Christian Photographers Community

Link of the day...[/font]

• About Oswald Chambers (http://www.gospelcom.net/rbc/utmost-devo/bio/)  

• Creation Moment (http://www.creationmoments.com/radio/archives.asp) Listen to the Creation Moment every day for a new creation moment!  We can learn a lot from these!  Terrific if you are home schooling.  Have you clicked on this link lately?

Verse for Today...[/font]

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."[/color]
~2 Timothy 2:15~   [/list]


Quote of the Day...[/font]

 "There is nothing got by scuffling with God."
~William Gurnall~[/list]  


Some News We Should Know About...

• Europe-Africa rail tunnel agreed (http://www.sermonaudio.com/new_details.asp?ID=15530)
  Spain and Morocco say they have agreed to build a 39-kilometre rail tunnel beneath the Mediterranean Sea, to link Europe and Africa.

• Photo Moment: Military Aerial of WTC Ground Zero[/b] (http://www.sermonaudio.com/new_details.asp?ID=11769)    

From our forums...

• PLEASE~VOTE IN OUR POLL![/u] (http://christianphotographers.com/yabbse/index.php?board=2;action=display;threadid=1958)

• Let's Get Started Making a Web Page! (http://christianphotographers.com/yabbse/index.php?board=40;action=display;threadid=1934)  We're sure that many of you would like to post your own photos!  Well, join Jeanne and Sonja and learn how you can do it.

• Monthly Photo Challenge~SIGNS OF THE SEASON[/b] (http://christianphotographers.com/yabbse/index.php?board=38;action=display;threadid=1885) During the month of December, show us how you decorate your house, your town, etc. for the Christmas season!

• We're well into our first of only two weeks for this interesting challenge! December 1st Bi-Weekly Challenge~AROUND YOUR TOWN (http://christianphotographers.com/yabbse/index.php?board=24;action=display;threadid=1886)  This Challenge was inspired by Lee Kirkwood!  He wanted to see what some of our towns and cities where we reside really look like!

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Morning Devotional...




If you cannot express yourself well on each of your beliefs, work and study until you can. If you don't, other people may miss out on the blessings that come from knowing the truth.

Strive to re-express a truth of God to yourself clearly and understandably, and God will use that same explanation when you share it with someone else. But you must be willing to go through God's winepress where the grapes are crushed. You must struggle, experiment, and rehearse your words to express God's truth clearly.

Then the time will come when that very expression will become God's wine of strength to someone else. But if you are not diligent and say, "I'm not going to study and struggle to express this truth in my own words; I'll just borrow my words from someone else," then the words will be of no value to you or to others. Try to state to yourself what you believe to be the absolute truth of God, and you will be allowing God the opportunity to pass it on through you to someone else.

Always make it a practice to stir your own mind thoroughly to think through what you have easily believed. Your position is not really yours until you make it yours through suffering and study. The author or speaker from whom you learn the most is not the one who teaches you something you didn't know before, but the one who helps you take a truth with which you have quietly struggled, give it expression, and speak it clearly and boldly.

From "My Utmost For His Highest" by Oswald Chambers

Hi everyone!!  I think I'm back.  Well, sorta back, more back tomorrow  morning after a night's sleep.

What?  You didn't notice I was gone??  fine, then.  Be that way! :P :P :P

For real, I am hoping now that I am feeling better, I can post more regularly.

Take care and good morning/afternoon/night to ya'll!

Oops!  I waited so long, the door was locked on Sunday's discussion, so I will post on Monday's.

Sue, I hope you had a wonderful birthday!

A BIG WELCOME TO T-BONE, MULLET, AND FAST EDDIE! IT IS GREAT TO HAVE ALL OF YOU HERE.  I hope you will come and post often.  Zachery, did you and Mom get your cake baked?

Hello to Ria and Jenny!! ;D   Hello Chris and Margit!

And good morning to the rest of you who pop in early.

I had a very busy day today, also have lots of photos to download and perhaps post some another day.

Hi there Pat!  Hey, Karma, glad you are feeling some better!  Hi Sonja!

Greetings to Judy M., Larry, Al, Marilyn, Liz, Ruth Ann, Etta Sue, Jerry, Lee, Papa John, Sue, Paulette, Rachelle, Suzanne, Jeanne,......and anyone else whose name is not coming to mind at this moment.

Talk to you later!

We had a great day today.  I posted an agenda yesterday and didn't get but 1 1/2 of the list accomplished.  ::)  

Our day was a little busier then I thought.  We made it to church and right after church the kids had to practice their Christmas program. Which they did great with.  You can see some of the pictures from that evening  
here! (http://christianphotographers.com/yabbse/index.php?board=38;action=display;threadid=1885)

We did get the cakes (4) made...well Zachery did, but we didn't frost it.  We will frost it and decorate it tomorrow.

Mike and I spent some time with Chandraya.  We took her to Perkins and had lunch and was helping her memorize her lines for the Christmas program.  

We didn't get to watch any movies.  

I had church choir practice at 5:00-600 and then Chandraya's sang in the evening church for the Christmas program at 6:30.  

We then visited with the folks at church till 8:30 and then went Christmas light hunting.  That was fun...I got a few shots. I might them post tomorrow or later this week.

Good evening everyone.  I just spent time reading Sunday's posts, and now I'm too tired to post on tomorrow that is really Sunday night's. haha

WHOA!!! Sonja.  Way to go on your list.  1 1/2 of it is pretty good.
I need a list like that. haha   I have so much fun marking things off, you'd think I'd get closer to finished, but seems I always have more for tomorrow.

 Welcome to our newcomers.    And Happy Birthday Sue. :)

  I voted, Pat.  Of course I had to check the results, and I see 100% voted to continue.  I still want to get the picture of the cruise/dinner boat that Margit asked about.  

   ok.  That's all.  G'night everyone.  I'm heading for my nice warm bed while my eyes are open.  ::)

Goodmorning Everyone.

"Christmas is coming and the goose is getting fat,
Please put a penny in the old man's hat.
If you haven't got a penny a halfpenny will do,
If you haven't got a halfpenny, God Bless you."

Gosh, I can just remember pennies and halfpennies.

My little grandson William is one year old today.  I have a portrait of him and Tom to scan later for "Jenny's Grandchildren"..O.K. Pat? It was taken by Tom's school photographer.

Ria  Hallo.

Chris and Margit Hello.

Janet Thinking of you. The Lord Bless you and Beth. Helen is still extremely poorly! Yes she needs your prayers dear.

Love Jenny.

GOOD MORNIN ALL 10.00 AM

PAT thank you for the devotional today
and also for the the nice hymn in our night.

Yesterday there have been problems in the church when the pastor start with talking about
the fusion 17 people and two of the council are going out the church. There has been no sermon.
Every two weeks we get a newspaper from the church
but never a word about the fusion.

LIZ  yes i love it to go to the Baptist church and i go often to the church and now maybe always. But it is terrible also in Holland there are problems in the Baptist church. Also there is coming a split there is coming a new Baptist church and the church get the name FREE BAPTIST CHURCH also a lot
people don't like more the normal Baptist church
WHAT IS GOING ON IN HOLLAND I DON'T NO MORE


It is terrible weather in Holland
this is the 3e day that we have a lot wind and rain.


John 1 : 41
We have found the Messiah ( that is, the Christ)

HOPE AND GLORY
       Messiah...
 The majesty of God
in the humility of a Child...
Glory in a manger-bed,
Hope in an infant's sigh.

I wish you all a BLESSED DAY
BYE FOR NOW

LOVE RIA :)

WELCOME TO CP
FAST EDDIE

RIA


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Hi folks, I'm in a rush as usual and I just popped in to post this. Hope it is blessed to someone.

[/b]

There are times when our spirits are crushed beyond measure and we feel as though we cannot take anymore. We are not fit for the task that the Lord has set us. Our failings and shortcomings become ever so visible to us and we are ready to collapse under the strain.


Strain, worry and fear are ever present with us. We look to our companions for help however discouragement and complaints come instead.

Their moans and groans seem to be even louder than ours! We have tried and done our best but our best just does not seem to be good enough.

What are we to do?

We are fast approaching the close of yet another year in our pilgrimage. What is uppermost on our minds today?

The children of Israel were remembering cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic! How sad you may think, however if we replace those items with what is on the minds of many folk at this time of year then we find that perhaps we are just as sad.

'I need this' or 'I want that' is a cry heard from many a household in these days. Parents want to give their children what they can, yet many simply cannot afford to spend, spend, spend. Where do our priorities lie? Is it with pleasing God or with satisfying the flesh?

Do we yearn for things today that are beyond us, or are we content with such things as we have? For many the lesson of learning contentment is a difficult one and it comes not without murmuring!

O! Wretched man that I am!!!

Moses felt the weight of trying to satisfy the murmuring children of Israel as he was the target of blame. It was the fault of God and His representative Moses that they were doing without flesh. Where are we pointing the finger of blame today?

Moses takes his complaint to His Lord and opens up his heart. 'This Lord is beyond me. I cannot take anymore of this constant moaning and groaning. The burden that You have given me is more than I can bear.'

Many a fine Pastor will feel like this on a Monday morning. Last week great diligence was put into the preparation of their message.

Yesterday they preached with all their heart, pleading with the lost to turn from their ways and follow Jesus. This morning, drained and having had a restless night the week before them looks bleak. How are they to feed such a multitude with flesh?

Let us not limit God by our limited understand nor by our unbelief!

It is easy to picture Moses looking at the cattle and the flock of sheep and wondering whether they would all need to be slain in order to satisfy the people. Even then, there would not be sufficient.

If today we are also looking either within or along a horizontal plane then our tasks in this life and even for this week will seem insurmountable.

'Is the Lord's hand waxed short?'

What a challenge this is for us. Has God lost His power? Has God forgotten all about us? Will He, having called us let us fulfil our calling in our own strength? Will His glorious Word return unto Him void?

Do we preach and pray in vain? Does the mocking of others as we tell them of the Good News mean that our message is not being heard?

Can God still bring the greatest sinner to his knees pleading for mercy? Is it possible for those who today are swearing and cursing to sing Psalms tomorrow?

The Lord had a Word for Moses and He has a Word for you and I today. ' Is the Lord's hand waxed short? Thou shalt see now whether my word shall come to pass unto thee or not.'

God answered the murmuring of the people with an abundance of flesh though His wrath was kindled upon them for their greed! A lesson perhaps we should all heed in these days.

The Lord graciously answered Moses' problems with an army of Elders. How quickly our Lord is able to remove our burdens and how able He is to meet our every need if only we would ask and trust Him.

Let us lay aside every weight and the sin which does so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race set before us looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith. Cast all your care upon the Lord for He cares for you.

Moses may have been acutely aware of the loneliness of the battle, yet with God on his side he was comforted and encouraged.

His Elder brother was his constant companion and always there was a listening ear and a strong shoulder for him to lean upon.

There may be days when we have to lean harder than other days, however the more we trust the greater the blessings that flow. Look not upon your weaknesses and failings today.

Look to Jesus, trust Him to carry the heavy load and learn to follow the Good Master wherever He leads. He knows the way that we take and that should give us all the confidence that we need to take the next step on our journey.

LOL

Your brother in Christ

Iain

P.S. happy birthday Sue.

Welcome 'Fast Eddie' - be sure and invite Slow Eddie along also!

Welcome - T-bone & Mullet. Great names!!Hope you guys can teach us something.

Iain
I am so glad to see you again.  You are very busy I understand with "bread and butter" work, quite a concern for you I know. I do pray for you.

I have popped back in to read your devotional Iain and I am so pleased that I did.  It means so much to me this morning. My daughter is very sick and I just don't feel adequate. I am going to read Numbers 11 now and will see you later.

God Bless brother.
Jenny

hey ya'll,
How are you today. it's been pretty nice here so far but it's supposed to snow tonight  :-\ i don't really care for the snow but oh well we need the moisture for sure. mom's about to head off for work and me for school and dad for work.so i better get going ttyl
Sarah

Hi everyone.  It is a chilly but sunny day here in Georgia.  I am just back from coffee with my retired friends.  The housekeepers are here this morning so everything will be back in good order shortly.  

Welcome Fast Eddie, glad to have you join us here on CP.  

Jenny, sure sorry to read that your daughter is so ill.  I know this is of great concern to you.

Iain, thanks for the devotional thoughts today and it is good to see you posting.

Pat, when I started to read the devotional this morning for today I realized I had just read it a few minutes earlier as I read my daily reading from Oswald Chambers.  It was a good one today, which is probably why you chose it.

Ria, it sounds like there is going to be some rough days ahead for your church.  We seem to be experiencing many problems in our churches here in the USA as well.

Sue, a belated Happy Birthday wish is sent your way.   :)

Sonifo, it sounds like your family had a very busy but productive day yesterday.  

Hope everyone has a good day today.

IAIN:  I do not have to invite Slow Eddie.  I once was Fast Eddie but have become Slow Eddie over the years.

I decided on the moniker "Fast Eddie" since most sites already had an "Ed, Eddie or Edward."

Long ago I was known as a fairly decent pool player.  If you remember the movie "The Hustler"   Paul newman played a character named "Fast Eddie."  And the name fell on me.

I am really enjoying all of the "food" that is here for me to "eat"

It is nice to amongst friends who share a common belief.

G'mornin' everybody.  See, we've got so many Brits on here these days that I'm begining to sound like one!
Belatedly, for sure, but meaningful anyway -

IAIN thank you for your lovely words
very good brother.

LARRY it are very rough days in Holland  i don't no more what this will be i know
one thing THE LOVE AND MY BELIEVE AND MY TRUST IN GOD NO OWN CAN TAKEN THAT FROM ME.
But i am very happy that i can talk on CP with my brothers and sisters about this.

The only problem is i have now sleepless  nights.

Bye and thank you Ria (https://www.christianphotographers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fchristianphotographers.com%2Fforum%2Fsmi%2FLOL2.gif&hash=2aaa9532dab730f51e69969f8e5973d6b40e1e2b)

"G'mornin' " sure doesn't sound like a Brit's way of speaking to me, Al Moak!  You never hear them drop letters!  HAHAHAHA!  Sounds like Nards and Karma's way to me!   ;)

Anyway, Hi Al!  How was the service yesterday?


Nice to see you Ed.  I don't think we have another Ed on this site.  You're the first.


Sonja, you sure sound as if you had a great day yesterday.

Everyone, please see Sonja's lovely photos of the children's choir at church last night.  They are in the "Signs of the Season" challenge.  They are so special.

Hi Larry, yes I found the devotional for today very meaningful so thought I'd share it.  Guess reading it twice was ok?   ;)

Glad you popped in last night, Janet!  You sure were missed yesterday.

Sarah, you don't care for the snow?  I used to love going for walks in the snow with my friends when I was your age.  Loved snowball fights!  It's no fun though if you're cold.

Jenny, I'll look for the photos and see if I still have them that you sent last summer.  

Iain, what a wonderful devotion you've shared with us today!

QuoteWe are fast approaching the close of yet another year in our pilgrimage. What is uppermost on our minds today?

Let's think upon this today, folks!  What's uppermost in our minds today?

I must go quickly.  Someone is knocking at my door.  

I have awesome news!

Today is the first day in months that I woke up NOT feeling dizzy!  Praise God for He is good.  I feel that I don't deserve it. Is that wierd or what? Is it a normal thing to feel?

My agenda for the day:

1) Finish the cake!  

2) Make ornaments with Chandraya.

3) Take kids out to play in the snow if not to cold.

I wonder if I will get these done to day?  ???

Have a good day, peeps!

Well, I hope you bring some of that cake here to share with us.  My mouth has been watering since Saturday.

Oops..  better go and get a tissue.  Can't have my mouth watering all over everything!  HAHAHA!

Sonja, I'm so glad that you are feeling better.  What a lovely feeling for you.

Good Morning, thank you Pat and Iain for the devotional today. Much to comtemplate throughout the day.

I am trying to spend more time in prayer throughout each day and find that I get distracted by so many thing. Outr message yesterday was on having the mind of Christ. That is quite a challenge.

Sun is out today for now anyway, but I am cold.  It seems always to be cold in this trailer unless I turn the heat up above 70 F.

Be back later.

Some good thoughts for today:

I'm Not Poor at All
By Michele T. Huey

Dear Lord, I'm feeling down today,
The bills are stacked up high;
With Christmas just two weeks away,
Our bank account's run dry.

The kids have all presented lists
Of things they want to see;
I hope and pray there's nothing missed
Beneath our Christmas tree.

But I don't have the money for
Expensive clothes and toys;
My credit card can't take much more,
Lord, where's my Christmas joy?

Perhaps it's wrapped up in that hug
My daughter gave this morn;
Or stacked with wood my son did lug
To keep us nice and warm.

Perhaps it's in my oldest's eyes
When he comes home on break,
And sees I've baked those pumpkin pies
He wanted me to make.

Perhaps it's in the tired lines
Around my husband's eyes;
Perhaps in love that's grown with time
I've found the greater prize.

A friend who gives a hearty smile,
And cupboards that aren't bare;
And, even if they aren't in style,
I've got some clothes to wear.

A family who believes in me
In all things great and small;
Dear God, I think I finally see -
I am not poor at all!

Thanks Janet for sharing that.  

Did you get your frames all built?

Funny quote from Chandraya:

QuoteWhy do you have mildew on your face, mom?

I had a green mask on my face when I went upstairs to make her some breakfast and she had asked me this.  hahahha...it was so funny.  She didn't think so though.  :-\

Oh this is lovely.  I was feeling blue and then I had a read of "The Imitation of Christ" and then popped in here and I feel better now.

Fast Eddy Hello Brother.  I am glad you came to join us.  Look forward to hearing more from you.

Larry Thank-you for caring re my daughter.  God bless you.

Pat You posted some of this house which I had taken with a normal camera and scanned.  Another time I did some of the old village with my digi camera.  Don't worry.  I am not offended if they don't appear.  I don't want you overdoing things again.

Soni Glad you are enjoying life again.P'raps we all need to get some anti-glare screens for our computers.  They are quite cheap.  Only trouble is mostly they are too big for my little lap-tap.

Marilyn "Seek true peace, not upon earth, but in heaven; not in men, nor in other things created, but in God alone.
Thou must be willing for the love of God to suffer all things, labours and sorrows, temptations, and vexations, anxieties, necessities, sicknesses, injuries, detractions, reprehensions, humiliations, confusions, corrections, and contempt.
These things help to obtain virtue, try a novice of Christ, and fashion a Heavenly crown.
I will give an everlasting reward for this sort labour, and glory without end for transitory confusion.

Wait for the Lord, be of good heart; despond not, fall not off, but constantly offer both soul and body for the glory of God.
I will reward thee most abundantly and will be with thee in all thy tribulations."    ( Thomas A Kempis.)
                                   

God Bless everyone,
Jenny.

Soni, I love Chandraya's question!  ;D  Kids are so honest!  So.......did the mildew help your complexion?? ;)

No, the frames haven't arrived via UPS as yet, so I can't build them till they get here!  >:(

Jenny, prayers and thoughts for Helen today.  It is so very hard to see our kids suffer.  Also Liz's Wendy, and my Beth.   May all of them feel better and get stronger each day.  Same for Ruth Ann's dear son.

Sonja!!  How wonderful that the dizziness is gone!!  Praise the Lord!  He hath done great things! ;D

I am having a really hard time trying to get my bunch together for a Christmas thing this year.  My youngest daughter in Salina and my son in Cheyenne are the ones we have to work with, and their schedules don't seem to mesh well.  But I hope we can have at least a few hours together.

My grandson Mark (Abby's brother) got his first deer yesterday!  I know, deer are so beautiful, etc.....but it is a big thing to a young man when they get their first one while hunting.  They have become so plentiful here, and I would much rather they were shot and eaten than to have cars hit them on the road.    That has become a real hazard around here.

I need to do some stuff, so I will be back later!

Al!
You are confusing we British with our Australian buddies, We always say " good morning" or maybe "morning" but never ever g'morning! phewwwwwwww
You Yanks! lol.

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I am late today!  I went to bed late.  Yes, I am addicted to 'Survivor'!  Glad I have TiVo to record it because when it started, Ivalou called and we talked a long time.  Then I noticed that Survivor was late because of Saddam news and clicked the 11 o'clock news and the show after it to record.  Then Tony called and talked a l-o-n-g time.  But I did get to see all of Survivor and glad that Sandra won.  Sure didn't want Jon to win, for sure.  Course, Rupert was my favorite...a home state boy!  

Anyway, my step-grandson has offered to rebuild my pc.  I have a new monitor and keyboard and scanner.  Pleased with my speakers and my printer.  So all I need is the compressor.  I just sent him all the info on my pc by using Belarc.  So hopefully, I will have new stuff soon.  My present pc is sick...not in the hospital yet...just sick.  But I want to get something done before it becomes terminal!!   :'( :'(

Then I was late getting to bed...my mind was busy in thinking about saving all the stuff on my old pc.  Then I woke with acid reflux.  Worse case of it ever.  I finally got back to sleep and didn't wake up until 9:20am.  That is super late for me!!!  I went to Lapel for stamps, and some other stuff.  Then Ivalou called again and we talked for over an hour.  Just now getting back online.

So today, I plan to make good use of my CD burner and 'save' stuff on CD's.  

<:))))><<~~<:))))><<~~<:))))><<~~<:))))><<~~<:))))
"Those proud of keeping an orderly desk never know the thrill of finding something they thought they had irretrievably lost."


[/b]

December 15    

Trials and Pain: The Back Side of the Desert

Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the
priest of Midian. And he led the flock to the back of the desert,
and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.
--Exodus 3:1

We should quickly review here the kinds of preparation Moses had
gone through for his leadership role under God. Reared in
Pharaoh's palace, he had been educated in all the wisdom of the
Egyptians. He had the prerequisites for almost any kind of
career. In our day a man with his qualifications would be sought
for election as a bishop or the president of any of the great
church denominations.

Then, too, Moses had a most unusual but highly effective
postgraduate course. God took him out of the activity and the
noise of Egypt and placed him in the silence of the open spaces.
He kept the flock of Jethro, his father-in-law. Tending the
sheep, he learned lessons of meditation and observation that he
could only have learned in the silence.

Probably more important than anything else, Moses learned to know
himself. That knowledge was a part of God's preparation of the
man for his future tasks. We, today, know everything but
ourselves. We never really come to know ourselves because we
cannot get quiet enough.
Men Who Met God, p. 70

"Lord, I pray this morning for the hurting pastor who is
languishing in 'the silence of the open spaces,' on the back side
of the desert. Encourage him; instruct him; then show Him how You
can use him mightily in Your way and in Your time. Amen."
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hey ya'll agian.
school got called at 1 b/c of snow and wind. mainly wind right now but they say the snow is supposed to get way worse and with the winds we have today it's supposed to be blizzard like :( Pat when i was really little i loved the snow. the blizzard of 1998 i think was a lot of fun we had really high snow drifts and i enjoyed it until my brother kept pushing me into them and i fell through to where you couldn't see me! bad experiences means no like snow!well i am going to get off of my computer and enjoy something else like studying for chemistry (can anyone really enjoy that!?)
TTYL
Sarah

Hello Sarah,My word you are posting a lot today....and me.
I don't like snow, but we have lots of rain at the moment and strong winds.
Hope you do well in the exams, all this studying.
Speak again,
Jenny.

My dear Ria, join the Baptist church fellowship and forget all the disruption around you, you just go to worship our wonderful God, and to sing His praises, and the Baptists are usually great singers.

http://members.aol.com/alshymns/godsmusic.htm

Thank you Iain for your devotional....It has meant a lot to me.   It is true, sometimes we forget we have a loving Heavenly Father who knows all about us and our problems and has an answer for them.

God Bless



Ruthie ;)

I love to read about the history of various hymns.  Here's the history of the above hymn...



Ephesians 6:13
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.




HYMN HISTORY:

Preaching against slavery wasn't a popular I thing to do in many parts of the USA during the early 1850's. An awful civil war, brought about by division over that very issue, was looming.

However, Dr. Dudley Tyng, the twenty-nine year old rector of the Church of the Epiphany in Philadelphia, passionately believed that slavery was 'immoral and unchristian,' so he denounced it.

He also believed that all men are sinners by nature and need to repent and be converted if they are ever to enter heaven.

Dudley Tyng was no ordinary church pastor and this bold, straightforward denunciation of sin disturbed his cultured and wealthy parishioners so much that by the end of his second year in the church many were demanding his removal.

Tyng resigned from the rich and fashionable assembly and formed his own 'Church of the Covenant' which met for worship in a little meeting hall. With his wife and boys, he went to live on the family farm outside Philadelphia.

At the same time he also began giving lectures at the Philadelphia YMCA. Interest grew and thousands were converted to the Saviour. At one particular meeting held in Jayne's hall in March 1858, 5,000 men were present.

During his address Dr. Tyng said, 'I must tell my master's errand and I would rather this right arm were amputated at the trunk than I should come short of my duty in delivering God's message.'

Those words were strangely prophetic, for just the next week, while watching a horse-powered cornsheller at work on the the farm, he was caught in the wheels of the machinery and his right arm was badly mangled.

A few days later it was necessary to amputate at the shoulder.

Tyng was dying - and he realised it. As the loved ones gathered around his bed he took his father by the hand and addressed the old man, who was also a faithful preacher, in these words.

Stand up for Jesus father, stand up for Jesus
and tell my brethren of the ministry,
wherever you meet them, to stand up for Jesus.
And thus he died.

The dying exhortation impressed another of Tyng's ministerial colleagues, the Rev. George Duffield. He took up the theme in a sermon preached the following Sunday from Eph. 6: 14: 'Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth.' At the close of the sermon he read the words of this hymn he has composed just after Dr. Tyng's funeral.

Thanks Pat!  That was an interesting story.  

My agenda for the day:

1) Finish the cake!  

2) Make ornaments with Chandraya.

3) Take kids out to play in the snow if not to cold.
(I don't think I will get this done today.  It is already getting dark.  We spent most our free time on the ornaments.  Oh well, that was fun!)

I am taking an hour break and then I have to get to running again.  

So how is everyone doing?
Got any good news?

Soni

Hi Everyone

I had a great day yesterday for my 40th birthday.  I got to work and found that my day had continued.  My supervisor had stayed late Friday evening and put up a banner that said 'HAPPY 40TH BIRTHDAY' on the window above my work station.  She also purchased a mug for me.  Of course with a banner like that no-one in the office missed wishing me a great day.  I came home with a smile on my face!

Sonja, it was so nice to read that you got up this morning and felt great.  Let's hope that tomorrow is the same and the tomorrow after that and.....etc....

Time to get going for now.  I'm out for the evening and won't be back until late.  Have a great night everyone!

Well, what great days both you, Sonja and you, Sue have had today!  

Glad you got 2/3 of your list done, Sonja!  LOL

The ferries are operating again in BC. That was good news this week, Sonja.  It causes terrible problems on the island when we are held prisoner.  

Thanks Pat and Iain for the devotionals.  I didn't realize that Mrs. Oswald Chambers actually wrote the books.  Makes one wonder how much credit should have gone to her.  It is difficult to express another's thoughts with such clarity.  She must have been truly inspired by God.

Iain, your words certainly made an impact on this person.  The question, 'What is uppermost in our minds today?' has given me lots to think about.  One of the things is that I want to be a blessing in the lives of people who come my way.  Gratitude is another.  Gratitude to the Lord.  Gratitude to my little daughter and her husband, who are working so hard to provide a comfortable place for me to live, and making the space in their hearts as well as their home.  Simply put, to be more worthy of the blessings and love that God has sent my way.

Ria, I agree with Chris.  Have been in churches that are filled with trouble and concluded that one must look to Jesus, not people or churches.  Churches are made up of people.....So much is missing from the teaching in our churches.  We have to find our own truth, not from the words of others, but from the words of God.  Philosophy of mind and logic is so popular today in our churches.  The emphasis should be on Jesus, not on self.

Enough!  This has been a day of shivers and chills.  Was out in the rain to much yesterday.  It is making me talk too much.  

Don't care for snow either Sarah!  It sure is pretty....but soooo cold!!

God Bless.

You hit it right on, Chris - I was being an Aussie.  Sorry about that.  I think of those people over on the penal colony as Brits.

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WE MISS YOU COME BACK SOON

Pat, this proves that I am still lurking and was surprised to see the "Guess Who."  We made that picture last night as we were leaving for our small group meeting.   We filled up 65 bags with toys and presents to take to an underprivileged pre-school.  Afterwards we had dinner together.

Gal 6:9-10  Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.  (NIV)

--- Papa John    ;D          <:))))><<

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Ohhhh, it's so good to see you Papa John!  I put that in just at the right time then, eh?

The verse you used sure suits what you did last night. What a job!  But what happy people will receive those boxes and bags.  

Thanks for checking in Papa John.  I pray for you daily.

(http://christianphotographers.com/yabbse/index.php?board=31)[/b][/u][/url]





(This should make Jeanne Lee happy while she's not helping everyone with their Web Pages!  ;) )

Oh, goody!  Now I have another excuse for letting the housework go.   ;D

Oh, OK.  I'll check everything else out first and only do the puzzles if there's any time left.   :(

We had about 16 inches of snow again yesterday and last night.  I got ready early this morning for work, bundled up real good and was just starting out the door to clean a path to the car, clean the car off and leave for work when I discovered one neighbor cleaning off the back porch, another doing the front porch and a third snowblowing the driveway and walk.  Then they even cleaned the car off for me.  There are advantages to being "the old folks on the block".  (https://www.christianphotographers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fusers.adelphia.net%2F%7Epairajeans%2Fcheerleader.gif&hash=cf09ca7e52dc03bf515c85b241a8e9363ad5250c)

Tomorrow Gene has appointments at two different places for pre-op procedures for his cataract surgery next month.  I'll be going with him because we have no idea whether or not he'll have drops and not be able to drive.  And I sure don't want him stuck in Glens Falls while anything of that sort wears off!   ;D

I put on the tea kettle and sat down at the computer and almost forgot about my water for my tea about half of the water had boiled away.    :-\

Good song Pat, yes God is so good.

Hi Jeanne ooooh it's cold in  so many of our  peoples parts, SNOW yuck.

Yes, Marilyn.......snow, yuck.  Really, I don't mind the snow, but ours today was going sideways!  Very hard wind, and really cold.  The only time I stuck my nose out the door was this morning when I went swimming, and the snow hadn't yet started then.

PAPA JOHN!!  How nice to see you today!  We do miss your uplifting posts when you aren't here, and are so glad you're able to be up and about, doing good works and speaking encouraging words again.  You're such a blessing!

Sonja, I got about 2/3 of my list accomplished, too.  The frames came, and I got those all assembled, glass cut, and things all put together.  It took most of the afternoon, and I am so happy to have it done.

I need to write a couple of letters, and then can get more cards mailed out tomorrow.

Talk later!

Here's a terrific jigsaw puzzle...


http://christianphotographers.com/yabbse/index.php?board=31;action=display;threadid=1966 (http://christianphotographers.com/yabbse/index.php?board=31;action=display;threadid=1966)

This story touched my heart.  What a difference a little kindness can make in the life of a child! :'(

AM I A CHILDREN?
By Roger Dean Kiser

I was very excited and I was smiling from ear to ear. It was
several days before Christmas, and all of us children from
the Children's Home Society Orphanage had been loaded in
several large buses. We were being taken to the Mayflower
Hotel in downtown Jacksonville, Florida to attend a Christmas
party for under-privileged kids.

We stood behind our assigned seats until the man on the
stage said a prayer. Then he told everyone to sit down.
Within minutes, we were served a meal which was fit for a
king. We were served our meals on glass plates, plates filled
with large pieces of meat and lots of green vegetables. There
were two, big, puffy rolls, with real butter, on a small dish
beside every plate. I ate until I could eat no more. I remember
thinking how nice it would be to eat that kind of food everyday.
How wonderful it would be to go to bed at night without my
stomach hurting.

As we ate, there were people performing some type of a
Christmas Play up on the large platform. All at once the
lights dimmed, and everyone became quiet. When the lights
were turned back up, Santa Claus came walking out onto the
stage. The kids went wild with excitement. Everyone began
clapping their hands and yelling as loud as they could. I,
too, was excited inside, but I knew better than to yell out
loud or to jump up and scream. Mrs. Winters, the head matron,
sat only three seats from me. She had made it very clear to
everyone that we were to conduct ourselves in "a proper
manner," and that there was to be "no yelling or screaming."
So I just sat there with my hands underneath my legs, but I
sure wanted to yell out 'cause I was real happy inside.

One orphanage at a time was led up onto the stage, and each
kid was handed a gift by Santa Clause himself. "Please let me
get a large gift." I kept saying to myself.

As the line became shorter and shorter, my turn finally came.
Santa looked at me. He smiled, then he winked at me. Then he
reached over and handed me a large box that had two gold
ribbons on it. As I leaned to take the box, I tripped and
fell to my knees. Santa reached over and helped me to my feet.

"Move it along Kiser," yelled out Mrs. Winters.

I was now leaning against Santa Claus's leg, and I was looking
directly into his eyes. His face was less than an inch from mine!

"Can I hug you Santa?" I asked him. The next thing I knew, Mrs.
Winters had snatched me up by my shirt collar and was pulling me
away from the line of children. Santa stood up, raised his hand
into the air and yelled out, "MA'AM, PLEASE! THESE ARE LITTLE
CHILDREN!"

Mrs. Winters never even looked back. She just kept on walking
and pushing me down the stairs wthat led back into the eating
area. I sat down in my chair and just sat there crying. Once in
a while, I would look up at the stage to see if my gift was
still sitting by Santa Claus.

When the party was over, we kids were herded back to our busses.
We all lined up waiting to board.

"HO, HO, HO!" I heard coming from behind me.

As I turned around, there stood Santa Claus holding my large box.
He sat the box down on the ground beside me. Then he knelt down
and hugged my neck as hard as he could.

"Am I a children?" I whispered to him.

"You're a good children." He said, as he let go of my neck.

When I looked up into his face I saw something that no one else
in the world has ever seen. I saw that Santa himself had been
crying.

Stories from The Life and Times of Roger Dean Kiser
http://www.rogerdeankiser.com
====================

Ohhhh, Janet!   :'(

Aw, now you've gone and almost made me cry....

Hello, everyone.  Sorry for my scarceness lately.  I have been incredibly tied up at work and simply have not had a chance to check and post.  After all, I am supposed to work while I'm at work!! :)

I think Karma has some things to do on the computer now, so I'll let her have at it.  

Hope everyone has a good night!  Jeanne Lee, you keep all that snow up there, you hear me??'

I'm convinced that we Southerners simply don't have a clue as to what real snow is.  

Ria..........

Our Lord doesn't ask us to be "Discerning", he commands it.  I agree whole heartedly with Chris and Liz.  Our Lord listens carefully, and writes down everytime man "Murmurs" against his brother.  I'm not a Baptist, but I attend a Baptist church because the pastor meets the two qualifications we ask of a pastor.  #1, he teaches the Word as God wrote it, and #2, he is loving.  You didn't ask, but I'll tell you what I am.  I'm a Christian.

Marilyn............

You wrote:  "it's cold in  so many of our  peoples parts,"

Not true Marilyn, not true at all.  Our wood stove and insert stoves are aglow, it's 72 degrees in our house and my toes, feet, legs, back, arms and hands (My parts)  :)are nice and warm.

Whaaaa..<sniffle sniffle>  That was a wonderful story, Janet.  It is sad how some kids are treated.  I pray that the children today will see the love of JESUS from the hatred around them.

I did!  :'(

QuoteBy Papa John~Gal 6:9-10  Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.  (NIV)

Thanks for the verse.  This is a good one around Christmas time.  

Glad to see you posting!  

I do understand that this is a busy time of the year.  My husband isn't even home yet.  But it won't last to much longer and things will go back to normal.

I am going to bed early.  

Night Sara and Pat!  Have a good night!

Please say a little prayer for Lila Mae she is still sick and is having a hard time getting over this bug she got last Sunday.  Poor thing has another fever.  Thanks!  

Night all!
Soni

Howdy everyone!!!

Another Christmas story.  Another tear or two.  Just when you think you've heard them all, or at least can stand strong while reading them, another one gets posted, and you get all blubbery again.   That's okay, though, "tears wash away the dust of everyday living."

Etta -- Your ending quote today hit home with me.  And I have a supervisor who I need to print it out for.  Her desk  has no less than 2 feet of stacks all over, not to mention under it, or in the floor, or on the book shelves.  Her computer monitor literally peeks out from within.

Sonja, At least you got something on your list done.  I told Travis we needed to go to the bank, the post office, Wal-Mart, and the college where I work.  He fell asleep between the bank and W-M, so I skipped the store, and went to the college where my sister brought my paperwork out to me.  Then, I sat in the PO parking lot until he woke up.  Then, we took his and his cousin's Christmas portraits, and as we were getting ready to leave, he looked at me and said "Go, Wal-Mart?"  Mentioned it several times this evening, I might add.  

We did do portraits today, and when I get them "done," I'll post some of them.  Nothing like taking pictures of 7 kids, 6 of whom are boys between almost 2 and 12.  <cross-eyed emoticon goes here>  Travis is the calm one.  ::) :o


Soni --  Hope the baby rests well, and gets better quickly.
I need to go get some things done, so I better head out of here.  Check youns later!

Goodnight Everyone!

Here's your link...

http://christianphotographers.com/yabbse/index.php?board=2;action=display;threadid=1967 (http://christianphotographers.com/yabbse/index.php?board=2;action=display;threadid=1967)