Christian Photographers Community

Morning Devotional...

Their horses also are swifter than leopards,
And more fierce than evening wolves.
Their chargers charge ahead;
Their cavalry comes from afar;
They fly as the eagle that hastens to eat.
Habakkuk 1:8[/list]


While preparing the present volume, this particular expression recurred to me so frequently, that in order to be rid of its constant importunity I determined to give a page to it.

The evening wolf, infuriated by a day of hunger, was fiercer and more ravenous than he would have been in the morning. May not the furious creature represent our doubts and fears after a day of distraction of mind, losses in business, and perhaps ungenerous tauntings from our fellow men?

How our thoughts howl in our ears, "Where is now thy God?" How voracious and greedy they are, swallowing up all suggestions of comfort, and remaining as hungry as before. Great Shepherd, slay these evening wolves, and bid Thy sheep lie down in green pastures, undisturbed by insatiable unbelief.

How like are the fiends of hell to evening wolves, for when the flock of Christ are in a cloudy and dark day, and their sun seems going down, they hasten to tear and to devour. They will scarcely attack the Christian in the daylight of faith, but in the gloom of soul conflict they fall upon him.

O Thou who hast laid down Thy life for the sheep, preserve them from the fangs of the wolf. False teachers who craftily and industriously hunt for the precious life, devouring men by their false-hoods, are as dangerous and detestable as evening wolves. Darkness is their element, deceit is their character, destruction is their end. We are most in danger from them when they wear the sheep's skin.

Blessed is he who is kept from them, for thousands are made the prey of grievous wolves that enter within the fold of the church. What a wonder of grace it is when fierce persecutors are converted, for then the wolf dwells with the lamb, and men of cruel ungovernable dispositions become gentle and teachable.

O Lord, convert many such: for such we will pray to-night.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Good mornign all!
Just popping in before I turn in for the night.  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.  

I hope to take lots and lots of pictures.  I just don't know of what yet!!  

Well!!! I was here a moment ago and was in the midst of a wondrous post when all of a sudden I was back at the beginning again.  Now, how did that happen?

Thank you, PAT for the morning's devotional.  I always appreciate your efforts and those of Iaian's and Lee's and Al's and the others who share with us here.

I have been so aware of the Presence of the Lord lately ... I feel so unworthy that He would care for me and even take notice of me, but he does!!  I love Him so very much...It's my desire to be like Jesus...and I am determined, I've made up my mind, I'll serve the Lord... do you have the music for those choruses?  This is where my heart is lately, and I feel so totally vulnerable in His hands.  

I love all of you so much, and I am so thankful for the leading of the Lord in bringing me to this place of love and security and christian fellowship.  

Take care all y'all and I'll be around and just might even have a word or two to add to all the discussion here ... Until then...

Well Pat, I thought that I had read most of what Mr Spurgeon had written but not this one. Thanks so much.

I can imagine the joy, the melody and the volume of the songs that Moses and the children of Israel sang on the far banks of the Red Sea being carried back as far as Egypt. The Lord had provided a marvellous and wondrous deliverance for them from their enemies.

What were they expecting now as they started out on this new journey? Today I am happy to say that after a long time vacant we are inducting a new Pastor over us as a congregation.

Perhaps the thoughts going through my mind this morning are similar to those of the children of Israel at that time.

I have a prayerful and expectant hope for the new ministry. We have waited long for this and I have no doubt that it has made us more dependent upon the Lord as a result.

Will extraordinary blessings accompany the new ministry? Will revival once more visit our shores? It is my heart's desire.

Were the children of Israel expecting everything now to be wonderful? They had left behind the cruelty and bondage of Egypt. Surely things would be better now?

They had not travelled far when they encountered the bitter waters of Marah! What a shock to the system this would have been. Where now was their song of praise?

Well do I remember the shock in my own soul when, having been saved by the grace of God I realised that sin was still present with me! What a bitter discovery!

The Lord shewed Moses a tree which when thrown into the waters made them sweet. Salvation in Christ is a lifetime experience. (Please excuse my language here but I am sure that you understand my meaning.)

It is something that needs to be worked on every single day. It is true to say that once saved we are saved for all eternity, yet we are urged to make our calling and election sure.

Christ died once upon that tree for sinners, yet the application of His atonement must be a daily occurrence for us at least. It is a lifetime of repentance and faith, of daily surrender and obedience.

There must be a striving after holiness and this can only happen as we look to what happened on that tree.

Christ Jesus the Son of God dying for sinners.

A fountain was opened up for sin and uncleanness. It was not a stagnant pool where one dip was all that was required. Our sin requires cleansing and we are to rejoice that the salvation and cleansing is as efficacious and fresh for us today as it was when first we believed.

Your sins and iniquities I will remember no more.

It was a time of testing yet a time also of learning for the children of Israel. Just because they were free from the bondage of the Egyptians did not mean that they could manage now on their own.

They had to realise their daily dependency upon the giver of every good and every perfect gift.

Without God we can do nothing!

It is an easy statement to make yet not an easy lesson to learn in reality! His provision can never be measured. There is always an abundance of goodness from His hand.

One well may have been sufficient for this congregation yet the Lord provided a well for each tribe at Elim. He also gave them shelter from the heat of the day under seventy palm trees.

The Lord's request for obedience came with a promise. They had witnessed the terrible plagues that the people of Egypt had suffered at His hand.

Now He tells them if they are obedient to Him then none of these plagues will come upon them.

In mercy and in love He changed their situation from bitterness to sweetness and He will do the same for us if we follow Him in obedience. Them that honour me, I will honour.

I am the Lord that healeth thee. I look forward to our new ministry and I have a renewed desire to follow in obedience. The Lord added to His church daily, such as should be saved. I pray that will be our portion.

LOL

Your brother in Christ

Iain

8.20a.m. England.

Thank-you Pat, thank-you Mr. Spurgeon.
Thank-you Iain.

"A life time" experience yes Iain....until the end of the journey., We reach the top of one mountain only to be confronted by another, surely like Moses.  We think we know it all, then we are faced with Calvary.  There is no salvation without crucifixion, the "dying to self".

As one great Saint put it "May all your crosses become a bouquet of roses"... Pio.

RiaI continue in prayer for dear Jan.  Give him my love please.

I am going off now to have my Bible Reading.  I was up very early but had pets to feed and a few other jobs.  Now for a cuppa with Jesus.

Prayerfully,
Jenny.

Good morning all  10.20 AM

Pat and Iain thank you for the devotionals this morning.

Janet Itis sad that there is no more Bible club for my son i have called the pastor he also say to me that it is so sad. He say to me Marcel is ask me every time
such a lot. He say to me there is a lot in his head.
He is very serious that is he been when his father died
then he was 16 years old now he is 21 but he is still
missing his father.
But the pastor told me that they are looking for something for young people but he say no one is coming. It is so sad. And my son say when i go to the
church then i must listen but how get i answer on my
questions that is the reason that he like the Bible club.
There he can talk. I am hoping there is coming something.

I go to a friend an we are going drinking coffee together and talk that's nice.

            Seek His Path

         I come before You, Jesus,
             weak but willing
          I seek to walk your path,
              and not my own

I wish you all a blessed day
Bye Love
RIA

Ria That is sad.  Why not get him to sign on here and ask his questions here?  There are pastors here who can help him understand.

Good morning.  Last night Cornelia and I were doing our Bible reading and we were reminded of the devotion of John the Baptist's parents, Elizabeth and Zechariah.  

Luke 1:6  Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly.  (NIV)

What an example for us today!  We know we fall short and yet we CAN do our best to follow such an example.  Fortunately we know our salvation doesn't depend upon our perfection.  We understand we are saved by Grace.

Eph 2:8-9  For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast.  (NIV)

But we should not use this grace as an excuse to live just anyway we want to.  It should make us want to be more like Elizabeth and Zechariah doing GOD'S will as best we can.  

I hope you all have a good day today.

--- Papa John              <)))><<

[/color]

Hi everyone.  I will be brief today as wrote way too much yesterday.  Thanks for the devotional thoughts Pat and Iain.  Iain, hope this is a wonderful day in your congregation as you welcome a new pastor.  It is an exciting time of rededication.  

Ria, sorry to read that the Bible Club no longer meets as obviously your son was benefiting from it.  

Not much on my agenday today although Pat and I are headed out now to do a little shopping in preparation for Christmas.  We like to avoid the big crowds in the stores later on.

Peace to all this day!

I have been trying to get sleeping bags free or very low price for the shelter and Goodwill won't give me a decent discount.  Yesterday was warmer in the afternoon so we spotted some of our newer homeless about in the city - please pray for those mentally handicapped.  Others have cell phones and dress very nicely but still homeless and just sitting around during the daytime.  

Much to do today and I see that my e-mail is totally full so must delete all the fluff - no time to look at it all.  
Carol

Good Morning. Thank you Pat, Iain and Papa John for the devotionals this morning. So much to read and absorb, I can't do it all at once so I must come back and reread them.

The sun is shining so brightly this morning here  on the Lost Coast. I looks to be a beautiful day.

Jane I know what you mean when you say you fell the presence of the Lord so close to you. I love that feeling. It doesn't happen as often as I would like, but of course it is always in His time>

Have a great day everyone, I will be back in a little bit.

Hello to all!  I am waiting IMpatiently for a call back from a doctor whom we think may be able to help Beth.  I hate to be kept hostage while waiting for someone to return a phone call!  I have lots to do today.

Both devotionals were really good today.  Iain, I am so glad you are getting anew pastor.  Being without a shepherd is hard on a church.

Marilyn, it's fun seeing you so excited about your new computer and camera!  We will all enjoy the fruits of those new things.

Papa John, always good to read your encouraging green posts.  Green represents life and growing, and that's the way we all need to be!

Hi there Larry!  You NEVER write TOO MUCH!  I always enjoy what you have to say.  I hope you and Pat have a great day today.

I need to see about eating a bit of breakfast, before it becomes lunch time.

Good morning/afternoon/evening folks!

I have another busy day.  Mike and Zachery are going hunting tomorrow so I need to get their gear ready.

Troy doesn't like to hunt. He is a softy.  


I got a new webpage up. It is Chandraya's personal page.  If you want to look at some art work and a poem she wrote you can go here
http://www.sonifopictures.com/chandraya

My boys will have a page within the month. Zachery will have a hunting page and Troy will have a Christian Music page.

Chandraya is getting pretty good with her singing.  She likes to sing vabroda (sp).  Do you all think I should get her started with singing lessons or wait a few years?  Her dance teacher went to college for music and singing.  She said it is rare for a little one her age to sing like she does and that I should get her singing lessons. Not sure what to do.  

Any way, I need to work on some photos for the for the new challenges.

Did you all enter to win the Free signed photo of mine?  Click here http://www.sonifopictures.com/freeprint

Sonja, I just HAD to go see what Chandraya has on her page!  I left a comment for her, too.  What a little sweetie!  (As are all four of them!)

Still waiting on that phone call..........

Janet, Chandraya will love that you looked at it. She picked all the cool stuff and colors on the page.  She is excited about it.
Thanks!

Sonya I really love that the kids have their own web pages.  They are really something.  

Tell Chandrya that I love what she has drawn and written.  

What Grade is she in?

Grandma JudyB

Judy, she is in pre-k or you could call it preschool.  She is loving every minute of it.

We have a visitor!  Welcome and come in and introduce yourself!

Also  Chris & Margit , Jane Good to see you today.  

RIA where are you.

Have a good day, I know where the rest of our outdoor lights are so will give them to Melaura.  She can have fun outside with them.  

Later I will be back

Hello everyone.  Just reading throught the posts for a bit while Travis plays.  

Nevermind, now he is in my lap.

Travis, wanna say anything?

v llllllllluu ipccp[''7--oooooommmmmmm-0       ,0 fc/DU)^_}r6-7,,,,,,,,,-

Guess I should better go, before he tries some more communication (it usually results in a blue screen  )

Laters, all, I'll be back.

karmat

Sister Jane W.............

In opening CP this morning, you post touched my heart.  I hear you, the folks here hear you, but most inportantly, God hears you.  You are speaking of an enriched new dedication toward Him and you are opening your heart for all to see.  As you know, Our Lord has said:  "If you deny me before others, I will deny you before My Father" (Not an exact quote).  So the opposite of this is that If you testify in My name before man, I will testify of you before My Father.  This is not a quote, but it speaks of truths regarding our relationship with our Lord.  No, I don't have my Bible open, or near me right now, but as a fellow Christian (Your brother in the Lord) I can tell you that your post was beautiful and it came from your heart.  In fact Jane, what you wrote should be said openly, and repeatedly by all of us daily.  Not that we daily forget our commitment to Him, but that expression of love for Him is part of our daily walk.  God blesss you my sister.  I'll tell you exactly how much your post means to me......I'm going to address everyone from now on as Brother/ Sister when I come into this forum and I'm starting with you.

My dear brothers and sisters.............

Last night was a glorious event.  A lady friend of ours (Mary) has recently left a man she's been living in sin with.  She left out of obedience to our Lord because she has just recently given her life to Jesus Christ.  Mary (Her name) invited Vivian and myself to her baptism at another friends home last night.  The gentleman who owns the home had a surprise for us as he baptised his daughter, her girl friend, and his two granddaughters as well.  A young man who had recently come to the Lord was also baptised.  Last night was one Vivian and I will not forget.  I also had the opportunity to witness our Lord to Mary's ex live-in boyfriend, Curtis, and I pray he heard the Lord's call.  He sat on a step in the great room holding his baby granddaughter, watching as we all sang hymns.  Pray for him folks, pray hard.  Mary was exceptionally happy, and couldn't wait to tell me she was no longer living with him, but asked me to witness Curtis.  

I'll send a couple of pictures of the baptism to Pat for posting.

Ok, friends, here's the hymn of the day.

Please complete the following words.........

"T_______   _______  H______   _________  L_______"

Hi Everyone-
Sonja that was a great website that you and your daughter put together-I need to work on our home page-sometimes it seems like there is so much to do that I don't have time to work on those things-I know you homeschool-do you teach the pre k too? If so what curriculum do you use for her?
Lee that is awesome news about the baptism -how exciting!
Ria-I am praying that your son will find someone to answer his questions-If he needs someone to talk to my husband and I recently-in the past 4 years-Lost my Dad then 6 months later my Mom and then 6 months later his brother(brain tumor)Our Pastors said that many people that would go through that would turn and go the other way-but we kept focused and kept on with the Lord and because of that the Lord is going to use us-If your son needs someone to talk to we would be happy to speak to him.

Just let me know and I can give you my husbands email address.
I am continuing to pray for all of you.
Hugs
Rachelle

My we are quiet today.  We are only on page 2.

The baptism was awesome Lee.  Way to go.  WE have one wvwey August in Lake Nipissing.  

Jane I second what you and Lee have said.

I have oe room left to sort and declutter.  John's office.  It will be the hardest as he needs to be there to chuch his own stuff.  He claims I am the hoarder, but . . . .

WE will be leaving for North Bay soon and I have groceries to buy.  Don't you just hate buying groceries?  It always feels like wasted money.  Ok ok I know we need to eat but the cost has gone up so much.

Lee I have no clue to the song.  We need more clues bro!

Well I have to mop my kitchen floor, so cheerio for now.  I will be back after Cadets.

Love JudyB

8.30 p.m.  England.

It's O.K. Marilyn I got in!

Dear Ones I have been having trouble with this "puter" today and didn't think I could get in tonight...anyway thank God here I am.

Yes Judy it does seem quiet around here..Is it the lull before the storm?  Everyone will call in at once.  There will be a party surely!

I wonder if Pat is still at Janice's.  Hope the change does her a power of good.
 
Tonight it is so dark and cold and wet and the inevitable fireworks are continuing.,a bleak outlook indeed., However Advent will soon be upon us that time of eager anticipation before  Christmas dawns and the Christ Child is given to us.  The giving of gifts is a commemoration of God giving His most perfect gift to the world at Christmas.  

Judy you are making the most of a good thing and extending Jesus' birthday celebrations. Enjoy dear.  
Keep looking forward.  He will lift your spirits.

Rachelle Nice to see you again.  You have suffered but God has a wonderful plan for your life and He does indeed use these things in His purpose.  He does not will that any of us should suffer but suffering has a redemptive purpose.

Lee Good evening Brother.  The Lord Bless you for your input into C.P.

Karmat and little Travis Hello.  You are a clever boy Travis...wait until he gets hold of the camera Karmat!

Good night from over here..
Prayers and love
In Jesus' name.
Jenny.

Good evening all

It was 47 degrees F.  in our neck of the woods this morning and has not changed much all day.  I was able to play a round of golf before the showers came, so it has been a good day.  

I have started having a glass of tea after nine holes as I am getting into training.    

We are not spending Christmas in the Colonies this year, but going to the Mother Land.  You all know in the Mother Land they do drink their tea.  

JennyWhere are you located in England?

Marilyn glad you are enjoying your new computer.

Judy B. has your snow all melted?

Lee, I am looking forward to the pictures of the Baptism.

Janet, are you a "Painter" as well as a carpenter?  
I do pray you will find a Doctor to help Beth.

Larry it is always a good idea to shop early, I think.  There are some who wait for better bargains near Christmas day, but you also take a chance of not getting what you want.

Ria, I will pray for you and your son.  Tot ziens

later as this is gettin long so will make another post
Boots

Quote from: JudyB on November 07, 2003, 11:23:05 AM
Have a good day, I know where the rest of our outdoor lights are so will give them to Melaura.  She can have fun outside with them.  

Later I will be back

Are you putting up X-mas lights up already?  You guys start early over there.  We don't put ours up till the day after thanksgiving.  Well, I don't my hubby does. I put up the tree.  This year I think I will let the kids have a go at the tree.

Boots~I have no idea where the Mother land is.  But if they drink tea, it can't be all that bad.  

Quote from: Jane Walker on November 07, 2003, 02:21:28 AM

I love all of you so much, and I am so thankful for the leading of the Lord in bringing me to this place of love and security and christian fellowship.  

I love you too and I am thankful you are here with us, Jane.  I love seeing all your graphics.  You come up with some good ones.  Your post are a joy to read and even though I don't reply to them all doesn't mean I don't read them.  Have a blessed day!