Christian Photographers Community

Morning Devotional...


I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
John 10:10

The Lord Jesus loved to talk about life.

In this passage He speaks of the enemies of the sheep--the thief who comes to steal and to kill and to destroy. The wolf has a similar ambition, and the hireling is no better.

So different is the motive of the Lord the Shepherd. He comes to give His life and by so doing is able to impart life more abundantly to those who put their confidence and trust in Him.

He said, "I am the good Shepherd; the good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep" (Jn. 10:11).


Have you received life from Him?
--Reg Jordan

Hi everyone.  I think this is a first for me to write the first posting of the day after the devotional.  Pat, that is a super devotional this morning.  It is a great comfort to know that our Lord gave his life that we might have eternal life if we repent of our sins and ask him into our lives.

Liz, good to see you posting.  You must be quite a good bowler.  Don't think I have ever seen 5 pin bowling on TV and it isn't something we have here in the States, as far as I know.  If you are able to attend church each week I am sure that will be a great example for Wendy and your granddaughter.  A picture is worth a thousand words and actions speak louder than words (old saying but they certainly seem true.)

Rachelle, I certainly hope you can get that cell phone contract straightened out.  That would be a huge bill to have to pay.  We use a prepaid cell phone plan so when the limit is reached the service is cut off.  I don't use the cell phone very much but keep it with me in the car in case of an emergency. 

Welcome to Dakota Parks.  I look forward to seeing your postings.

Papa John, that sounds like a wonderful camera and I look forward to seeing more pictures of you and your family and whatever you find to photograph.  Glad your brother was able to spend some time with you all.  Sounds like you had a very nice visit.

Ellie, sounds like you are all set to strike out with the RV.  I always feel that home is where my wife is so you will be taking your home with you whereever you roam.

Jane, I saw your prayer update on Geli.  That poor lady is certainly having a terrible time but seems to have such a wonderful attitude.

Karmat, glad to see you being able to post.  I think you and Bernard have more patience than I would have to wait for 2 minutes for a page to load.  Certainly hope the ISP service improves in your area. 

It will soon be time to go for coffee and then have a few errands to run this morning.  Hope everyone has a wonderful day.  It is going to be a hot one here in Geogia.

Good Morning Larry...   The Guelph Hiking Trail Club has a bridge opening this afternoon that I want to go to bue now it's threatening thunder storms.  I do hope that it will settle down by 2 pm. 

Sure miss your first post in here, Ria.  Hope you get in later.

By the way, folks, there are a couple of Ria's photos posted today.  Great shots!

Ria's photos

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Hayley sent a photo of her family!

Hayley's Family

One of our newer members is Smokeyging who lives in New Zealand.  He sent a couple of photos for us to see...

Smokeyging's Photos

Praise God we have new mornings for new starts. 

He has come to give us abundant life.... but we have our own responsibility in receiving and accepting that abundance. We have to want it. And when we want something, we also have to want to do what we need to do to get it.  We need to go after it. It's usually not just going to fall into our laps. We have to work at it. I want to be a good photographer, so I have to work at it. I have to take pictures and learn what works and what doesn't. It doesn't work not to take pictures, and it doesn't work to take thoughless snapshots. With the Lord, it doesn't work not to spend time with Him, and it doesn't work to give Him only passing thoughts (although once in a while those quick snaps reveal something priceless -- they just can't be the whole menu for a photographer or a Christian.) Like a photo, time and care get results. When I'm photographing, everything else in my consciousness goes to the backseat -- I can be cold, hungry, tired, and not even notice because I'm so involved in what I see through the viewfinder. My worries fall away as I focus on a fern. I need to practice focusing on the Lord this intently. Or do both together.... deliberately, intently, praying as I compose that shot. Lord, what are You saying here? How does this scene show who You are?

Ellie

Good morning all....

Busy day today.  Tony has already brought a small load of river rocks for my landscaping.  I am to meet the couple doing the landscaping at the Home Improvement store at 11 a.m.  Then I want to go to WalMart and then to Jerry's.  We will go out to eat and then I am coming back here so I can go with Ivalou to one of our great-niece's open house for graduating college.  Busy day.

But it is nice and sunny and is to get into the 80's today.  That is great!!!

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"If you grasp tomorrow with faith, you know the handle won't fall off."

I was a little  last night, because when I tried to come into CP, I got a little screen saying it was off limits for me!??? I tried a few times, then shut down.  Today, got the same thing, so came in another way.  It seemed to be only Karma's post I wasn't allowed to read.  Are you talking about me, Karma? Anyway, glad to get here today.

I had a terrible night, finally fell asleep around 6 this morning and slept about three hours.  This is getting tiresome!

Ellie, I am reading with interest your moving into the motor home.  We have been wanting to sell our business and buy a motor home for several years now.  We have a fifth wheel that is very nice, so until we can sell the business, we will continue to use it for those rare times when we can go.  For the past few years we have only used it once a year--for family reunions.  I also like what you said about photography and the similarities of pressing into God.

I think it's time for some coffee.  I feel like a baby who has its days and nights mixed up.

  Hello HELLO HELlo helLO HEllo heLLO HELLO HEllo hello helLOHello HELLO HELlo helLO HEllo heLLO HELLO HEllo hello helLO Hello HELLO HELlo helLO HEllo heLLO HELLO HEllo hello helLO HELLO HELlo helLO HEllo heLLO HELLO HEllo hello helLO Hello HELLO HELlo helLO HEllo HELLO(is for Papa John) heLLO HELLO HEllo hello HELLO HELlo helLO HEllo heLLO HELLO HEllo hello helLO Hello HELLO HELlo helLO HEllo heLLO  HEllo hello HELLO HELlo helLO HEllo heLLO HELLO HEllo hello helLO Hello HELLO HELlo helLO HEllo heLLO HELLO HEllo hello HELLO HELlo helLO HEllo heLLO HELLO HEllo hello helLO Hello HELLO HELlo helLO HEllo heLLO HELLO HEllo hello HELLO HELlo helLO HEllo heLLO HELLO HEllo hello helLO Hello HELLO HELlo helLO HEllo heLLO HELLO HEllo hello 

There are so many days I did wish to come to say a hello to every one and I did not get to do it. So today there are many hello for every one. 

Mr Hanna it is SO very nice to see you today.

So many new friends to learn here. Hello to Ms Hayley and to Dakota Parks and ms Ellie too. I do hope so you will find it a most wonderful place here. 

I miss you Ms RIA 

Ms Etta Sue, will you eat the Chinese today? Please say a Hi to mr Jerry ok. I hope it is a good fortune cookie for you both.

Hi Ms Pat (((hug)))

I do hope it is such a fun day for every one today. I have much to do because I am not home for so long time. All my family will be home today in the California and my smile it is stuck for all the day. I do hope to come and read every thing in some time this week and I am SO happy to come to the CP today.
(I thank you ms Pat (my only mum)) 

Where is every one? I did hear a snore i think.
WAKE UUUUUUUUUUUP 

  HAHAHAHAH I was So mad I did think I got a BONK and i lost my post and when I did check it I did make two of them. 
so I had to fix it.

HI MS JANET (((((HUG)))))

where ever is Ms Karmat? 

Hi Ms Marilyn 

Hi Mieka, what a pleasant surprise.  While you have been away our software for these message boards was changed somewhat so that after you post it doesn't come back to the last posting.  I believe Pat said there was a setting in the preferences that would cause the last message to be seen after you post. 

Do hope you will be in California several days so we can see a lot of you.  Please tell us of your adventures and activities since you have been gone.  I believe we would all find it most interesting.

Just got back a little while ago from coffee and then some shopping.  Then I helped Pat make a cauliflower/brocoli salad that we both really like.  I don't like either of those veggies cooked but like them raw very much.  It will go nicely with the bar-b-que sandwiches that we will be having this evening.  Pat also made some really good oatmeal cookies this morning.  I think the kitchen is now closed to cooking for the rest of the day! 

While I was out shopping this morning I stopped at a Christian Bookstore that I have driven by many times.  I found it to be a pretty large store with lots of things in it.  Didn't buy anything, just looked. 

Janet, hope you will be able to sleep better tonight.  I don't ever seem to have much trouble sleeping.

Etta Sue, you certainly have a busy day ahead.  Hope you enjoy every minute of it.  You certainly have more energy than I do.

Hello Mieka I just opened up CP and saw you had posted so I have not read anythng else and I have Jenny on IM.

I got up at 3:30 am and was going to read CP and post then beacuse I couldn't sleep, but It said "page not found" so I went back to bed and went right to sleep.

I have not had a good week at all. Other that the PSP stuff, I got bea all moved into her new apartment and unpacked and set up. Fay is not well and I have added another day to her schedule.She is having stomach pains and won't let me make and appt for the DR.

The dog escaped, a friend was diagnosed with cancer, another died and on and on. Even computer problems had to to a few system restores to get it working right agan. I downloaded the high speed version of my ISP and now I am going to take it off. too much trouble.

Sorry I am not greeting everyone, getting back to IM with Jenny now.

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MIEKA!!!!!! I have been thinking about you!  So glad to see your post today!  I paged you on Yahoo but guess you are away from your computer just now.  Are you in California again???

Some food for thought:

Upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will
not conquer it (Matthew 16:18, NLT).


Dear friends:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bill Bright

I composed a post but my system froze and it wouldn't post.  If this does, I will come back and edit it again.

How strange!  I figured it was lost, but now it is there.  Goody!

Hey, Soni!!  How are the guys doing?  Is Troy still swimming?  How is Zachery feeling now?  We miss seeing their posts on here.  Give all four of those sweeties of yours a hug from me! (Please.)

Hello folks!

Mieka! MIeka, MIEka, MIEKa, MIEKA!!!!!!! I love you girl!!!!


Janet, I will give the kids a hug for you.  We have been very busy with spring fun.  We spend most our time outside.

The kids are having a blast with their new turtles.  They have made a pond outside for them and they keep escaping.  LOL...yesterday one of the turtles was all the way down the allie, trying to make the great escape.  It was so funny. 

Chandraya is dancing today for the Wyoming Sparkling Stars to see if she gets to dance at the Ms. Wyoming pagaent this year in June.

Speaking of that, I better get her dressed.

Talk with you all later.
Soni

I start my new career on Monday with a bit of fear and trepidation.  Our new task is to find a Church in which we can be used and we can feel at home. 

I was challenged by this fellow in London a few weeks ago; his testimony challenged me and made me realise how complacent we sometimes become.  Praise God for people like him.


Hope everyone is well and if I missed any new members; HI....

Someone sent this to my wife and she shared it with me and now I want to share it with you all.  I wonder who comes up with these things:

Quote
God's voice mail


Most of us have now learned to live with voice mail as a necessary part of our lives. Have you ever wondered what it would be like if God decided to install voice mail?  Imagine praying and hearing the following:
           
Thank you for calling heaven.

For English press 1

For Spanish press 2

For all other languages, press 3

Please select one of the following options:

Press 1 for request

Press 2 for thanksgiving

Press 3 for complaints

Press 4 for all others

                 
I am sorry, all our Angels and Saints are busy helping other sinners right now. However, your prayer is important to us and we will answer it in the order it was received. Please stay on the line.
If you would like to speak to:

God, press 1

Jesus, press 2

Holy spirit, press 3

To find a loved one that has been assigned to heaven press 5, then enter his social security # followed by the pound sign.

(If you receive a negative response, please hang up


   and dial area code 666)
                     


For reservations to heaven, please enter JOHN followed by the numbers, 3: 16.
       
For answers to nagging questions about dinosaurs, life and other planets, please wait until you arrive in heaven for the specifics.

                           
Our computers show that you have already been prayed for today, please hang up and call again tomorrow.

The office is now closed for the weekend to observe a religious holiday.

If you are calling after hours and need emergency assistance, please
contact your local pastor.
                         
Thank you and have a heavenly day.

Pass this on, if you wish, to brighten some one's day

Gareth, I am sure God will bless your efforts in your new career as you do his work.

Janet, that is a great piece by Bill Bright.

Marilyn, my what a week you have had.  Certainly hope the new week brings a little calm your way.

Sonja, have you had any turtle races yet?  Great that you and your family can spend so much time outside.  It feels like summer down our way today.[/color][/b][/size]

9.50PM in Holland

PAT thank you for the devotional this morning and the hymns yesterday and today are awesome and thank you that you have put my photo's on CP but when we now are going away then i take my camera with me.

Hayley thank you for the writing from Mr.
Spurgeon devotion yesterday it was a great devotion.

AL thank you for your words but now i say
Goedenavond (Good Evening) yes you have once me send a mail to me your forefahters are coming from Holland and your name is changed trough the family was it not van der Mook and there is a place Mook in Holland but you are born in America do you know Dutch words

Karmat you are also one of my favorite American woman. But you are a very busy woman.


PAPA John i think you have had a very nice evening with the family and a big dinner not good for me i am on diet I have lost now 6 pounds it is going slowly but i will not have hunger only no sugar and nothing sweats.

MIEKA i also am missing you i love you dear Mieka

MARYLIN thank you very much for you answer on my question but i have now something changed on my camera and there is a programm on the computer there i can also make photo's smaller.


So this was my first day in the Christian bookshop is was very nice.
But only on Saturday i am there the hole day and on wednesday in the afternoon and on Thursday evening
But on saturday between 11.15 and 1.15 i am home then i eat something and then i go back.
But this evening we also have been to a birthday party
from a child now i am late.
But it is cold in Holland and not sunny i am loving it so much when the sun is shining. This week we have had a lot rain.

Romans 8 : 28
And we know that in all things God works
for the good of those who love Him,
who have been called according to his purpose.

      LASTING GOOD

                     With God as my guide,
              the unknown becomes a challenge...
              There is nothing He cannot redeem
                     and turn to lasting good.

Bye love Ria                       

Aaaaaawwwwww    I missed MIEKA this morning!

I was awake and online quite early today.  It was raining here this morning and I made tea and took my books and Bible to the recliner with a warm blankie ... I guess I read, dozed, stared out the window, dozed and read for several hours.      Finally, I decided it was time for lunch or something along that line, so I'm up and about again.   I sure hope MIEKA manages to get here again while I'm near by at least! 

Marilyn, your week sounds like about 2 or 3 all rolled into one!  And Etta Sue, you keep yourself on the go too, don't you? 

I have been feeling "down" for a while, but I do believe that is changing.    Tomorrow being Mothers Day always brings the memories of my mother.  She died on Mothers Day, 1989, so of course this day has special emphasis.  It seems I've lost several very special people in my life ... but they really are not "lost" ... I think sometimes that I am the one who is lost.     There doesn't seem to be much direction in my life these daze but that doesn't bother me ... I kinda like being free to do my own thing whenever and wherever I feel like it!  No agenda, no time clock ... 

Well, I gotta see if there's something else I can get into this afternoon.  The rain has stopped, so maybe I'll go to the store or something. 

Y'all take care and I'll be back ....

   



       DAKOTA PARKS TO CP


                  RIA

Hello!  Not a lot to say today, but I wanted to drop in.  Karma and I took a quick field trip to the Carl Sandburg park near here.  Good photo opportunities at a place neither of us had ever visited before. 

Happy Mother's Day to all you ladies who are mommies !!

MIEKA!!!![/b]  It's SO very good to see you in here! Please do come back and tell us your adventures since you've been away.  We love you and care!

Janet - I really like the piece by Bill Bright.  May our God revive His work in the midst of the years!

Ria - I never learned Dutch, though I have wanted to for many years.  I started it a time or two, but I had no one to practice with.  The pronounciation was tricky for me.  I learned German in my youth.  You are correct - my family came from Mook, south of Arnheim and quite close to the German border.  Blessings be unto you!

Mike, the boys and Lila Mae picked up trash today around town with a group of folks trying to keep our city clean while Chandraya and I went to the Searching Starzs dance today.  Her group did pretty good.  Not sure when we will know if she gets to go to the Pageant.

We had hotdogs and got free trees to plant for picking up trash.  We got 3 willows, 2 blue spruces, and 4 lilac bushes.  Oh and 1 crab or cherry tree. Guess who's outside digging holes??? hehehehee...not me. Mike is.  What a MAN!

I better get out there and help him.

Talk with you all later.

Ria, what program do you use to edit your photos?

Time for a grin............

WHILE IN THE men's room at a beach park in Florida, I noticed they had a plastic baby-changing table installed on the wall. Apparently, some sportsmen had co-opted this politically correct amenity for their own use. Above the table was a sign saying: "It is unlawful to clean fish on this table."
--Contributed to "Life In These United States"



Marilyn, I have been thinking about Bea and her situation.  I know you said you found her a hide-a-bed for the living room.  Won't that just encourage her moocher of a son to continue to mooch off her?  Poor lady............

Hi, Jane!  Good to see you!  I haven't done much today, either.  I did get one framing job finished, though, so not entirely nothing! 

I got a mothers day card today from my youngest daughter.  I haven't seen her since Christmas. 

I think I will try to finish a book I'm reading before time to go to bed.  Sure hope I can sleep tonight!

Ria, glad you enjoyed your first day at the bookstore!  I know they are happy to have you there.

Hi, Larry!  That was a good thought about God's voice mail.  I'm so glad He always has time for each of us individually.  I dislike intensely having to go through all those commands when trying to make a call.

Hi, Al, how are you doing today?

Gareth, that young man doesn't lack courage, does he?  That reminded me of a young man I encountered in Las Vegas, trying to witness to people along one of the worst streets there.  I admired his courage, too.  God bless your search for a new church to serve Him in.

Hi, Sonja!  I knew you must be around here somewhere!  Glad you are having fun with the kids.

Hi Nards!  Thanks for the greeting and the good wishes for Mothers Day!  Say hello to Karma for me.

Janet -- actually it is a fifth-wheel we're moving into. We have as much room, maybe more, as in the motor coaches we looked at, plus we won't feel like we're living in our vehicle We'd rather pull the trailer with our vehicle (1/2-ton pickup) than pull a vehicle with a motor-home. Anyway, I've done a lot with re-decorating the interior and it's soooo pretty, kind of a log-cabin flavor. We bought it second-hand, and the previous owners had done nothing creative inside, just went with the oatmeal-without-salt decor that was there.


About comparing photography to walking with God -- I keep thinking of Corinthians 3:23-24 -- "Whatever you do, do it heartily, as unto the Lord, and not unto man.... it is the Lord God you are serving."

Quote from: Janet on May 08, 2004, 11:36:25 AM
Ellie, I am reading with interest your moving into the motor home.  We have been wanting to sell our business and buy a motor home for several years now.  We have a fifth wheel that is very nice, so until we can sell the business, we will continue to use it for those rare times when we can go.  For the past few years we have only used it once a year--for family reunions.  I also like what you said about photography and the similarities of pressing into God.