Christian Photographers Community

Morning Devotional...


This story is a bit long, but so good for the Christmas season!


Pa never had much compassion for the lazy or those who squandered their means, then never had enough for the necessities. But for those who were genuinely in need, his heart was as big as all outdoors. It was from him that I learned that the greatest joy in life comes from giving, not from receiving.

It was Christmas Eve 1881. I was fifteen years old and feeling like the world had caved in on me because there just hadn't been enough money to buy me the rifle that I'd wanted so bad that year for Christmas.

We did the chores early that night for some reason. I just figured Pa wanted a little extra time so we could read in the Bible. So after supper was over, I took my boots off, stretched out in front of the fireplace and waited for Pa to get down the old Bible. I was still feeling sorry for myself and, to be honest, I wasn't in much of a mood to read scriptures.

But Pa didn't get the Bible, instead he bundled up and went outside. I couldn't figure it out because we had already done all the chores. I didn't worry about it long though, I was too busy wallowing in self-pity. Soon Pa came back in. It was a cold, clear night out, and there was ice in his beard.

"Come on, Matt," he said. "Bundle up good, it's cold out tonight."

I was really upset then. Not only wasn't I getting the rifle for Christmas, now Pa was dragging me out in the cold, and for no earthly reason that I could see.

We'd already done all the chores, and I couldn't think of anything else that needed doing, especially not on a night like this. But I knew Pa was not very patient at one dragging one's feet when he'd told them to do something, so I got up and put my boots back on and got my cap, coat, and mittens. Ma gave me a mysterious smile as I opened the door to leave the house. Something was up, but I didn't know what.

Outside, I became even more dismayed. There in front of the house was the work team, already hitched to the big sled. Whatever it was we were going to do wasn't going to be a short, quick, little job.  I could tell. We never hitched up the big sled unless we were going to haul a big load.

Pa was already up on the seat, reins in hand. I reluctantly climbed up beside him. The cold was already biting at me. I wasn't happy.  When I was on, Pa pulled the sled around the house and stopped in front of the woodshed. He got off, and I followed. "I think we'll put on the high sideboards," he said. "Here, help me."

The high sideboards! It had been a bigger job than I wanted to do with just the low sideboards on, but whatever it was we were going to do would be a lot bigger with the high sideboards on.

When we had exchanged the sideboards, Pa went into the woodshed and came out with an armload of wood -- the wood I'd spent all Summer hauling down from the mountain, then all Fall sawing into blocks and splitting. What was he doing? Finally I said something. "Pa," I asked, "what are you doing?"

"You been by the Widow Jensen's lately?" he asked. The Widow Jensen lived about two miles down the road. Her husband had died a year or so before and left her with three children, the oldest being eight.

Sure, I'd been by, but so what? "Yeah," I said, "why?"

"I rode by just today," Pa said. "Little Jakey was out digging around in the woodpile trying to find a few chips. They're out of wood, Matt."

That was all he said, then he turned and went back into the woodshed for another armload of wood. I followed him. We loaded the sled so high that I began to wonder if the horses would be able to pull it.  Finally, Pa called a halt to our loading, then we went to the smokehouse, and Pa took down a big ham and a side of bacon. He handed them to me and told me to put them in the sled and wait. When he returned, he was carrying a sack of flour over his right shoulder and a smaller sack of something in his left hand.

"What's in the little sack?" I asked.

"Shoes. They're out of shoes. Little Jakey just had gunny sacks wrapped around his feet when he was out in the wood-pile this morning. I got the children a little candy too. It just wouldn't be Christmas without a little candy."

We rode the two miles to Widow Jensen's pretty much in silence.  I tried to think through what Pa was doing. We didn't have much by worldly standards. Of course, we did have a big woodpile, though most of what was left now was still in the form of logs that I would have to saw into blocks and split before we could use it. We also had meat and flour, so we could spare that, but I knew we didn't have any money, so why was Pa buying them shoes and candy? Really, why was he doing any of this? Widow Jensen had closer neighbors than us. It shouldn't have been our concern.

We came in from the blind side of the Jensen house and unloaded the wood as quietly as possible, then we took the meat and flour and shoes to the door. We knocked. The door opened a crack and a timid voice said, "Who is it?"

"Lucas Miles, Ma'am, and my son, Matt. Could we come in for a bit?"

Widow Jensen opened the door and let us in. She had a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. The children were wrapped in another and were sitting in front of the fireplace by a very small fire that hardly gave off any heat at all. Widow Jensen fumbled with a match and finally lit the lamp.

"We brought you a few things, Ma'am," Pa said and set down the sack of flour. I put the meat on the table. Then Pa handed her the sack that had the shoes in it. She opened it hesitantly and took the shoes out one pair at a time. There was a pair for her and one for each of the children -- sturdy shoes, the best, shoes that
would last.

I watched her carefully. She bit her lower lip to keep it from trembling, then tears filled her eyes and started running down her cheeks. She looked up at Pa like she wanted to say something, but it wouldn't come out.

"We brought a load of wood, too, Ma'am," Pa said, then he turned to me and said, "Matt, go bring enough in to last for awhile.  Let's get that fire up to size and heat this place up."

I wasn't the same person when I went back out to bring in the wood. I had a big lump in my throat and, much as I hate to admit it, there were tears in my eyes too.

In my mind, I kept seeing those three kids huddled around the fireplace and their mother standing there with tears running down her cheeks and so much gratitude in her heart that she couldn't speak. My heart swelled within me and a joy filled my soul that I'd never known before. I had given at Christmas many times before, but never when it had made so much difference.

I could see we were literally saving the lives of these people.  I soon had the fire blazing and everyone's spirits soared. The kids started giggling when Pa handed them each a piece of candy and Widow Jensen looked on with a smile that probably hadn't crossed her face for a long time.

She finally turned to us. "God bless you," she said. "I know the Lord himself has sent you. The children and I have been praying that he would send one of his angels to spare us."

In spite of myself, the lump returned to my throat, and the tears welled up in my eyes again. I'd never thought of Pa in those exact terms before, but after Widow Jensen mentioned it, I could see that it was probably true. I was sure that a better man than Pa had never walked the earth. I started remembering all the times he had gone out of his way for Ma and me, and many others. The list seemed endless, as I thought on it.

Pa insisted that everyone try on the shoes before we left. I was amazed when they all fit, and I wondered how he had known what sizes to get. Then I guessed that if he was on an errand for the Lord, the Lord would make sure he got the right sizes.

Tears were running down Widow Jensen's face again when we stood up to leave. Pa took each of the kids in his big arms and gave them a hug. They clung to him and didn't want us to go. I could see they missed their pa, and I was glad that I still had mine.

At the door, Pa turned to Widow Jensen and said, "The Mrs. wanted me to invite you and the children over for Christmas dinner tomorrow. The turkey will be more than the three of us can eat, and a man can get cantankerous if he has to eat turkey for too many meals. We'll be by to get you about eleven. It'll be nice to have some little ones around again. Matt, here, hasn't been little for quite a spell."

I was the youngest. My two older brothers and two older sisters were all married and had moved away.

Widow Jensen nodded and said, "Thank you, Brother Miles. I don't have to say, 'May the Lord bless you,' I know for certain that He will."

Out on the sled, I felt a warmth that came from deep within, and I didn't even notice the cold. When we had gone a ways, Pa turned to me and said, "Matt, I want you to know something. Your ma and me have been tucking a little money away here and there all year so we could buy that rifle for you, but we didn't have quite enough. Then yesterday a man, who owed me a little money from years back, came by to make things square. Your ma and me were real excited, thinking that now we could get you that rifle, and I started into town this morning to do just that. But on the way, I saw little Jakey out scratching in the woodpile with his feet wrapped in those gunny sacks, and I knew what I had to do. So, Son, I spent the money for shoes and a little candy for those children. I hope you understand."

I understood, and my eyes became wet with tears again. I understood very well, and I was so glad Pa had done it. Just then, the rifle seemed very low on  my list of priorities. Pa had given me a lot more. He had given me the look on Widow Jensen's face and the radiant smiles of her three children.

For the rest of my life, whenever I saw any of the Jensens, or split a block of wood, I remembered, and remembering brought back that same joy I felt riding home beside Pa that night. Pa gave me much more than a rifle that night, he gave me the best Christmas of my life.

Hi everyone.  Janet, that is a wonderful lesson in the way God uses ordinary folks to fulfill the needs of others.  Thanks for sharing that with us this morning.

Happy Birthday Just Kate.

I got up pretty early this morning as I couldn't get comfortable due to my hip joints aching when I laid on my side.  Since I wasn't sleeping I decided I might as well get up and get busy.  After coffee this morning, my friend and I are going back to one or two computer stores.  I need to return the adapter I purchased on Saturday that didn't work and also have a couple of other things I need to get.  I am looking forward to the morning.

I will try to go walking today as ended up not getting out in the cold yesterday to do so.  It is a bit warmer here today and by afternoon is to be in the 50s.  I hope to work on my midi project for Calvin Cove today.

Hope everyone will have a nice day.

Hello Everyone!
I was not able to post the past couple of days as I have been extremely busy.  Sunday afternoon was my son's birthday party and then we came back to my house to do our Christmas gift exchange with my grandmother as we won't see her on Christmas day.  By the time that was finished and I got everything all cleaned up, I was exhausted.  This week is very busy for me with the kids out of school.  Yesterday was certainly a test of my patience with these children.  I just have to get through until Thursday and then I am off almost until they go back to school.  So the week between Christmas and New Year's will be a nice break for me.  So if I don't get a chnce to get back on here before Christmas, everyone have a very Christmas!
God Bless,
Carrie

Good morning, friends

Kate - hope your birthday is wonderful.

Carrie, enjoy your children and their childhood. Isn't it wonderful to see the world through a child's eyes!

I found a place where I can get a flu shot, so am headed out the door. Will be a bit late to work today, but will be worth it to be better prepared for the winter.

Y'all have a good day.

Ruth Ann

Good Morning Thank you JANET for the wonderful story this morning.

Larry be careful out there in the cold weather today.

I am looking forward to giving my computer a good cleaning out and starting all over again like it is a brand new computer, I have backed up all my files to CD. So all my photos are not going to be in the computer.  Later on after I get my Visa paid off from the auto repairs I am thinking about adding some more RAM to my computer.

I am also glad to be going back to Fay's for the amount of time I am supposed to be there as I worry about her trying to do things for herself when I am not there. Her incision is still open a little bit 2 1/2 months late. The visiting nurses come every 3rd day now to change the bandage and take her blood once a week.

Well I must get ready for work now.

TTYL

Good morning!  I actually slept until 7 today, so I think I may finally be getting over the jet lag.  ;D  I have a really busy day today (Duh!  Who doesn't, on Dec. 21?) as I have  some framing to finish, gifts to buy, and am going down to pick up our Abby!  She misses her Grandma! 

Larry, do be careful!  We want you well!

Ruth Ann,  I'm so glad you will be getting a flu shot.  You should have been among the first group, I would think----but better now than not at all.  Have a great day!

Marilyn, I think my computer needs a good cleaning, too.  I'm so computer illiterate that I'm afraid to do stuff like that.  I am hoping Curtis will have some time to spend with me, and that he won't mind doing some maintainence for me.

Thanks, Pat, once again---for your help.  Maybe someday I can do better, I hope. 

I was sound asleep last night and Beth called.  She was in great pain, thought she needed to go to the emergency room.  She said John could take her........but they didn't go.  She's still hurting this morning, so will go in to see her doctor as soon as she can.  I have no idea what's wrong, said she hurt from her lower back to her neck, on the side, kind of........???  We will see what the day brings on that.

I am off for a cup of coffee then get busy on stuff.  I'm running out of time!!

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Janet, that story left tears in my eyes.  Thank you!

JudyB ~ Thank you for the beautiful greeting and site.  Riversong has a great inspirational site.

Larry ~ If your weather was anything like ours yesterday, you needed to stay inside.  The wind and temperature made our weather take your breath away.  Turned my face rosy red in a matter of seconds!!

TBear ~ I just know you had a very, happy birthday but do tell us all about it! 

My Urologist was happy with what she saw yesterday and I don't have to return for a follow up until June.  I haven't had any new tumors sinde Feb 2002 so it is time to wait 6 months between visits.  Hooray!  Then Ivalou ate lunch at Grindstone Charleys and then grocery shopped at Super WalMart.  It was sooooooo cold out there.  I wasn't looking forward to caroling with my Small Group at all.

But we left Jerry's in the afternoon and ate Mexican in Greenfield.  We got to the church.  Nine of us showed up for caroling.  We went to a fancy Nursing Home....I mean fancy.  Costs $3,000 a month to stay there!!!!  Nice and warm and cozy inside while singing.  Then we went to a home and thought we would have to sing outside but they invited us into the foyer.  Then another home and were invited inside again.  So it was a wonderful evening.  The second house had the lady's granddaughter and she said she had never heard carolers before.  Well, I had never went caroling before.  It was fun.  I loved it!  We all went back to church for snacks.  Then home.  Wonderful evening!!!!

Now it is predicted lots and lots of snow for central Indiana.  Snow for the next three days and very cold on Christmas Day.  Then snow again next Sunday.  Winter is here!! !!   Glad I did my grocery shopping yesterday.  Kaye Don, Barb, Ivalou and I haven't had our Christmas together so we may just eat at one of our homes and exchange gifts.

<)))><<~~<)))><<~~<)))><<~~<)))><<~~<)))
"Encouragement is like premium gas.  It helps to take the knocks out of living."

Hello all!  Great devotional story this morning

I hope all of you have a great day!

Nard

Morning!

I only have a few things to get done today.  Not bad for being 4 days till Christmas.   

I just got my last package in today and Zachery is wrapping it up for Chandraya.  My pictures should come in today so I can get paid.   

Hope you all are having a wonderful week. 

Do you have the Christmas Spirit yet, Janet? 

I better get going.  The kids want to paint.

Soni

A quick prayer request:

My son's friend who is on the swim team with him got a call this morning saying his dad died in a car accident.  :-(  Please keep him and his family in your prayers.  Troy is pretty upset about it too. 

Thanks!

       Twas' the night Jesus came
       and all through the house,
       not a person was praying,
       not one in the house..
       The Bible was left
       on the shelf without care,
       for no one thought
       Jesus would come there..
       The children were dressing
       to crawl into bed,
       not once ever kneeling
       or bowing their head..
       And Mom in the rocking chair
       with babe on her lap,
       was watching the Late Show
       as I took a nap..
       When out of the east
       there rose such a clatter,
       I sprang to my feet
       to see what was the matter..
       Away to the window
       I flew like a flash,
       tore open the shutters
       and lifted the sash..
       When what to my wondering
       eyes should appear,
       but Angels proclaiming
       that Jesus was here..
       The light of His face
       made me cover my head...
       was Jesus returning
       just like He'd said..
       And though I possessed
       worldly wisdom and wealth,
       I cried when I saw Him
       in spite of myself..
       In the Book of Life
       which he held in his hand,
       was written the name
       of every saved man..
       He spoke not a word
       as he searched for my name,
       when He said "it's not here"
       My head hung in shame..
       The people whose names
       had been written with love,
       He gathered to take
       to his Father above..
       With those who were ready
       He rose without sound,
       while all of the others
       were left standing around...
       I fell to my knees
       but it was too late,
       I'd waited too long
       and thus sealed my fate.
       I stood and I cried
       as they rose out of sight,
       Oh, if only I'd known
       that this was the night.
       In the words of this poem
       the meaning is clear
       the coming of Jesus
       is now drawing near...
       There's only one life
       and when comes the last call,
       We'll find out that the Bible
       was true after all..

 
Hi Every One!

It is a special time for me when I can come here and make a post. I miss every one so much at times and I think about each of you at a most strange times.      Hi Mr Moak, I love you. I pray if you leg it is ok, yes?

Hi Ms Soni (mr Egg  )  I am so sad to read of this friend. I will give my heart to God for this family for all this week.

Hi Ms KATE  a happy birthday to you!

Hi mr Bernard and ms Karmat, I miss you both. I just know it is a most special Christmas for you. (((hug)))

EEEEEEeeeeeee ms Etta Sue ((((HUG))))

Ms Pat I miss you, I pray you are happy and in a good health.

Hi ms Tbear, I am mieka, It is very nice to meet you here. 

Hi Ms Janet, I like the devotional today, it is a most wonderful story of love. God is love and Santa is a gift of love to honor Jesus. (I love Santa too) 

Hi Ms Marilyn, It is so fun to see you today, It is my hope you have a special Christmas on a beach. I like this poem you did make, it is a poem or is a song? i do not know. but I like it.

((((((((((HUG))))))))))) ms Bice  It is so fun to see you today.

Hi Ms Carrie, I am mieka. I know you will love the Christian Photographers. all of them 

Where is my Papa John today and Ms Jane and so many others. Where is ms SUE? and Ms Jenny and every one? 

I so SO SO hope it is a most wonderful Christmas of all time for you all. You are all in my heart this year. I am happy to know you as my friends. God Bless you all,   With all my heart.

~mi

hello all,
I am here... we've had domenic this weekend so life is interesting... he's being a little pain right now anad is trying to keep from taking a nap... i'm enjoying my time off from school but i've got a major sinus infection.... well i'm off because we are defrosting the freezer ttyl
Sarah

TBEAR has returned !!  I am here for a bit to catch up with everyone !!  So, before I go since Etta asked about my birthday here is what happend !!
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December 21   

Trials and Pain: Ordered By the Lord

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in
his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the
Lord upholds him with His hand. 
-Psalm 37:23-24

To the child of God, there is no such thing as accident. He travels
an appointed way. The path he treads was chosen for him when as yet
he was not, when as yet he had existence only in the mind of God.

Accidents may indeed appear to befall him and misfortune stalk his
way; but these evils will be so in appearence only and will seem
evils only because we cannot read the secret script of God's hidden
providence and so cannot discover the ends at which He aims....

The man of true faith may live in the absolute assurance that his
steps are ordered by the Lord. For him, misfortune is outside the
bounds of possibility. He cannot be torn from this earth one hour
ahead of the time which God has appointed, and he cannot be
detained on earth one moment after God is done with him here. He
is not a waif of the wide world, a foundling of time and space,
but a saint of the Lord and the darling of His particular care. 
We Travel an Appointed Way, pp. 3-4

"I worship and praise You this morning for this: 'the absolute
assurance that his steps are ordered by the Lord.' And for the fact
that 'misfortune is outside the bounds of possibility.' What a
privilege to be 'a darling of His particular care.' Wow! Amen."

---------------------------------------------------------------------
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Hello Mieka, great to see you again!!

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THE FORGIVING HEART...

When I forgive from my heart...

I hold no grudges.  Knowing that only love should fill me, I forgive freely and easily.  I let go of all negative emotions towards others as soon as I feel them surfacing within me.[/list]




God's Word says...

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse..
Romans 12:14[/list]

Wow! Mieka's back! Just in time for Christmas - what a lovely present you bring, little one - YOURSELF.

Y'all have a great evening.

Ruth Ann

Mieka, your Papa John is here.  I haven’t been in in a couple days.  We are busy with many things so I don’t get everything done these days.  Anyway it is good to see you as well as everyone else.

Luke 2:7  And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.  (KJV)

--- Papa John          <)))><<   
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This an e-mail I received today that brought me to tears I thought I would share it with all you!!
Subject: Remember My Birthday:
>
>As you well know, we are getting closer to my birthday. Every year
there is
>a celebration in my honor and I think that this year the celebration
will
>be repeated. During this time there are many people shopping for
gifts,

>there are many radio announcements, TV commercials, and in every part
of
>the world everyone is talking that my birthday is getting closer and
>closer.
>
>It is really very nice to know, that at least once a year, some people
>think of me.  As you know, the celebration of my birthday began many
years 
>ago.  At first people seemed to understand and be thankful of all that
I
>did for them, but in these times, no one seems to know the reason for
the
>celebration.  Family and friends get together and have a lot of fun,
but
>they don't know the meaning of the celebration.
>
>I remember that last year there was a great feast in my honor. The
dinner
>table was full of delicious foods,  pastries, fruits, assorted nuts
and

>chocolates.  The decorations were exquisite and there were many, many
>beautifully wrapped gifts. But, do you want to know something?  I
wasn't
>invited. I was the guest of honor and they didn't remember to send me
an
>invitation.  The party was for me, but when that great day came, I was
left
>outside, they closed the door in my face .... and I wanted to be with
them
>and share their table.
>
>In truth, that didn't surprise me because in the last few years all
close
>their doors to me.  Since I wasn't invited, I decided to enter the
party
>without making any noise. I went in and stood in a corner. They were
all
>drinking; there were some who were drunk and telling jokes and
laughing
at
>everything.  They were having a grand time.  To top it all, this big
fat
>man all dressed in red wearing a long white beard entered the room
yelling 
>Ho-Ho-Ho!  He seemed drunk.  He sat on the sofa and all the children
ran to
>him, saying: "Santa Claus, Santa Claus" as if the party were in his
honor!
>
>At 12 Midnight all the people began to hug each other; I extended my
arms
>waiting for someone to hug me and ... do you know ... no one hugged
me.

>Suddenly they all began to share gifts. They opened them one by one
with
>great expectation. When all had been opened, I looked to see if,
maybe,

>there was one for me.
>
>What would you feel if on your birthday everybody shared gifts and you
did
>not get one?  I then understood that I was unwanted at that party and
>quietly left.
>
>Every year it gets worse.  People only remember to eat and drink,the
gifts,
>the parties and nobody remembers me.  I would like this Christmas that
you
>allow me to enter into your life.  I would like that you recognize the
fact
>that almost two thousand years ago I came to this world to give my
life
for
>you, on the cross, to save you.  Today,  I only want that you believe
this
>with all your heart.
>
>I want to share something with you.  As many didn't invite me to their
>party, I will have my own celebration, a grandiose party that no one
has
>ever imagined, a spectacular party.
>
>I'm still making the final arrangements.  Today I am sending out many
>invitations and there is an invitation for you.  I want to know if you
wish
>to attend and I will make a reservation for you and  write your name
with
>golden letters in my great guest book.  Only those on the guest list
will
>be invited to the party.  Those who don't answer the invite will be
left
>outside.
>
>Be prepared because when all is ready you will be part of my great
party.
>
>See you soon . I Love you!
>
>Jesus
>


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Just finished reading all your lovely posts.  My computer has slowed down., its almost come to a "halt".  Janet, I'm like you.....have no computer skills here at all.


after Christmas is over, I'll send it out for a good cleaning!

Everyone,,,,,,have a good night's sleep.

- Judy M.

Time to lock the door...

CLICK HERE