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Morning Devotional...



I am God, and there is none else;...there is none like Me...My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure.
Isa. 46:9-10

God is the only absolute sovereign in the universe. No force, or plan, or purpose alters His will.

We need to be ever aware of this fact; for in its recognition lies comfort, guidance, and restraint for ourselves.

How fortunate for us that His sovereign will never runs contrary to His perfect and personal love for us.

The day of our coming into the world, and the day of our departing, are according to His sovereign will.

The human forces that seem to legislate the things that "happen" to us are simply His tools through which His loving and sovereign will is exercised.

Trust Him.
                                                                            --Doug Kazen

Happy Canadian Day to our friends up North!!!

<insert appropriate graphic of your choice here, 'cause I don't have one!!>

Sorry I didn't post more yesterday.  It ended up being one of "those" days.  Travis seems to be a bit sick.  Well,   more than a bit.  I ended up at the emergency room with him this afternoon and he had a 104 fever.  (Far.  I let you Cel. people work it out --  it's really, really high for a toddler).    The place was slammed full.  It took 3 hours for us to be seen.  They gave him motrin, did chest and stomach xrays, and watched him for a while.  His fever seemed to be under control, and he had started playing, so they sent us home.  He is resting peacefully now, but Nard and I are whupped.

So, I hope everyone has a good Tuesday, and I will try to get back in and post more.

Take care and see "youns" later!
karmat

Hi everyone.  The last few days have been nuts around here.  I thought I was going to be able to get in here a little more before I start work on Friday, but so far it seems quite the opposite.  

Today is a very special day in this household, not only is my hubby a very patriotic person (Jon just loves Canada Day!) but it is also the day before Johnny's birthday, so we usually rush around, trying to find something suitable for him for his birthday.  This year has been especially difficult, because we haven't had a whole lot of money to buy him anything for a gift.  But that's ok....we worked it out.  It's all good.  Daddy has some stuff for him, and mommy is sewing something for him (I hope to anyway!)

Now, I understand I missed a birthday yesterday.  I didn't get the email letting me know about it, until about 5 in the morning, when I was falling asleep at my desk.  I thought I would be able to get back to the computer earlier than midnight to be able to do the work for you Iain, but Jon and his folks had other plans.  So I am sorry this is about 3 1/2 hours late, (at least here in Ontario), but I made you something for your birthday as well.



Many more happy birthdays to you!  God bless.

And to everyone else, God bless you too, and have a fantastic day.  I am off to bed, to be up again by 9....lol....I really do have to get myself onto a regular schedule again.

Love
Heather

Happy Canada Day, Canadians! Have a wonderful holiday.

Ruth Ann

Pat - I hope you have a great holiday today and I like the graphic.

Heather -  many thanks for your birthday greeting. Neat work.

Well summer has arrived in the Western Isles so I'm off with camera in hand.

'Master we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing, nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.'

Luke 5 Verse 5

I love fishing, loch fishing, and on these islands we are especially blessed with pollutant free fresh water lochs. There is even a district or perhaps I should say two districts reflecting this truth. North and South Lochs seem, at least from the air to have more lochs than land.

I remember one day being invited to fish on one of the prestigious salmon lochs, owned by North Harris Estates and part of the Amhuinnsuidhe Castle network of rivers and lochs. Here the wealthy come from all parts of the earth to enjoy the sport of landing a big salmon.

I had set my three rods with bait, picked up my book and I tried to concentrate on reading while dreaming of landing my first salmon. I could see the salmon and trout on the loch jumping and catching flies and I thought to myself,' Not long now!'

The morning passed, and all I caught was an eel! Bah!! Back to my book. The book I was reading was entitled, 'I will make you fishers of men.' I cannot remember the Author at present, but he was having a job keeping my attention.

With three rods, all in a row, it seemed as thought the salmon were toying with me and using my lines as hurdles!

The loch was teeming with fish and they were coming right up beside me. I would have had more luck had I had a baseball bat in my hand rather than fishing rods! I left the loch, heavy hearted and empty! It promised so much but yielded nothing!

The fishermen we read of in this chapter were experienced men and they knew their profession well. I have always had an admiration for people who work hard for their living and do it well, no matter what their calling.

They had toiled and grafted all night long. They were extremely tired and I am sure that many of them were longing for their beds and a good rest.

There are times in our Christian lives when then Lord would have us do something that defies reason. Things that perhaps others would be more qualified to do. Perhaps a call from a fruitful field of labour to one in another place, perhaps even another country!

It may be the case that you are serving the Lord, toiling endlessly with no reward. It must be soul destroying at times for faithful preachers when they see no new faces in their congregations for month after month.

Some of the finest preachers have known no converts at all in many years in the ministry, yet they have fed the flock of God faithfully each week.

Can I paraphrase what I think Peter was thinking? 'OK Lord, I am absolutely exhausted, and I doubt very much whether my mates will join me, but since you have commanded me to go out again, then I am willing to do it.'

How Peter managed to persuade the others we are not told, but they obeyed the Lord, launched out into the deep and let down their nets. I can almost hear the murmuring and frustration among the fishermen on board!

The nets they had just finished washing were now full of fish! So full in fact that their nets broke under the strain and they had to call in reinforcements, to get their haul to shore.

Simple obedience had been rewarded in a marvellous manner. Our task and our duty each day in life is to take God at His Word. If we stopped putting in our 'ifs' and 'buts' then perhaps great blessings may attend our labour.

Serving the Lord at times can be tedious, lonely and very frustrating. At the same time as being a labour of love. It is to be obedient to the task in hand and to do whatever the Lord has asked us to do, to the best of our abilities. It is then my friend that we may expect great things to happen.

We may have spent many a weary night in toil. Weeping may for a night endure, but joy cometh in the morning. We know not when or how the Lord will bless us, and we do not serve Him to receive a blessing. He blesses His own in ways that we can only dream about.

Simon Peter was so amazed by the miracle, having witnessed, at least to a degree the Lord's glory that he prayed a prayer that thankfully was never answered!

It is one thing to view our sin, however we should never pray, 'depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.' Where would we be if the Lord answered that prayer?

The story ends with a new beginning. The Lord says to Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.' From fishing to fishing, from nets to nets, from fish to souls and a glorious harvest.

Let us this day cast out our nets once more, perhaps in places that have so far proved barren. Let us tell our families, our friends, our relations, our workmates and even our enemies the wonderful story of Jesus. This may be the day when we too shall be astonished by our catch.

Preach Christ! Use words if you have to.'

Good morning everyone and Happy Canada Day.  

Happy Birthday to you, Iain.  I do enjoy reading what you write for  us - so inspiring, just like the devotionals each day.

Karmat, I pray that Travis is better today and that you can all get some rest. God is watching over him.  When a little one is ill, it is so sad.

I do not have anything in particular planned for today.  I'll just be taking care of my daughter's little elderly dog, Willie, who can't hardly see anymore..  He is such a sweet and obedient little one, that it is a pleasure to have him as company.  

Wishing you all a good and happy day.     Mary

Hi everyone and Happy Bithday Canada to all of our Canadian members.  Pat, that is a beautiful picture of your flag.  

Great devotional thoughts again today from both Pat and Iain.

We have had 1 1/2 inches of rain during the night and they predict we may have 4 or 5 inches more before the day is out.  We are getting the rains from the tropical storm Bill.  Our yardmen came yesterday and got the yard mowed  before the rain started.  This was the first time I ever remember them coming on a Monday afternoon instead of the scheduled Tuesday.  I was very happy to see them drive up.  I am not looking forward to my drive to the hospital today for the treatment due to the rain and its effect on the Interstate highways.  I will leave earlier than usual to try to get there on time.

Karmat, sure sorry to hear of the high temp of little Travis and do hope he is much better today.

Hope everyone has a good day.

Happy Canada Day

HAPPY CANADA DAY
ALL YOU CANADIANS


Thank you Pat and Iain for today's devotionals. Iain I really look forward to what you are going to write each day. You devotional are always so "in depth", and challenging our minds, urging us to improve our service to the Lord.

More packing and sorting today, I have plenty of time and not that much left to do.

I shall return.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY,CANADA , AND HAPPY CANADA DAY TO ALL OUR FIRENDS THERE!!

I just learned a lesson the hard way.......you cannot stop in the middle of posting to check the calendar, or your post goes "poof!" and disappears!

I had said that I so enjoy Iain's devotionals, and I agree with Pat that you should publish them all in a book.  They are always so well thought out, well written and applicable to our everyday lives.  Thank you for sharing them with us here.  God bless you!

Mieka, this is one question that I know the answer for, and as soon as I look up the scripture references, I will come back and answer it.  (I'm sure others will have answers as well.)  We need you here, asking your questions and making us THINK, so that we do not take things for granted.  We need to SEARCH THE BOOK!  Thanks, Sweet One.

It is to be back into the mid-90s again here today.  Yesterday was a pleasant 84 degrees.  Larry, are you driving yourself for your treatment today?  Do be careful not to overdo, and remember, your firends WANT to help you with the driving!

I will be back later.

Mieka - the command our Lord gave to the rich man was to "sell all he had and give to the poor."  That is not necessarily the command He gives each of us.  But the principle within His command to this man is for us.  That principle is that anything that is an idol to us, anything that takes up our life to excess, anything that prevents us from serving Him - should be done away with.  It is not wrong for Christians to have wealth - even great wealth - but it is wrong to hoard that wealth, use it only to gratify earthly pleasures, etc.  But if it is used to keep us from being a burden to others, if it is used to bless ourselves in a small way, if it is used to glorify God and bless His Kingdom, then it is good.  All wealth is His.  Our question should be, "What does He want me to do with this wealth of His?"  He wants us to be very careful with what is His.  He wants us to increase it if we can (see the parable of the talents).  And He wants us to come to Him in prayer for His blessed direction and blessing upon us and upon what is His.  He Himself is to be our chief concern.  He Himself should receive all of our attention.  Let us use what He gives us, then, in devotion to Him Who gave it.

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First of all, since a little precious man named Travis is so dear to my heart, I pray that he is much better today and that his Mommy and Daddy are fear-free over his high fever.  I hope he didn't get a Hoosier bug!!  Travis, honey!  Stay well for Mommy and Daddy and Etta Sue!

Mieka ~ Thanks for asking your questions again.  I really thrive on those questions and all the great answers you receive.  We all learn from your questions.

Happy Birthday, Canada!!!!
I didn't keep notes so I know I am going to miss someone.

I did miss the birthday cake on Iain's profile.  I know you had a happy birthday, Iain.  Let us know how you celebrated it.

Happy Anniversary, Papa John & Cornelia!!!!
Oh, I hope I don't lose this post...I have a lot of 'stuff' in it.

Larry ~ This much rain down there is unusual, isn't it?  It was suppose to rain today...the reason I mowed yesterday...but while I was reading my devotions and Bible verses out on the deck, there wasn't a cloud in the sky!!!  I pray your trip for your treatment is a safe trip.


Al ~ Good morning, Al.  Your answer is very good for Mieka.  When I read that it is very hard for a rich man to get into heaven...(that certainly wasn't me God was talking about)...it made me wonder.  But other verses sure lets us know that God does glorify the poor AND the rich.  It is what we do with God's wealth that counts.

Mary Frances, Jerry and Ruth Ann ~ Good morning to you guys.  Glad to see your posts this morning.

Heather ~ Good morning...My, you do keep late...or is that early...hours!  I was afraid that would happen to me when I retired but so far...night is night and day is day.

This will...I hope...be a ho hum day.  Marilyn, it seems you and I are going to do the same...stay in and keep cool!!!


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"Don't miss the beautiful colors of the rainbow while looking for the pot of gold at the end of it."

I'm just on a "water break" from doing some much needed gardening but I just have to say that you've given such a good reply, Al.  Thanks for that.

Papa John and Cornelia

Happy Anniversary

Happy Anniversary Papa John and Cornilia.

It is going to be a scorcher today.  I love it.  We are going swimming today.  We just got a storage unit so we can get rid of some of our junk out of our garage and house.  Can't wait to get stuff cleaned up.  

Hope you all have a good day.
Sonja

[size=+5]HAPPY CANADA DAY!![/size]

Hi all,

Happy Canada Day.

Happy anniversary to John and Cornelia.
You are such a lovely and loving couple; can tell much in your pictures and your postings.
God has blessed you two and us for having you post here.

Prayers for Travis--rest up , Karmet , you and your hubby need it.  Children's illnesses can be so very scary....

Al, your answer to Mieka is so good.
I was thinking about our giving to the LORD his share and your answer was great.

Charles Stanley preached on the 10% which states in the bible; but someone asked me does that mean only "money" what abut our time for the Lord.  

Couldn't answer them. Does anyone know where in the bible is an explanation.


Yes, Janice, I do love Charles Stanley's preaching and his daily reading.
I must read some of his books--Which one do you recommend first ?

Yes, Etta, I love Mieka's questions, too. That is how we learn.

When I started on SN in the religious forums, I was so upset by the unbelievers questions, over and over again trying to discredit the LORD and HIS works but guess what !!!

I learned more and more and grew spiritual more matured as I seek the answers for them !!

Isn't HE great; to allow me to see HIS wonders when posters were trying to discredit HIM..

Easy to see why I love HIM so.

Please take care and Love in Christ,
Joyce

A tithe was regarded by the children of Israel and by most Christians to mean a tenth.

'Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts. But ye say, Wherein shall we return? Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse; for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.

Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that threre shall not be room enough to receive it.'

LOL

Happy Anniversary Cornelia & John. Are your faces as red as mine was yesterday?

Thank each one of you for your good wishes on our 54th anniversary.

It is hard to realize that it was 54 years ago today that Cornelia and I married.  But it has been long enough that I hardly remember when we weren't.  God has blessed us with great riches, not in money or material goods, though we have been blessed with much more than we deserve.  But the riches of salvation in Christ and having a loving Christian family are the riches we have.  Our citizenship is in heaven.  There is where our treasure is.

We are getting ready to leave and I am taking Cornelia out for dinner and we will spend the night at Montgomery Bell State Park at the lodge there.

Have a great day everyone.

- - - Papa John

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, PAPA JOHN AND CORNELIA.  HAVE A GREAT TIME THIS EVENING!

A happy day for everyone in the Canada today.  

A very happy day for PAPA JOHN AND MS CORNELIA  
the riches of salvation in Christ and having a loving Christian family are the riches we have.  Our citizenship is in heaven.  There is where our treasure is. Mr John I have pray for many hours today. My heart is heavy from my troubles and I pray for these words today. It is also my every wish and my every thanks to God each day.  

Mr Moak, Your words are again SO wonderful. I am very happy to know it is ok to have wealth.  

Mr Iain I thank you too, but now I have a nother question from your words.  
I do undarstand what is a tithe and I hope I do also undarstand what is a offering.

Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse

Where is this storehouse? Is this a storehouse of man?

If it is a offering to God, in his honor. Would God not wish for this food to go to the poor?
If I give this food to the poor in the name of God, is it also a tithe?

To put the meat into a storehouse and have it all go bad in the name of God and in his honor. There are so many who have no food for this day.
Is this only bad in the eyes of mieka?

If man will not do what is good with all of the meat in the storehouse of God. How is it to help even God?  

Hello everyone!!  Thanks for all your well-wishes and prayers for Travis.  His fever is still down, thankfully, but is still "low grade" so he isn't real perky.  I'm trying to get  him to rest as much as possible.

Mieka -- Great question about the storehouse and tithe.  I have an answer, but I need to do some checking to make sure it is Biblically based, and not karmat-based 'cause I dont wanna tell you the wrong thing!!!

I hope Papa John and Cornelia had a beautiful time this evening -- HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!

It is still raining here in Georgia and I have had to wear a sweater all day as it has been in the 60s and is so damp.  Driving down and back from the hospital was like being in a cloud between the rain and the spray from all the trucks and other vehicles.  We had a safe trip both directions and I was very happy to drive into the garage.

I have driven the last two days as am feeling a lot better.  I believe the treatments are definitely helping me with the energy level and am not having any angina.  Tomorrow's treatment will complete the first three weeks of the seven weeks.

I just stopped writing to help my wife fix up a large zucchini squash for the freezer.  Yesterday when I came out from coffee someone had placed two of these zucchini squash on my windshield.  I asked the man who I thought might have done it as he has a very large garden about it this morning and he said it wasn't him.  I am at a total loss to have any idea where they came from.  I took a picture along with some other fruit and am going to post it when I get it worked up and you all will be able to see how large this zucchini was.

Happy 54th anniversary Papa John and Cornelia.  Hope you have a wonderful time at the State park.

Karmat, glad to read the temp has gone done for Travis and hope it will be gone by tomorrow.  

Larry, isn't it wonderful when people do this?  That was like the last winter that Jack was alive and I needed to get to dialysis but didn't know how I was going to get out as the snow was so deep.  I went out to make a wee path for Jack and I thought I'd take a run at it back and forth to get out onto the road but what I saw was so wonderful.  The driveway had been dug and on the hood of the car were the words "God bless".

I never found out who did that.  But I thank the Lord for them.

Heather!  What a wonderful birthday card!  Did you make it all by yourself?  I wish I could do neat things like that on the puter!  One of these days!

Happy Birthday Canada,  from me too!

Quote from: Al Moak on July 01, 2003, 10:47:18 AM
Mieka - the command our Lord gave to the rich man was to "sell all he had and give to the poor."  That is not necessarily the command He gives each of us.  But the principle within His command to this man is for us.  That principle is that anything that is an idol to us, anything that takes up our life to excess, anything that prevents us from serving Him - should be done away with.  It is not wrong for Christians to have wealth - even great wealth - but it is wrong to hoard that wealth, use it only to gratify earthly pleasures, etc.  But if it is used to keep us from being a burden to others, if it is used to bless ourselves in a small way, if it is used to glorify God and bless His Kingdom, then it is good.  All wealth is His.  Our question should be, "What does He want me to do with this wealth of His?"  He wants us to be very careful with what is His.  He wants us to increase it if we can (see the parable of the talents).  And He wants us to come to Him in prayer for His blessed direction and blessing upon us and upon what is His.  He Himself is to be our chief concern.  He Himself should receive all of our attention.  Let us use what He gives us, then, in devotion to Him Who gave it.

Good words, Al.  Still wondering of what nationality the name Moak is??
(Maybe you answered before, but I just didn't see your answer)