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"Remember you are God's sword --His instrument-- I trust a chosen vesse unto Him to bear His name. In great measure, according to the purity and perfections of the instrument will be the success. It is not great talents God blesses so much as great likeness to Jesus. A holy minister is an awful weapon in the hand of God."
Robert Murray M'Cheyne




 


Morning Devotional...


I will come again, and receive you unto Myself. By faith Enoch was translated (carried away) that he should not see death.
John 14:3; Hebrews 11:5

The hearts of the disciples were agitated.

Prior to this statement Jesus had told them that He would be leaving them and they couldn't follow Him.

No wonder they were upset, but to these troubled men He quietly spoke of the Father's house and the hope of His return. Soon they would be carried away!

Are you upset?

Is your heart heavy?

Soon He will come and carry us away.
—Jim Comte

Wow, where is everyone?

WAKE UP "EVER-BODY!"

Slow down around the Shuford household.  Just going to straighten up a bit, tutor a bit, run a couple of errands and that is it.

Funny (now, not at the time) story.  Most of you know that I sell Mary Kay.  Part of my business (one of my favorite parts) is going to people's homes and doing classes.  I do skin care, basic color, "glamour," etc.  Last night I was doing a "basic color" class for one of my customers.  She introduces me, and when she says the name of one customer, I'm like "OH NO!!!"  Long story short -- many years ago, my aunt decided to leave her husband and kids and run off with this man who is like 30 years older than her.  He also left his wife and kids.  Ugly situation, ugly, bitter divorce, etc. 

Yep, this woman is my "uncle's" ex-wife.  That was a tough situation, but I came out of it unscathed and with a new friend, and customer.

Hope ya'lls Friday is great!!!

Good morning!  I can't believe I'm first today to post!  

I should have added, when telling you about last night, that this is a LADIES Bible Study!  

Carol, I surely do understand about kids' health problems.  And when you have one who just never seems to get better, but steadily worse, it is very discouraging.  The only thing we can do is throw our burdens over onto Jesus, Who cares and understands.  I am so happy your son is showing improvement in his condition.  I had never heard of such a serious consequence from having a colonoscopy!

Just today and tomorrow at home, then early Sunday we leave on our trip to South Dakota!  We both do not feel ready; all this hard work has really sapped our enthusiasm.    But I'm sure once we get going, things will perk up.

I had two special blessings this week.  Grandson Mark called me twice!  He is really excited about college----mostly about flying!  And on Sunday, he is to make his first solo flight!  This is so exciting; he has loved airplanes since he was a toddler.  He said he will call us on the cell phone to tell us about his first solo flight.  Also, very soon, he will be making his first cross-country flight, and will be landing in Hugoton.  He told his mom and dad they can come to the airport and say hello while they refuel.  And soon after that, he will make a solo cross-country flight.  It is such a treat to hear from him, and a joy to hear the excitement in his voice.  God love him.



Hi, Karma!  I forgot to hit post, and see you were typing at the same time.  It is wonderful how you handled that situation, with grace and compassion.  God bless you!

Ruth we have a Red Hat group up here and Many have encouraged me to join.  I don't have time for meetings now and really am cautious about driving anywhere with the price of gas.

I did a lot of baking last night.  Made Cinnamon buns last.....put them in the oven and promptly forgot about them... They are crispy and even Dana wn't eat them.  So another batch today and I will stay in the kitchen till they are out of the oven.


Pat the response to your devotional is "Even so come Lord Jesus!"

Janet I have not heard of more sleepless nights.  I pray you are getting some sleep at last.  The trip will be good for both of you.

Carol I trust your sos's health problems will continue to improve.  It is a long hard battle especially if you cannot visit.  I will be praying for you to have strength and your son will make a steady improvemant as he travels this difficult road.

Welcome back Ruth Ann

Larry I trust you are resting easier now?

God Bless each of you.

Good Morning from the sunny northern most coast of California. We haven't seen sun this early for some time. The Revival was wonderful again last night, not as loud and the night before. Many people were touched by the Holy Spirit and recieved just what they needed from God. The preaching was very good.

My Pastor and one of the Deacons  are going to help me move next Saturday. I don't want to bother Gilbert as he and Sarah have so little time together with her in her last year of Nursing and working nights at the Hospital.  That is why I have asked others to help me.

Larry I pray you are feeling more rested and not tiring so quickly and tha t Pat is doing well also.

Janet I am praying for Beth as well as you and Darrell

Much to do this morning  I have to meet with the Lanmdlord and sign my lease and pick up my keys before going to work and I still need to eat my breakfast. So I will ruturn later.

TTYL

Good Morning everyone.  Yesterday we had rain...last night we had rain.  When I got up this morning and looked out my bathroom window, I now have a lake just west of me.  Lots of water.  But as dry as the ground was, I am sure it will be gone soon.

I am going with Ivalou to the Eye Surgery Center for her checkup after surgery this spring.  Then tonight the Lapel Lion's Club is having a fish fry.  Good eating.  I will meet classmate Judy there.  Then tomorrow is our big 45th Class Reunion.  I am so excited! 

See you all.  Have a great Friday!!

Morning - we did sleep better last night.  Our son's blood count is still very low and he is waiting for the doctor to visit.  He says he feels better than when admitted.  Thanks all for your prayers and concern.

Pat:  Thank you for today's devotion - yes, a promise of what is to come.  I am so happy to read that you are healthier and able to go out more and sleep more, of course.   

Karmat:  You took a very interesting moment and calmed the waters, so to speak.  I am glad that it turned out so well for you. 

Janet:  A road trip for you - this may be the perfect idea for you two to get away and refresh.  How nice that your grandson, Mark, is into flying.  This is a great time of the year for you to take a drive. 

Judy B:  Did not realize the price of gasoline was so much higher for your area.  It sure went up fast but is very slow in coming down.  Thanks for your concern as well.

Marilyn:  It sounds like you had a terrific Revival series.  That is what this whole country needs -

I just had a message that the oldest son is going home - his blood numbers are too low as far as I am concerned but I know he is antzy in getting out - we are not going to let him ride his bike the miles he does daily when he is home & he should not get on a plane for a while either.  Now, how to tell a 40-year-old kid!!!

Carol

hi
i am here... i was busy all day yesterday, but i was still around a bit... thanks for all the birthday wishes... i appreciate them.... well i must be off been an early start today after a late ending yesterday so i'm tired and think i'll go lay down for awhile (next class isn't until  1pm)! well ttyl and thanks again
Sarah

Nice devotional, Pat.  Thanks.

Good to see Ruth Ann back.  Hope all is well.  Where is Jane.....

The sun has deserted us today and it is rain and cloud and dark....Not my favorite morning.  Had planned to walk to the mall for exercise and relieve stiffness....guess that has to be put on hold.  Will do housework instead.

Not much to say and wondered if one or two might enjoy this little (long) smile:


In The Beginning

In The Beginning, God created the Heaven and the Earth.
And the Earth was without form, and void,
And darkness was upon the face of the deep.
And the Devil said, "It doesn't get any better than this."
And God said, "Let there be light"
And there was light.
And God said, "Let the earth bring forth grass,
The herb yielding seed, And the fruit tree yielding fruit,"
And God saw that it was good.
And the Devil said, "There goes the neighborhood."
And God said, "Let us make Man in our image,
After our likeness, And let them have dominion over the fish
of the sea, And over the fowl of the air And over the cattle,
And over all the Earth, And over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the Earth."
And so God created Man in His own image;
Male and female He created them.
And God looked upon Man and Woman And saw that they were lean and fit.
And the Devil said, "I know how I can get back in this game."
And God placed on the earth broccoli and cauliflower and
spinach And green and yellow vegetables of all kinds,
So Man and Woman would live long and healthy lives.
And the Devil created fast food restaurants.
And the fast food restaurants brought forth
The double cheeseburger.
And the Devil said to Man, "You want fries with that?"
And Man said, "Super size them."
And Man gained five pounds.
And God created the healthful yogurt,
That woman might keep her figure That man found so fair.
And the Devil brought forth chocolate.
And Woman gained five pounds.
And God said, "Try my crispy fresh salad."
And the Devil brought forth Ben and Jerry's.
And Woman gained 10 pounds.
And God said, "I have sent thee heart-healthy vegetables
And olive oil with which to cook them."
And the Devil brought forth chicken fried steak
So big it needed its own platter.
And Man gained 10 pounds
And his bad cholesterol went through the roof.
And God brought forth running shoes.
And Man resolved to lose those extra pounds.
And the Devil brought forth cable TV with remote control
So Man would not have to toil
To change channels between ESPN and ESPN2.
And Man gained another 20 pounds.
And God said, "You're running up the score, Devil."
And God brought forth the potato,
A vegetable naturally low in fat and brimming with nutrition.
And the Devil peeled off the healthful skin And sliced the
starchy center into chips and deep-fat fried them.
And the Devil created sour cream dip.
And Man clutched his remote control
And ate the potato chips swaddled in cholesterol.
And the Devil saw and said, "It is good."
And Man went into cardiac arrest.
And God sighed and created quadruple bypass surgery.
And the Devil canceled Man's health insurance.
Then God showed Woman how to peel the skin off chicken
And cook the nourishing whole grain brown rice.
And God created the life giving tofu.
And Woman ventured forth Into the land of Godiva chocolate,
And upon returning asked Man, "Do I look fat?"
And the Devil said, "Always tell the truth."
And Man did.
And Woman went out from the presence of man
And dwelt in the land of the divorce lawyer,
East of the marriage counselor.
And Woman put aside the seeds of the earth
And took unto herself comfort food.
And God brought forth Weight-Watchers. It didn't help.
And God created exercise machines with easy payments.
And man brought forth his Visa at 21 percent.
And the exercise machine went to dwell
In the closet of Nod east of the polyester leisure suit.
And in the fullness of time,
Woman received the exercise machine from Man
In the property settlement.
It didn't help her, either.



Pleasant day all and God Bless.

Liz

Here I am!  I have been "otherwise occupied" for a few daze; also trying to limit my time on the computer.  <My feeble attempt to cut back on the electric bills.>   
My two year preoccupation with the Internal Revenue Service has come to an end.  Of course, I am the worse for wear because of it.  They cleaned me out and I am now well below poverty level with monthly expenses that surpass my income.  For instance, I pay rent on this space for my mobile home, and it's more than half of my income!  Add to that such things as electricity, phone, gas for my car, and I get all the rest to spend on food and other stuff!! That's okay, I have a Father who knows all about it and He has promised to never leave me nor forsake me!  He has always supplied all my NEEDS and, most things, I just don't need today.   

I have received word from Joy that Bryan is, once again, homeless and his truck still hasn't been fixed so he has no other transportation than his two feet.  Please continue to pray for him.

I am happy to see that most of the ailing ones have or soon will be recovered, and are praising the Lord for healing and good health.

I pray for the rest of you who still need His healing hand and comforting assurance that He is still with you and holding you close in His arms of love.

I will be singing at the nursing home this afternoon with my friends and I enjoy that.  It also gives me an opportunity to get out of the house.

I'll be talking atcha later ... Just got a phone call

Hi everyone. 

Jane, so glad to see your ordeal with the IRS is over but it sounds like you have a tough road to go.  I hope things will ease for you soon.

Carol, glad your son was able to go home and hope he has a quick recovery.  I am afraid we don't have much control over our kids when they reach the age of 40.  Glad the stress has lessened for you.

Janet, I hope you can get the doctor's approval for Beth to go to a rehab place for awhile.  It sounds like she is recognizing her situation is one where she needs assistance. 

Marilyn, glad to see that everything is working out so well for your move.  Just watch what you lift.  Glad the men from your church are going to help you. 

I am feeling a lot better each day and a lot of the soreness from which the pain originated seems to have passed.  I went to a two hour training session at the Computer Learning Center that was held for the instructors and coaches.  We had a good turnout and it was a good program.  I helped create the class and present it about three years ago but someone else used my material and did a very nice job.  My friend Rod drove since my wife seems to think I shouldn't drive.  I will see the doctor on Monday and am sure he will say it is ok to drive then, especially since I am not taking any pain medication now. I have slept well the last two nights.

My sister just called a little while ago and said I have a new great-neice.  This is my nephews second child as they have a little three year old son.  He met his grandparents at the door of the hospital this morning and was so proud that he was a big brother.

Ruth Ann good to see you back.

I haven't responded to everyone but have read each posting.  It is a little difficult to type as have to learn over the keyboard. 

See everyone tomorrow.

I have posted photos of my new house  right HERE

Father, as Jane said, You are her portion, and You will supply her needs.  Thank You for that.  But Lord, I also pray You'll supply her an extra portion and specially bless what she has, that it may go much further than expected through her Lord and my Lord Jesus Christ.

Larry - I'm so glad you're feeling a bit better now.  May it continue and increase is my prayer.

Also - Marilyn - after you noted the sun and sky this morning - note the clouds and rain now!

We had to get up early this morning because of a 7:30 doctor appointment.  He checked my eye and said everything was fine.  I continue with the drops 4 times a day until the middle of next week and then cut them down to 3 times.  I go back in one month and he will then give me a prescription for new glasses.

Jane, I'm glad you are through with Internal Revenue but really sorry it has left you with financial problems.  God bless you.  Hopefully you will be able to find some solution.  You may need to find some good advice and counsel from someone in the church.

Marilyn, I am so happy for you.  The house is lovely and I'm sure you are going to enjoy having this nice home.

Larry, I am glad you are doing better.  Be careful not to undertake too much.  Listen to your wife because she knows you better than anyone.  Cornelia does most of the driving here.

Robbie send me this picture of Elsie.  She gets sweeter all the time.  If you would like to take a look click on this: 

   http://johnmurphreenashville.homestead.com/Temorary.html

Phil 4:4-7
4   Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
5   Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
6   Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
7   And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  (NIV)

Papa John          <)))><<   

Hey Al the sun came out again and that rain? it didn't last very long. Another night of Revival for me, it's not over until Sunday night. Tomorrow we are having a Spaghetti feed before the service.

I am not taking anything over tothe new place until next week and will take something over every day, I want to take the dogs over to see their new house too and let them see their big back yard one day next week. I know they will be so happy to have such a large yard.

Papa John Elsie is so cute. What a little sweetie.

Jane is the IRS taking part of your check every month, (Garnishment?).  Sorry to hear that our guy Bry is homeless again.

Liz that was cute. Thanks for posting it. How is Wendy?

Carol are you getting snowed on yet. I hear that was quite a lot of snow dumped on Colorado. Aren't you in Colorado? Praying for your son here.

C~U~Manana

Marilyn:  Thank you for prayers.  I really like your new house - it looks light and neat inside as well.  Snow is in the mountains - it is beautiful!!! Yes, in northern Colorado. 

Jane:  Well, one huge load is off your mind.  It sounds like living will be very tight for you - I pray for you to have all you need.  Sorry to hear about Bryan being homeless.

Larry:  How nice to have a good friend to drive you to your appointment.  You would do so for any friend.  It is good to read that you are better and better each day. 

Carol

Marilyn, I just looked at your new home pictures.  You even have a flower bed!  It's so nice and clean and new looking inside and cute outside too.  The big yard in the back for the boys is better than good.   I know their well being is very important to you.

Today Jane's car broke down while she was in town.  She had to have it towed to the repair shop.  It'll cost quite a bit to fix it.
I don't understand why these things happen, but God knows.  Jane always says that no matter what happens her Father is providing for her.  Please continue praying for our sister....she's just getting hit with one thing after another.  She told me today she's so glad that God is in control!  If he wasn't, what would we ever do??

We had some nice rain today.  I remember my mother, and my husband too, used to save rain water so they could water indoor plants.  My outdoor plants always look so happy after a nice rain and then sunshine again. I guess I should have a bucket out so I can save some for my ONE house plant.

I'm heading to the kitchen to look for dinner.  I did a roast today, but now beef doesn't sound good.  I could sooo easily go vegan again.

Another day is done, and I feel so much better about Beth's place.  Today the guys finished with the roof; caulked all the windows real good, moved everything out of the living room, so it and her bedroom are ready for the new floor covering.

I spent the entire day working on the middle bedroom, it was stacked full of stuff and smelled really bad.  By evening it looked like a room again and smelled much better.  She used to put the bird in there at night, that may be where part of the smell came from.  Plus mice..........UGH.  Now I can have tomorrow to pack, do my nails, make sure everything is okay to leave for a week.  Whew!  What a week it has been!

Ruth Ann, I was so happy to see your post yesterday!  

Jane, the IRS is heartless!  I'm so sorry they have left you stripped of cash; but I do admire your attitude.  You are trusting God to provide, and He will never let you down.  Blessings to you!  Sorry to hear about our guy Bry being homeless again.

Carol, I do hope your son will take care of himself.  It's hard to tell them that, they think they are invincible!

Larry, good to see you today and so glad you are recovering nicely and sleeping at night!  That's worth a lot!

JudyB, thanks for thinking of me.  Yes, I have slept the past three nights.  I know now that it was the stress about Beth's place that was getting to me.  Darrel thought so, but I thought I was handling it better.  I wasn't.

I'm going to shower and head to bed!

 


A Quick Hello;

Pat sorry it was Judy M that I was asking about.

So far we have had rain all day which I believe it to be the longest all day rain we have had in ages.


Ruth

Karmat, My mom and I may be having a MaryKay Makeover on Sunday.  A rep here wants to do a before and after study.....we are volunteering...... 

Janet, it is so nice to hear that you have gotten some sleep and a little of the stress is going away. We will meet.....one day!

Jane...ouch!  I'm sure it is nice to have the end here, but equally not nice to have the financial burden that goes with it.

Papa John, Elsie is such a cutie, and she looks so very happy!

RuthAnn, welcome back!  Don't try to rush and do all the catching up in one session!  Speaking from personal experience, that can be a very tiring a long adventure 

Marilyn, I posted a comment about your beautiful blue house in your house topic!

A very wet and gloomy day today, and from what I understand of the forecast, more tomorrow.  Oh well.  Can't always have sunny days.  As one of my little customers said today....God is crying cause not everybody loves him, and we are sposed to cause he loves us.  This little guy was perhaps only about 4 or 5 years old.

Time to relax.  Night everyone!

Sue -- that is awesome!!  I also do before and after makeovers.  They are a lot of fun -- especially for me.  It is such a joy and blessing to get to work with women that way!!!  I hope you have a wonderful time.

It's time to lock the door and put Etta Sue's cat out!

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