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Morning Devotional...



Surely the wrath of man shall praise Thee.          Psalm 76:10


It is wonderful to hear those who love the Lord Jesus speak well of Him.

But listen to the remarkable insights that even the Lord's enemies revealed concerning Him.

• Caiaphas explained, "It is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people."
  
  
• Pilate declared, "I find no fault in Him," and exhorted the crowd to "Behold the Man!"
  
  
• The chief priests reasoned, "He saved others; Himself He cannot save."
  
  
• The thief on the cross discerned, "This man hath done nothing amiss."
  
  
• And the Roman centurion concluded, "Truly, this was the Son of God."

On the subject of Christ, even His enemies acknowledged His greatness. May we do the same.
                                                                                             --Rex Trogdon

I should be in bed.  But I am on IM with my son....he just got back from Florida for a week.  He keeps sending me pictures of Donovan...their grandson.

I have read all the posts.  Funny ones!  You guys crack me up!!!  Sometimes those smiley faces confuse us, hunh?

I haven't even had the TV on today.  Been listening to the CD player.  So I don't know who Karma is talking about.  But I can imagine how the southerners would feel if the FBI said no way, Jose!

I have sat here since 9am this morning, catcing up on CP and other sites, upload my lessons to my website, and then printing.  

I have to get to bed....or I will fall asleep during the sermon.


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"Take time to laugh--it is the music of the soul."

It looks like I may be the first one stopping by this morning as Etta Sue was here last evening.  Another sunny day in the South, although I see a little overcast.  Pat and I are planning on going to church this morning and then probably will go to eat with our friends.  I slept really well last night but am tired this morning.  Must has worked too hard in my deep sleep.  

Janice, glad that Earl got a good report from the doctor and that you have decided to take care of yourself and have the surgery.  

Etta Sue, you really had a long session at the computer.  I spend many hours working on my computer but try to break it up some.  Working on the computer and reading are about the only two things I seem to be able to do now.  

Marilyn, it sounds like it was a celebration of your friends life at the service yesterday.  

Pat, you sure did have a busy day but it sounds like you had a good time.

Karmat, I didn't read your posting as endorsing what Rudolph had done at all but merely stating the situation as you knew it to exist.  I don't see how anyone could condone killing other people.

Hope everyone has a wonderful Lord's Day.  

What a short night.  I saw the reading on the clock as 12:20AM and got up at 6:30AM.  Hope I can stay awake during the sermon...

Like Georgia, it is bright and sunny but a cold 47°F.  That is cold for June 1.

Larry, you said

QuoteWorking on the computer and reading are about the only two things I seem to be able to do now.  

You are one busy guy to have the health problems that you have had lately.  You go, guy!!  (Is that a new saying?)


Gotta go and get Jerry and then on to church.  (He lives closer to church than me   )  I don't know what is in store for us today but we will accomplish something even if it resting by watching TV, napping or maybe doing a PSP lesson or two.

Good Morning!  Its most unusual for me to be ready enough for church to be able to post a little!

Usually, I am so pressed for time!  I skipped breakfast though; other than a coffee...not a good thing to do., just hope my tummy dosen't object too loudly in church!...LOL

Its a sunny morning here., a most welcome thing to see, after a dreary wet Saturday.

I hope you all have a good visit with God this morning, and I'll look forward to hearing what each of your Pastors had to say.

... Judy

Good Sunday morning all,

I hope to get to church this morning but... the book sale is ongoing until the end of today.  We made $6,000 on Friday and I don't know about yesterday.  That is a lot of books at $1 and $2.00   Still so tired this morning and the bag sale is later this afternoon plus packing up and getting everything out of the mall.  From my perspective, there is a lot more interest in books on religion this year and many of the free bibles have been taken.  That is good news!

The posts are interesting as always.  

Al:  Your jokey post about being wishy washy was just so right.  One of our pastors (who is very well educated) was asked a deep question at our meeting - and he simply said {I don't know).  We truely do not know everything about the end of life on earth - and so much to learn.  

Have a good Sunday,


From a continuing student -Carol

Larry:  Did you get the impression from my NEM post that I agreed that what Rudolph did was right?  If I left that impression, I am so sorry.  I don't condone killing of people at all!...not ever!!

Karma, well said about Rudolph!  He hasn't been tried yet---and I'm sure that they are so angry at his eluding them for years they will do all they can to pin everything they can on him.  Legend is a good word--but you didn't come across as condoning any kind of crime.  Good job of explaining.

I will be leaving this afternoon and attend church tonight in Dodge City with my friend there, at whose house I am staying.  She is a musician, and I have wanted for years to hear her sing and play--this is my chance!

Judy, you better eat something!  We don't want you to blow away!  I hope you have a wonderful time in worship this morning.

Larry, I really admire your grit.  You just keep on going in spite of your difficulties, and I pray your health and strength increase day by day.

Hi, Carol!  My, what a lot of books to handle!  You must have one huge library there!  Wish I could have come to the book sale.  I love books, and used to dream of having my own library, a room with shelves to the ceiling, with the roll around ladder, comfy chairs and sofas, good reading lamps, etc.  Ah, well.....it was a nice dream.  Maybe when I get to heaven

Good morning, Etta Sue.  Have a great day today.

Hi, Pat!  I hope your church service is all you desire it to be today.  Have a great afternoon, too.

Hello to Papa John when you pop in later.  I always enjoy reading your edifying posts.  And I think your name fits you so well!

I need to finish getting my face on!    I wouldn't want to scare anyone today, thinking I am a ghost!  Talk to you later.

Good Morning: This is the day the Lord hath made and I will rejoice and be glad in it. For he joy of the Lord is my strength and I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Thank you Lord for another day here on this earth. For waking me up this morning with eyes that still have the abiliy to see,ears that still hear, a voice to speak your word. Hands that can be your hands extended and feet that will take me where you want me to go. Create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit with me oh Lord.

What a great day to go spend with the Lord in His sanctuary. I am looking forward to the messages He has for me from the Sunday school teacher and the Pastor. I'm  sure there will be something for each and every person in attendance this morning.

TTYL

Amen, Marilyn!  What a wonderful prayer to begin with each morning!  Thank you for posting that!  And may God richly bless you today.

Good Morning,

I've been trying to catch myself back up on some posting. The days just fly by. Yesterday we had a beautiful day. The family and I went up near Crater Lake. We had planned on doing a hike to Boundry Springs, this is where the mouth of the Rogue River begins. We were to walk 0.5 miles to the junction of the springs trail. After walking for nearly over an hour, dear husband said," I don't think this is the trail"!!! We turn around and on our way back we see this old faded sign nailed to a tree( blended right in).  
We all have a rest and snacks, trying to decide if we should go to boundry springs? It would still be another 2 miles into the springs. We tried but, there was still snow in some patchy areas hiding the trail. I'm sure this was a good thing. It was already 2:45 and we were so tired already.
We had quiet the adventure!
Today is the first outdoor service for our church. It's a beautiful day for it.
Hope you have a blessed Day,
Denise

Karma, I am just catching up on reading the past days posts.  I am really sorry to hear about your friend/brother.   I will be praying for you, your family, and Anthony's family.  I pray for comfort and peace, and an overwhelming endurance to get you thru the next few days, and then continuing peace to make it thru the time following without him.  I do remember how difficult it is to learn to live without someone that you love, admire, and look up to.  Rest easy in God's hand, he will take you thru this.
My love to you and everyone in your families.
Heather

Do Away With the Church?

Dear friends:

In America, people sometimes take for granted the existence of churches
on almost every corner.  

They are churches of many denominations, sizes and flavors with many
doctrinal variations, but they mostly agree on the essentials: the
authority of the Scriptures, the deity of Jesus Christ, His redemptive
work on the cross, His resurrection, and the necessity of faith in Him
for salvation.  I thank God for them.

Some time ago, the Ladies' Home Journal published an article titled,
"Shall We Do Away With the Church?"  Just the question is ludicrous.  In
the first place, the church belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ and not to
us.  Secondly, He said the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
The church is Christ's body on the earth.

The church is essential.  President Theodore Roosevelt once said, "In
the pioneer days of the West, we found it an unfailing rule that after a
community had existed for a certain length of time, either a church was
built or else the community began to go downhill."

In the 1830's, French diplomat Alexis de Tocqueville toured America in
search of the key to America's greatness.  When his tour had been
completed, he made this observation: "I sought for the key to the
greatness of America in her harbors...; in her fertile fields and
boundless forests; in her rich mines and vast world commerce; in her
public school system and institutions of learning.  I sought for it in
her democratic Congress and in her matchless Constitution.  Not until I
went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits aflame with
righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power.
America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to
be good, America will cease to be great."

He continues, "The Americans combine the notions of Christianity and of
liberty so intimately in their minds that it is impossible to make them
conceive the one without the other."

A unique aspect of the church in America is that, thanks to our
Constitution, the government is not allowed to make one denomination to
dominate, a situation that exists in many other countries.  The
Constitution does not prevent the church from influencing the
government, as the words "separation of church and state" do not appear
in it, but it prevents the government from influencing the church.

Even though it is far from perfect, thank God for the church.  Thank God
for guiding our Founding Fathers in forming the Constitution of this
God-blessed land.

Yours for helping to fulfill the Great Commission
each year until our Lord returns,

Bill Bright

Hello all!  I trust the day is going well.  It is nice here, but chilly.  Feels like the first of April instead of the first of June.  wow!  June, already.  Seems like jsut the other day we were talking about things ot be thankful for at Thanksgiving.  

I'll be back laters.  

I do believe that Marilyn need to turn loose of the heat out west.  We need some here!  It is cool...too cool for June!!!

But even though it is cool, the grass is still growing.  And the weeds!

Church was great this morning.  Our Senior pastor was away to be with friends whose son committed suicide.  I don't know if he is going to be the pastor for the funeral or not.  So another of our pastors had the sermon this morning.  He used to be the Children's pastor so he talks in my language....  He paints a picture with words so you truly understand his meaning.  
Jerry and I ate breakfast out and then came home.  I have been redoing pictures that Tony sent to me and put them on my website.  But I think I have too many on a page.....it won't load...even for me.  So it is back to the drawing board.

Here's my "Hey there, y'all" from the west coast!  We had a wonderful service this morning ... communion and then followed by pot-luck.  We do this the first Sunday of every month.  It reminds me of the way the early church was... they were small groups of believers, often meeting in homes, and partaking of communion and sharing meals together.  That's us... a small fellowship, and we share whatever we have with each other...and the community.  

Today was a little more "special" than most because the District Superintendent was here to bestow the official Minister's License on our pastor.  Pastor Ron has been pastoring here for about 8 years with an "Associate" license .... Now it has been upgraded.

The last time the District Superintendent was here was just about a year ago when he officially presented Pastor Bev with her license.  We have been calling her "Rev Bev" ever since.    They (the supt and his wife) remarked that they always seem to make it to our church on "pot luck Sunday" ... that's just fine with us!  Pastor Ron and some friends had gone fishing yesterday so today's menu was deep fried FRESH ling cod!  Good stuff!!

Well, as usual on pot luck Sunday, there will be no evening service today, so I'm on my own for the rest of the day!  

I'm glad everyone had a good day with the Lord.

Oh, by the way, Etta Sue you can just "keep it cool" there for another month or so, cuz I'll be there the middle of July and I cain't take the heat!!   It is pretty "warm" in Oregon now, too... except for here on the coast.  We got up to 70º last week, and it is forecast to be that or above the next couple days... Now that's a heat wave for us coastal folk!  
I know it's really hot in California and I'm just happy to be "from" there right now!    

Marilyn it won't be long before you, too, will be calm cool and collected up north on the coast!  

See y'all later ... I'm off to check the other discussions and maybe work a jigsaw puzzle or two ...

Judy, I certainly didn't get the impression that what Rudolph did was right as I agreed with what you said, as I remember.

This was Youth/Confirmation Sunday at our church and we had combined services of our Traditional and Lifeline Contemporary folks.  The entire service was handled by the youth.  The choir loft was packed and all portion of the service were conducted by the different youth.  Our youth pastor recognized the current year highschool graduates and then later in the service the youth that had completed the Confirmation class made their public profession of faith and were publically received as full member of our congregation.

Following the service we did go out to eat with 6 other couples for a time of fellowship.  

Whew!  Time sure flies!  I didn't realze I had completely missed Friday and Saturday until I opened up tonight.  I'm so sorry, folks.  

And with three days worth of postings, I'm not going to try answering anything.  

We're still getting April weather - quite cool (60's) and rain.  But the rain is making everything such a beautiful bright green - and the grass is growing and growing  and growing.

This morning was the first of our summer schedule - one 9:30 service instead of two at 8:30 and 10:30.  Plus, it being Communion Sunday, and with our "snowbirds" and summer people all back in the fold, the church was full.

Oh, yes!  One comment I will make...  Praise the Lord for the news that Beth doesn't have cancer.  (Presbyterians can do the Pentecostal dance, too!)

Well, this morning we went to Bible study and worship.  The service was inspiring as we worshipped God.

Afterwards our Bible class had a pot luck dinner at the home of one of the members in his rose garden.  The food was delicious and setting was beautiful.

It was good to read the posts today.  Janet, I especially appreciated Bill Bright's message.  The church IS the body of Christ and he bought it with his own blood.

Acts 20:28  Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. (NIV)

We had another great lesson tonight and it has been a beautiful day.  I hope you all have a good night's rest.

--- Papa John              <)))><<

 

Janet, that was so interesting to read Bill Bright's message.  I have heard him interviewed a few times on TV, and read some of his commentaries.

I would love to have read that issue in LHJ., only to have written back to them in Letters to the Editor.

Imagine., doing away with Church., as if we have a right to!

P.J., your pot luck lunch sounded so lovely.  You and Cornelia do get out for some lovely outings don't you.  Its wonderful to have Christian friends isn't it.  I don't know what I'd do without my friends.  They (You) are my family, you know.

Heather, its so nice to hear from you too.  Please come more often!

I'm a little bit late in the day on June 1, but I thought I would post anyway... I just discovered this site.  I had no idea that it existed, but I see a few names here that I recognize from some of my other online photography projects  

My name is John M. Setzler, Jr.  I live in Hickory, North Carolina and I am a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church.  I have lived in Hickory all my life and I have been a member of this church all my life as well.  

I would consider myself to be a Christian photographer since I am a Christian and a photographer, but I haven't normally pursued photos of a spiritual nature, even though I do have a few in my archives.  

I hope to spend some time navigating and learning how to use this site... maybe make a few new online friends as well...

Pax Vobiscum

John Setzler

CP has arrived.  John has joined this site.  This guy does some nice stuff.

Welcome John!!!

WELCOME JOHN SETZLER
WE ARE HAPPY TO HAVE
YOU JOIN US HERE

Welcome JMsetlzer!!!

Glad to have you aboard!

Great to have you John!

We are a rather small site and we aren't as sophistocated as DPChallenge but we have lots of fun here and terrific spiritual discussions.

I hope that we see lots of your photos on here.

Because we're small, we have a size limit for posting that you can see in the Photos area.  (500 pixels on longest side and 35K)  Even though this seems small, we still enjoy the photos!  LOL

Well, today was a lovely day in Christian Photographers!

It was great to welcome a new member, John Setzler!  I hope you make yourself right at home, John.

Now it's that time again here in Ontario, Canada--time to lock the door and open tomorrow's thread.

So...

Click here to go to the next thread.