Christian Photographers Community

Morning Devotional...


How long wilt Thou forget me, O Lord? for ever? how long wilt Thou hide Thy face from me?
Psalm 13:1

In this short psalm David was perplexed by life's pressures and their nagging continuance. Four times he cried, "how long"?

Silence from heaven added to the weight of his dilemma.

But at last (v. 5) he counted his blessings and renewed his trust. As a result he spontaneously broke into rejoicing and singing.

He ends with this conclusion, "The Lord hath dealt bountifully with me."

As it did with David, counting our blessings will make us triumphant over the perplexities of the present, and strengthen us as we await the promised coming of the Saviour.
--Edwin Fesche

Hi Everyone!
How is everyone today-No I haven't gone to bed yet, I am up waiting to see what my auctions end at..
Ive almost made enough to pay for Whitneys new math Curriculumn -I am buying Math U See-a hands on Math..So, I am really pleased that my auctions have almost paid for that.
Anyway-then Momma is going nighty night..Today the kids did great in school-we have been going for about 2 weeks now-I have a program that I got for free called "The Homeschool Tracker" Awesome program-I can keep track of the kids assignments, there attendance and alot more-if anyone that homeschools wants the program let me know and I can send you the link..I will need your email addresses.
Daddy took the kids to the beach today for the last time-the weather is suppose to start getting cold again-with rain and thunderstorms.
Well-Im off to bed..
Hugs
Rachelle

Good morning Folks.
Hi Rachelle.

Thanks Pat.  That devotional fits with these words of Jessie Brown Pound:-

         "If the light of His presence has brightened your way
               Oh will you not tell it today."

I read these words in an e mail devotional and thought we must praise God today.  It is a lovely September morning here, sunny and blue skies, if a little cold. Yes we have not seen much Summer this year, but let us praise God for each new day and be thankful for the many little blessings which He sends.

             May each of us be a blessing to someone today.

Love,
Jenny.

                       For Our Luke

                  Best wishes with the Eagle Project.  Keep us informed.




God Bless you.
Jenny.

Good morning, friends,

Hope you are having a good day. I took half day off yesterday. So, now, of course, this morning feels like Monday again. Two Mondays in a week ... I don't recommend it.

Y'all have a good day in the Lord.

Ruth Ann

Hello, all!  It looks to be a frustrating work day, so I probably won't be around much.  Hope all of you have a GREAT day!

Here is a very urgent prayer request on a hostage taking involving between 300 and 400 Russian children at a school in Russia...  Already 7 have been killed and many injured.

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Hi everyone.  Pat I have been listening to the news concerning the situation in Russia.  If anyone things we are not in a world war with terrorists they need to think again (in my humble opinion).  This was the first day of school there and apparently a lot of parents were at the school and there are about 200 children, the rest adults. 

Janet, do hope there is nothing seriously wrong with your mother and that they didn't have to keep her in the hospital. 

Luke and Checksix, nice to see you both posting here in NEM and hope you will be able to post often.

I have to install the new hard drive in my daughter's computer later today and then get some software on it.  I haven't dealt with the new service pack for Windows yet but may download it today so I can update Windows from it when I put Windows on the new hard drive.  Fortunately she had saved her files off the hard drive last week so this crash wasn't too bad.  Just keeping my fingers crossed that the new hard drive will solve the problems.

Pat, glad that you are feeling some better, although it sounds like you have a ways to go.  Hope you will be able to eat something today so you don't become too weak.

Marilyn, it seems you have had quite a few problem with your new computer.  Glad you solved the problem yesterday. 

rachel, aren't you suppose to bake something with that chocolate before you eat it?   

Ruthie and Liz, I watched the Convention last evening and saw the speeches by Arnold and the Bush twins and Laura Bush.  I thought they were all fine but was disgusted by the commentators after Laura finished speaking tearing down the girls and Laura and saying they shouldn't have spoken.  In my view it is the commentators who shouldn't have spoken.  UGH!!

Rachelle, glad to hear that your auctions have done so well.  That sounds like good homeschooling materials you are using.

Jenny, thanks for your comments today and Pat thanks for the devotional for this morning.

Ruth Ann, you may have had two Monday's this week but at least each of the weeks should be shorter since you have two in one.

Nards, hope your day won't be too frustrating.

I plan to stay in today as seem to be a bit tired.  We will be going to church for the Wednesday night supper, a Vesper's type service where we study the text that will be used in the sermon on Sunday and then I have choir practice.  A full evening so need to rest a bit today in preparation.

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We sand "I Love To Tell The Story" in our service Sunday and I thought what a wonderful hymn and how long it has been since I heard it.  We need something positive to dwell upon today with the Russian situation, the impending hurricane in Florida, and the many prayer concerns we have among our CP family.   

Good Morning Everyone...

I'm trying to sit here long enough to read the messages I've missed.

QuoteFrom Mamapo...


Last week, my daughter lost her new $200 retainer.   We went in to get molds made for a replacement and thank God, she found the lost one the very next day (so we didn't have to pay for a replacement!)    So yesterday, we went in to the dentist for an adjustment....and within an hour of coming home, she had lost it AGAIN!

We have searched high and low.  I have no idea where it could be.   She didn't go anyplace, so I know it has to be in the house someplace.  Please keep my patience, and finding that thing in your prayers!    She is 9 yrs old and the whole "responsibility" issue is very quickly becoming a problem.   Thanks!

I'm truly sorry about this.  Having gone through an extensive dental treatment myself in the past year and a half, I realize the value of these little parts.  I do pray that you will find it.

Kathy I do pray that you will be safe from the coming hurricane. I am seeing on  the news that it is a fierce one coming your way. Lets pray for Kathy and those in the path of the hurricane.

It is still overcast here, FOG. The report says that the sun will come out later and the temps will warm up over the weekend to the lows 70's. We have only had a few warm days in the 70's.

Thank you Pat for today's devotional.

Ria if you look in I miss your devotionals too and  miss you more. How are your eyes doing?  Love you Sis.

Hello to everyone else who comes in today. I will be back before I go to work at 11:30 I am going to do some more in that spare room.

Nards you always seem to have the right words to say at the right. Thank you Lord for the wisdom you have given to Brother Bernard.

Larry we were posting at the same time. Thank you for the song "I love to tell the Story". My computer does automatic updates I will have to check if I has Sp2. I hesitate to call on Dell to solve my problems it always takes so long on the phone. So I just fix it myself by trial and error. trying different thing. I really think it was something I did that messed it up.

Hi Pat you were posting while I was typing. like the way when I click on "post" it comes back and tells me that someone has posting while  was typing.

TTYL

Yes, Marilyn, that's neat isn't it?  I was just posting mine about Mamapo and got the message that there had been three more posts and that I might like to review my post.  LOL


Larry, what a lovely hymn.  In the little Gospel Hall where we attended for several years, this was a favorite and I'm sure we sang it almost every other Sunday. 

In regards to the hostage crisis in Russia, this is an almost continual thing with them.  Today is the fist day of school for all of these countries, so the large number of parents are their with their children on the first day.  This is following yesterday's metro bombing that killed 12-15 people and last week's airplane bombing that almost killed 100.  So continue to pray for it.

On a positive note, today was Noel's (our daughter) first day of Kindergarden.  She is using the Abeka DVD program.  She is doing it with another Missionary Kid, and the day went really well.  Only thing was that the class was over in about 2 hours and was supposed to last for 4.  We'll see how it goes, but she may just do two lessons a day and go through it faster.  Not trying to push her, but we at least want her to be challenged a little with it. 

Our students are back at the Bible School, and I start teaching my module next week on the Historical books (Joshua through Esther).  I'm looking forward to it, 23 second year students.  My translator made it back from the states yesterday, so I'm ready to go with it.  However, he lost two suitcases on the way, and one of them has my wife's Peanut Butter in it, so she's praying that they'll be found quickly.  If not, you can probably go down to Alabama to the Lost Luggage store and find some good Peanut Butter shortly :-)

Blessings,
Mike

Thanks Mike for your added information about this hostage taking.  It's extremely sad.  We'll continue to pray during this day.

Interesting to read of Noel's accomplishment with the Abeka classes.  I've heard that they are very good.  My daughter homeschooled four children taking the eldest to high school and then she realized that she was tired and she was doing New Testament Greek at the same time so all four are not in the Public School system and doing very, very well and getting awards which I believe is a credit to her and her teaching.

And how sad too for your poor wife to be missing her peanut butter!   

Mieka!!!!!!  It is September.  When do you have to leave us?  Please stay!!!  We don't want you to go.  It would be a bright day in CP if we found out you didn't have to go back to China!

I have read all the NEM posts since I last posted.  Very interesting.  I, too, haven't clicked any of the ads but since Nards' explaination, I plan to click to help out Pat with the cost of the site.  That's the least I can do.  

Another great night of rest.  Thank you, God.  I love my new bedspread made from a sheet!!!  

Tonight Ivalou and I and a couple of other neighbors are going to a dinner theater in Indianapolis.  I have been there but it has been years ago.  This is where Ivalou and I have bought season tickets but our shows doesn't start until January!

As for summer.....Central Indiana has broken a record.  First time ever that our temperatures have NOT been in the 90 degree F or above.  A very mild summer for us.  Just wonder why my electric bill hasn't shown a mild summer...  Also August showed a lot of rain...so that means we haven't had a break in mowing the grass this year!!!

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"My mind not only wanders, sometimes it leaves completely."

Greeting to all you CP' ers,
 
    Pat, I am so glad to see you this morning.. How are you feeling? Thank you for the wonderful words this morning.. I have been reading Psalms 7 today, I truely love to go there when I am needing to rest in the Lord..

    Rachelle, God bless you, You sound very busy with the chrildren, My daughters are both thinking of home schooloing so I would love any info you might have.. Please feel free to email me anything..

    Jenny, Good morning to you.

    Ruth Ann, Not 2 Mondays in one week, One sometimes is enough for me.. God bless you.

     Etta Sue I see  you got in while I was typing.. You are such a wonderful lady.. God Bless you.
   
     Skief, Good morning to you.
.
    Nards, I hope your day gose well. God bless you too!!

    Larry, It is so awful what is going on in Russia, It is so frightening what people are capable of doing, but to babies.. I am heart sick for all these chrildren. God be with them.. You are so right it is a world war.

  Marilyn So you and I are off again.. I  hope you day goes well, I know with God on our side we can do great things for other people.. You are an angel..


    Kathy, My prayers are over you in this weather season you are having..

    Ria, May God be with you as you are with your Dad.. And I pray you will get some relief from your eyes..

    Well I have a full day planned I have an appointment this morning at the hair dressers and than I will go to town for Cheryls meds and our what nots.. I have a girl coming in to help me and I Thank God for that.

    May God Our Father in Heaven Bless all of you while you come and go today..



     

Good morning everyone.  I have enjoyed reading the posts here.  I appreciate the comments and prayers for me.  This morning I am feeling better and am ready to go grocery shopping with Cornelia.  This is our big shopping day.  Krogers, the first Wednesday each month, gives an extra 10% off to Seniors and we take advantage of it.

Cornelia is calling so I'll go for now and plan to come back later today.


--- Papa John          <)))><<   
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Good morning Papa John, I am so glad to hear you are feeling better.. NOW don't over do it.. OK

Oh, Chris...  I must tell you what a comfort your Spurgeon study has been to me today.  I've read it over and over and I feel that it might be helpful to repeat it again.  So with your permission, that's what I'll do here.  Thanks so much.  It blessed my heart.





"On mine arm shall they trust."
Isaiah 51:5

In seasons of severe trial, the Christian has nothing on earth that he can trust to, and is therefore compelled to cast himself on his God alone. When his vessel is on its beam-ends, and no human deliverance can avail, he must simply and entirely trust himself to the providence and care of God. Happy storm that wrecks a man on such a rock as this! O blessed hurricane that drives the soul to God and God alone!

There is no getting at our God sometimes because of the multitude of our friends; but when a man is so poor, so friendless, so helpless that he has nowhere else to turn, he flies into his Father's arms, and is blessedly clasped therein! When he is burdened with troubles so pressing and so peculiar, that he cannot tell them to any but his God, he may be thankful for them; for he will learn more of his Lord then than at any other time.

Oh, tempest-tossed believer, it is a happy trouble that drives thee to thy Father! Now that thou hast only thy God to trust to, see that thou puttest thy full confidence in him. Dishonour not thy Lord and Master by unworthy doubts and fears; but be strong in faith, giving glory to God. Show the world that thy God is worth ten thousand worlds to thee. Show rich men how rich thou art in thy poverty when the Lord God is thy helper.

Show the strong man how strong thou art in thy weakness when underneath thee are the everlasting arms. Now is the time for feats of faith and valiant exploits.

Be strong and very courageous, and the Lord thy God shall certainly, as surely as he built the heavens and the earth, glorify himself in thy weakness, and magnify his might in the midst of thy distress. The grandeur of the arch of heaven would be spoiled if the sky were supported by a single visible column, and your faith would lose its glory if it rested on anything discernible by the carnal eye.

May the Holy Spirit give you to rest in Jesus this closing day of the month.

Pat - We're not diehard homeschoolers, we are doing it out of necessity here, as there are no good schools.  Well, there is an international school here if you are willing to pay over $12,000/year.  Not on my salary :-)  But if we were in the states, she would be going to a regular school.

QuoteBy Alma...


I have been reading Psalms 7 today, I truely love to go there when I am needing to rest in the Lord..

Hi Alma...  Have you read in the "Songs of Worship" area what Al Moak wrote about Psalms 7?

Psalm 7

Wow.... Things sure have changed since I've been gone!! Hello all... I've missed seeing all your posts and hearing how life is going for you all. Well let me give you a little update about myself.

Life for me has been super busy (why I haven't been here at all) I had my senior portfolio show (the one I was using" Getting God's Attention" series for) which took quite a bit of work to get finished! Had a great time at the show my instructor said it was the best set up portfolio show that he had ever seen.... I spent alot of time (and money) to go into the show which I had catered and had a live band (my friend Rob's band played opening night). The week of set up for the show was grueling... I don't think that week I slept hardly at all, because my friend Erik and I were painting backgrounds on the walls for the pictures to go on. Two days before... I was rushing to get things done and between a catering snafu and trying to finish painting the backgrounds... So two days later when I finally finished it (with no sleep at all), I had enough time to go home, clean up, and then be back at the gallery to get ready for the show!

All in all the show went off very well... I had some great response to my work and also got an internship as a result of the show. I am now interning with fashion photographer and loving every minute of it. I've even got to travel a couple times on company expense!!

Now I am out of school and working with the fashion photographer still... Been busy busy busy.... Also working on starting my own multimedia business (doing CD art for bands, photos, etc)... and planning another show with two other photographers for some time early next year.

Well... that my update! Don't know how much I will be on here anymore because of my schedule, but I may pop in from time to time. Hope all of you are doing well..

Gregg

Wow! Gregg...   You're going to be famous some day and we're going to be able to say, "We knew Gregg when..."     I'm so pleased to read of your accomplishments.  Do you like our new look?

Wow Gregg you sure have been busy. Praise God that it all came off so well.

Just stopping by to see who has posted.
Hi to Pat,  Mike, etta Sue and Papa John.
Yes Alma, we are backt o work. I am running 7 days a week because I take one of my clients to church with me on sunday. I am really taking advantage of theses 10 days that she has gone to be with her family.

Be back later.

things look great Pat!

Hi all.  I'm at work, so this is short.  Gotta go teach some math (and science, and writing).

Laters

karmat

Pat: I am thankful that you are feeling much better.

Ria: I hope to see you posting soon.
Papa John:  Glad that you are feeling better as well.
Marilyn: Please do not bring those boxes to my home.  I can and should add to your collection.
Jenny:  Nice seeing you as well.
Janet:  I am so glad the birthday party was everything you wanted it to be.

Also thanks for the explanation about the ads. Yesterday I made cucumber relish and now I am going to label and put them away.  Like some of the others folk I was at the hairdressers this morning.  Here it is September a sure sign that summer is almost over and you can be sure that I will enjoy all the nice days that come our way.

Ruth

Great to see everyone checking in.

I'm wondering about John (Turbotech) down there in Florida.  I do believe he's on the east coast about where this new storm is going to strike.  Let's remember our Florida folk.

Hi Ruth and Karma!

Don't work TOO hard, Marilyn!

(August 6, 2001)
Paradoxical Counsel

      By Fern Horst

"There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches." (Proverbs 13:7)

This verse in Proverbs reminds me of the words which Jesus spoke to His disciples in the Gospel of Mark: "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it" (Mark 8:35).

Much of today's professional advice for succeeding in this life includes dreaming big and then following hard after those dreams. Some Christian advice sounds very similar: have enough faith and God will bless you with whatever is your heart's earthly desire.

But it seems our Lord wants us to have a different focus: "Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me (Mark 8:34). Again, the counsel in Proverbs is very similar to these words of Jesus: "Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven" (Proverbs 23:4-5).

If our focus is on this life only, today's professional advice makes sense. But if our sights are on a heavenly kingdom, then Jesus' words, and the counsel given in Proverbs, make eternal sense.

This morning I was privileged to drive across the mountain here in Virginia to attend a worship service in an old log church built in 1798. A group meets there every first Sunday in August to sing from an old hymnal published in 1822, the Harmonia Sacra. An interesting contrast from the words of most of the songs in this hymnal and the words of many of today's Christian songs, is the acceptance of a life of difficulty and hardship, Christ's presence through it all, and our aiming for a far better land where our Lord will wipe away all tears and sadness.

It seems that they perhaps better understood the paradox of Jesus' command, and the counsel given in Proverbs: a prosperous life here does not guarantee a prosperous eternity; our every dream fulfilled here does not necessarily fulfill His purpose for us. In fact, these things often distract us from "laying up treasure in heaven". The converse is also true and is portrayed in these songs as well: a life of difficulty often drives us to knowing our Lord and Saviour more deeply and to telling others about Him, thus preparing both ourselves and others for eternity with Him.

Perhaps the words from this song in the Harmonia Sacra will portray these thoughts most clearly:

Disciple

Jesus, I my cross have taken,
All to leave and follow Thee;
Naked, poor, despised, forsaken,
Though from hence my all shalt be; Perish ev'ry fond ambition,
All I've sought or hoped or known,
Yet how rich is my condition,
God and heav'n are still my own.

Let the world despise and leave me,
They have left my Saviour too;
Human hearts and looks deceive me--
Thou art not like them untrue;
And whilst Thou shall smile upon me,
God of wisdom, love, and might,
Foes may hate and friends disown me--
Show Thy face and all is bright.

Go, then, earthly fame and treasure,
Come, disaster, scorn, and pain;
In Thy service pain is pleasure,
With Thy favor loss is gain;
I have called Thee Abba Father,
I have set my heart on Thee;
Storms may howl and clouds may gather,
All must work for good to me.

Man may trouble, and distress me,
'Twill but drive me to Thy breast;
Life with trials hard may press me,
Heav'n will give me sweeter rest;
Oh! 'tis not in grief to harm me,
While thy love is left to me;
Oh! 'twere not in joy to charm me,
Were that joy unmixed with Thee.

Soul, then know thy full salvation--
Rise o'er sin, and fear, and care;
Joy to find in ev'ry station,
Something still to do or bear;
Think what Spirit dwelleth in thee--
Think what Father's smiles are thine;
Think that Jesus died to win thee,
Child of heav'n canst thou repine?