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• Mini Challenge #2~"THE BLUES"  We're Voting!!  Please vote for your top SIX (6) choices!

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

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

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The Gentle Savior

Speaking on one occasion to the Scribes and Pharisees, Jesus said, "Woe to you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!  For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead mens bones and all uncleanness.  Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness."  (Matt. 23:27, 28)

Jesus was not gentle with these men.  Gentleness would not have reached their hearts.  Nevertheless, there is coming a day when He will also be less than gentle with a great number of others.  He will say to them, "Depart from Me, you cursed, into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his angels. (Matt. 25:41)

But if you are a needy soul, a soul humbled by the painful effects of sin, a soul crying out for mercy, and a soul to whom our Lord is willing to extend mercy, then you will see a different side to His Character.  He will say to you, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."  (Matt. 11:28)

If we are the people who have received this mercy and gentleness of Christ, then we should reflect in our lives His beautiful Character, especially toward those whom we would call out of darkness into His marvelous light.  The apostle tells us about it.  He says we should "walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love." (Eph. s4:2)

Oh that we might learn the gentleness of our Lord - and that by means of us some might see Him.  Such gentleness and love of Christians in whom the Spirit dwells is beautiful to behold and plain to all who might observe.
Al Moak




As earnest Christian pastor told of a young man about whom he had long felt much anxiety, as he had seemed so unconcerned about his soul, and was, in reality, a real cause of disturbance and interruption in classes for other young men. Meeting him one day, the loving pastor sought once more to influence him, urging, "We want you for Christ and his service." There was a certain change in his manner which did not escape the eye of the prayerful watcher for souls, and lacking time to do more he seized the opportunity to secure the presence of his young friend at a Christian Endeavor meeting soon to be held. True to his promise he was there. When an opportunity was given for some of the young men to choose a song, it was seen that he was urging his companion to select some particular hymn. The other, yielding to his request, asked if the hymn, "Pass me not, O Gentle Saviour," might be sung; and both young men joined in the singing with evident interest and heartiness. Later in the evening it was requested that all who were definitely on the Lord's side would confess their allegiance by standing. Whereupon the one over whom the heart of the pastor was specially yearning rose at once, and with decision.

"Tell me about your conversion," the thankful pastor requested at the close of the meeting, when hands were clasped in glad, brotherly welcome and recognition.

"Oh, yes," assented the other. "It was all through that hymn we have just sung. I was working on the canal at G, and there was a meeting being held at the Mariner's Chapel, nearby. The words floated out over the water, and from the tug where I was working I could hear them plainly enough. When they were just going to sing those lines 'While on others Thou are calling, Do not pass me by' a great fear came over me, and I thought, "Oh, if the Lord were to pass me by, how terrible it would be!" Then and there, on the tug, I cried out, "O Lord, do not pass me by." And, with a bright smile "He didn't pass me by. I am saved.!"


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QuoteHi Jane.  A lady from Photography Cafe is maybe going on an Elderhostel to Coos Bay!  She wanted me to come too! 

Aaaahhhh Pat .... C'mon with her!    A few years ago Joan Llimatta (SN's Northern Joan) came to Coos Bay on an Elderhostel.  Nita and I had coffee with her (in the pouring rain) and a nice visit.  I think it would be really, really neat if you came by here!  Think about it! 

Thanks Al, for the good Word.  And hello everyone!  I have had a busy week!  Weddings, counseling, rehersals, and more.  It is good to finally have a day or two off to catch up on stuff, and to just relax.

I was able to take a few pictures today, and will post a couple soon.  Drop by the gallery and take a peek.  I saw some amazing begonias today!

Speaking of amazing, God is, His word is, just AMAZING!  I am glad He gave Jesus for me and drew me to Himself.


I am...

In His Grip,
Kevin

Me too! Sorry, not very wordy, but I'm still on my first cup. 

Good morning!  And how is your Monday shaping up?

I was thinking about Mark's papers when I woke up, and sort of figured the time it took the two of us to get the job done, and it came to over 10 hours!    So X 2, that is over 20 hours of work!  Boy, I hope he passes the course!

Al, I surely enjoyed your devotional today.  The first passage you used, we had in both Sunday School and church yesterday.  I am so glad, though, that the same Jesus who "stripped the hide off" the Pharisees, so to speak, is also the gentle, forgiving and welcoming Jesus who saved me and set me free.  Oh, Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your Name in all the earth!

We still haven't found help for Beth, must get even more aggressive about the search.  She must have a shower today, as early in the morning we will be taking her to Amarillo to see both her neurosurgeon and endocrinologist.  I hope she will tolerate the trip well.  Sigh........

Since both my shoulder and my hip have been hurting a lot, I have been instructed not to use the weights, just to walk and swim until the muscles have time to heal.  So after I have my    I am off to do just that.  Can't have Mom/Grams getting down---then what would my family do?

Jane, it would be lovely to have Pat come for a visit, wouldn't it?  I keep hoping she will be able to come to Kansas, and keep praying to that end.

I did like today's devotion - not being passed by -

Papa John:  Great news on Cornelia not having to have oxygen yesterday.

All I can think about is   - cannot have anything as today is a blood draw & it can't be fast enough.  Of course, Don is sleeping late so I am trying to be quiet.  

Carol

I am goi to start off my day with a laught for all y-all. Than I will be back in a bit to write more, Al I did read the devotiona dn have to agree with Janet.

So here it is:

Jesus is watching you

A burglar broke into a house one night. He shined his flashlight around,
looking for valuables, and when he picked up a CD player to place in his
sack, a strange, disembodied voice echoed from the dark saying, "Jesus
is watching you."

He nearly jumped out of his skin, clicked his flashlight out, and froze.
When he heard nothing more after a bit, he shook his head, then clicked
the light on and began searching for more valuables.

Just as he pulled the stereo out so he could disconnect the wires, clear
as a bell he heard, "Jesus is watching you." 

Freaked out, he shone his light around frantically, looking for the
source of the voice. Finally, in the corner of the room, his flashlight
beam came to rest on a parrot.

"Did you say that?" He hissed at the parrot.

"Yep," the parrot confessed, and then squawked, "I'm just trying to warn
you." 

The burglar relaxed. "Warn me, huh? Who in the world are you?"

"Moses," replied the bird.

"Moses?" the burglar laughed. "What kind of people would name a bird
Moses?"

"The kind of people that would name a Rottweiler Jesus."

hahahhahhahah--that made me laugh marilyn!

New Vocabulary

CARPERPETUATION (kar' pur pet u a shun) n. The act, when vacuuming, of running over a string or a piece of lint at least a dozen times, reaching over and picking it up, examining it, then putting it back down to give the vacuum one more chance.

DISCONFECT (dis kon fekt') v. To sterilize the piece of candy you dropped on the floor by blowing on it, somehow assuming this will "remove" all the germs.

ECNALUBMA (ek na lub' ma) n. A rescue vehicle which can only be seen in the rearview mirror.

EIFFELITES (eye' ful eyetz) n. Gangly people sitting in front of you at the movies who, no matter what direction you lean, follow suit.

ELBONICS (el bon' iks) n. The actions of two people maneuvering for one armrest at a movie theater.

ELECELLERATION (el a cel er ay' shun) n. The mistaken notion that the more you press an elevator button the faster it will arrive.

I have not visited here for a very long time due to illness.  Al, thanks so much for the devotional and that wonderful hymn

Greetings for everyone of you and have a blessed day.

Me too!

Greetings, Mary Frances!  So great to have you back!  God bless you and keep you!

So happy to see you, Mary!  I'm sorry you've been ill.

Please come back soon if you are able.

Love

Pat

Quote from: Al Moak on May 08, 2006, 10:13:28 AM
Me too!

Huh? 

If you people wouldn't jump in so fast and post will I'm still typing!  The "Me too" was in answer to Karmat.

Pat those words are funny.  I have done the elbo thing in the car.

Good devotional Al

Mary sorry you have been ill, Come back soon.  I will be praying for you.


Good one Marilyn. Mind you not all rotties are vicious, Jake was the gentlest creature but woe unto anyone with a beard and toque.  He would go nuts barking with that.  Ne never bit or attempted to bite a soul.  I am missing the boy and it has been 2 years.  Good memories.

Have a good day everyone
Love Judy

Quote from: Al Moak on May 08, 2006, 10:22:36 AM
If you people wouldn't jump in so fast and post will I'm still typing!  The "Me too" was in answer to Karmat.

HAHAHA!!!  

Good morning all, about to get my last cup of coffee before starting my day. It's actually a day off for me  How is everyone else doing? What have you got planned for today?

Chris (TXPhoto)

Hi Chris...

I'm planning on fixing a closet hanging rail that a screw came out of while I was sleeping and down crashed all my clothes and the shelves above! 

Then if I have time, I hope to take some photos!

Judy I have had two Rotts both were such gentle creatures,  all bark and no bite, but one sure thought they were gonna bite when they showed those teeth and  greeted you with  a low guttural growl. I had to keep them separate though they didn't care much for each other.

Good one Pat: Those are  sure fire new  me.    :thumbs up:
If you go to Oregon I will make it a point to be there too.  I think we are about 200 miles from Jane and Nita.

Well Al get on with the program and post faster. How about it Al wanna  make a trip to Coos Bay?

I will soon be off to my Tai Chi Class, then on to Fay's after that to Leroy's to clean his house. If it isn't too late when I finish that I will stop at the church for a little bit before I come home and take the dogs for walks.

Morning Chris (TX)

TTYL

Have fun with the shelves, Pat! Did it wake you up or did you just find it in the morning? I'm planning on spending some time with my son and my Heavenly Father today. I also need to mow the backyard and take lunch to my wife. She's a teacher and the studio is closed today so I normally have lunch with her on Mondays. That's about it for today. Tomorrow I work on a few weddings and other stuff. Have a great day everyone!

TXPhoto

The billboard above changes to different thoughts.

Hey!  For Al we need to skip some posts instead of read between the lines!  Pokey Al! 

Well, already today I have taken the trash and continued on walking for 15 minutes, then turned around and came back home.....half hour walk.  Then I had my breakfast and coffee while reading my Daily Devotions.  Now here I am! 

Like your funny, Marilyn!  Now I have new words when I do weird things, Pat.  And wasn't it great to see a post from Mary Frances? 

Tonight I am going with Kitty and her SIL to Indy to listen to George Lepp....a photographer.  He has written books and has many of his landscape photos published in several magazines.  One website to view his photographs are here.

   

Chris, it scared me to bits!  The room was in darkness and down crashed everything.  I actually didn't know what to think.  Thought someone was in my closet!  

Hope you set up your album on here, Chris so we can enjoy some of your images.

Nice that you're spending lunch with your wife.  Enjoy mowing the lawn.  I did mine on Saturday.  

Etta Sue, it was fantastic to hear from Mary Frances.  I was looking through old photos the other day looking for something for "The Blues" challenge and found a few photos of her taken in Toledo.  I'm so happy that she has found her way back here.

Hope you enjoy tonight, Etta Sue!  I'd love to go!

Please note that all the links in the top post are changed.

The ones there earlier were old ones.

Hi everyone.  It is a really cool day here in Georgia with an overcast sky.  I had to come home from coffee and put my sweatshirt back on to be comfortable.  The housekeeper is here this morning and were were glad as it has been three weeks.  She is changing her schedule but should now be back every two weeks.  Pat went to the school to volunteer this morning but they weren't very suby so she came home early.

Janet, no apology was certainly necessary and I am sure we have all shared the same thoughts as you were expressing.  Hope you find some help for Beth shortly (like today).  I know this is such a worry for you.  The trip to the doctors sounds less than pleasant for all concerned.

TXPhoto it is nice to see you posting.  It is nice you can have lunch with your wife on Mondays. 

Pat, the shelves coming down must hav created quite a mess.  I have had that happen as well but don't think everything came down. 

Mary Francis, certainly glad to see you back and posting and sorry to hear you have been ill.  Those illnesses certainly put a crimp in our other activities and plans. 

Marilyn, that is a chuckler.  I do hope you will get to take your grandchildren to church with you.

Carol, it seems that the blood tests come up too often.  I routinely get a couple for different reasons and before my arm gets healed up it is time for another one.

The Elderhostels sound great.  I always wanted to attend but it just was never in the cards to do so.  I have known several people who did, including my former boss, and they all spoke very highly of them.  Pat I hope you will be able to go although that would be quite a trip as it is a long way across the West.  I am sure Jane and Nita, as well as Marilyn and Al, would enjoy seeing you.  I know you have met Jane at the Atlanta SeniorNet Bash.

Will  it is past lunchtime and the housekeeper is finished and on her way out.  Time for something to eat.  Hope everyone has a good day.

Quote from: Marilyn on May 08, 2006, 11:03:17 AM


If you go to Oregon I will make it a point to be there too.  I think we are about 200 miles from Jane and Nita.

Thanks Marilyn! 

But I can't do it this year.  It's not very long from now I believe that she's going and I'm still recuperating and on meds, etc.

Maybe next year.

Hi Gareth!

Quote from: Al Moak on May 07, 2006, 11:34:09 PM

"Tell me about your conversion," the thankful pastor requested at the close of the meeting, when hands were clasped in glad, brotherly welcome and recognition.

I gotta tell you Brother Al.....I got goose bumps reading the devotion.  When we think of how God works in ways we cannot understand.....through a simple hymn (or so it seems)

Wow - I sure don't want to be in the same room when Pat is sleeping!  Her snoring knocked down all those shelves and everything!  I think you need a checkup, Pat.

We are approaching the end of another day.  It's been a tough one for me, but God knows, understands, and will continue to give me strength.  I am not up to greeting each of you just now, but want to say to MARY FRANCES----welcome back!!

I will send PMs to several of you now, so if you have sent me a message, your answer is coming!