Christian Photographers Community

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Morning Devotional...





"No one, when he has lit a lamp, puts it in a secret place or under a basket, but on a lampstand, that those who come in may see the light."
Luke 11:33

Two strange species of orchids are among the rarest flowers in the world. These unconventional plants live their entire lives underground, even flowering underground. Most often, their flowers never break the surface of the ground. One of these species, Cryptanthemus, has been found only three times in this century. Only 150 flowering Rhizanthella plants have ever been found.

Since they live in the dark underground, neither orchid has any need for chlorophyll or leaves. Each looks like nothing more than a white, waxy root. Rhizanthella produces a flower that is initially white, but which turns purplish as it ages. Its fragrance has been described as delicate and sweet. Cryptanthemus produces a candelabra flower stalk that has several white flowers with small red splotches. The flowers remain almost an inch under the soil. Both species begin life in the same way as most orchids. The orchid seeds germinate when threads of a fungus invade the embryo and form coils within the seed. At this point, other orchids grow leaves so they can make their own food. But these underground orchids continue to live in a symbiotic relationship throughout their entire lives, being fed by the fungus.

The wonders of God's creative handiwork never cease to amaze us. But God's greatest creation is a redeemed believer in Jesus Christ, a creation He does not want hidden. That's why He tells us in His Word to let the light of faith and new life He has given us in Christ shine onto those around us.


Prayer: Thank You, Father, for the new life You have given me through Christ and help me live so that others can see it. Amen.



Ref: Margaret Helder, Underground Flowers in Australia, Dialogue, Winter, p.6

Amen, this was a very good devotional, God bless you and thanks for sharing it..

Pat that is so interesting about those orchids. Thank you for posting some educational things as devotions.

Not much planned for today that is different for any other day. Going to fay's first then about 1:30 PM to Versal's. Please pray for versal. It is an unspoken request.

Still nothing to say this morning, I must go fix my breakfast now.


TTYL

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Pat:  Your daily devotion was very interesting.  Thank you.

Janet:  Yes, waiting was long yesterday and I was able to accomplish some sewing.  So sorry to hear that Beth is having such painful headaches.  My best to her.

Larry:  I hope that you feel better soon.  How nice that your friend drove you for your appointment.  Our lives are just planned about so many appointments - not what we thought about in retirement. 

Carol

Pat, I do apologize for not posting today's devotional.  I got busy working last night and stayed with it until nearly 11:00, didn't even turn my computer on!  And didn't remember it was my day again until this morning while at the gym.  Thank you for posting such an interesting one in my place.

I am continuing to have computer problems.  It tends to make me not get on as often or post as much, because it frustrates me no end.  I ma having to restart from 3 to 10 times before it will complete the startup process, plus other stuff. 

Good News!!  Beth's surgeon called and said her last MRI shows only one bulging disc, and that she doesn't need more back surgery at this time.  He told her to find her back brace and start wearing it again.  She asked why her left leg/foot is dragging, and they are to call her later if they have any ideas about that.  She is still focused on moving to New York State to be nearer to John.  I told her she needs to "get her ducks in a row" before she starts packing! 

Kristi changed my upper body workout routine today, and I have sore muscles!  Can't get too comfortable, you know, gotta keep moving on! 

I have lots to do today but will probably get back in here again.

Larry, I am praying that whatever is the very best for you, is what the outcome of all your tests, etc. will be.  God has all wisdom, and He loves you more than any of us can even imagine, so He will take care of you!

WELCOME, PASTORSMATE!!  We hope you will love CP and post often!  Tell us aboaut yourself, your family, whatever you want to share.

Missions Insider ............
 
Prayer Alert .....



Benin Christians Beaten, Children Kidnapped
Voodoo leaders attack missionaries in tribal village
The whereabouts of two missionaries' children abducted several days ago from their home in rural Benin by voodooists remain unknown. Many fear the worst: that the two children may be used as human sacrifices to a voodoo god. The children were taken when a local voodoo chief and his followers attacked the family during the night, beating the native missionary father and several other Christians and destroying the village church building, the missionaries' house and several other converts' homes. The missionary, "Jeremie," and his wife, "Augustine," had been serving among the Fon tribe in a remote village for one year. They had won 25 people, most from voodoo backgrounds, to the Lord and started a small fellowship.

On the night of the attack, a voodooist district chief arrested the missionary and several other converts and demanded that they leave the village or reject Christ. When the Christians refused to do either, they were beaten, stripped and threatened with castration. Augustine managed to escape and flee through the jungle until she came across a person on the road who took her to another village. Upon hearing her story, a brother in Christ based in that village rushed 14 miles to the nearest police station. Officers were able to make it to the scene of the attack, but not before Jeremie and several others had been severely beaten and the children kidnapped.

To date, neither the children nor their abductors have been located. Jeremie and three other Christians are currently in critical condition in a local hospital. Please intercede for this Benin family. Pray for swift recovery for the hospitalized believers and for the safe return of the abducted children. Pray that the power of Christ would break through the darkness binding their captors and the country of Benin in voodoo.


Christian Aid Mission
email: insider@christianaid.org
phone: 434-977-5650 

Hi everyone.  My day hasn't turnout so far as I planned.  I thought I would take my car into Wal-Mart for a quick oil change and to pickup a few items.  There were a couple of cars ahead of me so didn't think it would take long.  However, three hours later they still had the hood of my car up and finally called me and said they hadn't been able to get the cap off the cyclinder that holds the oil filter on the Saturn.  They had put in fresh oil but couldn't change the filter so they didn't charge me. 

I had walked slowly through the large Wal-Mart store as I shopped for about 30 minutes and was very tired.  So now I have to take it in to Saturn tomorrow and see what is wrong and get the filter changed.  I was trying to save about $10 or more on the cost of an oil change but this will probably end up costing me more.  Just one of life's minor aggravations.  I had to rest for about 90 minutes before I tried to do anything else but still feel tired this afternoon.  I think in the future when I go to Wal-Mart or the large grocery store I will use the electric cart to get around and then it won't wear me out so.  I hate to do it as I have no trouble walking as some people do but just get too tired.

I appreciate your comments on the heart situation.  I will get this other blood test done tomorrow morning.  The Coordinator called this morning and said she had submitted my case to the first committee but the inidcation of hepetitis may be a major drawback in acceptance.  So we will just see what happens.

Ruth, happy birthday.

Tbear and Etta Sue, I expect by this time you are both engaged in some great conversation.  It is so nice that you can meet face to face. 

Marilyn, we don't get very many letters with stamps but if I can remember I will try to tear off the stamp corners and if I can get enough together to send will contact you later for your address and send them to you. 

Pat, another very interesting devotional.  I had never heard of flowers blooming underground.  God's creation is certainly beyond man's comprehenion. 

Janet, glad to hear that Beth got some good news.  I do hope things can work out where she can spend sometime with John.  It certainly would be a major thing for her to try to move to the East and away from her family.  I am sure this prospect is worrisome to you and her siblings as you wouldn't be there to help her when she needs help.

Guess I had better pay some bills.  Hope this is and has been a good day for everyone.  It is a blessed day that God has allowed us to spend here and we need to rejoice in it. 

Hello everyone.

Happy Birthday Mom!

I spent most of my day cleaning, and went out for an hour or so to do a bit of grocery shopping, and came back to a message from my Dad that he was taking my Mom out for dinner, and if I called within the next few minutes would I join them.  I called, but they had already left    I'm sure that they had an enjoyable meal and birthday celebration for my Mom.

Now to get busy and finish my cleaning.

Larry - just wanted you to know that I will pray for your situation.  I think you are right at that point where "the rubber meets the road."  This is where real faith is revealed.

Pat, Thank  you so much for the daily  devontioal, very intresting about the orchids,  God Bless you and many more returns..ope your day is going well..

Happy Birthday Ruth, God Bless you and many more returns..

Al, How are you, so nice to see you..

Janet,  WoW, That is some stiry,, My prayers are over this village and the families.. God protect these chrildren and bring them home..

Sue, Hi.. Sounds like you have been busy with alot of spring cleaning.. There is no end to it, is there?

Larry,  I hope you are feeling well, and don't over do it.. Some of those walmarts are huge..My prayers are over you with you heart issue..


Hi, Carol and Tbear ans pastormate.. How are you all doing..

Etta Sue, I hope your alright, I read about Jerry.. I am so sorry for your loss of a friend.. God be with you and his family..

I just got a phone call form a dearf friend of mine Sherrie, I was helping her in her stores for a while.., her mother is very sick with the big C word, bones, lymphs and shoulder.. her mother was very good to me when I came home 5 years ago and gave me a job when I truely needed it.. Please  lift Carol Antes up in your prayes for God to help her with this as she gose thur, it dosen't look good at all..

God Bless you each and every one.. Alma

Just a short hello here I  am going to the Mechanic at 6pm to get that oil sending unit in my car replaced. He replaced it once but it  still leaks a little, just enough to make a mess in other poeple's driveways. 

I am starting a Baby Afghan for one of the young women at church who is due inh september.  I got the sweater and beret finished for my teddy Bear.-I took as photo and will post it later, gotta run now.

Whew!  I got Mark's scrapbook done!!  YEA!!     Boy, when you start with a huge box of stuff, have to sort it, then decide what to use, then sort chronologically, then plan the pages, glue or fasten stuff in, reinforce the holes so the pages wont fall out, and you have 13 years' worth of school papers, award certificates, newspaper clippings, grade cards, Scout stuff, etc.----anyway, it was a huge job, and a true labor of love.  I'm so glad to have it done.  Now I just need to finish his Photo album.  It is pretty well up to date, I just need to get prints of his Prom and his souvenirs from that, and leave some space after that for graduation. 

Yes, Larry, it is worrisome that Beth will be so far away from all of her family.  That is why I keep telling her she needs to be SURE what she wants to do, and she says she IS.    So I have to leave her in God's capable hands and keep praying for her.

Like Larry, I have a new friend, and am so happy about that.  Pat just moved here about three weeks ago and she comes to our church.  We just have that special connection that tells us we will be very good friends!  She is going to attend our Red Hat lunch with me tomorrow.  Friends are a special blessing from God. 

Boy, I am so sore it hurts to walk!  And I haven't added much at all to my lower body workout!     But this, too, shall pass.

I'm going to go to bed early and read a while before I conk out. (I hope.)  See you tomorrow!

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Pat:   That was a very informative story.

TBear: Looking forward to seeing the pictures of both you and Etta Sue I am sure that you both are having a wonderful time together.


Alma, Larry, Pat & Sue and the others that perhaps I missed thanks for the Birthday Wishes.
it was a day full of surprises - coffee with friends and they gave me a danish with a birthday candle on top I sure wish I had a camera.  Then when I got home the phone seemed to be constantly ringing.   Sue sorry that you missed Dad's invite for dinner. My grandson called earlier in the evening to wish me Happy Birthday and he asked if I would still be up around 10 this evening so that my granddaughter (Sue's daughter) could call and wish me Happy Birthday as well.

Larry:  Know that you are in my prayers and thoughts.


Ruth

I have posted a photo of my Teddy Bear HERE

Locking up a little early tonight.

CLICK HERE