Christian Photographers Community

What a great day today in the Christian Photographers forums!  I'm so happy to see some of our regulars returning and some new folks coming in to join us![/size]


Link of the day...[/font]

Institute for Creation Research  

Creation Moment (Sonja will be happy!)[/list]


Verse for Today...[/font]

"who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,"[/color]
~Hebrews 1:3 NKJV~[/list]


Quote of the Day...[/font]

 "Sin presents temptation as an immediate good."
~John Owen~[/list]


Some News We Should Know About...

Iraqis Celebrate As U.S. Takes Baghdad  BAGHDAD, Iraq - Saddam Hussein's rule over the capital has ended, U.S. commanders declared Wednesday, and jubilant crowds swarmed into the streets here, dancing, looting and defacing images of the Iraqi leader. A Marine tank toppled a giant statue of Saddam in a sweeping, symbolic gesture.


Photo Moment: Dog Swallows Seven-Inch Kitchen Knife[/b] [/list]



From our forums...

• Missionary Corner  New Tribes Mission weekly digest.  
  
  
  
• Our "Through the Bible in one Year" is well on it's way!  How are you doing with it?  Want to join us?
  We started at Genesis
  
  
  
• Some lovely Sunset Photos by Sonifo
  
  
• Peach blossoms[/b] by Janet
  

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Morning Devotional...

Every good gift and every [perfect act of giving] is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights.        James 1:17


A lady applied for financial help for a needy orphan to the emminent philanthropist of Bristol, England, Richard Reynolds. After he had given liberally, she said, "When he is old enough, I will teach him to be thankful to his benefactor."

"Stop," said Reynolds, "you are mistaken. We do not thank the clouds for rain. Teach him to look higher, and thank Him who gives both the clouds and the rain."
                                                               ~J. B. Nicholson~

PAT~ Thanks for leaving the back door unlocked and the light on.  You are so thoughtful.  

I have enjoyed all the postings here already, and I plan to keep coming back for more ...

Take care ... I'm kinda tired at the moment and think I'll turn in for the night.  See y'all tomorrow.[/color]

Good morning everyone!!!  It's so nice to come back here!  Pat, wonderful devotional.  It's certainly a much-needed reminder in our "instant" society.  We become so accustomed to having things handed to us that we don't even notice who is handing them to us anymore.

I've looked around the site, and I'm defnitely impressed.  I gotta run or I'll be late getting everything ready for work. Love you all.  Jen.

Good Morning Pat,mercychild & Jane.

A wonderful way to start the day being reminded of God's wonderful Grace.  Grace is even greater than the Sun that shines to brighten our day.

Time for me to get ready for work as well.

Ruth

Good morning, friends. I'm heading out to work, but wanted to wish all a great day in the Lord.

Ruth Ann

Good Morning Everyone!

It's so nice to see those of you who have posted already.  It's a lovely day here in Guelph.  The sun is shining brightly.  It's cold though.  But spring is definitely going to arrive....some day!!  

Wasn't yesterday a wonderful day in here?  90 posts!!  Let's have another one today!

 Good morning Pat, Jane, Mercy Child, Ruth, etc.

It is cool here this morning, down to 64 degrees.  We had planned a picnic at the beach today but it's too cold and windy so we are going out to a Sea Food restaurant instead.

Pat, when I read James 1:17  I think of the fact that every good thing we have comes from God.  We cannot be too thankful for God's love and the gift of salvation we have in Christ.  We should say each day, "Thank you God."

--- Papa John      

I agree with you, Papa John.  I think "thanks" is one of the most underused words in our relationship to God.  Wouldn't it be wonderful if it were one of the most "overused" words?

Sonja - are you sure you're a llama?  You aren't one of those pesky alpacas are you?

A Goodmorning to all my Sisters and Brothers in the Lord. I have another Daily Encounter to post and I believe it could be one that could bring debate, so don't shoot the messenger

ATTITUDE

"They [the early Christians] devoted themselves to the
apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking
of bread and to prayer.. Every day they continued to meet
together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their
homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,
praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And
the Lord added to their number daily those who were being
saved" (Acts 2:42, 46-47, NIV).

Bruce Larson tells this story in his book, Faith for the
Journey. Once there was a successful factory that made
drills. One day the owner told his corporate officials that
he was going to retire and that he had chosen his son as
his successor. At the next board meeting the son asked his
four vice presidents, "What are your goals for the company
for the next five to ten years?"

One vice-president replied, "Well sir, we're looking at new
sizes and shapes for different drills."

The son then dropped his bombshell. "I have news for
you--there is no market for drills." One could feel the
tension in the air. He continued, "From now on we will not
think drills. We will not sell drills. We'll sell holes!
People don't want to buy a drill; they want to make a
hole!"

As they began to think of other ways to create holes they
developed, among other methods, lasers for drilling holes.
This attitude change and other innovations keep this
company in business while its competitors lost large shares
of the market and some even went bankrupt.1

It wasn't aptitude but attitude that made the difference!

(In reading) Reports by research specialist, George Barna,
in recent years (they) have consistently revealed that the
church and Christians as a whole in the U.S.A. are not
making any significant impact on the culture. Also, there
is little difference in the manner of living between
Christians and non-Christians. Others such as Chuck Colson
are saying that in the U.S. we are now living in the
post-Christian era. Alarming observations, to put it
mildly.

So what is wrong? A scary thought is that we could be
rapidly heading in the same direction as the church did in
Great Britain a century or so ago. Then the great spiritual
and missionary endeavors were coming out of their country.
But today the church there is but a shadow of what it was.
As one British rector (minister) poignantly said about the
church in England: "The times changed, the people and their
needs changed, but the church remained the same, and little
by little it became irrelevant and lost its impact."
Instead of looking at itself, the church then blamed the
indifference of the people for their leaving in droves.

True, our message never changes but the application of it
and our methods of presenting it must apply to the needs of
today's generations--not yesterday's. Furthermore, we are
NOT in the business of building churches with a little "c".
We are in the business of saving people and making
disciples.

Like the disciples and early Christians, when we do God's
work in God's way for God's glory may it be said of today's
church: "And the Lord added to their number daily those who
were being saved"

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, today's world has become so
much more complex and the competition for the hearts and
minds of today's generation is all but overwhelming. As
your children and church members please help us and our
leaders understand the needs of  our neighbors and
communities and apply the gospel to meet the needs of our
children, youth, adults and the aged. And perhaps even more
importantly help me to so live that people seeing Jesus in
me will want what I have. Thank you for hearing and
answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

1. Cited by Brent Porterfield at www.eSermons.com

<)))><<

Easy way to share the gospel with a friend:
   Recommend ACTS web site. Click ON:
   http://www.actsweb.org/announce.htm

When copying, please include the following: From
   Daily Encounter (c) Dick Innes 2003. Subscribe
   from: http://www.actsweb.org/subscribe.htm

To subscribe, send blank email to: daily-encounter-subscribe@actsweb.org

I hope each of you enjoy my contribution although they are long! Some of you have tried to subscribe to the Daily Encounter and haven't been able to. I have included a couple different links and hope they will help you subscribe.

Jerry

 
This is the day that the Lord has made!  Let us rejoice and be glad in it!
Another day of sun, and Son shine to melt off the snow and fill us with joy.  Even in the toughest times, when there are clouds, we can rejoice in knowing the sun is shining ABOVE the clouds

Have a good, Godly day.
Judy

Good Morning. To all who have been here and all yet to come.
Karma: Very good. You are an intelligent woman.So now just where did God put our sins.? As far as the east is from the West. and He also "swept them away like a big cloud: I have removed your sins like a cloud that disappears into the air". Isaiah 44:22 Why should we remember them, when he "remembers them no more" We had a good discussion about this at Bible Study last night, I have a whole list of scriptures on this now.

Pat: How awful for that little puppy to swallow that knife. The puppy looks just like my Bebe did when she was that young. Her eyes were barely open and her ears were still laid back against her head when she was brought to me.

Al: good to see you here so early today. I am getting so anxious to get up there before the heats gets bad here. It won't be lng although we are expecting rain? in the next few days.

PapaJohn: Thanking God is a great part of my prayers. we have so much to thank him for. Just being alive for another day here on earth to start with.

Jerry:You were posting as I am writing this. Good Morning, very interesting devotional,. I nbever thought of the US being in the "post" Christian era. Maybe I have blinders on,  and can't see whats going on around me. All I really see is how I personally feel about the Lord.

Well I'll be back soon, going tocheck out the rest of the forums.

Victor will be in court for pre-trial in 1 hour from now. 8:30 PDT. Please pray that the truth will be made known.

Marilyn

Good morning!!!

Yesterday it got up to 72 degrees.  We spent most our day outside.  Chandraya and I surprised Mike with a picnic lunch.  That was fun.  Us girls got a bit of a sunburn.  I think it is supposed to be another beautiful day.  

Our flowers are coming up and  our trees are starting go bloom.  I love spring and summer.  

Al~Well ya know I could be, but I am pretty sure I am a Wyoming bread llama.  

Talk to ya later

BTW: When I saw that statue of Saddam Hussein topple yesterday I thought of the statue of Dagon falling over when the Ark of the Covenant was placed in the temple of Dagon by the Philistines. and Also of how "ervey knee shallbow and "every tongue comfess that jesus Christ is Lord." Actually those thoughts came tome this morning. Nothing like being a Day late.
Ha Ha

Marilyn

Great thoughts in here today!

Nice to see you posting, JudyB!  Shall we tell everyone about how we know each other???  

Thanks for the Daily Encounter, Jerry.  It does cause us to think!  Thanks!  Maybe some will be able to subscribe from your links.

Nice to see you too, Ruth!  You said you were about to leave for work.  Want to share with us what you do for a living?

Sonja, I love your llama!  But....  hopefully, we'll see that lovely photo of you again soon!   Which reminds me....I must get mine in here again.  So much to do!  So little time!


THANKS to both Papa John and Al for the reminders that we must be thankful and be thankful each day to our Lord and Saviour for all He's done for us.

Isn't it wonderful, Marilyn to realize that our Lord remembers our sins no more??

Mercychild, it's always so refreshing to read your messages.  I pray that you are having a good day at work as well and we'll look forward to hearing from you later on.

Are you rested yet from your little trip, Ruth Ann?  I wish I were going to be in Nashville this week to see Margret from SN!!!

I hope I've not forgotten anyone.

I pray that you all have a wonderful day.

I think I'll go and get something for us all to sing together.

Another beautiful day in which to praise and thank the Lord, the giver of all good things.  Our pastor used to always say "God only gives good gifts, and he always gives them in good ways!"

WELCOME, JUDY B!

It is going to be a beautiful day here in the corner of Kansas, the sun is shining and the temperature is rising.  They say to expect 84 degrees by Saturday!

Something is wrong and I can't get the audio on Creation Moments, but I will try again later.

It's so nice to see the posts of those who still are employed, popping in to greet us before they go off to work this morning!  I pray each of you has a blessed day, and feels strongly the presence of the Lord.

Today is my class day, so the afternoon will be busy.  Darrel is installing an alarm system in Dodge, so he's away for the day.

Come on and post those photos, recipes, etc.!  We are going to grow like weeds here, after all, it's SPRING!

Talk to you later!

I meant to tell you all, that if you have a subject you would like to see Scriptures on, just send me an IM on here, and we will start a new thread on that subject, in Precious Bible Promises.  Thanks!

Hi Janet!!!

Let's see...  Hmmmm....   How about...

Anger
Eternal Life
Death
Laziness
Joy
Long Life
.....

Pat ~ Thank you for the morning devotion.  Where would we be without God's grace?

Jane ~ I was up probably later than you last night.   It was after 1:30am when I shut off the lights.  PSPing!  I am becoming a PSP-aholic!  Is your signature done with PSP?

Jen ~ Isn't that true?  Pat has really been working hard to get our new home up and ready.  Her spring cleaning is almost done.  

Ruth & Ruth Ann ~ Good morning to both of you as you head out for work!  Is there a trend here with ladies named 'Ruth'?

Papa John ~ It really doesn't sound that cold in Florida but I know the beach can be very windy.  Seafood sounds great and you and Cornelia will get to the beach for your picnic another day.  And yes, we need to 'Thank you, God' every moment of our lives and mean it.

Al ~ Good morning!  You are up  kinda early, aren't you?  Thank you, God, for Al posting early this morning.

Jerry ~ Good morning, Jerry!  Your Daily Encounter was certainly good reading.  Really gives us Christians food for thought.  I have always thought that the kids of today is the Church of tomorrow.  We have to get the kids to want to attend church...there parents will bring them...they don't turn down their kids wants.  

JudyB ~ This site was so busy yesterday that I can't remember if I welcomed you to the site or not.  If I didn't...I officially welcome you to the site.  I know you will enjoy our little church in cyberspace.

Marilyn ~ I am like you.  I don't feel we are in a 'post' Christian era.  I see signs of Christianity more and more every day.  

Janet ~ I missed your post...that's what I get for doing 2-3 things while composing...

I couldn't 'hear' Creation Moments either.  

I also forgot.....
?º°`°º?ø,¸¸,ø?º°`°º?ø?º°`°º?ø,¸¸,ø?º°`°º?ø?º°`°º?ø,¸¸,ø?º°`°º?ø?º°`

"The right temperature in a home is maintained by warm hearts, not by hot heads."

 
Sure tell everyone with a picture from the Reunion of 2002, I believe there is one of both of us there!  

Folks we are sisters by birth and sisters by faith.  Thankyou Pat for inviting me to come on board.  I can't wait to see more of your pictures!

God Bless Everyone

Etta Sue, I can't hear today's "Creation Moment" either and I've written them to tell them.

But I just enjoyed going to their Archive and I listened to several there that I've missed!

Listen to the one about the Firefly!

Creation Moments Archive



Yes, JudyB is my sister!  I'll have to look up a photo and also maybe I can fix one up for you to have beside your name, Judy!

I think this fits in well with today's devotional thoughts on being thankful.  And there are some very practical tips as well, for reducing stress in our lives.

36 STRESS REDUCERS

1. Pray
2. Go to bed on time.
3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.
4. Say No to projects that won't fit into your time schedule or that
will compromise your mental health.
5. Delegate tasks to capable others.
6. Simplify and unclutter your life.
7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too
   many.)
8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.
9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over
   time; don't lump the hard things all together.
10. Take one day at a time.
11. Separate worries from concerns.  If a situation is a concern, find
    out what God would have you to do and let go of the anxiety.  If you
    can't do anything about a situation, forget it.
12. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary
    purchases.
13. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key
    buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.,
14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut.) This single piece of advice can prevent an
    enormous amount of trouble.
15. Do something for the Kid in You everyday.
16. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line.
17. Get enough exercise.
18. Eat right.
19. Get organized so everything has its place.
20. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of
    life.
21. Write thoughts and inspirations down.
22. Everyday, find time to be alone.
23. Having problems?  Talk to God on the spot.  Try to nip small
    problems in the bud.  Don't wait until its time to go to bed to try
    and pray.
24. Make friends with Godly people.
25. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand.
26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often
    a good "Thank you, Jesus!"
27. Laugh.
28. Laugh some more!
29. Take your work seriously, but yourself, not at all.
30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they
    can).
31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).
32. Sit on your ego.
33. Talk less; listen more.
34. Slow down.
35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the
    universe.
36. Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that
    you've never been grateful for before.

** GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR YOU **

-- Author Unknown

Welcome, JudyB.  That means you are OUR sister too!  Have a great day today.

Hi everyone.  It is another chilly and rainy day here in Georgia but I think it won't be long before we will see the sunshine again and it will warm up.  

Jerry, that was a very interesting article and I think if we are truly honest with ourselves we have to admit we see what he is talking about here in our communities.  It is partaicularly noticeable here in our area.  Our church has been focusing on what we need to do to serve our community.  We now have both a traditional and contempory service, we work in small groups as we are a fairly large church, new opportunities of service to the community in Christ's name are being sought all the time like our Calvin Cove program and pre and after school programs.  None the less, our pews are not filled each Sunday.

It was great to see so many postings here yesterday.  Think that must be a new record as we fellowship together.

I also want to welcome the new folks that have joined us.  It is great to see you participating.

It is time for lunch so will have to get back here later.

Larry

Pat, thank you for all the songs you give us daily.  They are mostly the ones I grew up with, and still love.  We don't sing them enough at church nowadays, but then the new ones are good too.  I don't care for the ones that repeat and repeat though.  

(I agree with you, Janice!)


Now, just a reminder to new folks...

We have on this forum an Instant Message that you can use.

Up at the top right of the screen you should check often where it says,


That means that I have 1 new message and if you put your curser on top of the word "messages", you can click on it.

In there too, you can click on a "Preferences" button and be notified by email if you have any new messages and I really like this new feature!  So often I'd miss seeing that I had a new message and now I get notification in my email box!

Hope all of you are having a blessed day. I've been enjoying reading all of todays thoughts.

It is so good how each day the Lord gives us is new with no mistakes in it. Grace changes everything doesn't it.

It looks like we may have some rain moving in, after having 3 beautiful days of sunshine.

I've been thinking about the families of troop members and will post a prayer request in the other section.

May we all keep our eyes on Jesus today,
Denise

I'm here...but just for a minute.  My neighbor is picking me up for our Women's Ministry meeting ... any minute!  

I have two questions for MS PAT~
(1) how come the time is fast ??  
and (2) how can I stay logged in so I don't have to keep reentering my password when I come here?  I know there's a way ... just haven't found it yet.


Well, I gotta get going ... I'll see y'all later

Hi Ms Jane!

• I don't know why the time is fast--maybe so you won't be late for your Women's Ministry Meeting???  
  
  
• When you login the next time, click on "Forever".  A cookie will be placed on your computer so that you won't have to login the next time you come!