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Morning Devotional...

SAMUEL APPOINTS DAVID
1 Samuel 16:1-13 NLT

Finally, the LORD said to Samuel, "You have mourned long enough for Saul. I have rejected him as king of Israel. Now fill your horn with olive oil and go to Bethlehem. Find a man named Jesse who lives there, for I have selected one of his sons to be my new king."

But Samuel asked, "How can I do that? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me."

"Take a heifer with you," the LORD replied, "and say that you have come to make a sacrifice to the LORD. Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you which of his sons to anoint for me."

So Samuel did as the LORD instructed him. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the leaders of the town became afraid. "What's wrong?" they asked. "Do you come in peace?"

"Yes," Samuel replied. "I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Purify yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice." Then Samuel performed the purification rite for Jesse and his sons and invited them, too.

When they arrived, Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, "Surely this is the LORD's anointed!" But the LORD said to Samuel, "Don't judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD doesn't make decisions the way you do! People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at a person's thoughts and intentions."

Then Jesse told his son Abinadab to step forward and walk in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, "This is not the one the LORD has chosen." Next Jesse summoned Shammah, but Samuel said, "Neither is this the one the LORD has chosen." In the same way all seven of Jesse's sons were presented to Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse, "The LORD has not chosen any of these." Then Samuel asked, "Are these all the sons you have?"

"There is still the youngest," Jesse replied. "But he's out in the fields watching the sheep."

"Send for him at once," Samuel said. "We will not sit down to eat until he arrives."

So Jesse sent for him. He was ruddy and handsome, with pleasant eyes. And the LORD said, "This is the one; anoint him."

So as David stood there among his brothers, Samuel took the olive oil he had brought and poured it on David's head. And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him from that day on. Then Samuel returned to Ramah.
What do you appreciate in people other than perhaps their looks?[/size][/color]

Saul was tall and handsome; he was an impressive-looking man. 

Samuel may have been trying to find someone who looked like Saul to be Israel's next king, but God warned him against judging by appearance alone.  Appearance doesn't reveal what people are really like or their true value.

Fortunately, God judges by charcter, not appearance.  And because only God can see on the inside, only he can accurately judge people. 

We spend hours each week maintaining our outward appearance, while we should be spending time developing our inner character.  While everyone can see your face, only you and God know what your heart really looks like.  Which is the more attractive part of you?
The Best of the Bible--365 Must-Read Bible Passages[/i]

Janet ~ I don't keep up with politics much but Indiana is voting on the marriage law in the Senate or the House.  I can understand about them...same sex...wanting the right to make decisions for their partner in case of medical emergencies and even being a dependent on the other's insurance but I can't stand the thought of being legal married.  Marriage is for man and wife....  Hooray for Kansas!!!

I got a message from Mieka when I got on the computer tonight.  I think she reads CP when she has the opportunity.  She is our cheerleader on CP.  We all miss you, little one!!!

I spent a lot of time with Jerry today.  He is getting the hole in his stomach tomorrow for the feeding tube.  But he is talking better without a tube going down his throat.  Today I got him to say the alphabet so I told him is someone can't understand what he is saying, for him to spell it.  He shook his head yes.  I left the hospital and then had KFC and toured WalMart.  I got to the minister's house for Small Group Bible Study and eight of us went to see Jerry.  I feel he was pleased to see all of us there.  Happy that we were there but sad that he was there.

QuoteWhile everyone can see your face, only you and God know what your heart really looks like.  Which is the more attractive part of you?

makes you stop and think dosen't it?

Thank you, Janet, for the answer.  And thank You, God, for moving the voters.
Isn't there some kind of amendment or something in the works nationally?

By the way, Smokey - it reminds me of Psalm 139:4.  He knows every word I speak long before I even think of it!

Magnificent Obsession

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"For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more" (I Corinthians 9:19).

In his letter to the Ephesians (4:11-16), Paul had noted that Christ had given specific gifts to the church-apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. Paul himself was all of these, however, and he wanted to win as many people as he could from all walks of life. He therefore sought to be "made all things to all men, that [he] might by all means save some" (I Corinthians 9:22).

This, indeed, was a magnificent obsession, and every Christian should seek to emulate it, as the Lord enables. Paul was not saying, however, that a man should become as a woman to win women to the Lord, or that a woman should become as a man to win men; neither should he become a humanist to win humanists. One should never dilute the doctrines of the faith or Christian standards of conduct in order to win commitments to the church.

Paul was not laying down guidelines for witnessing, either for the church or for individual Christians; he was giving his own personal testimony. Nevertheless, we should seek to be understanding and sympathetic to people of every background. "Give none offense, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God" (I Corinthians 10:32). We should try to "be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth" (II Timothy 2:24-25). Remembering it is "God that giveth the increase" (I Cor-inthians 3:7), we should never compromise truth in order to gain converts, but "speaking the truth in love" (Ephesians 4:15), beseech others, "be ye reconciled to God" (II Cor-inthians 5:20). HMM

Congrats KS.  Way to vote.

I just read thatr NC house has voted for a lottery 61 - 59.  kinda close huh.  Maybe it will be defeated in the senate.

have a good one!

I think I was too tired last night.  I got four hours of sleep and then I was wide awake so I got up, wrote out some bills to mail today, read the Bible, ate my breakfast and now listening to Ali cry for me to turn on the faucet. 

I read in the paper that they don't think Indiana will go on Daylight Savings Time now.  Sounds like we will still be different than most of the states. 

Rainy and gloomy today.  I was wanting to pick up limbs from our winter ice storm and then possibly mow the yard but now it is a nice day to watch my TV shows that I have recorded and probably an afternoon nap.

Good Morning : Thank you Etta Sue for the devotional story of David and Samuel this morning. I am reading 1 Samuel this month.

It is raining here again today, started in the night rather heavily and woke me up. It sure sounds loud coming down on this mobile home. I am taking Jan to Eureka today, she wants to go to the Mall and do some shopping at Mervyns then we are going to lunch at HomeTown Buffet.

I have to stop by Fay's on my way out to Arcata, to dress her arm. The nurse had put one of those transparent  bandages on her arm where Fay had scratched it and Fay pulled it off last evening and took off her skin with the bandage. Some ne else is taking Fay to the doctor today. Her wound from her surgery last October is just about healed up, finally.

After I return from Eureka today I will go to Versal's house, she lives close to Jan in Arcata.
So this is a busy day for me.

TTYL

Morning!

Hello!  Boy, did Kristi give us a workout this morning!  She added some kick boxing moves to our routine, and really made us sweat!  But I'm still gaining in muscle, strength, flexibility and balance, so I am keeping on keeping on! 

Etta Sue, your devotionals always seem to follow what I am reading in my daily Bible reading, so they are confirmation to me.

We aren't having such a terrible wind today.  Darrel is working on repairing gas lines at the rental house.  They backed into the propane tank; knocked it off its blocks and broke all the lines.  Of course, all their propane leaked out.......DUH!  Then they called to ask if our insurance will pay for it!  I hate being a landlord.

Today is my painting class again, and tonight there is a reception for an artist who has a show at our museum.  I plan to go to that.

Thanks for the comments on Kansas' successful vote yesterday.  Yes, we need an amendment to our constitution.  Who would ever have imagined it would come to this?  Some areas in our country are like Sodom and Gomorrah.

Later!

Hi everyone.  I have read all the messages from the time I last posted.  I am feeling pretty exhausted today so am going to beg off commenting on all of the individual messages, at least for now.  As soon as I have a bite to eat I am going to rest.  I went walking at the "Y" yesterday and then picked up just a few items in the supermarket but had to do quite a bit of walking.  Haven't felt very good sense. 

Yesterday I spoke with the heart transplant coordinator and the process is beginning.  There are several approval steps that have to be met before a person is placed on the list to receive a heart.  I have to have another angiogram (#30 times in the cath lab) but won't have it for a little while.  Also have to have a nuclear test called a MUGA that more precisely determines the ejection factor for my heart.  Also have to have a whole bunch of blood tests. 

I have already had the V02 test done about 10 days ago.  Apparently all of the testing has to occur within two months of seeing the heart doctors in Birmingham, Alabama (where the transplant center is located).  The coordianator is getting all of my medical records and will contact my doctor to have the blood tests ordered.  Then she will send all of the information to a panel of Kaiser doctors to be sure I meet the criteria, if that happens then my name would be referred to the National Transplant Center and another review and approval. 

Finally, if I get past that review then my case is referred to the transplant center and I would have to go there for evaluation.  They have the final say and that would result in my name being put on the transplant list.  Then the waiting would begin for a donor heart.  I have a fairly rare blood type (O neg) and that will probably be a limiting factor.

Should I make it through all of these hurdles and a heart becomes available Pat and I would have to stay in Birmingham for 8 or 9 weeks after the transplant. 

Sorry that got so long but thought you might be interested in the process.

Janet, Georgia also passed a law defining marriage as being between a man and a woman.  Unfortunately all it takes is a Federal judge to through it out and we will be right back where we were.  There seem to be plenty of judges that would rule that way. 

Glad we have heard from Mieka. 

This is it for now.  Have run out of steam.

Larry, this is great news.  I had thought that you had gone through some of the procedure before and got turned down and that made me so sad.  I'm happy that the possibility is still there that you might have a transplant.

Hi Soni!

Sounds like you did have a good workout today Janet.  Wow!  I won't know you the next time I see you!  LOL

I had a lovely time with Norm and Judy at supper last night.  Then I got home and shortly after, I got a crazy spasm again and that was me for the rest of the evening but only one today so that's really good.


Etta Sue, thanks so much for the news of our Jerry.  Wow, what a time he's going through.

Don't work too hard, Marilyn. 

Nice to see you, Smoky and Janie.

Hi Al!  Hope that there's light at the end of the tunnel for you with regard to your pain.  It's just so awful to go through what you're going through.

Hi Karma~

Quote from: Larry Hanna on April 07, 2005, 10:45:01 AM
Yesterday I spoke with the heart transplant coordinator and the process is beginning. 

Larry:  My next door neighbor had a heart transplant 9 yrs ago.  His case was shown on cable TV a number of times.  The doctors told him that he was within hours of having a fatal heart attack.  In fact he walked into the hospital and the doctors don't know how he was able to do that.  He his doing fine today with no sign EVER of rejection.

My son-in-law had his second liver transplant 7 yrs ago and he is doing fine.

Things have advanced so far since then that the life expectancy for a liver transplant patient has risen from 14 yrs to 23 yrs.  I would imagine that heart transplant patients numbers have went up as well.

Be of good (strong) courage my brother.

April 7   

Prayer: Just Meditate for a Month

But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates
day and night. 
--Psalm 1:2

Let the old saints be our example. They came to the Word of God and
meditated. They laid the Bible on the old-fashioned, handmade chair,
got down on the old, scrubbed, board floor and meditated on the Word.
As they waited, faith mounted. The Spirit and faith illuminated.
They had only a Bible with fine print, narrow margins and poor paper,
but they knew their Bible better than some of us do with all of our
helps.

Let's practice the art of Bible meditation.... Let us open our
Bibles, spread them out on a chair and meditate on the Word of God.
It will open itself to us, and the Spirit of God will come and
brood over it.

I do challenge you to meditate, quietly, reverently, prayerfully,
for a month. Put away questions and answers and the filling in of
the blank lines in the portions you haven't been able to understand.
Put all of the cheap trash away and take the Bible, get on your
knees, and in faith, say, "Father, here I am. Begin to teach me!" 
The Counselor, 136-137.

"Guide me, Lord, as I take time throughout this whole year to
meditate on You. Tozer is stimulating me, but my real desire is to
hear from You. I'll get on my knees this morning, Lord, in quiet
expectation. Amen."

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Is this site running slow for anyone else?

Hi from soggy BC.  I finally sat down to read things on the computer and stopped in to see what is happening.  Lots!

You are right about graduations, Janet.  They certainly have changed.  It used to be that graduating from university was the big thing...Guess that surviving High School is major now.  Considering all that goes on in the schools, could be they are right

Amanda is having a reasonable dress, etc.  Going to a few extras, but modest by today's standards.  No drinking, etc.  Certainly has worked very hard and at least has earned the right to a small reward.  Some kids celebrate and don't even get a diploma.  Go figure!

I had a week of 'first's' that could live long in the memory banks!  For the first time, I forgot the time of a hair appointment and was one hour late.  For the first time (due to trying to get something paid for that my daughter wanted) ended up being locked in a major Victoria dept. store when it closed at 6PM.  Due to the kids not waiting, thinking I had gone down to the car park.  Also, the store personel leaving things short staffed and no one saying it was not possible to go out that way.  Seems people steal.....another lady who was also at the counter, also got locked inside.  The kids were waiting outside....while we desperately tried to find ANYONE to release us......Lord Love A Duck!

The third 'first' and much more pleasant, was the reason for being in town.  My SIL was taking us to see an important world curling match....I love curling, used to be an avid curler.  We are all big sports fans.  Anyway, got released in time to see our Canada team win.  They sure have been having a difficult time in this competition.  So things ended on a pleasant, thou exhausting note. 

Sorry to hear about all the illness and death.  I am still trying to get answers to health problems, but with all the restrictions on tests in our province, only the most basic are done.  Learn what isn't wrong, not what is.....Certainly, God has a reason for all this, simply must be patient and keep smiling. 

Time to go and fold some clothes.  Trying to catch up on some things that got put on the back burner.  Have a pleasant day and God Bless.

Liz

Larry:  I found that so interesting.   Thank you for explaining all the procedures involved when waiting for a heart transplant.

Janet:  Good for Kansas!! - Its like Sodom and Gomorrah here in Ontario.  i have signed every paper and document possible to show my objection to same-sex marriage.

I'm very glad my beloved parents arn't alive to see all the immortality around in the world.  They would be HEARTSICK!!

Quote from: Sonifo on April 07, 2005, 03:48:08 PM
Is this site running slow for anyone else?

Soni, I found it slow earlier today.

Not sure why.

Closing up for the night...

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