Christian Photographers Community

Since Pat is not able to get online tonight, she asked me if I would post a short devotional.  I don't know how to do the graphics, but here are some thoughts for the day.
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An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man abounds in transgression.  Proverbs 29:22

                         NO MORE PROBLEM!

One man explained to his friend, "I just had another fight with my wife!"

"Oh, yeah?"  the friend said.  "And how did this one end?"

"When it was over," he replied, "she came to me on her hands and knees."

His friend looked puzzled.  "Really?  Now that's a switch!  What did she say?"

"I think she said something like, 'Come out from under that bed, you coward!"

Before your conflict escalates to that point, consider trying to solve your problems creatively.  The novel, and sometimes humorous, approach is often the most effective!

A few years ago, I caught a story on the radio about a Baptist church that had a problem.  It was with the Methodists down the street.  Some Baptists were unable to find a parking space in thier own parking lot because members of the nearby Methodist church, which met earlier than the Baptists, got there first.  So the Baptist church had a problem.

Now, they could have towed the Methodists' cars away.  Or they could have written a letter to the offending church members imploring them to park elsewhere.  But they didn't.

Instead, they did something else.  One Sunday morning they stuck a bumper sticker to every car in the parking lot - Baptist and Methodist alike.  They all got one.  The sticker read:  "I'm Proud To Be A Baptist!"


No more problem!

Maybe that problem you are confronting will be solved more quickly and more effectively if you consider a more creative and humorous approach.  What have you got to lose.......except your ulcer?

                                              By Steve Goodier

I am so glad that Pat is okay.  And pray that her computer problems are solved quickly and.....cheap!  

Janet ~ You did goooooood!  Calling Pat AND opening a new thread.

I guess I can put my humorous inspiration on here since this is tomorrow....

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"Motherhood:  If it was going to be easy, it never would have started with something called labor."

ya done good, Janet.

Good night everyone!!  (Except for Anthony, to whom I must say Good morning!)

Janet~ Thanks for locking up then opening this new door on a new day for us!  

I, too, am relieved that PAT is okay...not so happy that her computer is sick, though  

My plumber didn't return this evening (with the plywood to fix the hole in the floor) so I suspect he'll be out in the morning.  He gave me his cell phone number and home phone number and said if I have any more trouble to call him first and he'll work "on the side" so it won't cost me so much.  His wages are $20 an hour but I have to pay $60 an hour if I go through Roto Rooter (the company he works for).  He's really trying to keep me from getting too frazzled about all this mess.  I'm just hoping (and praying) there will be no more breaks or leaks before the company in Texas responds to my claim.  In fact, this plumber said if they need any more information about my problem that I should tell them to contact him.  Whatta guy!  

I need to get off here and see about writing some letters before I'm done for the night.  It's been a long day ... and tomorrow I have an appointment for a mammogram.    Last week I was at the doctor's just to get new prescriptions written.  He kept asking me how I was doing and I said "GREAT" and he'd ask if I had this symptom or that symptom and I continued to answer in the negative.  Finally, he said "Well, I just don't need to talk to you then!  You just don't know how good it is to talk with someone who is healthy for a change!"  Then he said "Keep smiling"  Yup, that's me!!  

Oops, almost forgot to congratulate MARILYN on the moving date.  I know you will be happy to get on with your "new life" ... you'll be much closer to NITA and I, so don't forget to take a break and come on up the coast!  Just follow highway 101 right into Coos Bay.    

Y'all take care now, y'hear?  I'll be back later...I think  

Good morning to everyone.  I am sorry to hear that Pat is having problems with her computer and I do hope that things can get sorted out.  I am glad that it is  not her health that has prevented her from posting.

I was also sorry to hear that Papa John's back may need surgery.  Back pain is very debilitating, I do pray that the specialists are able to sort things out without the use of surgery.  God bless you brother.

Janet, thanks for putting the devotional together and for looking after things.  The bible encourages us to not let the sun go down upon our anger.  If we have lost our tempers, there is an opportunity to apologise.  The important thing is to do it immediately so that bad thoughts are not allowed to foster.

I do pray that everyone will have a wonderful day.  See  you all later on.

Anthony.

Well, I thought Day 8 came before Day 9 but not in here  

I spent a lot of time sewing on my old Singer yesterday afternoon - not browsing for more fabric as I planned.  After having coffee with friends, the sky looked ominous and I drove home quickly - lots of thunder and all and a tornado cloud & weather passed us and was seen out by the airport.  

There is a Habitat for Humanity house being built in town mainly by women and I have been considering going over there to help but oh, it will be interesting to see the ages on the other women.  

Papa John:   When will you know the results of all your tests?

Janet:  Thanks for taking over for Pat!  I like your opening too.

Jane:  Gosh, this plastic pipe is a real mess for you.  How nice that the young man is doing such a good job.

Mieka:  The young man who had to amputate his own arm to save himself lives in our state -  Colorado.  He spoke of dreams and a presence surrounding him and it will be interesting to hear the entire story at some time.  What an inspiration.  

Anthony:  It is raining this morning and much like your weather so everything is green and fresh.  Carol

Thank you Janet for the devotional this morning. It is good to see a humorous solution to our problems. So many times we take things too seriously and make wrong desisions.

Torromow is Wild West Days at our Library and Senior Cente.r There will be a puppet show for the kids, Stage coach rides and cowboys doing gunfights in the lot in front of the Library. The Senior Center is having a While Elephant sale and serving Hot Dogs and Chili Bellies. Everyone is dressing up in vintage clothing and it is quite a bash going on. "Black Bart" has been going around towm putting up banners that tell people to read more books and such. I will try to get over there after I get my household chores done and the water delivery comes. Last year I worked in the kitchen at the Senior center.

Well on to the other forums here and I shall return later.

 Good-morning all. Here is my Daily Encounter which will just add to Janets super Devotional! You did great Janet! It is so nice that someone can jump in and help our dear Pat out in emergencies.

Okay, here t'is
ANGER PEGS

"Don't sin by letting anger gain control over you. Don't let
the sun go down while you are still angry" (Ephesians 4:26,
NLT).

One night recently when I was watching the news on TV,
I couldn't help but notice that one group who were
demonstrating against war became very violent. Violent
peace--an oxymoron to be sure!

Now, I'm not against peaceful demonstrations but when
people get violent, it seems to me that they are very angry
people and are looking for a peg on which to hang their
anger; that is, to blame someone or something outside
of themselves for their own internal problem.

Unfortunately, this happens far too often in relationships.
Angry people breed anger and until they "own" their anger
(admit that they have an anger problem), they will continue
to look for pegs on which to hang their anger and blame
others for their anger and rage. What happens doesn't
make them angry-it just triggers it. To blame others or
external circumstances for one's anger is a handy excuse
to hang on to if we don't want to grow up and accept
personal responsibility for our problems.

I'm not saying we shouldn't get angry at wrongdoing and
evil. We should. But when we overreact and become
violent or rage-full, that is entirely our problem. The
purpose of anger is to bring about creative change-not to
lash out at others and blame them for our rage.

So, if you are angered too easily, too often, too much and
react out of proportion to what has happened, and you
want to bring about change, may I kindly suggest that you
start the change in yourself, admit your problem, and seek
help to resolve it.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to see through my blind spots
and acknowledge all of my
problems and character issues. Help me to accept
personal responsibility for resolving them, and lead me
to the help I need to do so. Thank you for hearing and
answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

<)))><<

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I forgot to wish all of you super stupendous day in our Lord! I pray all goes well with all of you today! God Bless!

Good morning!  Carol, I noticed the days are out of order, too---sorry!  Probably something I did wrong, but Pat can probably fix it when she gets back.  You never notice all she does, until it doesn't get done!  Sort of like housework, isn't it?

Marilyn, that sounds like a fun day.  I am going to get Abby this morning, as soon as she gets out of school--at least, that's my plan.  This afternoon I am going to help decorate at the senior center for the Mother/Daughter banquet that is tomorrow night.

The wind isn't blowing today!!!  HOORAY!!  It killed all but two of our tomato plants, and nearly whipped my poor little flowers out of the ground.  I hate the wind when it is so strong.

I must get busy around here---lots to do!  See you later!

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MOMS

4 YEARS OF AGE My Mommy can do anything!
8 YEARS OF AGE My Mom knows a lot!  A whole lot!
12 YEARS OF AGE My Mother doesn't really know quite everything.
14 YEARS OF AGE Naturally, Mother doesn't know that, either.
16 YEARS OF AGE Mother?  She's hopelessly old-fashioned.
18 YEARS OF AGE That old woman?  She's way out of date!
25 YEARS OF AGE Well, she might know a little bit about it.
30 YEARS OF AGE Before we decide, let's get Mom's opinion.
40 YEARS OF AGE Wonder what Mom would have thought about it?
60 YEARS OF AGE Wish I could talk it over with Mom.....

I'm glad my Mom is still here, and I do talk things over with her sometimes.  I know I miss my Dad so much, and I'm sure that if Mom goes home before me, I will miss her, too.  So if you still have your mother, be sure and give her a big hug next time you see her, and don't forget Mothers' Day!  (Stepping down off my soapbox now.....)

Mother's Day has been hard for my since I moved to this deseret 9 years ago. The years that my mom was still alive,  I was unable to go north to visit her for 3 years. Then only after she was in the hospital with pneumonia. My next trip up there in Ocotber 1997 was for her funeral. I miss my mother, she was my best friend. I always talked everything over with her. She knew the  every emotional pain even thought I tried so hard to hide it from her. some of her last words to me were "you look like you have ben through the mill" I had been, I was on drugsat the time. When the dementia set, it was difficult toi talk to her and I caled her every single week. She would accuse me of lying to her about my whereabouts and tell me she could see me across the hall sitting by the windo. and I would just cry and try to explain to her that I was still in the desert. She encouraged me tomove here even though  she really needed me there, she wanted me to have a change of pace. Oh what a terrible change of pace that was. I came to the desert and got in with the wrong people and started to use durgs againafter many years of being clean. Living here so far from my family has been very difficult. I keep thinking Had I not left Stockton, I would have had the opportunities of spending time with my children and grandchildren, even the ones who no longer keep in touch with me.

OK I'll get off the pity pot now and leave this pity party.Because now I will have a new life and part of my family. I have always felt that my dIL's family and I are all one big family.

Good morning.  I must have had a great nights rest because I sure didn't want to get up this morning.....and I didn't until 9am.  So it is still coffee time with me.  

Janet, you did great with the devotion and stepping in for Pat.  I hope Pat's computer gets well soon!

Jane, your plumber sounds like a breath of fresh air.  I ordered an air filter for my lawn mower but the man said, "If I were you, I would call me tomorrow afternoon and make sure I ordered this."  Duh!  Was I suppose to remind him to do his job?  It seems that no one gives good service today.  But your plumber sounds like a caring person.  Hope all is fixed soon and you receive your answer on the claim soon.

Anthony, good morning.  How is Sammy now?

Carol, the Habitat for Humanity does a great service.  That would be interesting to help them build a house.

Marilyn, your Wild West Days sure sounds like fun.  I hope your weather is perfect for the outside activities.

Hi Jerry...I was just talking to you on Instant Message but Hi again.  Bye.

Today it is suppose to get to 85°.  It rained last night so that means hot and muggy.  A good day to stay inside and read.  

Good morning.  It is almost afternoon.  Anyway I want to thank Janet for the great devotional.  Anger is a self defeating emotion.  It is true that sometimes we may have a little righteous indignation yet our happiness largely depends on our being able to control our anger.  Love goes a long way.  I have noticed that angry people are usually not happy people.  And, Janet, I enjoyed the humor as well.

Good to see Etta Sue, Karmat, Jane W., Anthony, Carol, Marilyn, and Jerry.

Carol, the results of the test came in yesterday.  Now I am waiting an appointment two weeks from today with a physical medicine specialist to see if anything short of surgery will help.

Jerry, I enjoyed your addition to the devotional thoughts today.

Marilyn, I thank you for your prayers.  God has been so good to me all through my life that I sometimes feel a little guilty asking him for more.  It could be that a little pain is good.  Paul had a thorn in the flesh and the Lord didn't remove it but told him his grace was sufficient.

2 Cor 12:7-9  To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.  Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.  But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.  (NIV)

Jane, everyone in our subdivision has a decorative light post in the front yard.  These lights are all the street lights we have.  After living here 14 years our light gave up the ghost.  I had a repairman come.  He worked and worked and finally removed the whole unit.  It automatically comes on when dark and goes off when light.  Anyway it finally cost me $285.00.  Now it really lights up the front of the house at night.  The labor was only $50.00 and I know he spent almost all day working, going down town to but the unit etc.  I hope it will last another 14 years.

Anthony, thank you for your encouragement.  I have some pretty strong pain medicine which helps some.  

--- Papa John      

Janet:  A very interesting way to solve a problem.

Pat:  You are away and the lines of communication go  quiet, you are missed.

Jerry: Pegs a great teaching/learning   tool.

The Sun is shinning bright and soon I must leave for work.

Ruth  

Just thought I would stop in and say hello to everyone.  Sorry I am not more involved.  I just have so many things to do that I barely have time for myself.

Janet you did good.  Great devotion!

I sure hope and pray Pat gets her computer problem fixed.  

It is a cold day again here. Rainy and windy.  But it is so green.  I love it!!

Hi Friends...

I'm limping along with things.  They've put a "bandaid" on the cable here and have to do some digging early next week.

My computer is just needing a bandaid too!

Thanks so much for phoning, Janet.  It was so nice to speak to you.  I felt so helpless here!  Thanks for the devotion.

Oh poor Pat!  We certainly have become part of a generation that depends on our computers.  

Mostly sunny and mild today, up to about 65 but with a breeze that's still very cool.  

Gene took his riding mower to clean up a neighbor lady's yard of leaves and debris and then started on another neighbor's yard.  The phone rang and he asked me to drive over with the truck so we could tow the mower home because it had broken down.  Weather permitting he'll see what's wrong with it tomorrow.

Hi everyone.  Janet, as has been said already, you did a super job in filling in for Pat and Pat sure glad to see you back online even if it is with a bandaid.  I sometimes wonder what my life would be today if I did  not have the computer.  I am sure my mind would not be as active.

Jane, hope your plumbing problems get fixed quickly.  It is frustrating to wonder all the time is there going to be another break.  I am glad you are happy with your plumber.

Once again I have enjoyed all the postings but am going to make mine short today.  I attended a meeting this morning and seem to be tired this afternoon even though I rested for awhile.

Larry, now am I correct in thinking you are back to the lab on Monday?

I've sped read the posts I've missed.

Poor Jane.  I'm so sorry to read of your troubles.

Pat so glad to hear or see you back on line. I missed your cheery face this morning when i tuned in to CP, But Janet did a terrific job in your place. How are YOU feeling?

Marilyn

Thanks for asking, Marilyn, I'm feeling a lot better.  Not sure what that was all about.  And yes, Janet did a wonderful job!

Thanks, everyone, for your notes of sympathy for my little plumbing experiences.      I just count it among my many adventures.    I have been out since about 10:30 this morning.  I had an appointment, then I want shopping for slug bait and rat poison.... I'm determined to get those little varmints! Next I need to figure out how to place the D-Con since these rats are between the walls and between the floor and the subfloor!  There are also signs of them in the closet where the water heater is, but I can't get the door off of that (outside) closet!  hmmmmm    

I look at ALL of life as an adventure.  Some are more fun than others but everything is a new experience and I love seeing how my Father will guide me through all of them  

Now, I'm going out to put the slug bait around (what's left of) my tulips and day lilies, etc.  

Take care and I'll be seeing y'all later.

Did any of you listen to the Creation Moment today?


I thought I'd put it in here so that you all can read it...

Winged Warriors

Romans 10:15

"And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!'"

We don't often associate aggressive behavior and the need to fight with butterflies. Rather we think of bright, beautiful creatures who decorate nature and always seem to cheer people up.

Scientists have always assumed that the bright-colored wings of butterflies served the purpose of attracting a mate. However, new research on tropical butterflies calls that idea into question. Researchers carefully changed the colors of male butterflies' wings, even painting patterns on them that were wrong for the species. When it came time for mating, females treated the disguised males the same as other males. It appeared as though the females paid no attention at all to the colors and patterns on the males' wings.

What practical purposes do the patterns serve then? Scientists know that they help predators avoid poisonous butterflies. They know that certain patterns deter birds. However, butterflies have a nasty little secret. Many male butterflies tend to be aggressive with each other and very territorial. However, butterflies are so fragile that almost any injury in a fight would be fatal. Rather than fight male butterflies assert themselves by showing their wings to each other in something like a ritualized combat.

A universal standard of beauty is not something evolution could have produced. Butterflies are lovely, living ornaments with which the Creator and Author of all beauty has adorned His creation.


Prayer: I thank You, dear Father, for the beauty that You have built into the creation that continues to brighten our lives, despite the ugliness of sin. I ask that I would always find the brightest and best beauty in the forgiveness of my sins through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

REF.: L. Langley. Butterfly Colors: Alluring or Alarming? Science News, Vol. 121. P. 38

Jane: I am sorry about all our troubles, but it seems as though I may e facing some of the same up north in he WET country very soon, slugs and rats I mean.
My son, Gilbert, who lives next door has had some rat problems in his laundry room. I don't look forward to those kind of problems but if they come up I wil deal with them. I don't want to confess any problems before they happen and give satan reason to go on the attack. LOL I'll have to teach that old fool a good lesson and bonk him on the head a few more times. Jesus already left a big wound on his head. Hahahahaha.

Marilyn~ I guess God created these li'l fellas, too, y'think?  The rats are part of the problem with the pb pipe, I'm told.  The manufacturers put soy in the material ... Rodents love soy!  These pipes under my place are hidden in the insulation and there's a "vapor shield" over that ... but I s'pose if they're between the floors, etc.  They can possibly get to them.  So far, the water leaks have been from "blown connections" where the pb pipe joins with the main water line.  They used little small clamps, according to my plumber, and I think this is one of the reasons for the class action suit .. the small clamps and the soy in the material.    

Guess that's a whole lot more than you wanted to know, right?    

Marilyn, I think Billy Bray, the English revivalist, used to call 'smutty face' that's a great name I think.  I used to think of old smutty face as a roaring lion, but when I got up close in battle I saw that the Lord had removed his teeth, all he had was a noisy roar.

Well, it's good to see Pat posting again.  Computer problems are bad enough, but when you are trying to lead a forum they are a nightmare (particularly when most of the members are women )  I hope they manage to sort all of those problems out.

Jane, it sounds a bit tough what you are going through but it is great to witness your possitive attitude - it has done my heart good to hear you talk today.

I am just about to go to bed so I will just say goodnight to everyone.  Have a great evening and see you all in the morning.

Anthony.

  GLAD YOU ARE BACK PAT !
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--- Papa John

Pat ~ Glad to see you back, you were missed, but it was nice to see Janet could handle the job of subbing for you when you are out of commission. Now we needn't worry and maybe you can delegate some of your work now so you can get more rest when you need it! May the Lord be with you and take away all your little annoyances.

Thanks Papa John!
Yes, it's quite exasperating, Anthony, to have your computer kaput!!