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Morning Devotional...


Matthew 6:12.  "Ånd forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors."

I consider myself to be very much in debt to some people.  It seems that no matter what or how much they've done for me in the past, yet they always insist on doing more.  I can never repay their kindness  - they wouldn't hear of it, and I could never do it anyway, because their kindness has always been so much and so often that it could never be repaid.

I don't think they even remember what or how often they've done things for me.  In absolutely every case, they've just "written it off."  They do it simply because they want to - they do it out of love.

Are you like that with others?  Have you simply "written off" the debts others might otherwise owe you?

God is like that.  He loves us.  His greatest gift was the gift of His own Son on Calvary, and once you or I have really received that gift, then there is no end to the additional lovingkindness God pours upon us.  And He does it entirely out of grace - "for God so loved us."

He's "written off" our debt, and all of His subsequent gifts are totally free.  He simply expects us to receive it all and to act in a similar manner toward toward others.  In fact, it's incontrovertible evidence that we're not His at all if we don't "write off" what others owe us.

That's why our Lord taught us this part of the prayer.  He tells us to say, "Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors"  That just tells us that His love in us is evidenced by our love to others - no matter what they "owe."
Al Moak

Good morning, everyone!

Well, Kitty and I are off to the State Fairgrounds to pick up 19 photos including Kitty's and mine and other Photography guild member's photos.  Hope we can make it in one trip to the car.  They are on the third floor...no elevator.

See you later.  And I have nothing on my schedule the rest of the month except Beef and Boards next Tuesday night.  I need to buy a book!

Good morning Al, Nards and Etta Sue.  Etta Sue, what exactly is Beef and Boards?  Unusual for you to have such a slow week!

We woke up at 4 AM and couldn't go back to sleep, so got up.  I have finished sorting, discarding, etc. the huge tub of mail that came while we were away.  I'm also having computer problems again.    I guess my computer is mad at me for neglecting it for three weeks. 

I must go see Beth and Mom, and do some other errands today.  Got to call my upline on my business and get back in the groove with that.  Also have framing to do that has been waiting my return.  So, no rest for the weary.  But I think I might just fit in a nap this afternoon anyway.

I also want to take a look at the many phots we took on our trip; and if I can find the tools on my PSP that mysteriously vanished, maybe I can resize and post a few of them for you to see.  Out of about 1300, we ought to have a few good ones! 

We spent some time in Shanghai, and Mieka was on my mind a lot.  That city is changing very fast, and has some of the most remarkable architecture I have ever seen anywhere.  All of China is on a building boom, and the sad thing is, so much history and so many irreplaceable artifacts are being destroyed or lost forever.  This is especially true of the things in the Three Gorges area which will be underwater soon.

I wish you all God's blessings today.  Al, I have also been the recipient of many acts of kindness and love.  May we all appreciate what each other does for us, and pray for one another.

WELCOME BACK JANET!!!!

Are you now asiatic?  Do you speak more Chinese than when you left?  Did you see any of the Great Wall?

Hi everyone.  I wasn't feeling at all well yesterday afternoon and evening.  I tried a couple of times to focus on the computer but just couldn't.  I was feeling better yesterday morning than I had for a couple of days and went to Sunday School and church.  Towards the end of the church service I began to feel ill but managed to stay in the choir loft until the service ended.  I came home and immediately laid down.  Around 2:30 pm got up and ate a few bites of lunch and wanted to stay up but couldn't keep my eyes open.  I tried being up a little later with the same result and went to bed very early and slept throughout the night.  Happy to say I feel much more normal today and seem to be functioning including catching up on the message boards here and on SN. 

Janet, sure glad to see you and Darrell home safely.  You both seem to enjoy your travels so much and you are so wise to do it while you are physically able and can really enjoy it.  I will be looking forward to your photos and those very interesting captions you are able to write.

Al, what an awesome devotional today.  It sounded like you were describing my best friend.  There is no way I can ever equal things out but I realize that giving is not about what you will get in return.  I try to do what I can for him but there is no way the scales will ever be even. 

Those were beautiful photos that you posted Pat.  Glad you put them in here as a reminder. 

Etta Sue, take a few days to rest up for your next busy schedule. 

Samanta, I think throughout life we find that the world is really rather small.  I learned a long time ago never to really say goodbye but just so long until we meet again. 

Ohenry, glad you explained what those terms met as didn't have a clue.  Don't think I had ever heard them before.

Sarah, don't forget to allow a little time to enjoy yourself.  I got my college degree in three years and have often looked back and asked myself what was my hurry.  Most of us spend a long time in the work force and are only teenagers once.  I am sure you will make a wonderful nurse and our nation needs good nurses. 

Thanks Al for the wonderful devotional today.  It really blessed me.  I have been thinking much of our dear friend Iain over on the Isle of Lewis.  Please keep praying for his health concerns.

And where's Anthony?

Have a wonderful day today everyone.

I think I'll go and take some photos!

Here's one that should wake you all up:

I am back.  They retrieved all but one photo, Kitty's daughter, Betsy's photo.  Kitty said she knew she had the claim ticket.  They looked in the can and didn't find it.  Then a man that was looking for the 19 photos found the ticket back with the photos.  They weren't going to let Kitty have it until the claim ticket was present even though she described the photo and they found it by the name.  But we got all 19 of them. 

Janet ~ I was half asleep when I posted earlier.  Welcome back to the US of A.  I am happy you are back safe and sound and I know I am speaking for others when I say....I missed you!!  And 'Beef and Boards' is a dinner theater in Indy that four of us ladies have season tickets to enjoy dining and 7 shows a year.  We saw 'Steel Magnolias' Aug 1st and will see 'Cabaret' Aug 29th. 

Larry ~ So happy you are feeling much better.  Slow down, rest.  If fact, I will help you rest.     I feel a nap coming on....ZZZZZzzzzz!

Pat ~ What a cute frog/toad!  I have seen two little ones in my yard this year that are no bigger than my thumbnail!  Tiny little guys! 

Good morning everyone.  May you enjoy the blessings that God puts before you today.

Al, wonderful devotional. 

Hello everyone, hope you are enjoying the day that the Lord hath made !

Al, great devotional !  Thanks !

I thought I posted this morning but I see that I didn't. So Good afternoon to all y-all.

We had a wonderful Holy Ghost filled prayer meeting with the other churches of McKinleyville. Those represented were  Baptist, Nazarene, Four Square and Assembly of God (mine) It turned out to be  more than 1 hour long as planned We even had two pastors from Eureka. 

Each pastor spoke for a bit, the worship team played lot of music and we all prayed a lot. There was a few women dancing, one  did sort of a tribal dance in front of the altar. Then there were those  who were sitting quietly just looking around and listening.

The worship leader announce that "This is a pentecostal church and it is OK to raise your hands." Hey it was great Every one had a positive experience and a good time. I personally greeted everyone who entered our doors with "Welcome to Abundant Life Center we are so glad to have you here tonight, my name is Marilyn". The Mens' ministry director was there at the door wit me greeting the guests.

Have blessed rest of the day everyone.

Hi Everyone...

Been a busy day for me here and I've just had a bit of supper and decided I'd bring my coffee here to have it with you.


It's Carol's Birthday today!

Happy Birthday Carol

Hope you have had a very blessed birthday.

            

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CAROL!! I almost missed it, but you still have a couple hours left, if you stay up late enough. (By Central Daylight time, anyway.) 

We have never felt the effects of jet lag as strongly as we are this time!  Goodness.  Can't sleep when we need to, then can't stay awake when we want to.  I hope tomorrow will feel more normal again.

I spent some time making CDs of my photos, and if I do say so myself, I got some nice shots.  I think I made 10 CDs and am not sure if I got all the pictures or not.  My camera battery gave out befolre I got them all onto the computer.  Then we still have those in Darrel's cameras.  We are going to Garden City tomorrow, and will back these up with another copy from Wal*Mart.  It really makes it hard to decide which ones to print, when you have so many! 

Thanks for the Welcome Homes--I appreciate that.  It is always good to get home again.

Yes, we climbed the Great Wall........and many, many other stairs as well.  It was a physically demanding trip, but very enjoyable.  And we met some wonderful people.  The Chinese are warm and friendly, and are becoming more capitalistic all the time.  If it weren't for the undertones in the guides' words, one may not remember they are still under the rule of the Communists.  Then again..........they don't let you see what they don't want you to see---or hear what they don't want you to hear, either.

I'm going to shut down for the night, and talk to you when I get home from Garden tomorrow.  Night night!!

See you all HERE