Christian Photographers Community

Morning Devotional...


Are you a seeker?

"And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Fathe, full of grace and truth."

John spoke for all the disciples when he said these words.  He was thinking back over the previous few years, years during which the disciples had lived with Jesus day and night, seen all His works, heard all His words, and even observed the expressions of His face and heard the tone of His voice.  With all their observation they developed an opinion about Him, and John expresses it.  He said what they saw was "glory."

You need to remember that he was talking about something only God could display.  What made them think of God's glory?  His works, His words, the tone of His voice - all His expression of every kind - these made them think of their holy God.  What they saw was powerful works and words of truth.  They also saw beautiful humility, heard gracious gentleness, and saw love such as never exhibited by any man.  They saw the glory of God!  He was "full of grace and truth."  They verified that He could be none other than "the only-begotten of God!"

It's wonderful indeed to know such an One as Lord and Savior!


Al Moak

Thanks, AL, for today's devotional and hymn... Yes, I consider myself a Godchaser! 

I had an answer to prayer this evening (Sunday).  I have been trying to find someone to come take a look at (and hopefully, fix) the leaking seal around the skylight in my kitchen.  The water collects above the ceiling until there is too much to remain "collected" and then it pours into my kithen!  I had visions of the same thing happening as happened shortly after I moved in here:  The ceilings fell in in both the dining room and one bedroom because the roof was badly in need of help and everything had just given up!  That resulted in my having the roof replaced as well as the ceilings replaced and painted.  Also a lot of other things had dry rot and needed replacing.  I sure didn't want a repeat of that disaster. 

I called the man who had fixed the back steps and the deck out in the yard (over the lake) and he said he doesn't do that kind of work but would give my name to a friend of his who does.  A couple days later he called and said his friend was out of town and he didn't know when he'd be back. I prayed ... because I haven't a clue who to call for this kind of work.

This evening the man called and said he'd try to get by tomorrow to assess the job.  I am happy!  At the moment it isn't raining so maybe this can be fixed before any more damage occurs.

Also ... I need to let y'all know that NITA is having trouble with her computer and is unable to get online.  She hopes to have someone look at (reformat the hard drive) her pc tomorrow.  If it doesn't happen tomorrow then it will be a few days before she can get help as she will be away from home.  Just wanted you to know why she isn't around here.

Oh ... and I got an email from my daughter Joy.  She has made it safely home to Puerto Vallarta and is basking in 80º weather.  Bryan missed passing his driving test on a small technicality so will be retesting on Thursday.  He is "on his own" but the Lord has put some really awesome mentors in place for him and we are grateful that things are going to work out for him ... all in the Lord's timing.

It is indeed.
Today was long but oh-so-good!
We are seeking out a good church here as there were some doctrinal disagreements at the one we've been attending. I hadn't realized the one we decided to go to had changed the times of their service, so by the time we arrived it was almost done. However, we were RIGHT in time to hear a good illustration on "clay and the potter", and then there was communion, which was open. That was a blessing, as it's been a while for me!
On the way back I realized we were still right in time to attend the services at a church close to our house, so we stopped there too. Interestingly enough, the lesson was on how the Master molds the clay! So the morning's worship and lessons flowed quite smoothly.

Today was my first day of work. Actually I was shadowing and I'll find out tomorrow if they've decided to hire me, but it went quite well. I had worked in a nursing home in the past where some had Alzeimers, but this is different in that it's more of a residence and most aren't bedridden, and ALL have it.
That look in some of their eyes really goes right to my heart. You know that look you get when something was right on the tip of your tongue and you lose it and get confused for a moment trying to remember? That way, but all the time. There was a couple on the section I was in, very sweet. The husband really has a great sense of humor, and isn't as far into it as his wife so he helps her a lot. He was singing to me, and joking about how popular he is since he's the only guy in that section!
I was also thankful that they seemed to take to me pretty well. I was told about a few of them who would probably be upset simply at my presence, and that one lady might get combative, but even she responded well and let me help her a bit. *whew*
Gina

A  picture is worth a thousand words as the saying goes, so God did one better, he sent His Son to be a living example

Jhn 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. 

If seeing a photo can change lives, how much more can a Christian living out his life before others be a world changer.

Acts 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.

ZHEEM

Hi Al ~ Thank you for posting todays devotional.

For those of you that like the Daily Encounters, here is what todays was about. I think we all need to let the unbeliever know how we think even if we aren't believed. Keep it up.

The Light of the World Is

Jesus said, "Neither do people light a lamp and put it

under
a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light
to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light
shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and
praise your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:15-16, niv).

Michael Josephson, founder of Character Counts shares

how,
"During my idealistic youth I attended an event in a large
stadium. Everyone was given an unlit candle. Later, a
speaker talked about the power of one person with an
enlightened message. He also had a candle and a single
match. He lit his candle and walked over to two people in
the stands and with his candle he lit theirs and asked each
of them to just light two other candles. Within a few
minutes, everyone's candle was lit and the entire stadium
glowed.

"It was the most powerful visual metaphor I've ever
experienced. First of all, thousands of candles were lit by
a single tiny flame. What's more, while the flame was

passed
on and on, each flame continued to burn with undiminished
light. The speed with which the light and warmth of that
single flame spread to everyone in the stadium was
literally awe-inspiring."1

In this day of increasing darkness caused by so much evil,
terrorism, and turning from God there is an urgent need

for
every Christian to let his/her light shine. As we used to
sing as kids in Sunday School: "This little light of mine,
I'm going to let it shine ... Hide it under a bushel, NO!
I'm going to let it shine ... Don't let Satan puff it out
.. I'm going to let it shine, let it shine, let it
shine."

The only way we are going to make an impact on the world

in
which we live is to let our light shine. Our words may be
eloquent, our speeches inspiring, our writing powerful, but
unless people see and/or sense Jesus and God's love within
us, we are not going to impact anyone.

Remember, too, that all the darkness in the world cannot
put out or diminish the light of one small candle. And
while Jesus is the Light of the World, we are his "lesser
lights" and need to be reflectors of his Light.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, I'm available today, please
help me to be as Jesus to every life I touch and grant

that
they, seeing Jesus in me, will want him for themselves.
Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer.

Gratefully,
in Jesus' name, amen."

1. Michael Josephson, "The Power of a Single Flame"
Character Counts 387.5
www.charactercounts.org.

<)))><<

I am glad that CP is up but I did get my deck cleaned of the snow while I was waiting.  It is cold out there but not too bad until I got where the west wind hit me.  Then it was almost unbearable. 

I didn't see Stray Cat.  Maybe I had better call Ivalou and see if she had her garage door open after 2 p.m. yesterday when I last saw Stray Cat.  I don't see any tracks in the snow where he went.

Ivalou did call me last night while the Globe Awards were on saying that at the bottom of her screen, it was saying that Lapel...which is 1.5 miles away...was evacuating people who heated with gas.  Seems there was a gas line/valve frozen and no gas was getting to those who use gas.  They were to leave water on so their water pipes wouldn't freeze and go to a church in Fishersburg...a little closer to me than Lapel but nothing but houses there and this one church. 

Then I saw online today that the magnesium fire in Anderson that started Friday might caused some more evacuations in this morning early hours due to the snow that fell causing explosions.  8,000 people were already evacuated and now there are more.  Anderson is maybe 12 miles away from me. 

But God is in control and he will handle these problems.  Even Stray Cat.

I'm glad to see that CP is back up and running.

Thanks Marilyn and Suzanne for sending out the email to the list and then I was able to contact the webhoster.

If any of you are not on our Yahoo mailing list, you can easily get on it.

It's certainly not a busy list but it's good to know when we're having trouble and I can keep you informed.

Go to this URL and just register:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/christianphotography/


Today is a very busy day for me.  And this evening I have the Guelph Hiking Trail Club executive meeting as well so I won't be around much.

Talk to you later as I can get here.

Love your "Welcome" graphic, Etta Sue.  Did you make it?

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Well I am home on my morning break and so glad that CP is now "open". Tbear I snagged your cockatoo and the welcome. Thank to Brother Al for the devotional today.

Going to the Chiropractor this afternoon for another adjustment before my insurance changes ont he 1st to Medicare. On just medi/cal (medicaid) I get 2 appointments per mon th on Medicare i get only 1.

I have a load of clothes in the dryer that I left washing when I went to work.

The dogs are begging me for doggie treats but we are out of them for now. bebe is such a whiner when she wants something she "talks" to me by whines and growls and other sounds in addition to those sad doggie eyes. How can a loving pet owner resist those eyes? LOL

TTYL

Where in Ohio are you TBear?
Gina

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Jerry,, a wonderful illustration of many small lights illuminating a large dark world well done.


January 17   

Personal Life: The Need for Solitude

And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain
by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. 
--Matthew 14:23

Modern civilization is so complex as to make the devotional life all
but impossible. It wears us out by multiplying distractions and
beats us down by destroying our solitude, where otherwise we might
drink and renew our strength before going out to face the world
again.

"The thoughtful soul to solitude retires," said the poet of other
and quieter times; but where is the solitude to which we can retire
today? Science, which has provided men with certain material
comforts, has robbed them of their souls by surrounding them with a
world hostile to their existence. "Commune with your own heart upon
your bed and be still" is a wise and healing counsel, but how can
it be followed in this day of the newspaper, the telephone, the
radio and the television? These modern playthings, like pet tiger
cubs, have grown so large and dangerous that they threaten to
devour us all. What was intended to be a blessing has become a
positive curse. No spot is now safe from the world's intrusion. 
Of God and Men, 125.

"If Tozer wrestled with this in his day, how much more are we
bombarded today! We have all the influences of which he speaks, and
much more all-pervasive, plus the internet and a host of other
'playthings' seeking to devour us. Lord, help us somehow to escape
today and retire to solitude, even if only for a brief time. Amen."

---------------------------------------------------------------------
You are receiving this recurring mailing because you subscribed to
the daily Tozer devotionals from Literature Ministries International.

Wow! Finally our ISP is back up and working. It's been such a blessing to read all the posts since I last was able to get online.

Papa John, my sincerest condolences. I'm so sorry for the loss of your sister. She was dearly loved and will be greatly missed.

Janet, Beth, John, and Darryl, my love and prayers go to each of you as you endure this latest setback. Beth, my daughter in law is very claustrophobic and fell last week, reinjuring her operated-on-recently back. They're doing another MRI on her tomorrow, and have given her some medication to help calm her down as she endures that test.

So, I'll be praying for both of you as you have the MRIs.

Public thanks to those of you who have enlarged the fonts you use here in CP. Now, I don't have to ignore them because I can't read them.

I'm thankful for the day off today. It's extremely cold - supposed to be near zero tonight - and when it's that cold, my arthritis is a real "bear."

Y'all have a good day.Time for another cup of hot tea.
Ruth Ann

http://christianphotographers.com/community/index.php?topic=4032.msg71093#msg71093

Hi everyone.  Just a quick stop by as we are expecting company for dinner this evening and they should arrive at any moment.  Just drove into the drive.  I will try to get back later but if not will see you all tomorrow.

Welcome to all our new folks.

Hi friends:

Just dropping in to NEM to explain why I am pretty scarce in other folders.

I have been hit, and HIT HARD, with a nasty flu bug.  I was fine until 11:PM Saturday night, when suddenly, the vomiting started, and didn't let up until mid Sunday morning.  Of course, a terrific headche came along with it, plus THE OTHER, that I'm sure I don't have to explain....UGH

Other than feeling very weak, I think I'm over the worst of it.

Just heard on the TV that a 66 yr old woman from the Ukraine, gave birth to a baby girl.  Can you imagine starting night feedings, diaper changes, etc at that age?  If it wasn't so sad....it would be funny!

Also, did you hear about the Colorado man who thought he had a tooth-ache...went tothe doctor, and found out he had a 6 inch nail lodged into his skull....just a milometre away from his brain.  His comment?  "guess I'm lucky".....even after that., he just says he is" LUCKY...!" 

Eta Sue:  Oh...poor little STRAY CAT.....I think you should take him in!

Stopping to say Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii as I run through on my way back to work. fading into the distance now. Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

Hello everyone.  I see Cp is fixed.  Great!

I have a busy day as usual, gots to gol
Soni

Hi all Thanks for the welcome   I've posted an introduction for those that didn't see it

Hello everyone!!  Long day today.  Woke up to very, very cold temps and snow on the ground.  Got Trav dressed, took him to his grandparents' then I went to the doctor.  Everything is "progressing" as normal, and my body is getting ready for the big day.  At times it feels more ready than others!  YEA!!!!!

Sorry I didn't get in here earlier.  I was at work, adn I am trying to get everything ready for my substitutes for when I'm out.  Of course if CP was down, I don't suppose anyone noticed!!

Take care and have a good evening!!

karmat

Hi everyone, I hope I wasn't missed.

I got back earlier today from my mom's home. She lives in Colorado, U.S.A. I also did a side trip, exploring Route 66 in New Mexico.  I found a small "Ghost town," I really liked. I am thinking of buying some proptery there. Some how, I did I think the Lord sent me off in this direction. I was going to follow Route 66 from Albuquerque. Then head home (west) on whats left of Route 66. 

I praise God for my safe trip home. The Lord looked after me on my trip.
Bob

Luke 2:19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

Bob, which Ghost Town?  I live in New Mexico, but if you were going west from Albuquerque I probably don't know the town.  I am on the far east side.  I have heard the names of some of the ghost towns however. 

Welcome to all the Newbies. It's great to have all y-all here. We're so happy when new people join up with us.

Not much to say here for now, Running along to the other threads here to see what's new.

TTYL

Hello everyone
It was a busy weekend and I was unable to get on until late last night.  By the time I finished reading all the posts it was too late to post myself.  I tried getting on this morning but could not so I am glad to see CP is up and running again. 
Papa John - I am so sorry for your loss you are in my thoughts and prayers!
Welcome to all the new members.  WOW, it seems like there have been a few since I was last on here.  You will all love it here I'm sure.
I just wanted to comment on that topic of how to proove to people when they do not believe the bible.  When I first saw that, I was searching for some answer that I could use on quite a few people that I know who feel that way.  I wanted to be able to go back and say "Oh yeah the bible is most definately true and here is the proof"  But I have to say that I agree with what everyone has pretty much said that when someone's heart begins to soften and God is at work around them is when you know longer doubt the validity of the bible.  I think you summed it up really well Marilyn when you used the analogy of a drug addict.  We need to continue to pray for these people and witness to them when we can. 
I loved all the devotionals over the past few days but now I must say Good night and I will talk to you all tomorrow!!
Blessings, Carrie

T.D. - Love you pictures.  Who are the cute kids in the very first one?  One little boy looks like he could be your younger brother, perhaps?

I look forward to seeing more.

Carrie:  Great to see you posting here too.  I only live about a ten minute drive from our Mom's house.  I do believe I met your Mom afew years ago, at Andrew's house.  Terena was having an "open house"...what she was selling??? - Hmmm., candles perhaps?  Not sure about that!

Marilyn:  I've often wodered...did you ever find another home to rent or purchase?

Larry:  How are you feeling these days.

Well, its bedtime here for me....nearly 11:30.

Hope everyone has a restful night.

See you all tomorrow.

Nitey-Nite.....zzzzzzzzz's :-*  and ((((HUGS))))