Christian Photographers Community

Morning Devotional...


Meeting God's Son

John the Baptist went about preaching repentance and individual preparation to  meet the Lord.  When he thought about the One He was announcing, he just had to say, "I indeed baptize you with water, but One mightier than I is coming, Whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose.  He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.  His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and He will gather the wheat into His barn; but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire."  (Lk. 3:16, 17)

John was a holy servant of God, a servant who was entirely willing to wear whatever clothing he could get - such as old cast-off camel's hair - and to eat whatever food came his way - such as locusts and wild honey.  Besides being such a holy and consecrated servant, he was also entrusted with the most important message ever sent to this fallen race.  It was the message that God had at long last sent a Savior and that John's listeners needed to prepare their hearts and lives for His coming.

Such a holy and important servant could have been full of self importance and pride.  But no, instead John was in awe and reverence of the One he announced.  And he said so.  He said, "I'm just baptizing with water - as a symbol of the need we all have to be washed of our sins.  If you agree with me, then you'll be baptized as an admission of your need as well.  When the One I'm announcing comes, though, He'll baptize too, but not with a mere symbol.  He'll send His own Holy Spirit upon you, and He will eventually send His cleansing fire of judgement as well.  After all, it's His world, and He's going to harvest the 'wheat,' but He will also blow away the 'chaff!'"

Yesterday, we celebrated Jesus' coming into this world.  With what attitude do you meet Him?  Will you meet Him with repentance and faith?  He is, after all, the Lord Christ.
Al Moak

Hello, all!  Sorry we didn't get to check in on Christmas Day, but that's just how it "was".  I'm just now shutting everything down for the night; Trav and Kristi both had a really big day, as kid's Christmas Days go, and it was pretty hard to get Trav shut down for the night. 

Anyway, thanks to God for all His blessings.  Glad to hear of Rolan getting to come home.  God is good!

Good Morning 6:30 AM here on the lost coast, raining sometimes very heavy. I go back to work today, My sinus' are all filled up since yesterday. I stopped at Rite Aid on my way home last eveing when I saw they were open and bought ome Comtrex severe cold and sinus pills to help with decongesting me so that I can work today. Tomorrow afternoon I am scheduled for that CT head scan I told you about.

Yesterday I arrived in Eureka 1/2 hour earlier that I told them I would be there and they were still at church so I had to wait for someone to come and let me in the house. Sarah's parents and I had a very nice visit as she made homemade yeast rolls and finished up the cooking. She had given different times to the other to arrive.

Sarah's sister Erin, her husband and his folks arrived an hour later than they were told, that happened last year too, we almost started to eat before they got there.

I left at 5pm the first to leave. They were just about done with the cleaning chores. All in All it was a very nice day.

Janet you asked how long it would take me to use 50 CD's; probably a long long time.I want to put some photos on them so they will be in a permanent place and not just in my computer. I also want to put my graphics on them too.
How did Beth fair over Christmas?

TTYL

Hi everyone.  Our usual place for coffee was closed today so our little group met at McDonalds.  I have a quiet week planned as the calendar is clear.

Al, thanks for the fine devotional for today.

It sounds like everyone had a nice Christmas celebration. 

Jane, hope you have a great trip to Caliifornia and the weather cooperates.  I know the trill of seeing a new great grandchild and it is a very special feeling. 

Nita, glad your grandson and his father seem to be getting along better on.  Life is just too short to allow a close relationship like a father and son to stay broken.  Maybe since your grandson is now is college and away from home he and his father can relate better on an adult level.

Papa John, I can't imagine having 30 people in my home at one time.  What a time you all must have had.  You are a very blessed man to have such a wonderful family and have them so close to you that you can all get together.

Janet, it sounds like your family will be growing shortly and one of these days you may experience the joy of great grandparenthood. 

Maryland, it sounds like you had a lovely time at the DIL's family get together. 

Etta Sue, you really had a white Christmas and it sounds like the timing was pretty good.

Janet and Maryland, it is very easy to burn a CD when you have Windows XP on your computer.  Just open the Windows Explorer (file manager) and locate the files you want to put on the CD and highlight them.  Then drag them to the "D" drive (or whatever letter your CD is on) and drop them onto it.  When you have all the files you want for that disk ready for copying then just click on the command on the left that says to burn the files to CD and then let the computer work. 

Hope this is a nice day for everyone.

Well, it's over again (Christmas).  Our church had its service yesterday in the evening so that people could be with their families, etc. in the morning.  One of the couples there with whom we are very close gave us a paper bag.  It seemed like they were just trying to get rid of a bag of paper trash, but, in good humor, I took it.  What I didn't know 'til we got home was that there were presents in it!  There were two BIG coffee/tea mugs, and a box of bigelow's Lemon Lift tea.  I have absolutely no idea how they knew that it was my favorite tea.  They're the same ones that had the party to which we went the other night.  What a gracious couple!

Good morning. 

Yes, I was thinking the same thing...how did Beth fair over the Christmas weekend? 

Tony and a friend just left.  Tony is needing wood to burn in his fireplace so they walked back in the woods to see if there were any trees down to cut up.  I sent home a half of Green Tomato pie with him.  He was a happy camper. 

Everything is put up and away.  Now to veg out for a month or so! 

Good morning!  I got up and dressed to go work out, but they are closed today, so.......here I am instead.  Well, I've been up and at it for quite a while, but just getting here to post again.

Thanks for asking about Beth.  She called on Christmas eve and talked to all of us, seemed to be doing better emotionally at least.  Then she called again yesterday, and said she is having a pretty good time, but feels she will need to come home after we get home, as she really needs therapy and none is available (that she knows of, anyway) there.  Her feet are so swollen, and her legs cramp really badly at night.  She bought an electric blanket so that she could reduce the weight of the covers on her bed, and said that helps a little bit.  She went out somewhere with John and was able to get down the four steps and then back up again, which is more than she has been able to do.  For that I praise God.

I think I will try to get my tree taken down and all the stuff put away today so I don't have that to do when we get home.  I really want to go to Hugoton to spend more time with the boys..........anyway, I guess I won't get either one done sitting here, will I?   

We are eating left-overs and trying to get all the perishables out of the refrigerator before we leave.  This morning I made a fruit smoothie from some of the fruit. MMM!

See you later!

Good morning from my corner of the world!  Today I have an appointment (before noon) to get a flu shot and, while I'm out, I will do some shopping and get gas in my car, etc. in preparation for the trip south.  Like you, Janet, I am trying to use up what is in my fridge so I won't come home to a lot of spoiled food.     I really don't have a clue (yet) how long I will stay in the Sacramento area, but probably until "next year."  I'm thinking maybe I'll try the return trip next Sunday, January 1.  We'll see................

Anyway ... I need to get cracking around here.  This evening I will wash a load of clothes and pack a suitcase.  I really do leave things until the last minute.   

Janet, I am happy to read that Beth is doing (somewhat) better and making the decision to return home sooner than the six months originally planned.  It's good that she recognizes her need for therapy and is taking steps (no pun intended) to make things more comfortable for herself.

Nita, I rejoice with you over the improved relationship between Kyle and his dad.  I know this really makes Rene happy, too.  Sometimes it takes a tragedy to open our eyes to what is really important.  Sometimes that realization comes too late.   

As I already said: I gotta get moving around here ............   See y'all later.

Etta Sue, that's a cute baby, but I bet his eye is getting tired.  Doncha think?   You know, I remember my mom talking about green tomato pie, but I don't know what it would taste like.  What's it like?

Larry, well, McDonald's was blessed to have such a neat group of guys this morning.  Sounds like some folks at your favorite resturant are taking a rest, eh? 

Janet, I was wondering about Beth too.  Thanks for letting us know.  Have a great trip.

I have no left overs here.  No tree to take down.  Well, I do have a little fake tree that is sitting on my tv stand, but no decorations to remove or anything.

Last night I sat here, with my new apple cinnamon candle burning(thank you, Jane) and just talked to the Lord about his last year.  In the midst of painful things that have happened, and things I don't understand,  I see His mercy and care so evident.  I am so very blessed.


Al, it's a good thing you decided not to toss the "garbage".   Lemon Lift tea is yummy.

Marilyn, I'm glad you had a nice day yesterday.  And sorry your sinuses are still bothering you.

Nards, lol.....it's hard to wind kids down, once they get a whiff of Christmas presents. 

Nita, that contentment you obviously feel is priceless.  Bless you!

Nice to see that you all enjoyed the day.

Quote from: Etta Sue on December 26, 2005, 10:19:30 AMI sent home a half of Green Tomato pie with him. 

I have never heard of Green Tomato pie before.  What kind of flavor does it have, sweet, tart or what? 

Ya learn something new every day and I just learned mine.

Thank you Chris and Margit for the lovely photo. It's beautiful.

My morning started out with me not feeling so good and my head all stuffy. By this afternoon I was feeling much better and the nose had cleared up. so I went tot he store for Versal and cleaned her bath and kitchen before I came on home.I stopped at Rite Aid to get some TP and a couple of other things along the way.

The weather guy said it is going to POUR tomorrow, oh my I sure don't need to get out there in that. but If I want to get paid I have to go to work. "No work no eat". Happy is laying on the floor on one side of his quilt and Bebe is on the other side they keep growling at each other,  dogs.

Jane you have a safe trip ya hear?TTYL

Well, I was sure I posted earlier but it's not here now.  I do know that the phone rang as I was posting so probably it all went up in smoke!

And it was the best post I ever made!  LOL 

Thanks Chris!  That's just lovely.

Thanks Marilyn ... I've been watching the weather reports, too.  I had thought I might come down 101 and stop in your area along the way, but I'm hearing there is to be heavy rains and possibility for flooding in SW Oregon and NW California ... along with high wind warning tomorrow into Thursday ...  There was a high wind warning for the Siskiyou pass until about noon tomorrow ... I think I'll go that way because by the time I get in the area of Yreka and Weed it will be past noon (probably) ... Anyway, I did think of you  

I got my flu shot this morning then went to a couple stores.  Made it in time to get in on the DoorBuster sales that end at noon.  I started out at one store but thought I could do better at another ... not so!  I returned to the first store and then meandered back to the second one and then a third one before coming on home.

I have just finished the laundry and taken a shower so .... all I have to do is wait until morning to take off.  Oh ... I still need to pack a suitcase but ... there's still time before the last minute.  

I'm not at all sure if I will have computer access while in CA so y'all just may have to survive without me here for a few daze.  I will be back, though!  

Chris and Margit I love the photos you provide!  Thanks so much!

How long will you be gone, Jane?

Larry, I can understand why 30 people for dinner is hard to imagine.  But through the years we have had a tradition of getting together for Christmas dinner.  Usually we have several people who are kind of loners and who might be alone to join us.  Our friend, Ted, who is way up in his 80's, a widower, has been with us several Christmas dinners.  But yesterday he didn't feel like getting out though we offered to come and get him.  However Cornelia filled up a plate of dressing, turkey, ham, corn, etc. along with some pie and cake and fruit.  My son-in-law and I delivered it to his house and paid him a little visit.  We did have some friends, several couples with their children and after while they begin to add up.  Anyway, Cornelia said last night --- "This may be our last big Christmas dinner."

But today has been quiet.  Cornelia went to the Mall and got a bargain on a new Programmable Cusinart Coffeemaker. I set it up, ran water through it, then made some coffee. It is really nice. I have programmed it for tomorrow morning when at 5:30 it will turn on and make coffee just in time when I get up.

We have already done our Bible reading tonight.  We are coming down the home stretch and got through the first three chapters of Revelation.

Rev 3:14-22
14   "And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, 'These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:
15   "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.
16   "So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
17   "Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'-- and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked--
18   "I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.
19   "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.
20   "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
21   "To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
22   "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."' "
(NKJ)

Papa John             

Papa John, it's always such a treat to read your posts.  I find that I'm always so encouraged.  How lovely for Cornelia to fill a plate for Ted.  I'm sure that he was so pleased to get that.

When you start your Bible reading again did you say you are going to do the King James Version this time?  Will you start in Genesis and just read through to the end in chapter order again?

Did you post As the deer especially for me Pat? I think I love you.

  Marilyn.  Knew you were on and thought you'd like it. 

Oops, looks like the late nighties caught Karma again and she missed her morning.  I'll remind her

Nard

Yep, that sleep thing caught me again. . . .

Go here