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Morning Devotional...

WALKING IN THE OLD PATHS Jeremiah 6:16 By the late Jack Scott 14.  John's Announcement

The preacher was a rugged looking man.  His face was burnt brown with exposure to the relentless Judean sun.  Dressed as he was in a camel hair tunic encircled by a leather belt, he struck the figure of a manly sort of man.  His message to the gathered crowd was in keeping with his no nonsense appearance as his voice echoed across the river on whose banks he stood in sandled feet.

For days now, he had been preaching to the people who assembled from various parts of the province and each day the message was similar.  It was quite unlike the sermons heard every Sabbath in the local synagogues.  This preacher cared not for the empty praise of men, nor did he Pharisee-like exalt himself above the level of the people.  Praise and personal aggrandizement might be sought by the professional teachers and synagogue rulers, but John the Baptist cared only for the Glory of his God.

His message spoke of coming judgment on the nation and of One who was much greater than himself who would soon come to deliver the repentant.  At the close of each sermon people who repented of their sinful ways would be given the opportunity to come and be baptized in the river to mark their change of heart and thus prepare themselves for the coming of Messiah and His kingdom.

One day a group of religious leaders came down from Jerusalem and asked for baptism but the preacher refused.  He could somehow see beyond their outward puritanical appearance and into their hard unrepentant hearts.  There could be no baptism without a change of heart and a transformed life.  Without these it would be a meaningless ritual.

An interesting and profitable time could be spent examining the birth, life and death of the preacher but a greater than John the Baptist beckons for our attention today.  John pointed this One out for us.  One momentous day He made His way through the congregation in the river valley and walked with decisive steps toward the Baptist.  By the power of the Holy Ghost, John recognized the one who approached.  Pointing to Him he called out with clarion voice, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world?   John 1:29.  John had effected the greatest introduction ever performed by mortal man.  He had finally answered the heart cry of Isaac on Mount Moriah, "Where is the lamb for a burnt offering?" Genesis 22:7. The Lamb who would fulfill the promise of thousands of lambs slain on the great altars of Tabernacle and Temple was revealed that day to the sinful sons and daughters of Adam.  The old Temple service would soon end, the need for it eliminated and a new and living Way into the presence of the Holy made plain.


The Lamb would accomplish what the Temple lambs could only foreshadow.

Isaac Watts wrote well:


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Have you trusted the Lamb of God to take away your sins?  There is no other way to be made fit for the Kingdom of God.  Will you join in the grand chorus of heaven to sing heaven's song?





I am a dreadful singer.  My mother once told me that I sang as sweetly as a crow.  I am not hurt by this.  I recognize it as being true, but one day I will be able to join in that glorious song, because the Lamb has shed His blood for me.  What an anthem we will raise up there.  Will you be joining us there or will you be weeping and wailing among the eternally lost?
If you have not done so before you need to come in repentance and like John acknowledge the Lord Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, as the Saviour slain for your sin.

Those of us who are His by faith must surely seek daily to worship and glorify the Lamb who is worthy of all praise and honour.  Let us join hearts and hands to extol His Name.  Let us say "Lamb of God our souls adore Thee."

Those who sing the great refrain "Worthy is the Lamb" will be from every people and tongue and tribe and nation.  There will be no racial prejudice, for all will be one in Christ.  Surely this is what the Baptist meant when he said, "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." (John 1:29)  For all the redeemed of every color and tongue will join as one in praising the Savior in the eternal ages.

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

Hello everyone!  I'm either really late for last night, or early for in the morning.  But, I think I'm finally getting sleepy, so off to bed I go!!!

have a great Wednesday

Good morning!  I am very early today--Darrel got up at 5:15!!  He really doesn't intend to wake me, but I always wake up when he gets up.  I tried to go back to sleep, but to no avail.  I wonder how long it's going to take us to re-set our internal clocks?  Hmmmm.......

Mom asked if I would have time today for her to do some shopping, so it sounds as if I will be away most of the day again.  Her appointment is at 1:10, but we will leave this morning, maybe around 9 or so.

When I got to school yesterday, Abby's class was in PE.  When they came back into the room, one of the little boys told me Abby had been crying.  She cries so seldom!  I asked her why she'd been crying, and she said because I wasn't there yet!  Later, I heard her teacher say to her "You're a much happier girl than you were earlier.  I wonder what made the difference?"  And Abby pointed to me.  Awwww............so sweet is the love of a grandchild!    She said she thought I would be there by noon.

Beth is a lot different than when I left, too.  Her pain has returned, along with increased weakness.  I pray she will improve again and have a great time with John being here for Christmas.  In spite of all the problems we face, God is good.

Ruth Ann, I'm thinking of you this morning and praying you feel much better. (((hugs)))

Pat, I pray you are well on the way to recovery from that pesky cold, too.  I hate colds!  Be sure to take lots of Vitamin C and zinc!  (((hugs)))

I pray we receive a good report from our dear Larry today, as well.  He is such a wonderful person, and I really love his posts.

I'm also thinking of dear Papa John today, as they bid farewell to their loved one.  His upbeat posts with Scriptures are always encouraging.

I don't know when I will have time to work on photos----------but sometime!

I wish you all a wonderful and profitable day, in whatever your tasks for the day may be!

Good morning, I still am not feeling well. Will probably go in to the office for a while - have a deadline to meet, but will leave again as quickly as possible. Sorry to whine.

Thanks for the prayers.

Ruth Ann

Good morning from the UK,

The weather is a little brighter today, no need to put the light on to read the morning paper. Up early this morning taking some euipment back to the hospital for a elderly neighbour, who had her heart monitered for 24 hrs.Its nice to help other people we may need help ourselves someday. It is nice to read all the messages on this thread everyday, which I do, and nice to see and read what is going on across the Atlantic Ocean. We have been busy putting the tree etc up for Christmas and preparing the gifts etc, but feel in my own mind it has become to commercialised.

Vec2 Colin

Thank you for the welcome Pat!
My name is Carrie, I am a single mother of one.  My son (Bailey) is soon to be seven years old and the love of my life.  My most recent love though, is my love for God.  I came to Christ this past March after taking the Alpha course at a church that has now become my home church.  I have been a believer in God my whole life but that was as far as it went for me.  I knew what it meant to be a Christian but felt that there were to many rules that I could not possibly follow.  I know that I was being selfish, in not wanting to give up on things that I considered to be the fun things in life.  This past year all of that has changed and I have realized that although there were areas of my life that I needed to make some adjustments, I truly have never been happier than I am now.  I have been come quite invoved at my church and find myself making friendships with people that I probably never would have before.  I know now that just believing there is a God is not enough.  I have been told by some of my more mature Christian friends that" I am on fire for God."  That is so I true.  I love reading and studying the bible, I look forward to each and every Sunday and my weekly small group meetings, singing his praises,  talking to others (even if they don't all want to hear what I am saying) and now joining in here.   This Christmas is so special to me.  I thought that I always knew the true meaning of Christmas but what I didn't realize was how much more it means when you have a relationship with Christ.
I look forward to talking to you all!         

Good Day to Colin in the U.K.!

Janet:  I am praying for Beth.  It is good to have you "home" again.  

Pat:  Thanks for the message this morning.  Carol

Good Morning to all will enter CP today. I have a few things to get done before I go to work so I won't stay around for coffee and donuts. Don't need the donuts and already had my coffee.

I have been busy making Christmas cards for a couple of family members and some for the internet friends using PSP 8 I haven't installed 9 yet. I packed up one box so far of miscellaneous cooking magazines and books that I had on my dining room table. The kids are coming on Christmas Eve so I needed to get the table cleaned off.

I have also been baking lots and lots of cookies, some people are getting cookies and jam from me for Christmas. I still have to get my secret pal's gift wrapped before Sunday.

I thought I had found a house but they decided not to rent to me because of the dogs. The yard was way too small anyway and I would have had to pay to put up a fence. After  I saw the place I didn't want it anyway.

I am so concerned for my dogs. Bebe since she is such a one person dog. Here they kill any dog that even looks like it is a Pit Bull, which she is not. But she is so shy and scared of other people that I know she would never make it in a shelter to a new home. My heart is breaking with worry for  them. I am trusting God though for that place that he has for us.

Carrrie it is so nice to have you join us here. Yes I can sure see that you are "on fire for God".

TTYL

WELCOME CARRIE!!!![/color]
Great lto have you here!  You can't ever be too "on fire" for Christ!

I know what you mean...being fired up for Jesus.  I was like a sponge...couldn't get enough of the Bible and discovering new things...to me...in the Bible.  Christmas has a different meaning when you are a Christian.

hello everyone,
I'm still around just busy with school and basketball.... i'm posting from school because i am having a bit of trouble with my computer at home... technology oh what fun... we won our game lasst night... i can feel every bone/ muscle in my body telling me that they hurt.... anyways i'll ttyl
Sarah

Good Morning Everyone!

I'm late getting here but it's so nice to read your posts.

I'm so happy that you were able to get in here already, Carrie![/color][/size]  As others have said to you, you can't be too on fire for our dear Lord and Saviour!  Praise the Lord that you are so happy in this new Father-Daughter relationship.  We'll have to get some nice photos on here of Bailey.  He's a great little fellow.

I have to get going also as I have my Avon Christmas Party tonight and I have to pick Carrie's mum up at 5:30 and we'll go together.  Now it would be so good to get her Mum in here wouldn't it?  I'm working on it!

Hi Sarah!

Good morning, all!

I have been busy today already.  I crocheted an eyelash scarf for my DIL for her to give to her daughter so I took it with Christmas Cards when I took the trash to the road.  But no one was up at my DIL's house yet.  I ate my breakfast, read the Bible and made a couple of more Christmas cards.  So I took the stuff for my DIL when I went out to mail my cards.  They were up this time.  So I got to have a cup of coffee and to chit chat with Kaye Don and Barb.  Libby, the peke-a-poo, looks so cute.  The groomer put a little gold bow on top of her head.  I will miss all of them when they go to Florida, Dec. 26th!  Maybe Ivalou and I can go down and see them.  Hope so.

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"Those proud of keeping an orderly desk never know the thrill of finding something that they thought they had irretrievably lost."

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Etta Sue, can you give me the directions for the CROCHETED eyelash scarf?  I'm wondering if it takes more yarn as most crochet does.  But I'd be interested.  Take a photo of the scarf and then type the directions and put it in our Creative area...ok?

Hi TBear!

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Home for just a few minutes. I had to call the bank and stop payment on a check to my credit card payment. The check is lost somewhere in the mail and my payment is very late. So I made the payment on line and they waived the late fee just this one time. Thank you Jesus.

Now I am off to the bank to create a new pin number so I can access my account  statement online to keep up with the activity on the account.

Hi everybody.

Beth I am so sorry to hear that your strength is slipping again. Stay strong Beth we are praying for you.

TTYL

Hi everyone.  I am doing fine from my seed implant procedure.  The biggest problem seems to be tiredness that probably comes from the after effects of the antisetic.  I haven't had any pain and just some soreness, which is to be expected.  I haven't even needed to take any of the pain pills the doctor prescribed.  I went to bed and to sleep about 6:30 pm last evening and had a very good nights sleep.  I laid down this morning and after I finish writing here I think I will have another nap.  Exciting day!!

Carrie, I want to welcome you to CP.

Happy Birthday Sue.

Janet, Abby's reaction to your not being there is so sweet.  You obviously have a very special bond.  I relate to that as I so dearly loved my Grandmother and she would always welcome my sister and I with her arms wide and a big smile, regardless of what she was doing.  I loved being in her presence.  Certainly sorry to hear that your found Beth less strong and in more pain.  Beth, hope you are feeling better when John gets there.

Ruth Ann, you need to take care of yourself.

My new friend, Rob, just dropped by and left me a computer magazine and some chocolates and a replacement for my floppy disk drive.  He repairs and builds computers and had a spare on the shelf.

Marilyn, I certainly hope you will find the place you are seeking so you can have your dogs with you.  I know that most landlords don't want to rent to anyone with large dogs.

Time for my nap so am going to sign off for now.

Woohoo...Sarah.  Way to go!

WELCOME CARRIE!

That's fine, Tbear.  I was worried I wasn't going to find a postcard for you.  hehe

I wonder how our Larry is doing?   Hope all went well.  I am soooo glad things went well for you, Larry!  And you don't have to take any pain pills.  Hope it continues that way. ((hug))

How are you feeling, Pat?

I am heading out the door to dance class.  Anyone want to join. hehehe...

Be Back Later.
Soni

Soni, feeling a little better thanks!  Still a messy cold though.


Hope everyone is having a good day.


Lottery Tickets
Do you buy them?

Wife regrets man's huge lottery win

Dangerous...Dangerous...Dangerous (IMHO)

Hello all!  I'm at work trying to stay awake.  I probably should be doing my semester end paperwork, but . . . . ..

Ihope all of you have a wonderful day!

karmat

Hi, Karmat!

Lovely card, Pat! Tell your friend I said thank you.

Off to eat lunch.

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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Welcome Carrie, may God bless you in your walk with Him,
regards Chris

You like pumpkin?  Do you like pudding?  Well if your answer is yes to both then you need to try this easy to make, fat free, delicious pudding.  Fat Free Pumpkin Pudding

I just had myself a cup of it. mmmmmmmmm...(  <--- licking lips ) it is soooo good!

Hello, boys and girls, how is everyone?

Bye now,

Ursula

About the woman who regretted she and her husband's winnings.  The ONE thing necessary is Jesus Christ.  Then and only then all the other things that can happen to us in life can be a blessing.

This evening Marbeth and I are going to the church for, of all things, a concert.  It happens that one of our members is a very accomplished floutist (could play first chair in any orchestra in the U.S).  Joining her will be some other members.  She's going to play with her quartet, then the others members will join her in a Christmas concert.  We may have outside visitors.  Pray that they will be moved to trust in Christ.