Christian Photographers Community

I am not going to comment right now on the book issue, except to say that I have read many Christian books, some held my interest and some put me to sleep. I read the Prayer of Jabez and it blessed me in that it was very informative in the way to pray at times especially for others who are in need, also for myself. I know there are those out there in the world that used this prayer for material gain and even the tabloids have had stories of the riches to be gained in praying this prayer and have exploited the whole purpose. I think it is all in how you apply it to your own life in your spiritual needs not your material wants.

The thing on my mind this morning and last night is that soon I will have to be moving again this place is only for 1 year. The trailer is going to be moved off the property and the owner is going to build a house here.

So I will be looking for a place to live where I can have my dogs. As long as there is a fenced yard to keep them safe I will be happy. Although I would like a place where I do not have to move again and can stay for the rest of my life. So if anyone here is moved to  pray in agreement with me that the Lord is going to provide my every need and that I will be keeping my dogs with me I would appreciate it. God knows what I will be able to afford and I know that He will supply my every need.

Must get ready for church now be back later.

I have only a couple of minutes before we leave for church.  We will be joining our friends at Celebration Baptist this morning, along with Beth.

On the book issue, I must say I agree with Karma and Jenny.  I was really blessed by reading the Prayer of Jabez and Secrets of the Vine, and will look for the Dream Giver as well.  Many times, reading a book by a Christian who has faced the same trials in life I am facing at a particular time has been very helpful to me.  And I agree, I don't buy them all, I do use the library, too.

This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it!

Etta Sue, I think maybe you misunderstood something here.......I got the impression that many here are very interested in reading the book you are now studying.  I know I am!  I don't think anyone is criticizing you.  But my focus just now is on HEALING!!

Talk to y'all after church!

MARILYN

"Blest shalt thou be in the city and blessed shalt thou be in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body and the fruit of thy ground and the fruit of thy cattle the increase of thy kine and the flocks of thy sheep. Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store. Blest shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blest shalt thou be when thou goest out.  ............

the Lord shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses and in all thou settest thine  hand unto; and He shall bless thee in the land which the Lord thy God givest thee."

Already the Lord tells me tht He has blessed you my sister.......DEUT 28:1-12. IS A PROMISE FOR YOU.

Remember sister...."The Blessing of the Lord it maketh rich, and He addeth no sorrow with it"
Prov 10:22.

Wonderful news for you dear Marilyn!

Your loving sister in Christ.
Jenny X

Nita...........

QuoteTozer's books, and Oswald Chambers, Phillip Yancy, and also it is, again, because they are writing the same things that seems to be the dialogue between my spirit and the Holy Spirit.  Does that make sense?  I sure hope so.    

I couldn't agree with you more.

JENNY:

Thank you very much dear sister. I know in my heart that you do hear from the Lord. The word of knowledge is powerful as well as discernment. God bless you my sister.

Everything in my life has a purpose and I know that God will "NEVER LEAVE ME NOR FORSAKE ME" and that He "WILL WORK ALL THINGS TOGETHER FOR THE GOOD OF THOSE WHO LOVE HIM AND ARE  CALLED TO HIS PURPOSE."

My needs are so small compared to those whose needs are so great. Like the people who have no home at all.

Chris.......

Amen


Karmat..........

Much of what you say I agree.  We here in this forum are also aware that the "evil one" whould like nothing  more than to seperate us by causing a minor disagreement (In our thinking) to be blown out of porportions by piting one against another.  Our Lord has warned us against this, and I for one have become very attached to not only you, but everyone else in this froum.  Let's call it a draw and move on.

WELL DONE LEE....

I LOVE YOU IN OUR LORD...

JENNY.

Jenny.........

Quoteand one of my Ministers always said there are two kinds of saints...
those with a Big "S....aints"

and those with a small "s....aints".......

SAME WAGES!

Oh how true.  I know the "wages" of my faith and they total "Eternal salvation", and I'm waiting the day I can have a long walk with the big S....aints in eternity.  I have a lot of questions to ask each one of them.  Just think, one day I might have the opportunity to take a thousand year walk with Paul.  I choose to walk (in eternity) with our Lord first, but He may be too busy before I get to Paul and the others.   He's never too busy for His saints, but you may beat me to Him first.

Etta Sue, dear Sister,
please dont be mistaken,
Margit and I are about to read "The Purpose Driven Life"
 It was  recommended by a faithful, long time, friend, we feel thankful for her advice, and we will read it out aloud together as we did the last one-"The Call" by Os Guiness, yes it is good too.

So Etta Sue,
God bless you in your studying, for all reading should be edifying, and of use in our Christian life and of use in loving and understanding others.
In Him,
Chris.

http://www.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2002/mar/hymm/

BLESS YOU DEAR LEE...

Yes I may beat you there first....I am still in the race!

I look forward to talking to King David too and Moses and Elijah....and wonder of wonders to ENOCH, to PIO AND TO OUR BLESSED LORD JESUS.....DON'T WORRY, HE WILL BE ABLE TO TALK TO US ALL AT ONCE....MAGIC! SINCE IT ALL HAPPENS IN THE "TWINKLING OF AN EYE"and of course we shall be like Him....WOW...HOW MIND BLOWING!

See you there brother......Might be tonight, might be tomorrow..............but it is for ETERNITY!

JESUS DID IT FOR ME.  HE DID IT FOR YOU TOO.

Don't worry about Winter folks....
"SOON EVERLASTING SPRING WILL COME" ... PIO.

Love and God Bless,
Sleep well.
Jenny.

What a wonderful link, Chris!  Yes, Jesus Paid it All!  And it will be wonderful to see Him!  I love the old hymns.  That's what I clicked on to hear at the link.  Now, I'll see what else is there.  

  I hit a wrong key and lost my post!

Lee, thanks for "waving the white flag!"  We have to allow each other the privilege of our own conclusions about things; just so long as we all agree that Jesus is Lord!!

I want to say thank you again to each of you who expressed kind, loving thoughts and prayed for Beth and for me.  I could feel the undergirding of prayer yesterday, and by that and being in the presence of God all day, I feel able to cope again.  We will take it one day at a time, and we will win!!  Prayer really does change things, and I pray each of you will be blessed because of blessing us.  

The talk today of the books and the words from others are much to think about for me. I know many times God will take me to do for Him the work that a nother Christian did not think to do. Perhaps it was not Gods wish for them to do it?

I know in my heart when I am close to God. And sadly, at times I do not do what is the wish of other Christians every time. I have a wonder at times if it is that I am a new Christian and perhaps I do not yet undarstand what is Gods wish as a Christian. So I pray.

I do know today that God will speak to us each in a different way. I do know that we can all read from the same words of a book and take from these words each a different task.
One who is close to God will know how to honor him. We will know what we are to do when it is Gods wish to teach us. Seek and ye shall find.

I love you all.

There is much fire here again today. The air it is very bad. There is many families today without a home at all. The power it is on only sometimes and it is hard for me to get the internet.  I hope you will help to pray for the families.

I did do a picture for the DPC this week. It is a Grace challenge, and my wish to Honor God. I am excite for my picture. I hope it will honor all my friends here at the Christian Photographers too. My picture, it is what I did learn here at the CP. I will not ever think to make a picture as I did, without you all here to teach me as you do.

Hi Ms Janet (hug), I am blessed each day to know each of you here as my friends. I thank you all, from my heart.

Mieka(((((hugs)))))  Your post is so well thought out, and expresses so much truth.  God bless you, my sweet little sister!  (Or daughter or granddaughter! )

Can you please give us a link here to your DPC photo?  I know we will ALL want to see it!  Thanks!

Well, hello all you guys!  It's 4 pm here and I haven't posted yet today.  Hmm...  I'm slipping I guess

Kinda feel like I'm stepping into the middle of a boxing ring, of sorts.  Of course, there's been a truce called, so I'm not sure I'm free to interject my two cents worth without angering someone???  For some reason, when there's a slight disagreement that involves my sweetheart, I always feel a strange need to come to her defense.  Not sure if that's a side effect of love, or exactly what

Gotta go for now; the boy wants to go to his room and play

Bye now!

Meika your words are so profound.  It is soo special to see the growth you are experiencing.  God has a very special plan in your life.  Keep on keeping on sweetie, I love you.  {{{{HUGS}}}}

Meika How far are you from the fires??? Is your home threatened?
I have friends in orange County are the fires near there?  Yes we need to pray that they come under control and are put out.

A man from Norfolk, VA called a local radio station to share this on Sept 11th, 2003.  His Name was Robert Matthews.  These are his words:
"A few weeks before Sept 11th, my wife and I found
out we were going to have our first child.  She planned a trip out to California to visit her sister.  On our way to the airport, we prayed that God would grant my wife a safe trip and be with her. Shortly after I said 'Amen' we both heard a
loud pop and the car shook violently.  We had blown out a tire.  I replaced the tire as quickly as I could, but we still missed her flight.  Both very upset, we drove home.  I received a call from my father who was retired FDNY.  He asked what
my wife's flight number was, but explained that we missed the flight.  My father informed me that her flight was the one that crashed into the southern tower.

I was too shocked to speak.  My father also had more news for me; he was going to help.  'This is not something I can just sit by for, I have to do something.'  I was concerned for his safety, of course, but more because he had never given his
life to Christ.  After a brief debate, I knew his mind was made up.  Before he got off of the phone, he said, 'take good care of my grandchild.'  Thosewere the last words I ever heard my father say; he died while helping in the rescue effort.  



My joy that my prayer of safety for my wife had been answered quickly became anger -- Anger at God, at my father, and at myself.  I had gone for nearly 2
years blaming God for taking my father away.  My son would never know his grandfather, my father had never accepted Christ, and I never got to say good-bye.  Then something happened.

About 2 months ago, I was sitting at home with mywife and my son, when there was a knock on the door.  I looked at my wife, but I could tell she wasn't expecting anyone.  I opened the door to a couple with a small child.  The man looked at me and asked if my father's name was Jake Matthews.  I told him it was.  He quickly grabbed my hand and said, 'I never got the chance to meet your
father, but it is an honor to meet his son.'  He explained to me that his wife had worked in the World Trade Center and had been caught inside after the attack.
She was pregnant and had been caught under debris. He then explained that my father had been the one to find his wife and free her.  My eyes welled up with tears as I thought of my father giving his life for people like this.  He then said,
'There is something else you need to know.'  His wife then told me that as my father worked to free her, she talked to him and lead him to Christ.  I began
sobbing at the news.  Now I know that when I get to heaven, my father will be standing beside Jesus to welcome me, and that this family would be able to
thank him themselves. "

When their baby boy was born, they named him Jacob Matthew in honor of the man who gave his life so mother and baby could live.  This story should help
us to realize two things: First, that though it has been two years since the attacks, we should never let it become a mere tragic memory.  And second, but most important, God is always in control.  We may not see the reason behind things, and we may never know this side of heaven, but God is ALWAYS in control.

Please take time to share this amazing story with those you love. You may
never know the impact it may have on someone.

Our sermon today was taken from John:14 where Jesus healed Peter's mother in law. And that Jesus  "Noticed" that she needed a healing.


Are there people around you that you have NOT noticed that may be in need of prayer, a friend, someone in your church,or someone with a need  to be acknowledged that they are there? Do you know a lonely person who has no friends?

Can we reach out to someone in our church that we don't know and "Notice" them? The Pastor challenged each of us to reach out to someone every Sunday, go visit them in their home, take them to lunch, sit with them in church. "Notice" them.

Some of  us know the people we work with more thatn we know the people in our churches or our neighbors. Jesus said to "Love you neighbor as yourself"

Do you need to reach out to your neighbor? Do you pray for your neighbors? Do you even know your neighbors?

I am guilty of all of the above. I do not know my neighbor on one side, I have not prayed for my nwighbor. I know you all here better than I know those in my church. I stay to myself not going out of my way to meet people.

Oh, I smile at them when passing them in a store or on the street but I haven't loved them as myself.

Jesus said "if you have done this unto one of these my children you have done it unto me".

I am going to be a better person and "Notice" those around me, pray for them and make friends with them.

For me it will be an effort on my part to be more outgoing  and less of a loner who spends all her time on the internet. I will begin to call church members from the church directory and introduce myself and ask if I can pray for them.

How may I pray for each of you? Do you have a prayer need today?

"May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely, spirt soul and body. May He find you sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. For He who calls you is faithful and will do this." 1 Thess. 5:23-24

Marilyn, thanks...The Lord has been speaking to me about a neighbour this evening...I prayed for him and have asked for the courage and the words....

Janet...I do thank God for the Testimony which you posted.  Such wonderful encouragement for me re certain loved one's that I just can't seem to reach with my witness.  HE IS ABLE....PRAISE GOD!

It is very chilly here in U.K. tonight, although I was told that a warm front is moving in by Tuesday.  Hope so!....My warmest front at the mo. is a nice fire and a hot water bottle.

I am tired tonight...guess it's the change in the clocks and the darker nights....

I am also very worried about my daughter..She has a weak  back and the doctor has given her lots of pain killers and a sedative.  She is on steroids for severe asthma and treatment for hypoglycaemia. Unfortunately they live some distance away from  me. I would appreciate prayers this night for Helen.  Thank-you!

The Lord Bless and keep you.
Until morning..
Jenny X

Good evening brothers and sisters.  I'm not going to get into the book discussion except to say that God uses everything we read, whether the Bible, spiritual lessons, fictionalized scripture or any other writing, to speak or not speak to each of us in a unique way.  What may be just "the thing" for me at a given moment may mean absolutely nothing for someone else and vice-versa.  

Last night, when I could have taken advantage of the extra hour and stayed online a little longer, the cable company had scheduled a 12 hour shutdown for "upgrading" cutting off all TV and internet access.  

Well, I've just come in from having lunch with Nita after this morning's church service.  I have wanted to comment on several of the things you each have written, but I believe what Janet and Mieka and Chris have said most recently is "where it's at" <as the young'uns used to say> whenever the Holy Spirit directs it is always good!  

MIEKA~You say it so well.  Thank you!  

JANET~That is a wonderful story and only serves to re emphasize the fact that we never know the spiritual state of someone else.  A good friend of mine says that not one of those people in the 9/11 tragedy died alone.  Jesus was right with each one and gave them the opportunity to know Him.  Thank you for posting that, my friend.  

And ... MARILYN~Some more very thought provoking words.  It is so very important that we stay aware of "others" all about us as we go about our daily life.  We need to allow the Jesus in us to reach out and touch someone.  Thanks for sharing your pastor's sermon.

Hi JEANNE~You came in while I had my head down "composing" I guess!    You said it well, my friend.  It's all about where you're at at any given moment.  God is the one who quickens the word to our own special need.

Thanks God, this is once again the CP that I have come to love!

Papa John, it is wonderful to read your postings and see your face again.  Even one covered with lipstick...

Mieka, you have told it like it is and must be a joy to God as well as to all of us.  

Marilyn, I will pray for your need and can relate to being a loner.  Hesitate to attempt new friendships and do more smiling than talking, most days.  God has met your needs and will continue to do so.  You have great depth and I get so much from your posting.  

Sarah, I loved 'Moses & The Computer' and you sound like a real great gal.  Much more talkative than my granddaughter.  She seems to express herself with her paintings....

Jenny, I will continue to pray for Helen.  Also Janet & Beth.  How it hurts when our children have problems.  More than anything else in the world!

Etta Sue, my church has started teaching 'The Purpose Driven Life' in a Bible Study on Tuesday mornings.  I will hop on the bus and attend and know it will be helpful.  Can't go this Tues. as a realtor is coming, but will try for the next week.  My Baptist Church is somewhat conservative but  has a great outreach ministry.  We are taught to be:  gentle, loving, respectful, based on the firm foundation of Jesus.  We are a small church of about 200 people and have a nice mix of young, old and older.  The music is both modern and sometimes the old hymns are played by piano and flute.  Wonderful stuff....

Must go now.  God Bless.

Our pastor weaved the following story into his sermon this morning.  I didn't mean to, but when he told it I openly said "Oh wow"

"If you want to know how God might feel when mankind rejects  His Son, How would you feel if your own son ran into a burning house and died saving the people inside, and the people he saved refused to go to his funeral?"

Well it has been a busy couple of days.  I haven't had time to get online and check out the posts, but I caught up this evening.  It is good to be back, and I am thankful that so many people mentioned that it was good to have me back.  

There have been a number of things that we (My hubby and I)have been working through.  We need to find a place to live, really soon.  We have been staying in Jon's sister's pool house that is not heated, so with the weather getting cooler, it is becoming necessary that someplace that we can afford come available soon.  We have been down to one income over the last month or so, because my car hasn't been safe enough to do my job.  We did the work to the car this weekend, and it is now drivable enough so that I can go back to work.  It is a good feeling to know that I can get back to work, and can start helping out in saving some of the money necessary to get a home of our own.

Anyway, it is time for me to run, Jon and I are wanting to spend some quiet time together.

Love to all
Heather

Good evening all!  What a bright sunshining day here.  I drove home from Jerry's during the sun setting and it was awesome.  A perfect ending to the day.

Jerry and I are doing the tape recordings of the pastor's sermons.  WheW!  We started this the first week of "The 40 Days of Purpose'.  Used to we only made 12 duplicates of the sermon.  Now people are asking for last week and the week before.  Plus 36 or more for the present sermon.  It really keeps us on the ball!  We print the label by a computer and printer and then our duplicating machine duplicates 3 tapes in about 3 minutes.  Really neat how people think they are pre-recorded...but not.  

Jerry and I ate breakfast out and then I felt like unwinding by driving around Greenfield.  I lived there for 32 years but haven't drove around for over 2 years.  My, the new stuff!  New homes and businesses.  Mind boggling.

Then when we were south of me and west of Jerry, he said he thought he could drive his car home today.  It has been in my garage since his stroke.  I followed him...I didn't see any brown metal along the side of the road.  He did fine!  

I then took a nap on his couch while he watched NASCAR racing...then I came on home.  

Ali missed me!!!  She is a sweetie-pie!

It pleases me that so many are reading 'The Purpose Driven Life'.  I am praying that you are blessed by reading this book.  What is one man's trash, is another man's treasure.  I am praying that this is a book all of you will treasure.

Okay, I will do this tonight!!!!

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"The force of love, like the force of gravity, is hard to see but easy to feel."

Marilyn...........

What is your trade?  I ask this so I can make a fair assessment as to whether you can make a living by moving to Sandpoint or other parts nearby.  Jobs are better in Spokane, and living in Post Falls or Coeur d' Alene, would be better.  Rather hard to make a living in Sandpoint.


Liz..........

Vivian and I also attend a Baptist church that is conservative.  We are not Baptist, but are attending a church where our pastor has the two requirements we look for. #1, He must treach the Word as written, and #2, he must be loving and have compassion.  We initially went through a culture shock from having attended a 10,000 memeber church with close to a hundred choir members and several solo and group singers, including Joni Erickson Tady, to a church of 36 people.


Jenny.........

Like Janet, you are in the middle of the storm.  Every Sunday morning Vivian and I watch Adrian Rogers on TV just before we leave for church.  His message today was "Finding calm in the middle of the storm".  The emphesis was on our Lord's having either allowing the storm, or causing the storm on Galilee where He walked on the water, and calmed the storm.  Jesus is there in the middle of our storms of life and wants us to look to Him.  I loved it when He said that Jesus Christ has us on His prayer list.


Nards656..........

QuoteI always feel a strange need to come to her defense.  

I respect you for this, and can only say Bravo my brother.

This has been a strange day for me.  Before leaving for church I did something not usual, I taped Hour of Power.  Do not do this when attending church.  Guess who was on...Bruce Wilkinson, talking about the Dreammaker .....

My dream was to be a journalist and due to finances, that was not possible.  So went into the world of accounting and computers....When I was forced to retire early in life, due to health problems, I decided to try seriously writing and took a correspondence course.  Did okay, but again health got in the way.  When that happened, continued writing for my own pleasure.  Wrote this one day and it was published in small unimportant places, not for money.  Might be of interest:

THE  REALITY  OF  A  DREAM

    Everyone needs a dream.  'Writing' is a pleasant dream for some.  Something to tempt the fancy.  To become a reality, words must be put on the paper.  Sentences to form a picture describing the complexity of our universe.  Even dreamers must make a clear connection with truth.  Dreams can be hard work.

    Take a simple dream and add reality.  Suddenly it becomes a goal.  Goals are serious.  There must be dedication and commitment.  Our world is filled with educated derelicts.  They forgot the importance of perseverance.  Dreams can be hard work.

    Motivation is the stuff of fulfillment.  Make a schedule, put the dreams into neat time slots.  Have faith in the dream.  Have faith in yourself.  HAVE FAITH IN GOD.  Jesus taught, 'If you have faith you can accomplish anything."  Dreams can be hard work.  They can also be fun!



Ideas are different from dreams.  They are like a work-in-progress....

IDEAS

A presence
waiting
in the dark.
Words
dangling,
creeping
into dreams.
Strange twists
impossible
to resist.
Ideas
will not stay.
Like shadows,
dance
away.

-Liz Webb

Lee: I am currently working as a Caregiver. I have been a Library page too among other things.

I really want to stay in this part of of California where I am close to my youngest son and not that far (5-6 hour) away from my other children and grandkids.

I spent 10 years in the Mojave Desert away from all my family and that was 10 years too long. During that time I went back on drugs and was arrested for manufacturing Meth. The man I was with took the charges off me because he was the one cooking and I got 3 yrs. felony probation. During that time I met Jesus and he saved me and delivered me from drugs and I became a new person in Christ.

My youngest son is the one who wanted me to be near him as I get older(64 in Feb.) in order for his kids to know me and because he also wanted to know me again. So you can understand why I prefer to stay here.

I don't have a whole lot to say about "The Prayer of Jabez."  But I would like to ask this: we know that "The Lord's Prayer" was taught by our Lord to His disciples, and it has therefore become a "model" prayer.  Besides that, it covers almost every need that could possibly come into a Christian's life.  We were never told to repeat it weekly, though, and, although some churches do so, yet some also don't, and I don't think one is better than the other for it.  
However, how about the prayer Jabez prayed?  Was it given as a model prayer?  Was any mention made of it elsewhere?  There were and are good teachings that can be found in the passage, but the prayer itself was not presented as something everyone should pray.  Is God's ability lacking, so that a certain prayer alone can release it?  Are our needs so great that He cannot do anything without this specific prayer?  I'll leave the answers to you.