Christian Photographers Community

Morning Devotional...






Morning Devotional...


Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.  
Psalm 55:22

Are you burdened about the future?

Discouraged about the present?

Feeling guilty about the past?

The Lord Jesus died on the cross so that He could remove our greatest burden, which is sin.

My friend, trusting that His death was for you, come to Him and He will remove that burden of sin.

Then, realizing He is alive from the dead, let Him carry the other burdens which are weighing you down and He "will give you rest."
--David Croudace




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Hi Everyone!

Things here in Idaho are going pretty good-today it got really windy and we got some rain-I am glad its saturday as well-need a break lol. I get to go to a stamp workshop tomorrow and Im looking forward to that-and Sunday I am going to a One Stroke Painting Demo-so I am looking forward to that too.
Anyway I just wanted to say Hi!
Praying for all of you -
Pat I am glad to see you are back!
Rachelle

Well, ya'll, I've done about all the damage I can do in one night.  I don't feel so grand, now (it is after midnight, ya know), so I reckon I had a-better be a-going to the bed.  (Have you ever noticed how we Southerns say "a" before a lot of words.  [I was a-going to the store yesterday . . .']  I wonder why)

Night all!!  Have an awesome, wonderful, cool (as in groovy cool, not temperature cool) Saturday!!!

Hi Rachelle!

Yes, being away for 3 days was like being away for 3 weeks!  I have my computer back now but can't get used to Windows XP.  I find it a lot different from Windows 2000.  I wish I was going to the painting demo with you.  I really enjoyed my Folk Art when I did it.


Hi Karma...   Yes, lots of "a-" in front of words.  HAHAHA!  Hope you have a good day tomorrow, Karma and that you and Bernard will be able to drop by the CP Coffee Shop!  LOL

Karma, I think it's because Southerners talk really slow.....so makes sense to sort of fill in with an "a" ever once in awhile while you think of the next word. Right?   I've got lots of Southern family. They think we Northerners talk waaaay to fast.

Nards, I didn't even......well, still don't......know what a blog was/is.  I've heard about it recently, but it didn't stick.  Age, ya know.  I didn't look at the website you linked to. I thought just hearing about that hatred was enough.  I'm sure the site would make me sick.  I can see why it would bother you.  Doesn't much sound like Christians or the Church of Jesus Christ to me. 

Blessings all. Arrived back from Manchester last evening.  I was hoping to take photos but unfortunately I never had enough time, the training was very intensive.  Did pop out to Liverpool with some friends and took a couple of photos in Albert Dock and surrounds, but of course, my battery had to go flat in the middle of some interesting shots.

I am going to be very busy for at least the next six - 12 months, and will be very scarce.  I need to find a home for my family, hopefully reasonably close enough to my son Michael's school.  I start my new career a lot earlier than I thought I would, I start in May.

Harold Hill Baptist is really struggling on deciding in what they need to do.  The older members want a full time minister; but the younger congregants want to apply body ministry and are confident they can meet the needs of the Church and feel that they could be far more sensitive to the Holy Spirit.  I agree with the younger folk. 

Nards; I know you asked for the contents of the blog not to be discussed on this forum.  However, maybe we should be open to honest discussion about the life of the Church and our responsibility.  I have found the best rule of thumb for me is to love the sinner but hate the sin.  That is what Jesus did.  "Religion" has a habit of dehumanising people and offering no hope to the sinner.   It is not the Church that is at fault, if it was, Jesus would be at fault as well, as he is the head of his Church.  The real debate is not whether homosexual people should go to Church but whether a practising homosexual should be given a position of responsibility in Jesus' Church.  This is very partisan in a sense, as I wonder how many people professing Jesus as their Lord and Saviour are committing adultery, defrauding their companies, are regularly violent etcetera, remain unrepentant and are in leadership positions in the Church?  It is generally people who are hiding their own sin that become militant about the sins of others.

Many years back I was in fellowship in South Africa, the service was about to start and the deacons were greeting the congregants at the door.  A poor black man walked in, smelly, scruffy and bare footed.  When he motioned he was hungry he was told there was no food and was shoved out into the road.  I was an idealist and very much a rebel and not well liked by the deacons as a result.  I sat down on the sidewalk with this man and prayed with him and gave him my tithe which was due to be given that day. I would love to know how he felt, but it helped me conquer my fears and gave me a sense of purpose.  It was then I felt God's calling in my life.  That same sentiment the deacons portrayed is very much in evidence in people in the Church today.  It is not Jesus' fault, it is ours. I remain an idealist and feel very frustrated by the unrepentant and judgemental attitude in the Church.

However; the buck stops with us.  If we teach, let us teach the truth.  If those we teach remain unteachable, we must endure for a while and move when God moves us on.  I have a simple philosophy; Those that cannot express their allegiance to Jesus in walk and talk, by default, belong to Satan.  Many are in all sorts of responsibility positions, they know all about Jesus, but they don't know him. 

Henry Blackaby and his team devised this chart;
I hope we can recognise the pattern in our own lives, because until we do, we will struggle with our own obedience and putting faith into action.  We need to remember our purpose and our responsibility.  I have several people in my fellowship who have struggled with serious sin, but have understood their own position in Christ, repented and now live obediently.  They benefit in the fruit of their God given righteousness.

GOOD MORNING ALL 11.14AM in HOLLAND

PAT thank you for the devotional this morning and the nice hymns. The hymn from this morning is awesome Days are fulled with sorrow and care today i have also not a good day. I am feeling me not happy i have had not enough sleep you all know the reason snoring and then such a long waitinglist my husband has yesterday call the hospital but a lot have this problem but
when now someone not can come then he may come in his place others 16 septembre.

LIZ i am sorry to read from your depression i know what it is and i pray for you.

I also pray daily for our dear brother Iain i am him missing
a lot

PAPA JOHN i hope that the results from your check ups are good my prayers are also for you i love every day your writing.

ETTA SUE i hope also that the result from your scan is also good i also pray for you.

URSULA psalm 121 is a very good psalm thank you that you have put it on CP and your website is awesome.

We are going away this afternoon to friends and we are coming back in the beginning of the evening. My husband is now to his brother he has his birthday but i am no more going to them. They are curse/swear so terrible and i have ask that not to do. That is so painly for me. But they say we don't like christians. Also their own daughter is being a christian she also is not a lot coming more by their parents.
With one sister from my husband can i very good here husband is also christian they are not curse or swear in home but she is living in the neighbour of Rotterdam. And here husband has just get a new hip. When he can walk a long time then we are going a long weekend to them.
That is very nice.

We have again a sunny day in Holland.

ROMANS 15 : 13
May the God of hope fill you with all
joy and peace as you trust in Him.

         A  SONG  OF  HOPE

    Lord, give me a dream to cling to,
         a song of hope to sing to,
    an offering of love to bring to You,
         my  Saviour  and  my  King

Love and Prayerfully for you all
RIA                          

Here comes mostly invisible Janet (sorry about that!) to bid you all a good day.  We have had such a lovely couple of days of rain, which should break the drought we have been having.  It was so nice to look out the front door this morning and watch a happy bird bathing in a puddle of water.

The Senior Prom was very nice, and so much fun!  I would venture to guess that we had more fun than the kids, considering that there wasn't all the jealousies that usually accompany a prom for high school kids.  The DJ played requests, and most of the time he didn't have the music too loud, which helps, too.  I know that many people do not believe in dancing.  I didn't learn to dance until I was near 40 and Darrel was dating me, then he taught me to dance, and it is so pleasurable to be able to dance with him.  We hadn't really danced in years, so it was a lot of fun.  And to see that many (they had a good crowd) older people having a great time, smiling and visiting--well, it was great! 

Larry, in those posts I lost the other night, I had told you that I surely can understand your being a little envious about us getting to share in Abby's life as we do.  I don't (didn't) get to spend a lot of time with the other grandkids--meaning my other children's kids, not meaning Curtis and Mark.  So to have those three living close and us getting to share in their lives has been such a special treat.  I don't think we have missed any of their little programs, whether church or school.  So of course, we have a closer relationship with them than with the other grandkids.  The others are jealous of that, but if you are not allowed or informed of their doings, then it is not your fault!  Or if the distance is too great.........anyway, I thank God that Diane and Jeff are and always have been so generous to share the kids with us, and they are such a blessing in our lives.

Ria, I understand about you not wanting to be around all that cursing; I feel the same way.  It just grieves my spirit to hear that kind of talk.  I hope you have a good day, and that your husband will not snore tonight so you both can get a good and much needed night of rest.

I better come back later, this is getting too long.

HELLO RIA, my favorite Dutchwoman.  I love reading your posts, and I admire your grasp of the English language and being willing to post even if you make a mistake every now and then.  I would be scared senseless to post in another language (even if I sorta knew one!!).

Gareth, I was reading your post and thought, I'm going to copy that paragraph and comment on it.  Then, I read the second paragraph and thought hte same thing!!  And so on, and so on, and so on.  hehe. 

Anyway, leave it to the batteries to zonk out, WooHOo on the new career starting sooner than you thought (my prayers are with you finding a new career), I agree with your thoughts on what Bernard posted.  The site he was referring to, and people like that, break my heart.  So much hate, and they say they are speaking for God.  I am very familiar with that chart as I have been through Experiencing God 2.5 times (the study disbanded one time because some really large life issues happened to everyone in the group within a few weeks -- rather odd).

Nita -- My mom accuses me of talking fast, especially when I get nervous or excited.  I think it is because in our family, if you talked slow, you never got to say anything.  I guess my high speed would still be slow for some.  Ask Etta, she has heard me "tawlk."  I've talked to Pat before too.  Her comment was, "you sound so  . . . .American."  hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha  Talk about tact.   Pat, you are a true diplomat. love ya.

Hi Rachelle.  Glad to see you in here.  Did you get my pm about the Yahoo site.  I seem to have forgotten my user name (oops), but i do remember my password.  Can you help me out?

Now, I don't know why I am so chatty this morning, but there it is.  Sorry so long.  I think we are going to try and take some pics this day, maybe . . . .

We are feeling some better.  I seem to be mending better than Bernard, and Travis had a rough night, but seems to be doing okay now.

Have a wonderful day, and we'll "a-see" ya around.

Hi Janet, you posted while I was composing.  Glad you enjoyed your "prom."  Hope you didn't stay out too late. :-)

Good morning.  I am having major problems with my back this morning.  So I am moving slowly.

The big shower for Robbie is today.  My son-in-law and I had planned to go fishing but because of the big rains we have called that off.  I think I may slip away and go to a movie and see The Alamo.

Ria, it is good to see you each morning and I think you are doing well with your English.

In the last two days we have had four inches of rain.  There is some flash flooding around the area.

Matt 5:43-45
43   "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'
44   But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
45   that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.[/b]
(NIV)



--- Old Papa John          <)))><<   
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What refreshing posts.  Gareth, I agree with you 100%.  Homosexuality is not God's wish.  But we need to hate the action not the actor.  That is in all ungodly things that humans do.

Nards, I can understand your problems.  Just remember God is greater than the greatest problem. 

Karma, I remember you talking.  I felt like I was with my husband and in-laws.  They are all from Alabama.  Sure made me feel comfortable. 

Janet, it sounds like you and Darrell had a great time.  I loved dancing with my husband but not where we danced.  This was before Jesus Christ in my life and we frequented the American Legion, the VFW and the FOP's.  And I love to watch people dance.

Ah, Ria, my favorite Dutchwoman...as Karma said.  I agree.  I cannot fathom trying to type in another language.  Even some Americans who type English looks and sounds like they are typing in another language...their spelling is soooo bad.  And thank you, Ria, for praying for me.  I need all the prayers I can get.

Rachelle ~ There is a lot of stamping and scrapbooking done in my area and church.  We even have stores for those hobbies.  Too expensive for my blood.  If I had a little talent in those areas, then maybe....  BTW, how is your new camera doing?

Papa John ~ I noticed as I previewed this that you had posted.  Do take care of that back.  Enjoy your movie but I know you would have liked fishing better.  I am praying that your tests turned out negative.

Well, it has been a great night.  It has been quiet without Inky... Ali, I believe, has enjoyed the quiet as well.  This morning Ali has been so close to me.  Sitting right next to me while I was reading my morning devotions.  She seldom does that.  One reason is Inky will run her off.  For about a half hour Ali has been on this desk and wanting me to pet her.  A couple of times she has wanted my attention and would reach up with a paw and pat my arm.  She is totally different than when Inky is here so maybe she is missing Inky after all. 

I get Inky this morning before noon.

<)))><<~~<)))><<~~<)))><<~~<)))><<~~<)))
"Use your hindsight to improve your foresight."

Pat:  Thanks for the devotional,


I have just finished reading all of the posts and each and everyone is so refreshing. Gareth I will be printing yours for future reading.


It is a beautiful sunny day here although I was chatting with my brother in law in Northern Ontario and they had snow last evening,  IT IS GONE NOW  he said.  Good it did not last.

Hi Jane and Sarah

Subj: Insight for Leaders 
Date: 4/24/04 5:02:22 AM GMT Daylight Time
From: lmi@flash.net
To: tozer@litmin.com
Sent from the Internet (Details)



April 24   

Prayer: Faith Grows With Use

..Yet you do not have because you do not ask. 
--James 4:2

It was a saying of George Mueller that faith grows with use. If we
would have great faith we must begin to use the little faith we
already have. Put it to work by reverent and faithful praying, and
it will grow and become stronger day by day. Dare today to trust
God for something small and ordinary and next week or next year
you may be able to trust Him for answers bordering on the
miraculous. Everyone has some faith, said Mueller; the difference
among us is one of degree only, and the man of small faith may
be simply the one who has not dared to exercise the little faith
he has. 

According to the Bible, we have because we ask, or we have not
because we ask not. It does not take much wisdom to discover our
next move. Is it not to pray, and pray again and again till the
answer comes? God waits to be invited to display His power in
behalf of His people. The world situation is such that nothing
less than God can straighten it out. Let us not fail the world
and disappoint God by failing to pray.
The Set of the Sail, pp. 33-34

"Lord, I think I can do that! I know my faith needs to grow, but
today I'll exercise what faith I have and anticipate that growth
and stretching. Amen."

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Well said Gareth, being "holier than thou" stinks, and shows a "churchianity" rather than a Christianity, we are here on earth to minister to those less fortunate than ourselves.
If someone is thirsty or hungry, then we should feed them and give them a drink, and maybe this can lead to bringing them the living water of the Holy Spirit.

        





       

Janet, what did you wear to the prom?  Do you have a picture?

Thanks Pat and Chris for this mornings devotions.

Well said Gareth I am in total agreement with what you said.

I have been busy this morning, I came in early to read what was here from last night and this morning.

I have done 1 load of laundry, vacuumed. Then  hemmed some drapes for Fay that we bought yesterday at KMart. Now I am going to iron them and take them ove and hang them in her kitchen in a little bit.

I did want to stop in here to read the posts and check the prayers before I do anthing further today.

TTYL

Wonderful posts today...

Thanks Gareth for your indepth one in reply to Nards.  I'm going to print it out.  Gareth, are you moving north?

Nice to see the rest of you.  I mustn't spend too much time here though as I have an Avon order to pack.

Hi everyone.  Today was our Grayson Day here in the little town where we live.  When we moved here 8 years ago it was a very small affair with a small parade and a few little tents for crafts or food.  Well it has grown a lot and there were hundreds and probably several thousand people attending. 

Our Senior Group has a table where we sell cookies, 2 for 25 cents, to raise money to support our senior center and activities.  This was the finest weather I think I have seen for this event since we have lived here.  This is a political year so we had many politicians in the parade and with tents set up to hand out their literature.

I am watching CSpan live using RealOne player on my computer.  They are broadcasting live from the Los Angeles Book Fair and they have some very interesting authors speaking.  This lets me multitask.

Liz, sorry to read that you have been fighting depression and I do hope that you will be feeling better soon. 

I have read all the postings but am not going to comment individually today.  Think I have been writing too much so will make this shorter today (can't promise about tomorrow).

Ooohhhh URSULA!!  That is so beautiful! 

P.S.  Hi JUNE!! .... after you post a message, you are probably taken to the index .... Just click there and it will bring you back to where you posted ... Pat can probably 'splain it much better, though   

Hi June...  I think I've fixed it for you so that you'll be right in the topic after you post a message.

Anyone can change their preferences.

• Go to "Profile" at the top of the page and click on it.
  
  
• Then click on "Additional Preferences"
  
  
• Then make sure you tick the spot that says, "Return to topics after posting by default".
  

I drove down and picked up Abby after dance practice, had pizza with her family and the crew at the store, then brought her home with me.

Ursula, I wore a dressy pink suit to the prom, and yes, they even had a photographer taking prom photos!    Plus, I took my camera and had her take a couple shots of me and Darrel, dancing.

Etta Sue, Darrel's comment last night was that he surely did not miss having the smoke level down to about our waists!  So many places where you can dance, the smoke is SO bad, and of course, booze is flowing, too.  This was non-smoking, and only tea, punch and water were served.  They also had a nice veggie tray and dips, and cookies for us.  On the reader board at the Civic Center it said "1st Annual" so it looks as if they plan to have that event for us each year.

So much pain is caused by peoples choices of 'life styles!"    And I agree, Nards, we have to hate the sin and love the sinner.  More hate doesn't ever solve the problem.  It is a very difficult situation for families of those who get pulled into homosexuality to deal with.  They ALL need our prayers.

Abby is one tired little girl, so we are going to lie down and read Junie B. Jones is Not a Crook and hope she will fall asleep!

Congratulations, Ursula!  I loved the photos you posted, and the straws have such nice colors!

Quote from: Pat Scott on April 24, 2004, 02:48:32 PM

CONGRATULATIONS!

Look who has the
PICTURE OF THE DAY
at
Photo-Sense!!

THE WINNER!!

Wow, neat!  Thanks Pat!!!  You're really nice.

So, Janet, are you posting some of your prom pictures?  A reunion prom like that sounds like so much fun!  I would just love to dress up and go to something like that (maybe not, don't like to dress up really)

Thank you Pat for that great song "Burdens are lifted at Calvary"   by John Moore.    John has been in The Peoples Church many times to preach and sing.   He is a great person!

Today I went out with around 500 other people on the streets of Toronto with a survey in my hand.   The purpose is to introduce people to The Peoples Church and to The Saviour Our Lord Jesus Christ.    I personally went with 5 others to an area and Charles Price, our Pastor was one of the six.   I showed him how to get into an apartment building and some other tricks of EE.

I hope everybody is doing good and I will now read some posts.  God Bless

Love Ruthie

Hi Gareth, I enjoyed your post.  I especially like the chart by Henry Blackaby about obeying and service God.  We need to all pray for God to give us a passion for souls and get out there, make serving Him a priority.  Just last Sunday Charles Price said "Do the will of God and you will know the will of God"  By the way Gareth, when were you in South Africa?  My sister and husband, Kamyl and Lorraine Cadinouche were in Mauritius for 20 years from 1975 to 1995 with The African Evangelical Fellowship.   That fellowship has now merged with SIM.  My sister and brother in law are now in Canada with SIM and Inter Varsity work.  Kamyl preaches at a Baptist Church near by. 

Hi Janet...I know what you mean about the grandchildren.  Sometimes it is hard to give equal time.  My one son and daughter in law are within calling distance and so I can call without it costing anything.  The others are long distance.  I still call and sometimes talk to my little 5 year old and just forget about the charges because it is so important.

Thank you Papa John for the great scripture verses.  Somehow scripture speaks volumes!

Thank you Nards for your devotional on prayer.  Before we go out to witness, we always pray and when we come back we pray again and ask God to seal the decisions and that the seed would fall on good ground.

What a wonderful picture of a beautiful flower!

Pat that is an amazing photo by Ursula.  I wanted to reply but have forgotton my user name and password.

Hi June....it looks like your post worked this time.  God bless. I should read that book by Lois Wise.  I am a Child of God and a cat lover also.

Liz, try putting on some wonderful Christian music, especially praise music.  It might help with the depression.  Keep trusting Jesus, the Lover of Our Souls.

Love Ruthie

I've enjoyed reading the posts from the last couple of days.

My son went (VERY nervously) to visit lifelong friends near Washington, DC for a couple of weeks. I think all this isolation he has had to endure from his severe headaches has certainly taken its toll upon him. He has always been a take-charge kind of guy, but this morning dissolved in tears from the stress of trying to determine what to take with him.

My heart aches at the turmoil and confusion, pain and despair he lives with every day. If only he could/would reach out and touch the hem of Jesus' garment...

At any rate, I missed a day of work to take him to Atlanta, so went straight to work after taking him to the airport at 6:00 this morning. I finished one very complex task, but have another to do, so must go back in tomorrow after worship service and lunch.

I'll be keeping the windows open with sunlight streaming in, playing my radio (both actual and the christian radio Pat gave us the link to the other day), and making noise as the mood strikes. It's difficult to live in a dark home, eat silently, drive 5 hours to Atlanta in silence - but I am glad to be able to serve my son who needs care so much.

So, while Leslie is taking some much-needed R&R (rest and recuperation, for those of you who don't know that acronym), I'll be having some R&R of my own.

Ruth Ann

Quote from: Ruthie on April 24, 2004, 07:00:23 PM

Thank you Pat for that great song "Burdens are lifted at Calvary"   by John Moore.    John has been in The Peoples Church many times to preach and sing.   He is a great person!

Yes, Dr. Moore is a wonderful person and a good friend of ours.  His son and Ian were close buddies in school.  John used to come and sing for Mum and Dad often in the living room in their later years and he sang at Ian's wedding.