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Morning Devotional...



How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings. Isaiah 52:7


How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! Romans 10:15

What made our Lord's feet so beautiful? His mission--to bring good news! The prophet said, "the feet of Him" and the apostle says, "the feet of them."

What makes the change from singular to plural? You do! Let our feet perform their duty and take the gospel "cure" for sin to a world that's waiting for good news! Follow the Master and your feet will look more like His every day!
                                                                             --Rex Trogdon


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That is beautiful Pat.

It is late. I was asleep but something woke me.  Decided to see if anyone else was up as well.

I will check out some of the other strings and be back

Morning folks. So I'm a fool member, well that makes sense. I'm in a rush this morning as the Craft Market is on today again.

Meika - Not that is what I call a bonnie lass! Great photo.

Larry - Sounds like you are getting on just fine with them nurses! Praying for you and all in this fellowship. It is a privilege to do so.

Hope these few thoughts help someone:-

Are you walking closely with your Lord today or are you following afar off? Are your sins keeping you at a distance from Him, while in the depths of your soul you are desiring to be near Him?

It is a continual warfare for the believer. He views Christ by faith and there he sees the sacrifice made for his sins.

He looks within and all he views is wounds and bruises and putifying sores. Sin in all it's uglyness dwells within his frame. There are times when this view can paralyse our soul, leaving us distraught and lame.

I was thinking today of another who was distaught and lame. His name was Mephibosheth. I also viewed a King with a heart full of love for this man.

Mephibosheth did not have the power or strength or even the ability to be able to fend for himself. He dared not to approach the King as the King has told others of his hatred for the blind and lame.

The King however sought him out. He gave him land and made others work it for him. He provided for all his needs. That in itself was more than enough for Mephibosheth. Like us, he felt unworthy of the least of the King's mercies.

The King's love for him however did not stop there. Mephibosheth was given a seat daily at the King's table. Many have said that the table covered his weakness.

I prefer to view it from the King's standpoint. He viewed Mephibosheth through the eyes of love. Love covers a multitude of sins.

May the Lord bring you to His table today. May you accept His provision for you. May you see that you are accepted in the Beloved. May His fruit be sweet to your taste.

Turn your eyes away from viewing your frailties and view the King of Glory dying on a tree outside the walls of Jerusalem for you.

There is power in the blood. Come now and let us reason together saith the Lord. though your sins are as scarlet they shall be as white as snow, though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

My God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Goodness and mercy all my life shall surely follow me, and in God's house for evermore, my dwelling place shall be. The King loves you, come and feast with Him today. Open your mouth wide and He shall fill it.

LOL

Your brother in Christ

Iain

Hi everyone.  It is good to come here early and read the devotional thoughts from Pat and those from Iain.  

It has rained here most of the night and is still dark and rainy outside.  We had gone about 6 days without rain so this is welcome.  The sun should be out by later this afternoon.  I have work to do today on two of the webpages I maintain.  One is for our Church and the other is for the Senior Center.  I find that during the week I don't seem to have much time available.

Since I posted late last evening there isn't much else to say this morning.  Mieka, I do like your new picture.

Hello everyone!!!  Karma says to tell everyone HELLO!!!

They are going to head north today and I am going to a Cremation Memorial service.  I guess some relatives are having their sister's ashes in an urn buried over their parents.  I have never been to a ceremony like this.

We are having a great time with Karma, Nard and Travis.  Jerry was here last evening and maybe this evening.  

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"Life's golden age is when the kids are too old to need baby-sitters and too young to borrow the family car."

Mieka,  I like your new picture too.

Good morning Pat, Judy B., Iain, Larry, Etta Sue, and anyone else who is up and around this morning.

Larry, the rain ran south of us so we didn't get any last night.  It is a beautiful sunshiny morning here.

I hope you all have a nice day today.

--- Papa John    ;D          <:))))><<

 

Hi Etta Sue!  We are on at the same time.

Good Morning Papa John!  It is nice to see you & Cornelia!

I have a board meeting and will bring my baked quiche for lunch today.  It is sunny and very nice outside - another great Lord's day -every day should be Lord's Day!

Thanks for all of the devotionals.  They are so appreciated.

By the way, I may not be able to get online for a few weeks beginning Tuesday - for some reason, I have a lot of trouble when we travel - it may be my laptop.  We are driving to Minnesota.  Carol

Good morning everyone, Pat, I see you online!

Carole, we'll be praying for your safety during your trip.  Is it far from where you are now?  Jen.

 It is sunshiny here in SW Kansas, too, and promises to be really HOT!  We just finished getting the 5th wheel trailer back into the garage (I don't like that job!) and when we finished I was sweating big time.  Looks like one of those three-shower days!  We escaped a really bad hailstorm last night, so thought we'd better get the trailer back under protection.  They had baseball to softball sized hail in two of the communities to the north and the west of us last night. :( :o

Iain, you are now a FULL member, not a fool member!!  And we are so very happy that you have joined us here on CP.  What a blessing you are to us, brother!

Later today we are going to Dodge City to attend a dinner theatre.  This is my late birthday celebration.  We plan to look at motor homes again while there, and of course stop by good ol' Wal-Mart.  :)

Etta Sue, we all wish we could be there with you enjoying you, Jerry, and Karma's family.  Have fun!

Good Morning Everyone!

Yep!  I'm here, Jen!  But just barely!  I'm feeling so weary from all of the travel but I must do this for my friend.

Carol, we'll certainly miss you if you can't get online.  What do you use, AOL? When you travel?  I'm looking for someway to do this for when I go to Calgary.

My goodness, Judy, you were up late!

Hi Papa John!  How are you and Cornelia today?


You'll have to give us the URLs of your websites, Larry!  Always interested in seeing what people are working on!

Thanks Iain, for the wonderful devotion for us all.  I really am blessed by your offerings here.

Etta Sue & Jerry, enjoy your time with Karma et al.

EDIT:  Hi Janet!

Good morning everyone!

We had a great night last night.  We went to a christian concert in the park here.  It was fun. The girls danced and the boys played football catch with other christian men.

We have lots to do today. Mike is mowing the lawn right now and I need to get started on some laundry.  The kids are wanting to go swimming.  

Hope you all have a fun day.

Pat,

Papa John and Cornelia are doing fine today.  Thanks for asking.  Right now I am in the process of printing the July birthday cards for the nursing home where we do some volunteer work.  Each month we get the list of residents with their birthdays in that month.  I enjoy printing the cards each month.  This computer is amazing.  I can tell the printer to print and still get on line as each one is being printed.

I don't understand how a computer works.  But I know it does because I use it every day.  I don't understand how the power of God works.  But I know it does because I use it[/b] every day too.

--- Papa John    ;D          <:))))><<

 

Well I am off to a good start this morning it is now 8:45 on the west coast and I have alredy cleaned the bathroom and kitchen and have one load of laundry in the dryer and one in the washer, I am washing my stuffed animals before I pack them,.Plus spending time here and on SN adding a few posts here and there. I is to be 108 F. today, I still have to fill the dogs wash tub all the way full for Happydog, unless he decides to stay in most of the day. I think I will go check messenger and see who is online there.

Be back later

QuoteI don't understand how a computer works.  But I know it does because I use it every day.  I don't understand how the power of God works.  But I know it does because I use it every day too.

Papa John, what a lovely comparison. And how true!  We don't understand how the power of God works but it does!  Thanks so much for that.


Hi Marilyn!

Yeahhhhhh!!!!!  That's more like it, Mieka!!  Ye're a beautiful girl, so stay that way!

Hi Al!  (Praying for you today! )


I see Larry Rockwell online and that makes me so happy!

Quote from: Sonifo on June 28, 2003, 11:34:23 AM
Good morning everyone!

We had a great night last night.  We went to a christian concert in the park here.  It was fun. The girls danced and the boys played football catch with other christian men.

We have lots to do today. Mike is mowing the lawn right now and I need to get started on some laundry.  The kids are wanting to go swimming.  

Hope you all have a fun day.

Hi Sonja...

How in the world did I miss you today!  Oh well, here's a "Hi" now to you!

Glad you had a great time as a family last night.  I believe the saying is so true, "The family that prays (and plays) together, stays together!"

Larry Rockwell is one of our members and has difficulty with time--finding the time to post on our forums.  He was online this morning and wrote me the following email and he gave me permission to post it here.

Let's all remember to keep Larry in our prayers as he strives to learn this new language for his future missionary work in Peru...

Hello Pat,

I feel bad that I have not had the time to bee involved with the CP web site. I am in language school and very overwhelmed by the amount of work especially this quarter. Thank you for your web site. It is an encouragement to me.

We are in our second trimester here and hope to finish in a year and then on to the Andes Mountains of Peru serving among the Quechua people group.

I can really relate to Meika with the struggle to be understood and understand others.  Yet this is a time that God has given us for now. It is a time , a season in
our lives.

Among many other things one of the things we do each week is memorize a new verse and then by the end of the week having practiced saying it a million times - hopefully being able to say it with some respect to the way it should be said. It is a challenge to say the least.


God is teaching me and my family much in this process. I would like to say that language learning is like any other subject and just takes hard work.

It is not that easy. First it is the most humbling thing I have ever experienced. I am not young any longer and now I am speaking like a second grade student -maybe. It also teached us to depend on God more. We are put
in situations many times that are very frustrating and there needs be something communicated - yet I find myself without the correct word or wrong conjugation of the word. So many times the person I am speaking to may think I aleady performed the action or that I am going to do it or look at me with wonder when I am standing in the rain and saying that the sun is wonderful
on Monday- when it is Wednesday.

Well, we press on.

I have learned two very special words -

1. por favor and despacio. please and slowly.

When i am listening to a native speaker thay sound to me like they have just run a long word into a paragrah length. All the words sound like they run together. Of course when you begin to learn spanish you will find out that this is good spanish. The phonetics lends itself to smooth connections between words and unions. Ugh! Not like english.

I have some beautiful pictures of Colibris here (hummingbirds) in Costa Rica. I am just afraid I will send them at such a large pixel size that I have not sent any.

Also I do not know where to post them. Any help you can give would be appreciated greatly.

I don't have a picture of me or my family to post yet but maybe soon.

My verse for the first week this trimester is "Todo lo puedo en Cristo que me fortalece." Filip. 4:13 (I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me.)

Second week- "de Jehova es la tierra y su plenitud;
el mundo y los que en el habitan."[/i] Salmo 24:1  (The earth is the Lord's and all that it contains; the world and those who dwell in it.

Third week- "Todo tiene su tiempo y todo lo que se quiere debajo del cielo tiene su hora."[/i] Eclesiastes 3:1   (Everything has it's time and there is a time for every event under the heavens.)

This weeks verse is very special for me this week.

Thank you all and those others part of this special web site. What a great community. It will be a special day to meet each other - as the day of the Lord approaches!

En Cristo,
Larry


Larry and Sandy Rockwell
Dios es mas glorificado en mi cuando yo estoy mas satisfecho en El.


Instituto de Lingua Espanol
Att: Larry and Sandra Rockwell
Apartado 100-2350
San Jose,Costa Rica
America Central[/list]


Thanks so much for sending this Larry!

(When I wrote to him asking permission to post it here, I got this from him...)

Yes by all means you may post the e-mail I sent. It hope it may encourage someone else who is trying to do something new beyond there own strength at the middle age of 46!

It is beyond my strength for sure. Yet I am finding that God's word is very very true- and He equips those he calls.[/color][/list]

Hi there, Sonja, you busy mom!  It's wonderful that you enjoy your kids so much.  You are making precious memories with them.

Papa John, those are indeed true (and wise) words!  I don't understand electricity, either, but I use it every day!  God is so much better, stronger and kinder than computer or electricity.  YEAAAA, God!  We love you!

I'm like Marilyn today, getting some stuff done!  It bothers me when it stacks up, so this is my day to tackle it!  I will be ready for a rest on the way to Dodge City.

WELCOME, MELVIN!! We are so glad you have joined us!

I must finish up here, just a little more to go.  It will feel so god to come home tonight to a nice clean house!  And Darrel even ran the vacuum for me.  This must be my day!! ;D ;D ;D

I had to come back after seeing Pat's post for Larry Rockwell.  Larry, it is wonderful that you are willing to learn Spanish now.  I know just enough Spanish to be dangerous!  But we are surrounded by Mexicans here, in fact, we are now the minority in our town.  And it is happening in many places in the U.S.  So we need to learn Spanish.  But I feel very strongly that THEY should be learning English if they want to live here.  Learning Spanish is, for us, a courtesy, but English for them should be considered a necessity, just as it is for you to go work with those in Peru.  God bless you, and enable you to learn with alacrity.  And thanks for sharing your story with us here on CP.

Perhaps I should have added this to my post this morning. It is very much in my mind just now and I pray that it will be blessed to someone. It is the hymn 'Nearer my God to thee.'

I do not have all the words to it at hand, but perhaps either Pat can supply them when she has time or maybe the title itself will bring a blessing to someone.

Thinking of you.

LOL

Well, Iain, we can add those words.  You can copy and paste them from below and then click on the "Modify" button and put them where you'd like them.  If you have trouble, let me know and I'll help.

Here's the hymn now...

WELCOME MELVIN
So sorry that I accused you of not registering here, I had not been back here when I answered your email. So glad you used the link I sent to you and signed in here. You will really like our home here, and the love this FAMILY will share with you.

Your sister in Christ
Marilyn

I found this out about Sarah Adams who wrote the above hymn...

Daughter of jour­nal­ist and pol­i­ti­cian Ben­ja­min Flow­er, she mar­ried Wil­liam Bridges Adams in 1834. She had hoped to be an ac­tress, but God had other plans for her.

Her stage ca­reer was cut short by poor health (though she did get to play Lady Macbeth in 1837), so she turned to writ­ing. Her works in­clude ma­ny mag­a­zine ar­ti­cles; a po­em about ear­ly Christian mar­tyrs called Vi­via Per­petua (1841); The Flock at the Foun­tain (1845), a child­ren's cat­e­chism; and 13 en­tries in Hymns and An­thems, pub­lished in 1841 by min­is­ter Wil­liam Johnson Fox.

Welcome Melvin:  Please tell us more about yourself; your family; how you came to find Christian Photographers, etc.  We love to get to know one another, and their families.

Thank you Pat for posting the "newsy" letter from Larry Rockwell.  I had thought of him several times, wondering what happened that we hadn't heard more from him; now I know.  I'd love to learn Spanish.  Its a beautiful language.  I have two grandchildren learning the language.  I think its probably because they are residing in the United States; while my grandchildren here in Ontario, are taking French, and doing quite well I might add.

Carol:  We will miss you this summer while you are travelling, don't stay away too long.

Janet:  How nice that Darrell is doing vacuming for you.  That is one job that I cannot do myself.  Ironing is probably the one chore that I really don't mind doing.

I am always surprised to hear so many of my friends say that they don't iron anymore.  I can remember my mother ironing sheets!  I sure don't iron those, but I do iron pillow cases, especially after taking them off the clothes line; I love the fresh smell.

Its rather overcast here today.  I haven't anything too much planned, except trying to finish a couple of books that I started during the winter months.

Norm is out in the yard planting more annuals.  The squirrels made a meal out of some petunias, which spoiled the look around the shrub beds.

I'm sure everyone is looking forward to the Lord's day tomorrow.  This is a holiday weekend here in Canada.  July 1st is Canada Day.

I am hoping we will travel to Michigan next weekend to spend the 4th of July with our son David; its his 41st birthday, right on the 4th!

Papa John:  How is Cornelia feeling these days?  I think of her often.  I'm sure she must be feeling some better after receiving the blood transfusions.  I've had several myself, so I know how much more energetic one can feel afterwards.

Lovingly to all..... Judy

I am being more talkative today than usual, but seeing Iain's post made me want to shar a story about the hymn "Nearer, My God, to Thee."  I am copying it from the book "Hymns of Faith and Inspiration" by Ideals.

                         A Tale of Two Sisters

Sarah Flower Adams, the author of this well-loved hymn, wa a woman of the arts.  At an early age she followed her dreams of being an actress and traveled from her homw in Harlow, England, to the London stage =, where she played the part of Lady MacBeth in Shakespearean productions.  Plagued with delicate health, however, Sarah Flower found the rigors of theatrical life exhausting, and she made a decision to channel her creative talents along literary lines.  Returning home, she turned her efforts to composing poetry and prose as well as hymn texts for use by the Unitarian congregation of which she was a member.  Her sister, Eliza, was an accompliehed musician and composed the music for many of Sarah's verses.

In 1834, at the age of twenty-nine, Sarah married John Bridges Adams, a prominent civil engineer and inventor.  Together they established a lovely home in London where they entertained a wide circle of devoted friends.  Despite her increased social obligations, Sarah continured to work with her sister composing hymns.  Their pastor, the Reverend William Johnson Fox, recognizing the literary and musical gifts of the two talented sisters, enlisted their aid in commpiling a new hymnal for his congregation.

The project was nearing completion in 1841 when Rev. Fox lamented that he could not find a suitable hymn to use at the conclusion of a sermon he was preparing on the text found in Genesis 28:10-22.  In this passage, Jacob is fleeing from his home.  On his journey, he stops to spend the night in the desert.  Using a stone for a pillow, he falls into a deep sleep, during which he has a vivid dream.  In the dream, Jacob sees a stairway or ladder extending from earth to heaven, and with the angels of God descending and ascending upon it.  Aabove the ladder, Jacob sees a vision of God.  Waking from the dream, Jacob recommits his life to God and renames the place Bethel ("house of God")

As Rev. Fox spoke of the need to find a hymn to accompany his sermon on this text, Eliza encouraged her sister to compose a verse on the subject.  Taking the challenge, Sarah sat down that day and read and reread the story of Jacob's dream.  As she absorbed the details of the Bible passage, she transferred  them into poetic form.  When the five stanzas were completed, she had captured the esseence of Jacob's dream in her hymn text.  She had included the stony pillow in verse two, the angelic stairway in verse three, and the naming of the site as Bethel in verse four. Eliza wrote a melody for her sister's words and their new hymn was published in Rev. Fox's hymnal, Hymns and Anthems, in 1841.  Three years later, "Nearer, My God, to Thee" was first sung in the United Sates.  Although it had a cordial reception, it did not really gain much popularity until the words were set to a new melody in 1856.  This melody, by which we know the hymn today, was composed by Lowell Mason, a prolific writer of church and school music.

Neither Sarah nor her sister, Eliza, lived to see the hymn gain worldwide acclaim, for within five years of its publication, both women became victims of tuberculosis.

It is a fitting tribute to them both that--as the following two stories attest--this beautiful hymn has been a comfort to men and women of faith for over 150 years.

President of the United States William McKinley lay dying from an assassin's bullet in 1901 when he was heard by his family to whisper the chorus of this favorite hymn,
Nearer, ,y God, to thee, nearer to thee."  A few days later, at his funeral and memorial services around the country, congregations sang the hymn, remembering as they did their fallen leader.

The second story occurred as the lifeboats pulled away from the sinking Titanic on the night of April 14, 1912.  Over 1,500 people, unable to enter lifeboats or obtain lifebelts, stood on the shuddering deck facing death.  As they did so, the ship's band played this hymn and hundreds of voices rose over the roaring ocean affirming what, for them, was deep reality: "Nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee."

Edit:  I see Pat posted the words and music, so now we have "The Rest of the Story!"

Pat and Janet:  I read with interest the stry of Sarah Adams who wrote that beautiful hymn: "Nearer my God to Thee".

I always read the author's names when singing a hymn., and frequently look up the biography.

So many of the hymns that we sing have been written by persons who have overcome some tragedy in their lives.  Right now I am trying to think of the hymn that was written by the man who lost his wife and child (ren) when the ship capsized.

After I've posted, the name will come to me (but I bet someone will remember who I'm thinking about first)...lol

Are you thinking of Joseph Scriven, Judy?  He's the one who wrote "What A Friend We Have in Jesus."



Only the Lord and the man in question really know what burdens of sorrow and affliction were heaped upon the writer of this great hymn. One thing we do know, however, is that this beautiful and blessed hymn would never have been penned if the author had not known such trouble.

The man was Joseph Scriven and he was born near Banbridge, in the heart of the rolling hills of County Down, Northern Ireland.

After graduating from Dublin's famous 'Trinity College' he seemed set for a brilliant career and a happy life for he was also engaged to be married.

But then tragedy struck! His fiancée was accidentally drowned on the very eve of their wedding and Joseph Scriven was plunged into his first great experience of sorrow. In the providence of God it was this tragedy which brought him to a personal knowledge of Jesus Christ.

In 1845 Scriven sailed for Canada to start life anew and, hopefully, to leave all his sorrows behind. But it was not to be, for ill-health dogged him and he was forced to return to Ireland after only two months.

Two years later he again set sail for Canada to take up a teaching post. In this he was successful and later graduated to the position of private tutor to the children of a military captain.

Life, at last, seemed worth living and prospects were continually improving!

Again he met and fell in love; this time with a charming young woman of twenty-three. Soon they were engaged to be married.

However, bitter disappointment was once more to be his unhappy lot, for this young lady was suddenly stricken with a serious illness and died before their marriage vows could be solemnise&

Cheated, for the second time, out of the prospects of a happy marriage by the cruel hand of death Scriven, quite naturally, became the victim of severe depression and declining health. But despite all this he never gave up his personal faith in the Saviour.

By this time he had settled in Port Hope, Ontario, and was manager of a small dairy there. He became known as the local 'Good Samaritan', helping the poor and under-privileged, sharing his food with the needy and often giving them clothing.

However, all these good deeds may well have been forgotten if Joseph Scriven had not written twenty-four lines of poetry to comfort his mother who was suffering from a serious illness.

Through his trials and afflictions Scriven had come to know the Lord in a very personal way, not only as Saviour but also as a friend.

Thus, from the heart he could write:

What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear,
What a privilege to carry,
Everything to God in prayer.

As I say, Scriven wrote these words to comfort his ageing mother at a time of illness. He had not seen her since he had said 'goodbye' over ten years before and wasn't able to make the long journey back home to be with her.

So he wrote What A Friend We Have In Jesus, and sent it with the prayer that it would remind her of 'the never failing friend,' Jesus Christ. I'm sure it did.

Joseph Scriven never intended his poem to be published but a friend who visited him during his last illness discovered the lines and asked 'Who wrote these beautiful words?' Scriven's modest reply was 'the Lord and I did it between us.'

Soon it was published in The Port Hope Guide, a local newspaper. Remarkably, a copy of that newspaper was used to wrap a parcel destined for an address in New York City. when the recipient unwrapped his parcel he caught sight of Scriven's poem and arranged to have it published.

Eventually, it was seen by German-American composer, Charles Converse and very soon his simple, plaintive melody gave wings of song to Joseph Scriven's telling words.

Thus an Irish-Canadian and a German-American were used of God to bring blessing and encouragement to millions.

No.. Not Joseph Scriven; however, this is another story I hadn't heard either, Pat. ::)

Oh gosh, its really irking me not to think of the hymn or writer... >:(.

Oh... I just thought of it.. :D :D... "AMAZING GRACE"... thats it...have you the bio on that Pat? ???

You know, this might be of interest., for us to name some favourite hymns, and look up who wrote them, and the bio, or reason on how they happened to be written.

Any thoughts on that anyone? :) ??? ???

Well Janet, Pat & Judy it seems that my post was well worth while. Thank you for all the background details. It is simply amazing the number of the great Christian Hymn who suffered a great deal in this world.

Now I am going to attempt to post some photos of my trips to Romania............................................................................somewhere!!

Don't know where they'll end up.

Pat I think Judy is refering to "It is well" The man who lost his wife and son at sea.

Judy, I found this...


John Newton, 1725-1807

March the 21st is a day to be remembered by me. I have never suffered it to pass wholly unnoticed since the year 1748. On that day the Lord sent from on high and delivered me from deep waters.'

So wrote John Newton in his autobiography, aptly titled, "Out of the Depths". It was on that memorable day that Newton came into a personal, saving relationship with Jesus Christ.

Ever since he had been a young boy, John Newton had dreamed of following in the footsteps of his father, a sea captain. At the tender age of eleven he joined his father's ship which sailed the warm, blue waters of the Mediterranean and for the best part of the next twenty years that ambition was realised.

Life for the young mariner was by no means a matter of 'plain sailing', however. Growing up, he soon learned the ways of wickedness - to his terrible cost. He fought with his father, clashed with his employers, was flogged for desertion, and finally ended up in jail.

Punishment did nothing to change him, and on his release he continued his immoral living with unrestrained debauchery.

Eventually, by a long sequence of tragic events, he found himself employed in one of the most despicable of all trades in those days, slavery.

What a poor, miserable, wretched sinner John Newton turned out to be! And yet, it was in the Lord's great plan to deliver him and make something of him.

Here's how it happened. And if you know anything about ships and the sea you'll be able to put yourself in Newton's shoes; or should it be sea-boots!

The year was 1748 and it was the month of March, when the seas are at their most violent.

A raging storm was blowing of the North-West coast of Ireland and Newton and his ship were caught in the midst of it.

Thundering waves pounded the helpless vessel again and again, crashing over the decks, filling it with water and threatening to send it and its crew to the bottom. Newton and his ship-mates strained at the pumps but it seemed a hopeless task as the mighty waves broke relentlessly over them.

The ship was just about to break up when Newton, fearing for his very life, saw a ray of hope.

'If this will not do, then the Lord have mercy on us,' he cried, and then the thought of 'mercy' came to him again.

'What mercy can there be for me,' he wondered, but, nevertheless, began to pray in earnest. In a remarkable way God answered and the storm was abated.

That 'memorable day' as Newton later referred to it was March 21st 1748 and he was then 23 years old.

He finally gave up seafaring in 1755 and was appointed tide surveyor at Liverpool where he became acquainted with George Whitefiled and John Wesley.

He began the study of Greek and Hebrew and in 1758 applied to the archbishop of York for ordination to the Church of England ministry but was refused.

However, in 1764, he was offered the curacy of the parish of St. Peter and St. Paul at Olney in Buckinghamshire, and was ordained by the bishop of Lincoln.

Three years later the poet William Cowper, of whom we'll hear later in this book, settled in the parish and the two men became firm friends.

Together they published Olney Hymns, for which Newton himself wrote a number of pieces, including "How Sweet The Name Of Jesus Sounds", and, most famous of all, "Amazing Grace".

"Amazing Grace" has been a firm favourite with Christians everywhere for many years. I'm sure it will always remain so. It is, after all, Newton's own testimony in song, telling the marvellous story of his transformation from spiritual blindness to sight - and all through grace.

In I779 Newton left Olney to become rector of St. Mary Woolnoth, in London. There he continued to exercise an important and fruitful ministry for the remaining 28 years of his life.

Living in the capital city and close to the seat of power in government he was able to influence many in authority, among them, William Wilberforce, the future leader in the campaign to abolish slavery. That must surely have given the former slave ship captain particular satisfaction.

John Newton was also a great writer of devotional letters. These are widely published and some would say were his greatest contributions to the evangelical movement of those times.

He died in London on December 21st 1807, having served the Lord and his church faithfully for almost 60 years.

Towards the end of his life he often told his audiences, 'My memory is nearly gone but I can remember two things; that I am a great sinner and that Christ is a great Saviour.'

On his tombstone in the churchyard of his former parish at Olney are these words:

John Newton, clerk, once an infidel and libertine, a servant of slaves in Africa, was by the rich mercy of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, preserved, restored, pardoned and appointed to preach the faith he had long laboured to destroy.

What else can be said other than that John Newton was well qualified to preach and describe God's 'Amazing grace'.

 

I thank you all for the very nice things you say from my picture. Sometimes it is my wonder if it is wrong for me to play so much here in a place for God. I come here and did not know at times I have make such a noise. It is not my wish to ever take away from the glory of God here. I hope you all will forgive me at times.  :-[

Ms JudyB, I hope you did get to asleep last night. I know you are up very late.  :-\

Mr Iain, a bonnie lass, I thank you. And I do like your words today, they are a help to me.  ;D

Mr Hanna, it is very nice to see you.  :)

Ms Etta Sue and Mr Jerry, and Ms Karmat, and Mr Bernard and little Mr Travis. How wonderful you are together. I hope you are safe as you travel.  ;D

A Hello to Papa John and Ms Cornelia, to Ms Carol and to Ms Jen.  ;D 8)

Ms Janet, I did not ever know of a hail like this I read here on the CP.   :(

A HUG and Hi to Ms Sonifo today, I hope it is a most wonderful day for you.   8)

Ms Marilyn I am VERY excite to see how happy you will be in your new home.  ;D

Hi Mr Moak, and a question, what is INRI and why is it on a cross with Jesus?  ???

And a welcome to Mr Killough I am mieka.  ;D

A VERY big HI to Mr Larry and Sandy Rockwell, and a (((hug))) You say -now I am speaking like a second grade student -maybe. – I DO undarstand this. It is often a shame to me when I make a mistakes. I am glad my friends here are kind and help me.  ::)

Oh MY it has take a very long time for me to write all this. I will just wish you all a good day today. I love you all, and I love you God.  ;D

OH and a HI ms McKenna  ;D  ;D

And a (((hug))) I love you Ms Pat, I thank you for so much.

377. It Is Well with My Soul
Text: Horatio G. Spafford
Music: Philip P. Bliss
Tune: VILLE DU HAVRE, Meter: 11 8.11 9 with Refrain
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1.   When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
   when sorrows like sea billows roll;
   whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
   It is well, it is well with my soul.
Refrain:
   It is well with my soul,
   it is well, it is well with my soul.

2.   Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
   let this blest assurance control,
   that Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
   and hath shed his own blood for my soul.
   (Refrain)

3.   My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
   My sin, not in part but the whole,
   is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
   praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
   (Refrain)

4.   And, Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
   the clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
   the trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
   even so, it is well with my soul.
   (Refrain)


http://hymnsite.com/ (http://hymnsite.com/)

I am listening to it now.

Click here to see it[/b] (http://christianphotographers.com/yabbse/index.php?board=7;action=display;threadid=768)  It's of Romania!  

(https://www.christianphotographers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fsmilies.sofrayt.com%2F%255E%2Fr%2Fdance.gif&hash=090b2a8c22c5ae2d4a0b5729b4e9d99dba69595c)(https://www.christianphotographers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fsmilies.sofrayt.com%2F%255E%2Fr%2Fdance.gif&hash=090b2a8c22c5ae2d4a0b5729b4e9d99dba69595c)Great job, Iain.

PRAISE REPORT

God is so good. He never fails to answer my prayers. I got the job for the Storage facility, Assistant Manager. Will probably start July 15th, I got the phone call this morning.

I am doing the Pentacostal Happy Dance
(https://www.christianphotographers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwebzoom.freewebs.com%2Fmarilyn_793%2F2danceing.gif&hash=966d61562fa463b43ec07c8230bb7f51609de9ec) Lets all do the Happy Dance together (https://www.christianphotographers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwebzoom.freewebs.com%2Fmarilyn_793%2F2partytime.gif&hash=6ac259237d77dc47f59e1ef46a79c8b23c4ca876)  Now I won't be sitting around
(https://www.christianphotographers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwebzoom.freewebs.com%2Fmarilyn_793%2F1rockingchair.gif&hash=ebad6967a1d8947e6f343d200ff8e56a8ae8113d) growing old and kintting.

TTYL

Great news Marilyn, I'm really pleased for you. God is good.

Good afternooon....the Memorial Service was great.  Sad but great to see relatives that I hadn't see for years and some that I had never seen before.  Lots of memories was brought to the service.  It was a very informal service but very memorable.

Janet and Papa John ~ I really like the analogies of computers, electricity and God.  I don't understand electricity either.  Just enough that I respect it and have a fear.  Same with God.  With either, if you don't do right you can be in BIG trouble!

Mieka ~ I forgot to mention how great your new photo is.  Each picture you post, you get prettier.  Well, with exception of one of them..... ::)  God likes for us to laugh and be happy.  Your posts enables us to do his wishes.

Marilyn ~  Happy Days.  I thought I heard a rumble to the west...then I realized that it was you doint the Pentacostal Happy Dance!!! :D ;D ;)

Now I am off to see Iain's pictures!!!

We're so happy to see Chris and Margit back from their trip to Germany!

[size=25]WELCOME TO MELVIN!![/size]

Glad to see everyone posting.  I must admit, biographies are my favourite type of story!  And I've been spoiled with all the stories on here today!  I just finished reading "No Compromise" the life story of Kieth Green.  Wonderful man, God used him so mightily.

Hope you are all having a wonderful day.  God bless you.  Jen.

WE ARE SO GLAD YOU JOINED US HERE.

(https://www.christianphotographers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fusers.adelphia.net%2F%7Epairajeans%2Fmelvin.jpg&hash=2b35338aeef6879760cf5c44fafb6276a1ba3021)

(https://www.christianphotographers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fusers.adelphia.net%2F%7Epairajeans%2Fboyet.jpg&hash=a9ecc3e16ea16d0f871b67eae935fb5a585da9fb)

The graduation this morning was just lovely, although the gym got really hot and "stuffy".  The entire floor of the gym was filled with chairs and the bleachers on both sides were full - some of the late-comers had to stand.  We took seats near the back so that we'd be able to leave without disturbing people if/when it got to be too much for Gene so we were way out of photo range.  I did try taking several, hoping that with the 3x zoom, high resolution and exposure adjustments I could still get some fairly decent shots, but I didn't get one single good picture.  Oh, well.  :-\

The day was one of those days the poem was written about - you know...  "What is so rare as a day in June.... "

Mieka - the letters INRI are found on the Roman Catholic renditions of the Cross (paintings, crucifixes, etc.).  They reflect Matthew 27:37, which speaks of the words Pilate had written to state the accusation against Jesus.  The actual words are, "This is Jesus, the King of the Jews."  Translated into Latin, the first letters of these words are INRI.

Well!  How dumb can I be??  I was reading here, and decided to post this message, and couldn't.  I had forgotten to sign in.  Wake up, Janice!

Anyway, I was interested in the songs you were talking about, and the authors had suffered some tragedy in their lives.  It reminded me of this song, and I think its author had some sort of tragic background.  Do any of you know about it?  I love to hear George Beverly Shea sing this one.  

THE LOVE OF GOD

The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star,
And reaches to the lowest hell;
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled,
And pardoned from his sin.

Refrain

O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure
The saints' and angels' song.

When years of time shall pass away,
And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall,
When men, who here refuse to pray,
On rocks and hills and mountains call,
God's love so sure, shall still endure,
All measureless and strong;
Redeeming grace to Adam's race—
The saints' and angels' song.

Refrain

Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade,
To write the love of God above,
Would drain the ocean dry.
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.

Refrain

Janice, here you are...


~The Love of God

      Frederick M. Lehman, author and composer, wrote a pamphlet, in 1948, entitled History of the Song, The Love of God. It tells about the origin of this beloved hymn—

      While at camp-meeting in a mid-western state, some fifty years ago in our early ministry, an evangelist climaxed his message by quoting the last stanza of this song. The profound depths of the line moved us to preserve the words for future generations.

      Not until we had come to California did this urge find fulfillment, and that at a time when circumstances forced us to hard manual labor.

      One day, during short intervals of inattention to our work, we picked up a scrap of paper and, seated upon an empty lemon box pushed against the wall, with a stub pencil, added the (first) two stanzas and chorus of the song.

      Since the lines (3rd stanza from the Jewish poem) had been found penciled on the wall of a patient's room in an insane asylum, the general opinion was that this inmate had written the epic in moments of sanity.

      Actually, the key-stanza (third verse) under question as to its authorship was written nearly one thousand years ago by a Jewish songwriter, and put on the score page by F.M. Lehman, a Gentile songwriter, in 1917.

—Selected

Thank you, Pat.  You are so quick, how do you do it??   ??? :)

How are you doing today?  Getting a little much needed rest, I hope.

Well, the skies turned dark in the last couple of minutes, and it is raining - so I better get unplugged here!

Later......
Love to all,  Janice

I love that hymn, Janice.  I used to sing it a lot when Jack preached.


Here it is with the music altogether...

Janice, I have always loved that song, The Love of God, the words and music.  Thanks, Pat, for your information.

Marilyn, ah yes, we are all so happy for you that you got that job.  Seems like everything is working well for you.  (https://www.christianphotographers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjohnmurphreenashville.homestead.com%2Fsmiley_flag.gif&hash=cd0c09148014dbf56ecd25817e1f89923b8c3273)

--- Papa John    ;D          <:))))><<

 

It was nice to be able to welcome two new members today.  Let's make sure that they feel welcome here.

I've opened a new thread for tomorrow...

Click Here (http://christianphotographers.com/yabbse/index.php?board=2;action=display;threadid=776).