Christian Photographers Community

Morning Devotional...





He hath made every thing beautiful in His time...no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.                    Eccl. 3:11


A set of dirt-coated, rickety oak chairs was about to be discarded when restoration came to mind.  In time they turned into beautiful antiques.

Sometimes the Lord has to do a restoration job on us.

He strips away pride through a humiliating experience, sands the rough edges by adversity, and polishes with continuing hardships.

This procedure causes groans of complaint but it is the prelude to God's all-wise plan for each of His children.

May we focus more on the finished product and be thankful that He sees us worthy material to be salvaged and fashioned into something beautiful.
                                                                      ~E. Dyck~


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Good night everyone!!

good morning anthony!

Good Night, Karma!

I was in bed and I forgot to say a couple of things so got up again!  

First of all, it sure was nice to see Joan posting.  Hope you come often, Joan.

And secondly, I was lying in bed thinking of you going to Wales, Anthony!  Is this the same place you went last year that you posted photos of?  Did you drive through Kington or Knighton?  How I wish I could come too.  

Now, I'm off to bed again!  

I like the Devotional very much today Ms Pat, it is somehow different than many of the other ones.  

Hello Mieka, It looks like it is just me and you tonight.  I am getting ready for bed and thought I would leave a few words in here before going to bed.  

Pat~this devotion reminds me of our house. We have so many antiques.

Today my husband and I were messing with this ooold record player.  The one where it has the speaker out the front and you have to crank it up to get it to play.  No wires at all.  It is about 4 foot tall. In very good condition.  I will have to get some pictures and show you all.

Good morning Anthony!  And of course all the rest of the CPers out there.  
Sonja

Good morning everyone.  The devotional reminds me of a chorus that we used to sing ages ago.


Great thought.

Pat, I am going passed Knighton today and it's a beautiful morning this morning and I am looking forward to it immensely.  

Just a note on the doctrines of grace and predestination, I have noticed that amongst the church of God throughout the ages there are great men of God who agree and disagree with these doctrines.  Calvin, for instance, was a wonderful brother.  the Wesleys, who wouldn't agree with everything that Calvin preached, were also wonderful brothers in the Lord and were used by the Almighty to bring revival everywhere they went.  

It always helps me to realise that people who differ over these issues are genuinely trying to keep faithful to the bible.  If people deny certain doctrines, it is difficult to believe that they are christians - some people believe that Christ was just an angel for instance.  But with these issues regarding predestination, it is heartening to think that we can listen to brothers and sisters with alternate views without falling out.  This is simply family having a discussion.

The main thing for me is that we all agree that we can spread this gospel to the whosoever, and it is very heartening that Pat is prepared to keep this place going so that we have an opportunity to spread the gospel to anyone who might come across the site.  I want to stick to lifting the Lord Jesus Christ up.  If He is lifted up He has promised to draw all men unto Himself (or, according to the politically correct version of the bible, He will draw all men and women to Himself )

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Anyway, I am off to get ready for my nice day out.

God bless.

Anthony.

Message for Janet

Five at once was the best news I had in ages

 Pat  I especially liked your devotional this AM because it reminds me that God is still at work on my life...even though I'm in the senior years.  I need sanding, refinishing and  put back together ready to do His bidding anywhere.  
Everyone have a good day. It looks like I've missed a lot of good conversation this past weekend.  

Well, I'm up and at 'em early!

I have to take Phil to work.  

Just a few words here...  Mieka, have a nice vacation with your family this week...

Anthony, hope you get lots of photos today and have great fellowship with your friends from your church and with the ones from the church where you are going.

I'm concerned about Janet, Papa John and Ruth Ann Bice.  Terrible tornados last night with so many killed.  Please check in to tell us you're ok.

Good morning.

We were so busy yesterday with many activities I wasn't able to get here at all.  We DID have terrible storms through here last night.  There was no damage in our neighborhood but eight people were killed down in Jackson, Tennessee.  

I really do not have time this morning to discuss the predestination question.  It is enough to say that I believe in our free will.  I  believe the sense in which there is predestination is that God decided that those who believe and obey the gospel would be saved.  I believe he gives us a choice.  Otherwise we would not be responsible.  I do not want to argue this and I hope this is not a test of fellowship in this forum.  If this is discussed here I feel like I have to present what I believe to be the truth.  The idea that God arbitrarily chose some to be saved and some to be lost is repugnant to me.

We had a great day yesterday.

--- Papa John      

I'm so glad that you are safe, Papa John.

I've heard that the storms are headed our way.  We've been told to "batten down the hatches"!  Hopefully, we won't get any tornados though...even though they are very common in this part of Ontario.

Oh, Good!  My fingers work!  I had a hard fall in a parking lot over the weekend and have been favoring my right hand - not daring to type.  All is well.  It is so nice to have an angel looking after me  

Terrible tornadoes - I pray for all the families.  We had a tornado hit our home when the children were quite young and it took an entire summer to get back to somewhat normal conditions.  These look devastating.

Have a blessed day.  Carol

KDIMLER!!
We visit every day.  We talk about our children, grandchildren, local politics, aches and pains, sorrows, triumphs.  We discuss the Sunday sermon, our reading of scripture, a new book that touched or troubled us.  We post photographs.  We sing.  We laugh a lot.  Sometimes we cry.  We make an effort to listen intently.

Our visits to CP is our holy time.  As we read each others posts and look at each others pictures, we posts our thoughts, hopes, and fears to each other and to God.  Our posts are a manifestation of Christ in the world.  Being part of the Body of Christ is not a private walk with Jesus; it is two or three people gathered together with Christ in their midst.  When we show compassion or 'listen' with love, we are expressing Christ.  We are being the church in the world.  Even though we aren't perfect and we don't have all the right answers, we experience Christs's presence in these times together.

Who needs someone to listen???!!!

Hi Carol and Etta Sue!
I'm glad to see you both checking in.  Etta Sue, are you anywhere near to these terrible storms?

Anthony - what you did is terrible!  I read the devotional, and it reminded me of "Something beautiful, something good," and I was going to post it.  Then, lo, what do I read next?  Anthony is already quoting it!  My second oldest son sang that song one time when we were ministering at a nursing care center, and it was a great blessing.  Whoever wrote that, it was obviously written from the heart.

Relative to the free-will/predestination question - it is a very, very old question, argued by many, many people over many, many centuries, and I do not begin to claim that I can solve it for everyone now.  I know I do love the hymn Pat quoted ("I sought the Lord, and afterward I knew . . .").  I also believe strongly that if our God had not arbitrarily chosen me before the foundation of the world, then I would never have come to Him.  I give Him ALL the credit, because I cannot take any myself.

By the way, for anyone who's interested, ALL the old Baptist confessions contain strong statements of God's absolute sovereignty in election and predestination.

Wow!  I had better turn on the TV and listen to the news and weather.  I know we had strong winds and rain last night but I slept right through it all.  Except when the phone rang right at 3:00AM and the party wouldn't say anything.    But upon looking outside, I know it was very windy.  I had swept the deck but it is full of whirly-gigs from the maple trees.  My drive is a mess.  I swept it with the lawn mower...nothing lazy about me!  But, thank God, I don't see any limbs down.  So it was a good rain for us.

About the discussion...I don't know the names or titles of things but all I know is that we were known before creation.  We are all God's children...so I believe he chose all of us to be his children.  But I also believe we have the choice to be in 'his family' or not.  I was already an antique when he planted the seed in me to be like a sponge and absorb all that I could so I would make the choice to accept his Son, Christ Jesus, as my Lord and Savior.  We don't have the right to live in Heaven for eternity by being a child of God but by faith that Christ Jesus is our Savior and His death on the cross redeemed us of our sins when we confess and repent.  Gosh, sometimes this seems so easy to have eternal life in heaven and sometimes it seems impossible.  I guess that is another choice....to make it easy or to make it very difficult.    Ya'll know my way and I am praying that it is the right way.  

Today will be spent in playing catch-up.  Catch up on the laundry and the house cleaning because of the next two days being spent with Ivalou and her cataract surgery.  Also she is my haircutter so I hope to get a haircut today while she can still see relatively well.  

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"A lot of kneeling keeps one in good standing."

Hi Al!  Great to see you and hopefully, you'll get that car fixed today!

Yes, Etta Sue, over 30 killed so far in the tornados.

I just heard that there were maybe 73 tornados overnight!  And in Pierce City, Missouri, it stayed on the ground swirling around for 30 minutes!!

Good Morning< I have the news on the TV and am seeing all the devastation done by the tornados.  I pray that all those people will find thier loved one.

Today I will be going to work an hour early and this week I start working 25 hours per week instead of 20.  I am going to read the other forums here and will return later.

Pat the devotional is again  very thought provoking. I will re-read it and  think about it before I say anything.

Marilyn

Have a good day at work, Marilyn!

I see right now the following online!

Pat Scott, Ruth Ann Bice, Sonifo, Marilyn, Etta Sue, Janet, Larry Hanna, Jerry L. Sowers, Al Moak
Good Morning to you all!

Twisters kill 28 in Kansas, Missouri, Tennessee


I've heard that the number is in the 30's now.

Happy Monday to all of you on CP.

Papa John and Anthony, thanks for your input into the Predestination/Whatever question.  I agree with you.  If God arbitrarily chose only certain people to draw to Himself, then He would be a respecter of persons, and we are clearly told that He is not.  I don't want to say anything more, because I think this subject is very divisive and it disturbs me so much.  So I feel we should not be talking about it in here.  It may be a real stumbling block to some.  BTW, I was brought up in the Baptist church, but never taught those things, and for that I am grateful.

I love all of you here, so don't think I'm upset with you!

I spent the night awake because of the storms. My three critters all jumped into bed with me. First 85-lbs of golden retriever, then the little kitty who always has been a scaredy-cat cried and cried, then with a yowl, he jumped into bed and curled up between the dog's legs for protection, and the other kitty (an old lady about 15 years old) crept into bed and hid her head in my armpit.

The dogpen is flattened, my next door neighbor's bridge (which was made with heavy metal beams set in concrete) washed away, and someone's gardening timbers floated into and settled across my driveway, so I had to pull them off the drive to be able to come to work.

Wonder when the electricity will be restored? My peanut butter sandwich by candlelight tasted pretty good, though.  

Thanks to God, we're safe, my two Nashville children made it through the night without damage to their homes, and so I have much to be grateful for today.

Ruth Ann

I'm glad you're safe, Ruth Ann!

Hi Everyone.  Joan it is good to see you joining with us here.  It is also great to welcome KDIMLER.

It looks like we are going to have storms in our area for the next several days.  My wife was talking with her sister in Missouri yesterday evening when they had the tornados in the area.  She had to get off the phone because they had heavy hail.  Fortunately there were no tornados in the area she lived.  The midwest is prone to tornados this time of the year.

I finished reading the first "Left Behind" book yesterday and am about 200 pages into the second of the series.  I am really enjoying them and Pat has started on the first one.  The end-times is not something I hear mentioned from the pulpit.

We have two new ladies here for the first time to
clean the house.  We are most hopeful that they will be very satisfactory and this can become a long-term arrangement.


Carol, glad to hear that your hand wasn't hurt too badly in your fall.  Falls can be so frightening.  My wife Aunt, who we stay with in Florida, is visiting her daughter in Delaware and fell and broke her leg right below her hip.  About 2 years ago while visiting in Delaware she fell on some steps and broke her hip, same leg.  She has come through the surgery well and is now starting rehab and then they will have to fly her back to St. Petersburg.  She is such a sweet lady, about 83 years old, but she is doing very well.

Have a lot I want to get done today so better move on for now.

I hope that my reply to the devotional today will not offend anyone.  I see myself so clearly here, and it is sometimes very head not to focus on the past when I see the people who were involved or when I had dreams in the night of the things that were so repulsive in my past. I hate those dreams, I always wake up and pray to God to take them away. My pastor once called me to the front of the church  not even knowing that I was having these nightmares, and He annointed me with oil and laid his hands on my head and began to pray. I am standing there with tears running down my face as he spoke the words that were in my heart regarding those dreams of my horrible past, the things that I had never talked to anyone about.
He rebuked Satan and pled the Blood of Jesus over my thoughts, mind and dreams. Telling me that God was going to remove them and that those memories would be no more. I have not had those dreams, however satan keeps trying to remind me of where I have been and what I have done. I took a lesson from my Pastor and now before I go to sleep at night I plead the Blood over my thoughts, mind and dreams.

God has cleaned me up and set me high upon a rock and shown me His salvation, I praise God every time I think of it for bringing me out of the pits of hell and for taking me THROUGH the dark valleys and leading me through the new life He has given me in Him. If it were not for God I would not be here today. Yes I had many trials and came close to losing my life at the hand of another, I have forgiven that person and he is the same person I went to church with last week Sunday. There were times when I thought there would be no end to the trouble  and not futre for me at all. I had even written instruction to my  son if anything should happen to me and told him what to do and what to tell the police should my life be ended. I lived in fear of my life for quite a few years. I never knew if my life would be taken from me by that man.
Well enough of this, I don't want to think about these things.

Marilyn

USA Today in its 3/10/03 edition had a large article on two
Cowboy Churches in Texas. They printed the
Cowboy's Ten Commandments posted on the wall at
Cross Trails Church in Fairlie, Texas. It was too good
not to pass along to you. Think if we all used these
instead of the one with all the "shalt nots" in it, we could
probably understand and live up to them a lot better!


(1) Just one God.
(2) Honor yer Ma &Pa.
(3) No telling tales or gossipin'.
(4) Git yourself to Sunday meeting.
(5) Put nothin' before God.
(6) No foolin' around with another fellow's gal.
(7) No killin'.
( Watch yer mouth.
(9) Don't take what ain't yers.
(10) Don't be hankerin' for yer buddy's stuff.

Guess cowboys just kinda tell it like it is!!!!

Mr Moak:
Relative to the free-will/predestination question - it is a very, very old question, argued by many, many people over many, many centuries
Ms Janet:
I think this subject is very divisive and it disturbs me so much. So I feel we should not be talking about it in here.

Mr Moak, Mr Anthony, Ms Pat, Ms Janet and everyone. Please forgive me for talking of this question. I did not know it is a old question. For me it was a new one. I thought there are many events that are known by God to come to pass. (stones on my path), But it was my thought that they are the test to allow me to choose which way I will go to get to the other side of each of these stones. I did not know it was a problem question for many Christians. Please do not be mad at me, I will not talk of it again.

Ms Etta Sue: My drive is a mess. I swept it with the lawn mower...
It is a giggle for me every time I see you on a mower.

Ms Janet: It is a giggle for me when I see your tumbleweeds.

Ms Marilyn, Soz about the dreams, I get them too sometimes. I know they are bad to have.

And to everyone I hope you are all safe, I did not even know of the tornadoes until I came in here today. I am  away for a short trip with my family, I will be back again soon.

Well it is almost lunch time.  I have been working on a special project. I have written 28 letters today. We have 28 high school seniors at church who are graduating this year. Every year Cornelia and I  write letters to the seniors to encourage them as they go on to college. They were honored at church yesterday and each was given a very nice Bible. We had more than a thousand present counting a lot of children.

Mieka, I hope you have a nice trip.

---- Papa John

I suppose the doctrine of predestination could be devisive.  In the churches I've been in, they chose to argue over stuff like stained glass or clear windows.    I find this discussion interesting, simply because it is not something I have thought a lot about.  I think discussing it is okay, but don't think you have to change everyone's mind, and don't be offended if I don't believe like you do!    

Hate to hear about those tornadoes, glad everybody is okay so far!

Mieka, have a great time.  Take pictures!!!!!!!!

have a great day ya'll!!!!

Hi~ I've made it back to CP! I've been trying to catch up on all of the new post and photos.It's good that there has been so much sharing and fellowship.
I have to refrain from posting a reply to all of the great photos. I'm really trying to manage my time better.

I've enjoyed the devotion, and find that everyone is handling the topic very well. I'm not a great debater, nor do I desire to be. I know that God first Loved me and therefore I love Him. I know I was created by Him,(psalm 139). I know God gives us free will in Choosing to serve Him. I know my sins are forgiven.
I know I can trust and lean on the promises in God's Word.
I'm so grateful for the "heart" knowledge I have in Christ. It really is so beyond our comprehension what has been done for us to have eternal life.

" I'll never know how much it cost to see my sins upon the cross".
One line from a song we sing in our church.

I hope you all have a Good Day. For those in the Storm area I hope you stay safe and clean up is a minimun.

Denise

Mieka, have you ever seen tumbleweeds??  I will have to take some photos of these pesky things!  How I hate them!  But some say they are selling them on ebay at high prices!  Boy, are they ever going to be sorry for buying them, because they have many seeds, and I think every one sprouts!  It would take a big box to ship a tumbleweed...........

Mieka, I do not think you are the one who brought up the discussion in question, but I apologize if I made you feel bad.  That surely isn't my intention!  And I promise not to say any more about it, either.  I do want for you to feel comfortable in asking any question you have!  How else do we learn?

Denise, good to see you today!

Well, I've just been reading through everyone's post after getting back home.  I feel tired because you all know how I hate driving.  The service this morning was tremendous.  The preacher actually used a game of rugby as an illustration (if you have heard of the game). I couldn't do justice to the sermon so I will not repeat it, but he did mention how we need to defend the faith in these days.  He said that in evangelical circles in Britain, preachers are denying basic truths like the existence of hell, the trinity and the deity of Christ.  It was a rousing  sermon.

I am sorry not to reply to everyone, but just to say how shocked I was over the tornados.  That people have been killed is very sad indeed.  It is so good to see everyone from CP is safe and sound.

Denise it is so good to see you posting today.  Whenever you have time to pop in, just pop in and say hi.  It is good to hear from you.

Meika have a great time on vacation.  Don't worry about any questions you have asked.  I think the group have handled well the particular discussion and no harm has come at all.  Have a great holiday.

Everyone else, God bless and lovely to hear from you.

Anthony.

p.s. It tipped down of rain all day so not one  single photograph.

well good afternoon to everyone....how are you all doing?
Sorry that I have not been posting very much lately...but I have been extremely busy...and I have been lurking in the backroom and going over all the posts...but have not had much to say myself. Please forgive me for my silence....
I will post soon though...but not as often....this time of year we are trying to get the homeschooling finished up and get things on track for the fall schooling so I will not be on as often as i like but keep praying for us....and God bless you all.
IN Christ;s precious name.
Paulette

Papa John ~ I love the new look! Your picture is the best thing I have seen in a while! You and your dear Cornelia's picture sure make me feel like life is well worth living!

Tenderheart,
We are dealing with the same issues at home also. Feeling the need to stay on track and see if we can find an end to school this year.
I've been feeling a stirring in my heart in regards to "what" we will use next year for teaching materials, Or should I say the approach, we will use.

I've been visiting www.homeschoolingboys.com
and reading the article on teaching.
I'm excited to see what the Lord may have for us in our homeschooling next year!

Thank you Anthony & Janet, It's fun to be here! I enjoy the encouragement and support everyone shares so freely.

I'm going to see If I can find a photo or two to post

Denise

Larry:  How good it is that your Pat's aunt is doing well after surgery!  I  know a woman who had a fall several years ago and lost her sense of smell and taste - she ordered a fancy coffee today and said that she might as well have had plain coffee as she cannot taste anything - so falls can have lasting consequences as you well know.

Pat:  Hi - I hope that you don't have any of this rough weather!

Carol

Jerry,

Thank you for noticing the new look.  I think a picture always looks better with Cornelia in it.

Well, it continues to be a stormy time here.  We have had tornado warnings all afternoon.  Right now it seems to have quit raining and wind isn't blowing but it is still very cloudy and more severe weather is west of us so it looks like we may get more storms.  Quite a few have been killed south west of here near Jackson, Tennessee.

I have got a lot done today, printing letters, pictures, etc.

Pat, this was a very good devotional today.  I'm so glad that God through his word changed my life.  We have had so many rich experiences through the years working in His kingdom.

- - - Papa John

Papa John ~ I like your new look also.  The happy couple.

Great discussion today.  So great that I can't remember the controversy!  

Well, I got my haircut.  Ivalou had to go somewhere so she brought her cordless phone for me to babysit....expecting a call from the driver that will take us to the Eye Surgery Center in the morning.  And yes, the cordless phone works from her base to here.  I promptly went to sleep but the phone didn't ring.  She got back maybe 5 minutes after I woke.

I hadn't turned on the TV until just now.  And it is on a cable channel.  It will change to a local channel....pre-programmed...in a few minutes so I will surely here about the tornadoes then.  It has been bright and sunny here today.  Even after all the rain last night, my brother mowed his grass today.  

Well, I noticed today that I had lost my 'Comic Sans MS' font.  Netscape wasn't working right and even on here and other sites the font didn't look right.  I couldn't change fonts in Outlook Express.  A good sign that this thing needs maintenance.  So I did everything I knew to do and still no Comic Sans MS font.  So I downloaded it from a font site on the web.  All is fine now....I love it when I figure something out.

Papa John, we've experienced lots of wind and rain here also.  Because the Senior Olympics are still in progress, I reported to the Senior Center for the 1/2 mile walk this morning.  My time was 7.13 and a friend beat me with 6.57.  The remaining walk competition was postponed because of rain.  Tomorrow are the field games, but that remains to be seen if the rain continues.  Anyway, we'll do darts and basketball throw and eat a free lunch.

I, too, believe God gives us choice.

_{but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles;  they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.  Isaiah 40:30,31}

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Joan,

It just odcurred to me who you are.  Somehow I didn't identify you when you first showed up.  If I didn't say welcome I will now.


WELCOME JOAN
I hope you haven't had any of these bad storms down your way.

- - - Papa John[/color][/size]

Joan, congratulations on your medal in the archery event.  I am doing the webpage for the Gwinnett Senior Golden Olympics and saw your name as I posted the results.  These games have really become quite an event with lots of people participating and this is only the third year held here, I believe.

Papa John, sure hope you don't get anymore bad weather up your way.  It just started raining pretty hard here a few minutes ago.

See you all tomorrow.

Hi everyone, I just stopped by with a note from my bestest friend in the whole world   You may have noticed Nita has been quiet for a couple days.  Well, she emailed me this afternoon I'll just copy it here for y'all.  Maybe I'll put in a prayer request for her, as well.

Hi there.  I'm still here.  My headaches are still here, my sore throat is gone, and my back hurts pretty bad    I just wanted you to know how I am over here.  "Stove up" as my gramma used to say.

I can't sit in this chair very long, so maybe you can let them know on CP.  I tried to look really fast now, but the page is loading so slow, I decided not wait.

 God is here.

  I love you,  nita

Y'all take care now, y'hear?

Well, we're having terrible weather right now and I'm shutting down my computer and probably won't be back till the morning.  It's gone off twice with lightening.  Terrible outside right now.

Goodnight everyone.

We're not really having storms but the wind is howling and Gene just reported the back porch is wet but the front one is dry.  

Tomorrow we head for Elizabethtown for Gene's quarterly check-up at the VA clinic.  This time they're doing the annual blood work so he has to go fasting, and we'll be leaving the house by 7:00 a.m. to get there by 9:00.

On Thursday it's another 2 hour drive in the opposite direction.  We're going to visit my mother and take her a new phone.  We got her one that has a bright flashing red light when it rings.  It's a portable with another flashing red light at the base of the handset antenna, it has a control for extra volume in the higher range to help it work with a hearing aid and a choice of several types of ring sounds.  The ringer has a volume control, too, that can blow you right out of the room when it's all the way up.  So now maybe she'll answer my calls more often.

I am calling it a night.  god Bless you all and to all a good night.
Love to y-all
Mairlyn

Just stopping in for a quick hello.  I've had a very busy day. Yesterday was a wonderful day........church in the morning, an afternoon nap and then a golf game with some nice friends who are also from Vermont.

We went to the Cinco de Mayo celebration tonight. The Church on the Square (here at The Villages)  had a concert by Oscar Feliu. He's a classical guitarist  with a great voice.  There was also lots of entertainment outdoors including a Mariachi band. Great food, too. I wish I'd taken my camera. There was a group dressed as Inca warriors. The costumes were beautiful.  There is always something interesting to see or do here.

Thanks for the devotional, Pat. I need to go back and read the messages now.

Beverly

Hello Ms Beverly, I am mieka.
I went to the Cinco de Mayo celebration tonight too. How funny. and I saw all the bands and the dancers. It was too fun.

;DI hate to tell everyone who is in a bad weather that my weather is WONDERFUL today. But I know it is only a short time and they will have sunshine again too.

I often ask people if tomorrow will be a good day, because they are already there and it will be many hours still for me. But for the weather, I seem to get it first, and tomorrow for you, is a very good weather.

It took me forever to find the Christian Photogrophers tonight. I am glad you have it on the DPC Ms Karmat, or I would not have found it here.

Hello Mieka! I don't know where you live, but we are also having beautiful weather.  Of course there is always hurricane season!  

I'm so sorry for all the people in the paths of those tornadoes. When we lived in Oklahoma I saw first-hand what devastation they can cause.  

I have never had a weather like that. I am in California, (today in the San Diego, I am on a trip). The most bad weather I have had is the rain in Shanghai. I sometimes tell people "it is a Shanghai Rain here today" to tell them it is very bad, but I have still not seen a rain so hard as Shanghai. I would guess a tornado is far more bad.

Hi Beverly and Mieka.  It looks we are the only 3 here right now.  For once, I got here before the door was closed for the day.  

Re the tornadoes, I feel so badly for all the people in the path of those things.  I grew up in tornado country and it still makes me tense up to hear about them.  I well remember as a young child going to the neighbors in the middle of the night to go to their storm cellar.  We had a terribly windy day here yesterday, and that usually means that further east of us storms will be happening.  

Janet, I know what you are saying - about the tumbleweeds!  We have them here too, but fortunately we live on the NE side of town, and they get caught at someone else's place before they can get to us.  In the past, we had more than our share though.  

Papa John, I like your new picture.  You and Cornelia are looking good.  Red becomes both of you.

Hi, Pat!  Thanks for all the work you do here to give us a great devotional and all the other things.  You are one busy lady.  

Hope all of you will have a wonderful day tomorrow.  I have to be at the surgery center at 9:00 to get the scopes done.  Tomorrow should be a piece of cake, compared to today!  Yuck, I may never drink water again!  

G'Night.  Blessings,
~Janice

Jane I will remember to keep Nita in my prayers.  Tell her I am thinking of her.

HI Mieka!!

  I can not asleep
No one is here and I have a worry for everyone. Ms Pat is not here too.  

I hope everyone is ok..

HI Mieka,  I am sure everyone is ok.  When a thunderstorm hits everyone gets off so the lighting don't strike and ruin their computers.  
We just have wind today.  Can't wait for the thunderstorms.  They are my favorite.

I am not on a computer tonight, I am on a TV tonight. I do not have much use for a TV at all, so perhaps this is a good way to use it, yes?   It is strange to talk here on a TV, I did this once before. But it is SO SLOW I think I am growing a beard waiting for it to think.

I can not wait for the sun to come up, I know I will not get a much rest tonight.

Hey Mieka, what do you think of my profile picture?

HI Jane!!!!

 
Is that what will happen after I am a Llama?

(HOW FUNNY)

I will think how I can change mine too.

Did you see Mr Papa John and his wife? AAaaaaawwwww They are SOOOoooo wonderful together, yes?

It is getting a bit late so I am headed to bed.  I hope you rest well Mieka.  You can always count sheep.  

Good nite Jane.  

Have a good rest of the evening to both of you.

hahaha!! Mieka!

I did see Papa Johns photo.  He is such a sweetie.  I love all his pictures.  I also like how he changes them often.  

You have a great picture.  I wouldn't worry about changing it.  

God is good.......All the time.
All the time.......God is good.

As to the discussion on election and predestination I remember many heated discussions in our youth group as a teen.  It is so good to know that God knows what exactly he means and we will understand it all one day bye and bye.

Pat isn't there a song to that effect that we used to sing?

In our family on Monday we had an answer to prayer, my husband has been working 5 hours south of our home and today he made the decision to drive for a company in North Bay, where he will be home on weekends. We will be able to retire one vehicle and be rid of some expence.  Getting this job has been a BIG answer to prayer.

Will you be praying for 2 girls who are suffering with the flu today?

Have a good, Godly day
JudyB

Morning Janet.

I have seen tumbleweeds.  I have to say I was intrigued with watching them blow all over the roads and all.  You don't believe the problem they can create until you have seen them.

Meika in the Old Testament there is a story about Elijah.  He was in a cave in a mountain and there were winds and thunder and noise, in all this God did not show His face.  After it was over Elijah could hear His voice in a still small voice.  Listen for it in the silence.

Perhaps someone could find the exact reference for me?

Hello Ms Judy.
I had a giggle from Ms Janet and the tumble weeds. It was a puzzle to me that she would burn them when it is hot outside. I would wonder why she would not wait until it is cold outside

I did not know it is only to get them to go away.
Today I know more about a tumble weeds. But I do not think I have seen one yet..

Ms Judy, are they your 2 girls with a flu? I hope they are well soon

Ms Judy.... I am puzzle by this story... I have no Idea what it means.
.After it was over Elijah could hear His voice in a still small voice.  Listen for it in the silence

A very early Good Morning to Judy B and Meika:

I'm unable to sleep, (partially de to the electric storm) that we had.  I really love hearing rain on our roof,  and awnings,but dislike lightning!

I've had very busy days this past week...which is good for me.  Keeps my mind off the pain of arthritis.

I've already got the laundry sorted; so hopefully, I'll be able to catch a couple of hours of sleep before I need to get up!

Looks like everyone except the 3 of us are "snoozing" away...I'm happy for them...wish it was me!

Janet: I don't think I've ever seen a tumbleweed...in person.  I've seen pictures of course.

Its so nice to see new friends coming in CP.

Love and nitey-nite (I hope)

- Judy M.

Oops - I goofed again.. Good Morning Anthony!  Hope you had a restful sleep!  How many hours are you ahead of us?

Its just after 3:39 am as I post this!

- Judy

I can't believe all of the bad weather people are having.  I think Pat did the right thing to turn the computer off.  It is better to be safe than sorry.

Strange thing happened yesterday.  When we went out for the day we left the cat jumping about like crazy.  When we came back 7 hours later she was unable to stand up.  Didn't want to eat or drink.  Strange

I hope everyone has a great day and I do trust that no further harm will be caused by the weather.

Anthony.

p.s. Hey Judy, I was surprised to see you posting so early today.  Those electric storms sound bad.  I hope you manage to get some sleep.  (It's 8:45am here in the UK)

We must be continuing on yesterdays NEM.

I didn't proof read this because I have 5 minutes until pick up time.

Joan, I am so glad you found your way here.  Hope to see many posts and soon you will become a full member....that's when you post 100+ times.

Larry ~ I can't imagine having the knowledge to make a website for someone.  Took everything out of me to do my own webpage!!  I know there are several in here that can do it too!

Jane ~ Thanks for the report on Nita.  Give her my love from Indiana.  Get to feeling better soon, Nita!!!!

Pat ~ I hope you survived the bad weather.  Tis the season...I guess!  

Jeanne ~ I will pray for travel mercies for you and Gene.  Today and tomorrow is Ivalou's surgery but we are having the courtesy car pick us up and bring us back.  So nice.

Beverly ~ Happy to see you stop in and letting us know about what you are doing.  Sounds like you are really enjoying Florida fun.

Mieka ~ Do you have CP in Your Favorites?  I have the index page there plus I try to remember to get a noticfication for NEM. Helps me!  I am older than you, remember, and forget more than you.  You must have picked out Indiana for good weather yesterday from California.  Our weather was great and sunny this morning.  Ooops! see I forgot!  You are on vacation!!!  

Janice ~ It seems a lot of us are getting medical things done today.  Isn't it trying when we get old?  Have to do lots of things to stay healthy.

Mieka ~ It is hard for me to picture you in a beard.  I got a great chuckle out of that one.

Hi JudyB ~ Glad to see you pop in, too!  My but you do look like your sister.....and that is good!

Judy M ~ You must have had another restless night.  I pray you get rest today.

Anthony ~ Good morning.


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"Maturity is when we change from cocksureness into thoughtful uncertainty."

Good Tuesday morning!

I hope that everyone is well - including their computers  

Papa John:  The picture of you and Cornelia reminds me of Christmas with red clothing and beautiful white hair.  

Mieka:  Shanghi sounds so exotic to me.  Did you visit or live there?

Sonja:  Are you drinking from the fountain of youth?  Your picture tells me that you are.

Judy B:  It looks like you have a prayer granted with now one less truck - I hope that I have that right.  Oh, I do hope that the girls are feeling better today.  

Carol

Well, here I am back!

I could have logged on in the middle of night too like Judy McKenna but I was fast asleep then!  

That storm was a dilly, wasn't it Judy?

I unplugged my TV's and the computer and everything that could get damaged and I just went to bed and read my Bible for awhile.  

I'm so happy that we can get John Gill's Exposition of the Bible on the net now.  It's just a wonderful help and to think it was written so many, many years ago.  

I hope that you are having a wonderful holiday Mieka.  It's nice that you can get on here from that hotel room.  Are you using WebTV?

I'm having some earth delivered today so I have to move some stuff from my driveway where they are going to put it and a friend is taking me to the recycling depo here to take some garden trash and then I take my neighbour to Hamilton for cancer treatment so I won't be around much at all.

I hope you all have a great day.

Forgot to say that I have a small tumbleweed on top of my bookcase that I picked up on I-80 some years ago when I was with my father.  We were somewhere in either Nebraska or Wyoming when all of these massive tumbleweeds kept on beating our car so I picked one up and brought it home as I had never seen anything like them before.

Good morning.  Regarding the "still small voice":

IKing 19:11-14
11   And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake:
12   And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.
13   And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?
14   And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.  (KJV)

IKing 19:18  Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him. (KJV)

Elijah thought he was the only one left serving the Lord.  He was wrong.  God still had many who were faithful to Him.  If we ever get discouraged and think we are the only ones faithful we need to be reminded that we are not alone.  We used to sing an old French song:  "Non, jamais tout seul."  --- "No, never alone."  There are always brothers and sisters who are faithful to God and we are never alone.

Excuse me for the long sermon.  But it is mostly scripture.  God's word is always good.

--- Papa John      

Thanks Papa John for the sermon.  It is great to learn something new.  

Good morning to all.

I will take Zachery to the hospital today to see his doctor from Denver.  It is just a check up to make sure he is doing alright.  
The temp. is only going to get up to 50 today.  brrrrsss....to cold for me.  

Anthony I am sorry to hear about your cat.  I will be praying for her.  Poor thing.  I wonder what happened?

Good Morning everyone. I hope all are well and surviving the terrible weather you are having. It is windy again here in the high desert. I have seen many tumbleweeds. I am surrounded by them. They are growing all around me.  They can be such a nucience (sp>).

Thank you PapaJohn for you exhortation on the scriptures. I am always appreciative of your words.

Judy B. I hope your girls are better today.

EttaSue I pray you trip today with Ivalou will be a safe one.

I am going now to check the other forums here and my email. I will be back later.
Marilyn

  Hi everyone.
Just a thank you toMs JudyB and Mr John for the small voice story, I do undarstand it now.

And I hope Ms Mckenna did get some rest too. It is so hard not to get the rest.

And Mr Anthony,   I hope the kitty will be ok.

Ms Carol, I know many friends who went to Shanghai and say it is a wonderful place.  When I was there, I was very poor. I did not know a nother way. Today I pray many times each day that I hope never to go back there again.  

I hope everyone will get some sunshine today and I hope it is a good day for all. I hope to come back again soon.

Hi everyone.  We also had storms last evening and a lot of rain, somewhere between 2 1/2 and 3 inches after about 5 pm.  Fortunately there were no tornados in our area.  However, it is overcast again today and more rain is expected.  My lawn people came this morning and just did a little weed eating in places it had gotten high and trimmed a couple of bushes.  It was way too wet to put a lawnmower on the yard.

Papa John, your messages are never too long.  

It sounds like our folks on CP will be busy today.  This is my Calvin Cove day and have to be there in a couple of hours.  Today we are singing hymns.  I got carried away when I put together the word sheets for the hymns a few weeks ago and choose about twice the number we can sing in our allotted time so we just start in the middle and go to the end, which is what we will be doing today.  Etta Sue, hope Ivalou's procedure goes very smoothly.  It is good that you can go with her.

Nita, I do hope you are feeling better today and Jeanne, hope your Gene gets a good report.  Sonja, I sure hope Zachery gets good news from his doctor today.

Anthony, sorry to hear about your cat.  We do get attached to our pets.  

I will not try to speak directly to everyone this morning other than to say I have read all of the postings here and it is good to see everyone stopping by.

Well, this is surely a busy place this morning!  Hello to all of you!

Mieka, I am so glad you have joined us.  You are a breath of Springtime to us here, helping us to look at many things from a fresh perspective.  May God richly bless you as you continue to learn about His ways and His Word.  And it's great that you make us smile or chuckle aloud, too!

Anthony, I hope your Sammy is all better now.  I wonder if she jumped wrong and injured herself?  Cats are supposed to always land on their feet, but it's been my observation, that they don't always!  I'm sorry the weather was too wet for photography when you went out, as I enjoy your photos so much.

Papa John, thanks for the scripture!  Your posts are NEVER too long, because we all learn from you and enjoy.

Janice, Hi to you in N.M.!!  Yep, you know those tumbleweeds there, too--------as all of us on the HIgh Plains do.  We had another trash pit full, plus many piled against the trees again yesterday, so Darrel burned them again......or I should say burned another batch of them.  By the way, the first two photos of your granddaughters got caught in my spam filter, so now I have three of them!  Lovely girls!  Thanks.

Sonja, I am praying for Zachery to receive a good report today from his doctor.  And......would you send me a glass of that water from the fountain of youth?  I don't want to be quite as young as your picture, just take off maybe 20 years or so!

Etta Sue, best wishes to you and Ivalou today!

Hi, Pat!  Another busy day for you, I see.  We will miss you.

Hey, Marilyn!  I'm still praying with you!  Have a great day today!

Good morning, Carol!  Nice to see you!

Judy Mc. I hope you get in a nap today, and pray the pain is relieved for you, from the arthritiis.

Hi, Judy B!  I have been wondering where you were!

I have a lot to do today, too, so I'd best get with it!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

"In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out.  It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being.  We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit."........Albert Schweitzer

Papa John;

I do thank you for that.  I needed to hear the words again.  What I was thinking was that the storns do end and there is quiet again when we can hear the Word.   A storm has ended and there is quiet and with the quietness we can hear that we are not alone.

Northern Ontario is still damp. We have seagulls on our fields enjoying the pickings of worms that have come to the surface.

One of the girls who were fluish yesterday is somewhat better today, I have one who still seems well, and I am praying I stay well.

Looks this will be a day away from homeschooling, and we can take it a bit easier.

Have a good Godly day folks,
JudyB

Hi Judy!


Well, everyone, enjoy your day.  I'm about to start to get ready for the little trip to Hamilton with my poor sick neighbour.  I'll be back later on this evening.

Then tomorrow, I must travel to my old town of Richmond Hill for a funeral visitation for my old boss when I used to teach bus driving.  He passed away yesterday morning.  

So, a busy couple of days ahead.  I also have an Avon order to pack and get delivered.

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Hello all!  still raining here.  Of course, I have no need to go out today, so all is fine by me.  Now, if it starts lightinginginginging giing again, I may not feels so smug about it though.

Sorry ya'll had such a hard time sleeping.  Does make for interesting reading the next day, though.  

Anthony, I'm sorry about sammy.  How old is he/she (I can't remember which! )

I'm gone to put some recipes in the appropriate sections.  Have a good day all!!

DON'T FORGET TO VOTE!!!!!
CP == where everyday is election day!!

Hi again, only me, the little lost sheep has wandered home.

And I am so glad that I did.

Pat , I received your email but was in a problem with my laptop.

Business troubles, medical problems have kept me from posting.

Dear Marilyn was so kind to look for me and I emailed her my reasons for being away so long.

Thank you dears for looking for me.

Hi to all new comers and it is great to see the "old" buddies here as well.

Etta is right --this is a great place; no matter when you come you are greeted with love.
The good kind of love filled with kindness and warmth for your concerns.

Hi Janie, I do hope you tell Nita that I will be praying for her.

My cold/sinus/cough just drags on and on.

I have to go for re-testing on mammography tomorrow morning and would love to have you guys think of me in prayer.

So worried when I heard about tornadoes around you all.  It looks like Our Heavenly Father has kept you safe.

Prayers to all who are in need.

Want to go to prayer request now and check some recipes out.

Take care and as always,
Love in Christ,
Joyce

I just voted !!!

Guess what my vote was?

Wished I could go higher than 10 !!!

Joyce: it is so good to see you back with us. I for one have missed you loving posts. I will be praying for you with the mammography thing. I know how scary that can be. I praise God often for removing th lump i found in my breast. The doctor had also found it and after the mmaogram ordered an untrasound. which came after the church had prayed for me. It was no longer there and my doctor said along with me 'PRAISE GOD".

Marilyn

HI from a very stormy Atlanta.  This has been some afternoon.  We were under tornado warnings around three o'clock and continue under tornado watch until at least 8 pm tonight.  We have had lots of rain with the accompanying lightning and thunder.  I have no guess how much it has rained but all this bad weather has really made the area a mess.  We took all the clothes and things out of our hall closet as that is the only place we have to go to try to protect ourselves in the event of a tornado.  It is next to the laundry room and next to the stairwell to the room over the garage.  Don't know how much protection we would have but it is at least something since we don't have a basement.  We are going to leave it prepared until after the all clear later tonight.  

I did get to Calvin Cove and the few that were there today and I sang hymns as I had planned.  One of the ladies that had been attending had a stroke and died over the weekend.  She was 92 years old.  Fortunately we got home before the storm hit.  However, they held the students in all of the schools this afternoon including our daughter, who was attending a class at the technical college.  She later made it home without incident.

Joyce it is good to see you back and I hope your test tomorrow goes well.  

Pat, it sounds like you are going to be even busier this next couple of days with all that driving to do.  

Larry

Judy B., you are right.  One of the lessons of the story of the still small voice is that after the wind, the earthquake, the fire,  there is the voice from God.  God speaks to us as we read his word.  Often after the trials of life we find comfort from God as he speaks to us through Christ.  I like the statement in Hebrews 1:1-2
Heb 1:1-2  "In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways,  but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe."  (NIV)

The rain and wind seems to have died down here at least for awhile.  We have had between 4 and 5 inches of rain in the last few days.

--- Papa John      

Just checking in for reports from everyone.  Stay safe all who live in tornado country!

Mieka:  I am sorry that you apparently had a difficult time in Shanghi - being poor is very difficult.  I hope that I didn't bring back any bad memories.  Your posts are very interesting.  

Joyce:  Of course, praying for you when you have your re-test of the mammogram.    

Carol

Papa John wrote:

QuoteJudy B., you are right.  One of the lessons of the story of the still small voice is that after the wind, the earthquake, the fire,  there is the voice from God.  God speaks to us as we read his word.

JudyB and Papa John, the man who led me to the Lord believed that Elijah had become so used to seeing God in great miraculous events and happenings that he needed to see God was present in less dramatic events also.  Of course, this isn't stated categorically in scripture, but it has made me think how easy it is to believe God if we see some dramatic miraculous happening - a healing for instance - but we can know by faith that God is with us in the day by day walk that we are called to, know matter how mundain that might seem at times.  I've always found this particular thought of the Lord's dealings with Elijah, very interesting and helpful.

Anthony.

Good afternoon!  All is fine with Ivalou.  She got the cataract removed from her right eye and the implant .... installed  Put in!  We go back tomorrow.  The driver is to pick us up around 11:30am.  Then she will be scheduled for the other eye in a week to ten days.  

We got home and in her house and the phone rang.  I answered it and it was Kaye Don.  Seems they were having Fried Mushrooms and some other stuff for late lunch and wanted to know if we want to come over and eat......DUH!!!!  Two widows!  Food out!  No cooking!!!  DUH!!
So we had Fried Mushrooms that Kaye Don found back in our woods and some were found in Michigan when they visited their daughter this past week.  MMMMMmmmmm! Good!

Sounds like a lot of you are busy dodging the storms.  Weird!  It is bright and sunny here with a light breeze.  Just enough to blow those whirly-gigs off the Maple trees!  Snowing maple seeds!!!

Jerry went to Ohio today to get some stuff out of storage over there.  He went to his sisters and sent me an email.  They just got a computer that so far....all they do with it is play games!!!  

Doing some laundry!  Gotta Go!

I VOTED!!!
DID YOU??

I have voted twice Miss Etta Sue.

I have been here lurking most of the day from the library. We werebusy for awhile but it has slowed down now. School will be out shortly and some of the kids come in daily to get on the computers to play games and generally make a lot of noise.

I'm home!  My goodness!  What sadness!  It was like Grand Central Station down at the hospital with people coming and going and no one is allowed inside the hospital except patents due to the SARS problem.

At one point, this lady was walking out the door and she came up to me the first person she saw outside and said, "Can I have a hug?"  I said, "Sure!"  As I hugged her, she told me, "I've just found out that I'm cancer-free after 11 years!"  

It's been a long afternoon but it's good now to be home.

Thanks everyone for voting!

There's two little graphics too on the Main website that you can click on above ("Christian Photographers Home") and you can vote once a day.  From what I gather, all these votes help to get us noticed so vote once a day if you can!  

Thanks!

Pat, I'm glad you were there to give that lady a hug!  She surely deserved one, after what she has been through.  Glad you're home safely, too.

How wonderful for her that you were willing to give her that hug. So many time when we are alone we do nned a hug from someone. At church most peole give what I call church hugs, very impersonal and seemingly unfeeling. I like the big hugs where you know you have been hugged. I don't care much for the "church hugs".

Hi Janet: we were posting at the same time saying almost the same thing to Pat.  HOw has your day been going?

Papa John and Anthony

Thankyou for the comments on this scripture.  I find it amazing how there can be so many applicaions to a passage like this one.

We have cold weather back and wet. the fog appears to be rolling in, I am having difficulty seeing the nearest neighbor's house down the road. the tenp has hit the high of +10 C or about 50F.  We still need the furnace going.  At times I envy the folks living in California and Florida.  (Two of my favourite locations to drive to!)

Judy B

Hi marilyn, my dear!  I have stayed busy today, sorting photos.  I am sorting out a bunch for each of my kids.  That way, if I don't get their albums done, at least they can have the photos I saved for them.  When you have nearly 50 years' worth of photos, it gets to be a huge job.  But I don't want to think of them just being thrown away, because no one knows who they all are!  So I keep on trying..............

Marilyn I can tell you that Pat doesn't give "church hugs"  I do agree they are so impersonal.


Have a good evening , I enjoy reading your postings.

JudyB

The hugs we give/receive are really good ones--not cold or impersonal at all!

I get a good hug from one lady. Her name is Sara.  She also gives me a kiss on the cheek.  She is so sweet and means every squeeze.  I can see what you mean by impersonal.  Some are like that and I try to avoid the hugs and just shake hands.  

I learned a lot more about crohns disease today and will be talking with a dietition tomorrow to get more info on what Zachery should and should not be eating.  Finally!

I thought today was Wednesday already.  Boy I need to get my days straight.

Pat - How nice that must have been to rejoice with that lady who found out she was "cancer free"!  I would have given her a hug too.

Not many at our church give hugs.  I do have a few close friends that I always hug when I see them.  Its not a "church hug" though....its a sincere hug!

Judy - How many grandchildren have you got now?  and what are their ages?

Well, I've enjoyed reading all your posts.  Tonight I'm 'praying' that I get a good nights sleep.  It sure makes for a long night when you can't sleep!

It wasn't the storm that kept me awake....it just happens.

Do any of you get nights like that?  How do you pass the time?

Thank you for your IM Meika.  you are one sweet girl!

- Judy M.

Oops - Yes I Voted!!  .... and will remember to vote every day!

We'll get so many new members., we won't be able to keep up...now won't that be nice!!

Judy we have adopted our three oldest grand daughters, their two other siblings are John-Christopher 6 and Kini 3. These 2 are in the care of the CAS.  Bonnir has 2 beautiful sons Victor 5 and a baby 8 months.  Doug has 2 boys also. Brytan 3 years and baby Elijah 6 months.  I am trying to get a picture of the girls onto a post, you will see it soon Unfortunately I don't have pictures of the boys on disk that I can post.  How many grand children do you have?

Yes judy I also have restless nights, and sleep is elusive. On nights like that I read a good book.  A habit that Pat will atest to!  God Bless you with a restful sleep tonight.

JudyB

A SPECIAL THOUGHT

Two outs, bottom of the ninth, behind by one run, Ryan's
right foot was pressed to the front edge of the third base
bag. Every muscle in his eleven-year-old body was flexed,
ready to bolt home with the tying run. Kenny, the winning
run, stood grinning on second, Dylan, the team's best hitter
was at the plate.

The first pitch was high and outside, "Ball One!" The next
caught the inside corner, "Steee-riiicke!" Two more balls and
a foul tip later the count is full. Ryan's eyes are glued to
the ball while his ear is tuned to the third base coach
listening for just one word. Dylan drove the next pitch to
the right of the pitcher, well out of reach, and the coach
screamed the one word, "GO!" Ryan dug for home.

Now, at this level of play, a hit like that is usually good
for extra bases, but today the third baseman made a play
worthy of the Major Leagues. A diving stab knocked the ball
down. Quick as a cat, he scooped it up, spun, and made the
peg home to stop the tying run from scoring; it was going
to be close.

A perfect peg, a perfect slide, a perfect catch, a perfect
sweeping tag and a big cloud of dust converged around the
plate at the umpire's feet. The umpire hesitated for a
second; he couldn't see the tag clearly for dust and the
position of the catcher. He glanced at the field referee
who gestured that he wasn't sure either.

As he was starting to spread his arms wide, palms down,
Ryan looked into the umpire's face. "Sir, I missed the
plate, he tagged me out."

"Son, do you know what it means if I call you out? The
game is over and you lose."

"Yes, sir, I know. But that's the truth." Ryan whispered.

The umpire turned his head slightly, "Why would you give
it up like that?"

"You see Sir, this catcher knows I became a Christian last
week. I can't trade a baseball game today for what he will
think about me tomorrow."

--Author Unknown
====================

This little story blessed me so much, and really made me think about how others are watching our lives.  I hope you all enjoy it, too.

Wow oh wow, whadda story!  You're right, we should be that upright and honest.  

Hey, Janet and Pat, have you read the mother's day photography forum lately.  No special reason, just wondering?

Oh, yes, Karma, I have------and I'm plotting revenge!!

Yep!  Just read it!  

Anthony, I would agree with you when you  suggest that to find God it doesn't have to be in some spectacular  event.  The still small voice contrasts with the strong wind, the earthquake, and the fire.  Some people want to see something great in order to believe.

Matt 16:1  The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven. (NIV)
Matt 16:4  A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah." Jesus then left them and went away.  (NIV)

Another interesting thought is in:

John 20:29-31  Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."  Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book.  But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.  (NIV)

Janet, a nice story about the baseball player who was a Christian.  Makes us think, doesn't it.

Pat, it looks to me like you are very busy these days.  Don't try to do too much.

--- Papa John      

Pat and etta Sue: I have added your babies to Bebe's pet page. Go check it out and see if you like what bebe had to say about them. You can vote for my site if you like there is a place to vote at the bottom of a few of the pages including Bebe's page. Here is the link to her page.
http://www.freewebs.com/marilyn_793/bebespetpage.htm

Well, since we didn't start a new thread last night due to inclement weather in Guelph, I'm closing this thread a wee bit early and please feel free to continue your discussion in the next thread by...

CLICKING HERE[/b].