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We're reading the last of Jack's "The Shepherd's Psalm" devotionals today.

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Morning Devotional...



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The man stood erect and perfectly still on top of a wee knoll.  At his feet impatiently sat two little border collies, their ears upright and their keen noses smelling the air.  Across the valley and high up on the slopes of the mountain beyond, small white objects dotted the landscape.  Half hidden in the green grass and purple heather the scattered flock grazed contentedly, unaware of the ominous stillness and the darkening sky.

Signs of the coming storm were not lost on the lone shepherd standing on the knoll.  He raised his whistle to his lips and the two dogs stiffened their posture.  At the first blast, they were off like a shot from a gun.  Further blasts caused the two noble creatures to make a wide circle around the still unconcerned sheep.  On they went until they passed even the most distant sheep.  Continuing to obey their master's whistled commands, they slowly, gently, began to move the reluctant sheep towards their master.

Not one sheep missed the attention of the two dogs.  The dogs, although decisive in their work never once nipped at the heels of their charges.  The sheep began to move faster, showing signs of fear, they moved now as one body towards the shepherd as if to seek his protection from the dogs.

It is true that the shepherd could never accomplish his task of caring for the sheep without the help of his beautiful obedient dogs.  It is just as true that the relationship between dogs and sheep would be very different without the presence of the shepherd.  You see, untrained, uncontrolled, border collies can be very vicious, and very frightening.  These loving gently creatures have a natural instinct to kill sheep by tearing their throats open with razor sharp teeth.  Can we wonder that their presence drives the flock to the shepherd?

An old Scottish shepherd-preacher once said "God has twa dogs.  The yin He calls "Goodness" and the ither He names "Mercy"."

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life." (Psalm 23:6)  Indeed so it is, that God's goodness and mercy are often needed, yet seldom truly desired.  Surely it is our fears, trials and yes, our conscience that drives us to the Good Shepherd and the protection of His presence.

It was the goodness of His grace that first showed us our sin and waywardness.  It was His mercy that drove us to see Christ as the only Saviour of Sinners, and it is His goodness and mercy that keeps us close to His side.

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever."  (Psalm 23:6)

Christians all accept the fact that through the eternal ages they will dwell in God's house.  Few realize that by faith we can enter that place of blessing while still living down here.  In the epistle to the Ephesians we learn that God has already made us to sit in heavenly places.

"And raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus."  (Ephesians 2:6)

We can appreciate our position as urged on by "Goodness" and "Mercy" as they are seen in the circumstances of life and we flee away to the peaceful, protective presence of our Shepherd.

"Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree:  that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.  For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls." (I Peter 2:24-25)

To "dwell in the house of the Lord" is to live continuously in His presence.  Brother Lawrence (author of Practicing the Presence of God) learned while doing the most onerous and menial of tasks, to practice the presence of God and so can we.  If during our trials and temptations, our illnesses and "the dark nights of our souls" He came to visit us and bless us would we feel differently?  Of course we would; temptations would fly away, sorrows would abate and psalms of blessing would move our lips.

"Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have.  For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you".  So we may boldly say,  "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear, what can man do unto me?" (Hebrews 13:5,6)

Yes, indeed we who are His, we who have been redeemed by His precious blood look forward with joy to our eternal home.  But we do not need to wait until we arrive above to enjoy the courts of Heaven; for we can dwell there now even in the midst of our wilderness journey.

Truly we can begin to enjoy, even down here the wonder that "I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

Assured of His presence, and the comfort of His home, both now and for all eternity, the believer can well heed St. Paul's injunction to "Rejoice in the Lord always.  And again I say rejoice."  (Phil. 4:4)

These words to the Philippians were written by Paul while he sat in chains in a cruel Roman prison.  Even there the Lord Jesus Christ was real to Paul; even there He knew the nearness of the risen, triumphant Saviour King.  May we also dwell daily in the light of His presence.

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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.

Wow!  I completely missed Tuesday in here.  Sorry about that.   I just got so far behind everything.  We got back from the beach Sunday, the house is a wreck, and now it is time to prepare for our trip to Indiana/Illinois (happy dance!!!!) on Friday.  Shew.  I told the parents of one of my summer students that I was so far behind, when I looked in the mirror, I saw the back of my head!!

I hope everyone's week is going well, and i will try to be in here later on Wednesday.  I will be at work, so if it is not too busy, maybe I can post more!

Take care
karmat

Pat - a great devotional. I was reminded of the shepherd who had two sheep dogs. One called 'goodness' and the other called 'mercy.'

If the sheep went of the road on one side, then 'goodnees' would race after it and bring it back into the fold.

If a sheep went astray on the other side, then 'mercy' would snoop round and bring the sheep back onto the straight and narrow road.

The Lord aslo has used 'goodness' and mercy' in my life and they have followed me all my days.

LOL

My own dog is a collie and his name is 'Dougie' I'll send you a pic later.

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.

We must continually die to self. If we are to live as God wants us to live then we must grasp this truth and hold onto it. We must see ourselves crucified with Christ. What does that mean?

Well it means among other things that we have put an end of trying to please God through our own good works. It also means that we have accepted that we cannot fulfil the law as demanded by God.

It means that we fully accept that another has pleased God on our behalf. That same person has also fulfilled God's law in very detail on our behalf. Justice has been satisfied through the sacrifice of the Lamb of God for sinners. His blood speaketh better things than that of Abel.

The just shall live by faith. It takes faith to believe these things. These things cannot be seen with our eyes. A man must be born again and indwelt by the Spirit of God before he can see Christ as his Redeemer.

If today you are still a stranger to grace and to God then cry to the Lord to open your eyes. My prayer is that you will have a testimony as one of old had, 'one thing I know, whereas I was blind, now I see.'

When a person is crucified, he dies. If that is the case how then do I now live? We live now because Christ was raised from the dead, and we too are raised from the dead to newness of life in Him. Christ now lives in us. We are spiritual beings. He IS OUR LIFE!

His perfect life, His perfect obedience, His keeping and honouring of the law are some of the assets that have been credited to our account – as if we had performed them.

Are you still trying to please God by your works? Are you still trying to keep the law perfectly? You cannot!
Them that honour Me, I will honour. How then can we honour God if we cannot contribute with good works?

By wholly accepting His plan, His way, His Will, His Salvation and His Son as our Redeemer. Everything has been done for us. All we have to do is believe it!
Time to die to self and time to live for Christ.

If any man is in Christ he is a new creature, old things have passed away behold all things have become new. Start today my friend and walk in newness of life.

Each new day for the Christian offers a brand new start, with a clean slate as long as we abide in Christ.
Let you light so shine before men that they will know that you have been with Jesus.

Would to God that I were able truthfully to say -  'For me to live is Christ, to die is gain.'

**Please note that I also post these messages on my own site where some non Christians visit.**

LOL

Your brother in Christ

Iain

Hi everyone.  Just back from coffee with my friends.  It is going to be a hot day here in the South and they have a smog alert for the area as being very unhealthy.  I think that we live far enough out of the city not to be terribly affected by the smog and I won't be out in it very long when I go down to the hospital for the treatment today.  

Fine devotionals again today.  

Judy, good to see you back from your trip.

My mind seems to be a blank this morning so am going to sign off for now.  

Good Morning one and all. It is supposed to be hot here today also Larry, back to the triple digits. We got a reprieve for a little over a week.

Pat and Iain thank you for the devotionals this morning. Pat the study of the Shepard Psalm has been wonderful.

Iain, your devotionals are always so inspirational to me.

I ave lots to do here today and then go to work for 2 hours, I will return later.

Love Marilyn

Each new day for the Christian offers a brand new start, with a clean slate as long as we abide in Christ.
Let you light so shine before men that they will know that you have been with Jesus.
Thank you, Iain for your message.

I am off to exercise and hope that this won't be exhausting for me today.

Tornadoes in Minnesota and we are driving there next week.  It has been years, but we will never forget the tornado that hit our house and property when we lived there years ago.  After two years of cleaning, we still would find glass in the yard and sometimes still in the house.  

Now we are greatly concerned about one of our good friends - he keeps falling asleep if he doesn't have something to do.  He goes to the Mayo clinic so has excellent health care - now we are more than concerned about his driving.  Carol

Carol, sleeping disorders are very dangerous. I will be praying for his safety and for the doctors to find out what the problem is.

I treasure that new clean slate.  So often we mess up and need to go to the Shepherd for cleansing.  "If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."  1 John 1:9  How I cherish that cleansing.

Iain I enjoyed your analogies about Grace and Mercy.  I also am a dog lover. We have a big rottweiller. He has trained all the other dogs here on our property.  He will take and pull them by the neck if they get too close to the road!  Like you pictures will follow.

At 10:40 it is already 28 degrees celcius.  We are too far from any city to be concerned about smog, but we will be wearing sunscreen today.  I will need to pick up some that is waterproof for swimming.

Have a good day all
Till later
Judy

Carol ~ I can't wait until I hear what the surprise was that Don was making for you.  Yes, super nice to not have to have surgery before going to Calgary....or anywhere...at anytime!!!

Judy Mc ~ Welcome back after a few days away.  It is nice to get away for awhile but great to be back home!!

Janet, Jeanne & Ruth Ann ~ Thanks for your knowing and showing about 'Say Uncle' and 'Ill be a Monkey's uncle.'  At least, we aren't alone in this, hunh?

Pat ~ Thank you so much for Jack's writings on the 23rd Psalm.  He is a great writer...as you already know.

Karma ~ Rest on the 8-hour drive here!!  See ya soon!

Iain ~ You have a powerful message today.  All of these lovely words are words we need to live by...goodness, mercy, faith, and above all, love.  Deeds cannot get us to heaven.  We have to have faith that  Jesus Christ, as our Redeemer, has taken care of our 'ticket' into heaven.  

Larry ~ SMOG!  That sure isn't a God-made natural thing!  I don't think I have smog around here either...just dust from the farmers.  But I do wish they wouldn't spray those chemicals in the soil...

Marilyn ~ Good morning.  It is only to get in the low 90°F's here today but the humidity is high which causes the Heat Index to make it 'feel' hotter!  It is 86°F right now...51% humidity...heat index is 89°F.  But it will be cooler for you before much longer...Yippee!!

JudyB ~ I am amazed when I read about you going swimming.  Isn't the water cold up there?  We had such a cold May that most of our pools that generally open on Memorial Day weekend...end of May...didn't open.  They have since, though.  We have only had two days in the 90°F+ bracket and THAT is unusual for us!

I am going to finish crocheting my purse today.  I am writing down instructions so I just may post a picture and instructions in Hooks, Needles & Frames.

?º°`°º?ø,¸¸,ø?º°`°º?ø?º°`°º?ø,¸¸,ø?º°`°º?ø?º°`°º?ø,¸¸,ø?º°`°º?ø?º°`"The people who tell you never to let little things worry you have never tried sleeping in the same room with a mosquito."

I just wanted to be colorful today!!!

Good morning.  Just a short hello and I have to get busy too.  Everyone has lots to do today!

Larry, did they accidentally give you decaf today, and not the regular cuppa?  You said that your mind was blank!    

Good reading this morning in the devotionals.  Thanks, Pat and Iain,  you are both so appreciated.  And later on, Papa John will give us a good one too.

I have to go to the hospital today and pre-register, also get some lab work done.  Next Tuesday will by my surgery day.  

Also we go see Earl's sister in the nursing home too.  She is about 12 miles away from us.  I have some laundry to take back to her.  

Pat, I did try to get Earl to try using crushed ice, in fact I bought a crusher/blender.  But he said he just rinses out his mouth with cool water when it gets dry.  Well, what do you do – I tried!    He is getting quite senile in many ways, but after all, he is 80 now so I guess he does pretty well considering.  He does some strange things sometimes though.  He does not drive very much anymore, but 2 days ago he went somewhere, and when he returned home he did not close the car door, just left it standing open.  By morning the next day, I noticed it, but the battery was already run down.  He used jumper cables from my car and got it going again.   I have to watch out for him and make sure he takes his meds right and all that sort of thing.  The swelling is still with him, but it is usually a little better each morning.  

Etta Sue, I am glad you got a good report again.  That is a relief for a few more months anyway.  I am due to get my scan done again on the lung, but it will have to wait a little longer, as this surgery comes first.  I don't expect that nodule has changed any, so I am not worried about it.  I know Who is in control and that is what really matters.  

Carol, perhaps your friend has sleep apnea.  Our daughter Elaine has that, and she does not get enough rest at all, even with using the CPAP machine.  She had to go to Albuquerque today on Social Security business, so I hope she got enough sleep last night.  

Everyone have a great day!!
Love in Jesus......Janice

It looks like a slower start here on CP today.  Summers are usually a busy time for most folks.  I went early for my swim, that gets me going for the day!

I enjoyed Jack's and Iain's devotionals today, both were so applicable in my life.  We have to get down to basics, to where "the rubber meets the road!"  We need to be reminded daily of the goodness and mercy of God, so we don't begin taking it for granted.

I'm sort of like Larry......a little blank, so will come back and chat a bit more later.

My day is going along very "hum'drum" and I'm feeling especially lonely today.  When one feels like that, there is no better place to go than CP, right?

Wonderful devotionals - great people and a loving, caring spirit is always here.

It is good to see everyone - Pat, Iain, Karmat, Larry, Marilyn, Carol, Judy, Etta Sue, Janice, Janet.  I also notice that Pinkie is online just now.  

May God shower his blessings everyone.      

Folks - I know many of you are complaining about heat, smog etc.  I have just seen on our national news horrific looking tornados sweeping through South Dakota.

My geography is not that great. Are any of you affected by these storms?

- A concerned brother.

Iain, it is hot, but I do not complain, now when winter comes and the frigid north wind blows, I DO complain.  I figure a person needs to be happy with either the hot or the cold!  LOL

I will keep my ears open this side of the lake for more of the heat related weather systems, although I haven't heard of any problems.   I too will pray for our brothers and sisters in the west.

Out of curiosity Iain have you ever been this side of the Atlantic?

Mary Frances thankyou for your prayers.  They are coveted.  You can know you are being thought of and are being prayed for in your "hum-drum" day.

Blessings all
Judy

Judy - No sis not been over there, though I would love to go. I have a dream of going to the States (New England I think) in the autumn (the Fall) and the whole of Canada, including Vancouver.

All I would need would be my camera and a suitcase full of memory cards!

What is the Rottweiller like as a pet? Many over here regard them as vicious. Are they just big softies with teeth, or do they not take kindly to strangers?

Mary Frances, here are some big hugs for you, so don't feel lonely any more!  ((((((((((Mary Frances)))))))))))))

Some rotweilers are vicious, Iain, we have had several people mauled to death by them here in the states.  I think a lot has to do with how they are raised and trained.  I personally would never want one, but that's because I prefer smaller breeds of dogs.  We had two great pyrenees once, and they are HUGE!  The kids could ride them like a small pony!  But never again will I have a BIG dog.

Janice, prayers will be going up for you from now until we get the good reports about your successful surgery!  And for Earl's safety, too, while you are hospitalized and convalescing.  Bless you!

MIEKA! where are you today?  We need a giggle or two in here!

The greatest gift you can give yourself is a little bit of your own attention!

Iain: Rottweilers can be very good family dogs, if they have not been inbred or have ancestor who were visious. It is all in ow thay are raised. I hav ehad to bo the best friends i could have in Rotts. They were very good watch dogs because no one knew whether or not they would bite. Mine would sit and stare and growl almost under their breath. It is the same with Pit Bulls. If they are not bred for fighting and are trained properley they are loving pets. I have 1 American Satffordshire Terrier. Aka a breed of Pit Bull. She is more afraid of people as they are of her.

We are dog lovers here too, but, rotties as they are sometimes called, wouldn't be a dog I would  , want to own.  I've seen several children with horrific bites, infected etc.

(My granddaughter is here... we are practising. or at least I am the student!..LOL...

now I'll see how this turns out!

What good devotional thoughts today.

I love the passage Jack quoted,  Ps 23:6  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.  (KJV)   I wonder Pat if you have the music to that song we sing with those words?

Iain's statement is so important for us to think about each day.  

QuoteWhen a person is crucified, he dies. If that is the case how then do I now live? We live now because Christ was raised from the dead, and we too are raised from the dead to newness of life in Him. Christ now lives in us. We are spiritual beings. He IS OUR LIFE!

Paul makes it plain that as Christians we must not continue in sin because have been made free from it and Christ does live in us.

Rom 6:1-8  What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?  God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?  Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:  Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.  For he that is dead is freed from sin.  Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
(KJV)

It is good to see everyone today.  God bless you all.


--- Papa John              <)))><<

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Hello everyone!  I've missed a couple of days here.  But I've been out applying for new jobs.  I haven't heard back from any of them yet so I'm going to start calling them tomorrow.  Here's a quick update on my knee.  It's feeling much better now, though still swollen.  I have a lot more movement, though can't quite straighten it all the way.  I went to the doctor again.  It is an injury of the miniscus (sp), and he ordered complete rest and another anti-inflammatory.  I am to go back in a week, if it is not healing, I have to get a minor surgery to correct that.  I'm really praying that is not necessary, and I don't feel it will be.

Thank you one and all for your prayers for me over the past few days.  I've had a plethora of feelings come over me.  I've struggled at times trying to find out how I should really react.  But the Lord has been good.  I'll probably be on tomorrow.  We are going to a park this evening for our family Bible study, it's way too hot in this house.  God bless you all.  Jen.

Well, I was so surprised - Don made a wood pen for me with special wood that he ordered - it is a 500 year old tree from the Holy Land - an olive tree.  He thinks that it didn't turn out perfect so he is  going to make another.  I love it!  To think that this tree has been growing in the Holy Land for so many years.  

Judy B:  Hi - Thank you for the prayers and concern for our friend.  He has been getting worse and we can see this because we usually see him twice per year.  

Where is that verse about being cleansed?  That is why I love communion as it always reminds me that my sins have been washed away.  (It take a Niagra Falls to wash my sins away )

Etta Sue:  We are driving to see many friends and relatives in MN next week - staying in motels most of the time as some are quite elderly and we do not want to interrupt their lives too much.  Fun with a cousin at the lake and then fun later with friends at their lake cabin.  But - sadly had to cancel Calgary as Don's hand surgery is too close to the event.  

Janice:  I pray for you - for your strength throughout what is yet to come and pray for Earl also.  

Mary Frances:  It is always good to see you and it feels nice to stop in here for a visit and a prayer.

Jen:  Atta girl!  You are doing all the right things!.  Carol

Thank you for being here today. It's been a busy day for me, so I've read a bit, but haven't posted.

Don't have much to say - just thinking of y'all.

Ruth Ann

Hi, Ruth Ann.  I have been doing a lot of reading these past days, so have not been posting much here...or anywhere, actually.      
Today I am reading the biography of Oswald Chambers "Abandoned To God" ... Nita brought it over last night so I could enjoy it while she and her sister are off on a trip, looking for photo ops. This is so our desire, too ... to be abandoned to God, totally emptied of self and surrendered to His moving (or not moving, as He chooses).

I've been thinking of y'all too ....  

Iain.  Our rotties are the gentlest guys you could ever want to meet, I think of then as gentle giants.  We also have a cocker spaniel.  Of the dogs she is the one I trust around strangers the least.  I can see her being an ancle biter!  Jake my big boy is so tolerant with the girls, if they want to watch a TV show and he is lying on the floor, they just shove him around to their desired position and then use him as a pillow.

Psa 51:7  Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Is that the verse you were looking for?

Off for a swim with the girls, we are all sticky and need cooling.

Have a good evening, I will be back later.
Judy

Janice, don't think it was the coffee that made my mind a bit blank this morning since I have been drinking decaf for the last 20 years or more.  Caffeine is something you stay away from with heart problems.  There are just somedays when I can't seem to think of anything to write.

Janet, it makes me feel better to see I wasn't alone today in being a bit blank.  

Mary Frances, sure hope you are not feeling as lonely by this time.  While we are separated by miles we all are very close here on CP and support each other.

Iain, I am sure you would find America and Canada great places to visit.  We have vast spaces and beautiful sites of nature for photographing.  I hope you will be able to make that trip someday.  I have never had the opportunity to travel to Europe and know that will not be in the offering due to my health.

It is good to see all of the postings today.  

My wife and I just got back a little while ago from going out for dinner.  We went to Ruby Tuesday's, which recently opened not too far from us.  They have a very nice salad bar and that is what we both had.  I about fell out of the booth when I saw on the bill that a cup of coffee cost $1.89.  I believe that is the highest I have ever paid for a cup of coffee.

You've all had a great day from what I've read so far!  This was a really HOT day!  It was over 100 degrees F. or 39 Celcius at times.

It was so hot that the pavement buckled on one of Toronto's busiest highways and is now closed while they try to fix the surface of the highway.

And my car doesn't have A/C!!  I was sweltered.

Tomorrow is supposed to be the same.

   Oh How refreshing the water is.  The Chiroractor I go to records the water temperature in the lake by his house on an annual basis.  Last year at this time the temp was 66 degrees F and this year it was 72 degrees.  So we are having a lot of warmer weather..

The verse I posted previously has me singing this hymn which we sang so many times in the church I grew up in.

Pat I was just talking to Heather's husband.  What highway buckled, he didn't know.

I am expecting a thunderstorm it is so humid.

Just stopped by to say good night to y-all. I have been on this computer toomuch today, it took me hours to get the new email to work in outlook excpress and I lost all my addresses that were on the old email address. NetZero is my new ISP so I also have this address:marilyn_793@netzero.com  Although I still have the hotmail address too.
Marilyn

Closing up early as I must be up at around 4:30 am tomorrow to take my friend to the Cancer Centre in Hamilton.

Talk to you when I get home.

Click Here

Hope there's lots of messages to read in the morning.  Just carry on in the new thread...

Blessings to you all.