Christian Photographers Community

I too am moved by the Canadian anthem.  It's really a hymn and not a mere anthem.  God has placed us each in our nations.  He's given us to that nation, and He's given that nation to us.  We ought to treasure our nation because it is a gift.  None should be more patriotic than Christians.  We ought to pray for our country, call for its repentance, and seek the mercy of God upon it.  May it be so in Canada and in the USA.

Hi everyone.  It is about 5:30 pm Denver time and we will leave in about an hour to attend the 50th wedding anniversary party, which brought us to Denver. 

We have had a nice day today as my cousin and his wife from Michigan and the cousin and his wife who live here (and are being honored tonight) got together here at the hotel for about an hours visit and then we all went out and had a great lunch and more conversation. 

Then we came back to the hotel and the couple of Michigan and Pat and I played a rubber of bridge.  Their son is coming in from California around 11 pm tonight and we plan to have breakfast with them in the morning before they head out to Casper, Wyoming to meet their daughter and family, who are coming from Billings, Montana. 

Tomorrow, after breakfast, Pat and I will head out for a day trip for some sightseeing.  We plan to do the same on Sunday and then on Monday we will get together at the Denver cousins home one last time.  We talked today about trying to do an annual cousins get together as we enjoy being together and have a lot of fun. 

I  have not been able to make the wireless work today and have switched back to dialup at 26 K, but at least it gives me access to e-mail and the web.  I have limited hours so am not going to try to address other posters.

Happy Birthday, Alma and Hayley good to see you back.

I will try to check in again tomorrow but if I don't no one should worry as it just will mean we are out and about doing the vacation thing! 

The talk about our National Anthems reminded me of something I heard on TV today.  I have always loved the haunting melody of "Taps" when I hear it played.  I thought there were words to go with the music, and the story was about the fellows who wrote both the words and music.  The words are as follows:

    TAPS

Day is done
Gone the sun
From the hills
From the lakes
From the skies.
All is well
Safely rest
God is nigh.

Anywhere you look in our nations's capitol, you will see carved in granite and marble, quotes from the Bible.  This is just another example of the fact that this country was founded on the truths and principles of God's Word.

Abby called me today and we had a good visit.  We are going over in the morning to see them.  Got to have our "Abby fix."   

Hello y-all, I am busy and tired. After I came home I  fed the horses some apple, watered my garden, put a small roast in the oven, and did a load of laundry. I still have toi vacumm my car and wash it. I will be back later. Maybe.

The following is a little long, but well worth your time to read!

THE PERIL OF PUBLIC PESSIMISM

"When a politician, or an activist, or a television
commentator tells us the land is actually a mess, that
things are getting worse, we perk up and listen, for a
distinct public pessimism is the mark of our era. Good
news we greet with skepticism. Bad news we believe at
once."

The above observation by Stephen Carter, shared in his
timely article "A Politics of Gratitude" (Christianity
Today), is cause for concern. Pessimism is the opposite
of faith. And faith is vital if we are to enjoy the
blessings of God.

Election campaigns often promote pessimism. In his best-
selling book, "Total Forgiveness," R.T. Kendall quotes a
former presidential campaign manager who said, "Candidates
with high negative ratings in the opinion polls --above
35 percent--lose." adding: "Negative ratings are far easier
to create than positive ones." Kendall concludes, in the
minds of too many politicians, "It is not enough to make
yourself look good; you must make your opponent look bad.
And unfortunately it works." He then pleads for graciousness,
in all areas of life.

"Graciousness," he explains, "is withholding certain facts
you know to be true, so as to leave your enemy's reputation
unscathed. Total forgiveness sometimes means overlooking
what you perceive to be the truth and not letting on about
anything you know that could damage another person."

How can we attain this kind of attitude?

Stephen Carter says we must stop whining and start counting
our blessings. Thankfulness builds faith and overcomes
pessimism. Faith is positive. Pessimism is negative. To
build faith, I quote the following Bible verses every
morning: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for,
the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1); "If you
can believe, all things are possible to him who believes"
(Mark 9:23).

Pessimism drains churches of courage and needed energy to
fulfill their important roles in their communities and the
world. It robs families of expectation and adventure,
causing husbands and wives to focus on what's wrong in
their lives instead of the many opportunities confronting
them every day.

Pessimism is contagious. A businessman once told me how
damaging a few pessimistic comments could be to a committee
evaluating people for different levels of employment. He
said the first evaluation usually proved to be the most
important. If that one was negative there was little hope
for the person being considered.

Politicians, pastors and other public people should be
examples of optimistic faith, remembering that in cutting
down others to gain election or self promotion they may
poison the minds of those who trust them, creating
pessimistic attitudes among their followers who will then
expect little and attempt less.

Dr. V. Raymond Edman, former president and late chancellor
of Wheaton College, said: "Faith is dead to doubts, dumb
to discouragements, blind to impossibilities, knows nothing
but success. Faith makes the uplook good, the outlook bright,
the inlook favorable and the future glorious."

Let's stop whining and start shining. Faith wins and fear
loses...every time.

© 2004 by Roger Campbell
====================

Oh MY GOSH!!! I can't believe what day it has been.

    First  I want to THANK Each ans Everyone of you for all the wonderful birthday prayers and greeting,
     Thank you, Pat, nards, Larry,Judy,Jane,Janet,Hayley,Sonfios, Etta Sue, Racheele,Margrit, Ria, Ruth Anne, Marilyn, and  Al. I hope I didn't leave anyone out..

     Second I noticed that I might not have been clear on Debby, She has been a dear friend of mine for over 20 years, she has recently moved back to her home with an alcolholic husband. I pray for her happiness and that Father God will help her during this transition.To keep her safe .

     I tried to get on line earlier to check in but it was taking so long. It has been a great day for me today. I have been so busy getting the back room cleaned out and ready to paint on Sunday.

     Today I had a new girl come in to help me 4 days a week for 5 hours aday. She is willing to do what ever I need to get my things caught up. I got all of Debbys' belongings packed up for her and than cleaned out the room and bathroom.Now its painting time.

     Craig brought home Italian food home for dinner, Salad and bread and Lasanga. And cocunut creme pie for my cake. HA!

     Tommorrow I am cooking for my family here at home for dinner and a visit. Audra and my first husband are coming with the grandbabies. Terry my 1st. and I are very good friends and always have . We just do live together well. Different backgrounds.

     I am ending now and will be back later. God Bless all of you. ~ALMA

THANK YOU AGAIN!!!

Quote from: Al Moak on July 02, 2004, 07:31:58 PM

None should be more patriotic than Christians.  We ought to pray for our country, call for its repentance, and seek the mercy of God upon it.  May it be so in Canada and in the USA.

Oh, how true, how true!

Thanks Janet...   What a good article that is.

Evenin', folks! 

Well, last night I cut off early because a storm was on the way - and what a beautiful storm it turned out to be!  Usually they come fast and are gone in about 10 minutes but last night it stayed right overhead for a good half hour.  Almost constant flashing and booming - there were three times that we're sure struck someplace close by, although we haven't seen any evidence of it today. 

Who needs man-made fireworks when God supplies the real thing for free?   

Any photos, Jeanne!?? ;o)

Of what...  the lightning or the thunder?    

Lightening!

HAHA, I'm not quick enough for that.  Remember this is an old lady you're dealing with.    (and a picture-taker as opposed to a photographer! )

Aw, shucks, Pat!  I wanted to see photos of the thunder!!   Lightning shots are mostly LUCK, I think, more than timing!

I've had a nice hot shower and shampooed my hair and feel all nice and clean. I had to get the smoke off of me, Gloria smokes. I really don't look forward to washing my hair every day.

I borrowed a wheelchair and took her out to the furniture store today to look at new mattresses and will be taking her to church on Sunday.

I still need to vacumm out my car I may get to that in the morning before Igo to work.

I think I shall call it a night now and read a few things here check the photos and check out SN and PS.

TTYL

Good evening, folks.

I won't be in much tomorrow.  We have a big day with the community.  Starts off with a big pancake feed that the firestation puts on every year that we have gone to for hmmm... at least 10 years or more. Than off to the park to play draw with chalk on the basketball courts for money.  oh ya, can't forget the getting dretched by the fire trucks and mud volleyball (which I won't be playing).  It will be a long busy day that I am sure the kids will enjoy.

Hope you all have a fun day too!

Lots of love.
Soni

Hello my friends.  I am tired tonight, have had a busy day again.  I did some ironing, some laundry, baked a loaf of bread (I make all of our bread), had to get a package mailed.....on and on it went!  We went over to Texas to the nursing home right after lunch and sat awhile with hubby's sister again.  She is so weak, she can't do anything but sleep most of the time.  She is not able to talk to us, and sometimes she knows us and sometimes not.  We were going to sit with her every day for most of this year, but awhile back I got to feeling the need to back off a little bit as my nerves were so on edge.  We still go about 4 times a week.

We got some bad news this evening.  Our daughter came to tell us of a phone call she had received from Arkansas.  My sister-in-law had not been able to reach us to tell us this news, so she called Elaine.  My great nephew, Bradley Poole, was in a traffic accident just after leaving work at Children's Hospital in Little Rock, and he was brought back to the hospital, but he died.  He had just completed his first year at the University of Arkansas recently, and he was studying to become a doctor.  This is my brother Wesley's first grandson.  He was about 19 or 20 I think and was a very intelligent young man.  I feel so badly for the parents and my brother and his wife.  I pray they will be comforted by the Lord their Savior. 

Well, I must go now.  Everyone have a good evening and weekend.
Love, Janice

Enjoy your day, Soni.  Hopefully, we'll all enjoy your photos!  What a fun-sounding day it's going to be!


Janice, it's so good to see you but so sad to read your news.  I'm very sorry about your great nephew, Bradley.  We must just claim the words that the Lord's ways are perfect and right.  We don't know the reasons why these things happen but in glary we'll meet again.  Truly, I'm sorry.

Well, time to lock the door.

CLICK HERE

Please continue your conversation in tomorrow's topic. 

I'm so sorry about Janice's news.