Christian Photographers Community

Over the past little while we've been sharing scripture and we've covered four areas of our life...

• Beginning in Christ
  
  
• Growing In Christ
  
  
• Maturing In Christ
  
  
• Ministering In Christ
  
  and now tonight we are starting...
  
  
• Understanding in Christ

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Psalm 18:30-32 says...

As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.

For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?

It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.








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Isaiah 55:8-9 says...

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

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Morning Devotional...

The Shepherd's Psalm--Part (ii)

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In Part (i) of our studies on the wonderful Shepherd Psalm, we looked a little at the character and saving work of the One to whom David referred as "My Shepherd". Before we proceed to examine some of the amazing benefits of being one of His sheep, we shall consider the marks which the sheep carry upon them.

Phillip Kellar, writing in his book, "A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23", tells how upon purchasing his first little flock of thirty-five ewes, the former owner handed him a large sharp killing knife and remarked, "Well, Phillip, they're yours. Now you'll have to put your mark upon them." This would be a painful experience for each sheep, for it meant parting with a chunk of its ear, cut with Kellar's own chosen design. This peculiar cut would thereafter mark each individual member of the flock out as the shepherd's own property.

The person who hears the voice of the Good Shepherd and trustingly follows Him must forever bear the Master's Mark. This mark is described for us in Romans 6. We really should read the whole chapter, but for the sake of space, we will quote only a few verses.

"Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin. Now, if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all: but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:6-12)

Death to self is demanded and can be a very painful process but it is very necessary. You see the Devil has his own flock, which bares his mark of rebellion and sin. When Christ redeems us He expects to mark us out with His own characteristics of love, obedience and holiness. As we read in II Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new." As someone has said, "We are not saved by our works, but if we are truly saved our works will declare our new relationship to the Lord Jesus Christ."

We must realize the kind of sheep we once were and remember the flock to which we belonged; "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all." (Isaiah 53:6.). If we also understand the tremendous price He paid for us, then we will not wonder that he demands that we bare his likeness.

Despite what we were, guilty and lost, wandering on the desolate crags of Satan's domain, He redeemed us, called, us, and made us the sheep of His pasture if we are His by faith. In all His own he takes delight and tends them with loving care. Even in the midst of their trials and difficulties, the Good Shepherd leads His lambs with gentleness and grace. We may sometimes feel that He no longer watches over us, but if we wait upon Him the dark clouds of doubt will dissipate to reveal the sunshine of His tender love.

Before we begin looking at the blessings of Psalm 23, let us emphasize the Shepherd's mark upon us. In Ephesians 2:8 & 9, we learn that salvation is by grace (unmerited favour) accepted by faith. It is God's gift to us and it is "Not of works lest any man should boast". But that is not the end of the saga, because in verse 10, we read, "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."

As James tells us in James 2:26, "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."

What kind of faith do I have? What kind of faith do you have? If nothing has changed since we first professed faith in Christ, a thorough self examination is called for. There are those who believe, or at least appear to believe, that we can trust in the Saviour and continue to live unrepentant lives. The Word of God emphatically teaches otherwise.

Friend, do you and I have the Shepherd's mark engraved on our hearts? If we can honestly say, "Yes, I have trusted Him and I love Him and seek to follow Him", then we can also truly say, "The Lord is my Shepherd" and from our hearts we can sing:


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"The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want" (Psalm 23:1). "I shall not want". Reassuring words but what do they mean? David had known poverty, heartache and rebellion in his own family. He had been a fugitive and a refugee. Warfare was fairly constant throughout his reign. Friends and loved ones had been unfaithful on more than one occasion. Few if any of us have experienced more difficulty and more troublesome times than David the sweet singer of Israel. Yet he could confidently declare, "The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want".

If David's eyes had focused only on the things of time, he could have found no solace, no place of rest, no shady green pastures for his soul. David had found that place, where none but the redeemed of God can enter. The place of His presence, the place of peace. "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress. My God; in Him will I trust." (Psalm 91:1, 2).

If we are dwelling in the secret place of His presence, then we can experience the comforting words of the Psalmist "I shall not want." Perhaps one who is experiencing a difficult situation is asking, "Where is this place of His presence and how can I find it?"

The answer is not tedious or difficult , "that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height--to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God." (Ephesians 3:17-19).

If we, by faith, are conscious of the presence of Christ abiding within our hearts we will soon begin to realize the immensity and the immutability of His love for us. Spiritually we need nothing more, and since Christ in us is our hope of glory (See Colossians 1:27), we can truly say, "I shall not want."

I shall not want peace and joy if I realize His inward presence. If I lose my peace and joy, even in the midst of tribulations it is because, for the moment I have ceased to abide in Him and forgotten His abiding presence in me.

Although the blessings of the Psalm are relevant to our spiritual state and our spiritual pilgrimage, it is also true that He meets our physical needs as well.

Our daily provision for food, health and shelter are from His bountiful hand. He may not always give us what we desire, but in grace He meets our needs.

What a gracious Shepherd He is!

"Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen." (Hebrews 13:20,21).

---

Jack Scott loved his Lord! He passed away on January 10, 2001 after a lengthy illness.
He is missed greatly by his family.

Hi All

Had a good day weeding my garden.  We have been watering and fertilizing and I am not sure whether the weeds or the vegetables are growing faster.


Tired tonight

Blessings all

I'm so glad that the Lord is my Shephard.  Time for bed. 

Love Ruthie

I agree Ruthie.  Time to turn off the computer, the lights and go to bed.

I hope and pray everyone has a great day today (tomorrow)!

Good Evening..
Im also getting ready to turn off the lights and go nighty night lol.
But, thought i'd stop by to say hello..
Going tomorrow to finish my grocery shopping and then going to
try and catch up on laundry..
Pray for me for that lol..Its overflowing!!!
Lol
Praying for all of you-
Love
Rachelle

Good morning everyone.  I was very encouraged by the devotional this morning.  To know that the Lord is guiding and guarding us each step of the way is very re-assuring.  All of us would fall if we didn't have Him as our leader.  Praise God for the Shepherd.

Pat, thank you for your IM.  I was rushed yesterday as I went out with my mother.  It is the first time we have had an afternoon out since she fell so very poorly.  It was difficult, but she enjoyed it immensely.  It made me very late with everything though, and I didn't have time for computer things.

God bless to everyone here today.  I am glad that Papa John is somewhat better.  Surely Jack's thought about the Good Shepherd will encourage you today brother.

See ya later.

Anthony.

ROMANS 7 : 24-25  NIV
What a wretched man i am!
Who will rescue me from this body of death?
Thanks be to God -- trough Jesus Christ our Lord!

Our bodies are mortal and flawed.
They are tainted with our weakness and sin.
But, by the grace of God given us in Jesus Christ,
our future does not rest in the dust with our bodies,
but in the power of our perfecting Lord.

PRAYER...
Almighty God, thank You for giving me life beyond the death of my mortal flesh.
Thank You for giving me holiness beyond my sin-stained flesh.
Thank You for delivering me from death and bringing me into Your glory.
Now, dear Father, may my words, deeds, and thoughts reflect Your grace
and power in all i do today and each days that follows.
In Jesus name i pray. AMEN.

                                                      Phil Ware.

Ria 

GOODMORNING ALL 11.34 in HOLLAND   

PAT thank you very much for the devotional writen by your dear Jack.
Psalm 23 my lovely psalm and i can say yes The Lord is my Shepherd.
It must you also given rest that you can read what is writen by your dear husband.
And what a lovely photo from you with Geordie.
And i thank you that you are praying for me for my eyes it is making sometimes afraid
because the one day i see better than the other. But in Holland you must wait for an operation
till you are seeing nothing more. I know since yesterday that is in Canada others.

MARILYN thank you also for your prayers
i hope you have had a lovely day with your grandkids. How many grandkids have you.

RUTHIE enjoy your holidays.

SHAWNEE i pray for you i hope the medicines are doing their work.

CAROL have a good time the coming weeks.

It is again a sunny day in Holland i think we are going away this afternoon.
We shall have also have the coming week good weather maybe a rainshower but a lot sun.
But i am so happy that the painting in home is soon over.
Tomorrow is my father coming . Yesterday he called me that is he doing often each day
and i call him in the morning and before the night. But yesterday he ask me is it good that i sunday are coming i say why not you are coming each sunday. Yes he said but maybe you will go away and my walking is so bad. I have say no you are coming here each sunday so long as you live. Ask me that never more.

ACTS 17 : 26
He determined the times set for them and
the exact places where they should live.

                             PEACE AND JOY

                      What peace - knowing my todays and
                    my tomorrows rest safely in Your hand...
                 What joy - knowing the Creator of the universe
                            weaves the tapestry of my life.

I wish you all a Blessed weekend
Love Ria   


                                               

July 24   

The Church: The Striped Candy Technique

And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and
fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 
--Acts 2:42

Without Biblical authority, or any other right under the sun,
carnal religious leaders have introduced a host of attractions that
serve no purpose except to provide entertainment for the retarded
saints.

It is now common practice in most evangelical churches to offer the
people, especially the young people, a maximum of entertainment and
a minimum of serious instruction. It is scarcely possible in most
places to get anyone to attend a meeting where the only attraction is
God. One can only conclude that God's professed children are bored
with Him, for they must be wooed to meeting with a stick of striped
candy in the form of religious movies, games and refreshments.

This has influenced the whole pattern of church life, and even brought
into being a new type of church architecture, designed to house the
golden calf.

So we have the strange anomaly of orthodoxy in creed and heterodoxy
in practice. The striped candy technique has been so fully integrated
into our present religious thinking that it is simply taken for
granted. Its victims never dream that it is not a part of the
teachings of Christ and His apostles.  Man: The Dwelling Place of
God, 135,136.

"Forgive me, Lord, where I have played into the hands of those wanting
striped candy instead of You. Help me to demonstrate a God so real
that no one could ever be bored with Him. Amen."

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Pat ~ I love your new profile photo.  Geordie looks like a lapful!  What is the news about your car?

Janet ~ Paint facing is the thing around here, too.  All the county fairs are going on in July here.  Then the State Fair is next month for 16 days.

Papa John ~ My husband suffered from back pain and had two surgeries on it...one lower back and one cervical.  He was a big man.  Hard to see a big man crying because of the pain.  My son has back pain.  But he won't see a doctor about it...just a chiropractor.  I tell him his pain must not be bad enough or he would see a regular doctor.  He doesn't want to be cut on, he says.

Hi JudyB ~ Great to see you posting!  I miss your posts.  Think of you daily when I see ?

Marilyn ~ I just know you are being a kid again with your grandkids.  I know how I felt being with my two nieces.

Well, my info wasn't quite right yesterday.  Kenny is 20 years older than me...not 17 years.  He will be 82 in November.  His wife had a stroke...not Alzheimers.  And Kenny has lung cancer that has spread to his brain.  He has had two radiation treatments and is to have 18 more.  They are to move him today down the hall to the rehab center.  His strength is fine but he gets dizzy standing up.  So they are going to try to get his strength back before sending him home which is just around the corner from the hospital.  He was the caretaker of his wife so now the problem is who is going to take care of them since they can't take care of themselves or each other. 

On a lighter note...his wife was there yesterday in a wheel chair.  Kenny was in a wheel chair with the hospital table between them.  Both were eating their lunch.  After they were done, both sat back in their chair.  Kenny looked at Martha and said..."I have missed you.  I am so glad to see you.  You are beautiful and I love you."  She said..."When Eric asked me if I wanted to come see you, I said YES!  I have missed you so much.  You look great.  I love you, too."  Isn't that what love is?  This couple has known each other since elementary school days.  The two couples were best friends.  Both of their spouses had passed away and they married about 5 years ago.

It is quite chilly today for July...only 61° F.  The sun is shining so I am sure it will warm up.  A niece and her family from Michigan is visiting her parents...my brother...so I will probably see them today.

<)))><<~~<)))><<~~<)))><<~~<)))><<~~<)))><<~~<)))><<~~<)))
"Life is easier than you think--all you have to do is this:  accept the impossible, do without the indispensable, bear the intolerable, and be able to smile at anything."

Hello all!  It looks like it is going to be a beautiful day in WNC today.  We have a family reunion that we have to leave for in about an hour, then VBS starts tonight.  I was originally going to do the music, but through an odd turn of events, I am now teaching the teenagers.  I think I like the turn better than the original plan. :-)

Have a wonderful day, and be good ya'll. :-)

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Good Morning, thank you Chris, Ria and Pat for the devotionals this morning.

Ladybug Thank you for posting the real meaning of ASAP
It was raining here when I got out of bed this morning but it has stoppd now and the fog has once again rolled in overnight which is normal for McKinleyville and Trinidad. That won't stop us from the things I have planned for today.  Itinerery for today is, stop where the church is having a car wash and let them wash the car. Stop at the lube place and have the oil changed, leave McKinleyville and got to the zoo. Take the kids to their other grandparents house then come back home..

TTYL

Good Morning Everyone...

It's a bit chilly here in Guelph today...a good temperature to work in the garden.  Actually, Geordie is out under the apple tree yipping ever so quietly which mean, "Pat, bring your coffee out here and sit with me."  He often does this.  He doesn't want to come in but he wants me to go outside with him.  But instead, I brought my coffee to the computer so that i could read your posts! 

My car, Etta Sue?  It's being fixed.  They had hoped that it would be fixed yesterday but the part didn't arrive from Winnipeg, Manitoba in time so that put them behind and I thought that since I've been without it since June 26, what's another weekend?  So, I'll get it on Monday.  Glad you like my new photo.  It might not be there long.  Maybe I'll find another.  LOL

That's fine, Anthony.   Glad you got your PM.  Sometimes I wonder when I click "Send" if my messages will reach where I want them to!  LOL   I'm glad your mother was well enough to go out.

What a good meaning for ASAP, Ladybug!  Thanks for sharing that.

Oh, Chris!   What a thought provoking devotional you've brought to us today!  That is so very true in so many churches.  Oh my!

It was so good to read posts from Ladybug, Rachelle, Ruthie and Sue last night before retiring for the night.  I hope that in time more will do that--just go ahead and post in the new topic so that the folks in Europe and the UK have something to read when they get up.  I'd love to see more from other countries on here. 


I think you'll do well with the teenagers, Karma!  How long does VBS last?  Does it involve each night?

Sounds like you have that nice day with the grandchildren all planned perfectly, Marilyn!  Enjoy!

Pat ,
    By the grace of God I am now back at work. I have been greatly blessed by Jack's ministry and rejoice that he is now in the presence of the Lord , and no longer looking "through a glass, darkly"
                        The provision he has left us through Christ is nourishing indeed to the soul.  He undoubtedly saw himself as a servant of his Master and counted it a priviledge . Thank you for submitting his work.
                               There is none like Jesus . What a Saviour we have indeed.

PS I am not on line every day , but only as time allows. My better half insists we have our worship time in the morning early  prior to me heading for work. I intend to look  in as often as I can . Perhaps when I have found my way around I will be able , by God's grace to submit something .
                                        A Baker.

Quote from: A Baker on July 24, 2004, 10:40:12 AM
Pat ,
    By the grace of God I am now back at work. I have been greatly blessed by Jack's ministry and rejoice that he is now in the presence of the Lord , and no longer looking "through a glass, darkly"
                        The provision he has left us through Christ is nourishing indeed to the soul.  He undoubtedly saw himself as a servant of his Master and counted it a priviledge . Thank you for submitting his work.
                               There is none like Jesus . What a Saviour we have indeed.

PS I am not on line every day , but only as time allows. My better half insists we have our worship time in the morning early  prior to me heading for work. I intend to look  in as often as I can . Perhaps when I have found my way around I will be able , by God's grace to submit something .
                                        A Baker.

Thank you so much, A Baker, for taking the time to leave a message.  I do look forward to the time that you'll be able to submit lots of good messages for us.  The way to find your way around is to just start clicking on buttons!  See where they take you.

You say you a "back to work"...  Have you been ill?  I'm so sorry if this is the case but happy that you are well enough for work.

I'd love to see some photos sometime of Scotland where you live.  I love that country.  It's so good to read also that you have your daily time with the Lord together--your wife and you.

Thanks again.  It was lovely to read your message.

Well ... have you missed me?   
I have been gone for a week.  Last Saturday I met my daughter and son-in-law at a stop along I-5 and Joy got into my car and the two of us continued on north to Fort Lewis Washington to spend a few days with Bryan.  We had a very good visit and were able to discuss what is going to happen as far as him getting out of the Army.  As we were leaving, on Tuesday, Bryan thanked me for coming and for talking with him.  He said "It helped to put things in perspective and for me to get my thinking straight." 

Joy came back here with me and we left again, on Thursday, so I could return her to her husband who had gone back to Sacramento.  After a very HOT and brief stay in Sacramento I drove back to Coos Bay yesterday.  It was so nice to get back to the coast.   

I have a couple photos of our visit with Bryan that I will post in Photographs Here ... I'm off to do just that right now!

Good morning everyone from Sunny Nashville, Tennessee.  We have a house full of company right now, daughter and son-in-law, Beth and James, and their daughter and son-in-law, Ruth and Robert.  They are here for a wedding.  We had a great breakfast together.  I won't need another meal today.

Anthony, thank you for being concerned with my health.  My back continues to be better today.  It never gets well but I do get over these bad spells when it acts up.

Etta Sue, my doctor told me he didn't think there was a surgery which would benefit my condition.  Right now I am feeling better. 

2 Cor 12:7-9
7   To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.
8   Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.
9   But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.  (NIV)

--- Papa John             
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  Hi ms Pat, and ms Karmat, and ms Marilyn and every one!

I am so sad when you have so much pain Papa John. It is a sad day for me today I do n ot know why. I sit and read and think of all how things should be but they are not. I pray for all who I love and have a wonder why they must all have so much troubles. I only want for every one to be safe and in a good health and happy.

Ms Pat I love you so much, I like the picture of you and I pray every thing will be ok for the car. It is my wonder if it is silly to pray for a car, yes? I did not ever do it, I only pray for people.  I pray you have SO much more than all you need and it is my wonder if it is wrong to have a hope to not ever have a need. It is my prayer for every one.

I have only 5 weeks more to be here in the USA for this visit. I have so many I wish to share a time with and I can not do all what is my wish in not much time. I think about every one here and I love you all so much. why is love so sad at times 

I will go for my run and share a time with God today. Ms JudyB i love the story of the tiny bird. I know it is a smile from God (((hug)))

Ms Ria I love you, I am SO happy i do get to see you here.

Mr Moak I thank you SO much with all my heart.

I love you all and 
I love you God 

OH Hi ms Jane and Mr A Baker and My Papa John

I am SO slow to make a post at times, I did not see you all are here (((((HUG))))) (((HUG))) (((HUG)))

MIEKA!!
I'm so happy to see you posting here.  Where will you be going in 5 weeks when you leave the USA again?

You do know we will miss you again, don't you?   

HI everyone.  It is Saturday so didn't get up early as don't walk at the "Y" on Saturday or Sunday.  Did have an enjoyable coffee hour with my retired men friends and then stopped at a friends house as he is giving me the paint I need for my frame project.  I came home thinking I had some caulking that I wanted to use on the frames but found what I had couldn't be painted.  So it was back to the hardware store once again for a new tube of caulking.

Came home and got things together and did the caulking job.  The frames should then be ready for the primer coat of paint, which will probably be the job to do on Monday.  Maybe I will get this job done by next weekend.  Needless to say I am not working very quickly on it.  However, each morning our cat is waking me up to let him out on the porch around 5 am.  When I get the frames finished he will stay on the porch overnight and won't be waking me up anymore.

It is good to read all the postings.  Jane, it is good to see you had a nice trip and had time with your daughter and Bryan.  I am sure it met a lot to him to have his grandmother come to see him.

Mieka, your time is going by quickly here in the USA.  It is good to see your postings.

Marilyn, I hope you have had a wonderful day with your grandchildren and that you all enjoyed the zoo.  By the way, I lliked your exercise program!

Chris, the Tozer piece certainly nails it.  I sometimes think that our churches are so busy with programs that we don't take time to really worship God.

Pat, as always Jack's writings are a blessing each time they are read.

I have posted some photos of my girls.  They are a joy to me.  I love their antics.

Hi Mieka!!!!  I love you!!!  Five weeks are going to pass way too soon!!!!   

Amen The Lord is My Shepherd.

Mieka:  Glad to see you again

Marilyn: That is my kind of exercise, I will be sending it to a dear aunt of ours.

Papa John: I am thankful this a better day for you with your back pain.

Ladybug: I like the ASAP

Ria:  I look forward to reading your devotional and I am sorry about your eyes.
       My wish for you is that the meds will keep your condition in check.

Now I must go and do some exercise.
Ruth

QuoteFor who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?

What does this mean???

We are off to the rodeo and play some disc golf.  Hope you all have a wonderful day.

Sonja

Hello from a cool 60 degrees Kansas!  I went to the fair parade this morning, didn't know how cool it was, so didn't take a jacket or sweater, and I was sorry!  Brrrr!  But it is nice to have a cool spell instead of the heat.  We got more rain yesterday evening and last night, too.  The milo crops should be really good this year, and the cotton!

The play last night was really a strange one.  It's a musical, but very convoluted, and sort of nutty.  It was fun, but not exactly my "cup of tea."  The meal was great--prime rib!  The play was really a long one, we got out at a quarter to eleven, so that made us quite late getting home.

I talked to Curtis this morning---so good to hear his voice!  We will go to Hugoton to church tomorrow and eat lunch with their family and catch up on his life.  How I love that boy!  Well, man, really---he will be 21 in less than a month now, but he's still Grandma's boy! 

Beth got a phone call informing her of the death of one of her NF friends who was about her age.  She had cancer, which is another thing NF predisposes them to have.  She told Beth a while back she knew she would die soon, and that she was prepared, so that is a comfort to know.

Mieka, we will miss you so when you must go back to Lhasa.  But now you are not so afraid to go, because you know what to expect there.  Do pop in and visit as often as you can before you must go.  Love you, girl!!  ((((hug))))

I like the exercise routine, Marilyn!  And the ASAP poem, Ladybug!  Very good!

Good meditations today, too.  And I agree that we need to stand out from the world, not blend in.

Boy, I wish I had a lot of money.  I have had two phone calls today asking for support for causes I believe in passionately, and I get at least 10 letters of that kind a day!!  I feel guilty saying no, but what else can you do?  If you don't have it, you don't have it!

I will bring Abby home with me tomorrow for about three days, as her Mom is going to be away.  I already forgot where she is going.

This next week I will be judging Children's Art at the Haskell county fair.  I think I am judging at four fairs this year.  I enjoy it.

Well, I need to go back to the fairgrounds to pick up my paintings and my premiums I won.  I will pick up Beth's money too.  She took the dogs, Mieka and Cookie and entered them in the dog show yesterday.  She enjoys that.  They each got one first and one second place ribbon, for things like the waggiest tail, longest tail, best smile.

Talk to you later, didn't mean to write a book here!

Soni, I came back to tell you that in the verses above that you quoted, the word "save" means "except."  So you can read it, Who is God except the Lord?  or who is a rock except our God?  Does that help you?

It's just after 7.00pm here, and I have just finished all of the chores for the day.  The carer who helps out will be coming shortly so I thought I'd read through the posts.  It's good that so many have posted today.

Ria thank you for posting the thought for the day.  We are indeed miserable and wretched without the Lord; all praises to Him for His deliverances in our lives.

Chris, that was some meaty thoughts from Tozer.  Leaders do need to be led by God regarding what to use in a church service.

Ladybug, what a great way of thinking about ASAP.  I will certainly remember that in future days.

Karmat, I don't know what VBS stands for, but I hope it goes well.  I hope you do well with the teenagers too.  Teaching youngsters in the things of God is a weighty task and I do trust that the Lord is with you in it.

Marilyn, that was a great workout.  Have you got one for us younger ones 

Pat, I understand what you mean about Geordie wanting you to go outside with him.  My cat is exactly the same.  She mows at the door, when you go to open it she rolls over on the patio.  Strange creature.  Hope your day goes well.

A Baker, I don't think we've met before, but it's good to see you posting today.  Have a good day.  It's good that you have a time of worship with your wife each morning.  This is something never to miss. 

Jane, it's good to see  you posting today.  It sounds like you have had a busy week.  I trust everything will turn out well for the one who is trying to get out of the army.  My brother had to pay a lot of money to get out of the navy, but I think he was glad that he did it.  Have a good day sister.

Papa John, it was good to hear that things are better with you.  What a wonderful scripture to remind us of.  His strength is made perfect in our weakness, praise God.  God's ways seem so completely opposite to the ways of the world where weakness and frailty seem to be ridiculed.  I trust that you and your family have a great day.

Hello Meika, it's not very nice to feel sad is it?  I trust that all of us will have the courage to cast our sadness on the Lord.  He is able to bear it for us and help us choose the right path for this life.  God bless you Meika and it's great to meet up with you again.

Hello Larry, that's a great reason for getting the painting job done.  5.00am is way too early (for me at any rate).  Have a great day brother. (BTW, you are looking really good in your signature pic).

God bless Ruth it's good to see you posting today.  I trust that all is well with you.

Sonifo, did you read Janet's message.  I hope it cleared the scripture query up.  I can't imagine what it would be like to go to the rodeo and play some disc golf, although we did have a rodeo come to our city's show which took place about a fortnight ago.  Have a nice one won't you!

Janet, good to see you today.  I am impressed with the first prizes that you got.  If you got any cash for them I will give you banking details (I am trying to save for a 12 string guitar  )  Say hello to Abby for me and have a good day today.

Well, I am going to have a time of bible reading now.  I am going through Numbers.  It is good to see the Lord's dealings with His people.  God bless and probably see you all tomorrow.

Anthony.

I got this in an email and checked it out.  It is indeed an urban legend, but it is worth a good laugh.   Doesn't the Bible say laughter is good for the soul?

Dear Sir:
 
I am writing in response to your request for additional information in Block 3 of the accident report form. I put "poor planning" as the cause of my  accident. You asked for a fuller explanation and I trust the following details will be sufficient.

I am a bricklayer by trade. On the day of the accident, I was working alone on the roof of a new six story building. When I completed my work, I found that I had some bricks left over which, when weighed later were found to be slightly in excess of 500 lbs.

Rather than carry the bricks down by hand, I decided to lower them in a barrel by using a pulley, which was attached to the side of the building on the sixth floor. Securing the rope at ground level, I went up to the roof, swung the barrel out and loaded the bricks into it. Then I went down and untied the rope, holding it tightly to ensure a slow descent of the bricks.

You will note in Block 11 of the accident report form that I weigh 175lbs. Due to my surprise at being jerked off the ground so suddenly, I  lost my presence of mind and forgot to let go of the rope. Needless to  say, I proceeded at a rapid rate up the side of the building. In the vicinity of the third floor, I met the barrel which was now proceeding downward at an equally, impressive speed.  This explained the fractured skull, minor abrasions and the broken collar bone, as listed in section 3 of the accident report form.

Slowed only slightly, I continued my rapid ascent, not stopping until the fingers of my right hand were two knuckles deep into the  pulley.  Fortunately by this time I had regained my presence of mind and was able to hold tightly to the rope, in spite of beginning to experience a great deal of pain. At approximately the same time, however, the barrel of bricks hit the ground and the bottom fell out of the barrel. Now devoid of the weight of the bricks, that barrel weighed approximately 50lbs. I refer you again to my weight. As you can imagine, I began a rapid descent, down the side of  the building.

In the vicinity of the third floor, I met the barrel coming up. This accounts for the two fractured ankles, broken tooth and several lacerations of my legs and lower body. Here my luck began to change slightly. The encounter with the barrel seemed to slow me enough to  lessen my injuries when I  fell into the pile of bricks and fortunately only three vertebrae were cracked.  I am sorry to report, however, as I lay there on the pile of bricks, in pain, unable to move, I again lost my composure and presence of mind and let go of the rope and I lay there watching the empty barrel begin its journey back down onto me. This explains the two broken legs.

I hope this answers your inquiry. 


The interesting part of this legend is that the original story started back in 1918.  Wonder if this is the longest running urban legend.

Blessings all