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Morning Devotional




"For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith."
(Romans 12:3)

Do you want to know one of the secrets of staying in the will of God, of keeping yourself from getting off track?

Don't overestimate yourself!

Proverbs 16:18 says, "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall." How many times have we seen that borne out! How many times do we see believers get into trouble because they get an overblown idea of themselves. They begin to think they're so smart that they have it all figured out.

Then, the next thing you know, they're thinking they have to straighten everyone else out. Instead of just letting Jesus be Head of the Church, they feel like they have to step in and do the job.

Once that happens, it's just a matter of time before they're flat on their faces in failure. Why? Because the Bible says God resists the proud! (1 Pet. 5:5).

Don't put yourself in a position where God has to resist you. Rate your own abilities soberly. Adopt an attitude of humility. Keep a watch on yourself, and when you catch yourself getting puffed up with your own greatness, repent and remember that every good thing you enjoy and every bit of success you've had has come by the grace of God and by His power.

Look back on your life and see how many times you could have lost what God had given you. See how many times, when you were floundering around making every mistake imaginable, His tender and precious mercy pulled you through.

Don't become a legend in your own mind. Instead, humble yourself beneath the mighty hand of God, and let God do the exalting--that prevents some very painful falls.

Scripture Study: 1 Peter 5:5-7; James 4:6-17 

Hello.

I will be back tomorrow to read the devotional.  Hopefully I'll be feeling a little better.  I think I have a cold in my eye.  It started as a tingling in my cheek bones and pain into my upper teeth, then went altogether.  I woke up in the middle of the night last night, and thought my nose was stuffed, but when I awoke this morning I was fine.  As the day wore on however, my eye got very sore and just feels cold and sore.  I think I may be making a visit to the doctor to see if anything can be done.

Papa John, I so enjoy seeing your posts each day.

I have just spent a very enjoyable half hour looking and commenting on several of the photos in the gallery.  Maybe one day mine will turn out as nice as everyone elses!

Now, time to sit and read for a bit and then call it a night.

I was just about finished with a rather lengthy account of my Monday when it all disappeared into the blue ....   

I was saying that I was able to meet with both Laura and her sister Tricia for lunch and got some pictures.  I also learned that Grandson Dave has a new (2 month old) son named Jacob Ramiah and that Tricia is expecting a baby in December.  This brings the total of my great grandchildren to 8.  I have eight grandchildren and will have eight great grandchildren by Christmas.  Whoooeeee

I have completed the roll of film in my camera and will be taking it to be developed tomorrow.  Be prepared to be bored with photos of "what I did on my vacation" 

Hopefully I will be out of here on Wednesday.  I will be so happy to get home to cool Coos Bay .... Yes, NITA, I sure do miss our corner of the world.  I do believe I will not be making any more trips to this part of California.  It is just not worth it for me and the family all seem to be otherwise occupied and not concerned.  We'll just have to resort to phone communication whenever that can happen.

I'm pretty tired and need to get myself into bed.  Tomorrow is another full day of running around and riding around in the heat.   Oh, well .... just a little while longer ....

See y'all later..

Well, it sounds like everyone is having a pretty good summer so far.  It's nice to hear about visiting with families and friends.  I've been able to take on some extra work that can be done from home, so that helps a bit.  I went to the doctor's two weeks ago.  My due date is the day after Mercy's first birthday.  So, as my friend says, I may have twins a year apart!  I have my first midwife appointment on the ninth of August, and we'll see how everything is going then.  I had a really rough pregnancy last time.  Anyway, we're leaving here on Thursday morning to go to New Brunswick.  I'll finally get to meet Luke's extended family, I've only met his parents and siblings (and his sister's two children).  Well, I think I'm starting to get rid of the cold and flu.  I hope it's completely gone before we leave.  I'd better go feed the baby.  God bless you all.

Jen.

Good Morning>

Thank you Janet for the devotional.

Jane good to see you posting while you are away. I  too do not want to travel to that part of California in the summertime. I have kids in Stockton and Lodi.

Last evening Gilbert called me as said" Mom do you want tog o for a walk with just me." So I went to the baby shower and left there to meet Gilbert at 8 pm here at home. Then we went to Trinidad and hiked the trail at Trinidad Head. It was quite a trek for me going uphill I was very happy to get to the top and start down again. I got some great photos of the sunset and the light house that was about a hundred feet below us and 200 feet above the ocean. I will unload my camera later and post the photos. I really enjoyed my one on one time with my son.

TTYL

Marilyn - believe it or not, that lighthouse, high above the ocean as it is, was hit by a giant tsunami many years ago.  The little lighthouse over by Trinidad Bay is a mere replica.  It's rather scary to think that a tsunami could get that far up!

Al I was aware of that: the Tsunami was in 1962.

Gilbert and I have decided to do things togethr more often.

I have unloaded my camera and will get the photos edited as soon as I can. This afternoon I am not going to versal's and plan to call a bunch of Real Estate places to see about their rentals. Versal and her daughters are going into town to do a few things , this really messes up my schedule. Thursday is Linda's funeral so I will go later to Jan's and see how much time I have left to do the other two.

TTYL

Good morning everyone.  Am sitting here watching the TV on my other monitor as the Discovery countdown is only about 20 minutes until liftoff.  I certainly hope they are able to make the flight and that all is safe. 

We are having some of the hottest weather we have had for a long time.  Today it is suppose to reach 98 degrees.  I went to coffee this morning but plan to spend the rest of the day in here where it is cool.  Pat went to the laundrymat after I got home from coffee to wash a big king sized bedspread and a kingsize quilt.  They have some really large washers  and dryers.  Sure hope they have a place that is nice and air conditioned for her to wait.  Don't know why this job had to be done on the hottest day of the year but it was what she wanted to do.

Jane, glad you were able to see your grandchildren but know you will be glad to get back home.  Be assured that your photos won't be boring to us and we are looking forward to seeing it.

Jen, nice to read that you are going to be able to make the trip to met Luke's extended family.  Our two children were 15 months apart so I have some idea of what you have ahead of you. 

Marilyn, it was nice that you were able to spend some special time with your son. 

Janet, thanks for the devotional today.  Glad you were able to get the painting job done at your church and sure you enjoyed spending the time with your friend.  It was nice of her to fix you both lunch. 

Sue, do hope that your discomfort is long lasting and is not serious.  It almost sounds like you may have a little sinus infection as know that can make a person's eyes hurt.

Nita, sounds like you had a very nice day at the shore.  It must be quite an experience to see the whale.

Papa John, it sounds like you are doing what I am and that is staying in where it is cool as much as possible. 

Ruth, glad you were able to finally post.  It is frustrating when these computers don't work for us as we expect.

Judy, we have had so much rain that the gardens here are about shot.  My friend, who sells a lot of produce and had over 500 tomotoe plants is now about out of business.  He had expected to have produce all summer but it was just too wet.  Hope you have a great garden this year.  I like zucchini a lot in salads or stir fry.

Etta Sue, glad you were able to get your yard mowed.  Stay cool up your way.

Hope everyone has a good day.

Hey, Larry!  You did well!  May I just add my "dittos" to your nice post? 

It is a misty, moisty, cool, wonderful, refreshing 66 degrees here in my corner of Kansas this morning!  Boy, does it feel good!

I'm so glad all went well with the shuttle launch a little while ago.  It is awesome to see that much power in action.  But as powerful as that is, it is nothing compared to the power of our God who made everything they will be seeing!  (And much more.)

I worked until nearly midnight on making up a list of 100 names and addresses of people to invite to the upcoming art show.  I had no idea it would take so long---and I have yet to type it up and get it to the lady in charge. 

Darrel is experiencing some bleeding, more than he thinks he should, so he has a call in to his surgeon.  He thinks we may have to go to Amarillo in a big hurry after the doctor calls.  I hope his fears are groundless, but I surely want him to be okay.

Kristi gave me a really hard workout today, all cardio vascular.  Whew!  But good for me.

I must get cracking on that list of names!  Back later.

Well it is already the 26th of July.  Sometime I wonder where the time goes.  There are just so many months in a lifetime.  Paul said, "See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil."  Eph 5:15-16  (NKJ)

Larry it is a good time for old guys like us to stay inside where it is cool.  We are supposed to get up to 98 degrees today too.  But tomorrow some relief and we are to have a high of only 88. degrees.

Marilyn, I'm glad to hear you are able to spend more time with your son, Gilbert.  For many years it seems like our family was scattered.  We were down in the South Pacific in Papua New Guineas.  Martha was here in Nashville.  Beth and James were in Syracuse, New York.  Rachel and Martin lived in Texas.  Now we are all in Tennessee.  Martha, Rachel and Martin, and Cornelia and I are all in Nashville and Beth and James are in Knoxville and they often come to Nashville because their daughter, Robbie, our granddaughter, and her Husband, Randy, live in Nashville.  Also our granddaughter Rebekah and her husband Will live here in Nashville.  We are really enjoying having our family all together.

Of course, the family of God is even more wonderful.

Eph 3:13-15  I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.  For this reason I kneel before the Father,  from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name.
(NIV)

1 Pet 4:15-19  If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler.  However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.  For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?  And, "If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"  So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.  (NIV)

--- Papa John          <)))><<   

Hi all~  I'm posting from the public library, os this is short!

Just wanted to peep in and say "HI!"  hope all is going well for you.

Take care, stay cool (it is miserably hot here, too) and maybe the Internet will be fixed someday at my house.

laters!

Hi Everyone...

I had trouble with my cable connection yesterday and today.  What a time.  It just kept coming on and off.

Also went up to Janices for a little visit.  She was off work so we had a nice time.

Now I'm about ready to have a nap!

That's really something, Al about that lighthouse.  I can't even begin to imagine the power of these storms.  Saw quite a few gales in Ireland but nothing that powerful.

Good for you to spend time with Gilbert, Marilyn.  That's great.

Papa John, it's just so nice to see you in here.

Now my phone is ringing. 

Dear Mrs. Scott,

Greetings to you today in the name of Jesus.

As you go to the grocery store this week, you probably can't imagine a mob surrounding you and physically attacking you for your Christian faith.

Yet just last month, this is exactly what happened to Pastor Kiran, one of our native missionaries laboring for the Gospel in North India.

By God's grace, this young pastor has been filled with incredible courage to continue his ministry—and even a prayer in his heart for his attackers, that they, too, would know his Jesus.

As you read his story below, I trust you'll be inspired in your own Christian walk and will also remember to pray for our precious brother and his wife and two children.

Yours on behalf of the unreached,

K.P. Yohannan

Founder & President
Gospel for Asia



Brutally Beaten for the Sake of Christ

Kiran, 28, knows he could face danger at any moment. A GFA pastor laboring in North India, he ministers where there are groups that actively oppose Christian work. But he probably least expected an attack on June 17 as he made a routine trip into the city to buy household items for his family...

READ THE REST

It is so hot here.  Us Hoosiers aren't used to this heat.  It hasn't been this hot for years!!  But we are suppose to have a storm tonight.  Just pray that peoples electric doesn't go off and it is storms...not tornadoes.

I took a classmate, Judy to a Neurosurgeon this morning.  She has been having severe pain in her left side from hip to calve for over 5 years and decided to get something done if she can.  She isn't like me...I wouldn't wait that long.  But now she has to see a heart specialist...this doctor heard 'noise' in a cartoid artery and wants an EKG also.  Judy has had a heart attack.  And he wants the general practioner to test Judy for sugar diabetis...Judy is overweight....more than me if you can imagine.  Then he wants a new MRI and then maybe do surgery if he feels that is what is needed.  Now Judy is bound and determined to lose 50 lbs before surgery.  I hope she does.  That is an awful lot of weight to carry on her two tiny feet and legs.  Her weight is all in her middle.  Me?  I am big all over.  After her appointment we went to Cracker Barrel.  Judy did great...a grilled chicken salad with very little dressing.  Me?  Not so good.  I had breakfast and it is hard to have a diet breakfast. 

Oh, yes....ditto to Larry's post.  What a terrific post for everyone!!! 

Hi Papa John!!!  Great to see your green typing again! 

It started too rain about 7:50 am today, a nice soft "penetrating" rain.  Ohhh so necessary too the farmers and of course our garden. 

I was at the dentist for a cleaning today and am left with sensitive teeth and sore gums..... Better not wait so long the next time.  We then went to Wal-Mart and bought Melaura her school supplies.  The girls hace asked many times to renew their Library cards, we did that then home .  We are not long home from a busy but enjoyable day.

Enjoy the rest of you day folks.

Judy and clan

Etta Sue, it is good to see you too.  Sorry about your classmate, Judy.  Sounds like she has more than her share of bad health.  I hope she will be able to lose some of that weight.

Pat, sorry about your trouble with your cable connection.  When that happens here I call the company and the tech people are very nice in helping to get things working again.

Judy  B., I'm glad you had a nice day today.  We could use some of that rain.

Another very hot day here.  It got up to 100 degrees on our deck in the shade.  I have stayed in all day out of the heat.  Tomorrow it is going to let up a little.  It has been so hot I am reminded of the story of the rich man and Lazarus and what the rich man said. 

Luke 16:24  So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.'  (NIV)

I hope you all have a good night's rest tonight.

--- Papa John             

I have posted some photos of our Hike up Trinidad Head last night. You can see them

HERE

Hi, friends,

I wasn't able to use my own computer at all yesterday, so it was a treat to come and read both days' postings.

Y'all have a really good evening.

Ruth Ann

Hi Ruth Ann, How is the foot/ankle coming?

We have had rain the entire day, what a blessing it has been.  Papa John I wish I could send some of the rain your way.

I was just talking to John, and he has driven through some of the roughest weather ever in 30 years of driving professionally.  One bolt of lghtening hit the pavement to the left of the truck and a piece of pavement was broken off the road and hit the truck.  The weather started in Hamilton ON and carried on through to Rochester.  He was glad he was able to see above the other traffic as the cars couldn't see anything!  Please pray for his continued safety.

Now I don't know where the weather system originated, but perhaps it will come toward the TN area. 

We picked up a movie today and the girls are enjoying it.   Dr. Dolittle the original.  Quite a good movie, considering what is out there for kids to watch.

Well I work tomorrow. So bye till tomorrow night
Judy

Time to lock the door...

It's raining quite heavily here and tomorrow I'll have to get one of my hanging plants put back up as the wind blew it off the fence.

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