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Verse for Today...[/font]

"For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.
"For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,
And do not return there,
But water the earth,
And make it bring forth and bud,
That it may give seed to the sower
And bread to the eater,
So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. ." [/color]
~Isaiah 55:9-11 NKJV~[/list]


Quote of the Day...[/font]

 "Faith in God will always be crowned."
~W. S. Plumer~[/list]


Some News We Should Know About...

• Algerian earthquake toll reaches 509
  ALGIERS, Algeria, May 22 — A powerful earthquake that struck northern Algeria killed at least 500 people and injured 4,787 more, state radio and television said Thursday. Among the areas hardest hit was the city of Rouiba to the east of the capital, Algiers. The quake had a magnitude of 6.7 on the open-ended Richter scale, U.S. experts said.

• Photo Moment: Hunter shown with Grizzly of Mythical Proportions [/b]  

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Morning Devotional...

God is light....                              1 John 1:5

Have you ever sat alone in darkness that was a metaphor for your own soul?

Darkness that could be touched and tasted--thick, cold, obsidian midnight. Suddenly a candle flares and soft gold splashes into every corner. Light.

How touching that God would identify Himself completely with light.

• Light is pure.
  
• Light illuminates.
  
• Light warms.
  
• Light comforts.

But what of our hearts when they are darkened by failures or disappointments?

Streaming from His loving heart, the light of God--His Spirit, His Word, His love--penetrates and illuminates every corner of my heavy heart, gently diffusing understanding, comfort and warmth.
                                                                                                       --S. McEachern


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I also wanted to mention that I got baptisted with my two sons.  That was a precious moment to share with them.  

Is it bad that i didn't feel anything during my baptism?  

Feelings are not the important aspect of any spiritual experience.  The important thing is that you indicated your union with Christ and your submission to His Lordship.  All heaven witnessed that, and all those angels rejoiced!

Quote from: Al Moak on May 22, 2003, 12:04:11 AM
Feelings are not the important aspect of any spiritual experience.  The important thing is that you indicated your union with Christ and your submission to His Lordship.  All heaven witnessed that, and all those angels rejoiced!

I agree, Al.  That's so true.  Many people do depend on "feelings" but as you say, Feelings are not the important aspect of any spiritual experience.

I'm away to bed now.  Everyone have a great night and don't forget to see our latest photo with a scripture message from Chris.

I have to agree.  I was complaining once about not feeling ANYTHING in my Christian walk.  My brother told me, "Jen, feelings are just another form of sight to humans.  God said to walk by faith, not by sight."

It is so true.  God told us that the heart is deceitful and desperately wicked, who can know it?  We can't make the mistake of trying to base our faith and results on feelings.  Obedience is important, and if you don't feel rewarded for obedience, put that aside and trust that what God said is true, He delights in our obedience to Him, regardless of whether we feel it or not.  He's such a loving God.  

Good Morning, Jen!

How's your leg?  I do pray that it's a lot better now and that you aren't limping any more.


Thanks for your words this morning.

Good Morning all,

I did read yesterday's discussion on baptisim.  Very good!

Larry:    It is so good to hear that your new meds or patch is really helping you.  I didn't know that Billy Grahmn was still preaching as he looked quite frail a few years ago.  Sorry to hear that his wife Ruth is bedridden.  

I am off for an early morning doctor appointment.  Carol

Jerry,  Solomon's words in the closing lines of Ecclesiastes are very interesting.  I think what he is saying is that what God reveals to us in his word is adequate.  Many things can be written about God's will but nothing can really be added to the simplicity of His message.  We should fear God and keep his commandments.

Eccl 12:11-14  The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of scholars are like well-driven nails, given by one Shepherd.  And further, my son, be admonished by these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh.  Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man's all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.  (NKJ)

John 20:30-31  Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.  (NIV)

John 21:25  Jesus did many other things as well.  If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.  (NIV)

--- Papa John              <)))><<

 

Good Morning. The devotonal this morning reminds me of where I was in darkenss before I came to know the Lord as my Lord and Savior. He is the light. I always refer to that time as my time in my own personal wilderness. My own Egypt if you will. Praise God that I saw the Light of the Lord Jesus Christ and came to HIm for salvation.

It is supposed to be 102 here today. It sure is getting hotter and hotter around here.

Please keep on praying for me to get all my funds together to pay for the truck and the trip north. God is able and I know He isn't going to let me down now.

Be back later

Hi to each and everyone of you.  We are having some pretty heavy rain here again today, as we did during the night.  We may set a new record for rain during the month of May here in Georgia.  God is being very generous to us and everything is very green.

An interesting discussion of baptism.  I have been immersed twice actually.  I grew up in the Disciples of Christ Church and was baptized when I made my profession of faith as a young teen.  Later, after Pat and I were married we lived in Oklahoma and attended a Southern Baptist church there.  They would not recogize my baptism in another denomination so I consented to be baptized a second time.  

Marilyn, we are like Papa John and Etta Sue in that it is fairly cool down here.  I think it is suppose to get to 70 today but is very damp.

I do so appreciate what Papa John and Al share with us in helping us understand the Bible and stay focused on what is important.  I also appreciate the comments of each of you and I am learning along with many of us.

Carol, I had a good day yesterday but not feeling as good today.  Sure this is going to be a day-by-day thing until I can get the treatments and perhaps then will see some significant improvements.  I don't think I am going to be able to use the nitro patches because of my blood pressure.  I take medicine to keep my heart from working very hard plus have always had a relatively low blood pressure so am not surprised at this.  

Yesterday I made the decision to drop out of my church choir until after I finish the treatments and have also given up my volunteer work at the adult day care center for now.  I have one other responsibility with our Learning Center and am working on finding a replacement there.  I am sad to have to give up these things, even temporaily, but my body tells me this is probably the thing to do at this point.

Jen, it is good to see you posting and hope you foot is much better.  Are you still using the crutches?

Sonja, I am sure that must have been a day you will never forget, nor will your sons, that you were all baptized together.

Good Morning everyone.....very interesting discussion in here this day! I too agree that these human emotions of ours tend  to block our steps at times and then when we think we know what it is that God wants us to do.....our feelings jump right in there and try to confuse us....but the Lord also does use our feelings to confirm His love for us....we just should not use our feelings as a gauge..... God is not unstable...our feelings are...
Hope this is not too confusing for anybody....
am off to do the grocery shopping....
have a great day in the Lord....
Paulette.

Good morning all!  

I scannedread very fast.  Today I am going to Jerry's and see if I can help him WORK.  Also he is going to feed me...

What a wonderful discussion on baptism.  Even I was disappointed because one lady told me that when she came out of the water, her skin was whiter...like milk on her skin.  I didn't have that....  But, for the rest of the evening, I felt like I was walking a foot above the floor.  Also it was my Mother's 85th birthday, so I won't forget the date.  Also 24 of my family attended my baptism and dining out afterwards.  This was the first time I was ever the center of attraction before that many people.  Both of my marriages were very small.  I don't like attention brought to me.  But for Jesus, I would do anything.

Al ~ I agree...there are sometimes when you accept Christ that you can't or won't be able to be baptized.  Even my husband....when he died.  I don't know what his last thoughts were before passing away.  I only pray that he is living eternal life in heaven.  

Papa John ~ I agree and like your explaination on the many books.  The Bible is the true word.  Other books are people's opinions on the Bible.  

Gotta go....

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"Frustration is trying to find your glasses without your glasses."

Hi Everyone...


Just popped in to say "Hi" between the Computer class this morning and now leaving for London.  I had to come home to let Geordie out as it would be far too long for him to be inside and the car is too hot today to take him.

I'll talk to you all later on this evening.  I hope we have 6 pages of posts to read!!!

My son, Tony, and wife, Charlene, are leaving Friday for vacation.  I received this in an email.  Her brother, Brian, is a hoot.  He is an elder in their church but hilarious!

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Dear my close friends and family,  I got a reply back from my loving brother, and had to share it with you.  He IS a character for sure.    I sent all of you a quick note of my vacation coming up, and Brian sent me this following reply just min. ago ! !  

 
Dear Charlene my wonderful sister:    

Sounds like you will have a good time and bring me a sovenier......XL shirt size, size 12 shoe, suit coat size is 44 xtra long.  I used to go with just the long but I think the extra long fits me better.  My inseam is 34 but if you are getting me jeans I really need the 36 length (because they shrink).  Now that I think about it, even if you go with the pre shrunk jeans I still need the 36 length.  Also, remember when buying a suit and or sport jacket, always ask for a wooden hanger and a plastic garmet bag.  Remember to ask for a gift reciept or I guess a regular reciept will do fine.  On dress shirts, I think I will have you go with a 16 and a half inch neck, I used to go with the 16 inch neck but as I wear them and take them to the cleaners they tend to shrink over time and the 16 and a half ends up fitting me better in the long run.  Now I will need to have a 36 length on the sleve, most stores just stock the 34/35 but that is not quite long enough, I really need to go with the 36 or sometimes they have a 36/37---that would really be best.  You might have to go to a big and tall store to get me the proper size--that is ok with me.  Although, they don't always have as good a selection as the regular stores you might be shopping at.  Sometimes it seems that their styles lag behind the other store's latest fashion....you just have to put the extra effort into finding the right store that will fit my particular taste and size requirements.  Another thing, most stores now offer to drop ship directly to the end user, for a nominal charge, so you don't have to worry about personally taking it and packing it with your other luggage since you will be on holiday.  I really don't have a preference.  See you when you get back! Brian


Sincerely always, Charlene

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See, I told ya!!!

Papa John ~ Your explaination was as I was thinking. I guess I just wanted to hear what other christians thought of the verses I posted. I do like the way you explain things so even those looking in will want to join in because they understand the word! God Bless!

Baptism ~ I was saved at 13 years of age, but wasn't baptised until Sept. 30, 2001. I like many others experienced only the feeling that I should have done it many years ago!

I, too, was baptised twice by immersion.  The first time, I was only six years old.  Then when I was seventeen, I began to doubt my salvation, so I went through a long period of wrestling with it, and finally just said, "Lord, I know you died for me.  Come into my heart and make me clean now, if I didn't understand when I was six."  Then I was baptised again.  At least I have never again doubted my salvation!  Really, I do think it happened when I was six, but the enemy came so strongly to cause me to doubt.  

Jen, good to see you here today!

Larry, I'm sorry you have to cut back on your activities, but we do want to keep you as well as possible.  I'm sure they will miss you, but they will understand the need for you to lighten your load of activities.  God bless and keep you is my prayer.

Pat, it sounds as if you have a really full day ahead of you!

I forgot to mention that Darrel and I did find the source of the leak in the pool yesterday, which made those in charge very happy.  They had plumbers there this morning trying to figure out where in the pipe the break may be, and where the water is going.  It has been losing hundreds of gallons per day!  Very costly!  We were so glad to be able to help.

I need to do a couple of errands, and today is class day, so I'm off now, and hope to be back later.

Oh!  Sonja, I didn't feel anything special when I was baptised, either.  But just knowing we were obedient to the Lord's command is sufficient.  How wonderful that you shared the experience with your sons!  That is really special.

Good New!! My replacement camera has already been shipped. Praise God. I thought I was going to have to wait a long time. It has only been 13 days.
Well I am about to leave for work it is now 89 degrees and climbing.  Yak at Y-all later.

Marilyn

A very lovely poem comes to mind as I read your postings

Three men were walking on a wall  
 Feeling, Faith and Fact,  
 When Feeling got an awful fall!  
 And Faith was taken back.  
 So close was Faith to Feeling,  
 He stumbled and fell too  
 But Fact remained and  
 pulled Faith back  
 And Faith brought back Feeling too.

I think it is by that well known artist "Anonymous!"

Regards Margit and Chris too lol

Chrismar: very funny poem, and appropriate to todays postings. Good to see you posting here in NEM, join us here more often.

Chrismar~great poem and difinitly fits the posting for today.

Emotions are not bad.  Usually our feelings are engendered by things  we are persuaded to believe.  Feelings do not prove that we are saved but result from our conviction that we ARE saved.  When Joseph's brothers came home with his bloody coat and showed it to Jacob, their father, Jacob was overcome with grief.  This was not proof that Joseph was dead but resulted from what Jacob believed.  He believed Joseph was dead and so he was crushed.

When we think about what God has done for us we should be very happy.  We may feel like shouting or praising God.  This is all right.  But sometimes we suppress our emotions.  It is a cultural thing.  So we may be among the "frozen chosen" as Larry suggested.  Or we may be among those who raise their hands and shout.  What is important is that we be God's children, saved by grace through faith, saved by the precious blood of the Lamb.

--- Papa John              <)))><<

 

Well, I'm home.  I have a sore jaw but I'll be just fine.

I have an Avon order to pack and then I'll be back a little later on.

Hey!  Not many posted while I was away!  

Hello everyone.  Thank you all for your concern.  My foot is getting better slowly.  I am off the crutches, but it is still swollen.  But it's getting a bit better everyday.  

I was going to put something on about feelings and faith.  But I don't know how to word it so people won't take it the wrong way.  I loved looking through all the photos that I missed.  God be with you all.  Jen.

Pat,

Sorry your jaw is sore but maybe the worst is over.  Get a good night's sleep.

- - - Papa John  

Thanks Papa John...  I found out today that I will probably not have the job done till late Sept.  

They will do some necessary crown work and then the school is closed during August and then I'll return for the partial plates in Sept.

So, I'll be at the SN Bash with a toothless grin!  

Hi, Pat...went to the Algiers earthquake site - what a disaster!   Noticed tiny flags at top of page, but no USA flag.  Was wondering why.

Al Moak - good answer about 'feelings'.

Love the new picture of Papa John & Cornelia!

Larry - I have been baptized twice also because of doubt as I grew older.  Truett was baptized in the Baptist church his family attended, but when he wanted to place membership in the Church of Christ where I was a member, his baptism wasn't recognized either, so he went through the immersion again.  You're right about all the rain we've had here in Georgia!  But, the funniest thing about all this rain is that our state is still on water restriction!!  It's not easy giving up things you enjoy, but your health comes first.

Sonja - what a nice thing to be baptized the same time as your sons.

Hey,Jen - warm water with Epsom Salt for soaking your sore foot may help to make it feel better.

Pat, that's a long time to wait for your partials!  I once had a partial that aggravated me  after years of use so I had bridges made and am very happy with them.  

Good evening all!  

Jerry fixed a real nice lunch of grilled pork chops and baked taters.  Yummmmm!  It was quite cool out today....65°F so I didn't stay outside very long.  Kind of warm when the sun was shining but the clouds were more predominant.  So I went inside while Jerry removed nails from used boards.  His couch is sooooo comfy!!!

It is still cool out.  I have the furnace on.

Pat ~ Hope your jaw is okay by morning.

Marilyn ~ Glad you will be getting your camera soon.  Could you use the library pc for your camera set up?

Jen ~ Sorry about your swollen leg.  Did I miss somewhere as to why you are on crutches?

Chrismar ~ Funny poem.  Good to see you posting in NEM.  This is where we meet each time we come to CP....I do, anyway!

Everyone have a Blessed Evening/Night

Joan, bridges would be the best way to go but the $$$$ aren't available now that Jack's passed away.  Six months after he died, the dental plan ceased so this is why I'm travelling to the Dental College.  They are wonderful down there.  I have to have a bridge removed now that was put in in 1958 at Toronto Dental College and it's served me well all these years.

Hi Etta Sue!