Christian Photographers Community

Morning Devotional...


Why Prayer?

Phil. 4:6 says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

It’s our nature to become anxious and fret about things.  That’s because we’re afraid we can’t do enough to solve particular problems we may have.  Well, the truth of the matter is that we can’t do anything about them!  We need to go the alternative route - trust God to take care of us, knowing that He can take care of absolutely anything and that He loves us.

But there is something we have to do.  We have to do what the Scripture says - we have to tell God about our needs instead of fussing about them!  We need to lay it all before Him (prayer), and we need to ask Him to do what’s needed (supplication).  And we need to thank Him for allowing obstacles in our path iso that we would call on Him! 

If you’ll just do this, then the problem will be His - and He isn’t anxious about it, so then you can have His peace, which passes all of your understanding to the contrary.

Al Moak




 

Al, thanks for your words on Phil. 4:6-7.  My mother's favorite verses.  Very good commentary on this subject.
I didn't recognize this hymn but it looks like a good one. 
We sang a really old timer at church this morning, I hadn't heard it in many years, but it was as familiar as if I had sung it last week.  Not sure of the exact title, but it goes this way, " Lord send the old time power, the Pentecostal power.....that sinners be converted and thy name glorified."   

I am glad to see that Janet is home, and Beth.  Amazing that she is able to go home already.  Praise the Lord for the outcome of this surgery!  I pray that she and Pam both will have a successful and speedy recovery now. 

My nephew's son is doing well.  He will be in hospital several more days yet. (The doctors say a total of 10 days to 2 weeks).  He has shown no sign of rejection so far, and the new kidney is now functioning really well.  At first it was sort of weak, but really putting it out now.  This is a new experience for Cody!  Thank God for making all of this possible.

Karma, I hope you are soon well, and get your strength back in time for the arrival of baby girl.  We can't have you all worn out before the big event!  Take care of yourself please. 

Hope everyone else is doing well, and have a good week.
Blessings, and love in Christ,
~Janice

Hi Al--

Thanks for your reflections this morning--I enjoyed them very much.  This morning's passage goes along very nicely with a passage that helped me to get through a rather rough patch a couple of years ago, Matthew 11:28-30:  "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Now I have two such passages to help me along when things get rough!

God bless,
Sam

Sam - that's great!  And yes, Matt. 11 is very, very important to me as well.  Praise our merciful Lord.

Hi Everyone...

I sent an email to the Yahoo List this morning to let you all know that we had one of those interruptions this morning with our forums.  If you aren't on our Emergency List, please go to:  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/christianphotography/ and click "Join This Group" and Larry or I will activate you.

This is what I sent:

In the next couple of weeks, we might experience several times of interrupted service and hopefully these times won't be too often but our webhoster is moving everything to another building bit by bit.  This involved re-wiring a huge area where the servers eventually will all be put and lots of other good stuff.

Seems as if right now is one of those times.

Sorry that CP is not available right now.

It's a big move.

Pat

Janet ~ I am so sorry that I didn't acknowledge Beth, Darryl and your return home yesterday.  Please forgive me.  But also know that doesn't mean I haven't been thinking about all of you in your past situation.  Thank God, that you are all home and got to sleep in your own beds.  That means that the surgery went well.  Thank God, that your traveling was safe even though it was treacherous.  I am praying that Beth continues healing with a miraculous recovery that only God can do.  God is good...all the time.  (Janet, does my cat signature hurt your eyes now?  I slowed him down.)

I was unable to get on CP earlier but now it is okay, I think.  Pat, we understand why so we can accept the sporatic cyberspace connections.  God bless you and Ian in keeping this site for our friends and families. 

Waiting today for my Electric Fireplace delivery!  Probably will be when Jerry and I sit down for lunch.   

Now for my animation at the bottom of my posts....have you noticed I have one for every day of the month?

Good morning all!  I think the Shuford house is about to get well.  None of us are 100%, yet, but we're heading in that direction. 

I went to the doctor this morning.  My induction is scheduled for next Tuesday morning, Feb. 8th.  They did say, though, that they wouldn't be surprised if I went on my own before then. :-)

Janet -- Praise the Lord about Beth.  It's understandable about the pain, but I hope that it is a temporary situation and that the future holds many painfree days for her.

Ruth -- How is Pam doing?

Hi Etta.  Hope you enjoy your new fireplace. :-)

I'm going to go see some other sections, then possibly a nap!

kamrat

A quick hi to all.

Karmet, I was thinking about you this morning; thanks for keeping us
posted....we aunties and uncles are looking forward to our baby--just
like Janet said "first american citizen"....take care.

Nita, hope you are well --I had the same surgery about 3 years ago,
and with the help of prayers from you fine folk at SN at the time, I
was out of the hospital in two days--ready to go to work in 10 days.
That's when they bought me my laptop computer so that I could
work from home --they expected me to be laid up for about 6-8 weeks.
So please take care and don't overdo.

So worried about everyone affected by the ice storms --please take care.

We had ice storms a couple of weeks ago in Penna. --out of power for
five days --was not a lot of fun--have propane heat so was warm but
we have an all electric house --no cooking--no water (because of electric
pump for well) and most of all no toilet facilities --!!!!we have septic system
which is run by electric and without water; oh, boy!! ---so back to Jersey we went.

When we retire in Penna. --the first purchase will be "generator" -word I
didn't know existed in Jersey.!!!!

A big hello to newcomers.

Hope all are feeling better.

So many with illnesses and surgeries and just plan miseries that I want to say;
I am here and saying a prayer for all who are in need.

Off to prayer request--want to update my prayer request on my nieces'
grand daughter.

Take care,

Love in Christ,

Joyce

Good Morning everyone. Not mucht o say this morning. I have been to Tai Chi, work and home for a few more minutes then back to work. Take care y-all

TTYL

January 31   

Personal Life: Personal Holiness

But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your
conduct, because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy."
--1 Peter 1:15-16

You cannot study the Bible diligently and earnestly without being
struck by an obvious fact--the whole matter of personal holiness is
highly important to God!

Neither do you have to give long study to the attitudes of modern
Christian believers to discern that by and large we consider the
expression of true Christian holiness to be just a matter of
personal option: "I have looked it over and considered it, but I
don't buy it!"...

Personally, I am of the opinion that we who claim to be apostolic
Christians do not have the privilege of ignoring such apostolic
injunctions. I do not mean that a pastor can forbid or that a
church can compel. I only mean that morally we dare not ignore
this commandment, "Be holy."...

But, brethren, we are still under the holy authority of the
apostolic command. Men of God have reminded us in the Word that
God does ask us and expect us to be holy men and women of God,
because we are the children of God, who is holy. The doctrine of
holiness may have been badly and often wounded--but the provision
of God by His pure and gentle and loving Spirit is still the
positive answer for those who hunger and thirst for the life and
spirit well-pleasing to God.  I Call It Heresy!, 61-62,68.

"Oh, Lord, I fall so short! Strengthen me today, walk with me,
keep me cognizant of Your presence, and guard me from any thought
or action that would be displeasing to You. Amen."

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Our preacher yesterday used this good advice, let's all bear it in mind.

"It is not what was done to you that has made you what you are but what you have done with what is done to you"

Al Moak, what a wonderful devotion today.  Why Pray?  It sure made me do a lot of thinking.  Thanks so much.


That's a good quote, Chris.  Hope you keep that handy and bring it in here again sometime.

Dear Al,

Thanks for the devotion.

Was so uplifting

Love in Christ,

Joyce

Hi everyone.  Have been away most of the day as filled in coachng for my friend at the Computer Learning Center.  He was moving his mother-in-law over the weekend from Bristol, Tennessee to an Alzheimer's unit in the nearby town.  While he got back late yesterday evening he was exhausted and they had to unload the truck at the facility, get her things in order and they were checking her into the hospital for a week to get her medications regulated.  She is 92 years old and just recently has had a drastic downturn with Alzheimer's.  She had been in assited living but that no longer was appropriate as they were having to hire round the clock sitters to be with her.

Janet, glad to hear that Beth was feeling better and hopefully was able to get a good rest in her own bed last night.  I always found the hospital a difficult place to sleep as there was too much noise around the clock.  Hope you and Darrel are also getting rested up.

I am happy to say that there are very few evidences of the ice storm out our way.  However, the power company is still working to restore power to thousands of customers.

Joyce, I can't image having to go without power for 5 days.  We had that for 3 days about 3 years ago and yesterday it was just about 8 hours and that was enough.

Etta Sue, your little animated graphics are certainly cute.  I have never played around with the Animation program on Paint Shop Pro.  That is something I am going to do someday when I give up some of my other responsibilities that seem to absorb about all of my time.  Hope the new electric stove is keeping you nice and toasty.

Good to see everyone posting.  I have a lot of things I need to attend to so am going to sign off for today. 

Hello Everyone ... I just wanted to stop into say HELLO & that I will be back tomorrow & so thanks for all the well wishes too on the behalf of my friend. So, see you all soon.

Hugs to everyone !!

Thanks for the devotional, Pastor Al.  It could be aimed right at this person....Sometimes it is so easy to forget that prayer is the answer...not worry.

Ruth & Janet, I hope that Pam and Beth are doing well today and continue to improve.
Karmat, will keep you and your little family in my prayers.

I went to the Mall for a few things today...first time out of the house in awhile.  My, did that feel great.  Will go with Wendy when she takes Amanda to art later and we visit the Sally Ann while she is in her class.  Love to poke around in the books and records....see the most amazing things in that store!  Wendy has found the most beautiful lead crystal for tiny prices....

Did anyone see the Hallmark movie on Sunday?  It was 'The Magic of Ordinary Days'.  That is something that seems to be forgotten by lots of our society now....Wish they made more movies like the one's Hallmark produce.

Read this little blurb today:

No Time

I knelt to pray but not for long
I had to much to do
I had to hurry and get to work
For bills would soon be due

So I knelt and said a hurried prayer
And jumped up off my knees.
My Christian duty was now done
My soul could rest at ease.

All day long I had no time
To spread a word of cheer
No time to speak of Christ to friends,
They'd laugh at me I'd fear.

No time, no time, too much to do,
That was my constant cry.
No time to give to souls in need,
But at last.....the time to die.

I went before the Lord,
I came, I stood with downcast eyes,
For in His hands God held a book,
It was the book of life.

God looked into his book and said,
"Your name I cannot find,
I once was going to write it down...
But never found the time."

(author unknown)

Guess that would be me if I didn't come here to be reminded about what really matters.   

God Bless.
Liz

Liz, I read that same poem on a bulletin board in the hospital where Beth was, just a couple days ago!  (God-incidence?)

Thank you all for the well wishes for Beth.  She is really feeling tired today, and still having the awful headache.  Her bird was screeching so loud she couldn't tolerate it, so I brought Ruffles home with me.  I can't hear her in my studio, from the rest of the house.

I spent all morning and until about 2:30 cleaning Beth's house.  My sister and two friends of Beth's had been there while we were away and cleaned a lot, changed her bed, etc.  But her vacuum wasn't picking up good, so I took mine over and got the whole house vacuumed.  I wish mine were vacuumed, too! 

Now I am feeling really tired and sleepy, so I might just take a short nap.  If I take a long one, I may not sleep tonight.

Blessings to you all, and when I get oriented again, I will start responding to your individual posts.  It has been a most emotional week, and I'm feeling rather drained.  So please know that I love and appreciate all of you, and will probably be back full steam before long.

I came back to tell you all that John's mother is in the hospital.  John went in to turn off her light the night before Beth's surgery and found his mother having a seizure.  She was on a ventilator for a while, but is off it now.  They say she has a brain tumor, and she will be having surgery for that next Wednesday.  Please pray for her.  Poor John had a stressful couple of days, praying for Beth and waiting for word (Yes, I called him!) and worrying about his Mom.  His mom is 81 years old.

Al Moak:   If you’ll just do this, then the problem will be His - and He isn’t anxious about it,

I heard someone say "God never says,'It just occurred to me.' "

Fast Eddie:  Its good to see you back posting.  You were missed!

Janet:  I didn't read where Beth arrived back home...I must go back - as I have missed that post.  I'm still continuing to pray for her; and now - we must remember to keep John's mother in prayer too.  Its so stressful for John right now...Beth being so far away from him.  I do hope he will see his way clear to come to Kansas to visit her again soon. ( - but not too soon, of course)., she needs to get her strength back.

Wonderful scripture verses quoted above.

Marilyn: Try as I might... on your signature at the bottom of your posts - I cannot read all the letters in "Marilyn"...is it just my eyes - or is it my print?

Karma:  Tell me once again - baby's name?  I know its on one of the forums.  I'll be anxious to hear when she arrives.  Is Travis getting excited?  How old is he now?

Etta Sue:  You will enjoy your fireplace so much.  Will you put it in your living room?

Glad our web-host is able to move to a larger and better location.

Good job - Pat and Ian!

- Judy M.

Thank for asking, friends. Pam's recovery is (I believe) progressing normally. She's such an active person that all this pain and immobility is beginning to really get to her. Thanks for your prayers.

Janet, what shocking news! John doesn't need another worry right now. My prayers for Beth's recovery, John as he handles all this stress, and for y'all as you love and support them both.

Ruth Ann

So good to hear all the praise reports!!  Praise Him again and again. 

Today was a good Monday and then am having grandson Doug spending the night tonight.

Tomorrow is some kind of artery exam for my upcoming physical.  Then the mamogram and finally the blood tests.  I have a month to do it all. 

God's blessings to all.  Time of bath and bed.

I have been doing my Bible Study. We (the whole congregation) is reading the Bok of John in 21 days. He handed out booklets of just the Gospel of John from the Life applications NLT.  There sure is a lot of information in there.


Judy  Mc, It must be your monitor. They look clear to me.

That's all folks.

Marilyn---I can barely make them out, but isn't the y missing? 

I have the NEM ready for tomorrow, trying to stay up long enough to post it......yawn.............

I've been out at a meeting this evening and then when I came home I was so tired, I just went to bed.  Just got up as dog wanted out.  LOL

I'll lock this door for Janet...

Tomorrow's NEM