Christian Photographers Community

 



Morning Devotional

What is God's Love Like?

His love is:
1. Powerful.  What shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? (Rom. 8:31-35)

2. Selective.  The Lord did not set His love upon you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people . . . you were the least of all peoples.  Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him in love (Deut. 7:7, Rom. 5:8, Eph. 1:4)

3. Unconditional. For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly (Rom. 5:6)

4. Wise.  Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, Who became for us wisdom from God - and righteousness and sanctification and redemption (1 Pet. 5:7, 1 Cor. 1:30)

5. Saving and Permanent. This is the will of the Father Who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day (Jn 6:39, 40, Jer. 31:3)

Do you really know His love?

Al Moak

Thanks for the devotional, Pastor Al.  Looks as if this is first post for a new day.  Evening here, 10 P.M. and finally cooling off a little after a hot day!

Have read all the posts for the past few days and can't remember everything, but found them interesting.  Not feeling great  and have sort of ignored the computer lately.  This too will pass....

Amanda got work at a small hotel (four star) that is about a 10 min. drive away, so Wendy can take her.  It is only three days a week and hard work in the hotel kitchen, but a start and will help to save money for a car and college...when her turn comes on the waiting list.  Seems a number of her friends are also in the same holding pattern....doesn't say much for our gov. and what has happened to the education system.  What a mess our world is in....

Blueberries are good for us, according to the latest health reports.  Tho' that may change down the road and they become bad for us....Who cares, I like them!  Will check out that pie recipe as my SIL has a sweet tooth and I try to have them to dinner fairly often.  Gives  Wendy a break.  They were away on a short holiday to Saltspring Island and had a relaxing time.  Nice to not be alone in the house again.  I get sort of nervous after so many years in a Condo.

Did anyone see Dateline on TV the other night?  They had a two hour special with the BTK killer.  Hard to believe that any human can be so cold and inhuman.  He does not have a shred of humanity in him.....only ego, and no sense of moral conscience.  Understand that when sentenced, they can not sentence him to death in his particular state.  No death penalty....

Here is a little smile:

WHERE IS GRANDMA

The computer swallowed grandma.
Yes, honestly it's true.
She pressed 'control' and 'enter'
And disappeared from view.

It devoured her completely.
The thought just makes me squirm.
She must have caught a virus,
Or been eaten by a worm.

I've searched through the recycle bin
And files of every kind;
I've even used the internet,
But nothing did I find.

In desperation, I asked Jeeves
My searches to refine.
The reply from him was negative,
Not a thing was found 'online'.

So, if inside your 'Inbox,'
My Grandma you should see,
Please 'Copy', 'Scan' and 'Paste' her
And send her back to me!


Those little elves must have been at work again!  Pleasant evening and God Bless.

Liz

Haha,  that's cute Liz!  Last night was really the first night we spent at home, and we weren't home for the evening either.  We got home from vacation and spent most of the week dog-sitting for my parents-in-law, and because my hubby's business is run out of their basement,we just stayed there at the house while they were gone.  We spent last evening babysitting my younger brother and sister, since my dad is working afternoons, and my other sister took my mom out for a standard-driving lesson.  As much fun as it is seeing everyone, I'm looking forward to when we can spend an evening just with our family.  I miss when my husband and I spent time together.  Our daughter came so soon ( we counted to her due date from our wedding night) that we barely adjusted to marriage, let alone having a family!  And now number two is on the way as well.  I feel like I'm barely keeping up with all the changes and adjustments that are being thrown at me.  And Mercy has decided that she no longer wants to sleep through the night, so it's been rough.  But anyway, this wasn't supposed to turn into a complaining session, I apologize. 

Jen.

P. Al:  Thanks for today's song.  Somehow, in the back of my mind, I thought the words would be different with that tune.  I always know that the love in the true Unconditional Love we have in our lives. 

Etta Sue:  We always take time to chat with the grands totally alone when visiting.  I had a tea party with Elise and two of her favorite stuffed animals.  In that, I found out that a neighbor boy has been mean and hitting her and others but the parents already knew and are on top of that situation of a bully in the neighborhood.  So, yes - we miss too many things with the grands but cannot find housing the same and as affordable as we have here.

Larry:  We missed that program but will for sure get to other things.  We have three grands and try to eat lunch at school with them once or twice per year   & meet their friends and take in special programs.  The best parts are when we have our little chats - it is wonderful.

Pat:  LOL on your granddaughters wanting to live with you.  It is fun to have them visit. 

I will click on the Google ads now.  Sometimes a few of them won't take me back to this site.

Jen - your concerns are very, very understandable - we had six children, and we therefore know what you're talking about.  Husbands are so busy sometimes that they can't directly relate to wife-and-mother problems.  You need to keep him informed, along with constructive suggestions about what to do.  God bless!!!

Liz - I think sometimes not only grandmas, but even some of the rest of us are swallowed by the computer.  I'm sure my wife thinks so.  Anyway, that's a great little poem!

I broke off a tooth that the dentist for years has been wanting to crown.  The receptionist called this morning.  I have to leave in 5 minutes. 

Wooooooooooooosh!

Good Morning.
Al check your devotional there are a couple of typos. Oh My and you are a proofreader. HAHA Good devotional though.

Not much else to say just now I'll be back later.

EVERYONE VOTE!

I'm so sorry about that tooth, Etta Sue.  Having gone through over 18 months travelling back and forth to London and having work done on my teeth makes me feel for you!  {{{Hugs}}}

Fantastic devotional today, Al.  Thanks for that.  Oh that all would experience the Love of God!

Jen, it was so nice chatting with you on the phone and maybe we'll get together this week.  Yes, this is indeed a struggle to have the children so soon and close together. My prayers are with you, sweetie.

Liz, that's a great poem.  I'm copying that one for sure.

Hi Marilyn!  Now don't be too hard on our Al!   

Good morning all.  I'm sitting here looking out the window at our cloud cover. It'll be there till late morning.  We are supposed to get up to 66 degrees today.

Al, I really liked your devotional today.  It's so good to meditate on our being chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world.  Doesn't that bring such security?  I wonder if we ever grasp the depth of His love?

I'm still off coffee, so am sitting here drinking unsweetned hot lemon water.  mmmmmm, good.

Yes, Marilyn, don't be so hard on Pastor Al.

Oh, I hate that Ruth Ann fell!!  Bless her heart.  Maybe she's just supposed to not be so active for awhile?  I'm praying with the others.
God has our Ruth Ann in the palm of His hand, this we know for sure.

I need to get dressed and out to water, so will hush now.  I just wanted to check in.  Nita

Oh, dear Ruth Ann!  I'm so sorry about your fall; but am glad nothing was broken.  May the bruises and ouchies all heal up in record time, and God bless dear Yes-wee for bing so god to his Mom.  It was so good to hear of your good visit with the kids and grands in Atlanta.  Those grandbabies really find the soft spots in our hearts, don't they?  God bless 'em.

I want to get more cleaning done today, as today and Thursday are the only days this week that I will be at home!

I finished the fringed throw for my sister yesterday afternoon, made a bunch of mistakes, I see.  Oh, well, she loves me, so she will use and enjoy it anyway, I think.  I have another to make for my friend Pat, and will be more careful, also know more about how to do it now, so hope it turns out better.

I must go out and get Beth's clothes out of the dryer for her so she can fold and put them away and finish her packing.  She can't walk at all today. 

I wish you all a lovely day, lemon water (hot, yet?) and all.   

Quote from: Nita on August 15, 2005, 11:20:12 AM

Al, I really liked your devotional today.  It's so good to meditate on our being chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world.  Doesn't that bring such security?  I wonder if we ever grasp the depth of His love?

Thanks Nita, for those words.  It really is a wonderful thought and so difficult for our finite minds to grasp.  But He did choose us.  I wonder if we'll ever grasp the depth of His love for us either.

Maybe we could sing this...

Good day everyone -- I am back with you from a weekend out on the boat and in the warm warm water.   Again we only snorkled....but where we go snorkling it is so wonderful to see.  We are only in about 30 - 40 feet of water because there is a nice rock ledge that we anchor onto.  This is the place where the mantas come to play.  We love those huge guys.....they are not so pretty, like the beautifully colored fish, but their presence is calming and special.   They can be very scary when you first see them, but when you realize they have a huge mouth but no teeth and they leave their mouth opened because they are feeding while they swim....but their size is breathtaking, and their curiosity or nonchalance about our presence is sorta cool.....well I will stop for now, because it sounds silly to go on about this when you have no perspective and probably no desire to go try it with us...........but we are having a blast.   We went out with another couple who had never been before and they caught the excitement.....

Well I have a situation that I need a bit of prayer or encouragement or both.......after our wonderful day yesterday, we cleaned up and it was storming in the evening, so we went upstairs to our neighbors to play games......since they lost the satelight signal and couldn't watch tv.  We enjoy playing light card games ----but his mouth was so foul last night....his wife and I and my husband all reminded him several times to "watch his language"  he - at one point denied he said anything...and he had.....he loves to use the F word.....it was bothering us all, we were trying to endure and have a good time anyway......he wasn't angry, just using it for punctuation I guess. I really don't know, but when he took the Lord's name I really got upset...I said please don't say that  He said G.. D... and he didn't respond and then later he said the other form.....J....C...I got red....I started to say "If you say that again....and he cut me off looked me square in the eyes and said it deliberately again....I jumped up and went around the table to him --- I have no idea what I was thinking, I just wanted to slap his mouth....of course I didn't but I was really seeing red and he was my target.....boy I blew it......but I sat back down, cooled down, even though my heart was pounding...In a soft voice I told him how upsetting that it is for him to use the Lord's name to swear....I said "Jesus is my friend and my savior and I refuse to hear His name taken in such a way, please honor that...we have been asking you all evening to clean up your language..".that was the last staw......he said that I was wacked and demanded that I leave his house...

I feel so badly that I had reacted with anger instead of lovingly explaining that I needed to leave because of his foul mouth......I just blew an opportunity perhaps to minister to them....and of course John agreed with me and left with me...what do I do?   I really don't think he was in a teachable mood.......but now I want to hide from him, I really just want to disassociate with him completely.....is that right? or ok?  He really needs Jesus...maybe I'm not the vessel used to reach him..

How do I show the Love of God -- or can I choose the copout that I demonstrated righteaus indignation?
Any suggestions I will appreciate...thanks

Hi everyone.  I will try to be more careful with my posting today and not accidently delete it before hitting hte final posting button.

First of all, Joy, I think you did exactly the right thing.  This man obviously has no respect for himself and certainly didn't exhibit any to you and your husband as the guests in his home.  He may be angry at you but I expect he will respect you a whole lot.  It seems there are many people who have no regard for the Lord's name and spew forth profanity without a thought.  I know many times I have been shocked to walk through a mall and accidently overhear some of the comments, especailly between young people. 

Janet, sorry to read that Beth isn't able to walk today.  I can't imagine attempting a trip if I couldn't walk but know this trip is very important to her and I hope all will go well for her.  As she said earlier she is an adult and makes her own decisions.  As I read your comment about the throw you are going to make for your friend I would just guess that a few flaws wouldn't even be seen by your friend for it is the friendship and love exhibited by the gift that is important.

Nita, I don't know if I could drink hot unsweeted lemon water.  I really don't even care for lemon in ice tea.  Of course, I do like lemonade. 

Etta Sue, don't like to hear of any dental problems.  Pat and I have dental cleaning scheduled for tomorrow and it is always a concern that some problem has popped up since the last exam.  We will also be seeing a new dentist.  Our dentist of 25 years died suddenly of a heart attack a short time after our last cleaning and his son has taken over his practice.  We really need to find a dentist closer as it is about a 45 minute drive to his office. 

Carol, I must admit I am envious of your relationship with your grandchildren.  We never had the opportunity to spend much time with our granddaughter due to her parents divorce and our grandson lived to be only 7 months old.   She now lives 800 miles from us and so we won't be able to know our great grandchildren well either.  Our family situations can get very complicated it seems.

Jen, I expect many of us can relate to your situation with the little ones arriving early on in a marriage.  Our first child was born 15 months after our wedding and the second one 15 months after that.  I marvel at how well my wife managed to cope.  The father faces different challenges in terms of additional family to support and I suppose the father can never understand what the mother goes through.  We just need to be very supportive of our wife in every way possible.

Liz I am glad to see your granddaughter found work.  I am sure that type of job will be a challenge.

Al, thanks for the devotional today.  As always, your writing is right on and you can never go wrong with scriptures.

Jane, these families really expand.  I will have a new great grandchild in a few days and it is number 3 for me.

Ruth Ann, so sorry to see of your fall.  That was not a nice way to end a wonderful weekend.  It sounds like you have some darling grandchildren.

Judy, my Pat hasn't felt very good today.  She went to the grocery store this morning and by the time she got back she was in a lot of pain.  Sorry to read that your sister will not associate with you.  I have only one sister and I am fortunate that we have never had harse words since we have been grown.  Unfortunatley they live a long way away so don't get to spend much time with she and her husband, especially now that our folks have passed away.

Well, guess I had better post this before it becomes book form.  A special hi to all those I haven't mentioned and welcome to our new members.

Al:   I enjoyed your devotional.

Liz:   Where is Grandma I have done a copy and paste - I trust you don't mind that I share this with others.

Joy:  I do not swim but my husband loves the wide open spaces for swimming and he would dearly love to share the experience with you.

As for your regrettable experience with the fellow,
give it to the Lord  and consider it a lesson leaned.


I have a little problem -  can anyone tell me how many stomachs a cow has and what are their individual functions??  (Some say 3 and others have said 4). A book I was reading said 4 and a hobby farmer said 3.

I am home from work and doing my laundry. I had to go buy a knee stabilizer today. It was just getting too painful. I tried to do my  Tai Chi this morning but I couldn't even dp that.
the teacher suggested a stabilizer, she wears two of them.  The knee has been bothering me again since last week but didn't get bad until yesterday.

Poor Ruth ann she is sure having a time of it this summer. Another fall is all you need Ruth ann. Please stay in a chair and do not get up an walk uless you have to go to the Loo. Leslie is such a good son, wanna trade. Haha I wouldn't trade my Gilbert for anyone.

TTYL

Joy~I haven't been online much, today, and just now saw your post. You have told me of this particular neighbor before, and I know that he has seen your life for some time, now. 

I think Larry gave you a good answer.

There are times to stand up for what you believe and let people know what is unacceptable conduct in your presence.  As I have said before: Don't beat yourself up about this incident.  I believe, as Larry said, your neighbor will respect you even more for letting him know how much his language and behavior offends not only you but Jesus in you.  I believe that.  You can't keep "accepting" such behavior, and keeping silent about it, forever.  That is not a good testimony either. 

I'm praying ... and I know you are too.  I love you, Mom

P.S. I just thought of something else: The Bible says to "be angry and sin not"... You didn't punch him in the face and did answer in a calm voice (even if you were screaming inside).  Also, we are told to not let the sun go down upon our anger ... From your post it is apparant that you have repented and turned to the Lord for help.  You're gonna be okay. 

I laughed and said I'm not certain how many stomachs the cow has (we can probably find out at AskJeeves.com) but mine certainly is empty and begging for mercy.

Pat, may God richly bless you for all the work you do both "at the front of the battle" and behind the scenes as well. I've often marveled at your love for Christ and others. And been very thankful for your expenditure of physical energy and of emotional energy, spiritual leadership, technical expertise, and wisdom, not to mention shouldering without complaint the financial burdens of computer repairs, upgrade technology, telephone calls, etc. to make our website work.

Thank you for helping me get back on to CP once again. At one point, I thought I might need to fly Pat down here to administer CPR!!! <chuckle>

My neurologist recommends that I get single vision glasses for walking. He feels that with bi- and tri-focals, the head is bent so far down to see through the distance part of the lens that it can through a person off balance and set them up to fall.

Other than that, he was, of course, concerned about my falls and broken foot and difficulty healing, but he also beamed as he asked "Mrs. Bice, just how much weight HAVE you lost!" At the reply of 54 lbs, he quickly reminded me that this is the way to make great contributions to my health and welfare, and gave me an "attagirl" grin. We're to get toghether again in February, God willing.

The shortness of breath and pain in the ribs seems better since my wheelchair and I went down the hallways at the medical center. Maybe there's a huge "kink" in some muscle that needs a bit of exercise.

So, I get to simply work and rest the next 2 days - Thursday 6:30 am seems my wheelchair and I will be out at the medical center again for checkup on the broken foot.

Thanks again, Pat, for helping me get back to CP (and without CPR, even!!!).  

Sincerely, I love all of you. You've lifted my spirits more than you know while I've been your "resident lurker."

Ruth Ann

And, now maybe I can focus on replying to the messages. I can't wait to read tomorrow's NEM.

Ruth Ann

Joy, I read your question earlier, but I wanted to think about it for a while before replying.  I, too, think you handled it well.  That guy needed to know just how offensive he was being, and he was doing it intentionally, even after being asked more than once to clean up his language.  So I think it was good for him to see that a Christian can't just be walked on and mistreated.  I feel that this will be a good testimony to him, especially since he knows you and has been watching your life.  (And he deserved a punch in the nose, but you had self-control!  )

Darrel says supper is ready, so I will be back later.

I'm back, with a satisfied tummy.  I am so tired I feel as if someone has beaten me with a wet rope.  Whew.  And all I have been doing all day is cleaning and getting rid of stuff--mostly books.  I have 5 big bags ready to take to either the library or the Sr. Center to donate.  I love books, but we just get too many of them around here.  Darrel averages reading a book a day.

After spending about 15 minutes holding the phone and listening to "stuff", I finally found out that Beth can take her own wheelchair, and they will help her.  We thought we might have to check it, and remove the foot rests, maybe put those in her suitcase.  I'm glad we won't have to do that.

I think we will leave around 10 in the morning, as I have to remove an alarm system in Dodge for Darrel.  With gas prices like they are; it will save him quite a bit, and it isn't a hard thing to do.  The store closed today, and will be torn down to make the street wider.  Then we can still do some things, find a room, etc. all in good time.  I surely didn't want to get up at 2 AM on Wed. to get her there for her flight.

I like lemon in ice water, never tried it in hot water!  But I have learned to drink warm water even in hot weather, if that's all that is available. 

Larry, I'm sure my sister will like the throw I made for her.  She doesn't sew at all, so won't be looking for flaws, I don't think.

I have known all my life how many stomachs a cow has---until Ruth asked!    My grandson Mark says four, and also says "there is the internet!"    But I'm not looking it up, I am tooo tired.

Time for this ol' gal to get the NEM ready for tomorrow, shower and hit the hay!

Thank you all for your words of encouragement.....I feel better.....but also - I got an email from him this afternoon - funny that he lives just upstairs right above us and the email was easier......I was so blessed by it because it shows that God is working in his life.  He says that he was intentionally antagonizing me because he loves to push buttons and he knew it was pushing everyone's buttons, he likes to see people irritated I guess....maybe a control issue....but, he was surprised by the intensity of my response to the point that he threw me out of his house because he says he was afraid of me.....or the Jesus in me riling up to the rebellion in him --- anyway, he apologized and said that he is desiring a more spiritual life and that it is his intention to stop using the Lord's name as well as changing his total language, but it will take time and I responded with an apology of my own, that I over reacted....but then explained how very important it is to me that people don't mock my Lord.....I explained it like this....that Jesus is more than my friend and my savior and my Lord, he is the one that I hold on to with my very life......I posed the question how he would react if my husband were to call his wife a nasty name or if I were to speak of his daughter or his mother in a very derrogatory way, he would jump to their defense and let me know just how out of line I was.......so if I were to feel about my husband or my son, or my mother strongly if anyone were to speak in such a manner, how much more intensely I feel about that same action toward my Lord....I also went on to say how much we would love to be a part of his spiritual journey and that we would be thrilled to help him with any questions he may have or difficulty that he will have   etc       I am still waiting for an answer from him -- but I am glad how it turned out....You are all right in that, If I were to just quietly sit there, or quietly and meekly remove myself from his presence, the impact may not have been so great.......I don't know and there is no use wondering.......It seems we will continue to have a relationship --- I was all set to ignore him and hide from him forever -- but that is no way to be------

Thank you for your response to this situation -- sorry if I hog up too much space ----



Ruth ---  I have several friends and family members who would rather stay in the boat too -- Let your husband know that it is such a wonderful place to swim here --- because the water is always warm and the bay is protective --- no sharks in the bay ---- Oh it is so great - but I will stop with that!!!   

Hi Everyone!

I've had a very busy day.  I was wakened up this morning with the howling of a beagle hound and it was right outside my window and then it got further and further away and Geordie was going crazy at the window.

So I got up and dressed and walked up the road and this beagle lives three doors south of me and it ran home and as I got there, it was in the back yard!  I scratched my head wondering how in the world it got there.

Anyway, I walked home and lo and behold, the dog met me at my door howling.  I walked back with it to it's house and it disappeared into the front door.  I looked and the screen had been broken and what a mess.  The front door of the house was open and I knocked and range the bell.  No answer.

This was all in about an hour and a half and finally Dianne (Larry who died?  His wife) drove in and I made sure she was with me as I opened the door (screen door) to shut the inside door hoping that alarms wouldn't go off.

Anyway, that was the beginning of my day.  Peggy (dog's owner) hadn't shut the door tightly and the hound had scratch it open and made his get away!

Then I had other errands to run and more moving of stuff trying to sort my room out.  No where done yet.

Must go now and make a cup of tea.

Voting Closes Tomorrow!

And it's close!

Joy, I was so glad to keep reading posts and see how the situation turned out.  Just like God wanted.   I'm glad you showed your passion.  Perhaps we all need to show our passion for Jesus more.   I think you handled it well, just as others have said.  That email was great.  God knew all about that too. haha  He probably ordered the whole thing, knowing exactly what His passionate little Joy would do, and how the man would react later.   I love how God works things in His own way.......and uses us along the way.

Lemon water sure doesn't taste like coffee with Hazelnut creamer.     It's supposed to be good at detoxing,however.  I think I'll herb tea in the morning, and skip the lemon water.

Ruth Ann!  So glad you are back and your sweet spirit is flowing as usual. 

Pat, what an adventure.  Hounds will find a way out if at all possible.  It's good that he came to see you, or hang out in your back yard anyway.

I finally called my doctor and went to the lab for testing.  I could feel the UTI coming back today.  the nurse said there is nothing she could see that "screamed out", but they'll send it off for a culture.  She didn't give me antibiotics, but something for pain.  I really didn't need that.  I haven't even picked it up from the RX yet.  I think I'll go to the health food store tomorrow and see if there's a natural something or other to take while I'm waiting.

Oh, yeah.  Mr Jeeves says that cows, bovine, have 4 chambered stomachs.  Just for you, Ruth. http://www.crazyforcows.com/fow/fow6.shtml

Joy, that is exactly (well nearly, anyway) the report I was expecting.  Sometimes it takes a little bit of a shock for people to see the light!  Good for you!

Sounds as if several of us have had really busy days.  It's a little bit early, but I am locking up shope here and you can continue to post and chat HERE