Christian Photographers Community

.

• Ritz in the Koinonia Gallery Please visit and leave a comment. 

• Mini Challenge #2~"THE BLUES"  Enter your photos till May 6th

• Albanian orphans  Read Sara's repost and see her special photos on the dear little orphans she met in Albania.

• Songs of Worship  Next time you want to read a Psalm, read one of Pastor Al's devotional on it as well.

• Read about how Daniel created his Exploding Chive Blossom 

• Have you tried to solve our Jigsaw Puzzles?

• Time to Choose a Caption!   Choose a Caption #10 "

I walked again today for a half hour.  I stopped at a neighbors who is a classmate of mine and told her I was walking a half hour.  She said her Mother and her walked last weekend.  Jayne walked 4 miles and her Mother walked 3 miles.  I feel like a wimp.  I maybe walked 1½ miles!   

But I fell better since I have been walking.   

Wish I were going with my brother to Michigan tomorrow/today on his Gold Wing.  Now that sounds like fun!

I've just finished reading about umpteen trillion posts!!    I didn't realize I had been gone for so long.  Well, a few days at least, but you are a wordy bunch, so I missed a lot.

I've been mowing and weedeating and pulling weeds.  My sis has been helping me.  That sure feels good.   This beautiful weather has made me want to be outside, and when I'm outside I see all the things that need done.  And so we mow....haha

Having another person in the house really changes my schedule.  I find I'm seldom on the computer, am eating more healthy, am getting a regular bedtime (and sometimes sleeping).  It's so nice to have someone to do a morning devotional with, say grace aloud at the dinner table.  This is a real blessing having my sister staying here.   Once she goes to work, I'll get back to my more regular online schedule too.    I miss checking in on you more often.

Now.....gotta go to the gallery and look at the challenge photos.

Blessings,  Nita

May 4   

Preaching: A Genuine Gift

So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to
you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you
had become dear to us. 
--1 Thessalonians 2:8

Let me shock you at this point. A naturally bright person can carry
on religious activity without a special gift from God. Filling
church pulpits every week are some who are using only natural
abilities and special training. Some are known as Bible expositors,
for it is possible to read and study commentaries and then repeat
what has been learned about the Scriptures. Yes, it may shock you,
but it is true that anyone able to talk fluently can learn to use
religious phrases and can become recognized as a preacher.

But if any person is determined to preach so that his work and
ministry will abide in the day of the judgment fire, then he must
preach, teach and exhort with the kind of love and concern that
comes only through a genuine gift of the Holy Spirit--something
beyond his own capabilities.  Tragedy in the Church: The Missing
Gifts, 21-22.

"Lord, grant me that gift as I wait before You again this morning.
I certainly want to preach with eternal benefit, and recognize that
only in the power--and love--of the Holy Spirit will that happen.
Amen."

---------------------------------------------------------------------
You are receiving this recurring mailing because you subscribed to
the daily Tozer devotionals from Literature Ministries International

WOW! The devotionals for today are terrific.  Etta Sue, I so appreciate the way you not only include the scripture reading but a succinct commentary following it.  Chris I emphatically agree with Tozer's message as well.  It is all too easy for some to rely on their glib tongue and persuasive personality rather than confessing they are nothing in themselves and allowing Holy Spirit to speak through them. 

Yeah, Nita...you have been rather scarce around here since Sue came to live with you.  But I certainly understand and know that you two are really enjoying being together and sharing everything.  Sounds like a great time for each of you.  I kinda miss you, though.   

Hey y'all ... my mother used to say "Laugh and the world laughs with you; cry and you cry alone."  Some truth there, y'think?  If I couldn't laugh at myself I'd be pretty lonely.     As for puns ... I come from a long line of punsters ... come by it naturally and passed it along to the next generations ... we are all pretty punny fer sure.  There have been times in our family history when several of us would be in a pun show down .. you wouldn't want to be there!   

Stuff to do tomorrow, but I'll be back. 

Hi everyone.  Again I wanted to get here early before I start my day.  I have a full schedule this morning.  After coffee I am going to purchase a new router for my home network and my son is going to help me get it setup.  We have been having significant problems with our new Vonage phone system but think it has a lot to do with the way we setup the system and some tweaks we needed to make and didn't.  I am determined that this is going to work but it has been a pain so far.  A friend is suppose to call this morning for some help with an e-mail problem, I have Calvin Cove this afternoon and then tonight is a monthly communications committee meeting at the church.  I got the priviledge of serving on the committee since I am webmaster for the church.

Etta Sue, thanks for the devotional.  It won't be long before you are able to walk further.  A few more steps a day and soon you will be doing a mile.  Hope you get that TV plugged in for your sister. 

Janet, glad you held your ground and insisted on the plate for the van.  Obviously you are not going to park it in handicapped if Beth isn't with you. 

Pat, the handicapped placards here in Georgia are very heavy cardboard.  Mine apparently fell out of the car at a place we stopped to eat and we didn't notice.  We had used it up the road at a rest area.

Jane, glad that procedure is over for you for another few years.  It isn't fun but it is very important.  I wonder why they told you to come in so early if the doctor had so many procedures to perform?

Nita, good to see your posting.  Is your sister getting all settled.  Didn't you say she had come to live with you?

Ritz, I agree with you on the sense of humor.  Take yourself and your problems too seriously, even if the problems are serious, and it will bring you down.

JudyB, think you are the only person I ever heard say they loved to mow the yard.  I used to enjoy doing it after I got it started and could see how nice it looked all mowed but never looked forward to doing it.

Time to leave for coffee and get this busy day started.  Everyone take care and have a good day.

Good mornin' y'all.  I have to do a funny thing today.  I went to Winco Foods as usual last Saturday, and, while there, bought a bag of coffee beans.  I should have ground them in their grinder while there, but I forgot, got all the way home before noticing it.  So today I have to find a grinder.  Otherwise, no coffee for me in a few days!

Chris - I greatly appreciate that message from Tozer.  I constantly have to catch myself and remind myself that the ministry from the pulpit is not to "them," but it's to US.  And I need to be moved by the Spirit to pray for all the people who here, including myself.  Oh God, make us REAL.

Good Morning: Etta Sue thank you fr the devotional this morning.

Today I am going to Jan's, I didn't go on Tuesday because her son was here visiting from Anza-Borrego  way down south of Palm springs in the desert. I will be working mostly outside today. I have prepared a Mac and Cheese Casserole from scratch, to take for us for dinner/lunch.  Not Supper but dinner the noon meal.. Some say "to-mah-to" some say "to-may-to". If you get my drift.



In my reading this morning  this followed the devotional:

"O Lord, I would not ask You why
These trials come my way
But what there is for me to learn
Of You great love, I pray"---D. De Haan

Larry I love the smell of a freshly mowed lawn, and on my lawn tractor I have enough noise around me that I can pray alowd and it is like going into my closet.  The only one who knows I am praying, and what I am praying about is my Lord.  It is a "quiet" time I look forward to.  It is +15 today but is raining so the tractor will stay parked.

Welcome back Nita, I too have missed you.

Jane that is a quote I use with the girls as well.

Etta Sue, "A little wrong" affects not only the person, but affects the people around them.  

Well I have been asked to make blueberry pancakes so I am off.  Be back later.

Good Morning Al and Marilyn.

Hi Jane ~ So glad you appreciate the devotionals that I put on NEM.  Makes everything worthwhile.  I love your puns, too.   

Nita ~ Isn't it wonderful to have a sister close by?  Mine doesn't live with me or me with her but we could.  It is so comforting to know that if I need someone, they are next door.  And if I need someone long term, they are next door.  I am for her and she is for me.  That's what sisters are for, isn't it?   

Chris ~ Thanks for your devotion, also.  We certainly must do more than fill a pew...no pun intended.   

Larry ~ My brother got my sister's TV hooked all up before I got there yesterday.  My intentions were good....but slow.  She is all set up now.  It is a small TV and she wanted her VCR with it so when the grandkids come, they can go in there and watch one of their videos instead of in the Family Room.  'Course the bed is messed up but....

Al ~ Did you get your beans ground?  Did you go back to the store?  That would be my first step.  Ya gotta have yer coffee!!!

Marilyn ~ I hear ya, Marilyn!  I have breakfast, lunch and supper, too!  Dinner is supper with cloth napkins! 

I am having visions of weedeating today...then they go away....then they come back....then they go away.  Wonder what will win!   

JudyB ~ We were posting at the same time.  That is so true....a bad apple spoils the whole bushel.  Someone elses sin affects you, too.  Think about it!

WOW! so much to ponder...I must tell each of you this, I love you. I look forward to reading everyday all the in's and out's of everyone's day. Cyber-Fellowship...whoda thunk it? Thank you Etta-Sue, and Chris, for the devotionals! I pray that each of you, my Brothers and Sisters is well, and falling deeper in love with our Lord daily! Peace Y'all, Ritz.

You will see that our total membership has gone W-A-Y down and it will be going further down.

I'm pruning, folks!

When we finish this, we'll have to start rebuilding and inviting our friends here.

I've deleted many today who haven't been on the site for over 700 days!!  And there are more to delete but I'm stopping for a cup of coffee. 

We were at 467 members!

Let's all make sure that our folks in the Introductions are made to feel welcome.

Don't be concerned if they don't come in here.  Everyone doesn't necessarily like coffee and tea--even cyber coffee and tea! 

But they might like to take photos and they might like to study the Bible (Manna for the Soul and Al Moaks studies) and maybe they like to share recipes (In the Kitchen).

So, please welcome them.

Thanks so much.

More later.

I have a few more minutes before I have to leave for work. I have been out on the front porch watering and feeding my potted plants, I need to get more of them transplanted. I have  some Rose starts that need to be separated, also some pieces of the Hedge that was in front of where I moved from, need to be put in separate pots until the are ready to be in the ground. I want to buy a lavender plant or two and set them out. My little Lilac tree about 1 ½ ft. tall has one lonely bloom on it the kids gave it to me for Mothers day two years ago it was in a pot until I moved here.

I sure would like to have my own lawn mower and not have to borrow one everytime I need to mow the lawns. any one got a spare?

Gotta go now.

Don't even think about the numbers Pat...it's all about Quality not quantity anyway! Sister, we've got some Quality Folks here!

*Warning!* Warning!* Warning!* If you miss seeing the new shots in the gallery, your day will not go as well!

Not really, but you don't want to miss out on these gems!

Thanks Ritz! 

Thanks for today's devotions.  Well said!

Welcome!   beth8604

Larry:  Don had to take the IE beta 7 off our computer as it messed up everything.  He will wait awhile before he trys to add it.

Pat:  Howdy - I am pleased to read that Geordie is feeling better. 

We have been in the Denver suburbs watching a grandson who is very capable - it is more like he was watching us!     Lots of fun & then we always look at places for sale because we do intend to move closer to the kids.  Well, I knew it was coming but difficult to hear that oldest son & wife do want to move to Montana when they retire, or semi-retire.  That is a way off - but

Washing a ton of clothes today & we may have company coming tomorrow.  They will decide tonight if they are coming this way. 

Carol

Hmmm....I was here earlier today, must have gotten sidetracked before I posted.  Back now.

The Independent Living Counselor was here to interview Beth again (well, not here, but at her house) and she more than qualifies for the maximum number of hours per week (24) of a care attendant.  The bad news is that there is a waiting list of 4 to 6 weeks.  So we will try to find a person for private pay who can help her during the interim.

Larry, I don't even DRIVE the van unless I am taking Beth along.  I drove it the first week, that was enough.  I like my own car better....much easier to get into and out of!

Etta Sue, I, too, enjoy the devotionals and graphics you post.  And, also like you, my time is so full that I don't often do as much on here as I used to, and haven't even visited SN for a long time now.

I need to read my lesson for Ladies' Bible Study.  Well, I have read the chapter, but haven't filled out my Study Guide.  We are doing the book "Captivating" by Stasi and John Eldredge.  It is very good.

My sweet Abby sent us an invitation, addressed by her own hand, to her dance recital on Saturday.  So I am looking forward to that treat!

Hello all!  I'm just running through on my way between "tasks."

Glad to read what everyone is doing, and I hope that everyone is having a good day.

I'll try to be back later.

akrmat

Etta Sue I have seen that happen too often.  Thank you for that.

The puppies are sooo cute.  They come to their name.  We have them kenneled, and in the morning when we open the door they run as fast as they can for the door,  There are times they run so fast that they hit the wall first then turn and go out "all the way".  Little Angel had too go so bad there was a trail following her.  Couldn't punish her though as she was doing her best to hang on and get out.  Rick was under the weather  a bit ago and the puppies senced that , so they ever so gently eased their way up onto his knee and cuddled into him.  They have taken on their mom and grand dad's personality.  I do so wish we still had Paddy Cimi's Dad.

I am off I have to take Bonnie to the Walk In Clinic.  She has had a migrane for over a week.  Time to deal with it.

Till later
Judy

I really liked this: "Marilyn ~ I hear ya, Marilyn!  I have breakfast, lunch and supper, too!  Dinner is supper with cloth napkins!"  I always heard that the difference was what part of the country you lived in.  In one part you called it "supper," and in another it was "dinner."  For some it was evening, and for others midday.  We speak many languages here in this land of ours..
Yes, I got the coffee beans ground at the co-op, because we have a membership there.  I've got the  ground coffee in  water now, preparatory to producing "cold-process" coffee.  I leave it in the (warm) water for 24 hours, then drain it through a filter.  It comes out a concentrate, which you use by placing 1/4 cup of it in almost a cup of water.  Then you put it in the microwave, give it 2 minutes, and it's ready.  There's no acid or oil in it, because those are brought out by the usual percolation method.  You can make about 2 1/2 keraffs of the concentrate with one pound of finely ground coffee.  It's the greatest.  And, yes, it's necessary.

Dinner is the noon meal, y-all can call it lunch if'n yer a mind to, but I call it dinner. Supper is the evening meal whether or not it has cloth napkins.

I had a great conversation this afternoon with Pinkie. Sure was good to talk to her again on Yahoo of course. She said gas in Texas was about $2.59 or there abouts. You oughta know about that Ritz.

I got all my Rose starts potted and fed and a couple of Geraniums that I found on the side of the road that someone threw ways while I was out walking the dogs. I sure am gonna have a bunch of Rose's "rat cheer" on my porch if'n they all take.
gotta go now it is getting chilly in here got to close the doors.

Pat how long have we been on this site? I think I was on the old one for about a year before we moved to this one. I know I am getting close to 10,000 posts on this site.

Well, I have read all the posts for today.  Good to see each one.

Marilyn and Al here it is this way.  We have breakfast, lunch, and supper except when we happen to have a big meal in the middle of the day the way we used to on Sundays.  Then it was breakfast, dinner, and supper.  Same on Thanksgiving.  Thanksgiving dinner is at noon or early afternoon.  But if we have a big meal at night because we are having company then it is dinner at night.  Al, you are right our language varies with different parts of the country and with different people.

Pat, we appreciate all the good work you do to keep this group together an to give us this opportunity to make Christian friends.

Papa John             

I have just finished reading all of the posts.
We rec'd a phone call from a friend resulting is all of us going out for dinner, service was slow for the most part all of the dinners were excellent but I ordered Liver & Onions - the dinner was returned to the kitchen as the liver was not cooked liver in my books must be well done or don't eat it. 

I have been tired all day so will say nite all
Ruth

Time to lock the door!

Hope you enjoy tomorrow's New Every Morning.

CLICK HERE