Christian Photographers Community

Morning Devotional...


As we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.
1 Thessalonians 2:4

Those who share the purpose of Christ and faithfully publish His gospel are well-pleasing to God, even though it might meet with few results.

The proclamation of the gospel itself is an unspeakable blessing. Some will reject the gospel, whatever the fidelity and self-denial of the preacher.

Yet in this world that curses God, to speak the message of God's grace is a work of courage and greatly pleasing to Him.

The gospel is the power of God unto salvation.

How can God not be pleased when we tell it to others?
--J. Duckhorn

I am listening to 'Something Beautiful' ...and it is.  Thanks, Pat.

Have been busy and not on the computer.  Also, not always feeling at the top of my game...life is like that, sometimes.  Has anyone heard from Ian?  He is often in my thoughts.  Must go back and read all the posts not yet perused...Nice to read Mieka's postings.  Gentle words and happy thoughts!

Amanda has a cat again.  The granddaughter of a friend had to find a home for her cat.  It is a four yr. old, female Tabby, with lovely coloring and the brightest eyes.  I will send a picture for Pat to post.   Her name is Squeekers.  Not my first choice, but that is what she is was named. 

Squeekers is faster than the speed of light.  She struts around like a feline John Travolta (in his early movies) and is always looking to play.  When they get tired upstairs, Gramie gets a turn .... and so on. 

Read what I thought is a cute little joke.  Maybe it will give you all a chuckle:

A father took his 5yr. old son to several baseball games where The Star-Spangled Banner was sung before the start of each game.  Then the father and son attended a church on Sunday, shortly before Independence Day.  The congregation sang The Star-Spangled Banner, and after everyone sat down, the little boy suddenly yelled out, "PLAY BALL!!!"

Pleasant dreams all.  God Bless.
Liz

Hi, Liz, great to see you again. Your joke was so cute.

Marilyn, you asked about baby Georgia. She is still very sick. I cannot go down there this weekend because I have a work commitment. However, if this continues, I plan to try to go on Friday of next week. By then, Pam and Mark will need Grandma to give them a rest over the weekend.

It's exciting and also scary - a firm has called to recruit me. This happens at a particularly difficult time in my career at the company where I now work. So, I plan to explore the opportunities early next week. There's no pressure to make an immediate decision - the opening will occur probably in the autumn - one of their managers is returning to school to get the MBA. This will allow time for prayer and assessment, especially since I'm so close to retirement age.

I'd like to see what part-time opportunities might exist if I were to take early retirement or plan to do so when I reach full retirement age at 65 1/2 (only 20 months away...and counting...).

Ruth Ann

GOODMORNING ALL 11.21AM In Holland

I am just coming home to eat something and then back at work today till 4.00PM others to 5.00PM but now i go home an hour early because Marcel has his birthday.


Pat thank you for the devotional this morning and the nice hymns yesterday.

RUTH ANN i am sorry to read that little Georgia is sick my prayers are for here for here parents but also for you dear Ruth Ann.

MARYLIN your booth writings yesterday
"Time a laugh of two" and about the 5 fingers are very good.

AN BELATED HAPPY BIRTHDAY WISH FOR ZACHERY 

MIEKA i am very happy to see that you have been on CP yesterday I love you dear Mieka

When i have time then i come back today
but now i go first something eat and then back to the bookshop.

Psalm 147 : 11
The Lord delights in those who fear Him,
who put their hope in His unfailing love.

    A SONG OF CELEBRATION

             Make of my days a song
               to delight Your heart...
             Make my life a celebration
                       of your love.

Love and Prayerfully for you all
Ria     
                                   

Thanks so much for "Something Beautiful" Pat.  It's a simple song, but it's special to me.  It's really quite descriptive of ME.  Confusion, brokenness, strife - yep, that's me.  How could anyone or anything make something beautiful out of that?  But He does - and He did!

MIEKA!![/size][/b]  So very, very good to see you in here!  Please try to come back very often!

Hello to Mieka!  Long time no see!   

Pat - thank you as always. 

We have had a tremendous amount of company - and a good friend is coming Monday as well as yesterday daughter came for an overnight and day with her two children.  Love the visiting - am so far behind on everything.  Church service tonight and I am cleaning the guest room today as well as planning menu for next week and some of our sightseeing.

Carol

I took some pictures of the boy's frogs if anyone is interested, click Frogs

Oh, yes, I forgot to mention to you, Marilyn, that my dad had been praying in exactly that fashion for several years before his death. Thanks for the reminder.

Ruth Ann

Hi everyone.  A pretty quiet and very nice day here in Georgia.

Pat and I just got back from a little shopping.  We went to Kohl's Department store as they had nice bath towels on sale for $3 and $4 and ours have become a bit ragged.  We then stopped at the grocery for a couple of items.  Am now just finishing up my lunch.

Ruth Ann, sure sorry that your little granddaughter is so sick and hope she improves soon.

Good to see Ursula and Liz posting as have been missing their postings.

Ria, hope Marcel has a nice birthday celebration today.

Sonja, those frogs are something else.  Don't think I will get frogs as mh next pet!

Al and Carol, good to see you both posting today. 

Pat, thanks for the devotional. 

1 John 4 : 18  NIV
There is no fear in love. But perfect love
drives out fear, because has do with
punishment. The one who fears is not made
in perfect in love.


Do you remember what Jesus said
when he came walking on the water
to his disciples during the storm? He
literally told them, "Do not fear, I am".
In the presence of the holy and awesome
Son of God, we don't have to be afraid.
God's Grace to us in Jesus takes away our need for fear
because Jesus' sacrifice makes us holy,
without fault, and free from any charge against us
(Colossians 1 : 21 : 22). Our reponse? Love!
We love our Fahter for who he is, for what he has done, for His great sacrifice for us, and most of all,
for making us holy and taking away our fear.

Prayer:
Dear Fahter in Heaven, you are holy, awesome
and glorious. These are things i could never
be without your grace, yet you have chosen
to give me these blessings through the sacrifice of
your Son Jesus. Thankyou, i love You.
In Jesus' name i praise you  AMEN

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
From Marcel i must say thank you very much
to all who has wish him a Happy Birthday.
The first friend is now coming the rest must come.
Till 10.00PM they stay home and then they go to the centre
of Veendam because it is the night from Veendam the hole night musik. But i am very happy that now one is drinking alcohol. But i think at 4.00 AM he is coming home.
And tomorrow the family also the daughter of my sister in law is out the hospital here blood was a litle bit better and no feever more. But the coming week she must come back in the hospital.
When i tomorrow have no time then
I wish you all a Blessed Sunday
Bye Ria   

Good Morning. Hey What has happened to Kathy Sumner?
I wrote her yesterday. Is she alright?

I don't have a lot to say this morning. I have been on Im with Jenny for the last hour and a half. It is so sad when one losses a beloved pet. and family things seem so overwhelming.

I am working for a couple of hours this afternoon for Fay she has me 6 days a weeks now. So I have showered and washed my hair early today. I have tomake a couple of stops after work and don't want to look all disheveled.

It is such a blessing to come here every day and read what everyone has posted. It is rare that I post something to each on or even some, but I am thinking of all of you each day. If I didn't read all your posts my day would not be complete.

TTYL

Quote from: Sonifo on May 15, 2004, 10:54:01 AM
I took some pictures of the boy's frogs if anyone is interested, click Frogs

Hey, Soni!  Those are awesome shots!  I love the black and white one.

Happy Saturday!

The mother-daughter banquet was very nice, and we had around 180 people there.  Abby did act like a lady and even won a door prize, a nice brooch (pin) in a circle shape with blue stones.  She was so thrilled!  She counted, then said "I have 30 jewels!"

Mark arrived this morning at 4:45 and he and Darrel hitched up the trailer and left.  I called Curtis to make sure they arrived safely, and they were busily loading Curtis' things.  It will be a very long day for Mark and Darrel.  They won't likely get back home before midnight tonight.

Abby is here with me.  We went to see about my sister, then to the care home to see Mom.  Mom was all upset because they moved her to a new room yesterday, and she couldn't find some of her things.  She can't get up, or down, to look for things.  Anyway, we were able to locate almost everything, so she was much happier when we left.  I think she feels the only control she has left over her life now concerns the few things she was able to bring with her, so I can understand.

Good to see everyone here today, and I wish you many blessings from God today.

Quote from: Liz on May 15, 2004, 01:13:19 AM
I am listening to 'Something Beautiful' ...and it is.  Thanks, Pat.

Oh, you're so welcome, Liz...  As Al Moak says, it's simple but to the point.  He did something beautiful with me when He saved my soul.

Quote
Has anyone heard from Ian?  He is often in my thoughts.

I had a short email yesterday as a matter of fact from Iain and he's on a morphine patch for the severe pain and he can just about tolerate it but not quite.  He's very much in need of our prayers on his behalf daily. 

Thanks for asking, Liz.

Quote

Amanda has a cat again.  The granddaughter of a friend had to find a home for her cat.  It is a four yr. old, female Tabby, with lovely coloring and the brightest eyes.  I will send a picture for Pat to post.   Her name is Squeekers.  Not my first choice, but that is what she is was named. 

We'll be looking forward to seeing the photos, Liz.

Quote

Great little joke, Liz!  Thanks for the giggle.

I got quite a chuckle from these, hope you will, too.

Thoughts to Ponder

1. If two wrongs don't make a right... try three.

2. Hookt aun fonix reelie wurkt fur mee!

3. You know that you should go to sleep when the sheep you are counting start to hit the fence.

4. I smile because I have no clue what is going on.

5. If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you.

6. Why can't women put on mascara with their mouth closed?

7. Who was the first person to look at a cow and say, "I think I'll squeeze these dangly things here, and drink what ever comes out"?

8. If a cat always lands on its feet, and buttered bread always lands butter side down, what would happen if you tied buttered bread on top of a cat?

Quote from: Ria on May 15, 2004, 05:48:44 AM

I am just coming home to eat something and then back at work today till 4.00PM others to 5.00PM but now i go home an hour early because Marcel has his birthday.

Ria, please tell Marcel that we all send him birthday greetings.

Quote from: Ruth Ann Bice on May 15, 2004, 03:14:30 AM

I'd like to see what part-time opportunities might exist if I were to take early retirement or plan to do so when I reach full retirement age at 65 1/2 (only 20 months away...and counting...).

We'll be praying with you on this maybe new job venture, Ruth Ann.  Keep us posted for sure!

Quote from: Carol on May 15, 2004, 10:07:52 AM


We have had a tremendous amount of company - and a good friend is coming Monday as well as yesterday daughter came for an overnight and day with her two children.  Love the visiting - am so far behind on everything.  Church service tonight and I am cleaning the guest room today as well as planning menu for next week and some of our sightseeing.

Carol

Carol, you've been missed.  But I know what it's like when you have lots of company.  Just try to check in when you can.  We'll be waiting for you!  LOL

Quote from: Marilyn Fisher on May 15, 2004, 01:13:21 PM
Good Morning. Hey What has happened to Kathy Sumner?
I wrote her yesterday. Is she alright?

I'm so glad that you wrote to her, Marilyn.  There are so many of our past "regulars" that haven't been around lately.

Quote from: Janet on May 15, 2004, 01:33:28 PM



Abby is here with me.  We went to see about my sister, then to the care home to see Mom.  Mom was all upset because they moved her to a new room yesterday, and she couldn't find some of her things.  She can't get up, or down, to look for things.  Anyway, we were able to locate almost everything, so she was much happier when we left.  I think she feels the only control she has left over her life now concerns the few things she was able to bring with her, so I can understand.

It's great that you are able to have Abby so often, Janet.  Glad you were able to help your mother as well.  It's so easy to get confused.  I know that I do! 

Hello Everyone-
Hope everyone is doing good-I just stubbed my toe because I was going to put something away and my husband left a drawer open that I didn't know about on my side of the bed -pray that its not broke!
Anyway-ive got a very busy day today-cleaning house,grading papers,laundry-grocery shopping etc etc.
But, I just wanted to drop by to say hello.
Im getting hungry lol.
Hugs
Rachelle

I hope that Shawnee had good results from her MRI...  I hope that if she can't come and tell us herself that maybe Rachelle will know.

Almost missed you, Rachelle!  You and I were posting at the same time.  What a horrible feeling when you stub your toe.    Yes, I hope it isn't broken.

Phewy!  I missed Mieka again.  Mieka, when we ever get online at the same time, we are going to talk for hours!!!!!  I sure miss you, little sweetie! 

Whew!  Another busy day.  I  made some Zucchini Bread.  I froze it and will thaw it for Tuesday evening.  I then washed the dishes and decided to clean the backsplash behind my countertop stove.  Well, you know what happens...you can't stop cleaning.  One thing I wanted to be sure to clean was the top of my fridge.  There are two tall, really tall, men in our Small Group and didn't want them to tell their wives how dirty the top was.  It was really dusty and dirty!!!    I don't see it unless I stand on a stool.    I got over to the wall unit oven and thought...what is that!  Then I remembered I had a tiny wax apple on one end of a string and an apple core on the other end.  I DID have it hung on my fridge door handle but decided to hang it on the cabinet knob above the oven.  Well, Friday I ran the self-cleaning ... the temps really get hot.  Anyway, there are vents at the top of the oven and it melted the apple and apple core.  I really had a time cleaning up the wax but I did.  Probably the cleanest the oven has been since installed!!!!

Then Tony called and said he was on his way with a load of river rock.  Jerry, Tony and I shoveled it where Dennis and Julie had put the edging and cloth down.  It really looks nice.  I bought a bunch of stuff from a catalog so Jerry and I opened up two of the boxes.  I now have Be-Boppin' Frogs and a Cat Garden Stake in my rocks.  It was almost like Christmas opening these boxes...I had forgotten what I purchased.   

Then Jerry and I had lunch and washed dishes again.  Jerry is napping now.

And yes, Soni, I have been taking progress photos of my landscaping.  It already looks so much better!!!

<)))><<~~<)))><<~~<)))><<~~<)))><<~~<)))
"Always taky your rainbow with you!"

Hi y-all I am home from work now. I see the kids are still moving stuff. I went over there to see how it was going and they were working on the living room. still have quite a lot of stuff to move. i watered the garden and picked some radishes and lettuce for my supper. later I am going toi cut some flowers.

I have cut some of the small pink roses from the rose "tree" over there and they smell so good a very strong scent. I am drying the petals for sachets or potpourri, also some lavender.

Anyone heard from Pinkie since she started her new job as a Hospice nurse. She must be very busy.

Etta Sue do you mind if I steal your tubes you post on here?


TTYL

Hi Everyone-
I have had a hard day-after stubbing my toe-I ended up almost in a wreck today-don't anybody ever say that God doesn't surround us by angels because the Lords hands were oviously on my car today-I am really not sure what happened but, I found myself closer to another car then i wanted to be-and I slammed on my breaks..when i did i swerved into the other lane-amazingly there were no cars in the other lane or behind me..however I was pretty shaken up-the seat belt grabbed my neck and my right shoulder is sore from jerking the car around. Anyway praise God we are safe-and my toe isn't broken either.
Ok-About Shawnee-she was unable to make her last MR! appointment and had to rescedule-her first MRI I believe showed degeneration of her spine-Please pray for her as this is really hard for her.
Rachelle

STAND UP FOR JESUS!  Shouldn't this be our rallying cry as Christians?  Thanks so much Soni for putting that in.  I've got it playing and I'm singing ever so joyfully here!  I'm sure that the neighbours can hear me!


Rachelle, I'm so sorry about your "near" accident.  Yes, it's wonderful to know that the Lord Jesus planned your way of escape long before you needed it.  Praise His holy name!    Thanks for telling us about Shawnee too.  Encourage her to come in.  We'd love to get to know her better.


Marilyn, I did hear from her a week or so ago but nothing since.    Let her know you miss her and maybe she'll be back to let us know how the new job is going.



I know about the dusty tops of refrigerators, Etta Sue!  LOL  Boy, you've been working so hard.



Hookt aun fonix reelie wurkt fur mee!    HAHAHAHA!  I love that, Janet!

Hi Pat
I will probably be talking to Shawnee later on tonight and I will encourage her to come into this area of CP! She is a sweetheart all of you will love her
Rachelle

That will be great, Rachelle!  

Thought some of you who might not have read this before would like to see the history of the hymn that Soni posted...


HYMN HISTORY of "STAND UP STAND UP FOR JESUS"

Preaching against slavery wasn't a popular  thing to do in many parts of the USA during the early 1850's. An awful civil war, brought about by division over that very issue, was looming.

However, Dr. Dudley Tyng, the twenty-nine year old rector of the Church of the Epiphany in Philadelphia, passionately believed that slavery was 'immoral and unchristian,' so he denounced it.

He also believed that all men are sinners by nature and need to repent and be converted if they are ever to enter heaven.

Dudley Tyng was no ordinary church pastor and this bold, straightforward denunciation of sin disturbed his cultured and wealthy parishioners so much that by the end of his second year in the church many were demanding his removal.

Tyng resigned from the rich and fashionable assembly and formed his own 'Church of the Covenant' which met for worship in a little meeting hall. With his wife and boys, he went to live on the family farm outside Philadelphia.

At the same time he also began giving lectures at the Philadelphia YMCA. Interest grew and thousands were converted to the Saviour. At one particular meeting held in Jayne's hall in March 1858, 5,000 men were present.

During his address Dr. Tyng said, 'I must tell my master's errand and I would rather this right arm were amputated at the trunk than I should come short of my duty in delivering God's message.'

Those words were strangely prophetic, for just the next week, while watching a horse-powered cornsheller at work on the the farm, he was caught in the wheels of the machinery and his right arm was badly mangled.

A few days later it was necessary to amputate at the shoulder.

Tyng was dying - and he realised it. As the loved ones gathered around his bed he took his father by the hand and addressed the old man, who was also a faithful preacher, in these words.

Stand up for Jesus father, stand up for Jesus
and tell my brethren of the ministry,
wherever you meet them, to stand up for Jesus.
And thus he died.

The dying exhortation impressed another of Tyng's ministerial colleagues, the Rev. George Duffield. He took up the theme in a sermon preached the following Sunday from Eph. 6: 14: 'Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth.' At the close of the sermon he read the words of this hymn he has composed just after Dr. Tyng's funeral.


Stand up, stand up for Jesus
Ye soldiers of the cross
Lift high His royal banner
It must not suffer loss
From victory unto victory
His army He shall lead
'Till every foe is vanquished
And Christ is Lord indeed.
 

Hello everyone - its me again.
Afraid its 2 am here and i've had to get up as i'm in a bit of pain.
But i want to say thankyou for all the lovely words and prayers from everyone on the site today. It has certainly incouraged me.  I know god is with me at the moment and all of you on cp are really a large part of that.
Also thanks again Pat for the chat we had earlier i really enjoyed it.
My love and prayers to everyone.
Chris - England.

Oh, Chris, I truly am sorry about this awful pain but as i told you earlier I remember Jack going through this as an adult and it was really terrible.

I have been praying for you since we chatted.  And I'll continue.

Have you seen the nice comments over in the Prayer Requests where your original request is?

Yes, we have a wonderful group of people on CP.

Come back often, Chris.  Don't be a stranger.