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Morning Devotional...



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They anointed and wrapped His broken, bruised and mutilated body with loving hands. Surely their hearts were rent within. Can we doubt that tears flowed like rivers of water down their cheeks until they could cry no more? The One they loved and followed was dead. The One they thought would establish again the throne of His ancestor, David, lay embalmed in oriental manner, in a cold, dark cave. Perhaps they looked on as the authorities sealed the tomb and posted a Roman guard to keep watch. Their saddened minds had forgotten His promise "But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee" (Matthew 26:32).

There are still unbelievers who try desperately to explain away what happened. They have developed some very stupid and unbelievable theories in a vain attempt to disprove the great fact that death could not hold Him in its icy grip. In triumph He burst the bars of death.

Ed Harlow, in his book "Basic Bible Doctrines" reminds us that the resurrection of Christ is the best documented fact of ancient history. It is not my purpose in this short article to give all of the evidences of proof but consider this: If the Lord did not rise again, then His disciples have perpetrated one of the greatest hoaxes of all time. But that does not make sense at all because they had nothing to gain if it were not true, and very much to lose. But preach the resurrection they did at great personal cost. For preaching the truth of the resurrection they were imprisoned, flogged, stoned, crucified, thrown to lions, and burned to death. No, they peddled no hoax, no imaginative myth, but the glorious reality that Jesus Christ is the Lord of Life and victor over death.

As he contemplated the great fact of the resurrection, Robert Lowry was moved to write the following lovely hymn:



Have you ever taken time to contemplate the significance of the resurrection and the great truths we are to learn from it?

First, it is the apex of the doctrine of the Deity of Christ. It is the grand proof of His Divine origin. None but One who is God could raise Himself up from the grave. Jesus had told the Jews that He had that power and now it had occurred.

"'Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father'" (John 10:17-18).

Jesus by His resurrection proved beyond doubt that His claims to equality with God were founded on the firm foundation of the rock of eternal Truth. There can be no serious doubt about it. He is the Son of God. We read in Romans 1:4 "...and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead."

This is the very keystone of our Faith.

Secondly, the resurrection is the believer's assurance of the completeness of Christ's saving work on the cross. If God the Father had not been fully satisfied with the atonement made for my sins, Christ would not have risen from the dead. The tomb would still be sealed. Unlike some other religions we do not worship a dead prophet, but a living Saviour who has triumphed over sin and death.

Paul reminds us in Romans 4:23-25, "Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification."

Are you trusting in the crucified, living, ascended and coming Saviour? Only He can take away the guilt of sin and give peace to the troubled conscience.

A third thing that we can learn from the resurrection of Christ is that we too shall live again. "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." (I Cor. 15:22)

For the one who is united by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ this is a blessed future to ponder. One day "...the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout and with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds of the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words." (I Thess. 5:22). Surely all who have been saved by grace echo the words of John as he brings the Revelation to a close, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus!"

But what of those who reject Christ? We are reminded of the words of the blessed Son of God Himself, "Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice 'and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation" (John 5:28,29).

If you, dear reader, are one of those who face the resurrection of condemnation, I would urge you to flee from the wrath to come. Flee away to Jesus. He has graciously said, "Him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out." (John 6:37. He died for sinners such as you and me and His resurrection brings blest assurance to all who believe on Him.

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

It seems that everyone had a great Father's Day....some had lunch guests, some ate out, some stayed home with 'Arthur', some missed their Fathers, some had Fathers far away from home, some have Fathers in heaven and some doesn't remember their Fathers, some went fishing with their Father, some got a hug from a little girl!  Karma, that was one great story for your sister to remember forever!

Whew!  I was typing this reply on yesterday's thread.  Then I noticed that Pat closed it up.  Whew!!!  Almost did a no no!!!

Church was great today.  The men...about a dozen of them....sounded great singing to a CD and a video on the overhead that went along with the music.  I am not one to sing or remember songs and music, so I don't remember the song but everytime they sang the word, "CROWN", the word appeared on the overhead in the video.  The skit wasn't performed because of a death in one of them actors family.  

Jerry and I went to a Mexican restaurant for lunch.  He came here after I left him at his house.  He watched NASCAR racing while I did some PSP lessons.  Our evening snack was popcorn and lemonade!  Then I read lots of emails due to SN being down.  Now it is getting very sleepy in here.  

I pray that everyone had a very happy Father's Day!!

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"Avenge yourself:  Love long enough to be a problem to your children."

Good morning or nnnight or whatever it may be where you are!!  

I meant to get in here before the door shut, but was too late.  Oh well, now I can just be early, which is an oddity in itself!!

Take care and I hope everyone has an awesoem Monday!  If it is slow at work, I'll jump in!

   I am glad I am not the only one who is surprised at the time!.  I was brousing around and came back to New Every Morning to find pat had started a new day.  Way to go Pat.  

I have been wondering why my young dog (A rottweiller of 5 months) has been so restless.  I guess I had left too  many lights on for his liking.  I have them now off and he is settling dowm nicely.

Well I am off to bed, Good night all.
Judy

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Thanks Judy.  I didn't see your post till now.  

Well if we are going to talk about oddities, seeing my mom in here at 12:38 at night is an oddity!    But then it is now 3:15 as I am typing this, and for me being up this late is quite normal.  I don't normally post at this time only because it is something that I don't like most people knowing, that I am a night owl.

I have been sitting here, working on PSP lessons, and I joined a tube tutorial group, so I have been working on a very frustrating tube.  It took me what feels like a hundred tries to get her (a cartoon angel holding a sunflower and a birdhouse) just right.  Seems like the next tube is going to be much easier to do.  It is a peach rose.  As I am working on this tube, I am thinking that my sister in law's birthday is coming up in September, and her favorite flower is peach roses....the gears are grinding on how I can use this tube to make her something for her birthday.

Anyway, I am looking forward to a wonderful week.  I was offered a part time job, starting this week.  Not alot of pay at first, but it is going to be enough to balance off what Jon doesn't bring home with his job.  Best of all, it is for a family member, so any money I make can go directly to bills, (after tithes of course) and I don't have to worry about paying those taxes on it.  This will also give me the opportunity to increase my abilities and in doing so, get my business up and off the ground, so that I have an income at home, when the kids come home.

God bless each of you, and I hope you have a wonderful day.  I hope to be able to make it in before tomorrow's thread is started, but in case I don't, know I am praying for my new friends, and family here.

Love
Heather

Pat - A truly wonderful devotional this morning and I fear posting anything in case I take from it in any way. I have not heard or read of the author mentioned, but I woild like to read more of his writings. I cannot say that I have seen any of his books over here, but the two Christian bookshops that are on the island are very small and they can only hold so much.

Heather - I wish you well in your new job. Believe me, I know just how difficult it is to provide an income to meet the bills never mind the needs!

I'll try and read the wekend posts later. I have also much still to discover on this website, including competitions.

My old boss used to say to me, that if i slowed down to a gallop I would get more done!

Here are some thoughts that rattled round my grey matter this morning:-

'This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.' Mark 7:6

This morning, rising early I called upon my God and placed my petitions before Him. Rising from my knees I was content with my devotions so far. I had asked Him to bless His Word to me and I also asked that I might have a word to speak upon today. I read the first six verses of Mark Chapter 7 and could read no further.

I had to return to me knees and seek forgiveness for my previous prayer. It had been centred on self, seeking great blessing for my soul today and asking basically for an easy day.

I was not prepared to take up my cross, neither was I prepared to set aside a proper amount of time to seek His face with all my heart. What I did do was to utter words that were pleasing to the ear. My ear! I enjoyed everything I had to say!

I was instantly rebuked as I read this text and it immediately threw my plans into disarray. Was I truly expecting great things from God while vanity was rampant in my heart? Had I seen His face or had I simply spoken the words in the hope that things would be good today?

How often have I approached the Lord in this manner? Had I fallen into a spiritual rut?

I had asked for forgiveness for all my sins, but I always asked for that. Didn't everyone? I had not taken my soul to Calvary this morning. I had not witnessed first hand, my Saviour Redeemer hanging on the cross for me. I had not seen the blood being shed for me.

Am I turning out like the Beefeaters in the Tower of London who take the beauty of  the Crown Jewels for granted, simply because they see them every day?

If that is the case, then I abhor myself. I do not want to live my Christian life like that. I want to walk with Jesus and not at a distance. Life for me is too short for silly games and false hopes. My life has got to be a real life, not one played for an audience, even if the only audience I have is myself! I am in the midst of an eternal love affair and yet today I have taken my Beloved once more, for granted.

My second time upon my knees this morning was a totally different matter. Was I wasting time? Time when I could easily be doing any one of a hundred things that needed to be done on a Monday morning? I think not! My soul delighted in its journey.

A welcome from a forgiving and merciful Father. His Word to me this morning had borne fruit. The intimate contact that had been absent in my previous devotions, was now a matter of joy. I should have remembered a lesson that I had learned many years ago.

'Face God first thing in the morning, then you can face any man.' My first petition seemed now as if I had been talking to God behind His back. (Please forgive my language.) Now I was speaking to Him as a Friend, face to face. Moses had done the same many years ago at the entrance to his tent.

My outlook today is now very different to what it had been a hour or so ago. My sins have truly be cleansed in the powerful blood of the Lamb. My ways have been swallowed up by His Way and Will.

Now there is joy and excitement in my soul, rather than a shaky and very unstable hopefulness. This is life more abundant and it cannot be obtained by taking short cuts.

I went to the Mount first thing this morning and left my heart behind. I was rebuked by His Word. I went once again to the Mount, I repented and He ravished my heart.

LOL

Your brother in Christ

Iain

Hi Iain,

Just a quick note, to let you know that the devotional this morning was written by my Uncle Jack, Aunt Pat's husband.  I also believe that it was well written.  I always enjoy reading the devotionals that he wrote.

I agree with what you told us that your old boss used to say to you.  I too should learn how to slow to a gallop....I never seem to stop these days.

God bless you,
Heather

 
Hello and Good Morning to all:  I believe that I am the only one here right now. What powerful comments from Jack and then from Iain.  I have read from His Word and but have not had my prayer time with Him.  Iain has hit the nail on the head for me..so often, do I ask for forgiveness, seek His way for my day and then I feel these are empty words.  Thanks for the reminder, Iain, to get really personal..take the time to be with Him.  I needed that kick-in-the-pants today.  
Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.  James 5:20  and I, definitely am that sinner!

Hi everyone.  After reading the devotional written by Jack Scott and then the devotional written by Iain, I am left almost wordless.  What a lot to think about and consider.  

It looks like God is going to give us a sunny day or at least a sunny morning, which is welcome as we have had so much rain.  

Heather, I don't know how you are able to be alert at 3:30 in the morning.  I guess I am just a day person.  Don't those PSP tubes do some fantastic things.  I haven't learned how to make my own but have just played around with what is there a couple of times.

Good morning everyone.  Pat, that was a wonderful devotion this morning, and a wonderful choice of hymn.  One of my favourites.  

Heather-I'm very glad to hear of your job offer.  Glad to hear an answer to prayer.  It's great to see your positive attitude, and faith that God will be faithful to you, a needed reminder in a world that seems to be full of unbelieving Christians.  What an encouragement to read your posts.

Iain-I can relate to alot of what you write, but of course, not to the same depths.  I'm afraid I'm still rather shallow, but working on it.  I guess I know that God knows how much experience is good for me at once.  I appreciate your encouragement and openness though.  

Well, I have to get off here and call the doctor.  I'll hopefully be able to pop on later today.  God bless you all and have a great day.  Jen.

Good morning!  

Thank you, Pat, for your note further up!

I was reading yesterday's postings, and I wanted to say that the story of Karmat's sister was so neat to read.  Kids really are a gift of God.  We had our youngest when we thought we weren't going to have any more children, and she's been such a blessing to us.

OK, off to work!

Ursula

Good Morning, I came in here this morning fired up for God and want to share with you the devotion I received in this morning's email. But I do not want to take anything away from Jacks wonderful writing and prayerful thoughts on the resurrection, nor do I want to take anything away from Iain's exhortations on facing God. Both devotionals hit me square between the eyes.

This devotional that I will post expresses so well my own thoughts on prayer and describes the faith that I have in answered prayer, so if y-all don't mind reading another long post here goes.

The God Who Keeps His Promises
030516 Monday, June 16, 2003 Daily Devotional by Brent Riggs

Hebrews 12:2 ...looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (NKJV)


God is faithful to fulfill His promises to us

God of Promise,

To all Your promises through Jesus I say, YES! And I agree!
All of them without fail shall be fulfilled.
You have spoken them and they will be done.
You have commanded them and they will happen!

I have often doubted Your promise and even lived as if You never made them.
Lord, forgive me of that sin and for finding anything that takes Your place.
Forgive me when I become content with what this life offers.
By Your grace I have repented.

I can see the pardon for my sins embedded in the wounds of Jesus;
And my souls trusts in the Son of God.
He is my foundation and the source of my hope.

Teach me to follow Your will without hesitation
To take delight in Your Word and to have no Master but You.
Help me to believe that everything You do is for my own good.

Give me strength to cast all my cares on You, for You care for me.
You alone can help me overcome my sinfulness;
You alone can bring forth all things good from evil.
You alone can fulfill all Your plans despite my wickedness.

Bless me with the faith of Abraham that never wavered in unbelief.
Help me to not complain to You about my troubles,
But learn to glorify You through every trial
And see what You are trying to teach me.

Lord, give me clear growth in my spiritual life
Take me to a deeper level of intimacy with You
Leaving the fog of doubt and fear far behind.
Help me to climb to the pinnacle of eternal security in Jesus,
In simple faith the He cannot speak untruth
Or fail in any of His plans or purposes.

O God, give me the confidence that I should have in Your Son
Who is worthy to be praised
To whom blessing and honor is due
Forever and ever and ever.

Contemplation: What are the symptoms of doubting God's promises? Worry, fear, discouragement? Do you have the innate ability to believe what God says, or does even that have to come from God?

Application: Try to find for yourself each Bible verse that is alluded to in this prayer. Ask God to give you wisdom and show you "wondrous things" from His Word.

What is the most obvious Bible truth you have learned today?
What change in your life needs to be made concerning this truth?
What specific thing will you do today to begin that change?

Devotions today from Jack Scott, Iain, and others - are just terrific.  Thanks Heather and Marilyn - it is always good to read your notes.

Judy:  A few days ago you mentioned a Witness Seminar.  Do wish that we had something like that - as I have had more "Listening" training than "Witnessing".  

I need to go through the PSP training but so busy learning a quilt design software program right now.  

Have to get offline as a plumber is coming & he is late - must be lost and trying to call.

Carol

What wonderful devotionals here today.  Iain, you are such a blessing to us with your deep thoughts.  I must print out todays for future reference.

I just wanted to tell you all that I'm back home, but we have problems galore here.  Seems there was a really bad storm in our absence, and our garden and flowers are only little sticks, now.  Also, it somehow flooded my studio, and Darrel just came in to tell me the Scuba shop is a sea of water and mud and the back shop/garage is flooded as well.  So I guess I don't need to wonder how I will be spending the rest of the day. :-

Is our Mieka back???  I see a new photo of her on my IMs!  GREAT!

Thanks you Pat, Jack, Iain and Marilyn for the wonderful devotionals today.  All a blessing to read.  

Heather, I, too, don't know how you can be alert at 3:30am.  What time do you arise in the day?

Janet, my, that would be devastating to come home to that much destruction.  I pray you have strength to get it cleaned up and you have not lost too much.

Carol, I am doing some PSP lessons.  I can handle this computer better than a sewing machine for quilts!  

Ursula, I haven't looked at your 4th place win yet....but I sure will.

Jen, wisdom comes with time.  I hope I have a lot of time yet....I need it...

Larry, it seems that every day we have ditto weather to yours.  It is partially sunny right now here but likely storms tomorrow!!!

Kathy, you were up late or up early, too!  I guess it was up early.  Ali let me sleep in but then it was after midnight when I went to bed.

Where's Mieka?  Probably unpacking everything she shopped for in Vegas!!!

I received this in an email this morning.  It may be old to some of you but worth reading again, I believe.


  There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her things "in order," she contacted her pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes. She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in. Everything was in order and the pastor was preparing to leave when the young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her.
  "There's one more thing," she said excitedly.
  "What's that?" came the pastor's reply.
  "This is very important," the young woman continued.
  "I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand."
  The pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say.
  "That surprises you, doesn't it?" the young woman asked.
  "Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request," said the pastor.
  The young woman explained. "My grandmother once told me this story, and from there on out, I have always done so. I have also, always tried to pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement.  In all my years of attending church socials and potluck dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork'. It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming...like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance!
So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork  in my hand and I want them to wonder 'What's with the fork?'. Then I want you to tell them: 'Keep your fork ... the best is yet to come.'"
  The pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the young woman good-bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the young woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She had a better grasp of what heaven would be like than many people twice her age, with twice as much experience and knowledge.  She KNEW that something better was coming.
  At the funeral people were walking by the young woman's casket and they saw the pretty dress she was wearing and the fork placed in her right hand.  Over and over, the pastor heard the question "What's with the fork?"
  And over and over he smiled.
  During his message, the pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the young woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. The pastor told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either.
  He was right.
  So the next time you reach down for your fork, let it remind you ever so gently, that the best is yet to come.
  Friends are a very rare jewel, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share a word of praise, and they always want to open their hearts to us.  Show your friends how much you care. Remember to always be there for them, even when you need them more.  For you never know when it may be their time to "Keep your fork."  Cherish the time you have, and the memories you share being friends with someone is not an opportunity but a sweet responsibility.
 And keep your fork.

What a wonderful story about the fork.  Yes I had forgotten it, but the fork was a timely reminder.

We have a young lady in our church who is dying.  She has become anxious to go "home".  We received the announcement in church that her home-going will be very soon.  She is leaving a young son and will be mourned by all.

With your permission I will pass that story on to her and my  pastor as she too knows that "The best is yet to come".

Well folks I am back to work around here.  I have about 2 hours of lawns to mow. and laundry to fimish.

Blessings on your day.
Judy

Hi Everyone...

Great to see you all this morning!

Iain, what can I say that others haven't?  I've been so blessed by your devotions and today is no exception.

The author that Jack mentions, Iain, (Ed Harlow) owned Everyday Publications.  Jack thought highly of Ed for the most part and we were all saddened just recently to hear of his death.  He served his Lord for many, many years and was in his upper 90's when he went home to be with his Saviour.


Heather, you are a night owl for sure!  I was in bed, couldn't sleep and came to the computer and chatted with you in the wee hours before going back to bed!  

I've been so excited, Kathy, at seeing more and more of your posts.  Keep it up girl and you won't be a Newbie must longer!  I got your email and after I cut my lawn, I'll resize it and put it up for you.  

Larry, nice to see you.  Are you off to Atlanta today?  I was so saddened to read your post over in the "Have You Prayed About It?" forum.  I'm keeping Bruce and his family in my prayers.

I'll be waiting to hear what the doctor says, Jen.  Is this about your knee?  You've had a few bad times with that game of soccer lately!

Hi Etta Sue!  I love that "Fork" writing.  I used to have it but think I lost it so now I'll copy it again.  Thanks!

Marilyn, good thoughts from you today too.

Oh, my goodness, Janet!  What a mess to come home to.  I'll be thinking of you today as you try to get it all cleaned up.  Sorry about your flowers!

Happy Lawn-Cutting, Judy!  That's sad about the lady at your church.  We'll be praying that her leaving this earth will be easy on the family and we know that great rejoicing will be taking place in Heaven as she arrives!

Yes Pat, it is my knee.  I went to the doctor, and he won't even examine it until the pain subsides a bit.  I have to wait until Thursday to go for a thorough examination.  How discouraging, I had to take today off work.  I guess I'll be back on the crutches this week.  I am on a prescription anti-inflammatory, and I had to buy a knee brace, doctor's orders.  Sigh, I am stuck here for a while, and I hate making people do stuff for me, but I just can't do it myself.  Anyway, enough of my complaining, I should be grateful.  Jen.

TRISHA!!!
It's so good to see you here.

I have a Smilie software program that I bought several months ago and never used.  And there's sites where you can go and just copy the code and put in here.

I'll see if I can get one of them for you.

Pat & Iain great words of wisdom this morning.

Iain: You made mention of grey matter, looking at your photo it looks brown to me.

Karma: I read yesterdays posting and I too shed a few tears.  Children are so beautiful.

Have a great day
Ruth

I received this is the mail today and thought you would enjoy the thought as I have.  I don't know the author but she sure has the right point.  How well our Father is able to mould us into His image is totally dependant on our attitude, is it not?

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

"I am convinced that attitude is the key to success or failure in almost any of life's endeavors. Your attitude - your perspective, your outlook, how you feel about yourself, how you feel about other people - determines your priorities, your actions, your values. Your attitude determines how you interact with other people and how you interact with yourself."

- Carolyn Warner -

Have a good day, enjoy the sunshine and blessing upon you.

Judy

Hello and good day!!

Pretty slow at work right now.  Started off a bright, sunny day, and is now thundering and raining.  If you don't like the weather in Western North Carolina, wait 5 minutes, it will change.  One time in college, I had gone in a practice room and it was about 50 degrees F., blue sky, sunny, etc.  I shut the blinds and practiced.  When I opened them, it was cloudy and beginning to drizzle.  I shut them and practiced some more.  The next time I opened them, I think I know what Noah musta seen.  One more time I closed them.  When I finished practicing (around 45 minutes from when I first began) I opened the blinds and there was like 4 inches of snow on the ground.  

If you want to use other smileys, you can do a search for "animated smileys" on google and find page after page after page after page.  Be warned, not all of them are "appropriate" or even worth looking at.  But there are some good ones.

I really have read all the posts, I just can't remember what I was going to say to all ya'll so, here is a generic "Hi!"

karmat

Karma, they used to say similar stuff about the weather when we lived in Wyoming.  Sometimes, especially in the mountains, you'd get sunshine, then rain, then hail, then snow, then wind, then more sunshine, all in a little while.  I betcha Sonya can confirm (and add to) this.

Where do you work, Karma?  I'm always curious about what people do, I guess everybody is ...

Ursula

Currently, I am a part time instructor (8 hours a week) for our Community College helping adults get their GED or high school diploma if they had dropped out of high school.  I also run an "educational service" that provides tutoring and testing for area high schoolers, and help Bernard (husband, nards656) design web pages on the side.  I have also recently become a Mary Kay independent beauty consultant.  So, I am never lacking for things to do!

Now, if I could just make some money doing these things!!!!!

Karmat, you know what's funny?  (Maybe it's not funny.)  I used to have exactly the same job in Wyoming, part-time GED instructor.  For a while I was also ESL instructor, and sometimes GED tester.  I still work for the state of Wyoming (I wrote their ABE database and keep it up long distance - not much money in this either).  Anyway.  Weird.  Today I'm "goofing around" and not working too much.

Ursula

And I've just posted some of Ursula's fantastic photos over in our current challenge "From Below Looking Up!"

You must go and see them.  They are wonderful!