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Morning Devotional

Prayer to a Real and Loving God

"The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry.  The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.  The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles.  The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit."

Sometimes people talk about "the power of prayer."  The mystics of the world, in fact, are convinced that once a prayer is "said" it has a kind of mysterious power of its own.  Sometimes we even speak of "sending a prayer" to someone.  In the psalm I've quoted here, though, we're told that "the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles."  Not the mystical power of prayer, but the very real and personal God effects the needed deliverance.  In fact He says to His beloved people, "I will never leave you nor forsake you!"  Let us no more speak of "the power of prayer," but let us speak of our loving heavenly Father.

Al Moak

Hey Al you bonked me on the head. Shame on you !!

Mike thanks for explaining more thoroughly the stamps.  Especially for the link to the Library fund, I didn't have that.Thank you Nita and Karma for offering to save them for  us. If anyone needs my address email me and I will gladly send it to you.

I stayed in bed an extra 1/2 hour this morning, just being lazy. I get up plent early to do a lot of stuff before I leave, like 3 hours before I have to be anyplace. Here is a funny true story.

Fay keeps harping one me about going to my Tai Chi classes, She would throw out her arm and her leg and say that I was going down to the Senior Centor to jump around and that I could do that at home. That why did I have to go to the senior center. She didn't understand why I had to go class with other people.

So I decided to demonstrate a couple of moves to her to show her what kind of exersise it is. Then she says shocked like " why that"s that Kung Fu stuff" So I tell her yes it is a form of Martial Arts but not Kung Fu. Now she just asks me did I go do the martial arts before I go to her house.

TTYL

Great and Precious Promises

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"Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust" (II Peter 1:4).

Scripture is full of promises, more than 2,800 in the Old Testament and more than 1,000 in the New. The first of these exceeding great and precious promises was the Protevangel ("first gospel") of Genesis 3:15. Immediately after the Fall of Adam and Eve through the temptation of Satan, that old serpent, God promised the coming Seed of the woman, the Savior: "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; [He] shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise His heel."

The first New Testament promise, significantly, is this same primeval promise, now made far more specific: "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21).

The last promise of the Old Testament speaks of a second coming of "Elijah the prophet," who will "turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers" (Malachi 4:5-6). Then, the final promise of the Bible is the wonderful assurance of Christ concerning His glorious second coming: "Surely I come quickly" (Revelation 22:20).

Sandwiched between these great and precious promises are over 3,800 other promises. Some of these are in the form of promised warnings to the sinner, but promises nonetheless. Most promises however are to the obedient follower of God, and we know that "He is faithful that promised" (Hebrews 10:23). "For all the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him Amen, unto the glory of God by us" (II Cor-inthians 1:20). HMM

Marilyn:  One of the groups at our church has been saving stamps as well - for years.  There are so many ways to save & one is using the Betty Crocker things on the boxes (sorry, I don't remember the names as I just don't use them very often) - they also cut up Christmas cards and so forth - a lot of time at the quilting there will be someone sitting with us cutting & sorting these things.  It sure does all add up.

Off to the VA hospital today with Don as he is having tests to see if lesions on the heart.  4 hours of testing so I thought I had best be there & am dragging some handwork and a book along.  Fortunate for us that it did stop snowing yesterday afternoon.  Now, the company that was to arrive today will not be coming.  That is the 4th. time this month that couples have had to call us and say they could not make it because of the snow and only one couple was able to come to visit.  Don ordered some more wood from Bethlehem - I may have mentioned that he makes pen and pencils out of 500 year old olive tree wood.  He gives them to friends and relatives who do special works for the Lord and appreciate the specialty wood.  I only mention this because of reading about the "olive press" .  

Pat:  I sure don't like to hear that you have had a return of spasms - there must be something that can be done to alleviate your pain.  

The sun is out and everything looks so nice and fresh.  
Carol

Good morning!  We are having a really beautiful day here in SW Kansas.  Sunshine and NO WIND!! 

I had a problem again with my computer last night when I was trying to post, and this morning I noticed I had a one-sentence post out of it.  Ha!  Woman of few words......

Mark met me to pick up Abby and he brought a big box full of "stuff" that Diane has saved over the years---school papers, report cards, etc.  I had asked her for them so I can do Mark a book of his stuff and have it ready for his graduation reception.  She didn't have time to srot through it, so just sent the whole box!  Then I spent 2 1/2 hours sorting out Mark's from the rest.  There was still a lot of Curt's stuff, even though I made him a big book when he graduated.  And Abby has quite a collection already, and she is just finishing first grade!  It was fun to read bits and pieces of what they have written, though.  One I had to smile about was a list of "favorites" of Marks, including Favorite Person.  He had written "My Grandma."  Reason?  "Because she reads to me."    How quickly they grow up! sigh............

Pat, I hope you have a pain free day today!

Marilyn, glad you had a nice meal with your friend!

Mike, good to hear about your busy life in Belarus!  How is your pregnant wife doing?  When is the baby due?  How is Noel?

Carol, those waits sure go better when you have something to do, don't they?  I hope your husband gets a good report.

Beth is having really bad headaches, stiff neck, back pain, etc.  I am taking her to a chiropractor/kinesiology guy at noon, see if he can help her without hurting her more.  Something has to be done, or she will soon be back in her wheelchair!  She couldn't even go to church the past two Sundays because of the pain.

I hope you are all having a very pleasant day walking with the Lord.  See you later!

Hi Everyone...

It's kind of "sleeting" here in Guelph.  It's very dreary and dull and this "stuff" is falling. 


I'll be back later...

Nice music

GOOD MORNING FRIENDS:

I am here just to stop in & say HELLO. I pray that everyone is doing well. Things here with me are well. Busy getting the house in order for VERY IMPORTANT COMPANY ... I am sure that if you read back a couple of days you read who was coming 2 visit me ETTA SUE is coming 2 visit the TBEAR & FAMILY. All of us are excited 2 see her & my daughter is too. And ... yes I'll have pictures to share too which I am sure that Etta will have pictures to share when she gets - back too.

So, I really need to get back to work so take care & I'll see you all again soon. So, keep Etta in prayer as she travels & so we will post when she arrives so stay tune !!

First of all, thanks to each and everyone of you for the prayers, concerns, snail mail card, ecards and kind words.  You will never know what that means to someone until you go through a similar situation.

The funeral was a great celebration of Jerry's homegoing.  Mark, the minister told Jerry stories.  The one  I liked best was a church member told me that Jerry would now know the winner of the NASCAR races before we would know them.  I don't know why...I will never know...unless Jerry was telling me...but I said "But Jerry will be talking to God and saying, 'Why did you let that guy win?  So and so should have won!!'"  That was Jerry...had an opinion on everything.  Bless his heart.

Also the Gaithers are from a little town about 15 miles north of me.  The have a wonderful Resource Center there and a recording studio.  I love their music.  I have the one of them at the Paramount...a theater that used to me a movie theater back in my high school days.  Beautiful theater restored to it's original beauty.

Busy today.  I have to mow and it is cold outside.  Then as Karen says, I am headed north to meet Karen and her family in the morning.  I can hardly wait!!! 

Here I am back at work and just now reading my e-mail about Jerry.  I am so very sorry that he is still not here with us on"this side"...but am so very, very, glad that he is pain free and jumping about with our Savior.  I have lost the path to get to his page and will 'back track' to find it.  Thanks to you, Etta Sue. for all your loving and caring ministry.  Have a great time with TBEAR

Just to let you know, my wife is doing fine with the pregnancy.  We had an ultrasound this past week, and here's the results:


and the all important question answering one:


HE is due at the end of August.  Tentative Name:  Ryan Kurt Lutes  What do you all think of that?

Sorry about the pictures in here, but couldn't resist...

Aww...i love those pictures!  What a blessing!

Good Afternoon and Praise the Lord!

I just have got back from the eye dr. and my eyes are now ready to have LASIK surgery!  I will have it done on May 11, so please remember me, please.

I started going to the eye dr in October and it was really starting to get to me about not being ready. 

Hope every is having a great day.

Samantha

Life after death...I love those pictures,Skief!  And little Ryan Kurt Lutes will love and cherish his name because his Mommy and Daddy gave it to him even before he was born.  How is Noel doing with the new one coming along?

Ryan Kurt Lutes---good strong name, I say!  Our new pastor's name is Kurt, and I have a beloved grandson named Curtis, sometimes called Curt, so I like that name!    Noel and Kurt, or Noel and Ryan, whichever you use, they go well together.

Kathy, good to see you again--how is the ankle?

Etta Sue, you and Karen have a great time together tomorrow.  It is such fun to meet computer friends.

It took the bulk of my day taking Beth for appointments, errands and to see her Grandma. (My mom.)  Now I'm not in the mood to get any work done.     But I will work more on Mark's books anyway.  Hope there is something fit to watch on the tube tonight while I work.

See y'all later!

Howdy all y-all I am home from work got off early today because Versal wanted to rest this afternoon and didn't want me to come. So I went early for my traction appointment and got that over with too, came home and at least vaccumed the living room.

Happy is shedding big time. I will be so glad Saturday when he gets groomed, and I will take a picture of him with his new look. I am going to have to tranquilize him just a little bit to get him in the car. You would think with all the times he has been to the vet this past year he would like the car, but he still balks at getting in.

I've called a couple of places today but nothing is available yet nearby. I don't want to move to Eureka unless is it something so fantastic that I can't pass it up. (Ha ha    wishful thinking).

Janet you must be very tired all that running around. I know when I was working for Gloria I was dead tired every day from all  he running around loading and unloading the wheelchair.

Etta Sue I hope you and Karen have a real nice visit and lots of fun.

Kathy I was wondering where you were. Welcome back my friend.

TTYL

Ohh, Mike..  How exciting for you!  We're all looking forward to hearing more and more about how your wife is doing during the remainder of this pregnancy.  I love the name!  I bet Noel is getting so excited to have a new baby brother coming to live with her.

Hi to everyone else.  It's lovely to come in here and read your posts.


We're going to have a change to our theme soon on CP.  And maybe we'll have the Member Map added like is on Photography Cafe so that all of the members can put their pin on the map.

Well today we have had sun, sleet, rain and yes it is cold and my spring flowers are doing their best to keep closed until a warmer day comes along.  We are not hearing the birds either and just a few days ago they were chirping like mad.

Yesterday was quiet and today was another day of work.

Skief:  I to like the chosen names for your new baby.
Marilyn:  I will try to get in touch with you when I have enough stamps.

Have a great evening
Ruth

Hi everyone.  We have had a very busy day today and I am worn down tonight.  After coffee this morning I went for a haircut and then about noon we had to go to have the stitches removed from Pat's surgery site.  On the way back we stopped and had a late lunch/early supper, then went to the library and finally to the grocery store.  It was after 5 pm when we got home.  

My doctor called around 6 pm saying the blood tests he reviewed showed a marker for hepetitis C.  I told him I had fought that for a year and it was under control but wasn't surprised it showed in the blood profile as there will probably always be a trace.  He has ordered some viral loading blood tests so will have to go Wednesday for another blood test.  I also learned today that my ejection factor for my heart is 29% and the normal is 50%.  So that isn't too bad and could mean that I will not be considered a person that needs a heart transplant.  I have mixed feeling in that would like to be considered well enough not to need one but know if I don't qualify I will have to live a pretty restricted life based on the condition of my heart and that my life span probably will not be too long.  There is also a strong possibility that a third heart attack would be fatal as my heart is so weak and diseased.  However, I know whatever outcome occurs will be God's will for my life and that will be just fine.  

Last week I bid on a used webcam and bought an Intel Pro webcamera.  It came in the mail today and works very well and has so much better picture than the Logitech webcam I have had.  Unfortunately Intel no longer makes webcams.  My friend and I had a nice video conversation earlier this evening.  He has the same camera and said the picture he sees from mine is so much better than what I had.  

I will try to get here earlier tomorrow and address individuals.  Just too tired tonight.

Thanks Ruth. I would appreciate that. Now whoever else  feels led to save their stamps,not only I would appreciate it but Mike also, since he benifits from the AG stamp program. I think it is a great way for the missionaries to receive the books they need in the field.



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That's great if many will save stamps and send them to you, Marilyn.  I know that the stamp program I'm in has benefitted many missionaries on the field so this is wonderful.  I've been saving them for years and actually, the lady who I am taking to New Brunswick and Nova Scotia is the one who headed up the program and got me involved about 18 years ago.

She was telling me last year that the stamps collected have gone down greatly in the past several years since most companies use the postage machines and also since email has become so prevelent.

But I still cut all mine off the envelopes and give them to her or the lady who is taking over this little volunteer job from her.

Maybe, Marilyn, you can let us know from time to time how you're doing with this.  I know I'd sure be interested to know.

Larry, I have so many mixed feelings after reading your post.  I know how I felt when you started the Hep. C treatment and we sort of went through that together with Jack being ill and you reporting on that.  That was a difficult time and then to find out at the end that you were cleared of it.

Now, I don't entirely understand all these test results and percentages but I'm sorry about the heart transplant if it means that you might not be eligible.  I'm sorry too as Jack's poor old heart was so deseased too and there was nothing more that they could to help him.

I'll continue to pray for you in this regard and it IS wonderful to know that you're putting your complete trust in our Father above and knowing that whatever the outcome is in this situation is what has been planned and He does all things right and His ways are perfect.

Thanks for sharing, Larry.

Pat We have one lady who works in a Doctor's office and she saves the whole envelope when people mail in their payments and brings over a box at a time to the church. Did you see the link that Mike posted last night? It explains the AG stamp program very well. It is very detailed, I have sent thelink to a couple of people.

Yes, I did Marilyn.  I looked at the link and it's very similar to how our stamp program works.  There's a hospital in Zambia that has benefited from the stamp program over the years so much with our little program.

It's just a wonderful program.

Good morning: I see we are still using yesterday's thread here today. I hope I don't get bonked like I did yesterday morning.

Fog here today. Well I guess I will wait a bit and see if a new thread is opened.

TTYL

Sorry about the new NEM not being opened.

I've opened it now.