if only they had gone to a doctor weeks ago when her severe pain began.  We are praying for her recovery and weight gain - she is down to low 83 lbs.   

Ruth V. and John B:  - thanks for your newsy update.  John, that is some machine you are driving.  I did not realize you live so close to each other. 

Our good friend is coming for dinner here tonight, bringing pizza and her rescue dog. 

Hi Everyone!

It's been a chilly day here in Guelph today but no snow.  I saw though that we're to have some freezing rain maybe tonight and into the early morning.

It's great to read all your posts.  Marilyn, you do keep busy with your pets.  It's good not to sit idle.  I am trying to do more walking and I wear the Fitbit and it sure is helping to remind me.  My ultimate goal is 10,000 steps per day.  Not nearly there yet!


Janet, you ask how I am.   I still find that I have a terrible time with my short term memory and I get very, very tired--almost feel totally exhausted but otherwise, day by day, I'm sure I'm better and better.  It's good you took lots of photos.  I hope we get to see some of them.
Good that you now have an appointment for Beth.  I do pray that they won't find too much that is very serious but let's pray that they will be able to relieve her pain and discomfort.


Ruth Ann, That was so nice to read about the carts.  Wonderful that our Savior knows even before we ask, what we are in need of!


Hope you're reading today, Geoff!  Don't be a stranger.  Yes, we've been here in this little corner of the internet a very long time now.  I opened this site in 2003!!!  My goodness, that's a long time.


Larry, your post did bring back memories of when Jack used to pray each day with me and he thanked the Lord for his illness.  It used to bother me a great deal as I sure didn't want him ill but he explained it to me and I came to realize that we must do this.  I'm not near that point yet either, Larry. 



Thanks Jeanne!  I will try to be here more.  My confusion when typing has been terrible so who knows what I may have posted!  LOL  I'm so happy that this neighbour was able to help you with your groceries.

I must right now thank you, Jeanne, for all the help you've been during the past many months keeping this site and the Seniors and Friends site running as smoothly as possible.  I don't know what I would have done without you doing all that you do in the background.  Thank you so much!


If you're looking in today, RuthV, a big "HELLO"!!!


Good photo of your "office", John.  Looks like a small monster!  So nice to see you here.


Well, time to get to bed.  Interesting to watch the voting results in the various states. 

Hi everyone.  I awoke around 5 am this morning with an alert being sounded on my phone for a severe thunderstorm and high winds.  This front came through and lasted about 45 minutes.  More of the same is expected for a couple of hours this morning then it is to be windy the rest of the day.  The only thing on my schedule for today is our Wednesday night dinner at church and the following Bible study. 

We had a very nice time visiting with our friends yesterday.  They arrived a little before eleven and stayed until around 3 pm.  We did eat at Cheddar's yesterday and had a very good meal.  I will finish my meal at lunch today from what I brought home as the servings were large.  We were at Cheddar's much longer than normal as the waitress mixed up the orders and three of us got served and Pat had to wait for hers until we were basically finished eating.  The waitress did not charge for Pat's meal due to the mix up.  When we came back to North Augusta we took our friends down to see our neat little town's downtown business district.

John, the snow plow sounds like a good job for you during the winter months and I am sure they are glad to have you as you can be on call as needed. 

Marilyn, Pat and I use the Cold Eze when we have a cold.  It sounds like you aren't letting it get you down. 

Carol, sorry to read that Don's pain is so severe.  My wife is suffering a lot of pain in her shoulder blade area and has been for several days.  That sure was distressing news about your friend's wife. 

Pat, hope the freezing rain stayed away from your area. I think we are to get up to 70 again today which is really too warm for this time of year and helps spawn tornadoes.  It looks like we are right on the edge of the the severe weather area coming up the East coast. Your postings have been fine but sorry to learn that you have been struggling with confusion.  We all appreciate what Jeanne does for us although I find I don't very often let her know of my appreciation.  So Jeanne, thank you.

It is SO good to have some of our "CP Family" posting, who have been among the missing for some time.  Welcome back!  We've missed you!

I had the photos on my camera card put onto two DVDs, and spent over three hours yesterday captioning those from just one of the discs!  I did get some really nice shots this trip!    I wish I had nothing to do for a month or so, then maybe I could get some of them posted in here!   

I must go see Beth and John, then I have a lunch date with a friend from church.  She texted me, and I do want to see her.

Darrel is having a lot of pain in one hip.  Don't know what brought that on, but our chiropractor is closed today.  I will call tomorrow to get him an appointment.

Our little rain was just that--little.  But it encouraged me to see even that tiny bit!

It's already 11:20, so I must run!  Later, peeps!

Pat, there is little for me to do "behind the scenes" in either of these sites.  You  have set everything up so that they just about run themselves. 

I'm just so very glad you are getting more able to be with us - and watching me if I mess up!   

And for short term memory...  join the club!   

I am in just to say HELLO!!!!  (to Pat and everyone else)
One of my friends needed some help with bookkeeping since she'll leaving for Australia Friday morning; so I went over to her place today.
My husband needed the automobile because Lenten services are being held around the town and he wanted to go.
I called him around 4:00 P.M., our time, as the weather was closing in. 35 cm (13.8 inches) of snow is forecast-ed to fall before tomorrow afternoon.
I got home safely and I've been working on personal bookkeeping, since.
Keep safe & God Bless!!

Hi everyone on what appears will be a nice day with no rain and only moderate winds but considerably cooler today only getting up to 55 while yesterday we got to 73 degrees.  We enjoyed our dinner at church last evening and then Scott came out for a visit for a couple of hours.  Our Minister was out with the flu so the class we attend after the dinner was cancelled.  Pat and I made the decision yesterday that we will not attend the class so we can spend valuable time with Scott since Wednesday evenings is usually the only time we get to see him each week as he is working 6 days a week.

I contacted Toshiba Support yesterday after the Internet connection problems we have and are having with Pat's new Laptop.  I would have had to pay for telephone support, which I wasn't going to do, but he did tell me the first thing they would do is put the computer back in factory condition and see if that corrects the problem before they would authorize carry-in service.  I have done this numerous times before on computers so that is the big project I am starting today with being sure everything on her computer in terms of files have to copied onto a thumb drive so no files will be lost.  I also copied off the screens showing how her desktop is arranged and the programs I will have to restore.  This isn't a hard process but just a timely one that will probably take me a couple of days.  I brought down her upstairs laptop for her to use until I finish with this one. 

RuthV, that is a pretty large snowfall and hope your husband made it home without incident.  Our church is participating in a multiple church Lenten series with each week being held at a different church.  Our church is providing a before/after lunch and I expect the other churches are doing the same.

Ruth V. nice to see you!  Please send some of that snow down here to Kansas; we would love it!  Glad you and your husband got safely home!

Larry, how I wish I could retain the things I learn about computer!    I tried to download the photos from Darrel's camera card this morning, and can't figure out how to get them to show!    I hate to call Curtis again, as he doesn't act very happy about helping me any more.    Darrel probably has photos from our last three trips on that card, as he doesn't take very many.

I plan to attend the Lenten Luncheon here today.  This year, the Christian Church is hosting them.  The different churches take turns preparing the food, and everyone chips in a donation.  After eating, there is always a nice devotional, given by the different pastors.  It's a nice event.

We are going to see Dr. Rosin this morning.  Darrel still has congestion and coughing, and hacks up junk.  Yuck.  It's been hanging on now for months!

The sun is shining brightly, it was very cold earlier but should be warming up now.

I shall return!  Hello to everyone who peeks in, and a special thanks to Jeanne for her help on this site!  Thank you, Jeanne!  Pat appreciates you, and so do I!

Thanks, Janet.  But as I said, there's little to do.  Pat has done such a great job of setting things up the site runs itself.   

Hi RuthV!   Hello back to you!  Wish I had a "book keeping" mind!  We've had a slow falling continuous snowfall since last evening but not much accumulation.  About 3 inches has fallen.


Larry, so good that you can fix both your computers when necessary.  I get so flustered.  I bought a "Showstopper" on our Shopping Channel called the FixMeStick and I used it last night.  It worked away for over 8 hours and found 14 bad things and they are now cleaned out of the computer. 


Hi Janet!