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Morning Devotional

He Knows.

1 Chron. 28:9: "As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your Father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts."

David gave his son Solomon a general fact about God, then applied it to Solomon's particular case.  The general fact is true and precious to us as well, and it well applies to every facet of all our lives.  The general fact is that the God Who knows all the facts of the universe also knows all the deepest and most hidden thoughts of our minds.  In fact, David tells us that He even knows our every intent.  Those intentions proceed from our hearts, the very center of our character and will.

Oftentimes people fear this characteristic of God.  They don't really want Him to know them - fully.  But this characteristic of God has a positive aspect as well.  Because of it His Holy Spirit can "make intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."  He even prays our barely felt needs and our deepest longings - when we can't do so.

Oh open your heart of hearts to Him!  After all, He's not surprised by anything - He already knows it - and You can trust Him to care for you as no other!

Al Moak

My goodness, I seem to be the first tonight/today!!
Thank you for the devotional, Pastor Al.

This has been the most glorious, sunny day and a wonderful cool evening.  So nice that I can't find Misty to put her safe in the garage.  The other night she was stalking a large Racoon.  Fortunately, it decided to take off and go over the deer fence.  Misty is brave but totally foolish  
She followed me everywhere during the afternoon, even jumping up on my sketch book in order to get more attention.  That was also brave but foolish

Amanda and I were alone for dinner, so we walked (slowly) down to the mall and had a bite at Tim Horton's.  My body rebells at such exercise, but I do it on a regular basis anyway.  The warm weather surely does help. 

Pat, the real Sue Thomas was on R. Schuller this morning, with her lovely dog.  What an amazing woman.  She talked about her deafness and work with the FBI.  Also how she is going to continue travelling giving motivational talks around the world, despite her illness and MS.  What a wonderful witness she is to the power of faith in God.  I hope that you feel better again soon Pat.  Don't get discouraged and we will all keep on praying for improvement in your health.

Thanks to all who wrote comments about Harry Potter.  It has become almost like a cult and that is rather scary.  Do know that God will often take something off base and turn it into good, despite the original intent of the author.  Guess only time will tell about how this will end....I expect there will be more controversy to come in future. 

The psalmist wrote,  "If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?
Psalm 130:3

Mercychild, you have a good attitude.  We are not all on the same page about what is right or wrong.  That was a nice thing to do for that elderly lady.  (I am an elderly lady)  It will give her many pleasant memories.  Hope there was no controversy there in your building....my experience in Condo living was that no good deed goes unpunished!

Etta Sue....have you ever wondered where that saying about weather & cats & dogs got started?  Think I may look that up on the net and try to find out.

Enough for now.  Pleasant dreams all and Marilyn, I am still praying about your housing problem.  God did turn off the rain for Jane

God Bless,

Liz

It is 6:30 A.M. and Don hasn't slept since 3, so, I am quietly waiting for him and we will take our hour walk in the park and back here.  We have company coming tonight just to sleep here, as she has an early morning appointment in Wyoming and she asked if she could use our bed & get a good 1 1/2 hour ahead of traffic from her house.  No problem.  This will be a full week as we are leaving Saturday to go camping in northern Montana - for a full week - meeting oldest son & family. Enough of our agenda.

Larry:  The younger pastor (and he does look so young) had a terrific sermon Saturday evening.  He has grown in so many ways and we are sure he can keep things going - our pastor that is leaving has been a dynamo in the entire community with homeless, Habitat buildings, and so many things and it has been a wonderful thing to see - but now a chance for the younger pastor to blossom as well. 

Al:  I heard that all the pastor's being considered (and they will come and speak and meet us as well) are from out-of-state.  One nice thing is that this is a desireable area but it means moving expenses for our church.  It would be so nice to meet you and listen to you on a Sunday. 

Pat:  Most nights, I am sleepy right away and then wake up so alert in the middle of the night.  But - I also have known the problem with "getting sleepy" as well - it is as if the mind can't turn off no matter what is tried.  I hope you don't develop a pattern. 

Janet:  We had a nice family birthday party with 9 year old and then watched his tennis match early evening.  There just doesn't seem to be any sport that the grands are in that exempt Sunday playing; it isn't like when my children were involved in sports and activities.  One grandson who plays hockey can't even get ice time so many times they have really really early Sunday ice time.  So frustrating to see that & the children want so much to play - and tournaments seem to be held on Sunday mornings.  They all go to really big churches so they have options during the week but I see it as attacking the family time just as all of the stores are  open on Sundays as well.  I don't know how I got on this subject.

Liz:  I am so glad that your Misty did not catch the racoon. 

Can't remember who wrote about their pastor being away on a sabbatical for six weeks - but it is a great chance to pick your favorite hymns & anyone who wants to speak should have the chance - really a good bible study time as well - mention that the church still needs money to pay for electricity, and so forth.  It can be done & best wishes!

On Harry Potter - we have read the first books & I don't know about the latest.  Librarians would say that it is wonderful for children to be reading what they like and that it keeps them reading & learning difficult words and concepts.  The first writings were really meant for adults.  I feel that if something like this is banned it would only become an" attractive nuisance"  in their minds, a legal term for something that could lead to danger.  And, children, especially, are often more interested in the things that are off-limits.  I read only the first books and did not find anything that was more dangerous than reading King Arthur's Tales - but that is my own opinion.  And, God gave me this very different mind.........

Carol

I haven't read Harry Potter, and Travis is too young to care.  He still likes Thomas the Train, Clifford, Jay Jay the Jet plane, etc.  My biggest beef with really young kids reading them is that in an interview I read, JKR (the author) admitted that the books were written for adults, and that she wouldn't let her own daughter (?), then around 6 or 8 years old, read them.  She finally read them to her after everybody at school kept talking about them, and the daughter was curious.  She said that she read them to the daughter so that they could discuss them, etc.  I guess my concern is that there are kids who read them who have no "interaction" with adults to help them figure out what is good/evil and what is real/fantasy.   But that is a bigger issue than just Harry Potter.

QuoteAl:  I heard that all the pastor's being considered (and they will come and speak and meet us as well) are from out-of-state.  One nice thing is that this is a desireable area but it means moving expenses for our church.  It would be so nice to meet you and listen to you on a Sunday.

Thanks Carol, but I'm just not sure I'm up to being a full-time pastor anymore, plus the idea of moving is overwhelming to me also.  We've got doctors/etc. here that we're used to.  Otherwise, it would be great. By the way - where are you located?

Hey to all. this is Melaura again...

on the Harry Potter subject - to me and many other of my Christian friendz think Harry Potter is a good fictional series of books and movies. I have red Philosephers Stone, Chamber of secrets, and Priznor of Ascaban (my spelling is off) and i have alo seen all of the movies available. i have enjoyed reading them and watching them knowing and believing that it is just a fictional seris. But adults and teens like me do hgave to relize that the books and movies are not nessesarilay appropiat for children under 14. i believe the rating is PG and i think if your children wiwish to see them you should watch them with your children as there is some mature content that they may be confused about and another thing...

Lord of the Rings - do you let your kidz read or watch theese movies and books? theese also have adult content in them and i have herd Christ followers also known as Christians say that they will let their kidz watch Harry Potter insted of Lord of the Ringz because it is fiction and LOTR is Parrellel to the bible end timez.

But just to let you know... if you ban these shows movies and books it makes kidz teens even adults want to rebell and watch and or read them compermize, its worked in my family in my opinion towards my clothes and hair and stuff like that.

Love in HIm
Melaura

Good Morning all.

Melaura that is good advise you are giving. Personally I have seen the movies but have not read the books. I found the movies to be rather comical, the situations that Harry and his friends found themselves in and the way they solved the problems. I did not go to the movies to see them they were on Television.

Versal is not doing to well, had to go to the hospital yesterday because of the severe pain in her back. Two of her daughters have come for a visit but they are not at her apartment. Prayers needed.

Well the time is getting very close that I need to find a place, I want to be out before the University starts up in a few weeks. My son tells me that nothing will be available after that. I have called on a place out near him in Blue Lake.  I am waiting for a call back on that place.

TTYL

Hey there!!  My girls and I are back "stateside" now ... arrived back in Seattle yesterday evening.  I must, once again, give cudos to LIZ for the admirable work she did in getting the weather so beautiful for our stay in Victoria!    And...the fireworks were absolutely stupendous!  We thoroughly enjoyed every moment.

Yesterday we stopped in Sequin (pronounced "squeem") for their Lavender Festival!  Fantastic!!  I think we got some photos of that as well, but I can't guarantee it!

Dot will be boarding Amtrak this evening and Joy and I will meet her family friend/dentist and his wife for dinner and a movie before going to Enumclaw for the night.  Joy will have some dental work taken care of tomorrow and then we are aiming southward and should be in Windsor, California sometime Wednesday afternoon or evening.

Of course, we "have to" stop at a mall on our way through Oregon so Joy can do some shopping. 

This is the first opportunity I have had to access a computer, and I have no idea when the nex time will be, but I can assure you Joy's camera has been working overtime.  I have some pictures too but hers is a digital and we will download/upload them soon in an attempt to clear her card for more!

We will be checking out of our room here in an hour or so, and will hang around for a few more hours before time to take Dot to the train.  Our hope is to find someone to take a couple pictures of the three of us together here in this really neat "restored" old hotel.  Keep on the lookout for them!

I'm really sorry I cannot respond to all the posts I've just been hurrying through, but....well, you know how that goes.

I'll try my best to be here soon.  Just know this time together has been really great with Joy and Dot. 

See y'all later .................

TBEAR is my name & I want to say WELCOME all the new members to CP !!  I am sure that all of you all will have a blessed time here !!

hello everyone, i am here for a few minutes and thought i'd post to ya'll..... been doing well here not much to say have to work tonight but in one month i won't have to work for them anymore... (i'll move to college and hopefully work for the EMS instead of the Pizza hut) well i nee to be off to finish gettin ready for work ttyl
Sarah

Hi, Jane.  I came looking for a post from you, and thar u wuz.   I'm so glad you're having a good time, being with your girls, and am looking forward to seeing pictures.

My back is much better today.  It was better yesterday, and I expect it to be betterer tomorrow.  I'm looking out at two lawns of grass and dandilions, but there's nothing I can do about it.  The Lord and I are just going to have to be at peace with this until I know I can mow again.....haha......or He can send someone if He wants.

Etta Sue, isn't that little giraffe graphic the cutest thing?  I can't remember where I first saw it, (maybe you?)but I laughed and laughed when that little guy popped up.  I was sitting here, like a silly, peering at that green trying to see something emerge......and it did. LOL

It's warm and sunny here today.  The boys are laying around in the house as they overheat easily with all that hair.  I wonder if there's a short haircut for Maltese?  The groomer keeps them long, even when I said to cut as much as she can, and besides that.......it's $20 per dog.  My daughter pays half, but I can't afford to keep doing that.  I'll just start cutting, I guess.   If they look shameful, I'll just keep loving them anyway.  haha

Blessings to everyone.  And how blessed we are to be in Christ......when the whole world is in chaos.  What peace.
Nita

Hi Everyone...

This is that crazy week that I have many meetings..  I'm leaving in a few minutes for tonight's.

We've had some pretty wild weather all weekend and I'm still getting alerts that there might be more.

I'll try to get in again as soon as the meeting is over.

Howdee, folks!  We just got back from the pool.  The kids love the water.

Zachery and I are going to play some flof as soon as Troy gets home.  Mother son time together.

I never let my kids read them and they seemed ok with it.  Never really bugged me about it either.  I just asked them, what would Jesus do?  Would he read the books?  Would he allow his kids to read them?  If they were confused then to go pray and read the Bible.
Give the kids the responsiblitly of deciding what is best.  They usually come up with the right answer. 

Busy day here and not much accomplished.  I purchased a new printer.  Ivalou has a birthday Friday so I got my picture albums out and scanned places we have been together and put them on a card of 'Memories' for her.  Hope she enjoys the card. 

Now it is time to find something to eat and relax for the night.  Need to go to the mailbox and get the mail and newpaper first.  I hear thundering....better hurry![/b]

melaura

Al:  We live in Fort Collins, CO.  Another magazine just voted this as #1 place to live for people who like outdoor living.  Yes, but air conditioning is nice to have at this time of the year and heat in the fall & winter & long springtime as well. 

Jane:  It sounds like you had such a nice trip - am so happy for you.

Nita:  Glad that your back is better. 

Etta Sue:  The moving feet is really neat (that rhymes)   

Carol

Jen, thank you so much for the anniversary greetings!  We went to Liberal and he saw his doctor, then we went to the Thai-Lao Cuisine to eat.........and it is closed on Mondays.   So we went to a Chinese buffet place instead.  It was very good, but I was still really disappointed; I was ready for some Thai food!

In Wal-Mart, they had huge stacks of the new Harry Potter book, at $17.50 each.  No, I did not buy one.  If I decide to read one just to judge it for myself, I will check it out of the library.  I have a pastor friend and wife (better friend!) who were talking about how bad those were; then when they came to visit their daughter here, they watched one of the HP movies with them, and told me they found nothing bad in it at all.  So...........I guess each person needs to decide for him/herself.

Jane, good to see you posting, and I am so happy you're having a great time with your girls!

Hey there, Nita!  Hope your back continues to get gooder until every last bit of pain is gone!  And the grass will wait, just keeps on growing, huh?

Etta Sue, I picked up a book a couple days ago, a mystery, and couldn't put it down for long until I finished it.  I did finish it this evening after we got home.  Every once in a while I just get "hungry" for a good read!  What kind of books do you enjoy?  I like various kinds, but especially enjoy Bible based fiction.

Hi, Soni!  I think it's great you spend time with each of the kids alone.  Very important for them.

Hey there, Karma!  How is little preacher man?    Bet Nards was tired when he got home!

I need to go upstairs and cut some mats.  I had to order those frames by overnight, and the freight alone is costing me $52.00!!   o I want to have everything else ready to go.  I will not do that again unless the customer agrees to pay the frieght! 

I am home from work/  I realise that is not news, except that it is 8:25 EST and I am not long in!  Melaura has a bad throat and the clinic took a long tiime.

We got some bad news at work today.  One of our ladies is off on compassionate leave as her 30yo daughter has died.  This happened on Friday.  Today is the autopsy(sp?), I guess we will hear the results tomorrow.  It is a sad situation.

This past winter the brother of  our young cleaner died in a snowmobile accident.  We all mourned with Bob.  Today I found out we will meet this brother in Heaven as he was a Christian.  This is something to rejoice over right!!!!

About the matter of sleep.  I have had the full gamut of problems with sleep.  It is not fun.  I have found that if I quote scripture and pray one of two things happen.  God gives me rest, or our enemy lets us sleep so we don't continue to quote scripture or pray.  Also when I wake up alert in the night I pray as I think this may be God's leading too.  Sometimes we may not even know what we are to pray for but God's spirit does.  We need to be obedient.  Then there are the times nothing works.  I have had those nights/mornings.  And as Pat said "Nothing works"!  So there is no Magic formula, or as Melaura puts it "Pixi dust" there.  

Our garden is great!  We have bloom on all the vegies, the rain has been a blessing. even though it has caused more humidity.

Well bye for now
Judy

Hi everyone.  I don't know where the day has gone but it is now mid evening and I am just getting the postings here read.  About the only thing I did today was to take Pat to an appointment and then we went to the library.  It was almost 2 pm before we got back and I rested for awhile.  I spent a couple of hours trying to get Pat's computer where it could download digital books from the library.  They just added these a few months ago and she had downloaded a book before without problems.  However, now there is a problem with the Windows Media Player.  I will work on it more tomorrow.

I haven't read the Harry Potter books as don't care for fantasy.  However, I have seen one or two of the movies and found them entertaining.  I do believe that if a parent allows a child to read the books, especially a fairly young child, that the parent should also read the book and reinforce the fact that this is just fantasy.  I am certainly not in favor of trying to ban such books since that would never work.  If you have been in a library recently and looked around you probably found a shelf with a lot of books that are basically pictures rather than the written word.  I also think back as a child where many of the nursery rhymns featured fanstasy creatures such as ogres.  Children quickly pick up on what is real and what is fantasy.  I also think Melaura said it very well.  However, it is certainly up to the parents to determine what they want their children to read.

Jane, it was nice to see you posting and see that you are having such a wonderful time.

Pat, I do hope you will be able to rest tonight.  It is really hot around here but everything is air conditioned so we really don't have to be out in the heat very much.  

Etta Sue, what type of printer did you get?

Janet, sorry you didn't get to eat where you had planned.  I also enjoy reading the Inspirational Fiction and I hadn't read any of these until a year or so ago.  Have you read the Teri Blackstock books (there are a couple of series)?  I also enjoyed reading the Red River Valley series written by Lorriane Snelling.  She has some other series but I haven't gotten involved in those.  I also enjoy the books of Hannah Alexander (a husband and wife writing team ).  I have also read a few of the Gilbert Morris books.

Marilyn, I hope you find a place soon and it would be nice if you could be closer to your son and family.

Carol, I agree with you that it is such a shame that the sports events for children have to be held on Sunday.  I suppose that is a good reflection of the secular world in which we live today.

JudyB, you were posting while I was writing.  Sure sad news you had at your work today.  Thirty is so young to lose one's life.

I haven't addressed everyone individually but have read all the messages.

Hello everyone,

It's been a rather uneventful day, but Mercy was absolutely miserable, cried all day.  We finally took her swimming tonight at an outdoor pool, she loves the water.  We usually go swimming once a week with her.  I've been so tired.  Mercy doesn't nap during the day, she only takes little fifteen minute catnaps.  She does sleep all night though.  We are supposed to get a thunderstorm tonight, and hopefully this time it'll break up the heat and humidity.  This is, according to the radio, the eigth consecutive day they've issued a heat warning.  As to the Harry Potter issue, I have a good friend who is a Harry Potter fanatic.  She's read all the books, she has the coloring books, she has a Harry Potter bag.  I don't at all agree with it, but she and I remain good friends.  We simply avoid getting into long discussions about it, to avoid offending one another.  We found there were more important issues and matters that were better worth spending our time on.  God bless you all.

Jen.

I certainly agree, Jen, that there are far more valuable things to discuss between friends than Harry Potter!  Liz had asked about our opinion, is the reason we were talking about it here, and I found it interesting, as I had wondered, too, how other Christians felt about those books.

It is early, but I'm tired, so I'm locking up early tonight, and hope I don't conk anyone on the head!  Come HERE to find a clean new page for posting all your interesting stories, comments, doings, etc.!  See you there! 

We've had yet another big storm tonight.  This sure is making our grass green.