Christian Photographers Community

Happy New Year everyone!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eo_6t9MmK6Y

The above link is a favourite singer of mine... David Phelps is an amazing young man.  Go to You Tube and look up his videos.. You won't regret it!

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From Chris Saunders!
The two Jonahs.
Go to Ninneveh that great city and tell them to repent, their sin has become too great.
Instead rebel.. buy a fare on a boat and go in the other direction as far as you can. Get swallowed by a whale..get spat up on the shore in a right state, now you go and preach lest something worse happens. Complain to God.. I knew You would forgive them.. Sit down in a mood during a heatwave, be glad when God blesses you with some shelter.. Start complaining again when the plant dies!
Other Jonah...
Wow, God has blessed me with a ministry, He has entrusted me to preach to the people of Ninneveh, let's go.
They repented..! From the lowliest, to the king himself. God used me.. Wow.
It sure is hot, I'm tired after all that preaching, better sit down and rest, wow, God has suddenly grown a plant with big leaves to stop me getting sunstroke, what a wonderful God. What a privilege it is to be used by God, I love it.
Choose your attitude.. is it gratitude.

Also from Chris Saunders

Yesterday, we looked at Jonah, a man used by God to bring a whole nation to repentance, and yet a self centred man in lots of ways, he had to be severely punished for going against God's commands before he would do what he was told, then he did it under duress, not at all willingly, then still complaining he vanishes from the picture.
We, as disciples are called to obedience, not surly but gladly,
 do you see Christ in Jonah?
He seems to be of a different nature altogether, where is the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self control that are the fruit of the Spirit and the very nature of our Saviour..
And yet he didn't want the death of the sailors on his hands, so told them to throw him into the sea, which normally meant certain death, very strange this, as he didn't seem bothered about the 120 thousand people in Ninneveh. God was about to destroy these people.
The prophet repented of his rebellion while in the whales belly, I imagine that I would have too. "Salvation is of the Lord" he cried.
Well it is strange indeed this Bible episode, but knowing that the   Ninnevites were a brutal people and Israel's hated enemies, must have influenced Jonah a great deal, so what do we learn, God doesn't always tell us to do what suits us, but what suits Him. Who are we to dispute with God.
Peace comes from obedience, not from insisting on our own way.
We need to remember this lesson from Jonah. We don't know what lies ahead!

We have had a bit of snow and it has melted now.  Certainly not enough for trees and so many things.  The coffee maker stopped working so that means a trip to the store .  I just finished reading an email from church - one of the staff was just fired for what sounds like inappropriate issues.  I don't even want to hear what happened - terribly sad news.   

Praying for all the people affected by tornadoes and other weather - loss of life and homes.

Judy:  Thank you for Jonah's story.  We may not want to listen to what needs to be done but in the final picture - it turns out to be best for us. 

Our day of celebration (Christmas - birth of Christ - is coming soon.   

We are in a big storm watch and it is now beginning with rain.  Winds up to 90 or even 100 mph in the mountains are already in the skiing areas.  I have all the chairs and things secured.  This is a tough day for Don so he needs to rest. 

Thank you Judy for all the work you put in to keep us together! 

Thank you, Judy, for this month's devotionals. I appreciated you taking the time to post them. Hope you are enjoying your holiday season!

Hello Carol! Keep us posted on how you are doing there with the storms coming through! Thinking of you today!

Quote from: Carol on December 15, 2021, 11:03:50 AMWe are in a big storm watch and it is now beginning with rain.  Winds up to 90 or even 100 mph in the mountains are already in the skiing areas.  I have all the chairs and things secured.  This is a tough day for Don so he needs to rest. 

Thank you Judy for all the work you put in to keep us together! 

Jenny:  Thank you for your concern - this has been a really different day.  All of the warnings came to nothing - at least for today.I have never seen the weather report be so off in their storm call.  It has to be the strangest day for everyone.  I will just give thanks  -

Daily Thought
with Pastor John

I can't remember the first time, I heard Paul Harvey's story: "The Man and the Birds" but it remains a great modern parable explaining the Incarnation: Christ's coming to earth. I pray it speaks to you today.

The Man and the Birds

Now the man to whom I'm going to introduce you was not a scrooge, he was a kind, decent, mostly good man. Generous to his family, upright in his dealings with other men. But he just didn't believe all that incarnation stuff which the churches proclaim at Christmas Time. It just didn't make sense and he was too honest to pretend otherwise. He just couldn't swallow the Jesus Story, about God coming to Earth as a man. "I'm truly sorry to distress you," he told his wife, "but I'm not going with you to church this Christmas Eve." He said he'd feel like a hypocrite. That he'd much rather just stay at home, but that he would wait up for them. And so he stayed and they went to the midnight service.

     Shortly after the family drove away in the car, snow began to fall. He went to the window to watch the flurries getting heavier and heavier and then went back to his fireside chair and began to read his newspaper. Minutes later he was startled by a thudding sound. Then another, and then another. Sort of a thump or a thud. At first he thought someone must be throwing snowballs against his living room window. But when he went to the front door to investigate he found a flock of birds huddled miserably in the snow. They'd been caught in the storm and, in a desperate search for shelter, had tried to fly through his large landscape window.

     Well, he couldn't let the poor creatures lie there and freeze, so he remembered the barn where his children stabled their pony. That would provide a warm shelter, if he could direct the birds to it. Quickly he put on a coat, galoshes, tramped through the deepening snow to the barn. He opened the doors wide and turned on a light, but the birds did not come in. He figured food would entice them in. So he hurried back to the house, fetched bread crumbs, sprinkled them on the snow, making a trail to the yellow-lighted wide open doorway of the stable. But to his dismay, the birds ignored the bread crumbs, and continued to flap around helplessly in the snow. He tried catching them. He tried shooing them into the barn by walking around them waving his arms. Instead, they scattered in every direction, except into the warm, lighted barn.

     And then, he realized, that they were afraid of him. To them, he reasoned, I am a strange and terrifying creature. If only I could think of some way to let them know that they can trust me. That I am not trying to hurt them, but to help them. But how? Because any move he made tended to frighten them, confuse them. They just would not follow. They would not be led or shooed because they feared him. "If only I could be a bird," he thought to himself, "and mingle with them and speak their language. Then I could tell them not to be afraid. Then I could show them the way to safe, warm . . .  to the safe warm barn. But I would have to be one of them so they could see, and hear and understand."

     At that moment the church bells began to ring. The sound reached his ears above the sounds of the wind. And he stood there listening to the bells--"Adeste Fidelis"--listening to the bells pealing the glad tidings of Christmas. And he sank to his knees in the snow.

Blessings

John

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7InZv8Zfs10

Hi Carol! We are in PA, and it is super mild - like April; but my daughter is in Colorado Springs. She said they got hit hard with that storm. They still have no electric since yesterday when it started. Lots of trees down and roofs off of some modular homes in the area. It's crazy weather. Glad you guys didn't get hit hard. Hope you're having a great holiday season!

Quote from: Carol on December 15, 2021, 04:09:10 PMJenny:  Thank you for your concern - this has been a really different day.  All of the warnings came to nothing - at least for today.I have never seen the weather report be so off in their storm call.  It has to be the strangest day for everyone.  I will just give thanks  -

Good Day everyone!  The sun is shining and the wind has ceased for at least the time being. 

Sending prayers to all who have been in the last tornado damage area.  So many lives were changed. 

Jenny:  Once, we lived in Colorado Springs for a short time.  We liked visiting the Garden of the Gods - it is such a peaceful place. I hope your daughter and all have electricity now. 

 

Hello everyone. I haven't been here is over a week.  I live in Arcata, California and we have had some  heavy rain, No floods here on the coast,. I was concerned there might be a Tsunami warning after the earthquakes off the coast of Newport Oregon or those off the coast of Ferndale which is close to her, But 250 miles out to sea.., but  not to worry all is well.

I fell the week before Thanksgiving but thank you Jesus, that I didn't break any bones just a bad sprain.

Hi Marilyn! So glad all is well there! The weather and physical things going on are crazy right now! Glad you only sprained rather than broke anything. Hope you're enjoying your holiday season.

Quote from: Marilyn on December 17, 2021, 01:11:14 PMHello everyone. I haven't been here is over a week.  I live in Arcata, California and we have had some  heavy rain, No floods here on the coast,. I was concerned there might be a Tsunami warning after the earthquakes off the coast of Newport Oregon or those off the coast of Ferndale which is close to her, But 250 miles out to sea.., but  not to worry all is well.

I fell the week before Thanksgiving but thank you Jesus, that I didn't break any bones just a bad sprain.

Marilyn:  Sorry about your fall - thankful you are alright!  It does come as such a shock when we least expect it. Has your sprain healed well?

Carol the sprain is almost healed, of course the colder weather and dampness in the air makes me hurt, old arthritis is setting in, I guess it just comes with age. I will be 82 in February. I also had an x=ray done of my left wrist  since it has been so  sore after the fall. Not broken just severe arthritis in that thumb. Tylenol was the suggested as a pain reliever. I am on Eliquis, a blood thinner, so I can't take anything else.

I love my new church, the congregation is very small maybe 20 people. However, there are 5 people that I already knew from the church I attended before I moved to Oregon, which is now closed.I am the only worship team member that is not related to the rest of the team,

On the 1st day of Christmas.....The One True God..

On the 2nd day.........................The Old and New Testament..

On the 3rd day.........................Faith, Hope and Charity..

On the 4th day.........................The Gospels..

On the 5th day.........................The Books of Moses..

On the 6th day.........................The Days of Creation..

On the 7th day.........................The Gifts of the Holy Spirit..

On the 8th day.........................The Beatitudes..

On the 9th day.........................The Fruits of the Spirit..

On the 10th day.......................The Commandments..

On the 11th day.......................The Faithful Apostles..

On the 12th day.......................The Apostles Creed..


( From Schotts Christmas Miiscellany by Ben Schott...extract in Daily Telegraph on Sunday December 14th 2002 )

    A Christmas Prayer..

May all my family members and friends who need miracles be blessed.

May whoever is feeling unwell and weak be given strength.

May all of those who have heavy burdens have their load lightened.

May your Christmas be one filled with happiness and joy.

Merry and Blessed Christmas.

I came in here to catch up on your newsy posts.  Jenny:  Sorry that the Springs was hit by the storms and your daughter has to take care of whatever has been ruined.  It was stormy north of us as well and so different at this time of the year.

We have been busy here.  Don was in the hospital for 4 plus days.  Here is my miracle story.  He was taking a shower  - one son was coming to visit and arrived early.  Don fainted or something else happened and I found him unconscious part way out of the shower.  At that very same time (God's time) one son walked into the house and I was calling 911 Two ambulance  came to the house with the trained firemen in there - it was magnificent to say the least. 

Don is home and taking meds at required time plus doing some physical therapy - not much.  He is totally exhausted.  We spent Christmas Eve and the Day after with children taking turns.   I have already prepared jars of what we call Fudge Sauce so I was able to drop some off at the station (the rescue squad).  It looks like I will have to make more for those smiling faces.  Thanking Lord for prayers answered.  We missed the meals together but everyone in   the family is involved in supporting each other.   One of our "best" Christmas gatherings. We have a lot of friends and neighbors praying for us. 

Hello Carol! What a Christmas to remember for you. SO glad all ended well. Will pray for you all. Hope your new year is better.

Quote from: Carol on December 26, 2021, 05:49:36 PMI came in here to catch up on your newsy posts.  Jenny:  Sorry that the Springs was hit by the storms and your daughter has to take care of whatever has been ruined.  It was stormy north of us as well and so different at this time of the year.

We have been busy here.  Don was in the hospital for 4 plus days.  Here is my miracle story.  He was taking a shower  - one son was coming to visit and arrived early.  Don fainted or something else happened and I found him unconscious part way out of the shower.  At that very same time (God's time) one son walked into the house and I was calling 911 Two ambulance  came to the house with the trained firemen in there - it was magnificent to say the least. 

Don is home and taking meds at required time plus doing some physical therapy - not much.  He is totally exhausted.  We spent Christmas Eve and the Day after with children taking turns.   I have already prepared jars of what we call Fudge Sauce so I was able to drop some off at the station (the rescue squad).  It looks like I will have to make more for those smiling faces.  Thanking Lord for prayers answered.  We missed the meals together but everyone in   the family is involved in supporting each other.   One of our "best" Christmas gatherings. We have a lot of friends and neighbors praying for us. 

I still marvel at the offers of help our neighbors are offering.  We lost our furnace heat just as our #2 son stopped in for a visit.  He fixes everything so quickly and we were cozy by bedtime. 

Church is still closed.   Time for stuff on my To Do list.    Take care everyone. 

I'm sorry I haven't been here over the holidays, It has been a busy time and each day blended into the next.

I have been thinking about the New Year, and the various resolutions we make, and don't keep. This year no resolutions from me, just a desire to spread the Word and become closer to the author.  I am continuing with saying Good Morning with most a Bible verse for the day.  Some don't want the verse, I respect that, still connecting with a Good Morning!  I challenge each of you, to check your contacts on your cell phone, and say Good morning to many.... You will be surprised at the response.  At some point in time up the message with your favourite Bible verse.  Then continue with more verses.  See if you can follow a theme.  For instance Fear Not, Or Peace, in our world we all need to hear God's word on these themes.  This isn't a New Year's resolution, just an opportunity to spread the word.  If you get discouraged at the responses let us know here on our New Every Month page.  I will help as I have been there.

This year I was, with the help of many, able to pull off the ultimate Christmas gift.  Heather's daughter, died 3 and 1/2 years ago. She took her own life.  Last year she spent Christmas with her son unable to attend. He had no transportation north.  This year, two months in advance, I arranged for JC to come up. The hardest thing is to arrange something like this, with the person living in such close proximity, is keeping your mouth shut. Her hubby and I almost blew it daily, by asking, or discussing what we were doing in her presence.  Her surprise was complete!!!

Oh that is the look that says it all.. I - we are so at peace in each others arms...there is so much love coming from the look on his face...

Quote: Tomorrow ( 1st January ) is the first blank page of a 365 page book. Write a good one.

~ Author Brad Paisley.