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DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:





Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.


You must have a reason for running, some run for exercise and it can become like a drug to them, they must have that adreniline rush going through their veins.
Some people seem to be always on the run, they have no peace, " the wicked run when no one is pursuing them."
But the Christian runs the race set before them, a different race, a moral race, a spiritual race, a Godly race, a race where the Starter is Christ and at the finishing line awaiting them is the same Christ.
This race is not run in our own strength..it could not be..it is run in the strength which God supplies by His Spirit.
Runners fix their eyes upon the finishing line, we fix our eyes upon Jesus, the One Who starts us off and also awaits us with a " Well done!"

Here is a scene from a Christian movie.... Enjoy it.

https://www.facebook.com/ChristianHipHopHitsJustasHard/videos/10155267313796658/

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Eugene Monroe Bartlett, Sr. is considered to have made a major impact on the development of Southern Gospel Music.

He was born on December 24, 1885 in Waynesville, Missouri.  At a young age he relocated to Sabastian County, Arkansas where he grew up.  He was educated as a music teacher at Hall-Moody Institute in Tennessee and William Jewell College in Missouri.

In 1917, he married Joan Tatum.  The couple would have two children together.

In 1918, he established Hartford Music Company, which became one of the first publishing companies for Southern Gospel music.  He served as company president from 1918 until 1935.  In additional to establishing the music company, he also established a shape note school, the Hartford Music Institute in 1921 and began publishing a monthly quartet magazine, The Herald of Song.

Over the chorus of his career, Bartlett wrote more than 800 songs. Some of his songs include ?Just a Little While,?

Eugene Monroe Bartlett

Everybody Will Be Happy Over There, You Can?t Keep a Good Man Down, and Take an Old Cold Tater and Wait.

In 1939, Bartlett had a stroke that left him partially paralyzed.  After the stroke he was left virtually bed ridden.  Although he missed traveling and performing, Bartlett continued to study his Bible during this difficult time.  Although he dealt with the physical strains of his limitations, he also looked towards the eternal victory he knew was approaching.

During this difficult time after his stroke, he wrote the words to Victory in Jesus.  The song first appeared in a songbook paperback Gospel Choruses.

Victory in Jesus was the final song Bartlett wrote.  The hymn also became his best known and most embraced song.  The song is an optimistic reminder of the hope of heaven.  In the second stanza, there are references to the healing ministry of Christ.

The song has grown in popularity over the years and is published in most church hymnals and often requested in sing-a-longs.

Bartlett died on January 25, 1941. He is buried in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Benton County, Arkansas.

In 1973, he was inducted into the Gospel Music Association?s Gospel Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, Tennessee.

Hi Everyone.  It looks like today will be a carbon copy of the past several days with it being hot and dry.  My dental appointment yesterday went very well and no follow on dental work is needed, which is always what I want to hear from my dentist.  The hygienist told me of a fresh produce market near their office so I stopped in and got some beautiful South Carolina freestone peaches, two Heirloom tomatoes and a couple of ears of fresh sweet corn.  There prices were very high so it is not a store I would visit very often. 

In a few minutes I am going to go to Costco to stock up the freezer and the pantry.  This evening we will be starting our Wednesday evening dinners at Church for the fall season. 

Judy, thanks for getting us started with the new page for September.  That was a fine reading from Chris and the hymn is an old favorite of mine.  I had never heard the background of the composer.  I have seen a few songbooks with shaped notes but never tried to sing them.   

Hi Everyone.  It will be another day in the low 90's with no rain in the forecast.  We enjoyed a very tasty dinner at Church last evening and there was a big crowd as chicken wings seems to be a popular item for these dinners. We then enjoyed a pleasant evening with Scott.  I have only two things on my schedule today, other than a few chores here at the house.  I will be picking up my friend and we will go to coffee.  On the way home I will stop at Walmart to pick up three prescriptions for Pat and a few other items. The rest of the day should be pretty quiet and restful.

Hi Everyone. It is going to be another hot, 94 degree, afternoon with only a 10% chance of rain.  I plan on staying home today unless Pat wants to go out and eat as we often do the day the housekeeper is here and this is that day.  I managed to stay pretty busy all day yesterday and it has been a busy morning but I told Pat not to expect much more work from me today.  I just prepared her breakfast and had already folded a load of clothes.  I had purchased a bottle of baby shampoo to try on my hair as a friend of mine said he used it and it was gentle.  However, as hard as I tried I couldn't get the thing opened.  Fortuantely, Pat had shampoo in the shower that I was able to use to wash out the medicated shampoo I had used and let set for about 20 minutes or so per instructions. 

Does anyone else find packaging of things difficult to open.  I had to put up a 12 box pack of tissues and the wrapping was so tight and tough that I had a hard time opening it and that seems to be the rule anymore. 

Larry Hanna...
...I thought I would pop in to post and keep you company for a while...
Not much to say really but I did manage to go to my next County 62 mile round trip MS Society evening meet-up this week...We had our Harvest Supper...but unfortunately I did not win any raffle prize this time...R takes me then he trundles off to a near restaurant for a meal by himself, picks me up one & a half to two hours later.....

Larry when I find things hard to open I use a knife or a pair if scissors. that generally will cut that tight plastic so I can get to the item I bought.  The reason for the packaging is t dissuade shoplifters.  Not sure it does the job though....If someone is going to steal they will...

We are at last getting better weather.  The humidity is gone and the temperatures are mid 70"s.  The humidity was a killer this summer.

Heather's family is still struggling with the death of a daughter/sister. so many are saying they should be over it by now.  June 30th is not that far  past.  some people can be so insensitive.

Well that is all for now

We are joining another church next week and they have a dinner set up with members - we are told not to bring anything.  Another dinner coming is the annual potluck for everyone in our area of 100 homes.  Also, our oldest son and wife are coming for a week - bringing their little dog as well.  He has medical appointments and she will be working too - she has to fly someplace during the week.  They are driving from Montana and this is our only chance to see them until Christmas.

Jackie:  That is nice you can get to your meeting and for your hubby to go out for dinner.  I often go to the VA - Veteran's Administration - hospital while Don has his appointments and sometimes wait there and other times go to the cafeteria and read a book. 

A quilt is waiting for me in the basement - it is at the "I don't know what to do next stage".  It is the last queen sized quilt I will ever attempt.   

Larry:  I was told to use baby shampoo when allergies were given me trouble.  No perfume in it.  We keep a box cutter handy for opening packages and a sharp letter opener works too. 

We drove to the foothills yesterday morning and saw a little bit of the yellow leaves.  They have a water shortage in that area and posted signs - not good news.  There is still smoke in the area carried all the way from California.  Not that people would notice, unless they really knew what the front range is supposed to look like in normal times.  Some snow at 10000 ft.  We are almost 6,000 here and Don can tell the difference when he goes to a lower altitude.  It doesn't seem to bother me, thankfully.

Jackie:  I was interrupted in sending a reply to your email.  I understand the situation - may you find the comfort you need.  Blessings to you. 

Well I didn't go to Ca. My plans were all made and cancelled the same day. My daughter decided to be the  one in control and stated that I was not to be there before or after his death., He is still living although  under the influence of heavy pain meds. He is on a Diladid drip and asleep all the time. Ron spent last night  with him and has gone now to get some sleep. He has kept me up to date every few hours all week. Next time he is alone in  the room with Roger he will call me, put the phone on speaker and next to Roger's ear so I can say a few words to him without the rest of the family knowing or interferring.I just want to tell him I love him and reassure him taht it is OK to leave if he is ready to go.

I am hoping maybe I can go for the funderal if I can find someone to make sure that Keith gets meals. I don't trust him to try to cook. He doesn't remember  how anyway. I wouldn't want him to get burned on the glass cook top or start a fire in  the Microwave. I will just have to wait and see.

Gilbert gave me some great advice when he said "don't let them see you sweat" "don't sweat the small stuff"  Being a Hospice volunteer I am aware that there is a great group of Greif counselors available if I need them.

Hi Everyone.  Today is suppose to be another hot and mostly sunny one.  I guess it will be a good day for the football games around here, better than freezing cold.  We did stay home all day yesterday but this morning I plan on attending a meeting and then will stop at Aldi's for a few vegetables and some breakfast cranberry drink that I like to have a little glass of each morning.  I plan on watching football today as this is the afternoon for the Georgia/South Carolina game and several other games to watch as well. 

Yesterday evening Pat made meatballs and spaghetti in the Instant Pot.  She used some four cheese sauce and precooked meat balls that we had in the freezer and it made a delicious meal.  She added about a half cup of grated Parmesan cheese after it was cooked.  That with some garlic butter toast made a great meal.  There was enough left over for a second meal and the next time we will add a salad but couldn't do that last evening as had no salad vegetables on hand. 

I am sure glad to see more posts than my own here as it was really getting lonely in this discussion. 

Jackie, glad you got to attend your MS Society evening even if you didn't win a door prize.  A Harvest Supper sounds good. 

Judy, I also use a box opener or have a little knife on my keychain that I can use. However, some of the plastic wrap is so tough that it fights the knife or is hard to pull off with your hands after there is an opening.  As I often say this is not lifes biggest problem.  Glad you are enjoying some nice weather.  Did you have a good garden this summer?  I have never understand why other people seem to be able to determine when it is the proper time for us to do anything, including how we handle grief.  I hope John will pop in one of these days and give us an update.  Is he driving the school bus again this year?

Carol, how nice that you will be guests for the members dinner.  That must be a big potluck in your neighborhood.  Do most of the neighbors participate.  Do you have a club house where you can gather for the event?  Nice you can enjoy a week with your oldest son and wife before you go back to Arizona.  Does the VA have a good cafeteria.  Nice that you have a place to go and wait as I expect the waiting rooms are pretty busy and that way you are not exposed to as much.  I didn't know quilts had a "I don't know what to do next stage".  I will have to ask Pat to explain that to me.  I think maybe the expensive shampoo is helping.  I tried to open the bottle of baby shampoo to use yesterday and couldn't get the cap open.  Finally last evening, with good light in the bathroom and using a nail file, I was finally able to pop it off.  Water shortages are certainly a matter of concern. 

Marilyn, sorry that you had to cancel your plans for your trip to see Roger.  Perhaps the phone is a better idea since perhaps he will hear your voice even if he is unable to speak. I now that Keith is of major concern to you and hope you can work something out.  I hope you will seek grief counseling.  Our Church has a grief counseling small group and perhaps you could find something similar at a Church near you.   

Roger is walking with Jesus in his new body. My son is gone. His spirit left his earthly body at 10:30 last night. No service is planned he will be cremated.

R.I.P Roger...Marilyn's Son...

Thank you Jackie

Marilyn:  Sorry for your loss - hopefully you have a close friend to confide in through these trials. 

Larry:  I cannot decide what to do on the quilt - I know it has to be finished.  The pot luck is for new members and a tradition for parishioners to meet and greet.  There is no meeting place in this Retreat group - so, for a small fee we can use another building in the area.  All of our meetings are at restaurants or in homes.   

We just returned from a late breakfast at a Cajun restaurant - we treated a DIL to her birthday meal.  Yummy, I had Shrimp and Grits.  It was so good.  Our youngest son wants to drive us to Arizona in a couple of weeks.  He has so much vacation time and his wife is teaching so she is tied to the job. 

It smells so nice in the house with a crock pot full of diced apples, cinnamon seasoning.   

Hi Everyone.  It is another bright and sunny Sunday morning here in South Carolina.  with a predicted high of 92 degrees and a 20% chance of some showers.  Our State is in a state of emergency in preparation of the anticipated Hurricane bearing down on the Carolina's later this week.  Yesterday was a pleasant day and it seems I managed to keep busy all day.  I will go to Sunday School and then plan on coming home and getting Pat so we can go back to Church.  Then we plan on going to Zaxby's for a nice salad with with fried chicken on it for Pat and grilled chicken for me.  It comes with a piece of Texas toast and makes a very filling and good meal.  I plan on watching some football this afternoon and having a restful Sunday afternoon.

Marilyn, even when we know it is coming it is heart breaking to lose our child.  I certainly send condolences from Pat and I. 

Jackie, that is a very nice condolence card you posted for Marilyn. 

Carol, that is a nice tradition for your new Church and a good time for you to meet and to be meet by the current members in attendance.  It would be worth a small fee to use a building for your community potluck so it will be out of the weather and with plenty of places to sit down.  Great that you son wants to drive you to Arizona soon.  Nothing like smelling apples and cinnamon cooking.   

Hi Everyone.  It is a beautiful, clear and soon to be another very warm day.  We do have a higher percentage chance of some showers this afternoon.  They were in our area yesterday afternoon but missed us completely.  South Carolina has declared a State of Emergency in preparation for the oncoming Hurricane.  Exactly where it will hit is still uncertain but it sounds like the coastal areas will certainly be impacted.  At this point we are not expecting any impact from it in our area here in the West of the State.

We enjoyed a nice hot day here yesterday (we have had 15 days in a row with it getting to 94 degrees or above).  Pat did go to Church with me and afterwards we stopped at Zaxby's and had a good lunch.  We tried something new, which was a sandwich with three large chicken tenders with a hot sauce and a creamy sauce on them.  Pat had French fries with hers and I had coleslaw.  It was a quiet afternoon of resting, then watching football and finally reading for a couple of hours.  My friend loaned he a fairly new John Grisham book called "The Testament", which is a real page-turner and I am more than half way through it and might finish it up today.  He is such a good story teller.  I sort of hate to see it end.  I also put out a container of Lobster Bisque for our evening meal but need to grind up some cheddar cheese later this morning and a couple of other tasks.  Yesterday morning AT&T put out door hangers saying they would be working in our neighborhood digging and upgrading facilities and installing something called "gigapower".   

Larry:  Wow - that sounds powerful - gigapower.  -

So much on this weeks agenda - I have notes all over the fridge.  I was awake at 5:30 this morning and went downstairs to do the treadmill and bike.  It was even too early for my radio host show.  It was even still dark outside and that was a surprise. 

Yesterday, I spent two hours chatting with a neighbor (she lost her husband & our friend last winter).  She is thinking of starting a small bible study.  She would be perfect for the task - I urged her to split the studies with the others (we are gone most of the winter so cannot help).  I went to the early service yesterday - 7;30 AM and that is perfect for me - the guest spoke on "The Case for Miracles".  I have the book on order through the library download.  It was fascinating to hear the author on the screen - can't wait to read the book.  He used to be a member here but moved to Houston. 

An earache has been bothering me so far just dealing with it with Amoxicillin and pain pills.  High in the 90's today - the good news is the sky to the west looks clearer.  My aim this week is to get everything ready for son & wife - and I am buying Lysol sprays for everything too - not to have any germs in the house.  Quilters are coming Tuesday night and Wednesday night we go to a church meal & Saturday for community potluck. A person could get fat! 

Hi Everyone.  What an evening we had last night.  There was a severe electrical storm and we had a little over two inches of rain and I don't think this had anything to do with the approaching Hurricane.  This morning is bright and sunny and we should get to 92 degrees this afternoon with the chance of more rain. 

Pat wants to make a visit to our local Dollar Tree store this morning and perhaps we will eat our main meal out at noontime or mid-afternoon. Ruby Tuesday's is once again offering their great salad bar for $5 today, which is half its normal price.  A friend will be here to work with me for an hour this morning and the rest of my day is free.  I have only about 100 pages of the John Grisham book I am reading and another couple of hours to finish the audio book I am listening to, which has also been good. 

Carol, the new cabling does sound powerful but I expect it will also carry a powerful monthly price to use.  However, they will be competing with Comcast so that can't hurt anything.  It would be nice if your neighbor could start a small Bible study in her home.  Sorry to hear of your earache.  I had so many of those as a child but haven't been bothered with them as an adult that I can recall and hope to keep it that way.  You sure have a busy week planned. 

Last evening for dinner we had the lobster bisque I had gotten from Costco along with a toasted cheese sandwich.  It was a good and very filling dinner. 

The schools in our county and others around us have been closed starting today so they can be prepared to use as shelters for the   people who have been ordered by the Governor to evacuate the South Carolina coastal areas starting at noon today.  More than a million people have been ordered to evacuate in South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia. 

Baking two batches of brownies for tonight and the freezer.  Tea is brewing on the patio in sunshine.  Also, watching or listening to the tributes on 911.  Still a very sad story. 

Larry:  It is hard to imagine a million people being moved away from the oncoming storm.  I hope you don't have heavy rains from the hurricane. 

We are beginning a home bible study and finished day 2 this morning - it is set up for one year.  We read the 3 different designated sites and make notes or interpret what it means - our own thoughts.  It has been a long time since I did a similar study.   

Hi Everyone. We are in for another day with a heat index of 100 degrees or more with a good chance of late afternoon rain.  People are still evacuating from the coastal areas of South Carolina.  It appears we could be in for quite a bit of rain depending on how far North the Hurricane goes.  Just a lot of uncertainty.  Our school were reopened today as they decided they probably would not be needed as shelters. 

Pat is planning on attending her Gifts group at the Church this morning so I will take her and go down to coffee while she is there.  This evening we will be going to our Wednesday night dinner at the Church and then spend some time with our son.  Yesterday we did go to the Dollar Tree store for a few minutes and then went to Ruby Tuesday's for our main meal of the day.  Yesterday evening I finished reading the John Grisham book and will return it to the man who loaned it to me either today or tomorrow. 

Carol, there was a lot of news coverage and other tributes in recognition of 9/11 as there should be each year.  It is hard to believe that it occurred 17 years ago as the memory of that day is still very clear in my mind.  Those brownies sound good.  Right now I have no idea of how much rain we may get and it could either be quite a bit or maybe an inch or so.  Time will tell.  Your home Bible study sounds good and I hope it is very successful. 

I was able to attend the regular women's bible study this morning.  This was the first meeting for the fall sessions.  Really a low attendance but it still is a large group.  Someone made scones and that was a treat.  The missionary (our table leader) says a group is meeting in an Asian country - not the easiest place for them. 

Hi Everyone.  The sun is out here this morning and no wind.  It is once again to get up above 90 degrees this afternoon.  The only thing on my schedule is to pick up my friend and go to coffee for an hour.  So it should be a pretty quiet and restful day.  We are still some time away from the winds and rain from the Hurricane.  I see this morning that it has weakened but it looks pretty certain we will be getting some winds and probably a lot of rain.  I will get my emergency lights and the emergency radio out so they will be available if needed.  The danger here is from trees being uprooted with the very wet ground and falling on the power lines.  I am sure that flooding throughout South Carolina is going to be a big problem and some places are still trying to recover from the last severe flooding that occurred here a couple of years ago. We are just in a wait and see position and know we are very fortunate.  I see that by tomorrow night we can expect the edge of the wind and rain to be in our area.   

Carol, it sounds like you had a nice group and a good Bible Study yesterday.  It is nice that you have a missionary as your group leader. 

Wishing all in the storms path a safe and secure time. 

Larry:  Those storms always head inland a lot farther than people anticipate.  Praying the storm weakens quickly. 

We had a long meeting at our church last night - this was for membership. About a dozen a few more made their speeches on what the church offers and frankly, neither Don or I could hear some of speakers.  It was a large room - some spoke in their normal and quiet voices and it was impossible.  Very nice people - I see some places we can volunteer and support.  I know it sounds confusing but we are joining a much smaller church because Don can understand and hear the speakers. 

Coffee is ready, I finished the tread mill exercise (that is to keep my knees working).  It is hot for a few more days then a bit more normal  that will be such a relief.  My thoughts are with everyone in the east. 

Hello, everyone!  We arrived home this afternoon, around two.  Had a nice but quick lunch with daughter Diane in Hugoton, then went to their new grocery store for supplies, as we had eaten or used all the food from the fridge that was spoilable, before we left.

We had a very enjoyable trip.  The weather in Alaska was perfect!  Couldn't have asked for better!  And Darrel felt pretty good most of the time.  He complained less than he had been doing at home, so I think it was good to get his mind off all his "ouchies".     He passed out a couple of times, once, while sitting on the side of the bed during the night, and hit the floor like a ton of bricks.  Sure got my attention!  The other time he was sitting in the wheelchair, so he didn't fall, and was only out for a few seconds.  We did use the chair to go into Skagway and all around that very small town.
He still doesn't feel up to walking very far at all. We shipped the chair with our bags from Vancouver, and it made it to Houston, but they didn't get it on the little plane to Amarillo, so a guy had to drive it all the way to our house!  200 miles!  He got here with it mid-afternoon.

I had very little cell phone coverage, so only posted a few pics on FB.  Will probably post more in the coming days.

Carol, You're probably right about my phone needing a battery, but we are 300 miles from an Apple store!

I have read all the posts, and will try to comment more tomorrow.  I'm bushed, and heading to bed now.  Darrel has been in bed for about two hours already!

Hi Everyone.  The sun is shining here this morning.  Our local forecast is now that we will probably get 1-2 inches of rain and winds around 35 mph.  We probably will not have rain start until late tonight or tomorrow with the highest chance of Sunday.  Our danger is from floods as the water floods the rivers and heads this way.  I had a medical appointment this morning to have my pacemaker checked but they called yesterday and said the tech, who lives in Columbia, is not coming over here today so I will reschedule it.  That is no hurry as it was just routine.  I plan on staying home today and taking it easy and think most of the chores I needed to do this morning have been accomplished. 

Carol, the Hurricane has just not actually hit the coast and they are already having to go in and rescue people that refused to leave their homes.  They said this morning that the rains will reach New York City before it is over and drop a lot of rain over many States.  Too bad you couldn't hear the speakers telling about your new Church.  Some voices carry and some don't.  Just in the last couple of years have we had a microphone for our Sunday School class and it was needed because many of the folks are hard of hearing.  Unfortunately several of the folks don't want to use the microphone. 

Janet, glad to see you and Darrel safely home and to read that Darrel tolerated the trip well.  Glad you had perfect weather for your trip.  It sounds like you needed the wheelchair and glad you took it with you.  I look forward to seeing your photos.  I read yesterday that even taking your phone to the Apple store for the battery replacement they may have to keep it for two or three days.  That is not a viable alternative for me as would feel very uncomfortable without it.  I had decided to buy one of the new iWatches that were announced this week but checked with Consumer Cellular and they indicated their service did not support the Watch.  This latest version takes EKGs and has a feature that if you fall and don't immediately get up it will call an emergency number.  I am going to do a little more checking before I give up.   

Janet:  So glad that you and Darrel had a chance to see that amazing scenery from the cruise.  It must have been so difficult when Darrel had two falls.  Cheers for the two of you going and taking the trip with faith!!!

Here, I am looking at anti-inflammatory vegan recipes as son & wife arrive and he has medical tests next week. 

Otherwise, I keep in touch with several cousins and their issues, I am trying to finish a quilt (not enough time) and keep up this house (always something needed).  Needing to call several friends and relatives just to see how everyone is faring. 

Hello Larry and Carol---and anyone else who pops in later!

I still have a long way to go in getting all the junk emails deleted.  Wish the computer knew which ones to dump.    Well, not really.  Big Brother is already in too much of our business. 

Larry, I pray your area doesn't get too much water, and not any of those high winds.  I cannot imagine.  We sometimes get winds of 80 MPH here, but there isn't the tons of water with it.

I conquered the mountain!  The laundry mountain, that is.  And picked up a big tub of mail from the Post Office, got that sorted and processed.  Got my hair cut and styled this morning and some pants mailed back to Duluth that didn't fit.  I want to get as caught up as possible, so I can work on the book. There is a deadline looming if I want it published before Christmas.  Don't know if I can possibly make it, if not, will get done when I can.

John is here.  He watered plants and took care of our cat again.  He likes doing that for us, and we sure appreciate it.

I'm going to post a few photos on FB now.  See you later!

Welcome home Janet, Not much new here. Roger was interred today, Ron  texted me a photo I can't get it to post, I will have to resize it and post later.


Freckles and I are going to walk in  the Fun Fes parade in Coos Bay tomorrow. It is a fun dress up thing so I will wear my Dog paw tights, then put Freckles tutu  around my neck. She has a neck piece too.