Christian Photographers Community

Morning Devotional...


My soul shall be joyful in my God for. . . He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness. . . But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.
Isaiah 61:10; 64:6


In which garb will you appear before God--the "robe" or the "rags"?

The "robe of righteousness" denotes that perfect fitness for God's presence, which is ours when we accept Christ as Saviour and Lord. When we do so, He Himself becomes our complete "covering".

Any other clothing of our own design and making are but "filthy rags" and will prove to be totally unacceptable to God.
--G. Hall





HYMN HISTORY:

The family of Count Nicholas Ludvig Von Zinzendorf was one of the wealthiest in all Saxony. So when the young nobleman wound up his law studies in the university of Wittenberg he set out to see the world in luxury.

However, he only got as far as an art gallery in Dusseldorf. There, pondering a painting of Christ with his bowed head and the inscription 'This have I done for thee, and what hast thou done for me"', the young count was smitten with conviction.

He went back to his estate in Berthelsdorf with a heavy heart - and miserable. But God was dealing with him. At twenty-two, on his wedding day, he and his bride put aside their rank of nobility to follow in the simple footsteps of the lowly man of Galilee.

Shortly after this a religious outcast named Christian David wandered into Berthelsdorf. Christian David belonged to a society known as 'The Moravian Brethren'. The Moravians had been founded some three hundred years earlier by John Huss, known in history books as 'The Old Goose of Bohemia.' Zinzendorf took David in and then rounded up all the other brethren he could find so that within ten years, six hundred Moravians were living on his estate. He organised them into missionary groups and sent them off to the far corners of the earth.

To Greenland they went, to Holland and India, to America and the Indies these pioneers of missionary endeavour set forth with holy zeal.

Long before William Carey put down his cobbler's last to take up the Bible and long before John and Charles Wesley had preached a sermon or wrote a hymn, the Moravians had one hundred and sixty-five missions scattered throughout the world.

They faced disease, poverty, loneliness and persecution; but nothing stopped them from carrying on the work of the crucified Christ, whose picture their leader had seen in an art gallery at Dusseldorf.

On December 21st 1741, Zinzendorf himself founded a mission and preached to the Indians in Pennsylvania. As it was only four days to Christmas he named the colony Bethlehem. It's a great steel centre today and the Moravian capital of the United States.

The former Count saw the world - but not in luxury. When he died, back in his native Saxony, aged sixty, there wasn't even enough money to pay for his grave.

Zinzendorf wrote 2,000 hymns during his long life of service for Christ, among them this one penned in 1739 while on board a ship on the way to establish a mission in the West Indies.

Jesus: Thy blood and righteousness,
My beauty are, my glorious dress,
'Midst flaming words, in these arrayed;
With joy shall I lift up my head.

When you think of all that Count Zinzendorf gave up and all he endured for the sake of Christ's kingdom surely you're bound to be persuaded that he meant everything he wrote.

Closing early or what? Well, Good Night.

No, it's just about that time, Marilyn.

I was just waiting, PAT!  I didn't want to get bonked when you locked the door .... 

I had a really great day today <Friday, that is>... I went to meet with my tax attorney and realized I was there right at lunch time and the door was locked!  So I just shopped at Dollar Tree for a little while and came on home.  A friend knocked on the door only minutes after I got in and we visited a while ... I got to tell her about the blessing of wood last weekend, and the further blessings that have followed since then.  She asked why I was looking at the clock and I said "We are supposed to be at the Nursing Home to sing at 2 o'clock."  I thought she had come to visit until time for us to go over there, but she hadn't even known today was the day!  Anyway, I took her to get her car and we went on to the NH ... There were several of us there and we had a wonderful time singing for the residents, in the cafeteria, then we went on to the other wing where the Alzheimer's patients are, and had another wonderful, fun, happy time singing there.  I left there, after hugs all around with my friends, and went on to the attorney's office. 

He had good news for me, too!  I am greatly relieved that this ordeal is coming to a close.  He said these people just want to clear their books and be done with it!  I assured him I was more than willing to have that happen too!   

God is sooooo good -- ALL THE TIME -- And that's enough to make me sing <one of the choruses we sang at the NH>

Well, that's my story .... I'll be back later.  Y'all have a wonderful weekend. 

Are we all enjoying the WORD ASSOCIATION GAME or what?? 

We're already on page 12!!!

Or WHAT, Pat .... This is fun!!   

Thanks for the devotional, Pat.  I have not had time to read the postings for the past two days.  Will do so tomorrow (today) as it is not 10 PM and it has been a very long day!!!

I am posting a prayer request for a dear friend of Wendy....they are the same age and she has a son Amanda's age.  They have all been close since the kids were in kindergarden.  We learned today that Marjorie has breast cancer.  So terribly sad.  Don't know about the treatment yet as she is looking into a good surgeon.  No longer going to church...she went to the Anglican Church at one time.  Feel so worried.

Wendy and I are going to start going to the local Gym.  I purchased a trial and she is a member.  Neither of us can go much on the equipment, but they have an Infra Red Sauna (developed at Nasau) that does much to relieve pain.  My arthritis is becoming pretty terrible in the spine and of course she is in constant pain from the accident.  So we are hoping it will help....especially Wendy!!!

I posted some of Amanda's Art Work under 'Creations With a Brush'.  They are actually creations with a pencil this time.  Hope you will check them out......

Must close now.  Pleasant dreams and God Bless.

Liz

Welcome, welcome, welcome to all the newcomers.  It feels like family you haven't seen in a long while.     If I could, I'd give you big ol hugs and look at Jesus in your eyes.  I can't do that, but I will be blessed to see Jesus in your words.  I hope you get to love this place as much as I do.  I don't make it here everyday, but try to read all the posts when I come in.

Guess what?!  I still haven't read the testimonies.  How could I have missed that?  It's always so wonderful to read how the Lord led others to Himself and their response.  In every testimony you see His incredible love being poured out.   

I'm heading to bed, but wanted to at least peek my head in and say goodnight.  I'll see you next time.  Love and blessings in Christ.  Nita

Goodmorning 11.33AM in the Netherlands.

PAT thank you very much for the devotional very good
also the hymns nice.

But i think you have lost a lot weight i can see it on the photo

LIZ i also go to the prayers it is so terrible for Marjorie but i shall pay for here.

KATHY you are now being 65 years are you now also retired no more working
then i am happy for you.

The most afternoons are people from the village where my father has a home to him then are we not going . We are going every evening.
I thank you all for your prayers he needs that.
The village where he is living is 612 years old. When the village was 600 years old then there has been a very great party the hole week. I also am born in that village. Now am i living in Veendam that is a greater place but Veendam is the coming year 350 years old.

Also with my cousin Albert also the cousin from JudyB and John (Bonesy) it is going not good. He lost now weight by the day. The most time he is on bed.
Monday he must for control to the hospital but there also shall stand a bed for him.
We are thinking that he can no more go to the centre for terminal care there are no beds.
There you can only talking. But at once it is going so soon. So young and no Christian it is so sad.


Must now send a mail to Canada to JudyB and call today my aunt John's mother.

My computer is now very good happy i have saved the most e-mail adress and my favorite sites.

It is raining in Holland but not cold.


JOHN 6 : 35
Then Jesus declared, Ï am the bread of life.
He who comes to me will never go hungry,
and he who believes in Me will never be thirsty."

                                  JESUS

                          Jesus, and only Jesus,
                   is the answer to every prayer.
                 He is the Fulfillment...the Blessing...
                       the Solution...the Healing...
                 the Peace that passes all understanding
                       Jesus will always be all we need

We must change the time we get back wintertime the clock one hour back
you also in Amerika and Canada?

I will also go this weekend to the other forums there have i this week no have time for but this weekend i make time.

LOVE Y'All
RIA   


                                       

                       


     

A very early Good Morning to everyone:

Yes, Ria... here in Ontario where I live, we turn the clocks back one hour!  I wish they would leave it that way.....kind of a nusiance, having to do that.  I usually forget one or two clocks...does anyone else?  Some states are on different time zones than we are here in Ontario.

Nothing new since I posted early last evening, except we had one good rain, with lots of lightening. Around 2:30 this morning, it woke me up, and I remembered that I hadn't turned off my computer, so if anyone received an email at that early hour from me, well, thats why I was up...but not for long!

Hope everyone has a good Saturday.  We are expecting our daughter, her two girls, and an exchange student visiting from France, to be with us tonight and for part of tomorrow.  I'm looking forward to that!

Looking through the word challenge game, I do have to confess to a bit of indignation to see the words itinerary and vacation linked together :-)  You know for us missionaries, when we speak of our itinerary and itineration, it is NOT a vacation.  LOL.  Sorry, it is very interesting to see how people link words together.  I do have a suggestion to make it more than just a word.  If you post a word, put a picture next to it, so it would tie in to the photography theme here on the site as well... 

I took a trip yesterday to Gomel with a couple of other Missionary men here in Belarus.  We listened to a good book, "The Next Generation Leader" by Andy Stanley (son of Charles).  Had some good insights and discussions concerning leadership and mentoring.  But for the most part we went just to get away from our normal stuff, and go take some pictures.  People must have looked at us funny on the trip, because we would just stop quickly and all jump out with our cameras and take pictures of different scenes or whatever looked interesting.  Today, I'm finishing up a sermon for a Spiritual Emphasis that our Bible School is having this weekend.  I'm the closer of the whole time, and will be preaching on Power.  Being a Pentecostal you can probably guess where the scripture is coming from for the sermon.  Pray though, as the students have been praying and fasting for 3 days for this time. 

This is post 100 for me, so I think I'm moving up to a regular member now :-)

Talk more later...

Good Morning Everyone!

It's a very grey day here in Guelph.  It rained a lot in the night and thunder and lightening.  It kept Geordie and I awake for a long time. 

I'll be back in a little while.

Hi all,

I really appreciate the great devotionals you share, Pat, and I also want to thank you for allowing us to post our webpage.

I've so enjoyed the great posts and fellowship offered on your board.  I've already learned so much.  Thanks to everyone for making me feel so welcome.

Gwen, it's our priviledge to have you here among us.  I'm so glad that you feel right at home.  We want you to feel welcome.  If your webpage allows linking, some of your posters with scripture verses would be nice in our Photos with Scripture Message section.  Chris over in England has kept that area on our forums really busy and they are such a joy to look at.  We just ask that they be no larger than 500 pixels wide or high and 35K or under in size.

Please continue to make yourself at home here at CP and soon you'll know all of us.

             OH HOW TRUE!!

October 30   

Failure and Success: Unsung But Singing

But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God; in much
patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses...as unknown,
and yet well known.... 
--2 Corinthians 6:4,9

Unsung but singing: this is the short and simple story of many today
whose names are not known beyond the small circle of their own small
company. Their gifts are not many nor great, but their song is sweet
and clear....

Well, the world is big and tangled and dark, and we are never sure
where a true Christian may be found. One thing we do know: the more
like Christ he is the less likely it will be that a newspaper
reporter will be seeking him out. However much he may value the
esteem of his fellow men, he may for the time be forced to stand
under the shadow of their displeasure. Or the busy world may
actually not even know he is there--except that they hear him
singing.  Born After Midnight, 54-55.

"Father, may my song today be a sweet sound in Your ears--even if
in Yours alone. Amen."

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"Coming in on a wing and a prayer"........

Hello everyone.  It is pouring with rain here again......

Carol.  re "Elli" I am not crying, just keep going very cold as I read it.  It is beautifully written.  Livia "Elli" is a Hungarian Jew.Her story is different to Ann Frank's but just as tragic. Elie Wiesel said of this book "Among the most moving documents I have read in years....you will not forget it."  I had other things to do so had to drag myself away a couple of times.  Will get back to it later today and hope to finish it this weekend.  It is written in simple story form...beautiful.
I have ordered Elie Wiesel's book "Night" from my library.  If they have problems it is on Amazon.,also I have all of Primo Levi's writings Carol.  He was an Italian Jew, deported to Auschwitz.  Humanity still has not learned it's lesson.  We still imprison people in cages.

Gwen.  Hello.  It's nice to see you on C.P. again, finding your way round.

Yes, our clocks go back an hour tonight, so that it will get dark earlier. There has been talk about sending children to school earlier in the mornings as they do in Europe, but so far it is only talk. 

Have a blessed weekend everyone.

Marilyn.  see you later.

Jenny.

I have my door open and watching for my nieces van to drive into Ivalou's driveway.  She was to leave Ohio at 7 a.m. (6 a.m. here) so she should be driving in any minute.  Then we are going to downtown Indy to the RCA Dome to watch high school band competitions.  There are to be 34 bands.  If Edie's school gets in the top 10, then we will stay for tonight and watch the finals!  I have never done this but I have heard about band competition for years.  I am excited.

Have a God-filled day everyone!!!!!

<)))><<~~<)))><<~~<)))><<~~<)))><<~~<)))
"One day i"ll look back on this and laugh."

Ohh, Chris... 

Quote

"Father, may my song today be a sweet sound in Your ears--even if
in Yours alone. Amen."

Morning all. It's been a long time since I have posted. Anyhow, I (and about 500 people) had a little bit of a exciting night last night. As some of you may recall I go to a small Christian high school. There are about 500 students, K-12. We have a very small campus flanked by a church and behind us a very, shall we say, interesting place. Last night was our Family Fun Nite. Most of the elementary kids (and some of the secondary and JH kids) come to FFN as an alternative to Halloween. Each grade and group from the school has their own little booth to raise money. I am part of NHS (National Honor Society) which is a service oriented organization, and our Honduras Mission trip. I was dividing my time between the two booths. Oh, by the way, we have two gyms, Gundy Hall and "The Chico Dome." I was in the Chico Dome for Honduras and Gundy Hall for the NHS booth. That meant I had to walk back and forth to both booths. At about 7:00, I was walking down to Gundy to check on the NHS booth. I was going to normal route when a staff member stopped me and told me to go around, down by the portables and down the back road. In other words, the long way. I finished checking up on the booth and was walking back. Down below they had blocked off the normal route. I had to walk around the long way again. I was back at the Honduras booth and asked anyone what was going on. They all looked at me and said no. I said that I they were blocking off Gundy. Most of us thought it was just that someone had tripped down the stairs, had a heartattack, or a seizure or some other medical thing. I went off looking to see if I could find anyone to tell me. They then announced they wanted to see a student (he is in my class). I thought perhaps one of his little brothers or sisters had fallen down the stairs or something had happened and they wanted to make sure he knew. About 5 minutes later, my math teacher came in an made an annoncement that no one could leave the Chico Dome. That's when the 300-500 people began to evacute Gundy Hall and arrive in Chico. The vast majority of people did not seem concerned. There was a few teary eyed people but not to many. A lot of people still thought it was a medical emergency or a gas leak. I heard that there were some sheriffs and fire trucks outside. I never saw the fire trucks. About 5 minutes later, our principal came in and announced that there was a stranger on campus and a bomb threat had been made. You should realize that nothing like this has EVER happened in the 12 years I have been going to this school so it was a bit of a shock. When our principal said "stranger" just about everyone's first thought was the neighbor behind the school. It is sad that that is normally first thought but I don't blame them. This neighbor is a little off his rocker sometimes. There have been a few run-ins with the fella in the past including a restraining order. In short, let's just say, he could use Jesus   .

By then, the cops had surrounded the school ridding my thoughts of Beslan, Russia. Oh, I forgot to mention that when I first found out about this, I grabbed my camera. I am the photographer for my schools new newspaper (our first publishing date is two weeks away. By then, this news would be stale.) I grabbed my camera and started taking a few shots. I couldn't get outside to see any of the emergency vehicles. My principal announced that they were beginning to open up a few rows in the closed off parking lot. My mom wanted to go but my dad didn't. His truck was still in the close off portion and he didn't want to leave it overnight. By 8:00 they were beginning to close down the parking lot again so we figured we had better leave now or we'd find out just how long a bomb sqaud takes to search every vehicle left. A very educational experience. We decided to leave and as we were going out, we passed some of the bomb squad getting ready.

As of now, I now know that the stranger had a little scuffle with one of the students (the student previously mentioned here). It is also rumored that the stranger may have been on campus a few weeks ago. Our "security guard" who is actually the facilities manager here had a talk with him. I overheard one of the staff members telling my mom and dad (my mom is the librarian at the school) saying it may have been the same guy. In the local newspaper it was said that the stranger had been inside the building and my principal had attempted to get him but he got away. The stranger was said to have called 911 four times and say there was a package that was going to go off and to save the children.

Interestingly enough, we had had an intruder drill about a week ago! I feel that God wanted us to have that drill. We hadn't had one in nearly 2 years so it was a good refresher for the staff and students. In any case, this event came as a shock to many since we have had no problems with any bombs, guns etc. before.

We ended up leaving my dad's truck so I'm heading over at about 8 to pick it up and clean up Gundy hall which was still closed last night.

I guess you could say this is one giant praise request! Everyone is safe!

Ohhhh, CheckSix!!!  What a time you all had!  I'm so happy that you are safe and sound.  You'll have to share some of the photos with us that you took. 

What an evening! 

Thanks for sharing this with us.

(By the way, I love your profile photo!  )

Thanks Pat! Yeah, I'll try to post a some of the photos. I was a little timid not knowing what some of the parents would do if I photographed their children crying  . I ended up shooting blindly or shooting from the hip as they say.

Hi everyone.

I have just read of your experience checksix and my what a night you all had.  You will not soon forget that family fun night.  Certainly glad there was no bomb but these things must be taken very seriously in the days we now live in.  

Etta Sue, hope you have a wonderful time listening to the bands.  I have seen some of the band competitions on TV and they are usually very entertaining.  Being there will give you the sense of the excitement involved in the event as well.  Glad you can go.

Jenny, that sounds like quite an interesting book.  One of the school buses runs though our neighborhood at 6:30 am.  

Chris, your devotional from Tozar is certainly representative of what is happening in our society.  The news media seldom have anything good to say about Christians or Christian groups.

Gwen, nice to see you posting here in NEM.  Glad you are feeling welcome because that is what you and everyone coming to CP are is very welcome.

Pat, is sounds like you got our grey days up your way.  We actually had no fog this morning and the sun is shining so it will be a nice day.  Thanks for the devotional this morning.

Shief, sounds like you had a nice outing and will be looking forward to seeing some of those photos from the trip.

Judy, I agree with in wishing we could leave the clocks at one time setting.  However, it is a good reminder of the need to change batteries in our smoke detectors and reminds me that I need to get some new batteries.

Liz, certainly sorry to hear that Wendy's friend has cancer.  It seems we hear of so much of that and that is a tough cancer to fight.  

Nita, we have missed your postings.  Glad to see you back this morning.

Ria, that is certainly an old town in which you were born.  Sorry to read that your cousin and your father are both having such a hard time.  

Jane, what an uplifting day you had yesterday and it sounds like it came just at the right moment.  It brings to mind the old saying about it being the darkest before the dawn.  

Marilyn, sure glad you found the solutions to the problems you were having with your PSP lessons.  Also glad to hear that Gloria is now well enough to return home.

Louise, you certainly have an interesting story to tell and I must say you write very well in English.  Was learning the French, as spoken in France, like a totally different language than the French you spoke in your community?

I plan a quiet day today taking in several of the football games on TV from the comfort of my recliner.  I have my laptop set up right beside the recliner so can work on it at the same time if I want to.  Pat is making some oatmeal cookies this morning.  Hope everyone has a nice day.

Quote 

I plan a quiet day today taking in several of the football games on TV from the comfort of my recliner.  I have my laptop set up right beside the recliner so can work on it at the same time if I want to.  Pat is making some oatmeal cookies this morning.  Hope everyone has a nice day.

HAHAHAHA!  Larry, don't be jumping up and down in your excitement watching the games!  But the cookies sound good.

Good Morning, I am a little late in getting here. I had an early chat with Jenny on IM and have made a macaroni salad for the potluck tomorow. I always like to do it a day ahead of time, so the salad will have time to season. It is always better the next day.

Then I am going to pick up Gloria's antibiotics at the local drug store and take them to her. Not necessarily a busy day since I don't work for Gloria anymore I can come and go at the times I please. But I am going to help her get somethings done there.

It is raining again her after yesterday of clouds and sunshine. Our rainy season has started a bit early this year.

Time for me to get dressed and clean up my kitchen before I get on witht he day.

TTYL

  Wow, CheckSix!    Sounded like you all had a scarey deal.  Glad things come out alright.  I also like you profile picture!

Football and oatmeal cookies! mmmm...for the cookies and ewww...for the football.    Hope you have a fun, relaxing day, Larry!

I am off to cook some breakfast.  Turkey bacon with eggs.  yummm..I am starving. 

Have a good day, folks!

 Â    Well here I am and I am still seeing great results taking this steroids,I saw dr on wed and he was totally floored.Mom  just shakes her in in disbelief,it is such a great inprovement>I made it all day tue w/o any pain med and didn't have to take anything untill around 4:30 am.The PT has given me more exercises to try and the homehealth nurse is a true blessing she is the one who got all this stuff started she is my age and could not stand seeing me in such a hard condition.John and I are really getting close,I never dreamed I'd ever find "The  soulmate"but I have PTL,I thank God everyday for John's Mom   Mary cause w/o her I wouldn't have him.Meika is not being a very good dog she is regresing back to puppyhood tearing things up,she is so jealous of Miracle and Cookie she wants all my attintion all to her self.I actually slept last night except for the 3 times I got up it was pretty good,still though woke up with the leg and foot pain and did take something early this AM.Thank you all for all your prayers they are being answered in His own time and own way,the DR.said may be short termed but I will take short over nothing.I hate the side effects tho,making me eat like a pig and boy am  I grumpy ,I am taking it out on the bird.Love you all and more good news to share as it comes,Beth

This is wonderful news, Beth!  Thanks so much for letting us know but we're not going to stop praying for you.  I'm just so happy about this.

Hi again...thought I'd call back and see if the kettle is on the boil for a nice cup of tea Pat  , always room for an extra cuppa.

Yes Marilyn and I caught up with each other earlier today and I was able then to pop out for a ride in the park.  hardly anyone about it is so cold and dark outside.  Tomorrow will be darker as our clocks alter tonight. Well folks, won't wer all just have to take things one day at a time.

Checksix.  Gosh, how very frightening for you all and thankfully you were all organised and no panic. I pray God that this will not happen again...to any school, even in hoax. I agree with Pat...what a nice looking young man....

Pushkin my dear cat is in again...he's curled up on the chair.  He seems much more settled to being house cat now.

Larry.  Glad to see you using your time wisely....enjoy and rest. 

Beth dear one.  I too thank-God that He has brought you and John together.  It is a wonderful miracle that these steroids are giving you much more release from discomfort and that you can be a little more mobile.

................back to my book.

t.t.f.n.
Jenny.

Thanks for your prayers for my safe travel and for my granddaughter, Kassie. Her tummy is still hurting today and while the doctor in the Er gave her an IV to bring her fluids back up within normal boundaries, Mark is concerned about her appendix. Appreciate your prayers.

My trip was uneventful. There was a bit of fog, but I could still see to drive safely with reduced speed. So, the dogs and I arrived safely, and I was even able to walk them to the pen and get them in safely. Then, after a few moments' rest, could even go back to the truck to  get out my suitcase and the medicine case. So, much to thank God for today.

What a scary experience at school! I'm glad y'all made it okay.

Baby Georgia and I had fun this morning. She's a real sweetie.

Jane, gla dyou had a good day and that it seems things will be settled. What a blessing to be able to cast our cares of Him - He truly shows how much He cares for us.

Pam asked that I thank y'all for your prayers for Kassie and for the entire family.


Beth, I'm really grateful for your improvement, and I'm so very thankful you and John have found each other. It's quite a ways to new York, but the love continues, and for that I'm thankful. How wonderful you and John's mom are close and how wonderful you have your mom and dad, and the caregivers who help so much.

Marilynk, it's good to see that you and Jenny are so close. Please letg her know hwo much I love each of you.

Must go to lunch - wonder what Pam fixed for us. Yum, smells very good.

Love y'all.

Ruth Ann