Christian Photographers Community

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Morning Devotional...




Genesis 1:11

"Then God said, 'Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth'; and it was so."


Back in the 1970's, San Franciscans decided to restore their salt marshes. Cordgrass was among the plants that were being restored to the marshes. However, the cordgrass that was used in the restoration was a commercially available species from the eastern United States, not the California species. At the time, those working on the restoration did not realize that the two almost identical species have some important differences.

The eastern species, which is taller than the California species, produces 21 times as much pollen as the California cordgrass. The eastern species also produces eight times as many seeds as the California species. But the two species are similar enough to cross pollinate and produce a fertile hybrid with many of the eastern species' characteristics. Both the eastern species and the hybrid are able to colonize much closer to the water than the native California species.

This battle between the eastern and California cordgrass illustrates some Scriptural truths. First, the "kinds" that Scripture says everything is supposed to reproduce after are not the same as species. "Species" are a human designation while "kinds" are God's designation. These two species of cordgrass are obviously of the same kind since they produce fertile hybrids. And since the eastern species is more robust than the California species, it could well be closer to the original kind that God created.


Prayer: Father, I pray that I may truly have the characteristics of Your child through Jesus Christ, my Lord. Amen.



Ref: S. Milius, Superstud grass menaces San Francisco Bay, Science News, November 14, 1998, v.154, p. 310

Pat Thank-you.  I pray that I may "have the characteristics" of My Saviour also, by the Grace of God.
"Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ". Phil 1:6. Amen! Thank-you Lord for this precious promise.

Marilyn
"When the poor and the needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the Lord will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.
I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water......................Produce your cause saith the Lord; bring forth your strong reasons, saith the King of Jacob".  Is 42:17,18,21.

                                     .....................

Recently I was in despair over a certain matter.  I cried unto the Lord and He heard me and the telephone rang.  It was a retired minister friend of mine.  He told me to "tell the Lord Exactly how I felt about the matter".even if I shouted at Him.  It did work!
Yes folks, our God is not deaf but He does like us to speak out the truth when we talk to Him.  He can only act with the truth., so I do urge you not to be ashamed to cry and give vent to your feelings, our loving Heavenly Father needs your tears, He has  " a bottle" for them. (Ps 56:

"When I cry unto thee then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.
Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto Thee". Ps 56:9,12.

Dear Brothers and sisters in Christ,
Be Happy today.Jesus love you.
God Bless you,
speak later,
Jenny.

May I share this.ah...so sweet..........

I tapped in to see what children asked for this Christmas. One little one said:-

"Santa Please can I have my grandad back from Heaven."

There are no words to describe this.

Jenny X

GOOD MORNING ALL 11.05AM

Pat thank you for the devotional this
morning and also for the nice hyms yesterday WHITE CHRISTMASS i think not that we in Holland will have a
White Christmass mostly it are very dark days. Also thank you for the hymn ROSE OF SHARON also very nice.

There were not a lot pages yesterday 3
where is everyown???
The day before then there have been a lot i think 8 pages.

JANET thank you for the lovely story
yesterday very good.

Janet also in Holland  is pornography a very great problem . The last month they have in the province or region Groningen where i live there are arrest 30 people in their houses their is found
cd's with pornography and also on their computers.
But i say it is terrible also their is found porno with
children . I want it not seen then i be sick.  

This evening we must go to my brother
the girl of his wife has here birthday. The girl has get
his name but it is not his child. We only see each other
when there is a birthday. And that is started when
they are married. They are only go to here family.
When my brother is coming alone the he can talk but
when also she is coming with him then he say nothing.


I wish you all a Blessed Day
Bye for now
Love Ria






                                                     

Pat------>

 :-*

Wonderful devotion, Pat! Interesting to read about the different species of grass.  Who would have known that even grass has been specially made.  

Are you going to take a picture of your bootiful hair when you get it done?  

HI Ria!  That is sad news about pornography in your parts.  We have that here also.  I am glad that the little princess is doing well.  

Jenny~Thanks for all the verses you provide.  It is great to read them.  Not sure I will remember them all but I will try.

hey ya'll,
probably won't be on later tonight we start tounament today at 10:30. so it will be a fun day!just thought i'd pop in and say hi while i had the chance. janet the first time i heard that story was in church this last sunday and when the preacher said that they could've heard a pin drop someones watch beeped! it was kind weird timing! i need to finish getting ready so i'll talk to ya'll later!
Sarah

Hi everyone.  We have a beautiful sunny day today with a bit of cold wind.  It is to stay in the 40s but the rain is over for now.  I slept in this morning and was almost late for coffee at the cafe.  Fortunately, I made it on time.  I have a very quiet day planned as after doing grocery shopping a couple of places yesterday I couldn't get rid of the pain in my arm.  It seems to be gone today.  Pat is having a Christmas luncheon with her quilting group from church at the Vines.  This is a restruant in a beautiful huge mansion not far from us.  

We had an unusual choir practice last evening as we had no sopranos show up.  Don't think I ever remember that happening before.  We are preparing our music for the next several weeks as will not have choir practice on Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve.  

Pat, not sure I understood the message of the devotional thought today.  

Sarah, I hope you have a great tournment.  It sounds like you really enjoy playing basketball.

Hello from a foggy and grey Kansas.  Good to see Pat, Jenny, Ria, Sonja, Sarah and Larry this morning!

Ria, you are getting so good at using those cute graphics, and Sonja, I love yours, too.  Pat has BOG hair!

Class day; framing to work on, so it will be busy for me.  I wish for all of you a day of walking in the blessings of our wonderful Lord.

Janet, Larry and Sarah!

I have a busy day ahead of me, but not like yesterday. Wednesdays fly by.

I think we will make Christmas ornaments today.
Maybe some cookies to go with it.  mmm.....Reminds me. I need to eat breakfast.

My son, Troy is going to Casper tomorrow for a swim meet.  I won't be going.    

Any way I hope you all have a good day.
Love
Sonja  

[/color]

Good Morning, That was a very interesting devotion this morning, very informative. Thank you Pat, Was that from Creation Moments?

I am off to the doctor this morning, he is going to let me know if my surgery has been approved by medi/cal which is medicaid in California. Then we will discuss dates as soon as it is approved. Later this afternoon I am taking Bea to her doctor. In between the two appointments I hope to get a tiny bit of shopping done and a couple of bills paid. So I will return later.

Good Morning, everyone!!!

Last evening was another enjoyable evening for me.  When I got home Tuesday night, I had two messages on my answering machine...both from cousins.  No emergency.  Then yesterday morning at 8 a.m., Larry called.  He said the reason he and his sister were trying to get me was that he has two tickets to see 'The Temptations' at the Paramount Theater in Anderson for Wednesday night.  Would Ivalou and I want to go?  Yes!!!!!  So Larry dropped off the tickets around 4 p.m.  Ivalou and I left at 5:30 p.m....we always have to eat out when we go some place.  It was her day, so she chose a Chinese restaurant just a block south of the Paramount Theater.  We went in.  Not very many people there but everyone seemed to be in a hurry so we ordered the buffet.  I noticed that at one table there were several men of various ages dressed in black.  There was a black man with dreadlocks and a headband with them NOT dressed in black.  But a very nice looking heavy set man.  Well, anyway, we ate.  We walked to the Paramount.  The Paramount is a very old theater that has been renovated.  Very ornate inside.  It looks like you are in Jerusalem...the ceiling looks like the sky with twinkling lights, the sides look like buildings with carvings and all.  Simply beautiful!  (The Gaither's have a video filmed at The Paramount)  We had reserved seats and sat with six cousins and their spouses.  Two spouses weren't there...the reason for us being there.  I then noticed this heavy set black man with dreadlocks on stage...I said, that man was at the Chinese Buffet down the street.  Then when they turned on the stage lights, I notice the other men dressed in black...they were the brass band members!!!  'The Temptations' came out.  I love their dancing.  And they sang for 1½ hours with no break and danced constantly.  Now the sound system wasn't the best.  I couldn't understand the words they were singing but it was a great evening just the same.  Really brought back memories.  There were originally 5 members but one of them is having health problems.  The bass singer.  He did come out and sang with the group 'My Gal'.  Gave me chills.  All and all, a wonderful evening.

Dark and gloomy here in Indiana today.  A lot cooler than yesterday...only 26° right now.  

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"I'm glad God has all the answers, 'cause I barely understand the questions."

Just a story I thought everyone would enjoy


The Filling Station


The old man sat in his gas station on a cold Christmas Eve.
He hadn't been anywhere in years since his wife had passed away.
He had no decorations, no tree, no lights.  It was just another
day to him.  He didn't hate Christmas, just couldn't find a
reason to celebrate.  There were no children in his life.
His wife had gone.

He was sitting there looking at the snow that had been falling
for the last hour and wondering what it was all about when the
door opened and a homeless man stepped through.  Instead of
throwing the man out, George, Old George as he was known by
his customers, told the man to come and sit by the space
heater and warm-up.

"Thank you, but I don't mean to intrude," said the stranger.
"I see you're busy.  I'll just go"

"Not without something hot in your belly," George turned and
opened a wide mouth Thermos and handed it to the stranger.
"It ain't much, but it's hot and tasty.  Stew.  Made it myself.
When you're done there's coffee and it's fresh."

Just at that moment he heard the "ding" of the driveway bell.
"Excuse me, be right back," George said.

There in the driveway was an old 53 Chevy.  Steam was rolling
out of the front.  The driver was panicked.

"Mister can you help me!" said the driver with a deep Spanish
accent.  "My wife is with child and my car is broken."

George opened the hood.  It was bad.  The block looked cracked
from the cold; the car was dead.  "You ain't going in this
thing," George said as he turned away.

"But mister.  Please help...."The door of the office closed
behind George as he went in.  George went to the office wall
and got the keys to his old truck, and went back outside.
He walked around the building and opened the garage, started the
truck and drove it around to where the couple was waiting.

"Here, you can borrow my truck," he said.  "She ain't the best
thing you ever looked at, but she runs real good."

George helped put the woman in the truck and watched as it
sped off into the night.  George turned and walked back inside
the office.

"Glad I loaned em the truck.  Their tires were shot too.  
That 'ol truck has brand new tires........" George thought he
was talking to the stranger, but the man had gone.  The thermos
was on the desk, empty with a used coffee cup beside it.

"Well, at least he got something in his belly," George thought.
George went back outside to see if the old Chevy would start.
It cranked slowly, but it started.  He pulled it into the garage
where the truck had been.  He thought he would tinker with it
for something to do.  Christmas Eve meant no customers.  
He discovered the block hadn't cracked, it was just the bottom
hose on the radiator.

"Well, I can fix this," he said to himself.  So he put a new one
on.  "Those tires ain't gonna get 'em through the winter
either."  He took the snow treads off of his wife's old Lincoln.
They were like new and he wasn't going to drive the car.

As he was working he heard a shot being fired.  He ran outside
and beside a police car an officer lay on the cold ground.
Bleeding from the left shoulder, the officer moaned, "Help me."
George helped the officer inside as he remembered the training
he had received in the Army as a medic.  He knew the wound
needed attention.

"Pressure to stop the bleeding," he thought.  The laundry
company had been there that morning and had left clean shop
towels.  He used those and duct tape to bind the wound.

"Hey, they say duct tape can fix anythin'," he said, trying to
make the policeman feel at ease.  "Something for pain," George
thought.  All he had was the pills he used for his back.  "These
ought to work." He put some water in a cup and gave the
policeman the pills.

"You hang in there.  I'm going to get you an ambulance." George
said, but the phone was dead.  "Maybe I can get one of your
buddies on that there talk box out in your police car."

He went out only to find that a bullet had gone into the
dashboard destroying the two way radio.  He went back in to find
the policeman sitting up.

"Thanks," said the officer.  "You could have left me there.
The guy that shot me is still in the area."

George sat down beside him.  "I would never leave an injured man
in the Army and I ain't gonna leave you." George pulled back the
bandage to check for bleeding.  "Looks worse than what it is.
Bullet passed right through 'ya.  Good thing it missed the
important stuff though.  I think with time your gonna be right
as rain."

George got up and poured a cup of coffee.  "How do you take it?"
he asked.

"None for me," said the officer.

"Oh, yer gonna drink this.  Best in the city." Then George
added: "Too bad I ain't got no donuts."

The officer laughed and winced at the same time.  The front door
of the office flew open.  In burst a young man with a gun.

"Give me all your cash!  Do it now!" the young man yelled.
His hand was shaking and George could tell that he had never
done anything like this before.

"That's the guy that shot me!" exclaimed the officer.

"Son, why are you doing this?" asked George.  "You need to put
the cannon away.  Somebody else might get hurt."

The young man was confused.  "Shut up old man, or I'll shoot
you, too.  Now give me the cash!"  
The cop was reaching for his gun.

"Put that thing away," George said to the cop.  "We got one too
many in here now."

He turned his attention to the young man.  "Son, it's Christmas
Eve.  If you need the money, well then, here.  It ain't much but
it's all I got.  Now put that pee shooter away."

George pulled $150 out of his pocket and handed it to the young
man, reaching for the barrel of the gun at the same time.  The
young man released his grip on the gun, fell to his knees and
began to cry.

"I'm not very good at this am I?  All I wanted was to buy
something for my wife and son," he went on.  "I've lost my job.
My rent is due.  My car got repossessed last week..."

George handed the gun to the cop.  "Son, we all get in a bit of
squeeze now and then.  The road gets hard sometimes, but we
make it through the best we can."

He got the young man to his feet, and sat him down on a chair
across from the cop.  "Sometimes we do stupid things." George
handed the young man a cup of coffee.  "Being stupid is one of
the things that makes us human.  Comin' in here with a gun ain't
the answer.  Now sit there and get warm and we'll sort this
thing out."

The young man had stopped crying.  He looked over to the cop.
"Sorry I shot you.  It just went off.  I'm sorry officer."

"Shut up and drink your coffee." the cop said.

George could hear the sounds of sirens outside.  A police car
and an ambulance skidded to a halt.  Two cops came through the
door, guns drawn.

"Chuck!  You ok?" one of the cops asked the wounded officer.

"Not bad for a guy who took a bullet.  How did you find me?"

"GPS locator in the car.  Best thing since sliced bread.  Who
did this?" the other cop asked as he approached the young man.

Chuck answered him, "I don't know.  The guy ran off into the
dark.  Just dropped his gun and ran."

George and the young man both looked puzzled at each other.
"That guy works here," the wounded cop continued.

"Yep," George said.  "Just hired him this morning.  Boy lost his
job."

The paramedics came in and loaded Chuck onto the stretcher.
The young man leaned over the wounded cop and whispered,
"Why?"

Chuck just said, "Merry Christmas, boy.  And you too, George,
and thanks for everything."

"Well, looks like you got one doozy of a break there.  That
ought to solve some of your problems." George went into the
back room and came out with a box.  He pulled out a ring box.

"Here you go.  Something for the little woman.  I don't think
Martha would mind.  She said it would come in handy some day."

The young man looked inside to see the biggest diamond ring he
ever saw.  "I can't take this," said the young man.
"It means something to you."

"And now it means something to you," replied George.
"I got my memories.  That's all I need."

George reached into the box again.  A toy airplane, a racing
car and a little metal truck appeared next.  They were toys
that the oil company had left for him to sell.  "Here's
something for that little man of yours."

The young man began to cry again as he handed back the $150
that the old man had handed him earlier.  "And what are you
supposed to buy Christmas dinner with?  You keep that, too.
Count it as part of your first week's pay." George said.
"Now git home to your family."

The young man turned with tears streaming down his face.
"I'll be here in the morning for work, if that job offer is
still good."

"Nope.  I'm closed Christmas day," George said.  "See ya the
day after."

George turned around to find that the stranger had returned.
"Where'd you come from? I thought you left?"

"I have been here.  I have always been here," said the stranger.
"You say you don't celebrate Christmas.  Why?"

"Well, after my wife passed away I just couldn't see what all
the bother was.  Puttin' up a tree and all seemed a waste of a
good pine tree.  Bakin' cookies like I used to with Martha just
wasn't the same by myself and besides I was getting a little
chubby."

The stranger put his hand on George's shoulder.  "But you do
celebrate the holiday, George.  You gave me food and drink and
warmed me when I was cold and hungry.  The woman with child
will bear a son and he will become a great doctor.

The policeman you helped will go on to save 19 people from being
killed by terrorists.  The young man who tried to rob you will
become a rich man and share his wealth with many people.

That is the spirit of the season and you keep it as good as any
man."

George was taken aback by all this stranger had said.  "And how
do you know all this?" asked the old man.

"Trust me, George.  I have the inside track on this sort of
thing.  And when your days are done you will be with Martha
again."  The stranger moved toward the door.

"If you will excuse me, George, I have to go now.  I have to
go home where there is a big celebration planned."

George watched as the man's old leather jacket and his torn
pants turned into a white robe.  A golden light began to fill
the room.

"You see, George, it's My birthday.  Merry Christmas."
Author Unknown

Oh Suzanne, that's so lovely.  I am sitting here on  my own having a cry....your fault!

Etta Suethat's a lovely Christmas tree dear.  Reminds me we must put our tree up this weekend.

Both the story and the tree are getting me in the Christmas mood.  Thanks ladies!

Marilyn Let me know how things go please.

Larry Use wisdom brother.  Don't overdo things.  We all love you.

Smile. .you just might make somebody happy

Jenny..

Oh, Jenny, I am sorry, but isn't this a lovely story  

Suzanne it is alovely story but I am sitting here   too. So touching.

My surgery is scheduled for Jan. 12, 2004. Doc said I would be in the hospital 4-5 days and that I shouldn't go back to work for at leat tree weeks.  

God is going to have to handle my finances during that time to make sure my bills get paid and all to hold my jobs open for me.

Maybe I won't have any job by then anyway. The Governor has cut funding so much that there is word that by this time next month the funds for the elderly and disabled care will be gone. They are also going to cut Food Stamps and the healthy families program which gives health care to families with children.

TTYL

Thanks for the nice stories that are being shared in here...today thanks to you, Suzanne!


It's nice to have a date for your surgery, Marilyn!  

I received the following from a cousin this morning and thought it was worth sharing:

Twas' the night Jesus came and all through the house,
not a person was praying, not one in the house..
The Bible was left on the shelf without care,
for no one thought Jesus would come there..

The children were dressing to crawl into bed,
not once ever kneeling or bowing their head..
And Mom in the rocking chair with babe on her lap,
was watching the Late Show as I took a nap..

When out of the east there rose such a clatter,
I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter..
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
tore open the shutters and lifted the sash..

When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
but Angels proclaiming that Jesus was here..
The light of His face made me cover my head...
was Jesus returning just like He'd said..

And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth,
I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself..
In the Book of Life which he held in his hand,
was written the name of every saved man..

He spoke not a word as he searched for my name,
when He said "it's not here" My head hung in shame..
The people whose names had been written with love,
He gathered to take to his Father above..

With those who were ready He rose without sound,
while all of the others were left standing around...
I fell to my knees but it was too late,
I'd waited too long and thus sealed my fate.

I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight,
Oh, if only I'd know that this was the night....
In the words of this poem the meaning is clear
the coming of Jesus is now drawing near...

There's only one life and when comes the last call,
We'll find out that the Bible was true after all..

[tr]It is slow in here today.  This is such a busy day for me.  So much running around.  I am getting things done though.

Pat, how did the new foofoo turn out?  
Pretty song!

Chandraya wants to cuddle so I best get off.  

Hope to see more post.
Soni[/tr]

Jesus is the reason for the season!

Larry...Guess what, Jesus tells me my name is written in the "Lambs Book of Life".isn't this wonderful.  Jesus loves me.

Jesus loves me this I know
For the Bible Tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong,
They are weak
But He is strong.

Yes Jesus loves me,
Yes Jesus loves me,
Yes Jesus loves me,
The Bible tells me so.

It is bedtime for me here in England. 11.p.m.
Goodnight dear ones.
Speak tomorrow.
Jenny.

Whew!  I got 24 mats cut and assembled, taught my class, and now am going to town.  One of our hardware stores is having a "ladies only" night with nice discounts, and I want to see if I can find a nice gift for my Honey!

Also, the high school kids are having a Christmas party for the Senior Citizens, so I might go enjoy some of that.  They play games, serve food, etc.  I missed the Spring one as we were out of town that day.

Have a great evening!

Wow talk about a slow day, what happened to everyone are they out shopping or what?

I have one more to buy, for my sweet DIL, something special.

Posted more photos in Dec. 1st challenge. Al will recognize them for sure they are of Arcata.

TTYL

Tomorrow will be an interesting day.  I won't be here to read or post, so have a very nice day tomorrow.  Our Lord is so good.

Pat:  I am sitting here listening to the music from one of my favorite songs.  "Victory In Jesus".  We have sung that chorus in our Sunday Evening Services more times than I can count.  It always leaves me with a tear in my eyes, (happy tear I might add)  
Thank you for putting it on.

Larry, wonderful story about our names being in
the book of life.  The way it was tied into the Christmas poem makes it all the more interesting.  Yes "when it comes time for the last call, we will know the Bible was true after all"  Amen.  

Marilyn, yes it seems to be light in the number of posts again today.  Perhaps we all over did it on Tuesday.    
Of course last night I mentioned "lock Jaw" You know with that disease a person can not open the mouth to talk.    
I certainly hope none has it, but are just too cold to pound the key board.  

Have a good evening all .

Lee you were posting while I was.  If your message means what I think it means, we all will be praying for you.  
Ah shucks we will pray for you anyway.  

I'm so glad you enjoyed that hymn, Boots!  I'm glad you were here to enjoy it.  Many are missing.  

Where is everyone???

Lee, I'll be praying for you.  

Thanks for the poem, Larry.  I'm so glad that MY name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life.  Thanks for sharing.

Hi to the rest of you.  I was out at a Pot Luck Supper with the Guelph Hiking Trail Club executive tonight.  I was hoping to have 3 or 4 pages of posts to read and there's hardly any since I left!

Guess you are all shopping or something!

Oh, Sonja, my hair turned out just fine.  It always feels so good to get it done--especially after such a long time.