Christian Photographers Community

Morning Devotional...
     
Welcome to the Big League


"Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you."
(Matthew 5:11-12)

When persecution comes, don't sit around whining about it. Don't waste your time feeling sorry for yourself. Despite what you may think, that persecution hasn't come because the devil gets his kicks out of picking on you. It comes because you've become a threat to him. It comes because you've put the Word in your heart, and he knows that if he doesn't get it out, you're going to cause him more trouble than he can handle.

So rejoice! Heavy duty persecution means you've made it to the big league. It means the devil is taking you so seriously that he's sending in his best players in an effort to get you out of the game!

The players that make it to the Superbowl don't look for some way out of it, do they? They don't say, "Boy, I sure wish I didn't have to be in that Superbowl game. Those guys are the biggest, meanest players in the country. "Maybe I'll get sick and I won't have to play." No! They relish the opportunity. "Let me at 'em," they say. "I've worked all my life to get here and now I'm going to prove I'm the best!"

That's how you should be when the devil challenges you. You should accept that challenge with joy, knowing you're going to come out a winner. After all, your God is sufficient to see you through. He never stops and wonders if He's going to have enough resources to get you over your problems this time. He knows He can beat anything the devil brings against you.

So, when persecution comes, trust Him and rejoice, knowing that you've made it to the big leagues now!









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Very Good!  I need that encouragement to fight off satan's wiles.  My God is the winner every time



PS...I just wanted to be the first to post.  Now back to catching up with the old.

Good  for you Kathy. Now I am coming in 2nd. Good night all see ya tomorrow.

Oops!  You girls caught me in the midst of all my modifications!  It's okay, though.  But I'm not locking the door for the 21st until a little later.

Right now we have a tie between a couple of entries @ 4 votes a piece.  When either one of those two participants gets their 5th vote then that person will win.

Hi Janet
Iam not sure why your vote is not working.  I wish I could help.

Hi everyone.  This is really late for me and my eyelids are trying to close so this will be short.   I just had a very busy day today as after coffee I went back to the "Y" to begin to do my walking program again.  Had to hurry home and get ready to leave at 10:30 am to go to a friends home.  They had invited us to go as their guests to a lovely after Valentine's party at the First Baptist Church in Snellville, which is a very large church.  There must have been 300 to 400 people present.  They had a most delicious meal and wonderful entertainment.  It program started with a lovely young lady singing and then a man named Dennis Swanberg, who is a Baptist minister who now is a full-time comedian and speaker on the lecture circuit entertained us.  He was a lot of laughs and the fellowship was wonderful.

I came home and started working again on my computer.  Finally figured out that my Zone Alarm was preventing me from accessing the various computers on our home network so I fixed that problem and have been busy installing other programs I want on the computer.  Still have several more programs to install but am getting close to having it back in very good order.

Tomorrow we will be busy getting ready for our trip to Florida on Wednesday. 

It is nice to see new folks joining us and to see we had a member with a birthday.  Etta Sue, glad you got your car in good order for the trip.  I will check the air pressure in the tires tomorrow but think ours is also ready. 

Time to say goodnight.  I will try to write a little more tomorrow.  Sorry I am just too tired now to write personal comments.

Tie Breaker in the Photoshop area!!!![/font][/size][/b]

Pat
or
Jimwall2


This poll will be up for a very short time!!!!!!!
Please vote again!!!!

Hello all ... I have been moving rather slowly (if at all) all weekend.  Somehow I managed to hurt myself late Friday evening and by the time I awoke on Saturday I had a major ... MAJOR ... pain in my back!      I had no bruise nor any other sign of injury but the pain continued to increase and I just shut down for a while and got out my heating pad and Motrin.  At one point I thought I heard/felt a "pop" and the pain increased.  Every move that involved the muscle group on the right side of my back nearly did me in!  Finally, I deducted it was a muscle spasm, but how to make it better .... it just seemed to get worse with each hour that passed.  Of course, it's over the weekend so .... who to call, what to do?  I prayed.  Finally, I called the doctor's office Monday and they never got back to me so I continued with the heating pad and Motrin.  I am feeling better now and walking more upright with each passing moment.  I may make it after all! 

I need to say how much I appreciate the devotionals and how much y'all mean to me.  I will probably never register at the Photography Cafe because I am not a photographer nor do I even own a camera.  I love it here at CP because there are other places to meet with Christian friends other than over a camera bag or tripod.  Please don't take this place away from me ..... la la la laaa 

I am heading for bed now ... I'll check in with all y'all again in the morning.  Y'all take care now, y'hear?

Jane - I certainly hope you're feeling much better by now. As a fellow back pain "endurer" I certainly empathize with you.

Neither do I take pictures of the wonderful quality shown here. Yet, I certainly enjoy and appreciate the Christian fellowship.

Like Jane, I certainly hope we can continue being in this group of believers.

Ruth Ann

Ohhhh - Jane - don't do that again!  That can be soooo debilitating!  I know it well, having had a bulging disc a couple of years ago.  Now if you just hadn't tried to reach that chocolate way up on the top shelf . . .

By the way - Janet - that was indeed an excellent illustration!  It made 1 Pet. come alive.  Thanks for finding and using it.

Go check out our new member's testimony  HERE There is a link to some wonderful photos and another link to her beautiful songs.

Folks!

Another busy day!    Got to love them.

Karma and Nards, got anymore pictures of those two kids of yours?  Can't wait to see them.

Marilyn, how is that new car working for you?

Great devotion, Janet.

Matt, I really like the new contest you have put up.  Very fun!

Florida sounds like fun, Larry.  You get your rest.

I better head out of here now.

Hope you all have a wonderful day.
Soni

Jimwall2 is our first winner!!!!
I will send him a personal message on the instructions of "Digital artwork #2"

It's only 8:30 am and two pages already? Talkative bunch today! 
Good devotion, although I really haven't felt reviled lately. I work with a number of Christians, in fact haven't met anyone out here who isn't a believer or open to it.
Maybe I need to get out more.  Hrm.
Gina

Howdy, folks!  Good to see so many posting today!  We have a really foggy and rather cool day here in SW Kansas today.

Jane, I'm so sorry to hear about your pain-filled weekend, but so glad your loving Daddy is making you better now.  Beth has constant back pain because of ruptured discs, I'm sure she can empthasize with you.

Congrats to Jimwall2 on winning the first challenge!  I enjoyed looking at all the modifications on the photo, don't know how to do any of those, need to learn...........hmmmm...........

Hi there, Soni!  Good to see that bright smile of yours this morning!

I need to take Beth and her dog to the vet's office today and to do a couple more errands.  It is so much easier to take her places with the walker than the wheelchair.  The chair gets heavy after loading and unloading it several times.  She continues to improve, and we continue to thank God!!

Time for another cup of coffee and to get my family reunion newsletter in the mail.  I wanted to do it yesterday, but, as you know, the PO was closed for President's Day.  The kids even got out of school.  Sure different from when we were in school, isn't it?

Have a great day, and I will be back later if I have anything worth saying!

This may be like my two girls when they realize I am not home.  But they love Jerry, too, so I know they will be fine. 

I have my suitcase packed.  Just a few loose ends and I am ready.  First, I have to be ready at 4 this evening to go to Beef and Boards.  Tonight we will see 'Disney's Beauty and the Beast'.  I saw that in Disney World a few years back.  Loved it then. 

Jerry is on his way over.  I talked him into bringing me some lunch.   

Jane, so sorry about your back and the pain.  That can't really get you down. 

Ruth Ann, see ya tomorrow!!!!!

Gotta go.  Some one....don't forget I have the NEM's ready.  Should be back online around the 7th of March in the afternoon.  I have a dr. appointment that morning. 

So long, ya'all!!!

Good morning!    I just finished posting the new challenge in the photoshop board.  I would encourage anyone who wants to to download the photo and just have fun with it.

Etta Sue: That cat just makes me nervous... 

Jim

Hi all!  Thought I would have time to post, but someone just woke up from her nap!!  I'll be back, sometime!!

karmat

Larry, Zonealarm can be a pain. I ditched it long ago.

February 22   

The Holy Spirit: The Ability to Do

Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the
city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high. 
--Luke 24:49

A definition of the word "power" means the ability to do. You know,
because it is the Greek word from which our English word "dynamite"
comes, some of the brethren try to make out that the Holy Spirit is
dynamite, forgetting that they have the thing upside down. Dynamite
was named after that Greek word, and the Holy Spirit and the power
of God were not named after dynamite. Dynamite was discovered less
than 200 years ago, but this Greek word from which we get our word
"power" goes back to the time of Christ. It means "ability to do"--
that is all, just "ability to do."

One man picks up a violin and he gets nothing out of it but
squeaks and raucous sounds. That man doesn't have the ability to
do. Another man picks up the violin and he is soon playing
beautiful, rich melodies. One man steps into the prize ring and
can't even lift his hands. The other fellow walks in and he has
power to do, and soon the fellow who did not have the abiltiy to
do is sleeping peacefully on the floor.

It is the man with the ability to do who wins. It means the dynamic
ability to be able to do what you are given to do. You will receive
ability to do. It will come on you.  The Counselor, 61-62.

"Again, Lord, help us to not be afraid of this all-important
manifestation of the Holy Spirit. Come on our churches in power as
we rely upon the Spirit for 'the ability to do' whatever You have
called us to do. In fact, let me see Your power at work in my life
even today. Amen."

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Chris, it is a bit of a pain but think I am learning to use it so it is tolerable.  I never used a firewall problem, other than what the ISP DSL or Cable Router had until a few months ago.  However, knew I was flirting with danger. 

This may be my last posting until Sunday evening or Monday sometime as I doubt that I will have Internet access in Florida.  Know I will have a lot to catch up on when I get back.  I have been super busy today and still a number of things to do but am wearing down.  Still working on getting my desktop back in shape but it is coming along nicely.

Hope everyone has a good week.

Larry and Etta Sue:  You both will be missed - but enjoy your vacation, and let us know just as soon as you are back!!

Karma:  Please direct me to the site where the children's photos are....I don't want to miss them!

Its so good to see Jim posting.  Hope we see Tegan post here too!

C.P. is growing, growing growing....YAHOO!!

Jane - hope your back is better.  I don't post photos either....just enjoy the fellowship!!

Wow - a WINNER!  Congratulations jimwall!  God has given you talent.

Great job, Jim!


Yes, we're sure going to miss our Larry and Etta Sue!  Hurry back folks but drive carefully and safely.

Thanks, everyone ... I am feeling much better today.  My doctor faxed a prescription to the pharmacy this morning for a muscle relaxant.  Now all I have is a slight tenderness where I bumped myself.  Aaahhh relief!

Etta Sue~have a great time in Florida and, as Pat already said, hurry back!  We'll miss you

Larry we'll miss you, too ... Take it easy and have a great time in the sunshine state. 

Today is the day my daughter and her husband were to return to Mexico.  They've been in San Jose, CA for a few days and I hope they didn't let the weather there "dampen" their spirits as they joined John's family to celebrate his parents' birthdays.

I am just hurrying by at the moment, as I have stuff to do before the day completely slips out of sight.

I'll be back ... promise!   

I posted about an hour ago, but it isn't here.........   Oh, well, not important.  I just said to Larry and Etta Sue that we will miss you, and that I hope you both have a great time in the Florida Sunshine---if the sun is shining there!

Beth and I spent a frustrating and miserable afternoon sitting on a terribly uncomfortable bench at the vet's office, waiting.....waiting.....and waiting some more.  Grrr.  If they were that far behind, they should have called and told her not to bring her puppy in until another day.  Well, at least it is done.

Cool, misty and moisty all day today, and now is freezing.  Tomorrow they predict a few inches of the white stuff for us.  I will know when I get up and look out the window!

Have a restful night's sleep, everybody.  I didn't do much sleeping last night, so I plan to turn in early tonight.

Just stopping by for a moment to wish Etta sue and Larry a good and safe trip. Come  in to see us if you get near the internet.

I just had a wonderful 3 way conversation with My friend Ray in Lucerne valley and Inez in Oklahoma. We prayed together for the Olivers and Victor.  Nothing new on Victor yet. they are going back 15 years and trying to pins stuff on him. But We have bound that so I can't really discuss it any further at this time. A threefold cord cannot be broken.

Well I have caught up onthe games for the moment unless Jane or Jim continues on, then I will join them.

TTYL

I posted another entry in the feb challenge, and I would like your opinion on my smokey abstract photos in my gallery
If you don't mind
smokey abstract #1

smokey abstract #3