Christian Photographers Community

Well, I can't believe I haven't written in here today.  I came in and read and then left with the intention of coming back but didn't do it.

I would like to add what may be a different point of view about our salvation in Christ.  Many of us believe that when we are thinking about the security we have in Christ that we shouldn't conclude that there are no longer dangers for us as we live in this world.  I believe we still have a choice to continue to put our faith in Christ or to renounce his grace and forgiveness. Consider these warnings:

1 Pet 5:8-9  Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.  (NIV)

Gal 5:4  You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. (NIV)

2 Pet 1:5-10  For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;  and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;  and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.  For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.  Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall,  (NIV)


2 Pet 2:20-22  If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning.  It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them.  Of them the proverbs are true: "A dog returns to its vomit," and, "A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud."  (NIV)

I call attention to these warnings, and there are many more, because I hope no one would reach the conclusion that after becoming a Christian one can just sit idly by and think everything is OK and that we have no responsibilities.  I know that it is by the blood of Christ we are saved and that we cannot be saved by our good works.  But we must continue to believe in Jesus.  There we have safety and no one can separate us from God's wonderful love.

--- Papa John              <)))><<

 

There is absolutely no question that following the new birth we must continue to believe, and we must also serve the living Christ.  But I thank God so very, very much for Philippians 1:6 - "being confident of this very thing, that He Who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ."  The only reason there can be that a previously lost sinner can believe, continue to believe, and finally triumph is the blessed work of Jesus Christ by His Spirit.  As He said, "Without Me you can do nothing."  He will work in us continually, moving us to hang on, moving us to love Him, moving us to life and good works.  Without His work we would be and remain lifeless.  We were "dead in trespasses and sin," and the dead can do nothing without being brought to life and kept in life.  Praise the living Christ!

It is so true that we must not sit back and expect to be wafted into heaven on the breeze of grace.  Grace doesn't work that way.  Grace moves us to action, faith, love, and works.

Hi to Etta Sue, Al, Larry, and Papa John.  I see you all are here in the room just now.
I will go back and read the postings later, but wanted to say hello before "poof" you are gone!
Hope you are having a great day!
Love,  Janice

Ruth Ann, what a lovely photo of you.  I don't remember seeing that one before.  
It would be nice if you and Etta Sue, Papa John and Cornelia could have a get together sometime!  Maybe even a few others could make it.  

Well, I will go back and read a few more postings now.  
Later..........

Going along with the discussion here today, I'd like to share with you the devotional from Oswald Chambers' My Utmost For His Highest:
"You are . . . a royal priesthood . . ." (1 Peter 2:9).
By what right have we become "a royal priesthood"?  It is by the right of the atonement by the Cross of Christ that this has been accomplished.  Are we prepared to purposely disregard ourselves and to launch out into the priestly work of prayer?  The continual inner-searching we do in an effort to see if we are what we ought to be generates a self-centered, sickly type of Christianity, not the vigorous and simple life of a child of God.  Until we get into this right and proper relationship with God, it is simply a case of our "hanging on by the skin of our teeth," although we say, "What a wonderful victory I have!"  Yet there is nothing at all in that which indicates the miracle of redemption.  Launch out in reckless, unrestrained belief that the redemption is complete.  Then don't worry anymore about yourself, but begin to do as Jesus Christ has said, in essence, "Pray for the friend who comes to you at midnight, pray for the saints of God, and pray for all men."  Pray with the realization that you are perfect only in Christ Jesus, not on the basis of this argument: "Oh, Lord, I have done my best; please hear me now."
    How long is it going to take God to free us from the unhealthy habit of thinking only about ourselves?  We must get to the point of being sick to death of ourselves, until there is no longer any surprise at anything God might tell us about ourselves.  We cannot reach and understand the depths of our own meagerness.  There is only one place where we are right with God, and that is in Christ Jesus.  Once we are there, we have to pour out our lives for all we are worth in this ministry of the inner life.[/color]
God is so good ... ALL the time!

Sonja ~ Oh, no!  Hail can do a lot of damage to just about anything in its path.  Possessions can be replaced.  Was your family safe?  Take those pictures....even for the insurance people!!

Janice ~ I am sorry.  I wrote a post to you this morning but titled it to 'Janet'.  All these 'J's' in here gets me confused.  (My excuse and I am sticking to it!!!)

Janet ~ I was wondering this morning if John was still with Beth and now you have answered my wonderings.  They will probably miss each other, for sure.  

Great to see Papa John, Al and Jane posting mini-sermons.  They are all for what they are intended to be....learning more about God's Word.

Iain ~ Good to see you stopping in.  Did you get two turns at the computer today???  

Jerry and I got the yard mowed and I cleaned off the deck with the hose.  Ivalou mowed and when she put her mower away, her garage door broke.  It wouldn't come back down.  So she moved the mower to the double garage door and Jerry got the small door down.  At least, no varmits can get in now.  She will have to get it worked on or replaced...

I pray that everyone attends a church of their choice tomorrow on the Lord's Day.

Sonifo, I remember the tremendous power of hailstorms.

One Sunday when my son was about 3, he had gone with his daddy to take some elderly folk home who were past the age of driving. It was a warm day, so he fell asleep on the back seat of our volkswagen van.

Since lunch wasn't quite finished, we decided to let Danny sleep a few moments. Then a really B-A-A-A-D hailstorm hit. It was so bad that I ran to the door of the garage and prepared to dash out to the van to rescue Danny, who I felt certain would be frightened out of his wits and screaming.

Instead, I saw the most wondrous picture. My little son had pressed his face so hard against the window that his little nose was all squished against the window and his cheeks were flattened against the glass. His little hands were pressed against the window until each point of contact was a bit white from the pressure.

His huge blue eyes were upturned and his mouth had dropped open. His face was a study in AWE.

In only a moment or two, the storm passed over and I dashed out to the van. He leaped into my arms, pointed his finger upward and said in a hushed voice:

"Mommy! I jus' heard GOD walkin' on the woof!"

Still brings a lump to my throat to remember that statement.

Ruth Ann

The Resume of Jesus Christ

Honest, dependable Son of God
seeks management position in the
Heart department of all mankind.

Qualifications

Died on the cross, buried and resurrected
in the third day with "all power".
Worked with people of all nationalities,
and all economic and educational levels.

Skills
Casting out demons, Rescuing those in trouble
Leadership and empowerment abilities.
Multilingual and communication skills for
understanding people and explaining
Biblical truths.

Divine Work Experience

Lord and Savior
redeemed human race from sin
Financial advisor and provider
assisting in times of need
Omnipresent communications consultant.
Hearing and answering prayers
International physician healing all
sickness and disease.

Wow!  It's been so long since I've been here I'll be forever catching up!   Maybe I should introduce myself all over again?

I've just skimmed today's postings and will go back to read more thoroughly and also read the days I've missed.  Can't believe the days have flown by so quickly!  

  Oh, Sonja!  I'm so sorry about your van!  What about the roof of your house?  Your pretty yard?  I hate those destructive hailstorms!  Be sure and let us know about this later, along with the pictures.

Curtis and Mark are here now, and we had ribs again for supper!   Good stuff!  Along with a big salad and french fried sweet potatoes.  They all liked it a lot.  Abby really chows down on those ribs!

Etta Sue, I noticed you said Janet and meant Janice!  It happens to me a lot, there are so many whose names are similar to mine.  No biggie!

I hope Curtis has now remedied my problem of locating my photos when I use the HP camera and have to download them on Darrel's computer.  He tried, anyway!  I just love these boys to pieces!

I must get off here and enjoy my kids some more.  See you tomorrow!

WELCOME TO PINKIE!  GREAT TO SEE YOU!

Sonja, sorry to hear about your van.  I'm glad no one was injured though.  

OH, Sonja, I can't believe what you've been through.  My goodness if it's not one thing, it's another.  I'm so sorry.  Is your van completely ruined?  What a mess!  

Hang in there, sweetie.

                WELCOME
                                  PINKIE

It's that time again...time to lock this thread and open one for tomorrow.

It was so nice to be able to welcome "Pinkie" to our forums.  Let's make sure that she feels very welcome indeed.

Now, let's continue our conversation in tomorrow's thread...  Click Here