Christian Photographers Community

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Morning Devotional...


He restoreth my soul.
Psalm 23:3

A three-year-old had annoyed his busy mother all day with his mischievous behavior, and finally when he toppled a neatly stacked pile of folded laundry, she asked, "Johnny, what am I to do with you?"

He focused his big dark eyes on her and slowly said, "Love me."

And that is our only hopeful plea when we have strayed from fellowshipping with the Lord through unfaithful behavior and self-centeredness.

God restores us with His unconditional love when we tire of repeated failure and repent of our waywardness. Such grace and mercy should draw us ever closer to Him.
--E. Dyck

While reading your devotion for today, I was brought back in time to another little boy, named Johnny, when he was about three.  He said the same thing to me, when he was playing in my newly sorted piles of laundry, that I had made ready for the wash.  His answer to this day, when I say "what am I going to do with you", is "Love me".

Isn't it wonderful to know that regardless of the things we do, that we can always find the loving arms of our Heavenly Father to shield us, guide us, protect us, and love us.

Time for me to get to bed, and try and get some sleep.  Sleep hasn't been coming too easily the last few days, so I am thinking that I am going to go to sleep in my Father's arms, and rest peacefully for a change.  Goodnight everyone.

Nards...........

Is the congregation listening to you, or looking at you?  Pretty good looking fella.  Not bad for a young guy.  Good looking, talented and smart.  But I've got to tell you fella, your bride's better looking.


Marilyn.......

Did you read my post to you yesterday (End of the day)?  Give you a hint......."Pain in the neck."




Ruthie..........

Just think of the singing in heaven when they all came to the Lord.  And it was all for the glory of our Lord.  Awesome time Ruthie, awesome time.



I've been reading and studying (in-depth) Isaiah and just completed through to Chapter 17.  Does anyone have a thought on Isaiah 14?  I've formed a thought on this profound Chapter and it's awesome.  However, I am NOT saying I am right, as only God knows.  And I must say I will never know in this life as to whether I am right or wrong.

Hi everyone.  I'm heading to bed, but wanted to catch up with you all.  I had a bit to read, as you've been pretty talkative.  And that's good.

I see Angel made her self known.  She was on the computer right after school, and yelling into the other room where I was. "Gramma.....Pat welcomed me!"  "Ria welcomed me....who's Ria?"  So I told her where Pat lived, and Ria.  Then all the other neat welcomes.  If she doesn't feel welcome by now...haha

Zach, she got your emails too.  Thanks for getting back to her.

Jesus Christ Superstar. hmmm....I never saw the movie, but right after I met Jesus, while I was falling in love,  in awe and not knowing how to love Him, (How do you show you love Him?  Why do I cry all the time?  Why do I have these feelings deeper than ever before.  Are they ok?  Is it ok to love Jesus with such passion?)  I didn't know, and didn't have anyone to ask at the time.  I'm glad now that I didn't.  That way He showed me how He wanted me to love Him.....

But I heard the song about "I don't know how to love Him".  And I heard her heart's cry, because I'd said the same thing.  I think she was going through a life changing love and was only used to understanding men....and here was One so different.  All of a sudden, all the ways she'd shown love before wasn't enough.  I think she went through all the feelings of knowing He was more than man, then the next "he's just a man".  The process of discovering the depths of Jesus Christ.     And as I've said before, women see things differently than men...God made us that way.   Here was a pure Love,  and the wounded heart of this woman was trying to understand.    That's how I heard it in the song, anyway.

 Lee, I was going to look Isiah 14, but I'm sort of tired tonight, so will look at it tomorrow.

 Rachael.....I'll look for your group on yahoo.

 Ruthie.....that's so exciting.  3 added to the Kingdom, and you were blessed to be including in the ingathering.   I'm so happy for you.  I haven't been a part of anything like this in a long time.  God bless you for your faithfulness in witnessing.

  I saw the Mel Gibson interview.  I was surprised to hear that he was a Catholic under Vatican 1, by his own choice.  Many Catholics were happy to see Vatican 11 make changes.
I saw a lot of what we all saw.  I was proud that he stuck to the Gospel.  It is the Passion of Christ, but you can sure see Mel Gibson's passion in this also.  He has put his everything in doing this movie.    I'll go, but will have my head in my hands a lot, I know.

  Karmat......the saucer diet sounds like it'd work. haha    And whoever said to push yourself away from the table.....do you know how hard it is to cook for one???  I hardly sit at the table.  I just eat wrong, I know.  Eating what is easy instead of cooking a nice meal for myself.

   Welcome Surfer Dude. (well, I forget your name)  Funny picture.  Have you posted pics yet?  I'll go look around really fast and see.

   Night, everyone.

Good Morning Everyone-It is early early morning-12 am..Lol..I just wanted to post before I head to bed..I just finished reading all the post..
Today has been a busy day~and my husband and I got to go out for a quiet dinner by ourselves..
He recorded the Mel Gibson Interview and I was able to watch it tonight~I was very glad to see that he stood to the gospel and didn't let Diane Sawyer sway him either-I agree with Ruthie, and Eddie-that he did stand for Christ-He did say that Christ died for our salvation..He said at one point  he had to believe in Christ Salvation and Diane asked why do you have to and He replied so I would have hope.. Isn't that true of what God did for us? He sent his son to die on the cross for our sins~so that we may have hope in Him. Sometimes even though we may not want to we have to really look at what he went through for us~I know that at one point in my life it didn't really register until I actaully watched something where it talked about the aganony that he went through for me-maybe there are just some people that need to really know what happened.. I truely believe that Mel Gibson is a born again Christian-I have had things come from Elijah List asking for prayer for him and others that have done the film, He even reported back to the Elijah List that the prayers are working..If you don't know what the Elijah list is. Its a prophetic newsletter update. If you want their address just write to me and I can get it sent to you.
Ok thats enough of my opinion on this matter..
Pat~hopefully tomorrow my computer will be fixed tomorrow and I can finally get started on my psp lessons..a friend of mine is sending me PSP 8-and Pat if you haven't noticed were on the same class list together lol.
Lee- If I didn't answer you yet lol-He did say why Christ was crucified.
Tomorrow-(today)the kids get to go to a field trip and learn about birds of prey..Im hoping that both of us can go-and that the computer guy will be here before we have to go.
Blessings
Rachelle

GOOD MORNING ALL 10.17 AM in Holland

PAT thank you for the devotional about
Psalm 23 my lovely Psalm also for the song Psalm 23
yesterday And the cross and the hymn this morning

BOOTS what you have writen i say that is right  " CHRISTIANS are not perfect they are just forgiven". Yes Jesus is died on the cross for our sins
and that has given to us forgiveness from sins we are forgiven.

MARYLIN you are talking about a Mammogram we in Holland must every 2 years let make a Mammogram you get a message when you can come
and you get a letter in home how it was. But when that
letter is coming then i go sit on a chair to read. And you are so happy when you read everything is allright. This is for woman from 50 years and older every two years.


I am very nervous for tomorrow i am hating injections they get i first also this night i have had a bad night and now the coming night.

PSALM 16 : 1
Keep me safe, O God,
for in You i take refuge.

                 MY  HOPE
      In fear, You are my Fortress...
     in darkness, You are my Light...
   in doubt, You are my Confidence...
        in despair, You are my Hope...
 in the shelter of your Love, I am secure.



I wish you all a Blessed Day
LOVE RIA

10.a.m. U.K.

Goodmorning .
The sun is shining here and that bodes well for this day.  Praise God!

Pat that was a beautiful Devotional and hymn ....Thank-you. It has set me up for today.

Ria Dear Sister, I am praying for you for tomorrow...Jesus will hold your hand dear one.

"Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance." Ps 42:5

Zach Hello again.  We didn't quite meet up last night, as I was off to my bed when you were feeling all bright and bubbly.  God Bless.

Rachelle, Nita, Lee, Heather. Hi there.

See you all later.
God Bless.
Jenny  

Hi everyone and a special welcome for Prayforsurf.  You must live close to a beach.

In my morning devotional time my Bible reading this morning was Psalms 21, 22 and 23 and then I came here and read the devotional thought Pat posted that used Psalms 23.  I know it is just co-incidence but gives one a strange feeling.

Ria, I hope you had a good night in preparation for your procedure.  I don't like the shots either but know that the discomfort last only a few seconds before the numbing begins.

Rachelle, do hope you get your computer fixed today.  Computers can be very frustrating.  I am still amazed that they can work as well as they do considering all the code that is required to run them.


Nita, glad that Angel found the Teen Room and feels welcome here.  

Zachery, glad your fever is gone (according to your mom) and do hope you are feeling much better.  I like all your postings and little graphics.  

Lee, interesting thoughts in your postings.  You left of hanging with Isaih 14.  Will you be sharing your thoughts on that chapter?

Heather, out of the mouth of babes.  Little ones can bring us to reality very easy sometimes and the "just love me" comment is certainly one of them.

It is time to leave for the "Y".  I have a busy day ahead as will go to the Senior Center to coach the File Management class for computers and then this afternoon take the car in for an oil change.  This evening is choir.  That is enough for one day on my schedule.

morning all i have a busy day today as we prepare to be gone most of tomorrow out of school going to play basketball! we hae a game at 130 at a place that's around 2 hours away so we hae to leave around 1030! well i bettered get off here and get to school ttyl
Sarah

2.40 p.m. England.

Sarah..Hello.

Gosh, ...whew!!!  You are so busy I feel quite worn out just watching You.

Have you been in to the "Teen Room" to see Zach and his friends? I know thy'd love to have you there.

Love Jenny.

Piano Story

Wishing to encourage her young son's progress on the piano, a mother took her boy to a Paderewski concert. After they were seated, the mother spotted an old friend in the audience and walked down the aisle to greet her.

Seizing the opportunity to explore the wonders of the concert hall, the little boy rose and eventually explored his way through a door marked "NO ADMITTANCE". When the house lights dimmed and the concert was about to begin, the mother returned to her seat and discovered that the child was missing.  Suddenly, the curtains parted and spotlights focused on the impressive Steinway on stage. In horror, the mother saw her little boy sitting at the keyboard, innocently picking out "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." At that moment, the great piano master made his entrance, quickly moved to the piano, and whispered in the boy's ear, "Don't quit. Keep playing." Then leaning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in a bass part. Soon his right arm reached around to the other side of the child, and he added a running obligatio.

Together, the old master and the young novice transformed what could have been a frightening situation into a wonderfully creative experience. The audience was so mesmerized that they couldn't recall what else the great master played. Only the classic "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star."

Perhaps that's the way it is with God. What we can accomplish on our own is hardly noteworthy. We try our best, but the results aren't always graceful flowing music. However, with the hand of the Master, our life's work can truly be beautiful. Next time you set out to accomplish great feats, listen carefully. You may hear the voice of the Master, whispering in your ear, "Don't quit. Keep playing."

May you feel His arms around you and know that His hands are there helping you turn your feeble attempts into true masterpieces. Remember, God doesn't seem to call the equipped; rather, He equips the 'called'. Life is more accurately measured by the lives you touch than by the things you acquire.

I don't know if that story is true or not, but it gives us something to think about.

Tried to reach John, he must be in a bad area his phone.

Today is French and Art.  Then another class after that.  They have drumming at 12.  Justin, our friend, is so accomplished at the drums, that when he plays on a sunday AM he compliments the music, you don't just hear drums.  Pastor Dennis brought him on stream with the words "Use a light touch" he does.  Occasionally he will cut loose and go with a roll, I will glance at him and he is all smiles.  It is so amazing how the different styles of worship can be so pleasing to our Lord!

Well I have to go. Love to you all
JudyB

3.10 p.m. England.

Thanks Judy.

Was the little boy Liberace I wonder. His mother was a close friend of Paderewski and the man taught him when he was small.gosh didn't he have to train hard.

Liberace was a great pianist and entertainer.  He adored his mother despite what is said of his personal life.  He was a great entertainer.  We watched him a lot when we first had T.V. in our home in the late 50s. My grandmother was stone deaf for most of her life but she played the piano by touch and loved to watch him.

Anyway, whatever, thanks for this memory Judy

It want sure is icy cold over here this afternoon.  I do intend  to go for a ride.  I will set off at least and test the waters...so to speak.

t.t.f.n.

Jenny.

Good Morning Pat thank you for the devotion on Ps.23 and the lovely song.

I don't have much to say this morning but I am just checking in to let you know I have been here and read the devotion.

Lee I did read your post, those pillows and the buckwheat hull pillows are way out of my league/budget. It would be so nice to be able to afford the luxury of owning one of those therapeutic pillows.

TTYL

Good morning, folks!

Rachelle~I didn't get to see that program so it was nice of you to give me a little detail about what went on.  I also think he is a Christian man.
We are excited to see the movie.  It will be playing on the 25th here. I have a feeling it is going to be sold out.
Glad you got out of the house with your hubby.  Have a good day with the kids.  

Hi Ria~Great poem about hope.  I am praying for you, sister. ((hug))

Hi Jenny~A scooter ride?  Be careful.  No doing wheelies and stuff.  hehhee..  

Good luck, Sarah!

Pat~Great devotion!  Thanks! (hug)

QuoteBy Lee~I've been reading and studying (in-depth) Isaiah and just completed through to Chapter 17.  Does anyone have a thought on Isaiah 14?  I've formed a thought on this profound Chapter and it's awesome.  However, I am NOT saying I am right, as only God knows.  And I must say I will never know in this life as to whether I am right or wrong.

I will make it a point to read this chapter so I can be part of the discussion.
Do you all have snow up to your knees still over there?

I better get going and get started with my day.

I will be back later.
Soni[/size]

4.35 p.m. U.K.

Soni...I am O.K.  Had a short ride about.decided not to do "wheelies" today, I will let the other drivers wait for that thrill.  Gosh the road is getting busier.  They have re-routed the lorries and they can't use the side roads anymore so of course they have to use the main road.  Saw John and his new dog Ben.  He lost Belle our darling Rottie. Ben is getting so huge. , another spoilt and much loved baby.

I popped the copy of "P.D.L." which I treated Mary to into Carol's door.  Carol's been in France for a week but should be home in the early hours.I do miss her and will miss her even more if they do go ahead with the move to Franco/Swiss border. Still I have to believe that "as one door closes an other always opens"....

I am still holding on in faith for a 'new door' to open for me (also for dear Marilyn).

Ria
Love and prayers for the operation tomorrow and for a peace-filled nights sleep tonight. Thinking of you dear one.

My son Christopher is coming home early tonight.  His tonsillitis is back folks...Oh dear! So he's taking it steady.  His new doctor has applied for him to see a specialist so we are waiting on that appointment.

Helen is getting very sick again and still a delay re the tests.  Her doctor now feels its definitely an ulcer.  He's tried various different tablets and then they don't work anymore.  She's quite worn out poor darling.  We do appreciate your prayers.  Thank-you all.

My dear Phillip, my eldest grandson (16) is having bad migraines and the doctors have put him on medication.  It's difficult when he is at college and training to be a chef.  He works part time in a small inn/hotel in the kitchens.  

Love to all
See you probably tomorrow now.

Zach see you soon.  Have lots of fun in  the Teen Room.

Jenny.

Thanks for the devotional Pat.  Also the great hymn.  We once sang that a lot in church and it is beautiful.

Nita and Rachelle, I agree with you both and you say things so well.  

Sonja, I also believe that Mel Gibson is a Christian.  But have suffered the scorn of so many Baptists, due to a dear friendship with a Catholic...also a saved man.  So I wonder at all this enthusiasm now.  My friend has a great understanding of the Bible and loves Jesus.  Still believes in praying to Mary and that the Pope is the ultimate authority on religious matters.  Something worth considering if our world is to be revolutionized by this movie.

Please expound on Isaiah 14 Lee.  This person has always found the Old Test. heavy reading and can use help in understanding what much of it means.  On the surface it would seem that God holds to his promise.  We are to seek the Lord and live.  When all is said and done, The first shall be last and the last shall be first!  Certainly, there is much more to it than that....

Like many, I am battling health problems and have three Specialist appts. looming in the future.  Now of which thrill me...Will continue to pray for all your needs.

God Bless.  Liz

Quote from: Lee Kirkwood on February 18, 2004, 01:47:24 AM
Nards...........

Is the congregation listening to you, or looking at you?  Pretty good looking fella.  Not bad for a young guy.  Good looking, talented and smart.  But I've got to tell you fella, your bride's better looking.

Thanks for attaching the word "young" to me.  

It's sometimes embarrassing that even teenagers think they are older than I am, when I literally could be their dad...

Of course, it's also a bit of a ministry tool, because they usually think of me as "one of them" instead of as an authority figure.  

Yep, she's a LOT better looking!

Well my schedule for today is.
1  go to work
2  go for my massage appt.
3   go to Bible study

Firday I go back to the Dcotor who did my surgery.

Still raining of course, don't expect  that to change for awhile yet.

TTYL

Hello everyone!!!  I think I may have to argue about me being better looking than nards.  Yep, I'll definitely need to argue that point.

Rachelle, I am going to look for your groups on Yahoo.  If someone named "gedonline2004" registers, that would be me!

Hope everyone has a wonderful day.  I'll write more later.

Rachelle...........

Thanks Rachelle.  I meant, I wonder fi Mel has included "Salvation" in the film.


Larry and Liz........

Sorry, I didn't mean to leave anyone hanging.  I'm wondering if anyone has a thought on this great Chapter.  I'll hold a few pages and will give my thoughts.  Please remember, when I do, I really don't know whether my studies have brought me to correctly interpret it or not.  I believe I'm on the right track, but then........

Well, I'm going to be "me-centered" today.  Yesterday I was going out our front door and down the 4 steps when I slipped on, I think, the second one and slid and flopped down the rest, ending up with my left leg all twisted under me.  Didn't break anything, but hyper-extended just about everything in that leg.  Found I could still walk, but just barely.  Finally went to the emergency room last night about 9:30PM.  They had 5 others ahead of me, so I waited quite a while.  They finally took x-rays at about 1:30AM, and I actually saw the doctor at close to 2AM.  We got home at about 3AM.  So now it's just a matter of waiting for the leg to get over all the strains.  Then I'll have to get it supple again.  I can still walk - slowly.  Thanks be to God that I didn't break it and my head along with it!  I had a brother in our Lord out there with me, so got help getting up, etc.  Hey you all - don't do that.  Watch out for wet steps that are slippery!

AL!!!  BE CAREFUL!!  

Glad it wasn't worse.  hope you heal quickly!

Something that all of you can do (at least in North America)...

I got this email from my friend and just did it...

A friend of mine sent this prayer request to me, and I wanted to pass it on to all of you. What a joy to be able to participate in a ministry such as this!

Prayer is needed for Joe William Sheffield--a little boy in the First Baptist Church in Tifton, Georgia (9 years old.) He has been diagnosed with cancer and began his Chemo on Christmas Eve.  First Baptist has a program called the Prayer Beeper. When you pray for this child, call this free number 1-877-546-0248.  Listen to the recording and input number 733#.  What happens is this child wears the beeper and everytime it vibrates he knows somewhere someone is lifting him up in prayer!

I dialed the number, listened to the instructions, entered 733#(meaning "Praying for you"),  hold for a couple seconds and then a "thank you" will end the message.

Do it! please............... [/list]


Oh, dear Al Moak!   What a tumble you had!  I'm so sorry.  I'll be praying for you too!

Goodness, Al!  So sorry!

Lee - a thing to remember about The Passion of the Christ, from my understanding, is that it is a film covering the final twelve hours of Jesus' life.  It tells the story of what happened in that time period.  Sure, it covers the story of what we base our salvation on, but I sincerely doubt that Mel Gibson has Billy Graham pop up in there anywhere explaining the Romans' Road.  I'm not trying to be silly, but the movie is a sincere attempt at being a highly accurate depiction of the facts about the Crucifixion.  Let's please don't establish a criteria that says a movie of that nature must contain an altar call in order to be appropriate.  Let's also please remember that while Mr. Gibson "hopes this will be used for evangelism", it is not a product of a religious organization.  Rather than pick apart the details and criticize it because it doesn't include everything that we think a good sermon should include, I think we should all praise God that someone in the horrible atmosphere of Hollywood recongnizes that the story of the Crucifixion needs to be told truthfully and accurately.  There are, I understand, many churches that are planning just the type of evangelism you mention by trying to witness to people outside the theatre.  I wish them the very best, but let's please don't imply that Mr. Gibson has done something wrong if he doesn't say the words "Believe in Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour, and you will be saved...."  The language is purely Aramaic and Greek.  Only the subtitles, which are translations of spoken words, are in English.  The intent was to be highly accurate.  Christ didn't go into a lot of spoken detail during his last hours describing the "plan of salvation", and those around him were saying hateful, mean things, not loving gentle words of "trust this man for your salvation."  Thus, I think you will be disappointed if you expect this to be a tract, with the credits containing the FAITH outline or the ABC Plan.  That's my understanding of it, subject to my own human error or incorrect information.

Hey, I love you, brother, and I hope this don't sound harsh, but I'm trying to be realistic.  I appreciate what Mr. Gibson has done, but the Pope has done a lot of good things, too, and I am in severe disagreement with HIM about much of our beliefs.  I think we must be glad, as Christians, for the opportunities that this movie may bring, but I think we would be sadly deceived if we thought this is going to be the answer to all our prayers for America to find revival....

Prayforsurf

Not only is Lee an excellent sculptor,

he's a painter!

Good afternoon!!!!

Ivalou and I went to the car dealership to get her car maintenance done.  Then we ate breakfast in a small diner.  We stopped at WalMart.  I went to make an appointment to get my eyes examined and in 15 minutes they were examined.  So I am getting new 'look sees' in a few days.  He said I needed them.

Last evening was a great evening with the Small Group people.  An awesome group.  We talked about The Passion some.  Mark, our Adult Education Minister, said that our church has 500 people going to see the movie, Feb 28 with 60 on stand by.  Also there are 5 other churchs seeing the movie the same time.  He suggested car pooling because the parking lot isn't that huge!!!!  That is awesome to think about that many people seeing the movie in the small town of Greenfield!!  I don't want to see it because of the violence but wouldn't miss it!!!!  Dreading it but looking forward to it.  

And yes, Jerry and I did see Northern Joan!  She is a great lady.  I love hearing about her travels.  Wish I could go along in her suitcase!!!

Al, be careful!  Just because we have a new member that I assume likes to surf doesn't mean you are to try surfing on your steps!!  Do be careful!!

<)))><<~~<)))><<~~<)))><<~~<)))><<~~<)))
"There is a chord in every heart that has a sigh in it if you use the right touch."

Quote from: Pat Scott on February 18, 2004, 02:04:32 PM


Not only is Lee an excellent sculptor,

he's a painter!

And a good one, too!  But something about the names Lee, Harvey, and Texas bother me....  Why is that???

As you know Lee the chapter in Isaiah tells of satan being cast out of Heaven, and is a wonderful warning to us about pride, satan more or less said "I am the best of God's created beings, far above all the rest."

but God said " no, you are now the worst!"

It is not for created beings, nor us humans to think more of ourselves than we should,
I think sometimes when I hear people ranting and shouting, that they forget, or don't realise how utterly depraved mankind is, and only by God's Grace are we not destroyed.

Al Moak, we are praying for you to be healed right speedily brother, and you will just take it easy until you are ok?