Christian Photographers Community

 






 



Morning Devotional...

Jesus Is Born!
Luke 2:1-20  NLT

   1At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2(This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3All returned to their own towns to register for this census. 4And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David's ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 5He took with him Mary, his fiancee, who was obviously pregnant by this time.

    6And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. 7She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the village inn.

   8That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. They were terribly frightened, 10but the angel reassured them. "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news of great joy for everyone! 11The Savior--yes, the Messiah, the Lord--has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12And this is how you will recognize him: You will find a baby lying in a manger, wrapped snugly in strips of cloth!"

    13Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others--the armies of heaven--praising God:

          14 "Glory to God in the highest heaven,
               and peace on earth to all whom God favors."

    15When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, "Come on, let's go to Bethlehem! Let's see this wonderful thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

    16They ran to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. 17Then the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. 18All who heard the shepherds' story were astonished, 19but Mary quietly treasured these things in her heart and thought about them often. 20The shepherds went back to their fields and flocks, glorifying and praising God for what the angels had told them, and because they had seen the child, just as the angel had said.
What does Christmas mean to you?

   The greatest event in history had just happened!  The Messiah was born! 

   For ages the Jews had waited for this, and when it finally happened, the announcement came to humble shepherds. 

   The good news about Jesus is that he comes to all, including the plain and the ordinary.  He comes to anyone with a heart humble enough to accept him.  Whoever you are, whatever you do, you can have Jesus in your life.  Don't think you need extraordinary qualifications--he accepts you as you are.
The Best of the Bible--365 Must-Read Bible Passages

It cooled down quite a bit in central Indiana.  No rain today either.  But according to the weatherman, enjoy it while you can.  State Fair starts soon and it will be hot again! 

Tomorrow evening I am going to Kitty's house.  She is the one I went to the Kilbuck Photography Guild with.  I am taking my plastic bags and will cut them out.  Kitty paints so she said she will paint.  Jayne...a classmate that lives ¼ mile from me is going also.  I don't know what she is going to do but we are going to do crafty things.  Should be fun...I have never had anyone to do crafty things with before. 

Smokey barks at the mean old gray cat

WOOF!

July 28, 2005

The Day The Sun Didn't Shine
Read:
Psalm 103
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits. —Psalm 103:2


We often take God's blessings for granted until they are taken from us. Then we recognize how important even the most common gifts of God really are.

There's a legend about a day the sun didn't rise. At 6:00 in the morning it was dark. At 7:00 it was still night. Noon came and it was like midnight. By 4:00 in the afternoon, people flocked to the churches to beg God for the sun.

The next morning, huge crowds gathered outdoors to face the eastern sky. When the first rays of sunlight pushed open the door of the morning, the people burst into cheers and praised God for the sun.

The psalmist knew he couldn't possibly remember all of God's benefits to him. He was distressed that he might forget them all, so he took his sluggish soul in hand, shook it, and urged it to consider at least some of the good gifts God gave to him.

Because God's goodness is as constant as the sun, we are in danger of forgetting what He showers on us each day. If we count our blessings one by one, we'll never get finished. But if we jot down a list of 10 or 20 gifts God gives us each day, something will happen to our hearts.

Let's try it and find out for ourselves. —Haddon Robinson


Every morning as we rise,
God's new mercies greet our eyes;
And when twilight shadows fall,
Evening blessings brighten all. —Anon.

If you want to be rich, count all the things you have that money can't buy.

WELCOME HOME, JANE!!!!!

Hi everyone.

Jane, glad to see that you are home safe and sound.  I am sure you are enjoying the cooler temperatures.

Pat, that would have been very frightening to have lightning strike in your kitchen.  Did it burn anything.  Do any of you remember the old type phones.  I have seen fire shoot out of the mouthpiece on numerous occasions when I was growing up.  We always stayed away from the path of the phone during a storm and certainly didn't talk on the phone.  JudyB, I would say the lightning got way to close to John.  Glad there was no more damage than you indicated.

Pat had a call from the doctor's office and her surgery is rescheduled for tomorrow at noon.  We have to be at the hospital at 11 am.  She was glad to get it rescheduled so quickly and that it will be over by the weekend.

It is still hot here today but perhaps it won't get as hot as the last couple of days.  After coffee this morning I went to the grocery store.  I was glad to get back home.  I do have to get out this afternoon and go to Calvin Cove.

Janet, hope you and Beth had a good time yesterday at the party.  Glad to read that Beth is getting around a little better.  Glad that Darrell doesn't have to go back to see the doctor.  Maybe this will convince him that he needs to take things a bit easier for awhile.

I hope everyone has a very nice day, I plan on doing so.

Good morning, folks!

My week has been so busy.  Lila Mae and Chandraya have been going to dance camp every day.  Chandraya's been at the studio for 5 hours each day.  She has been getting some tech. workshops in before the dance starts this year. Give her a bump ahead.  She is loving it.

Lila Mae does good in dance for 30 minutes and then wants to go home.  The only 3 year old in class.

The boys have been staying busy with swimming, friends, church and family stuff.  Zachery got a job babysitting a young boy who broke his arm..he needs help with some physical therapy. 

Mike and I have been working on our third bathroom..almost done. Just need the floor and baseboards.

Ok gotta go.  ((hugs)) everyone!
Soni

That is funny, SmokeytheDog.  He is a mad cat, right?

Larry ~ So glad that Pat got her surgery scheduled so she can get it overwith.  It is the waiting that is hard to do. 

Soni ~ You HAVE been busy.  I can just see Lila Mae dancing.  She will be fine, I am sure.  Big sister will show her the ropes.  And Mommy, too!  Good that Zachary got himself a job...will keep him out of trouble.     Is Troy still going to do swimming at school?  A great sport to get into.  And where are you putting the bathroom...in the basement where the bedroom and the computer room and studio and dance floor is? 

Yes, glad to see that Jane made it home where it is comfy and cooler.  Bet she is super glad.

I think I am going grocery shopping today.  Then tonight go to Kitty's.  See ya tomorrow!

I found out earlier in the week that my new camera is backordered.  Should have it by Labor Day, though.  Been reading up on it.  Could be complicated but also can be used fully automatic.  Can't wait.  Will be different since I am used to floppy discs and this one is Smart Card and Memory Stick Pro.  Just hope I can take some great macro photos...I love them. 

Again, I am getting a Sony DSC-H1. 

Good Morning and Welcome home Janey.

The memorial service is this morning at 10 am, I am going to that and then on to work for Jan then fay later today. Jan called me at 7:15 and asked if I would be up to working, I told her that I will be fine. Isin't it wonderful when Christians go home to be with the Lord and that we know where they are going. It gives one that peace that passes all understanding.
The Women's Ministries bought a Magnolia  tree to be planted on the church grounds in memory of Linda. Our former Pastor will be the guest speaker, he knew Linda since childhood the two families were good friends.

Yesterday I brought Versal's laundry home to do and got it finished about an hour before I left for Bible Study.

TTYL

Jane, welcome home!  I know you will enjoy the cooler temperature there in Coos Bay.  But wasn't it great to spend that time with your family?  God is good.  All the time!

Larry, yes, we did enjoy the lunch out with the "girls" from the church yesterday.  And pastor's wife, JoLynn is planning to have  us do this once a month, and for us to invite other ladies, too.  We are hoping it will be a good outreach tool.  You can just feel the excitement in our church for what God is doing and is going to do!  It is wonderful, and we are so very thankful for the great pastor He sent us.  At lunch we talked a little bit about techniques being used today in churches, similar to Pat's devotional yesterday, and how that is not the way God wants us to do things at church.

I have framing to do and mats to cut this morning, then class this afternoon.  I had very little sleep again last night, and when I got to my aerobics class I was barely awake, but after an hour of fast-paced exercise I am more alert.

Tonight I am invited to a "borders class" at a friend's house, and Pat plans to go with me.  This is scrapbooking stuff--I told Darrel we are going to learn how to sneak across borders.    If you have borders made up ahead of time, then you can do your scrapbook pages more quickly.  They have some new tools which make this much faster to do, and it's fun doing crafty stuff with friends.  Etta Sue, have fun doing your crafty stuff with friends, too, and I will think about you!

I can't imagine lightning striking in the kitchen!  Wow!  Too close for comfort.  And am so glad John was IN the truck when it struck so close by, as they say the tires protect you, not being grounded.  When I was still a kid at home, lightning once struck a huge cottonwood tree just a few feet from our back door, splitting it from the fork to the ground!  It lit up the whole place and made a terrible racket.  (Does anyone mind if I remind you that lightning does not have an "e" in it?)  Thanks. 

Etta Sue, I hope you have a great time with your new camera when it gets there.  My camera is "smarter" than I am, but I love it!  And especially the zoom.  I'm not very good at macro, as I can't seem to hold it steady enough.  Guess I need a little table tripod, maybe.

That  gray cat does look mad, doesn't he?  Good one, Smokey!

Soni, Have a great time this summer; it won't last much longer!  I will email you our itinerary for the Black Hills soon.  Can't wait to meet you

Gotta go cut mats!

Jane, you make me more glad than ever that we live up here!  It's only about 55 degrees here right now, with fog that makes it impossible to see the trees about a block away.  It'll burn off, probably, about 2-3 O'clock this afternoon, then be back by 7PM.  I'm stuck here at home this morning, as Marbeth went on in to her quilting group, won't be back 'til about 11:30.  Then it's back in the car, over to the fitness center, treadmill for about a half hour, stretching, special exercises, and back home again.

Thanks, AL, LARRY, ETTA SUE, JANET and MARILYN, for the welcome home.  My little car traveled 2,613 miles in two weeks, and was in every state on the west coast, including Vancouver BC. 

I never connected with my oldest grandsons but enjoyed time with Laura and Tricia (Jean's daughters) and Bryan.  Joy has a lot of friends in and around the Sacramento area and each one wants to spend time with her over coffee or JamaJuice or some such ... we were running here and there all the time -- in the HEAT and TRAFFIC!  I let Joy drive because (1) I didn't know where we were going and (2) I get confused in all that traffic.   

Our host loaned Joy a car and said he would take her to the airport this morning, so since I was through with my stuff I decided it was a good time for me to make my escape leave for home.  I seriously doubt if I will ever be back in that area again.  What remains of my family are all involved in their own stuff and really don't have that much interest in getting together.  (There are other reasons/excuses regarding this person, but we won't go there.    )  Until recently the girls have not had transportation so I tried to keep in touch with them through their father or brothers or "Grandpa Tom" and that was never pleasant.  Laura has a car now, and Tricia is not living at home so they get together a lot.  In fact, Laura stays with Tricia most of the time.  She told me she goes home on Saturday night and leaves again on Monday ... after she has attended church with her father. 

I had a great time traveling with my girls the first week, and with Joy the second week.  I don't need to do that again for a while though.     This is another example of a little bit goes a long ways.  Joy had not seen Dot in 5 years, but after 5 days they were getting on each others nerves and, I think, each was glad to say good-bye for a while.

I have some pictures that I will post soon.  I need to edit them and upload them to a website first.  I think I will be seeing Nita today so she will get the preview. 

I'll be back directly ... I love all y'all

HI all!  This connection is ridiculously slow, so this will be short -- I gotta run!

Please pray for Kristi.  THe pediatrician has referred her to a GI pediatric specialist for the middle of Augusts.

More later!

What a marvelous day we have had today.  Mom and I got too Wal_mart and ordered her new glasses.  I wanted her to have UV protection so ordered transitions.  She will find that more restful on her eyes. 

WE then had lunchh our and shopping.  The girls looked for items they can spend their allowance on. 

The weather is beautiful  Sunny and warm with low humidity.  I have sewing to do so will be back later.

I went out early this morning with a friend for coffee & breakfast  then after arriving home I did a load of laundry which is still on the line waiting for me to bring it in.

I got a phone call from the above friend later this afternoon and she was saying that she had got a call from the Visa  office informing her that someone had got her numbers and purchased  approx, 1000.00 dollars in goods from Home Depot and another store it is so wonderful that they the Visa folk have a system in place to catch such fraud early, her present card is now closed and a new one is on its way in the mail.

Time to go as my hubby has just arrived home
Ruth

Hi Everyone...

I haven't much time. 

I'm praying for Kristi, Karma.  I hope you can share soon.


Back in June, I got a Water Cooler as I thought it would be very handy for me so it was my birthday present to me.  It had three taps--hot, icy and room temp.

Well, the hot never worked.  It just dripped.

So today I took it back and they didn't have another the same so they gave me one that was a little more money for the same price.  I got it home and had help lifting it in the house and thought I'd get the bottle of water on it as it should sit for 12 hours before you plug it in.

Got the water on and heard the first couple of bubble of water going in and then I went downstairs to put a load of washing in.  When I came up, I went to the kitchen kind of bumping into the water cooler and it seemed awfully light.  I tapped the water bottle (5 gallons) and it was empty!

All the water had drained through and there was no cap on the drain at the back so it went onto my carpet and through the floor into the family room through the ceiling where I've been sitting for a week sorting boxes of Jack's things.  And as you can imagine, I have piles of photos, piles of papers he's written on, notebooks and on and on.

I raced over to the store and got the missing drain cover, raced home, screwed it on and the stupid thing is still draining so I've dragged it out onto the back step and I've got a call into the store manager!

That's why I can't stay.

Talk to you all later.

PAT!!      That sounds like a real disaster!  I surely hope you can get things squared away without too much damage.  And, for sure, I hope Jack's things are safe from harm.  How tragic it would be to lose any of that. 

I have begun to post some photos from my past two weeks.  You can catch them here: http://www.christianphotographers.com/community/index.php?topic=4716.0

Pat, that is a shame to get an upgraded product and find it is still defective.  Hope the damage isn't too severe.  Will you homeowner's insurance cover the damage to your ceiling and carpet?

Ruth, it is good that the credit card companies are helping police the theft of the numbers.  I have been called several times when I made a fairly large purchase.  I also have it set up to be notified by e-mail for any transaction over a set amount.  We also keep a close watch on the charges.

Judy, I hope your MIL enjoys here new glasses.

Karmat and Nards, certainly hope there is nothing seriously wrong with Kristi.  It is good that you are being referred to a specialist.

Janet, my good friend gave me a little tripod that sits on a desk.  The legs are flexible and it is probably about 5 inches high.  I put it in my camera bag.  He said he paid $1 for it at the computer store.

Etta Sue, maybe the camera will be available before the anticipated date.  It sounds like a very nice camera.

Sonja, your family is certainly busy.  It is nice to learn what your children are doing this summer and the building project sounds like a lot of work.  My son redid one of the bathrooms in his house and he said never again.  They took out an old tub and put in a new one and all new fixtures, floor and ceiling.  It was a big job.

Well I am stopping tonight to say hello.  We are leaving tomorrow morning to go to Oneanta, Alabama, for the Murphree Genealogical Association's convention.

It has cooled off here too.  Cornelia and I had a great walk in the neighborhood tonight.  Well, she walked and I rode my scooter.

I'll try to drop in tomorrow before we leave.  Good night everyone.

--- Papa John          <)))><<   

I have to get back to my mopping so closing up a bit early.

CLICK HERE