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New Every Morning~Sept. 27

Started by Janet, September 17, 2005, 12:13:11 PM

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Janet

 



 



Morning Devotional...



How's Your Spiritual Maintenance?   

"The cares and anxieties of the world, and distractions of the age, and the pleasure and delight and false glamour and deceitfulness of riches, and the craving and passionate desire for other things creep in and choke and suffocate the Word, and it becomes fruitless."
(Mark 4:19, Amp)

Did you know that the seemingly innocent things in your everyday life can suffocate your spiritual life if you allow it?

A friend of mine said the Lord told her in prayer one day that this nation had become a nation of maintenance men. "You have so many things to maintain," He told her. "You maintain your house. You maintain your car, your yard, your machines, your hair...."

It's true. You can become a maintainer of so many natural things that you don't have any time left to maintain your own spirit!

When you find yourself in that situation, it's time to simplify your life. I've had to learn that myself. Now when I'm considering something I think I need, I don't just count the cost in dollars and cents. I think about how much time it will take to maintain it. I check to see if I can spiritually afford it.

Second Timothy 2:4 says, "Don't get entangled in the affairs of this life." One thing I've learned over the last 25 years: Nothing is as important as spending time in prayer and in the Word with the Father. Absolutely nothing in my life is as vital as that.


Scripture Study: Mark 4:18-24 



My book Rising Above available at JanetDamon.com

Liz

Nice devotional, Janet.  So true. 

It has been a warm and lovely day.  We are having a wonderful fall.  Went to the Mall and walked down to the ocean....sat drinking in the beauty and watched the seagulls playing.  They are interesting birds.  Was wishing that I had brought along the camera.  I try to get out in the sunshine as often as possible.  Supposed to help the osteoporosis, etc.  Doesn't...but makes the spirit smile!

Love those cats, Etta Sue.  Lately, Squeek has taken to sneeking up and meowing loudly.  Makes me jump....good exercise.  Misty is such a messy cat compared to Squeek.  Being outside, it seems impossible to keep her clean.  Her fur is so long that is catches everything and gets matted.  Wendy says she reminds her of Pig Pen in the comic strip.  Messy...and proud of it!  I keep trying to brush and clean her but it is a hopeless battle.

Glad that you are snug in your new home, Marilyn.  Looks cute and cozy!

Not much to say so will give a small smile for whoever is in the mood:

The Artist

Little Bobby was spending the weekend with his grandmother after a particularly trying week in kindergarten. His grandmother decided to take him to the park on Saturday morning. It had been snowing all night and everything was beautiful.

His grandmother remarked..."doesn't it look like an artist painted this scenery? Did you know God painted this just for you?"

Bobby said, "Yes, God did it and he did it left handed."

This confused his grandmother a bit, and she asked him "What makes you say God did this with his left hand?"

"Well," said Bobby, "we learned at Sunday School last week that Jesus sits on God's right hand!"
       ;D ;D ;D

Oh, I like the new look.  Liked the old one also.....but not missing the Google ads.  Some of them were really strange.  What happened with the ads....?  Think I must be rather out of the loop lately.

Pleasant evening/day all and God Bless.

Liz
CHANGE NOT THY FAITH WITH CHANGING TIMES

Carol

Janet:  We are a maintenance society and I think of myself upon reading your devotion.  Just the mere act of getting ready for morning anymore seems to take much longer and exercise and so forth.   Yesterday, Don and I took a walk of 4 miles (to maintain our hearts) and I did very few other things when we looked at the clock and realized that it was noon and not much had been accomplished.  It is just ridiculous when I think about our grandparents who did not worry about exercise, taking a certain pill and so forth. 

I just had an email from a high school buddy, now living in North Pole, Alaska.  Isn't that interesting?  She has been there for 33 years, so, now I am anxious to hear more about her lifestyle. 

Larry:  We can't help but be concerned about our children.  Someone else asked, what is your daughter studying?

Off for a mammogram this morning.

Carol

Marilyn

Good Morning:
I am late getting here this morning I wanted to do my laundry, have breakfast and do a PSP Masters graphic.

I am going to be off to work shortly.

Janet thank you or the devotion this morning. Yes I agree that we are a maintenance society, Doing my laundry to main my clothing. Feeding my dogs to maintain their  health. etc. Going grocery shopping to maintain my eating habits. Etc, Etc.

OK TTYL

Are there photos of your trip someplace that I have missed?
"Good people take care of their animals, but even the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel" Prov. 12:10
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karmat

Good afternoon all.

I agree about the maintenance.  I know it's necessary, but I know I am not guilty of "maintaining' my spiritual walk like i should.

Please pray for my church.  I would try to explain it, but it would simply take to long, and is too much of a convaluted story to even try to write about. :(

Kristi is napping and Travis is asking me a 1000questions/minute.

Pigeon Forge this past weekend was really fun.  Made me realize that I am overdo for a vacation.  Now, to covince Bernard's boss of that! ;)  I looked for Papa John -- didn't see him.  I did see one couple that made me think of Tony and Charlene, but I thought it might be a bit odd to walk up to someone (we were at one of the shopping outlets -- didn't see a bike or anything) and say, "Hi, is your name Tony, and are you Charlene."  hehehe.  He did have a bike rally shirt on, so who knows.  hahahhahaha

Janet, glad your trip went well, and that you had a good time.  I was thinking of you and Beth the other morning...  Said a prayer for you.  I hope her time in NY has been good, but I know you will be glad to "get her home" again. 

Take care all, and I'll talk at ya'll laters.

karmaet

Etta Sue


Al ~ I have been so busy making movies that I have set aside the camera.  I have been taking pictures but not putting them on my computer.  Need to do that....when I have time.  Thanks on the comment of the cat to a cougar.  I think it is cute, too.

Carol ~ Glad the kitty/cougar caught your eye.  I love animations!!

Marilyn ~ Did you get you a cabinet?  If they are too costly, how about plastic cubicles like old milk carriers?  They aren't too costly at WalMart or such stores.  I know you will be settled soon.  Isn't it great to know that you aren't going to move in the near future?

Pat ~ Experts say that you can't retrieve lost sleep but isn't it great to try?  I had a few sleepless nights and I think I finally got rested last night. 

Fast Eddie ~ What a great analogy!  I, too, remember those whitewall tires and they were hard to get white again.  Just glad that most of my work was housework and not washing the car and its whitewalls!!

Janet ~ I had a weido...at least, we all thought he was back then...Algebra teacher.  For a semester exam, there was only ten questions.  The last question was 'What color shirt do I wear on Monday?'  For the life of me, I couldn't remember and then all of a sudden, I put down 'Blue'.  I was right...for Blue Monday.  I told a boss once 'Thank God, it's Friday'  He said, the only bad thing about Friday, is it is too close to Monday.  Also Mondays and one seventh of our lives...Fridays are, too.  Never heard 'If you don't get anything done on Monday, you won't get anything done all week'.  But like you, I should get a lot accomplished this week, at least!

Larry ~ Sorry about your daughter and her illness.  We sometimes wonder about our problems but God knows and he can fix them.  I, too, am glad about the Movie Maker.  I went to Office Depot and Office Max yesterday to see if they had any User Manual on Microsoft Excel but I decided it wasn't worth that much money for a book. Kitty let me borrow a book on the Movie Maker.  Maybe it has things I don't know about.

Ruth Ann ~ That is the perils of driving the Interstate....accidents on the road.  That feeling of being trapped mind-boggles me, another reason I have my GPS in the car...I take the side roads.  All roads lead to home!

Sue ~ Now???  I don't have any new camera pics in my pc yet....maybe this afternoon!!!  I did take the Memory Stick reader out of the blister pack...what a job that was.  Anyone with arthritic hands could never have gotten it open!!  So I think it will be simple...just haven't done it yet!!!  Now I know where I got the scrape on one of my fingers.  I will post my very first picture on NEM.

Liz ~ Inky is a shorthaired cat...shorter than Ali and coarser hair.  But she has a lot of fine hair under the outside hair.  I comb her.  Now she will lay down so I can comb her.  I think she knows it feels so much better.  She is my loud purrer and she sure purrs while I am combing.  Ali?  When I show her the comb, she runs.  But if I catch her, then start combing, she tolerates it for awhile and then runs.  Two totally differnt personalities.  Both are inside cats.  I did open the bathroom window and the screen to take a sunset picture.  Ali jumped up there and almost over jumped.  If I hadn't have caught her, she would have been outside!!!!

Karma ~ Glad you liked your mini-vacation.  Tony and Charlene have a lot of Harley shirts and tops.  He has never been to a bike rally....yet.  But wouldn't that have surprised them if you had said...are you Tony and it was!  Also my SIL is in Gatlinburg.  Funny if she sees Tony and Charlene.  Everyone seems to be in Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg, Sevierville area...but me.   :'( :(

Well, Indiana has had a lot of rain lately...probably after effects of Katrina and Rita...so mowing has been out of the question.  But today is bright and sunny and I have to mow.  Tonight it is to rain again!! 
One good thing about winter is no mowing.  I know,...but I don't shovel thick rain!!


SIN NO MORE SIN NO MORE SIN NO MORE SIN NO MORE







Nita

Good morning all.  Janet, a very good (and timely)devotional.  It makes me want to look, once again, and see what I have that is too great a cost(spiritually)in maintanance.  Good things are no longer good when they compete with what is BEST, our relationship with the Lord.

Karmat, I could feel it when you mentioned praying for your church.  I still carry the after effects of our church falling apart.  I'll pray for your church, and for your family, that the devil not be able to use this to discourage or distract.  It's always so very painful when this happens. ((( hugs)))

It's almost noon and we have no sunshine yet. Yesterday, early evening, I had lots of sun, so took a tape to listen to and drove toward the beach.  I only got about half way there before I realized the fog had settled and the day was gone. :)  I turned around and came home.  Our days are getting shorter. 

Larry, I too am so sorry about your daughter.  My mom had neuropathy really bad in her feet.  I know what she went through.  She's on my prayer list.

Also I think of Beth, Janet, and pray for her.


Larry Hanna

Good Morning everyone.  Pat and I have a busy day today as we start the 55 Alive course at 9:30 at the County Senior Center.  Edit--I didn't get this posted this morning so now 4 hours of the 8 hour course have been completed.  Fortunately this course is no where as boring as the one we took several years ago.

The saga with our daughter continues.  Yesterday she was driving and the road was apparently wet.  She apparently skided and went into a ditch to avoid being hit by a truck or going into other oncoming traffic.  The car wasn't damaged but had to be towed out of the ditch.  However, the police looked at her license and found it had been suspended over a speeding ticket she had gotten several months ago.  She says she had paid the fine and had no idea the license was suspended and had never received such a notice from the State.  She took the chance and drove home but isn't driving anymore until she appears in court in November and gets her license back.  Of course, she was cited again so here is another ticket to be paid and will probably cause our car insurance to go up.  This also means Pat or I will have to take her to her school 4 days a week and pick her up and to any other appointments she may have.  It is about 10 miles to the school one-way. 

Sue, I read every word of your very interesting posting.  I was happy to see you have obtained some additional work and something you can continue with when you find full-time employment.

Liz, I am surprised that your cat doesn't stay very neat.  Our cat is so fussy and is always grooming.  Of course, we never let him outside beyond the screened in porch where he stays at night.

Janet, thanks for the devotional.  It is great that you have a friend who is willing to come and help you with the work on Beth's place.  Know it made the work more enjoyable to be sharing with someone you enjoy being with.

Carol, take good care of those hearts.  I just got the bill for only the hospital from the ICD Implant a couple of weeks ago and it was for over $83,000 (that isn't a typo).  I about had another heart attack.  Thank goodness for insurance.  I wasn't even admitted to the hospital, just same day surgery.  Our daughter is studying Business Management with an emphasis on accounting. 

Marilyn, I am glad you are still enjoying your PSP computer work. 

Karmat, it sounds like Travis has a wonderfully inquisitive mind and he is at such an exciting time of learning and growing.

Etta Sue, it sounds like you are getting the rains that we had during the summer and we are now getting the dry days.

Nita, you have seen the suffering that the neuropathy brings.  It is not a pretty pictures. 





Papa John

karmat, I looked for you too but didn't see you.

We are enjoying our time here.  We went today to the big mall here and I was able to keep up with Cornelia on my scooter.

It costs me to be on line so I can't stay here long.  Hope you are all doing well.

Papa John          <;D)))><<   
Eph 2:8-9  For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast.(NIV)


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Sue

Larry, ouch $83,000..that is an astronimical sum of money!  I am sure you are thankful for insurance to cover the cost.  I know I would be.

Janet, thank you for today's devotional.  This is one area that I need to look at improving!

Papa John, it is so nice that you are able to use your scooter to enjoy time with Cornelia.

I have had a somewhat productive day.  My house has become untidy this past while, it seems that I have just not been able to keep up with the housework and putting away of groceries.  I received a microwave stand, bookcase, and cabinet from my girlfriend a couple of weekends back.  My old cabinet was still in my kitchen and therefore my kitchen felt very small.  My daughter has spent the afternoon with me and one of the things accomplished was the removal of the old cabinet to the basement where it will wait until spring when it is taken to the trailer.  I have also been doing laundry and every trip to the basement has not been empty handed so now have a bit of clutter from my kitchen put where it belongs.

I have also been on the computer and have sent out a resume or two or three or more  ;D in between the spells of cleaning.  I have also reviewed and returned some comments/changes to my resume that a wonderful friend had taken the time to revamp for me.

I feel so happy!

Marilyn

Yes I go my cabinet it is still inthe car  have to wait for Gilbert to come and get it out of the car. I also got a white wood towel tower with two doors for the bathroom.

I bought so much groceries I won't have tog ot ot he store for a long time for the basics, just for the perishables.

back to work now, gotta eat some lunch.

TTUL
"Good people take care of their animals, but even the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel" Prov. 12:10
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WinterRose



HELLO FRIENDS !!

I am sorry that I've not been around much but things around here have been ah bit crazy.  So, I've sometime today to stop in & share a PRAYER REQUEST with - all of you.

As you all know we have been trying to sell our OLD HOUSE well today we got a telephone call from the BANK that is trying to get this LOAN to go through 4 the couple that is wanting it & the news is that the APRASEL that they wanted done came back w/ some good news & so far all is a GO & it looks like we will be selling the HOUSE & so what I'm asking is that you please continue to keep this in prayer
& that it will go through all the way & I'll know more as the time goes by. We are praying to close on the house the end of OCTOBER so ... please pray for us & for the buyers of the house.

I'll come back & update when I can.  So, listen I need to get dinner started so do take care all & see you when I can.  I do hope that all of you will enjoy this special basket of flowers !!

Till next time ..
{{ hugs & prayers & blessings to all }}

Janet

#12
KAREN, thanks for the lovely basket of flowers, and I do pray all goes well and your house is sold!  That will be good.

Larry, I'm so sorry about your daughter's latest problems.  I think she and Beth would make quite a pair, but together, we would not be able to stay ahead of all their problems!!  Goodness.

Beth called me last night and she is ready to come home, I think.  She is wanting to buy a laptop computer.  Always something!

Liz, glad you were able to get out and enjoy some sunshine today--or was it yesterday?  Did you know I have a new kitty?  Her name is Dinah, short for Dynamite, as she is so full of energy.  I think she's going to be very clean, too.  I had to buy her a little pink flea collar yesterday, she had fleas and they were really irritating her.  The collar seems to be doing the job.

Etta Sue, I love your graphics, and I wish I were as computer savvy as you are.  Maybe in my next life.........

Marilyn, you will soon have things all organized.  Want to come and organize Beth?  Hahaha.

Sue, I believe you will soon get the job of your dreams.  Glad you were blessed with some things you need.

Nita, while working on Beth's place, I am all the more convinced that we keep soo much STUFF.  Today, I threw out a whole big garbage can of stuff from her BATHROOM!!  Ugh.  I wish I lived near enough to the ocean to drive down and watch the waves and the gulls......Well, maybe not this year!  Those on the Gulf Coast have not been treated kindly by the weather this year.

Thank you all for the nice comments on the devotional.  It really fit me, so I thought maybe it would mean something to more of you, too.

I need to run back out to Beth's and take some curtains out of the dryer.  I am hoping that will save ironing them!  Pat and I have each worked 14 hours on it in the last two days, and still there is so much to be done.  Ugh.  But we are taking tomorrow off, it is our ladies' meeting for our church group.

I shall return!
My book Rising Above available at JanetDamon.com

Al Moak

Etta Sue - I've heard that you can often check out books from the library on things like Excell, Word, etc., etc.  Give it a try.  Let me know if it works.

Marilyn

Janet I am NOT organizing anything today I took today off from the house. Just relaxing today.

Etta Sue you have such cute cat graphics just adorable I have another to send to you tha tyou will like.

TTYL
"Good people take care of their animals, but even the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel" Prov. 12:10
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Ruth Ann Bice

Hii, friends,

It's been a day with mixed blessings. I at one point shut my office door and shed a few tears - for what reason I'm not really certain. Then, some blessings were added. So, I need to be thankful and look forward to tomorrow.

Y'all have a good evening.

Ruth Ann
...his compassions fail not.  They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.


Janet

Ruth Ann, my thoughts and prayers are still with you.  Bless you...........((((((hugs))))))

Pat, are you around today?

I'm tired out again this evening, think a shower and a book are on my agenda until bedtime.
My book Rising Above available at JanetDamon.com

Nita

#17
Ruth Ann, I'm sending lots of hugs your way.  Crying sometimes is the only way to release what you're not even sure you're feeling. :/

Janet, I just have to say.....I sure hope Beth appreciates all that you've done for her while she was gone. :)

Sun finally came out.  I've been trimming some on my apple trees.  It might be the wrong time of year, but what I really want is two of them gone. For now, I'm just trimming lower branches.  My son in law is going to cut them down when he can.  They're diseased, so need to go.

PAPA JOHN (hehe...I said Larry, meant Papa John) and Karmat.  It would have been great if you two had bumped into each other.

I loved reading your description of Janet, Soni.  Sounds like you guys had great fun meeting and will do it again.


Sue

RuthAnn, I'm sorry you had such a rough day today.  I wish I were there to help cheer you up.

A dresser and "hope chest" have left the premises and will be put to good use by my daughter.  Now to get the rest of my laundry finished and then I must get rested up for work tomorrow.

Marilyn

We are a bunch of tire CP'ers tonight me thinks. I am tired too and I didn't do all that much today. I am still waiting for my Son to come and take the box with the cabinet in it out of the trunk of my car, it is hanging out. I hope to get him to put the two pieces I bought today together for me. I thought he would be here by now but he is still at home.

The electrician just showed up to fix the front porch light so he took it out of the car for me. Thank you Jesus for sending someone to help me.

Sue it is good that you got more hours at work.

Ruth did you get that meat order with the Tri Tip roast or steaks?

TTYL
"Good people take care of their animals, but even the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel" Prov. 12:10
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Jane Walker

Well, I didn't get my car today after all.  :-\  Looks like another day for me to stay home. At least I'm saving gas by not driving around, and staying home is a good thing (for me anyway).  Lots of time to read and fellowship with my Father.

I did receive some good news though.  My home owner's insurance policy is up for renewal November 3 and I called for a quote through AARP.  Today they called that the new policy will take effect November 3 and for $208 instead of $340!  That's a savings of $132.  That makes me happy.  I have so much for which to be thankful.   :D

I have been cold here these past few days but I just add another layer of clothing and pretend I'm camping out!  LOL   :D  I will be calling Community Action next week to be placed on their list for free wood.  Whatever works. 

I am sorry to read of the problems for Larry's daughter and the continuing problems for Beth, as well as all the others who are suffering with the challanges of life.  You are in my prayers continually.

Gotta go ... I'll be back (sometime).
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass .... it's about learning to dance in the rain!

Pat


Sorry folks...

I've been sleeping or visiting with Andrew, my youngest.

He bought a motorcycle and had to come and show me.  I'm nervous about them but with the price of gas, I guess it's a good move for him to get to work--but not the winter.

It's a Yamaha and a nice sized one--not too humungous.

He's got his leather jacket and gloves and very good helmet and boots.

Then I got into my recliner to listen to some news and woke up 3 hours later!


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Marilyn

"Good people take care of their animals, but even the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel" Prov. 12:10
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Pat


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Liz

Hope that I don't get bonked on the head!  It is that time of night....

Thought about your devotional today, Janet.  Got curious about what might be on the web about Spiritual Maintenance.  Found it is rather extensive...Much about how we treat it and much about New Age approach.  An airforce base in US started a Spiritual Maintenance Room.
A crew chief came up with the name for the program, he said.

"The reason for it was not just a break room, not just a place to get out of the hot Arizona environment - they (the maintainers) wanted a place where, spiritually, they could renew themselves," Claggett said. "The way this (program) was described by one crew chief, he said, 'This is an oasis of calm in the turbulence of our regular day.' "

This has proved really interesting reading :)

Received a troubled letter in a birthday card from an old friend.  A Christian.  So wrote back and in the process, found myself feeling less depressed.  Hope it has the same effect on her when it arrives.  So many problems around today.  Realized that this site is sort of a Spiritual Maintenance Room.....we can come with our worries about ill children, etc. and know that someone will offer Christian comfort. 

Larry, Misty is an outdoor cat we adopted and she mostly lives outside or in the garage.  Would destroy the house if let loose, tho' I bring her in  to sit on my lap and we give her lots of love and attention.  She tries to stay groomed but is always climbing trees and chasing after mice...

Wendy and I were upstairs watching a program on TV, thinking Squeek was under the table in the living room.  Poor Squeek accidently got locked in the Laundry Room when in her litter box.  I went down, noticed the door was closed and opened it.  There was a very loud, angry YOWL and she came roaring out.....It was hard to comfort her when we were both laughing so loud.... :-\

Glad you are back Pat.  Missed the music.  Will pray for everyone and God Bless.

Liz
CHANGE NOT THY FAITH WITH CHANGING TIMES

Pat


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