Christian Photographers Community

Hi everyone from little Grayson, Georgia (which is about 30 miles east of Atlanta on the way to Athens, Georgia where the University of Georgia is located.

This year has certainly flown by quickly.  Pat and I will follow our normal practice and stay safely ensconced in our nice warm home.  I feel my car and Pat and I are much safer not to be on the roads on this particular evening.  It is unlikely I will stay up to see the new year arrive as that is way past my bedtime.  The last couple of years we have attended a New Year's Day brunch at the home of one of the couples in our Sunday School class.  However, it is not being held this year.  We just don't have the room to entertain that large a group and no one else offered this year.  I will probably watch the Peach Bowl this evening and am watching another bowl game as I type.  The University of Georgia plays in a bowl game tomorrow starting at 11 am so will have to watch that game.  Of course, before the game I will meet some of my retired friends at McDonald's for our morning coffee.  The cafe where we regularly go on Saturday is closed tomorrow.

Dave, we are happy to welcome you to the CP site.  It is nice when both the man and wife participate.  It was nice to welcome your wife a few days ago.

Pat, thank you for putting together the HTML Newsletter.  It was a nice way to end the year and start the new year.

Janet, sure glad the repairman found your connection problem.  Wish I lived close enough to help you with your computer.  Maybe you can get your grandson to do some maintenance on it during the holiday break from school.

John, what was your special birthday surprise that Beth had planned.  I see Janet indicated there was a special cake and a steak dinner at their place.  Was that the surprise?

Karmat, glad that Nards and Travis let you sleep in today. 

Chris, that is certainly a beautiful picture you posted and I liked that listing of dog items. 

Marilyn, hope your pie crust turned out well.  My wife will occasionally make her own crust but most often just uses those she has purchased at the store.  We use the plastic tubs to store our Christmas decorations in our storage shed and they work very well.  I remember last year when I opened one of the containers things had been soaked by water.  I thought this just isn't possible and then discovered we had stored a snow globe decoration we had and the seal had leaked or in the winter it has frozen and broken the seal.  We are careful not to store anything like that with the docorations again.

Tbear, I liked your dove illustration in your message. 

Jane, sure tomorrow will be a tough day for you remembering the loss of your child. 

Etta Sue that was a very pretty card you made.  It looks like you were putting your Paint Shop Pro lessons to good use.  I notice Pat and Marilyn (and probably some of the others posting) also are putting in some really nice graphics they have made.

Bob, Suzanne,  Samanta, Fast Eddie, Al and anyone I have missed mentioning thanks for posting.

I think this has been a memorable year for the CP site under the very able hand of Pat Scott.  I am sure we all share an appreciation for Pat's unfailing efforts. 
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I am just checking the sites in my computer and must get off soon as we will pick up cousin & wife arriving from Minneapolis to Phoenix airport.  It is overcast here but we have missed two last days of storms at home.  Am dismayed to find that the party in this Senior park is having the dinner very late & close to midnight - not our style at all to eat late.  And, we are hosting breakfast for six others here tomorrow morning with the main course of biscuits and gravy - Don cooks that part and leaves the rest to me. 

Best of health and happiness to all.  Stay safe.  Carol

Happy New years everybody!!!!!
Hey I think I erased my profile pic how do I put one up?
Thanks for the awsome forum CP
Matt

Never mind about my pic, I had it downsized and I didn't notice.
Happy Y2K+5 everybody

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It's 2005 now in Scotland!!

A Happy New Year to you from Tong on the Isle of Lewis, Scotland.

A New Year and a new start for each one us. The 365 yesterdays of the year 2004 have gone, and they cannot be retrieved nor altered. I am sure that there are many things in the past 12 months that we would like to have done differently. There are words we wish we had spoken and words that we deeply regret uttering.

Like the Apostle there is much that I would like to forget and leave behind. I hope that I will do things differently, both today and in the days that lie ahead if I am fortunate enough to see them.  I ask the Lord to grant me wisdom each day in order that I may learn His ways and His Will in my life.

If Paul had dwelt on his former life - persecuting the church he was now trying to build - his ministry would have failed miserably. His conscience would have paralyzed him. He needed to forget those things that were behind him, and to reach forward to a new goal, a new prize and a much higher calling.

This time of year lends itself to remembrance.

I cannot help but think of my younger days with my brother and my parents. I am fortunate as I cannot think of any ‘bad’ days or times with them. There is nothing that I remember at this time of year that haunts me in any way. (I am simply talking here recalling the way my parents brought me up and the New Years that we brought in together). My memories are pleasant and, being an emotional person, a lump remains in my throat long after the bells have tolled the New Year.

I am not usually one for making resolutions, but I would instead be free and clean, following repentance, and eager for a new start. Many times it is not God who condemns me but I myself and my own unbelief that do so. Having sought cleansing for all my sins and shortcomings, I fail to fully accept God’s pardon.

This is sin and simply adds to my misery. It is not the way for me to live an effective Christian life.

I cannot seek God’s favour and forgiveness if I afterward hold on to or remember my sins! If He has promised to ‘remember them no more’ then why should I struggle and burden myself with them? It is a good thing to be aware of my sin and sinfulness, but it is an even better thing to fully accept God’s way of forgiveness.

I have to seek a safe haven for my soul, both for time and eternity, just as surely and fervently as a manslayer in Biblical times found safety in the city of refuge from the avenger of blood.

This New Years morning I need to be fully persuaded of my safety in Christ Jesus.

God has shown me that I am a sinner in need - I am in need of a Saviour, and God has provided that Saviour for me in Christ Jesus. He came, not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. “They that are whole need not a physician, but those who are sick.” I am one of those who need the healing power of the Great Physician.

I need Jesus Christ the only Saviour. I need Him to fully save me.  I need Him to save me - all of me - and I need Him today! Without His righteousness I am undone and guilty before the thrice-Holy God.

But the righteousness provided by Christ is a complete and perfect righteousness. I do not want my own righteousnesses, which are but filthy rags in God’s sight. I require a righteousness that will stand in God’s Court of Justice, and the only righteousness that I can fully depend upon is the righteousness of Christ imparted or imputed to sinners like me who believe in His name and in His finished work.

When a sinner saved by the grace of God is found clothed with the righteousness of Christ, He is then justified before God. This means that we can stand complete in Christ, before a Holy God just as if we had never sinned. I am being cautious with my wording because so many Christians get their justification and sanctification mixed up - and this causes unnecessary anxiety and fear.

I know that justification and sanctification are two big words that are not often used in every day conversations, but they are important doctrines for all Christians to grasp. The more we understand them the greater the liberty that we will enjoy in our lives.

If I am saved and cleansed through the blood of Jesus Christ my Lord, and if I am clothed with His righteousness, then I am as justified before God today as I ever will be throughout eternity. My legal standing will not change even through the process of my death.

Paul was as desirous of being sanctified as he was of being justified. He was as eager to know the power of Christ’s death and resurrection to kill sin within him and to raise him up to a newness of life as he was to receive the benefits of Christ’s death and resurrection in his justification.

I too must be eager to seek sanctification but I fear that all too often I get in the way of God’s dealing with me. You see I try to ‘sanctify’ myself, and it simply can’t be done. Sanctification is just as much God’s work alone as is justification!! I have a great tendency to forget this, and I end up feeling miserable and depressed.

Whenever I am convicted of sin, whether it be a neglect of duty or a more open sin, then my first attempt at correction is to try and please God and atone for my sins by ‘pleasing’ Him in some way or other. It may be by going onto my knees and praying for a while, it may be reading a few ‘extra’ chapters in my Bible or it may even be some good work, like visiting someone in hospital or someone who is poorly in their own home.

How foolish can I be? I know that I cannot add to God’s way of salvation, but knowing doesn’t stop me from trying! I also know that to please God I must live by faith. But what do I do? I try to please Him through my own good works!

Such things may ease my conscience for a little while, but sin and its guilt  not only remains, they increase!!

Salvation is through faith and by grace alone.
Justification is God’s work
Sanctification is God’s work.

Get these things into your thick head, Mackenzie!!

It seems that I have to learn the same lessons over and over again!

God is good, and He has not held my faults or my failings against me. He has never put up His hand when I have sought forgiveness, nor has He said to me, ‘No, Iain, not this time. I have given you enough chances and enough clean slates.’

He has never turned His back on me, nor has He broadcast my faults to anyone. He is a Friend who is always available 24/7 and in the year 2004 there was not one moment when He forgot about me or let me down.

Last year was the first year in my Christian life that I honestly started to enjoy God in my daily walk. My relationship with Him became more intimate, and in fact this came about through the increased number of difficulties that I found myself facing. If 2003 was a difficult year for me then 2004 was more so, yet it was more blessed.

God led me in ways and in paths that I would never have traversed. I faced experiences that threatened to crush me, yet He saw my safely through them all.

As I take my first few steps into 2005 I take God’s proven faithfulness with me. I lean heavier upon Him than I did this time last year. If 2005 proves to be harder than 2004, then so be it - my confidence, my way, my life and my hand is firmly placed in His hand.

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. I press on as being justified in Christ Jesus, and I press on as being sanctified through His Word and Spirit - toward the place that He has prepared for His own and where I will never be parted from Him nor from the Church triumphant.

My friend, leave the sins of yesterday where they belong and step forward as a new man/woman in Christ Jesus. He alone can give His own a fresh start. What better way to start the year 2005 than with a completely clean slate?

The blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son cleanses us from all sin. Your sins and iniquities I will remember no more. Enjoy today. Enjoy 2005. Enjoy your God. May He richly bless your soul this day with His presence.

With love

Your brother in Christ

Iain

Edited by : Pastor Al Moak

Hi everyone yes Beth surprised Me with a cake. It was chocolate, My favorite, with white frosting and had a New York Yankees decoration on it. I'm a huge Yankees fan and Beth knows it.  the Steak dinner and the cake were very nice and I had a good time. I only have 2 more days here as I head home Sunday afternoon. though Beth is trying to figure out how to kidnap Me.

Quote from: Larry Hanna on December 31, 2004, 05:55:18 PM

Jane, sure tomorrow will be a tough day for you remembering the loss of your child.  

Actually, LARRY, today is the anniversary of Jean's death.  New Year's Eve 1999.  She didn't make it to Y2K. 

PAT I do appreciate all your efforts to make this the special place that it is...I admire all the work and devotional thoughts and graphics and love from all the other moderators here, as well.  Y'all are AWESOME!!

Much love to each of you this New Years eve. I wish hope, health, happiness, and holiness to be part and parcel of every life touched by CP.

Ruth Ann

Hi Everyone
Happy new year and God's riches blessing to all,from New Zealand. My prayer for all(including me) is that as we start this brand new year to be of good courage, not to be  afraid and to do everything as unto the Lord.

Pro 16:3  Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

Jos 1:9  Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest
In Jesus wonderful name
Lionel

Love and good health to all.

For me this year is ending with something so very special and almost next to impossible but God is the miracle worker.  It saw Sue's girlfriend united with a half-brother (given up for adoption 42 yrs ago) and it was a bold question on my part to a co-worker (was your husband given up many yrs ago - they new the step father's name through an adoption search) the rest is now history.

I live in Nobleton Ontario Canada a little spot north of Toronto.

Ruth

I am dropping in tonight to wish all our brothers and sisters here a very HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Time passes by so quickly.  It is a gift we have and there is just so much of it.  Soon it will be over.  So the opportunities we have each day are precious.  When a day is lived we can never go back and live it again.  When a year is over it will never come again. 

This day, the last day of 2004 is in fact the LAST day of this year.  2004 will be gone forever.  This says to us that we should make the most of each day. 

Tomorrow we begin a NEW YEAR.  If we live through it we will have 365 days, but we do not have the promise of all this time.  I hope we will all be here this time next year but more important I hope we will all live for the Lord each day we have.

Rom 5:6  You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.  (NIV)

2 Cor 6:2  For he says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.  (NIV)

Gal 4:4-5  But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law,  to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.  (NIV)

Gal 6:9  Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  (NIV)

2 Tim 4:6  For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure.  [/u](NIV)

1 Pet 4:17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?  (NIV)

Eph 5:15-16  See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.  (KJV)

--- Papa John          <)))><<   
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Nice to hear from you, Lionel - we love to hear from the kiwi plantations!  NZ is one of my most desired places to visit in all the world.  It's good to meet a Christian there.

Hii, everyone.  I'm checking in from the Oregon coast.

I'll be staying home tonight, and tomorow also.  I had to run to the store earlier to get cat food,  and didn't even want to do that, but the cats were insisting that I feed them.

Chris, your Dog Thoughts is so neat.  I copied it, of course.  

A year ended, and now a brand new year is almost upon us.  Some of you are already there.   Wait at the entrance for us over here, and we'll be there as soon as we can.

I always look forward to a new year........new beginnings.....for I know that each day is in God's calendar....the events planned for each of us in it.....and not one day is outside of His purpose for us 

Lord, draw us ever nearer as the Day approaches.  amen

                          Happy New Year!         God Bless yall are the best!                 [/b]

Wishing a Happy New Year to Pat and everyone at Christian Photographers!

Beverly

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2005[/size]

I live in Toronto, Canada.      Love Ruthie

http://www.cryofthespirit.com/change.html

Quote from: Babycakes38 on December 31, 2004, 05:33:07 PM
Karmat

How close are you to Asheville? or Candler? We went there a few years ago to see the Primitive Quartet during the 4th of July week. You live in a wonderfull area, I just love the mountains. though Pigeon Forge is a close as we get lately.

Happy New Year

Samantha

We are "right next to" Candler.  On the old road (not interstate), Candler is the next town out of Canton (going west).  Less than 20 miles.  I am in Asheville regularly as my in-laws live there and they are one of my son's favorite baby sitters. :-)

I have been to the singing you speak of several times.

Happy New Years!!
May your new year be filled with joy, from the Lord.

Ezra 6:22 And kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy: for the LORD had made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria unto them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.

And with this post, I say......... good night.
Bob

Quote from: tolovemoon on January 01, 2005, 12:50:15 AM
http://www.cryofthespirit.com/change.html

Thanks for this link.  What wonderful photography and a nice message.  Thanks so much.

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Happy New Year.

I just loved the dogs info.

They arrive all helpless as a pup then fourteen years later they still have that look in their eyes when they see the rucksack going into the car.   "Leaving me on my own again are you"  Never I alway ensure their is a dog sitter to give a hug and stroke every half hour.

What has 2005 to offer.  I have a friend popping over from Ireland for a few days.  It does look like a romance is blooming.  Early days yet but it does look good.

I passed the dog test in her home.  Her little Yorkie was not to happy to see me at first but soon he was greeting me like a long lost friend.  Now Sheila has to pass my dog test.  The introduction to Pepi.  I have told her she has to pass with flying colours.

Not forgetting the cat of course.

We plan to walk Hadrians Wall in April eighty three miles of beautiful scenery.  I informed her she was like a mountain goat when we walked the hills in Ireland.  I was told that sounded so romantic.

Has anybody walked "The Wall".

Best wishes for a healthy and prosperous New Year to all.

Alan       

To Everybody on the site thanks for your friendship, and a Very Happy and Properous New Year to you all.

Vec2 Colin and Sheila

Hi everyone on this 1st day of January 2005.  I just got back from coffee at McDonald's.  There were only 4 men there this morning but we had a nice time.  I did manage to stay awake to see the new year in last night and then promptly fell asleep.  There were some neighbors shooting off fireworks and shouting and yelling around midnight but it didn't go on much beyond that time.

Iain, good to see your posting and that of several others we don't see here very often. 

I plan to spend much of the day watching the football games as there are about 5 different bowls on today.  The first one starts at 11 am when the University of Georgia plays Wisconsin. 

Hope everyone has an enjoyable and restful day.

Still raining here. I hope you all got enough sleep last night. I Did. I was  awakened at midnight by fireworks and loud noises but it didn't last long., so was able to go right back to sleep.

Today I am taking down my little tree and putting away all the Christmas stuff. I will probably go to Ace Hardware and pick up some of those tubs if they are open today. they are having a sale on them until Jan. 16th.

I have nothing special planned for today it is just another day for me, go to work and come home; Same old, same old sixes and sevens as my step dad used to say.

Looking forward to tomorrow when we meet the new pastor, if he has been able to make it up here in all the stormy weather California has been having.

Any body make any resolutions for this year? I am goin to get to the gym more often and walk the dogs more often. Wouldn't it be nice to have a Doggie treadmill
TTYL all y-all.

The greatest of God's blessings be upon each and every one here![/size][/color]