Christian Photographers Community

Psalm 145:3-4 says...

Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.

One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.





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Isaiah 40:17, 18, 25, 26, 28 says...

All nations before him are as nothing; and they are counted to him less than nothing, and vanity.

To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him?

To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.

Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.

Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
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Morning Devotional...

The Shepherd's Psalm-- Part (v)

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Not far from the city of Guelph, in the valley of the Eramosa River, nestles a neat little hamlet of rough hewn houses. By Ontario standards, this pretty little place is quite old. Although there is no need for me to do so, I occasionally drive through this sleepy place on my way to or from our local major highway.

Who were the first settlers? What was their life like? What were their aspirations and hopes, joys and sorrows? To try to find an answer to these and other intriguing questions, I decided one day, a few summers ago, to explore the necropolis that surrounds the hamlet's only church. I found that the mortal remains of several generations of Presbyterians lie awaiting the resurrection morning beneath the cold clay. Well kept tomb stones declare their names, and in some cases their faith in the Saviour of sinners. A few of the head stones record something of their long forgotten lives and exploits.

One old block of granite records that the two interred beneath were born in the north of Ireland in the last century, married there and emigrated to this part of the world. Underneath the descriptive words, a verse of Scripture is quoted:



As I read this inscription a lump seemed to form in my throat and a wee tear appeared in the corner of my eye.

Probably I shall never know this side of eternity what this couple suffered. The heartaches they felt, the broken dreams, sadness, pain or penury they endured as they struggled on in a new land are now veiled in history. The vicissitudes experienced in a harsh environment are not etched in the dark grave stone. The words "came out of great tribulation"   can only point back to excessive trial and hardship; to dark days and desperation.

When the Psalmist said: "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death" (Psalm 23:4), he must have had some awful tribulation in mind. Days of dark despair and drowning disappointment had been his lot.

The old Jewish Targum interprets Psalm 23:4 to be a prophetic reference to the horrors of the Jewish captivity in Babylon, while Aben Ezra says it speaks of grievous calamities.

John Gill, in his commentary, explains it this way: "Afflictions attend the people of God in this life; there is a continued series of them, so that they may be said to walk in them; these are the way in which they walk to heaven, and through which they enter the kingdom; for though they continue long, and one affliction comes after another, yet there will be an end at last; they will walk and wade through them, and come out of great tribulations."

Perhaps you, my friend, are experiencing great tribulation. Do you see yourself as captive to circumstances? Do you know what it is to suffer deep affliction? Do you feel deserted and alone? Does trouble come upon trouble like the rolling of mighty waves at high tide against a storm tossed ship, near a rocky shore. Then the rest of this verse is meant for you if you are one of the sheep of the Lord's flock:



If we know the Good Shepherd; the one who gave His life for the sheep, we need not fear the evils of time and circumstance. He is Sovereign in all His ways. He knows our every need. He has experienced while walking as a Man among men the heartache, sorrow and trials common to humankind. If we understand His Sovereign power as God Eternal, and His sympathy as our High Priest, we will be enabled to declare with King Solomon, "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe."[/i] (Proverbs 18:10 NKJV).

There is an old much loved hymn based on Psalm 31:15:


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Yes, He is with us all the way, not only in the coveted "Mountain top experiences" but also in the dark and dismal valleys of despair and death.

Our dear Shepherd is always armed with two implements: "His rod and His staff".   In old times the rod was used to defend the flock from wild animals and thieves, and one day He will use that rod on the enemies of truth and Zion's King will be seen to reign in righteousness. We who are His elect own His royal rule in time. In eternity His Kingship and glory will also be manifested to those who hate Him. They, too, will recognize Him but, oh, too late! Even now He uses the rod to defend His believing people from dangers both seen and uncomprehended.

The second implement He carries is the staff, the purpose of which was to direct the sheep. Sometimes the sheep would rather go their own way but have to be forced to travel in paths that lead them safely home. Their path of choice would lead to places of danger and ruin, but the path of the shepherd's choosing leads to the peace and security of green pastures and the still waters.

Well may we with David pray, "Uphold my steps in Your paths, That my footsteps may not slip." (Psalm 17:5 NKJV).

Let's retrace our steps to the old grave yard and take one more look at the stone which held our attention. Let's read the last part of the inscription once more "and have washed their robes and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb". Only those on the pilgrimage of life who have washed their robes in the blood of Calvary's Lamb will come safely through. None of those who are "blood washed" will ever perish. That is why they can say "I will fear no evil".

Have you been to Calvary's fountain and have you by faith been cleansed of your sin? If the answer is "Yes", then you have the Royal right to appropriate the words of Psalm 23:4 "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." If you are His by sovereign grace, then God, the Holy Spirit inspired the Psalmist to write these words for your blessing, reassurance and comfort.

---

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

I'm first!   Thanks Pat for the great devotional. 

I have been outside most of the day.   On my way to bed now.  Hope to post longer tomorrow.

Love Ruthie

Janet, I was reading about Stone Soup.   That sounds wonderful.   I think I will make it with my little granddaughter, Sydney.   

When she was at my place on Saturday she was finding snails and putting them in a box to take home with her.  I helped her find a few.  Lots of fun with granddaughters.

Love Ruthie

Thanks again Pat,
                     What  wonderful thoughts from Gods Word.
                                                            Love in Jesus,
                                                                John ( A Baker)

Thanks so much, John.  Are you up early?  I know I'm up late but I'm going to bed now.

I'll look forward to seeing you again very soon, John.

Just a little note...

Some of our members are members of SeniorNet RoundTables.

As you know, we have a discussion called "Manna For the Soul" in the Religion and Spirituality folder where we've had freedom to post as we felt led by the Lord in days gone by.

We've had a big influx of folks from AOL SeniorNet which is being disbanded and I'd like to put some new posts in that discussion.

Tonight I've posted Jack's first Walking in the Old Paths of the Shepherd's Psalm and it would be so refreshing to see some comments about it or a favorite scripture verse, etc. so that we won't be bothered by the athiests and agnostics so prevalent in that folder.

This software won't allow me to put in a link but I'm sure that all of you who are on SeniorNet will know how to reach "Manna For the Soul" on SeniorNet.

Ms Pat I love this picture you share of you and Geordie. I will like to save it and keep it if it is ok, yes? 
I wish you well and It is my hope to see every one here again soon. 
I love you all and I treasure you all as my friends. 

  :)I enjoyed the devotional and walking through the cemetery with Jack.  So many times I have the trials and tribulations of this life and get bogged down feeling sorry for myself.  How thankful I am to have Christian friends here on CP and at church where I can ask for prayer.  I think the song I like most is "What a Friend We Have in Jesus"......and believe me!  I have sung it over and over when I am  weak, weary and teary.  Then, God's Word tells me to give thanks in all situations...and this is hard to do when your heart is broken. But, I can thank Him for Jesus, for being with me, for forgiveness, strength, guidance and love to a most undeserved sinner!

Anyhow!  I have unloaded on all.  Have a blessed day! 

My apologies for being so late today.  I was very blessed by the devotional this morning. The words were very comforting and, I believe, blessed by God.

God bless everyone on CP today.  Stone soup?? My mother used to threaten us with gravel pie when we misbehaved as children, perhaps it is a similar thing.

See you all later.

Anthony.

Good morning, friends,

Well, today is when my birthday celebrations are over - my daughter is to take me out to dinner tonight.

So, it will be very late when I get in. Y'all have a blessed day.

Ruth Ann

I guess you need to read the book, Pat!  The stones were just to get the people's attention!  The travelers KNEW there was food in the village, but the villagers were mean and stingy and didn't want to share, so they made stone soup with just stones and water, to share with the villagers.  But once they got their attention, all the villagers rushed to bring the other ingredients for the soup.  Then they also brought pies and cakes, fruit and bread, salad and cider.  They ate and talked and laughed and danced long into the night.  And when the feast was over, they asked Molly and Max to stay in the finest room of their inn.  So it is a story about sharing and hospitality.  But Abby alsways wants to really make the soup----complete with the stones!  In the book, when the Mayor tastes the soup, he says "This is the most delicious soup I've ever had!  And to think that it's made with nothing but stones and water!  Amazing!!

Now, aren't you glad you asked?    I apologize for talking about food when you are fasting for blood tests.  I need to do that again, as I stopped taking the statin drug for cholesterol, and need to find out how I'm doing in that area.

My little one is still sleeping, Darrel has left for Garden City again, as they (he and my nephew) didn't get the system quite all done yesterday.  I guess I won't get to swim this morning, as I didn't want to wake Abby.  She had a big day yesterday.  The new family in our big house had company and there was a girl a bit older than Abby.  They played and played together, and when Abby came home (After I yelled for her!) she looked different.  She said "Did you notice they gave me a makeover?"  The works!  New hairdo, and tons of makeup.   She didn't want to wash her face before she went to bed.

OH!!!  Something is tapping me on the shoulder!!    Whew..........it is Abby!  I was scared! 

Kathy, I wish you a wonderful and peaceful day today.  Good to see you posting!

Hi, dear Mieka!   Hi, Anthony!  Hi, Ruth Ann!  Enjoy your birthday dinner!

Hi John!  Hi there Ruthie!  And of course, hello to our dear Pat, too.  I pray all your tests will get good reports, and that the money will come from somewhere to pay for those expensive car repairs.  God is able to supply our every need, we just have to trust Him.  ((((hugs))))

I cam back to remind you that I am judging this afternoon at Sublette, see you again soon.

Greeting to all my friends in Christ,
     Pat, You look wonderful in your new pic. I love it. Thank you for this mornings devotional, They are GREAT words.

     Hello to all the BLESSED new people who I've missed GREETING.
   
     Happy Birhtday Suzzanne!! And many more..

     Marlene is still here with us, We have been very busy, We were at the beach in San Diego last weekend at the Wild Animal Park, what great photos were taken.

     I just wanted to check in and send all my Love and Blessings over everyone. ~ALMA

Good Morning.


I am  missing Ria this morning. Hey Ria where are you?

Can't stay too long this morning, but I am here to check in  say good morning to all  and say that everything here on the left coast is just ducky. It looks like it is going to be a sunny day today.

I took Bebe with me when I went over tothe church for prayer this morning and left her in the car. I feel so much more comfortable  draiving in the dark with her in the car. Although if anyone gets close to the car she goes tothe other side and won't get near them. Yesterday when Iwas out walking with her a little boy wanted to pet her and I had to hold her close to me or she would have run from him.

TTYL

Dreary looking day out today here.  Still cool.  I am almost ready to leave and have lunch with Donna.  It will be great seeing her again.  I have made 18 Banana Nut Muffins to take to Small Groups tonight.  They ought to be good. 

The Pampered Chef, actually, Open House was great.  Good food there also.  My exes daughter is a consultant now so she had the open house to show her friends the new products.  Personally, I think everything is over priced so I try to purchase things that are not at WalMart, KMart or Target. 

I have to run....I have to leave in an hour.  I hope I don't shut a girl in a closet!!!!!!

<)))><<~~<)))><<~~<)))><<~~<)))><<~~<)))
"Every time I think about exercise, I lie down 'til the thought goes away."

Hello Everyone

I am reading in I Peter 1: 2

"Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, be multiplied."

What does it mean "sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ"

In this passage Peter is speaking to the 'strangers' throughout a large area, and this is part of his greeting.

Any Ideas?

Blessings all

Hi all.  Have to leave in just a few minutes to go to Calvin Cove and then need to do some other things when I get back including going over to a friends house to load some software on his computer.  Neither he nor his wife know much about a computer.  I helped them a couple of days ago get set up with a new provider and found they have no virus protection on their computer.

Janet, it sounds like Abby had a great day yesterday and it was nice she had someone her age to play with for awhile.  It probably gave you a little time to yourself as well. 

Pat, thanks for the devotional and once again highlighting the writings of Jack on the 23rd Psalm.  Hope your tests go well today.

Good to see everyone posting.  Time to go.

Good morning everyone.  We have a nice sunny day here in Middle Tennessee.

Pat, another good message from Jack today.  I think of what Hebrews says about Abel:  "By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. [/b] (KJV)Heb 11:4 

Ruthie, good to see you slip in last night.  Yes, granddaughters are fun.  Right now though all four of my granddaughters are grown and married.  I do have one great granddaughter who is now and will be later a lot of fun.

John Baker it is good to see you.  Welcome to C. P.  You have an interesting e-mail name, "waterbottle"  ??

Mieka,  we love you too and treasure you as our friend.  Are you still in California?

Kathy, it is good to see you today.  I too like the song, "What a friend we have in Jesus."  He has been my friend as long as I can remember.  "A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother."[/b]  (KJV)

And Anthony, God bless you today.  I remember a version of the "Stone Soup" story from when I was a young boy.  But I never did hear of "gravel pie."  But then the English have a way of making pie out of everything, for example "Kidney Pie."  I do like the meat pies in England though and even Kidney Pie if it has just a little bit of Kidney in it.

Ruth Ann, enjoy your dinner out tonight with your daughter.

Janet, you gave a good explanation of the stone soup thing. 

Alma, good morning to you.  Sounds like you enjoyed your week-end in San Diego. 

Marilyn, I am glad you have Bebe to protect you.  Maybe you should take Happy Dog along with you too.

Etta Sue your banana nut muffins sound good.  I hope you enjoy your small group tonight.


Prov 5:1-4 My son, pay attention to my wisdom; lend your ear to my understanding,  That you may preserve discretion, and your lips may keep knowledge.  For the lips of an immoral woman drip honey, and her mouth is smoother than oil;  But in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. (NKJ)


--- Old Papa John          <)))><<   
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY RACHEL!!

Here i am Marilyn i have the hole day lay on my bed with a terrible headache
now i am up still headache but i am afraid when i stay on bed i can not sleep this night.
So i have now taken a shower wash my hair and eat something.
Tomorrow i hope to read what you all have writen and that i also can come on CP

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RACHEL
HAVE A NICE DAY

I shall give you a poem i hope you love it.

Isaiah 26 : 3
You will keep in perfect peace Him whose
mind is steadfast, because He trust in you.

                                     A STEADFAST FAITH

                                  Give me, Lord a steadfast faith
                                     that stands on Your Word
                                    and trusts in Your goodness,
                                   knowing there is never a moment
                                        when i'm out of Your care.

Love Ria  Till tomorrow i hope


                                                 

Pat:  I found CP!  Hooray!  I had not put the www in the heading.  How strange! And, now you are having medical tests.  Prayer of hope for you. 

Ria:  It sounds like you had a migraine.  I am sending you a prayer of good health. 

Carol

I'm so sorry about your headache, Ria.   That's horrible.  I sure hope that it's gone soon.  Thanks for checking in.


Carol, you mean that you needed the www?  Usually, you don't.   Great to see you here.  I got your email with the photos attached and will be working on them later.


Thanks Janet for the Stone Soup background. 

Oops, someone at my door.  I'll quickly post this and I'll be back.

Thanks everyone who has posted in SeniorNet in the Manna For the Sould discussion.

July 27   

The Church: Good But Not Great

Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. 
--1 Corinthians 4:2

Then there are the men who are good but not great, and we may thank
God that there are so many of them, being grateful not that they
failed to achieve greatness but that by the grace of God they managed
to acquire plain goodness....

Every pastor knows this kind--the plain people who have nothing to
recommend them but their deep devotion to their Lord and the fruit of
the Spirit which they all unconsciously display. Without these the
churches as we know them in city, town and country could not carry on.
These are the first to come forward when there is work to be done and
the last to go home when there is prayer to be made. They are not
known beyond the borders of their own parish because there is nothing
dramatic in faithfulness or newsworthy in goodness, but their presence
is a benediction wherever they go. They have no greatness to draw to
them the admiring eyes of carnal men but are content to be good men
and full of the Holy Ghost, waiting in faith for the day that their
true worth shall be known. When they die they leave behind them a
fragrance of Christ that lingers long after the cheap celebrities of
the day are forgotten.  God Tells the Man Who Cares, 98-100.

"Thank You, Lord, for the host of good people in our church! May each
one be richly blessed of You today. Direct me to some today who I
could thank for their faithfulness. Amen."

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RACHEL!!!!
I am back from my lunch with Donna.  She is going to see her sister in New York and they are going to Nova Scotia. Then Donna will take her sister home and Donna will return to her home in Texas.  I wish that was me!  I love to travel.  It still amazes me how much alike Donna and I are.  She is one great friend.

Now to watch the clock and not missing going to Small Groups with Jerry and the Banana Nut Muffins.

Nova Scotia!!!  What a wonderful place to go.  The Lighthouse Trail along the south shore of the province is over 500 miles long due to the little coves and crannies that you can drive up and down.  Sounds terrific, Etta Sue

Ladybug -

QuoteI am reading in I Peter 1: 2
"Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, be multiplied."
What does it mean "sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ"
In this passage Peter is speaking to the 'strangers' throughout a large area, and this is part of his greeting.
Any Ideas?

The "sprinkling of the Blood of Jesus Christ" is one of the major benefits of being "elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father."  For it to be a benefit, of course, "sanctification of the Spirit" must also occur.  Let's try to see what these all mean.

Those who are "elect" are the ones described in John 6:37, which says, "All that the Father gives me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me i will by no means cast out."  Some out of the entire fallen, rebellious human race have been chosen to be rescued, and so they've been given to Jesus Christ, and they come to Him, and He loves them, receives them, and gives them the special influence of His Holy Spirit, so that they may believe Him and come to Him.

In fact, the other benefit, "sanctification of the Spirit" is from the same Source.  The word "sanctification" just means (Biblically) "seperation."  All the elect are seperated from the rest of the world and brought to Jesus.  They call on Him,  trust Him, and bow to Him as Lord of their lives.  The word "sprinkling" is a reference to the Old Testament Passover, in which the blood of the passover lamb was to be sprinkled upon the doorpost and lintel of the residences of every Israelite.  So, says Paul, Christ our Passover was sacrificed for us - because of the shedding of His Blood on the Cross we too are saved from (eternal) destruction.  It's because we come to Christ, because He receives us, and only because we are "accepted in the Beloved (Eph. 1:6) that we are acceptable to God.

So "sprinkling of the Blood of Christ" is our cleansing from the general rebellion of the world, and it becomes our acceptance before God.  Praise His Name!

OHHhhhhhhhhhh 


Thank you

What a wonderful thing,

Thankyou Al

Thank you Al, that is a great explanation of the "sprinkling of blood"

I have been to Keswick and Newmarket today visiting my grandchildren.   Little Jaidan yelled out "Nana Root".   That is my name for my grandchildren.  "Nana Ruth"   God Bless

Love Ruthie

See you tomorrow, folks!

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