Christian Photographers Community

Morning Devotional...

The Old Guide Book

In the years of long ago when I was a child, I often heard my mother sing a hymn that somehow I understood was very dear to her. Sometimes I would find her sitting alone singing it with tears on her cheeks. As the years rolled by its importance to her seemed to increase.

Some would have thought it a very strange choice had they heard her quietly sing it. Most people who knew her would have been surprised to hear her sing at all, for she never sang in public. Not even with the congregation. While others sang, she would follow in her hymn book intently with her eyes and I suspect with her heart. Her lips would not move, nor her tongue utter a single syllable. Those who knew our circumstances (although they were probably few in number) would have been astonished at the words:


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Over the years we had accumulated few of this world's goods and it was a constant struggle for her to feed and clothe the family.

What then were the blessings that a very poor Irish woman could sing about? They certainly had no value on the stock market and could not be accumulated in the local branch of the Belfast Savings Bank.  The "passbook" in which the blessings she sang about were listed was an old black leather covered Guide Book.  On the spine in faded gold letters were two words which made up the title, "Holy Bible". The pages were more worn than the cover. Once white, they had long since yellowed with wear and age and tear drops.

My mother probably never heard of John Locke, philosopher and writer, but she would have agreed with the truth of his statement when he said, "It has God for its Author, salvation for its end, without any mixture of error, for its matter: it is all pure, sincere, nothing too much and nothing wanting."

Theologians refer to the Bible as God's Special Revelation to Man. The wonders of creation testify to us of God's unsurpassed wisdom and power, but the Holy Scriptures tell us so much more about God, and it helps us to understand ourselves if only we are willing to accept its teachings. In it we see that God is holy, just and righteous and at the same time, gracious, loving and merciful.

Woodrow Wilson, twenty-eighth president of the United States, spoke truly when he said, "The Bible is the one supreme source of revelation of the meaning of life."

Paul, the apostle, reminds us in 2 Timothy 3:16 and 17 that: "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."

It is true that ungodly men have attacked the word of God and tried to destroy it down through the ages.  Many have used or attempted to use "facts" of science to disprove its truth. In 1861 the French Academy of Science published a booklet listing over fifty supposed "facts" to contradict the Bible. Atheists of the day rubbed their hands in glee as they ridiculed the Christian faith. Today all of the claimed "facts" are rejected by men of science.

In the early and mid-nineteenth century, archeologists said that they were confident that their findings would discredit the accuracy of the Bible. A few years ago, I heard a lecture by a professor of the Department of Archeology at the University of Toronto in which he said that the Bible is now considered by many archeologists to be the most reliable guidebook to finding remains of old cities etc. in the middle-east.

Yes, the Bible is an old guide book. In fact it is the only truly reliable guide book on the path of life.

An ancient writer said: "Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105 NKJV)

Despite the attacks of Satan and puny men, "We rest upon the impregnable rock of Scripture". (Winston Churchill)


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There are many "great and exceeding precious  promises" (2 Peter 1:4) found in the Old Guide Book we call the Bible. There are countless multitudes of blessings in this grand old book. One outshines all the others and accepting it is the condition for receiving and enjoying all the other blessings. It is described many times over. We shall look at only a few instances where it is mentioned.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." (John 3:16, 37)

What love God expressed to us in the coming of His Eternal Son in the body of human flesh! True God and true Man to suffer the penalty of sin upon the cross. What a blessing to know that those who repent of their rebellion and sin and trust Him as Lord and Saviour possess eternal life.

Paul in his Epistle to the Ephesians 2:4-10 gives us a great summary of this wonderful blessing. "But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."

You can enter into this the greatest blessing that can ever be known to mankind. Why not do so now by faith in Jesus Christ?

"Behold, now is the accepted time; behold now is the day of Salvation." (2 Corinthians 6:2b).

---

Jack Scott loved his Lord! He passed away on January 10, 2001 after a lengthy illness.
He is missed greatly by his family.

I would like to say thanks for the birtday wishes and May God bless everyone

I preached on this subject this past weekend.

A study was conducted by a teacher at the Newton High School in Massachusetts among college bound juniors and seniors on their knowledge of the Bible.  This was done prior to a class on "The Bible as literature." This High School is considered one of the better high schools in the country.  The responses to the questions went like this: "Sodom and Gomorrah were lovers;" "Jezebel was Ahab's donkey;" some students thought the 4 horsemen appeared on the Acropolis;" that the New Testament Gospels were written by Matthew, Mark, Luther, and John; that Eve was created "from an apple" and that Jesus was baptized "by Moses.  The answer that took the misinformation prize was given by a fellow who was academically in the top 5% of the graduation class, the question was: "What was Golgotha?" His answer: "Golgotha was the name of the giant who slew the apostle David." – Source Unknown

The questions comes, how many Christians today would do better on this test?  How many of us truly know the word of God.  Most of us know those top 20 scriptures that we quote without really thinking about them.  But how many of us have truly been like David in Psalm 119:11 "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you."

When was the last time was actually sat down with the purpose to hide God's word on our heart?  Take some time this week to purposefully memorize some scripture.

Karen's mother was startled to find her 5 year old going through a new Bible storybook and circling the word "GOD" wherever it appeared on the page. Holding in check her first reaction to reprimand her daughter, she asked instead "Karen, why are you doing that?" Karen's matter-of-fact answer was: "So that I will know where to find God when I want Him!"  Karen had captured the whole idea behind God giving us His Word – so that we can always find Him whenever we need Him or want Him, He is the Word! – Source Unknown

If you want to find God, know his word.  Put it in your heart, so that it is always ready to go.

Blessings,
Mike

Good morning everyone and I must say belated happy birthday to Woodenshoe50 because I forgot to do so previously.  It is good to see you here today.

The devotional was wonderful this morning.  It is strange because before I logged on to CP this morning I was thinking about these things.  Some time ago I thought I would read through the Koran because a Muslim moved into my street and I wanted to try to witness to him.  I couldn't understand how anyone could believe that the Koran was a revelation from God.  The Koran's description of heaven is men being able to have any woman that they want.  How could anyone believe that God had inspired such a book.  I have been reading the bible for over thirty years now and continue to see new truths in it every day.  I have become convinced that it is indeed God's revelation to mankind.  I am sure that you all  would agree with me.  One of my favourite hymns begins like this:

Thank you Pat for posting the devotional up and thank you Skief for your added thoughts, they were a great encouragement this morning.

Have a great day everyone.  See y'all later.

Anthony.

Yes thank-you so much Pat.

Just got in from church.  Holy Communion this morning. It was nice and warm in church and praise God the rain kept off., so I was able to decline when Jane phoned and offered to bring the sacraments to me here in my home.  It was so good to share at the Lord's Table with my brethren.

Thank you Mike for telling us about Karen and her underlining of God. I underline my Bibles especially my KJV.  and when that is too much underlined I get another and keep the lined ones.  It is good to look back and see how different verses have spoken to me at different times in my life. I have one very special underlined SRV Bible.  It was bought from a jumble sale for a few pennies and I used it when  praying for a dear friend who is now a lady minister.  She had a hard road to travel in the Anglican church to reach where she is now and much prayer and many tears were the price.

Anthony.  Hello again.  You are a breath of fresh air on C.P.  How nice to see you here again. The Lord has worked a mighty work in you brother.

Woodenshoe Goodmorning to you also.  God Bless Bro.

Marilyn I prayed for you in church.

Love to all.
Jenny.

Good Morning: Pat thank you so much for your beloved Jack's words this morning. Thank you Mike for what you added.

I have two bibles that go everywhere with me in my car. My KJV that I use at chruch and is very much underlined in many different colors over the last 4 years. and a small NIV that stays in my car all the time. Currently I am using my NCV for my daily readings and making it up as I go. well enough of that subject. TMI

I ahve been to prayer this morning and I am ready  spiritually to begin my day. I still need to  get into the word before I go to work. So I will say GOOD MORNING EVERYONE and then sign off after I check prayers.

TTYL

Hello!  I went to swim today, but was told I couldn't swim in the indoor pool because the chemicals are really bad, and it is ruining everybody's swimsuits.  I told them it's been that way for months, and it ruins not only suits but also hair!  I could hardly get a brush through Abby's hair the last couple of times she went with me.  Anyway, I went out and put my foot in the outdoor pool, and decided right quick that I'm not a polar bear!  B-r-r-r-r!  75 degrees is too cold when you are feeling tired in the first place.  So I came back home.

I am taking the boys to the museum this morning.  They are having a special showing of a handkerchief collection of over 4000 hankies which have been autographed by famous people, and then will talk to the kids about how to get autographed pictures of celebrities, etc.

I am also taking Beth to the grocery store to do some shopping.  They would deliver, but I think she needs to get out when she can, and they have an electric cart she can use while shopping.

Anyway..........good to see all of you, and I will return later.  I have new photos to work on and post, but may have to wait until the boys go home.  Maybe I can do some while they are swimming this afternoon---if the sun comes out!

Hi everyone.  It is a sunny but not too hot day here in the Atlanta area.  I got up feeling better this morning and went to the "Y" so I could walk.  However, am still not over this cold and just wrote to the lady at Calvin Cove and also to our choir director that I wasn't going to make it this week.  Still have a sore throat and cough and not feeling as good as I did when I got up today. 

Rachel, the weathermen in the Atlanta area don't think we will be very heavily impacted by the storms.  However, they indicated that south of us they would experience  some heavy rains.  I don't think you probably need to worry about the winds being too high as they usually weaken over land.  I do remember years ago when we had 10 inches of rain from a hurricane, but that is very unusual.

Pat, I appreciate the writing from Jack this morning.  This is one of my favorite ones as guess I have a special spot in my heart related to mothers and grandmothers.

Janet, I agree with you that 75 degrees is way too cold.  Hope the museum event goes well as well as the trip to the grocery with Beth. 

Jenny, glad you were able to get to your church for Communion.  It is nice to see you posting more often as I have missed your postings.

Skiel, thanks for sharing the information from your sermon.  Those little illustrations often help teach important trues.

Woodenshoe, here is a belated Happy Birthday.

Hope everyone has a good day.

Nards ~ I would be blessed to read a longer version of your post yesterday. 

Janet ~ Slow down!!!  You are making me dizzy with all your running around!!!

Pat ~ Jingle bells is appropriate for here today.  My toes are about froze as I am sitting here typing.  It is only 63 degrees F.  That certainly is cold for August.  Today is the first day of our Indiana State Fair...Band day.  The high schools compete for the number one band of the state.  Usually it is soooooo hot that kids pass out due to the heat but they won't today.  They will probably wish they were wearing their winter uniforms.  Hope they televise the Sweet Sixteen...the top 16. 

This is a do-nothing day for me.  I have already been to the bank and have mailed some letters...bills.  So now it will be finding something for lunch and kick back and do nothing!!!

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"True repentance has a double aspect--it looks upon things past with a weeping eye and upon the future with a watchful eye."

Hi everyone...

Etta Sue Did the police ever catch whoever killed your neighbours a few weeks ago?
I think something must have happened as you were talking about leaving windows open earlier this week.

We are still experiencing a heatwave...Phew!!! Not nice!  I spoke to a lady in Scotland today on the phone and she said it's freezing cold there.  Poor Iain!...Come to sunny Birmingham, U.K. folks!

Hello Larry.  Nice to catch up with you too.

Love,
Jenny X

Nice devotional this morning.  Thanks Pat.  Also to Skief....I greatly enjoy your posts.

Sunny and bright this morning.  This is Farmer's Market Day for Wendy and me...Then she goes for Physio.  I had planned to golf but feel rather ill this morning.  So will take it easy.  Had a busy day yest. and cooked dinner for the kids as they had to make a trip to Victoria.  Think I will go along tomorrow and go down to the oceon at Dallas Rd.  The scenery is great. 

Dr. Tim Johnson (Medical reporter for ABC) wrote a book that I plan to acquire.  It is titled:  Finding God in the Questions.  There was an article in our paper about the book and he made a number of great statements.  Referring to our being an accident, he makes the point that if there is a design, there must be a designer.  Evolution minus God cannot say how living cells developed from nonliving chemicals.  Evolution explains only organisms that already exist.  He also points out that there is growing knowledge to indicate that nature's tiniest structures indicates the universe was fine-tuned to produce the human race.  People ask why God chooses to remain so hidden.  A French philosopher, Blaise Pascal, made this comment.  "God could make it all obvious, but at a terrible price...the loss of what makes us human, the ability to choose freely rather than submit passively."
Johnson further supports God with the obvious realities about human existence:   our inborn moral-conscience and need for relationships.  Johnson suggests that people read the Gospels for themselves.  Go back to the original sources!

Amanda gets her new, rather expensive rabbit today.  His name is Austin and looks really neat.  We saw him a few days ago. Here is a small smile for the day:

QuoteBobby and Ralph were walking home from Sunday School, each deep in his own thoughts.

Finally Ralph said, "What do you think about all this devil stuff we studied today?"

Bobby replied thoughtfully, "Well, you know how Santa Claus turned out. This is probably just your Dad, too..."

Pleasant Day all and God Bless.

Liz

                                                                                         

                           Human Foetal Research U.K.

On our U.K. Early Evening News Radio Broadcast .... announcement just made that the British Government has granted permission for human foetal research........

      Worth reading.


http://link.salemwebnetwork.com/UM/T.asp?A1.138.25190.2.1385139

Hey!  Still on page one?  Everyone must be super busy today.

I am disappointed because the show at the museum was YESTERDAY after all.   So we just looked around in the museum for a while, then took Beth to the grocery store.  It is quite a bit of work, but the boys are a great help, lifting the wheelchair into and out of the car, and helping Beth.  Addison stayed right with her and handed her things from the shelves that she couldn't reach.  Then they helped me get her back into her house, and stayed to put away the groceries for her.

I took the boys to the pool and found it closed.  THEY said it is too cool to swim!  I said "Why wasn't it too cool for the senior citizens this morning???"   Ridiculous.  It's warmer now than then, and the kids don't mind the cold nearly as much as we older kids do.  So I have to figure out some entertainment for these guys.  Right now, they are in the kitchen making a dessert for tonight.

The weather patterns seem to be turned on their heads all over the world this summer, don't they?  Just another sign of the end times.  Look up, for our redemption draweth nigh!

Jenny, are you refering to fetal stem sell research?  Or research on aborted babies?  Or what?  Whatever, it is WRONG. (imo)  Sad times we are living in, aren't they?

Janet.

They have permission to "clone foetuses" ( this is the expression used on the Broadcast) to use for medical purposes...

I didn't say too much as I wasn't sure what your reaction would be in view of Beth's needs.  I am glad you feel as I do.  It is all wrong.  They are playing God.  The Anti Abortion League and the Society for Protection of Unborn Children have campaigned against it to no avail. A spokeswoman said that the foetus is a living human organism., as such it has dignity and human rights. Apparently they have egg donors initially  and  will grow the foetuses  in test tubes and use them for experiments.

England has been  very slow to make a decision  on this.  It is the opening of the sluice gates.

God bless you Janet.  He enables you to stand in spite of your heartache.

Love,
Jenny X

Liz

I do hope you are feeling better now .

God Bless.

Love Jenny.

Hi everyone, hope you and your families are all well; Sorry if I have missed an important thread...  A special hi  to Pat, Ria, Janet and Sonifo... thanks for your support and encouragement. 

God is good!

Mike, The art of listening is so important; I was asked how animals Moses had on his Ark; I dutifuly answered 2 of each...  Guess who was embarrased!

Oh my!  Today is going by so fast for me.  I can't believe it is 4:30 already. 

VBS starts in 1 1/2.  I have lots of things to do still.  

Troy and I had lunch at the park and played 9 holes of folf.  That was fun. 

I just found out that school starts Sept. 1.  and I don't have a thing ready or bought for Chandraya.  Yikes...I better get busy. 

It got down to 43 last night.  COLD!!!!!!!!

I better get going.
Soni

It is good to see each one today.

A little humor is good for all of us.  I got this today from the net:

A collector of rare books ran into an acquaintance who told him he had just thrown away an old Bible that he found in a dusty, old box. He happened to mention that Guten-somebody- or-other had printed it.

"Not Gutenberg?" gasped the collector.

"Yes, that was it!"

"You idiot! You've thrown away one of the first books ever printed. A copy recently sold at auction for half a million
dollars!"

"Oh, I don't think this book would have been worth anything
close to that much," replied the man. "It was scribbled all over in the margins by some clown named Martin Luther."


Prov 17:22  A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.  (NKJ)



--- Papa John          <)))><<   
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Oh Papa John if that were true, just think of the value of  that Gutenberg Bible. to our boble scholars today. 

Congratulations Ursala for the Photo of the Day on Photo Sense!  An amazing photo!

Hi, friends,

I'm feeling tremendous relief. My son had made several appointments for doctor visits and called faithfully each time to let me know so I could enter it on my calendar.

I misplaced the doctor's names before I had time to input them. Then, went into full panic mode until I discovered them, all tidy and tucked into the section of my organizer for phone numbers.  So, there went another senior moment. 

Oh, well, I was thankful and prayed thanking God all the way home for His quick answer to prayer from me - I really felt helpless and hopeless when I prayed for assistance.

Yet, my desk must surely be thankful, too! It's whole lots straighter. 

Jenny, I listened to a debate on public radio about stem cell research as I drove home. I agree with so many of the comments already made. How sad. I was pleased to hear one scholar say, though, that stem cells taken from adults will probably cause the first breakthrough.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if stem cells taken from our own skin scrapings (for instance) could help with regerating, for instance, cartilege in our knees, etc.

I don't know the answer, but feel that creating embryos for research purposes only is not in God's plan for mankind.

Ruth Ann

Oh, Papa John!  That is so funny!  Wow!


It's been good to read all the messages in here today.  I only wish that there were more to read.  I've been running crazy with errands, etc.  Now, I've just had a phone call from Phil (son-in-law) saying he's coming here to sleep tonight so I have to go quickly and make a bed.

I'll be back.

Jenny, no one ever loved babies more than Beth!  From the time she was a tiny little girl, all she ever said she wanted to be was a mother.  And even though that isn't to be, she would NEVER want a baby in any stage of its preborn life to be destroyed, even if it might help her.  And I feel the same; especially since the adult stem cells hold much more promise than the ones from embryos.

God bless you, Jenny.

I had to go over and light Beth's oven, her pilot light had gone out and she wanted to bake a pizza.  No way could she get down on the floor to do that, and even if she had, she couldn't have gotten back up again.

We aren't a very talkative bunch in here today, are we?

Tomorrow afterwork there is a Union Meeting for all of us who do my kind of work. The United Domestic Workers  and In Home Supportive Services Workers. Our State budget approved enough funding for a raise to $8.50 per hour instead of the $6.75 per hour we are currently making . Much thanks to the union. Now we have to fight with our county to get the raise through here. We will be having a pizza party after the meeting.

Today I took Gloria over to the Indian clinic for her Diabetic class and they had us doing excersise using a large band of rubber and doing the excersise sitting down. The teacher also teaches at the local Senior Center 3 times a week. I have posted a prayer in the thread about Gloria needs a miracle that I would like agreement on.

TTYL

Hi Pat and everyone else.  Just dropping in (AGAIN) to say hello.   
Gotta go!

Ursula

Although things are not perfect
Because of trial or pain
Continue in thanksgiving
Do not begin to blame
Even when the times are hard
Fierce winds are bound to blow
God is forever able
Hold on to what you know
Imagine life without His love
J oy would cease to be
Keep thanking Him for all the things
Love imparts to thee
Move out of "Camp Complaining"
No weapon that is known
On earth can yield the power
Praise can do alone
Quit looking at the future
Redeem the time at hand
Start every day with worship
To "thank" is a command
Until we see Him coming
Victorious in the sky
We'll run the race with gratitude
X alting God most high
Yes, there'll be good times and yes some will be bad, but...
Zion waits in glory...where none are ever sad!

"I AM Too blessed to be stressed!" The shortest distance between a problem and a solution is the distance between your knees and the floor.
The one who kneels to the Lord can stand up to anything. Love and peace be with you forever, Amen.

Hey Everyone!
I apolagize for my absence life just got extremly busy around here-I am trying not to be on the puter as much right now and spending time with the family..the time seems to get away so quick.
Sonda are you not homeschooling this year? Im hosting an arbone party tonight and the gal should be here by now-so just wanted to quickly stop by and say hello-
I will post more later..
Blessings
Rachelle

Psssss......check out our new ministry online- www.theheartofamother.net
Also I am doing work for our missionary friends again..their website is www.gonowhelp.org

Pat, thank you for the devotional this morning.  Great to hear from Jack!

Hi Judy, I like your ABC's poem.   How is everything?

I am still trying to help Sandra from Brazil with her problems.  She says she has a headache from just thinking about what to do.  I guess we all have to trust the Lord and wait for Him.

God Bless

Ruthie

well i'm here... guess the is a good thing right now.... been a BAD day for me.... had 2 flat tires on the car  guess i ran over something at some point.... haven't had much sleep cuz of the storms last night..... mom's mad at me because i didn't get the house cleaned cuz i was down with dad waiting on the car..... my youth leaders mother died so we don't get to go to the lake this weekend.... school starts tomorrow...... and i've made a few friends mad because i didn't stay online and went to elkhart.... oh what a fun day... NOT well ttyl
Sarah