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Morning Devotional...


The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
Proverbs 4:18

The day began brightly but soon turned dreary as a thick layer of clouds blanketed the sky and rain began to fall. Any hope for a "nice" day looked doubtful.

But before evening approached, an opening appeared in the clouds allowing in a ray of sunshine to pierce the gray. How quickly the gloom was forgotten!

Though the storms of life may rage, don't forget that you are traveling on a path that will lead to an eternal Day--where there are no clouds to lessen our joy and the Son is shining in all His glory.

How soon the past will disappear and how great our joy will be!
                                                                           --Mark Kolchin

''What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.'

John 13:7

The act that our Lord was about to perform upon His disciples must, in later days and months have taken their breath away! If ever they doubted their Saviour's love towards them, could they ever forget the night the Lord of Glory washed their feet?

They could never have imagined what was going to happen although they had been told many times. They had followed their beloved Master and Teacher for three years, honoured to be part of His inner circle. Now the seemed to be in no man's land. He was going to die before their eyes and nothing they could do or say could prevent this from happening.

What would become of them? Where would they go? Who would they follow now? Is it back to the boats and tax collecting?

Could they have foreseen that the brutality and ugliness of the cross and its preceding hours would herald the age of the Good News. The Good News that they would so faithfully proclaim? Could the apparent weakness that their Saviour showed when cruelly mocked and beaten, stripped and crucified be the means of their future strength?

Did they fully realise as they ate the last supper with their beloved Elder brother that in a few hours He would be lying dead in a tomb? They must have had so many questions running through their minds and few answers.

Little did they know that they would in a short time be used by this same Jesus to turn the world upside through the proclamation of the Gospel. It is thanks to them that we now have the full story! They were living their way through history, not knowing what a day or an hour may bring forth.

We may also find ourselves in no man's land. Has your life come to a crossroads? You may feel and be aware that there is a change coming your way but you are not sure what it involves and what to do about it.
It may be a change of circumstances, a change of homes, a change of occupation or a change in career. Or like Elijah, a change of country.

Change is always upsetting until it is done. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. Decisions must be taken and adhered to. We may make our decision in our hearts before God and wait patiently His way of working things out. He will clearly show us which way to go and what we are to do.

Never be afraid to ask Him to shut certain doors and to open the only door that He wants you to go through. This, my friend takes a great deal of courage and faith! It may take a little time, but waiting with an expectant hope will bring light to the soul.

It will, be very clear to you the path that He wants you to travel.

It is all too easy to get tangled about in knots and end up with souls that are completely paralysed with the fear of making the wrong decision. Do not jump! Wait patiently upon the Lord ONCE you have made your decision.

Stick to it and prayerfully await the happenings of little things that will in the end leave you with no other choice but to 'go forward!' He in turn will remove any lingering doubts as to your final decision.

Behold I set before you an open door which no man can shut. I will direct thee and teach thee in the ways that thou shalt go.

The following extract is from Mr Spurgeon:-

Why do you worry yourself? What use can your worrying serve? You are on board a vessel which you could not steer even if the great Captain put you at the helm, of which you could not so much as make a sail, yet you worry as if you were captain and helms man.

Oh, be quiet! God is Master!

Do you think that all this din and anxiety that is within you is due to God leaving His throne?

No, man, His horses runs furiously on, and His chariot is the storm; but there is a bit between their jaws, and He holds the reins, and guides them as he wills! Jehovah is Master yet; believe it; peace be unto thee! Be not afraid.

LOL

Your brother in Christ

Iain

Jenny. England 11.35a.m.

Iain, praise God for you this morning. Such confirmation in Spirit re "moving".  The situation with my next door neighbours is getting very tiring...trying to be a good neighbour shouldn't have to mean losing all peace and tranquillity.  It makes it difficult that they are Sunni moslems and tend to take over neighbourhoods. They are very noisy and keep late hours.I have Shia friends who are more considerate.
I have been playing George Beverly Shea's tapes to keep me looking unto Jesus....."I shall not be moved" was very stirring.  I opened my entry door and turned up the volume for "I'd rather have Jesus"....
I have felt that I hadn't the strength to move again but I have been asking the Lord to open  or close a door....one or the other at this time....just to feel the hem of His garment.  It's one of those times I,m afraid. Re moving.... just as you say Iain......I want to be settled but Jesus did not promise an easy life  although He told me today "I shall not leave you comfortless I will come to you.  I said "I know you will Lord" and here He is in Iain's message.  Thank-you Lord Jesus and Holy Spirit for that.
Now I wait patiently for a word or sign...."and after the earthquake, there was a fire but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire , there was the sound of a gentle whisper " 1 Kings 19:12.
"Then He rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Quiet down !
"And the wind fell, and there was a great calm".

Hope you enjoyed the games Iain....
Love to all in Jesus' Name..."we shall not be Moved...we know whom we have believed" Amen.

Good Morning! Woke to a brilliant sunrise out my bedroom window. Unfortunately, my cameras are not working properly, but I hold the image in my mind to carry me through the day.
Wonderful devotionals today, Pat and Iain.
They so aptly fit  the situation find myself in. That whole in the dark clouds is beginning to show itself and my eyes are drawn to the Light.
Yes, it is time for a change for the better.
I ask that you all pray diligently this week, as I will attempt to get through without the help of marijuana or alcohol.
No bar visits this week.
I shall stay home in the evening and work on my devotional book I am putting together.
So glad to know I am not the only one to be blessed by Barbara Johnson's writings.  Patsy Clairemont is another awesome writer who expresses herself through the use of humor.
She has some wonderful tapes available.
Well, I'm off to work. A special blessing to all who visit here today and especially to those who aren't able for whatever reasons.
I am so edified by the emails I have received from the saints at this site.
I leave you with this:

HIDDEN TREASURE
"My son, if you accept My words and store up My commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and gold, and search for it as hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God."Proverbs 2:6

Along the beach, a man walks by, searching for hidden treasure. Detector in hand, eyes scanning every inch of the sand for a sparkle or glimmer. Ears listening intently for the sound that would signal his finding the treasure he seeks after.
I am reminded that the Lord in His mercy and grace, has given me the Holy Spirit to be the detector of hidden treasure in my heart and soul.
I am reminded to be ever watchful of His presence, to listen intently for the still small voice that alerts me to each new revelation of hidden treasure within me. To choose to allow Christ to loose me from the ties of self that bind me from His mercy, forgiveness and love, and to give thanks for His williness to reveal the treasure I am seeking.
Loving Father,
I give you praise and thanks for the gift of Your Holy Spirit within me.  I am so grateful for Your love that sent Your Son to the cross in payment for my freedom. Help me to die to self. Open the eyes of my heart and give me ears to hear Your voice above the clammer of this world.  Reveal to me the hidden treasure within, that I might claim it and share it with others.
In Christ's Name I pray.

Good morning.  Good to see each one today.  Pat, the devotional this morning reminded me of this scripture:

1Thes 5:5-8  Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.  Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.  For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.  But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.  (KJV)

Jesus said in John 8:12,,"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."  (NIV)

I hope you all have a nice day today.  Let's all say a prayer for our friend, Larry.

--- Papa John              <)))><<

 

Thank you, Papa John, for that response to Pat's devotional!  Jesus is the Son-lite during our sometimes dreary days  in a very real way.

Alan we are so glad to found your way here.

Great devotionals this morning Pat, Iain, Papa John, and  Jo. Sometimes I have felt so "in the dark" where God's plan are for my life.  But I must remember to put all my trust in Him to open those door to my future andclose the doors to my past.  Oh the dark parts of my past are closed, by my future I am refering to my futre here in McKinleyville. I must rely on God's provision of an income for me. I will post a prayer request.

Jenny I will pray for your situation with yourneighbors. I know how you must feel about moving. I don't like to move either but this move was necessary to bring me closer to my children.

Now to go read the rest of the posts I missed by going to bed early last night.

TTYL

Good morning people....
just stopping in for a quick hello.....
am studying for a test that I am writing this week and then have two more after that and  I am done.. my girls are soooo good...they have taken the young ones to the library for a bit so I could study in peace....what a blessing they are to me.....
take care and God bless you...Paulette.

I had an Instant Message on here from one of our new members and I'm just going to paste it here for all to see...

It's from Ken over in Yorkshire, England.

QuoteThanks for your welcome and Christian greetings to you all.

Ken

I'm also on my way to the "Have You Prayed About It?" forum to post a prayer request for our brother, Ken.  Please go there and let's join in prayer for our brother.

Hello all!

I hope everyone's Monday is going well.  I'm just hanging out at work for a few more minutes.  Then, on to the chirocracker.  I think I sang "Father Abraham" one too many times at Bible School last week and threw my back out of line.  ouchy.

Anyway -- take care all, and hopefully, I will be back in here sometime this evening!
kamrat

WELCOME BACKPACKER!  IT'S A PLEASURE TO WELCOME YOU!
Karmat-hope it's nothing too serious.  Can't you settle down, or do you just HAVE to be like the kids?  .

Marilyn-it sounds like you found yourself a great new church.  Great news.

Isn't the news about the Chinese Christian's release just absolutely the most wonderful news!!!!!

Ruth Ann

Hi everyone.  It is almost 5 pm and I am just now getting here to read the messages, although peeked in earlier to see what news Etta Sue had regarding Jerry.  Certainly nice to read the positive news and it sounds like he is on his way to recovery.

Welcome backpacker.  I will look forward to your postings.

I have read the devotionals and as always they are so good.  Pat, as I read your devotional I couldn't help but think of the day my wife  and I got married.  It was a rainy and unpleasant day until that evening, at the time of the ceremony, the sun came out and it was a beautiful evening.  It has also been a beautiful marriage, at least from my perspective and I think my dear wife of 41 years would agree.  

Karmat, so you are going to the chirokracker.  Cleaver play on words.  

I am going to be brief today as I have had a busy day and am quite tired this evening.  Didn't have time for my usual nap this afternoon so know it will be an early turn in tonight.

I just realized that today, I never even greeted you all!  Slap me with a wet noodle for sure!

Thanks so much Iain...  I've just re-read your devotional for the third time and wow!  It contains so very much.

QuoteWe may also find ourselves in no man's land. Has your life come to a crossroads? You may feel and be aware that there is a change coming your way but you are not sure what it involves and what to do about it.
It may be a change of circumstances, a change of homes, a change of occupation or a change in career. Or like Elijah, a change of country.

This in particular is so true.  How things change in our lives!  When I went to Northern Ireland to live from Canada as a new bride, there were so very many things to try to get used to and accept--even in-laws I had never met!

Then I guess the biggest change in my whole life was when my husband of 40 years went home to glory.  I know that he's far better there and he's worshipping the Master but difficult for those of us left behind.

Thanks so much Iain.  How were the Games?  Hope you got lots of photos!


Jenny!   It's great to see you posting more and more.  Sorry that you're having a problem with your noisy neighbours though.  Play lots of hymns!  I love George Beverly Shea's singing.


Thanks so much too, Joann for your little devotional too.  Do you live close to the beach where you can walk along it whenever you wish?  How I miss that from my times living in Ireland.


Thanks so very much, Papa John, for your added scripture and thoughts today.  I really miss them when you're away or your computer acts up!


Yes, Al, so true...

QuoteJesus is the Son-lite during our sometimes dreary days  in a very real way.

Praying for you and that job situation, Marilyn!   Keep us posted!


Paulette!  What do you have to have tests on?  Is this for the Home Schooling?  Thanks so much for taking time out from your studies, Paulette to post on here.


Oh, my!  That's a new word, Karma!  chirocracker   Hope you feel better soon.


Hi Jen!  Great to see you too.  Hope we get together very soon.  LOL  (It's not for both of us trying though!)


Ruth Ann!  That news about the Chinese Christian is just awesome.  We have a wonderful God!


Hi Larry...  I'm sure that our new member, Ken, will want to talk to you!  He's just undergone triple bypass in the past few months and you'll know what he's experiencing.  He's posted a wonderful photo of Whitby, England!


Well, I must get this posted.  I can't believe that it's nearly supper time and I'm really posting for the first time in here.  It's been a rather busy day for me as well.

Talk to you all later.

I am having a busy day today unpacking all the glass stuff for the antique china cabinet that has been in my family since it was built. Etta Sue has asked to see some of my collections and by golly I will take some photos to post here when ever they get developed. There is no particular organization to the shelves but you will get an idea that I am definitely a collector of many things. I have filled the cabinet and the very large built in hutch and there is still more for a curio wall shelf.  My My what a job. Don't know what to do with it all.

TTYL
Marilyn

Well, I've reached the point that I'm giving my stuff slowly away to the kids for birthday gifts and Christmas gifts.

Lol, I would be a collector of many things, but our house is just too small and too crowded.  I like looking through knick-knacks though.  I used to go once a year and help my grandmother dust off all her curios on her shelves.  It's amazing some of the things you can find there.

Good evening to everyone it has been cloudy all day but so far no rain.

Pat giving our abundance to children is fine but what about the fact that they to have so much that they are wondering what to do???

Judy B glad that your bbq on saturday went well.


Blessings      Ruth

Jen, I have lots of dusters here and lots of things to dust off!  Come on over!  LOL


Yes, Ruth, true!  But what I'm doing is giving them things they have mentioned that they like.  And I have several granddaughters as well.

Lol Pat, I'm working on it.  I think I'm busier now then when I was working full-time.  I've never been so much in demand in my life.

I have also been giving things away, but I don't know if I will ever get to the end of all my stuff, I don't want to call it junk. Some of it was my mother's and my g-mother's. My daughter will be getting some as well as all my grandaughters. My how we collect so much stuff. Huh?

BACKPACKER!!!
Good evening all.  It has been a great day after all.  I tried very hard to not remember that 12 years ago today, my husband passed away.  I have been having deja vu...or is that de javu?.. at times with Jerry.  I am so happy that he is smiling and talking and looking good even with a scruffy beard.  I truly have faith that God will heal Jerry and he will be just fine.  I am looking forward to having Lynn here with me and traveling to and fro from the hospital.  I posted an update in "Have You...."  

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"Some day you're the bug; some days, the windshield!"

Good evening!!  I went to the chircracker (or chiroquaker as I have called him in the past ) and can at least walk upright now.  It is still a little sore, but nothing compared to this weekend.  

Glad Jerry is feeling some better.  How much longer till he's home??

Oh yea, I'm boiling some pasta right now to smack Pat with.  Anyone wanna join in??

WELCOME BACKPACKER!!!

Marilyn, I'm so glad you are getting settled in.  So, what's it like getting to see the gkids daily, if you want after not seeing them frequently?

Off to read the rest of the forums.  Take care and good night/morning/afternoon!
karmat

I have been on the phone and waiting for return calls - trying to find rooms for some future meetings, and awaiting news and other things.  It does get busy.

Marilyn:  Sorry, thought that you were in Oregon and I have an old friend who runs a bible store you would love to meet but she is in Silverton, Oregon.  Glad for your news these days.

Pat Scott:  You have so much on your mind and I hope that you are getting enough sleep with all the early drives into the city.  

I just called a younger brother and wished him a Happy Birthday on Wednesday because we will be at the veteran's hospital for tests with Don and that can take hours.  We did prep the doors for painting at the church today - the entire congregation is invited to paint next Sunday but we should be in the cool mountains if all goes well.  

It is good to hear that Jerry is doing so well.   Carol

Janice reporting in, so glad to hear that Jerry is improved.  Etta Sue, thank you for keeping us informed, and I do hope you have been getting enough rest.  Please tell Jerry that we hope to see the Gabby One back here real soon, feeling fit as a fiddle.  

Earl is feeling some better.  He only had the vomiting briefly on Saturday.  But has felt so bad since then, he was unable to go to church yesterday.  Today the doctor said he has a UTI, and prescribed a pretty strong anti-biotic.  He is already doing a little better.  But the thing is, he is supposed to take the med with a full glass of water, and then drink plenty of fluids all the while he is taking the pills.  He got enough for 3 weeks!  What to do?  One doctor restricts and one prescribes medicine that requires lots of water intake!  Pat, was Jack ever faced with this dilemma?  Earl has lost a lot of weight too.  
I don't know if this means the surgery will be postponed or not.  Will see.

Janet, I hope you and Beth had a good trip to Amarillo today, and a good outcome.  One of these days we will be there on the same day and maybe we can meet!!

You all take care, and have a good night.
Love, Janice