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Do You Hope So? 

1 John 3:3.  "And everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as He is pure."

Hope is scripturally defined as expectation (Heb. 6:18, 19).  It's a looking forward to fulfillment of God's promises regarding everlasting freedom from sin and everlasting joy in His presence. 

Faith, on the other hand, is believing that a specific hope will be fulfilled.  I believe God that my hope will be fulfilled simply because God keeps His promises - I have faith in God, and I believe in everything He has said.

Hope is motivating.  With the expectation of final freedom from sin and blessed freedom to please our beloved God, we can have courage to begin pleasing Him here and now.

Do you have this hope?  Does it move you to begin each day determined to love and serve your Lord?  Do you hope so?
Al Moak

Al,

I remember when at 19, by His grace, I put my hope in Him and he gave me new, living Hope.  Thank you for the good Word.

Rain, rain, and more rain.  I want to get out and do something, and Jazz is bored, too.  As I type this, the weather man says more of the same for tomorrow.

In His Grip,
kevin

Hi everyone. 

It is still dark here at 6:30 am.  Our daughter has to leave for work at 6 a.m. and I didn't sleep much after 5 am.  She didn't need to be called, which is the way it should be, but I was awake so went ahead and got up.

Kevin, while we need rain those sunny days are usually more enjoyable.

We had a wonderful time yesterday and the Cantata was superb.  I think this may have been the best thing we have ever done as we raised our voices in song. 

Our son attended (unfortunately our daughter was ill yesterday morning and wasn't up to going).  I think the Lord spoke to his heart yesterday.  While we were eating lunch I asked him about coming to sing with our choir and he said he had been thinking about it.  As we left he told me he would be there.  You all just don't know what a breakthrough this is as he has been so angry at God since the death of his infant son with SIDS many years ago.  While it remains to be seen where this leads it certainly cheered a father's heart to think he might get back in the fold.  While he was in highschool he sang in a select group from their chorus and always loved to sing.  For a year after we moved to Georgia he and I both sang with the County Choral Guild. 

Etta Sue, certainly glad to read that you may have your basement problems solved.  Certainly hope that new work will solve the wetness problem. 

Janet, sounds like you all had a nice time attending church in Hugoton yesterday and being with your family.

JudyB, it is interesting (and disgusting) that our culture is so anxious to grasp everything that comes along that the human mind can through out that denies our Lord and Savior.  We are going to be judged according to God's Word and not the words of man.  God didn't need to take a poll to see what his standards should be so that no one would be offended.  I am so tired of this approach to things.  (Guess I had better get off my soapbox).

Hope everyone will have a productive and safe week.

Good Morning Good word today Al. 

I have been up a little over an hour. Just decided to get up earlier this morning.  I had been awake since 3:30 anyway. My CPAP mask had condensation in it so I took it off my face was getting wet. 

Well it looks like my backyard is finally going to get mowed. One of the men from church said last evening at prayer meeting that he didn't know that it had not been done yet when the Pastor brought it up. So they followed me home to take a look at the yard and said it would be done by Saturday morning.  Praise the Lord.
Thank you Jesus. I know y-all are so tired of hearing about my lawn needing to be mowed.

Janet how is Beth, I am remembering her in my prayers more often now. I know how difficult it is to take care of someone with  her kind of needs. You are doing such a fine job of taking care of her but now she needs other kinds of help that you can't give.

TTYL

Larry, I pray your son will not only return to church, but that he'll fully return to our Lord - and that, while in the choir, he'll sing out his newly restored faith in Christ.  And, by the way, don't get off your soapbox, Larry - we need more people speaking up about such things.

Marilyn, glad someone's going to come and do that grass.  I thought about it, but my 72-year-old body promptly dropped the subject.

Thanks Al, Great reminder of WHOM we put our hope in. Kevin, how's that table top photography coming? Maybe you can get Jazz to assist you...you know, hold a reflector or something. Then he won't be board.

Quote from: Larry Hanna on April 10, 2006, 06:52:08 AMYou all just don't know what a breakthrough this is as he has been so angry at God since the death of his infant son with SIDS many years ago.

I think it is safe to say that as parents there are times when our children disappoint us, whether by thoughts, words or deeds. I know I disappointed my parents many times. 

Our hearts break for them.  We lay awake on sleepless nights tossing and turning.  And yet we cannot reach inside them.  It seems as though our words have little or no effect.... So-oo
We continue praying for them, asking God to protect them and to speak to their hearts.  And we hold on to that hope that Al was talking about earlier.

QuoteDo you have this hope?  Does it move you to begin each day determined to love and serve your Lord?

Great devotional today
Its a rainy -foggy day here today.
Yesterday was a great day at church-time of refreshing i in the presence of the Lord.
Have a great day>

Larry it is indeed sad that our culture is like that.  YOu know though it is through adversity that we are streatched and grow.  Ultimately that growth enables us to be used more.  What I find exciting is that Melaura came home with ideas of short term mission work, as well as the possibility of long term in the future.  You know so often our youth comes across as being shallow and fickle.  I have just stood back and listened.  Not asking questions or trying to direct.  The wisdom I am hearing from many teens at church is exciting.  They have a heart for God and a love for others.  You can stay on your soapbox if I can join you!  LOL

It is +8*C (about 36*F)  in the shade already, it will be a nice day, and the snow is disappearing rapidly.  

I have a lot of computer work to do today so I am off and will likely be back tonight after small group.

Janet, Papa John, Ruth Ann, Gord, Larry and others I continue in prayer about your situations.

Love Judy

Busy this morning.  Trash day and then Ivalou cut my hair.  I decided to wash my car after sweeping it out.  Not too bad of a job.  Then I showered....in cold water.  I remember Jerry telling me that I shouldn't shut the door on the fuse box for the hot water heater but when I went to the basement the door was shut on it...the plumber must have shut it.  I opened it and now to see if I have hot water.  I tried a few minutes ago...it was cold at first and then warmed up...warmer than my shower so hopefully, it didn't blow a fuse.  I am scared to change fuses. 

I go for my routine yearly check up this afternoon and then to a pitch in tonight at the Photography Guild. 

Also Tony called me last evening and Charlene and him went for a ride on the Beemer...BMW cycle...yesterday.  He laid it down.  That's twice now and both times they were sitting still but on an incline, thank God.  No one was hurt and the Beemer wasn't hurt either.  When Charlene realized it was going down, she dove for the grass and came up laughing.  Some people in a van asked them if they were all right.  Charlene said, 'I am laughing.  I am okay'.  And this time Tony and Charlene got the Beemer upright by themselves.  Tony says it weighs 900 lbs.  I worry about them riding but they both enjoy it so much and something they do together.  I love that.

Hi Everyone...

It's so nice to read all of your posts.  Sorry I was MIA yesterday but I find myself so weary and had an afternoon nap and then a mid-evening nap and then I went to bed early! 

I feel much better today.

Tomorrow will be a very early start though as I have to be in London, Ontario at the Dental College for 9 am so I'll leave here shortly after 7 am to get there.


Melody, I edited your post to change the coding from the "code" to "quote" so it's more easily read.  If you want to insert a "quote" click on the button that looks like this above:

Melody, when do you start your new job?  What will you be doing?  And has all the snow left you now in Newfoundland?

The devotional today meant a lot to me, Al. Thanks for that great word today.

Nice devotional, Pastor Al.  Yes, trust is the key. 

Another overcast day....possible it might get better.  I am going to stay indoors as can't quite seem to 'spring back' with Spring.  Oh well, there is always Summer!

I watched the National Geographic two hr. special on 'The Gospel of Judas' last night.  Learned more about Gnostics than I needed to know and see how new age cults came about.....Interesting story and doesn't change the fact that Jesus died on the cross to save us from our sins.  Certain it will confuse many people...and of course, that is what Satan loves.  My low expectations of this amazing discovery....remained even lower

Just finished reading a really nice book, written by a Christian Vet who lives in Ohio.  It is:  "No Dogs in Heaven?" .....by  R.T. Sharp, DVM.  One of the nicest animal story books I have ever read.  Even better than James Herriott and they are great!

Dr. Sharp asked many ministers, even Billy Graham, about animals in heaven.  They were all of one opinion:  If it wouldn't be heaven for you without your pet, then your pet would be waiting for you.  ( How can the lions lie down with lambs if there are no animals in heaven...... ) 

Pleasant Day/Evening all and God Bless.

Liz

Hi Liz...

Quote

Interesting story and doesn't change the fact that Jesus died on the cross to save us from our sins.  Certain it will confuse many people...and of course, that is what Satan loves.  My low expectations of this amazing discovery....remained even lower

I just couldn't bring myself to look at the program.  It just sickens me so much.

Have you all seen what caption won?  A terrific one!  HAHAHAHA!

CLICK HERE

That is so cute!  Misty has been hunting a poor little squirrel and we saw it take refuge (twice) in one of the bird houses.  Misty sat at the bottom of the tree....waiting.  So she was scolded and banished into the house    It was a thin little guy...so didn't get stuck.

Ah, yes,.........HOPE.  Where would we be without HOPE?   And  "FAITH is the substance of thinges HOPED for, the evidence of things not seen."  I love this translation of that verse:  Hope perceives as a real fact things not revealed to the senses.
Thanks for those words on hope, Al.

Liz, I enjoy your little bits of humor, poetry, etc. so much!  Thanks for including those.

Etta Sue, we will be expecting another good report today from your doctor.  And I'm glad you have the basement problems solved.  As you said, home ownership sure does include a lot of problem solving!

Larry, such good news about your son, that he might begin to sing praises to God again.....and with you!  Praise God!  I pray this will also be the beginning of healing not only of his emotions but his body as well.  How I would have loved to hear your contata yesterday!!

I had the exquisite pleasure of sitting snuggled between two beloved grandkids, listening to their Dad and the rest of the choir sing praises to God; and worshipping Him in my heart.  These are the moments that make life worthwhile.

Marilyn, glad someone is coming to bale your hay.    Maybe it won't be allowed to grow so tall again....anyway, we can HOPE.  

Pat, so glad you are feeling better today.  Hope the problems I saw on TV near London are solved before you get there. (Something about drugs, cars, etc)

Larry, you can get on your soapbox any time you want.  I will join you!  I am so disgusted with all these demonstrations about immigration, I could scream!!  RIGHTS??  If they had obeyed the law, then they would have rights; as it is, they have NONE and should all have to leave the country.  That is like a guy caught committing a burgllary saying. "Hey!  I have a RIGHT to make a living!  And this is what I do for a living!!"  Oh, boy, our country is in deep trouble.  (No need to say, this is my opinion, and I know that not all will agree.  And that's okay, too.)

It is windy again today, but not cold.  And we have a lot to do, as usual, so I best get with it.  See you later.

Good afternoon all,

Got back yesterday from Pigeon Forge, TN.  The mountains are pretty this time of year, (well actually they are pretty all the time!)

As far as soapboxes go -  I call my neighborhood little tijuana because of all of the mexicans that have moved in(illegally).  If for one moment I thought they were here legally I would not have any problems with them, but they are always acting weird ( to us anyway)   I have no problem with anyone trying to make a better lilfe for themselves, but it has to be done the right way.  And they can't come over here and want to change us to be like it is where they used to be.  If it was so great where they came from, then they should go back! (in reference to them waving the mexican flag)   I'm through!

Marilyn, if it wouldn't take me 2 days to get to you, I would be honored to mow your yard.  Both my parents are gone so I have no one to take care of other than the kids (and spouse!)

As always, enjoying the posts of others. 

Have a great day in the Lord,

Samantha

Thanks Pat for fixing my post
-Have to remember the quote box next time :)The snow is finally going from our part of the province.

I start to work this week and I will probably work for the next four months

Great scripture verse today

http://www.theraven452000.addr.com/groban/jg19.ram

Thanks Chris! I love that song! My favorite version is by a group here in the states called Selah. Beautiful! Thanks again. Ritz.

I have just posted a painting by Marbeth Moak (Pastor Al's wife)
HERE

Hi again,

I was just studying Jeremiah 17 and wanted to share this.

In His Grip (and oh, so glad!),
kevin

Jeremiah 17:5-8
 
This is what the Lord says: "Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the Lord.  He will be like a bush in the wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives."

"But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.  He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."

Last night, I was unable to get CP to open, so I am now going to open the new NEM.

It is now HERE