Christian Photographers Community

Morning Devotional...


He that winneth souls is wise.
Proverbs 11:30


Perhaps the two most mentioned professions in the Bible are fishing and shepherding.

These occupations reflect the Lord's mission for the church. Fishing describes evangelism, and shepherding depicts discipleship.

God gave a victory to Gideon who bore a light in one hand, symbolizing a testimony, and a trumpet in the other, to picture the declaration of a message.

Likewise, the Christian must have a pure testimony and be willing to give the "certain sound" of the gospel to sinners, then see them sanctified for God through pastoral care.
--Warren Henderson

Well .... I'm first this time.   Sorry for not making my presence known more often, Pat.  I have been involved in getting the proper help and counseling for my soldier grandson, Bryan, as he is awaiting discharge from the USArmy. 

Had to make phone calls to his commander and the Chaplain at Fort Lewis because his mother was inconvenienced with downed phone lines and no computer access for a whole week after she got back to Mexico.  Only a close family member could do this and, since she wasn't able to, it had to be Grandma.   ::) 

Bryan will be discharged in a month or so ... the Staff Sgt. said "look at mid-September" for a date.  He still needs much help emotionally and physically to readjust to civilian life.  We have not heard from him directly since we (his mother and I) were at Ft. Lewis last month.  I have faith that everything will turn out for the best for him and that his future will be bright and prosperous.  Maybe he will even decide to take a break and visit with his Grandma for a few days on his way to wherever he decides to land! 

Marilyn you asked:

QuoteJane What's the lastest word on Bry?

[/i]  So, I think I just answered you.   

Thank you Pat for the devotional this morning.  A friend of mine has just opened a new church a few miles from where I live and sometimes he gets discouraged with poor attendance.  I think only about half a dozen people are atttending regularly at the moment (the church opened at the beginning of this year).  We were talking about how wonderful it would be if only one person was converted as a result of the testimony of the church.  It is a wonderful brother and I am certain that God will bless his endeavours.

QuoteWhere are all our regular members?  Our posts have gone down so much lately.  Are we doing something wrong on our site?  Please let us know if you'd like to see something changed.

Pat, I read this in yesterday's thread.  I have been reading the threads but not posting.  I find it difficult to address each person and feel ignorant if I don't do that.  I think that is the reason why I am finding it tough to post.  Please forgive me and I will try harder in the future.

Hope everyone is well today.  We are having coffee morning this morning and the musicians will be preparing for the services tomorrow.  We may play badminton this afternoon.

God bless all, and see you later.

Anthony.

AWAKE UP  [/color]

I think I did hear a snore........... did you hear it too?

Every one is asleep and I am the only one here. It is a most wonderful day today and when you get here you will see it is is a very good day. 


Hi ms Jane 

Ms Pat (hi ms Pat )  I read the devotional most every day if I can but at times it is many days away to read it. and I read of my friends here and I wish to make a questions and share a happy thoughts but I can not make a post so easy so many days.

Most of this devotionals i can undarstand them and some I have no idea of it. This one today I do not undarstand at all. I do not know what is a sound of the gospel to share. How can I give this sound to others?  I think perhaps I need to give it in my own way it is my only way i know how. 

HI Mr Anthony  It is VERY nice to see you today.

Mieka...Mieka......

Hello...Hello..

Love You.

Jenny. 

Hello Anthony,

Yes I know how you feel....

I am having to take things a bit slowly these days and I stopped posting because people are offended when not mentioned or if no-one tells them how good their pictures are.  For me it seemed that it would be all or nothing.

I now just keep in touch as best I am able.  If folks are hurt then I hope they will forgive and understand.   

Thanks for expressing my own feelings brother.

" You can please some of the people some of the time. You can't please all of the people all of the time"

Pat..{{{Hugs}}}

Love to you and everyone,
Jenny..

EEEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeeee Hi ms Jenny   (((((HUG)))))


OH MY, I think I did goof my type VERY bad, yes?
I think i did fix it now, it was hard to figure out it. but i did it 



Ms Jenny and Mr Anthony, many times i do not make a post too because i did read and there is SO SO many things I wish to share and to talk of things i did read some weeks ago and i feel silly to talk of them so far away. so i did not make a post at all. I know so many share so many kind things here and I do not say a hi to every one every time any more as i did some time ago. It will be FAR too much to read and every one will fall to asleep if I post a BIG post every time. So I do not do it any more.

I love mr Hanna and i do not enough say HI MR HANNA  but it is my hope he is not mad of it.

And Mr Ria too ( hi ms Ria) 

and all these others too   --------------->
But you all know I love you, yes?

I miss every one so much at times and one small moment it is not so much time to thank every one i wish to honor here who are a help to me (hi mr Moak  ) I will not be sad if you do not say a hi to me each time you are here. I know if you are here and you make a post there is many others to say a hi to too, and I am only one tiny mieka. (Hi Papa John  )  So I will not ever get mad if you make a post here ok?  And None here can ever get mad at me if I make a post here too ok? (  Hi ms Karmat  i miss you )

There are so many things in my heart, and every one will fall to asleep and be a BIG snore if I am a post pig. (hi ms Etta Sue, say a hi to mr Jerry too ok  )   Oh oh and I like the happy dance words you show ms Etta Sue they are too fun.

I get to go home soon in 3 days more  I am excite for this. and I get to be home for some weeks  (hi ms Soni  )
and then I will talk your head off every day and you will say MIEKA PLEASE PLEASE NO MORE.     

There !!! I am now a post pig  and I love you all  (Hi Ms Marylin  )


and I love you God

Good morning.  It is good to see each one.

Mieka,  I loved your long post.  It is never too long.  You are a very wise young lady.  We should not get mad at one another if our name is not mentioned.  I sometimes start saying, “It is good to see each one of you.”

We have friends who live in Punta Gorda, Florida and have received word that they weathered the storm and are all right and we thank God.


II Th 1:2-3  Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing.  (NIV)



--- Papa John          <)))><<   
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Well, I never have intended to offend - heaven knows that's not my intent in being here in CP.

My time is limited, so I spend the moments I have reading your posts, praying for your requests, and making mental notes to think about various devotionals and conversational threads I find here.

Mieka, to know the "Sound" a person needs to hear. Since you haven't experienced hearing except through the "ears" in your Spirit and your eyes, I would think that to let the sound of the gospel be "heard" through your Christian life will be to live a good Christian life and let others see your love of God by the way you live and act.

In fact, I'm not very good at speaking out about my faith - I prefer to let my life show through my love for others and refraining from doing things that I believe would make the Holy Spirit very sad. But, if approached about my faith in a private way, I'm more than thankful to share and to pray with those who ask.

I think many of our younger members are hurry-scurrying about taking vacations, doing things with their children before the school year begins.

And, often vacations also include visits to elder members of the family, which may well keep them from posting very much as well.

At any rate, I love and appreciate all who come here.

Ruth Ann

QuoteThank you Pat for the devotional this morning.  A friend of mine has just opened a new church a few miles from where I live and sometimes he gets discouraged with poor attendance.  I think only about half a dozen people are atttending regularly at the moment (the church opened at the beginning of this year).  We were talking about how wonderful it would be if only one person was converted as a result of the testimony of the church.  It is a wonderful brother and I am certain that God will bless his endeavours.

Thanks for this, Anthony - I believe it's right on.  I've many, many times had to preach in churches when there were but very few people.  I pastored one church up in the mountains for three years.  Each Sunday I wondered who would show up - or if any would show up.  We had anywhere from 5 to 40 every time - and you never knew whether it would be many or few.  Imagine praying over and preparing messages for people and having most of them missing!

Little by little, though, I learned (I'll probably have to learn it more than once!) that God knows which (and how many) people will come.  It's really not any of my business!  It's God's business alone.  Now of course we need to do all things well, correct mistakes, make things as inviting as possible, etc., etc.  But when all is said and done, it is still God's business who comes, and He would only have us pray, leave it to Him, and thank Him for the work He's called us to do.  We need to do that work, leave it on the altar before Him, and get busy doing more of it.

God greatly bless you, Pat!  I personally thank you very, very much for doing all that you do.  It is good work that  you do.  God enables you, and God will bless the results - in His way and at His time.  It is not for you to worry, but only to thank Him for the work He's given you to do - and the work He's enabled you to do so well.  Bless His holy Name!

Good Morning> Mieka it is so good to see you posting here again, You are NOT a "post pig" I think about you so ofte and have wondered where you are or have been.

Ruth Ann God bless you sister, thank you for our lovely conversation last night. You have blessed me tremendously.

Jane thank yo for the update on Bry, I am still praying daily for him and Hope you get to spend some time with him before he moves on.

PapaJohn I just heard ont he news about the devastation in Punta Gorda, The pictures are horrifying. I am glad your friends are safe.

Anthony I hope you have a very nice time today with the things you are doing with your friend and church family.

Good Morning Al,

Last but not least Good morning Pat you wonderful sister in the Lord. God Bless your efforts to keep everyone happy here on CP.

TTYL

By the way!!!!!! Hi to Mieka!  Please continue to be a "post pig!"  We love it.  We love you!  Believe me - there are other "post pigs" here, too.

Sonja ~ I am guilty of not answering questions that I read in posts also.  You were lucky.  This time I answered.   

Jenny ~ It really disgusts me when I read and hear of people doing terrible wrongs in the name of God.    Your broadcast about child trafficking in Kenya is one of them.  How can they go to sleep at night?   

Janet ~ I noticed the same thing when I was with Jerry and he was trying to get Medicaid....it was at the same area as welfare and those people had coats on that cost the same as my whole wardrobe.  :o  Janet, I have a price for my do-nothing days....no grandchildren, no husband, no job...but I do have God and He keeps me on an even keel. 

Liz ~ I did read about your wasp sting and so sorry its friends found you and stung you a couple of more times.  My Dad would get deathly sick with bee stings.  I know it is an old wife's tale but if he got stung, he found a Ragweed and wrung the juice out of the stem and rubbed it on his bee sting.  He was fine after that.  Don't know if you have Ragweed around or it would work on wasp stings but worth a try perhaps.   

Papa John ~ I know the hurricane was where you spend time in Florida.   :(  Will you please let us know if there was damage to that area when you find out?  My brother stays at an RV Resort but that is at Bradenton near the interstate.  I know you are on a canal nearer to the gulf.

Pat ~ Yes, I did get my yard mowed.  Then I came in and showered and then Ivalou and I ate Fried Chicken Salad at Steak and Shake.  While driving to WalMart the sky was menacing black to the north.  I don't remember seeing it that dark in the daylight before.  The sun was shining on us but was black ahead of us.  It rained while we were in WalMart.  I figured I would have to clean up water when I got home because I left some windows open but it didn't rain here!!!   

Janet ~ Itineray?  Close to Indy?  Oh, I hope so.  Let me know.   

Jane ~ That is great news about Bry.  I know you and his mother will be breathing easier when he is discharged.  Hopefully he will land close to one of you so you can keep an eye on him and your arms around him.   :)  We have a wonderful boy in our neighborhood who served in Iraq.  He was home on furlough but has gotten his orders to go back to Iraq to the front line.  His name is Daniel.  He needs our prayers.  He is in Iraq now.

Mieka?  Is it really you?    Oh, I am so sorry I missed you.  You bring joy to the forum.  How can anyone not smile when reading your posts.  You are a breath of sunshine.  You make my heart smile.  I can't wait for three days to read your posts daily.  Please do post often before you leave for Lhasa again!

As far as posting....I sometimes rush through and not post much.  Then other times, I try to post to everyone.  Then other times, I post just to respond to peoples posts.  We are never the same every day so our posting will never be the same.  Just remember, even if we 'lurk' as Jerry does or we post, we are visiting CP.  When we come back, that means there is something there for us to return to or we wouldn't be returning. 

I did watch the opening ceremony of the Olympics.  I thought I saw the athletes from Mike's country.  Did I Mike?  Or did I see another country?  Maybe it was Belusa instead of Belarus.  I didn't recognize a third of those countries.   

I have a groundhog under my deck.  I saw him run to the front of my house when I got the mail a few days ago.  He has an entrance hole under the lattice and an exit hole at the other end of the deck under the lattice.  Now I don't want to have a family under there.  I don't know what to do.  My brother says to shoot it with a .22 but I don't shoot or have a .22.  Besides I have only seen it once. 

Another do-nothing day.

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"You cannot buy enthusiasm, loyalty, or the devotion of hearts, minds, or souls.  You must earn these."

Hi Everyone...

It's so nice to come in and read your messages...


PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE!!!   Don't think that you have to comment to everyone.  Just come and say "Hi Everyone" and leave it at that if you wish.  Some of us do comment to many.  Sometimes I do and sometimes I don't but please don't think that you must.  It's just so wonderful to see you here.

It is great to see everyone posting and it is sooooo good to see Mieka posting her, as usual, happy post!  ;D  I sure miss seeing that.   8) 

Mike and I went early this morning to pick up an old section of a fence we found in a burn pile.  Not burned though, just getting ready to be burned.  We saved it.  ;D 
I am going to use it for a photo prop for portraits.  I am accumulating alot of cool stuff for my studio.

We are getting some stuff out of the garage today to sell or haul back to the storage shed so we can get the garage cleaned out to get a studio set up in there.  FUN!!!! 

I better get!  ((((hug)))) to all!

Hi everyone.  I have been interested in the various comments about trying to mention everyone in our postings.  I certainly agree with what Pat has said and often find I am rushed just to get the postings read much less take the time to try to write something to everyone.  Today is one of those days when I feel I must be brief as I spent the morning helping a friend with his computer and I have more webpage work and several other computer projects I need to tackle this afternoon.  So today I am just going to make a few individual comments.

Liz, I am sorry to hear of your experience with the bee stings and that you have been so sick with them. 

Mieka, I am certainly not "mad" at you and love your postings, whether short or long (as I feel about all the folks posting here). 

Sonja, I hadn't realized you were preparing a studio, sounds neat!

I thought the opening ceremonies for the Olympics were so classic and had such style.  One of the better ones I had seen and the music was great.  However, I turned it off when they started the parade of nations.

Papa John, Judy, and others that know the Dorr's in Florida from SeniorNet, I was greatly relieved to read they had weatered the storm in their new condo in the Punta Gorda area.  We also had word from Pat's cousin that all were well in St. Petersburg and that Tampa faired well after fearing the worst.  Florida has certainly been left in a mess.

Jane, it is good that you have been able to act on behalf of Bryan.  Do hope he gets all the help he needs. 

Guess I had better move on.  Hope all have a good day.

Just stopping by to read the posts before I leave for work. Leaving in 5 minutes or less.  I pray you all willl  have a wondereful day while I am gone. I will be checking up on all of you when I get home to see if you have been enjoying your day here a nd being nice to one another. . You kids be good now. see you later  .

May I add my "2c worth" to the discussion of posting?  I sometimes address people individually, sometimes not, sometimes I have things I feel like sharing, other times I don't think anyone would be interested.  Anyway, Anthony and anyone else who has struggled with this, please don't!  Just be yourselves, say what you want, as little or as much, and know that we love you and are happy to hear from you, however your posting style is.

I apologize for saying recently that it wasn't worth posting photos as I felt no one hardly looked at them.  Guess I was feeling grumpy that day.  But it really does help the poster if you make just a little comment on their photos.  And if this is true for us who are "old members" then so much the more for the new folks, right?

Anyway, I love all of you, and I always read all the posts here in NEM and check the prayer thread, and always look at EVERY photo posted.  I don't get to all the threads because of time constraints, that doesn't mean they are not important to have in here.

Anthony, my favorite pastor, when he had first come to our church, always preached the same whether there were five or fifty (or more).  I told him once that I was amazed he didn't get discouraged when so few showed up, and he said "God told me when I started out that numbers are not my concern.  He said "You take care of the quality, and I will take care of the quantity!"  And he did----he was always so faithful, and loved us all so much, and we loved him.

I'm so glad our friends in Florida and other places the storms hit are all right.  Thank God!

Well, my company has all gone now.  They left about noon.  Kerri and I went over to Beth's and we blessed her by picking up, folding and doing laundry, vacuuming, and the boys carried out all her trash.  I know a person feels better if their surroundings aren't in chaos.  Kerri told Darrel that that was the best conversation she ever had with Beth.  They can sometimes get in an argument when they have been together for five seconds!  So God is good, and He is working in both of my girls.  And I trust in the other two, as well!  Oh, yes!  Justin also hooked up Beth's new DVD player for her.

I have stripped the beds, gathered up all the towels, and have laundry going.  Soon the house can return to normal! 

Etta Sue, I will email you the itinerary, since you are a map lover, you can figure out how close we may come to you.  I hope we can meet you---that would be so cool!

P.S.  I don't think any of us really get "mad" at each other in here, do we?  I don't, anyway.  While we may be a bit disappointed at times, we still love each other.

Hey, Mieka!  You little post pig, please come in and become an even bigger post pig!  We love it!

Dear Mieka, God bless you for your interesting questions, keep asking them, it's the only way to learn!
A trumpet call must be clear, loud enough to be heard above the noise around us, and sound a call familiar to our ear.
When armies, and for instance the US cavalry used trumpets as a call to get ready for battle,
"mount up"  "charge."etc. It was very important to have your ear tuned to the various orders sounded out.
A good preacher will also give a clear, sound message to his audience, whether it be teaching or a gospel invitation.
The trumpet sound mentioned in scripture refers in 1 Cor ch 14 v 8 where togues must be followed by interpretation, or there is no point of giving the message for no-one shall understand it.
The trumpet that we shall all  hear is the one mentioned in 1 Cor ch 15 v 52 which will signal our transformation into a glorious body!
So Mieka, witness simply and clearly so that anyone hearing your words will be left in no doubt about how Jesus came to save and heal and restore.
Bless you, may you always have your questions answered.

http://christianphotographers.com/community/index.php?topic=3200.0

Greetings to all my brothers and sisters in Christ,
 
  Just a note to tell you I have read all your posts and each and every one of you are very important to me.. You all bring your special touch here..

   Pat, God bless you for all you do for us, I need this site to come to.. It is where I find peace just being here..

  I love to come here everyday several times and just read your posts..I feel that each one of you has been a friend of my so long now.. I too am guilty lately of not making my posts.I have been up and down with my back and have not hardly sat at the computer to long, just a little while at a time.

  I want to share with you that I have taken 2 of my princaple class tests on 1 I got 100% and 90% on the other, Thank you for the prayes , Please keep them up as I have a few more tests to go and than the BIG one, which I will trying to get 100% on..
   
  The Lord comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones. Isaiah 49:13
 
   

QuoteBy Janet~I apologize for saying recently that it wasn't worth posting photos as I felt no one hardly looked at them.  Guess I was feeling grumpy that day.  But it really does help the poster if you make just a little comment on their photos.  And if this is true for us who are "old members" then so much the more for the new folks, right?

Janet, you know what helps?  Put a link in the NEM and maybe more folks will click on it.  I would.    I don't have a lot of time to click through everything on the site but if you were to put a link I would click on that. ((((hug))))  I feel the same way at times.

QuoteBy Alma~  I want to share with you that I have taken 2 of my princaple class tests on 1 I got 100% and 90% on the other, Thank you for the prayes , Please keep them up as I have a few more tests to go and than the BIG one, which I will trying to get 100% on..

Alma, that is awesome!  Way to go! 

Post or no post...I love you all and I think you are all wonderful at what you do.  Brilliant photographers and brilliant pastors and teachers.

I came along by accident on purpose, neither one or the other, warts and all.

Good night and God Bless from "over here"
Jenny 

Dear all, it was great to read all of the posts today.  It really was good solid Christian fellowship to know the encouragements that you were all bringing. BTW, I always knew Meika was a pig 

Thanks for the encouragements about the small congregations.  Some people have just arrived from the USA (Florida) to help Lars and Carol in the work that they have started.  They know that they are in for the long haul, and I believe that God will bless them in the work.  Thanks particularly to Janet and Pastor Al for your thoughts.

I am really weary tonight so I will get off to bed, but God bless you all.  I was alarmed by the storms that are hitting Florida.  I am  not sure if it is in the same area as our missionaries used to live, but I do trust that they will soon die down.

God bless all.

Anthony.

Well, I think I just about have my house back in order, all laundry done and floors vacuumed.  So I laid down and took a little nap!

We are invited to a surprise anniversary party for some friends tonight honoring their 40th, that will be fun.  See you nice people tomorrow!

MIEKA:  What a dear friend you are.  May I call you friend?  I read your posts and I enjoy reading them.  Even though I have never written to you, I read everything you have write on this site.

You are a living example of a Christian surviving with the love of God in your heart.  Thank you for your living example to me.

Your posts cause me to think of Billy Graham's wife Ruth.  She lived in China as a child.  Her father was a missionary to the Chinese.  At one point missionaries were told that they had to leave China. Years later, when she went back with her husband Billy, she didn't know what to expect...she thought maybe the church her dad started would not survive the perscution given to believers of Jesus Christ.  When they arrived, they found that not only did the church survive, but it was flourishing.

Now I am the one being a posting pig......

As far as participation on the site....as I said before, I look in most every day and write little...that doesn't mean I have not read what was written.....just that my schedule is full and most times I do not have time to write.....

There is a network of people on CP that feed those who join in by either reading or by writing.  However, I would be the first to say that I do like to see responses to what I have written....and I think you do too.  That, I think is what is discouraging to some and may keep them from returning to the site.

Sometimes what you have written gives me a lift, I read a word of encouragement and even causing  me to pray.  The Holy Spirit is at work here.......  So as long as I can continue to look in and write from time to time...that is enough for me.  I trust it is enough for you.  I could visit any number of sites on the Web, but I choose to visit this site of all those I have in my favorites (and I have MANY sites stored)

What keeps this site going is NOT what the administrators do.  What keeps this site going is NOT what is written.....It is NOT you or me.    

God is the one that keeps it going.....I know I know....you knew that, but sometimes I must remind myself that it is what God wants that counts, not what I want.

We just got back from watching the movie "terminal".  It was pretty good.  A bit of a tear jerker though. 

We don't have to many plans tonight.  Just goofing around and stuff.

Jenny!  Is that you?!  I have missed you on here and so has Zachery!  We love you and think of you often.  (((hug)))

WELCOME TO CHIRSTIAN PHOTOGRAHERS
CHARLIZ