Christian Photographers Community

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Morning Devotional...



[td]WALKING IN THE OLD PATHS
Jeremiah 6:16
By the late Jack Scott



15.  The Weeping Woman [/td]
[td] [/td] [/table]


They kept me in hospital overnight.  This is surely never a pleasant experience, so when the doctor told me I could go, I quickly arrayed myself in yesterday's clothing and walked to the front lobby.  Then I looked at the clock.  It would be at least two hours before Pat could pick me up.  I walked around for awhile, read an out of date magazine, and then spent time watching people come and go.  In time I noticed that one of the doors leading off the lobby was different from all the other points of egress for on it was inscribed one word:  "Chapel".  "Perhaps I can sit quietly inside to pray and read my New Testament", I thought.

I quietly made my entrance into the comfortable looking little auditorium.  In the rather dim light I thought I was alone until my eyes became accustomed to this surrounding.  I am not sure if I saw or heard her first.  Perhaps auditory and optical sense came into operation at the same instant.

The elderly woman sat huddled on a chapel seat at the end of a row, next to the wall.  She was poorly clad in a thin, worn coat which would be no match for the cold November wind outside.  I had just stepped outside a few minutes earlier in my down-filled jacket and felt the damp chilly weather sweeping in from Lake Ontario and the cold penetrated to my bones.  My heart went out to the poor soul weeping alone in the corner.  My first instinct was to offer her help but somehow I could not bring myself to enter her world of sobbing solitude.  Perhaps I should have offered words of Biblical comfort or at least asked the cause of her lament?  These are questions I shall ask of my own heart for a long time to come.

During most of the long drive home I mused on the plight of the poor pathetic old woman who had shared space and time with me.  In the days that followed she often came to mind and most of all I thought on the possible causes of her anguish.  Had she been diagnosed with some terrible terminal disease?  Had a loved one died?  Maybe the husband with whom she had shared the vicissitudes of life's journey had passed from time into eternity.  The joys and sorrows of the partnership now merely a heartbreaking memory.  Or could it be the loss of a son or daughter that caused such heartache?  Possibly it was the memory of some dark unforgiven sin or even a totally wasted life?  Probably I shall never know what moved my momentary companion to such a display of tears.

This tired old world of ours has many weeping women and many moaning men.  Heartbroken and lonely they pass their days in morbid bitterness often unnoticed and forsaken by family and friends.  You will find them in our cities and towns, villages and hamlets.  Uncounted numbers are parked by insensitive relatives in homes for the aged, senior citizens complexes and the like.  But all the weeping, heartbroken people in our communities are not old; they come in every age, and in every shape, height and colour.

Those who are believers in the saving work of the blessed Lord Jesus Christ can, in the face of all this heartache, rejoice in the words of Isaiah 61:1-2, "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;  to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord."

Yes, we can rejoice because the Saviour of sinners applied this Old Testament prophecy to Himself.  With reference to the verses quoted above He said, "This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears." (Luke 4:21).  Paul says in II Corinthians 1:3, "Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort."

Truly the Son of God is all that God is, made flesh, and all comfort is found in Him.  Whatever the cause of the broken heart He can bind up the wounds.  If it is a guilty conscience then truly "He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him and with His stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5) and all He requires is repentance and faith in Him.

Truly the Son of God is all that God is, made flesh, and all comfort is found in Him.  Whatever the cause of the broken heart He can bind up the wounds.  If it is a guilty conscience then truly "He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him and with His stripes we are healed." [/i](Isaiah 53:5) and all He requires is repentance and faith in Him.

There is no heartbreak that He cannot heal, no sin that He cannot forgive.  There is indeed "balm in Gilead to heal the sin sick soul."  Is your soul in need of healing?  Then to you He would say, "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart:  and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."  (Matthew 11:28-30)

Yes, this tired old world of ours has many weeping women and many moaning men.  The poor, materially and spiritually, will always be with us, and despite the fact that the Saviour has come to bind up the brokenhearted, many remain who know not of His love and grace.

James the half brother of our Lord defines "true religion" for us thus:  "Pure  religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this,  To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world."  (James 1:27)  Did James give us these words as a test for the reality of our faith?  Can we sit in comfort and unconcern while the elderly sit alone in sorrow and while the young flounder in fear and doubts Christians have a message which meets the needs of all who "labor and are heavy laden".  A visit to a senior's home, the sharing of a park bench, a quiet friendly conversation over a cup of coffee may give you the right and the opportunity to declare the message of God's love to some one who feels unloved and helpless.  Could you be a friend to a young person in your neighbourhood?  There are many who have not found the "Way" and are headed in the wrong direction.  Such need to be introduced to the Lord Jesus who said of Himself "I am the way, the truth and the Life"  (John 14:6).  You must first earn the right by your pure and kindly conduct.  Many conversations may be required so that the one in need understands your love and sees reality and sincerity in your actions and words.  You must show that you're a friend of the Saviour before you can introduce Him with confidence.

Take an hour a week and spend it in this quiet and perhaps unnoticed service.  The Master will notice and on "That Day" will say: "Well done thou good and faithful servant." (Matthew 25:21).   Look to the Holy Spirit to guide you, be wise in your approach and He will bring blessing upon your gentle work.

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This was written after a hospital stay of November 21, 2000 and it was found by me (Pat) the day after his funeral service on January 14, 2001.   It is a very timely message indeed for the whole family.

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

6 a.m.

Pat I came down at 5 a.m. again. I have a dear sister in Cnrist on my heart to pray for.Then I called in to see last night's posts and read Marilyn's That set me crying.  Then I turned in here to read Jack's timely words. Oh dear, I have begun this day with tears. Dear, dear Jack thank-you  brother.

MarilynI think you should post that story into Manna from Heaven for others to read.  I certainly will read it again., How important it is to encourage one another.....So important. That is the message of your true story to me Marilyn., also "some have entertained angels unawares", that piano teacher didn't know this!

My heart is full......

Jenny

Pat

"Beauty for ashes and the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness."

"He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with jewels."

Is 61:3,10.

3 years today...I am praying for you sister

Pat..............

Well, Jack did it again.  That man was truly a wonderful spirit.  Your days were (And are) blessed in the memory of this wonderful man.  He brought to mind the first time I can remember anyone ever openly praying for me.  I was the Security Director of a major hospital in the Los Angeles area, and for some reason I was moved to walk into the hospital chapel.  I was met by the chaplain who later became a very good friend.  He prayed for me there as we stood.  I was not a Christian at the time, and I now know that Herb was one of the latter messengers before I was finally "Released from the bondage" of my chains of disgusting sins by my Lord Jesus Christ.  Thanks for the lovely post Pat.

I wonder if that lady had received a hurry-up message to come to the hospital and she didn't think of, or had taken the time to gather proper clothing, only to get there in time to learn of a great loss.  What pathos.  I do believe it had to be a haunting time for Jack.

Pat............

Well, on to other things...........

I started my sculpting class last Tuesday, and I'll be teaching untill the last of February.  I'm having them sculpt the bust of a clasical Indian chief.  If your PC were fixed I'd send a photo of what I've done in the last two days.

'Weeping may for a night endure;
At morn doth joy arise.'

These were the words that came to my mind as I read Jack's post along with 'He was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.'

'Let this mind be in you that was also in Christ.'

Then I wondered who was walking closer to their Lord and Saviour. Me or the two weeping women. The one in Jack's post and my sisiter Jenny?

They will be put in His bottle sis.

Lee & Janet - I just wanted to say that I was so heartened by your posts last night. I receive so much mail from those who never hear about sin from the pulpit and they wonder why my life seems to stumble from one trial to the next.

I think that I will save your posts and use them to reply to these people in the future. Thank you so much for the manner in which you expressed the truth.

What baffles me is that if they never hear about sin then why do they need a Saviour?

'I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold.......'

LOL

Your brother in Christ

Iain

GOOD MORNING 11.10AM in Holland

PAT thank you for your JACK's timely words i have tears in my eyes today you and your  dears are in my thoughts and in my Prayers my dear Sister may God give you Power and Bless you.

MARYLIN thank you very much for the true story also you are in my prayers.

Tomorrow is starting the New  "FREE BAPTIST CHURCH"
a lot people from the Baptist church are also going to
that church. They have the youngest pastor in Holland
he is 26 years old and there is playing a combo a lot musik i also love that.
In the church to where i am going he is closed this sunday  the benches are going out and there are coming chairs in. Then is my problem over. Now the pastor with the church council when they come in the
church they walk on the right site and when they go on the left site. The benches are staying in the middle. But
when the chairs are staying in the church then they walk in the middle between the chairs when they come and also when they go. But in our church is someone playing on pipe organ but i don't like that.

It is a nice day in Holland not cold and the sun is shining

It's dark in the world --and we have the light.
Are we lighting the way?
                                        Dave Branon

Lord, let me be a shining light
In all I say and do,
May Your great love be seen in me
And lead someone to You.
                                         Sper

I wish you all a nice and a Blessed weekend
Bye love Ria

CHRIS THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE

HYMN  'WHISPHERING HOPE' A LOVELY HYMN.

PAT THANK YOU ALSO FOR THE NICE HYMN YESTERDAY IN THE EVENING.

RIA

Jack Scott was such a man.


Subj: Insight for Leaders  
Date: 1/10/04 5:04:26 AM GMT Standard Time
From: lmi@flash.net
To: tozer@litmin.com
Sent from the Internet (Details)



January 10    

Personal Life: Longing After God

Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me
now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your
sight....
--Exodus 33:13

Come near to the holy men and women of the past and you will soon
feel the heat of their desire after God. They mourned for Him,
they prayed and wrestled and sought for Him day and night, in
season and out, and when they had found Him the finding was all
the sweeter for the long seeking. Moses used the fact that he knew
God as an argument for knowing Him better. "Now, therefore, I pray
thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, show me now thy way,
that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight;" and from
there he rose to make the daring request, "I beseech thee, show me
thy glory." God was frankly pleased by this display of ardor, and
the next day called Moses into the mount, and there in solemn
procession made all His glory pass before him.  The Pursuit of
God, 15.

"Does anyone today know anything about that heat of desire after
You, God? I'm not reading or hearing much that comes close, though
thankfully there are a few exceptions. Restore to us today this
deep longing, I pray in Jesus' name. Amen."
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http://www.watchword.org/smithers/ww43a.html

Thanks Chris for the little bio of Savanarola.  I heard of him in church history while at seminary, but we didn't have much time to go into detail, so this was a welcome addition.  Praise God for His ministers, not necessarily those ordained by men, but those fashioned in the crucible by our Lord.

Yes Al.
I often feel that the "unknowns" throughout all ages do more work by prayer, for the Kingdom, than do many big name preachers, most of whom are so very very rich in money and possesions by their work.
Maybe a lot of them have their reward now?
But people like Savonarola are so few and far  between in history, those who destain riches
for the sake of prayer and preaching.
It is good to see a humble pastor who prays faithfully for his people, he may never become "famous" but his name is written in the Lamb's book of Life.
And also to see churchgoers praying faithfully for their pastor, that God will annoint his preaching, and that he will be provided for, "as the labourer is worthy of his hire."
regards Chris.

I cannot tell, but I Know....In My heart I know Jesus Saves and He is coming soon...

Good afternoon dear Pat.
The Lord Bless you today and always.

Jenny

Dear Pat thank you very much for the lovely hymn

I Cannot Tell  ( Dannyboy) my first husband was loving this hymn  i also

RIA

Pat: thank you so much for sharing Jack's words with us today. I am praying for you sister.

I am still in pain so I will come back later

http://community.webshots.com/album/57920241wZeula

http://members.tripod.com/~Virtualvacations/3.htm

http://www.midiworld.com/cgibin/x.cgi/mid/c1/mapleaf.mid

http://www.midiworld.com/classic.htm

Pat:  I so enjoyed the message from Jack.  What marvelous gifts he has left for you.  

Marilyn:  So sorry to hear that you are in pain now.  My prayers are for you to have a quick recovery.  Quilting and sewing can be so theraputic - at least I feel so - and it will be nice to have your machine ready for short periods of sewing.  Remember to make those sewing times short at first.  

Pat:  Thank you for "Whispering Hope".  It is a lovely song.

Carol

Hi everyone.  I didn't post yesterday as it was late in the evening before I had a chance to read the messages and I was tired.  

Pat, I know this will be a difficult day for you but I know you have so many wonderful memories of your many years with Jack.  I thought as I read the devotional that I didn't remember reading it before and then saw your note at the end.  Jack wrote so well and said so much in the words he wrote.  

Ria, are you saying you do not like to hear a pipe organ played.  Most of our churches have electronic organs that produce a mighty sound but can never equal the sound of a pipe organ.

Marilyn, it looks like we are going to have to shake you and Etta Sue up in a sack (so the old saying goes) since you are both suffering in pain.  Pat, I hope your mouth is feeling much better today.  

Lee, if you want to send me the photos, I will prepare them and post them for you.  I will follow the posting pattern that Pat has used for your photos in the past.  

Chris, unfortunately I feel you are probably right about some of the ministers who seem to be magnifying themselves rather than Christ.  I certainly hope that isn't the situation in very many cases.  We have some good examples of that here in the Atlanta area.

I want to say a big welcome to the several new members who joined us in the last couple of days.  

It is cold and misty here today, the type of chill that seems to go right through you.  I pray that everyone will have a good day.

Ivalou and I had a very enjoyable evening with friends at the Retirement Party.  I met some new friends as well as refreshing acquaintances with old friends.  The honoree was pleasantly surprised.  A great evening.  

It was late when I got home and late when I got up this morning....really late.  But, like Mom used to say, 'If you didn't need the rest, you would have woke up!'  So I must have needed the rest.

Today I am out of the Flexeril.  No pain meds.  If needed I will take some OTC later.  But I am still hurting.  I am feeling for you, Marilyn.  Sorry that you are a copy cat!!!  I hopefully have more favorable traits that you could copy than this one with pain.  

I am like Marilyn...not going to stay on here for long.

I am praying that everyone have a God-filled day!

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"A good friend puts up with your worst moods, goes along with your worst ideas, and always sees the best in you."

Thanks Etta Sue. The doctor gave me Flexoril yesterday but the Drug store changed it to the generic. the first 2 I took didn't do anything at all for me or the pain, I took the 3rd on when I went to bed and slept better than I have in weeks.

The pain started again this morning during my prayer time. I hate satan. He is such a big liar. When my elbow got unberable witht he pain I put on so Eucalyptus salve on it and it really helped a lot, enen relieved the pain in my back between the shoulder blades. now it is time to get off here again.

TTYL

Larry..........

Thank you for your kind offer.  Please send me your e-mail address so I can send the photo(s).  This is the only way I can attach a pic.

I sure agree with you on the "Pipe organ".  I'd by far rather hear a good pipe organ than an electronic one.  The music is overwhelming and most worshipful.

Marilyn..........

Wishing you well kiddo.  It's so difficult to live in constant pain.  Vivian has been bothered with pain in her upper back that runs down her left arm to her fingers which become numb.  There is a tingling running down the arm.  She's scheduled for an MRI this coming Monday.  Our doctor believes she has bone spurs slowly growing and pressing on a nerve.  Good old "Arthur".

It has been a busy morning for our little household.

Troy had a swim meet against Laramie this morning and just ended about 45 minutes ago.  

He did great!   He took 5 seconds off his 100 yds and brought it down to 1.04.48.  His won the heat!  
Woooohoooo.....  He was so jazzed and so was his mom and dad!

I have a photo shoot coming up at 4:00 and then a church lunchen at 5:00pm.  We have so much to get done before all this.  
We are in the middle of taking our Christmas stuff down.  Joy!  hehhehehe...NOT!

I still can't believe Christmas is gone and another years has passed.  Makes me look at my life a little closer and realize we don't have much time on earth to spread God's word.  We need to do it today and not wait for a better time or when it is more convenient for us.  

I best be off.  Love you all and thanks for all your prayers.  

Soni

By the way, did you know my nickname when growing up was Soni-Balonie?  hahhahaha....cute don't you think?

Soni Hello little sister.  Its lovely to read your cheery post.  Thank-you, you are a breath of fresh air...Gosh,what a busy bee you are...
Tell Troy, I am "jazzed" too...I can't swim, just down to the bottom and float up to the top...Hopefully! You know me Soni..... Jenny 'Trying' Ward.
Have a great "shoot"...and a lovely weekend.

It's 9.30 p.m. here now.  I have some reading to do before  Chris gets  home, he's coming in  early this evening.  We are going to watch a video of Stalag 17.  I ordered it from Amazon Marketplace yesterday afternoon and it arrived today...wow, how's that for quick..pronto! £2 U.K. plus postages...a good buy.  We do not have Sky and there really isn't much to watch on the other channels...
I don't mind though.  Somehow my days are filled without it.

My love and prayers to all of you,
Lord's Day Blessings.
Jenny

Hello Sonja i am happy to see you writing.

LARRY AND LEE I don't like pipe organs but also not electronic organs  but the church where i am going that is a very great church that is the reason that there is a pipe organ  But i love it when there is a combo sometimes we have that also in our church
I don't like organ musik.

I wish you all a Blessed Sunday
Bye till Monday
Ria

I used to do a lot of swimming but not short distances but rather long distances so I don't know how you did that!

Great job!

Well, hello to you all and Soni-Balonie!!   (HAHAHA!  I like that!  You'll wish you'd never told us that!)

I'm just back from Andrew and Terena's.  It was her birthday and she and Andrew had cooked a little turkey since I missed out having any on Christmas and New Year's due to our scheduling, etc.

Had a lovely time with her parents too and now I'm home and going to have a rest.

Talk to you all later.

Good evening all!  I have had a rather frustrating day, following a sleepless night.    But tomorrow is a brand new day, and it will be a lot better!

The company we ordered my computer parts from called AGAIN today and said they don't have the parts and won't for THREE WEEKS!! GRRR!!  Why didn't they say that in the first place?  I think we will just cancel the order, even if it means buying a new computer.  No excuse for this sort of thing, I don't think.

Soni-Baloney, good to see your post, and tell Troy I'm so proud of him!!  Maybe one day he will win a medal in the Olympics, and we will say "I knew him when he first started swimming competitively!!

The devotion from dear Jack for today was lovely, and so timely.  Thanks, Pat.  I know you shed many tears while preparing and posting that for us.  We love and appreciate you so much.

Pat