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• Monthly Photo Challenge~Autumn Colours[/b] This is a new venture on Christian Photographers!  This challenge will last a complete month so start snapping those photos and show us anything that reminds you of Autumn.[/size]

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Morning Devotional...



Part 3 of Iain's devotional...

Part 1 is here[/b]
Part 2 is here[/b]



There are times when God shuts up His people in a spiritual prison. It is not a place of punishment; rather it is His college of education. The imprisoned soul may and does feel a very real and trying bondage. There is separation, loneliness, unbelief, questionings and impatience. Each day however there are valuable lessons taught and learned from the Hand of the Master Teacher.

With all prisoners there is separation. There are times in our experience when for our own good, God in one way or another separates us from those that we tended to rely upon. Our God is a jealous god and he would have us lean upon Himself alone. This separation inevitably leads to loneliness with almost a sense of alienation from our brothers and sisters. If you meet with them and try to explain your situation to them, you may receive a certain amount of sympathy but little understanding.

With the separation and loneliness comes unbelief and questionings. Why is this happening to me? There must be some great sin in my life that is causing such displeasure from the Lord. We find ourselves looking in the wrong direction. Instead of looking up to the Lord for deliverance, we wallow in self-pity. Looking inward, we become more and more acquainted with the sin that is in us. Sins that at one time did not bother us, now they press heavily upon us. We become like lepers - loathsome to ourselves and to our friends, to our brethren and we even think loathsome to God. As time goes by we acknowledge that God is just in His punishment of us. I say this however it is a wrong attitude of mind.

Impatience is a mighty water to tread for those in this condition. Anger wells up at God for not delivering, for not keeping His promises, yea for creating us in the first place!

I have tried to explain the negative side of the prisoner's existence, however there is another side to the story. Though we may think it for evil, God meant it for good.

God has given us teachers. Our eyes, our ears, hearts and consciences. We have those who preach God's Word to us from week to week. We have God's Word that we can read and be instructed from. We have friends that patiently bear with us and give a word in season now and then.

Although this diet may be difficult to digest and we may rebel daily against it, yet our teachers are at work. We learn many wonderful lessons in the school of affliction. Day by day we are weaned from the seductions of this world. They have become empty to us and they hold no satisfaction for us anymore. The heavenly shores of glory beckon to us and become most desirable to those in prison.

Freedom from sin, from pain, from self, from trials. From tribulations, from sorrow, from tears. We would see no man save Jesus only. Amidst all the conflict a desire for holiness is affected and a closer walk with Jesus becomes our all-important goal. This is life and life more abundant. Jesus becomes the altogether lovely One and no one else can meet or satisfy our desire for Him. He was spent for us at Calvary, now my friend it is time that you and I were spent for him the short time that remains for us on earth.

My friend whatever your portion may be as you read this let us sit still and wait upon our God, for He alone sets the prisoners free. His word for you and I now is "this is the way walk ye in it."

Iain Mackenzie

Good evening everyone.  Pat was most gracious in notifying me of this Christian site, and inviting me to join in your fellowship.  Much like yourselves, I've longed for a place where I could share a mutual love for our Lord.  Pat informed me there were several messages of greetings from you lovely folks and I'm sorry I missed them.  

I've just read about your friend "Pappa John" and his medical problems.  Been there Pappa John, and I pray our Lord's mighty hand in the decision making of your doctors.  We all know who's in charge, and it is to Him; Jesus Christ our Lord, who's perfect will will be done.

You did it, Lee!

Great job.

Now you know how to post, you can just do it over and over again.

Talk to you tomorrow.  Enjoy your golf!

8.50 a.m. ENGLAND.

PAT A very good morning...I see you went to bed late again. Was GEORDIE good? Wait for it........SUNDAY DOG slept from Midnight until 8.15 a.m.  A miracle and an answer to prayer.
I had drunk a cup of tea said a prayer on the high stool and fed the cats before she woke up!

LEE Good morning to you and it is a joy to see your post.  Please come in later after your golf. Enjoy that and tell us about it.  We like to know what one another gets up to dear brother.

RIA Hoe gaat het?  Tot ziens zuster

IAIN  thank you for expressing my own feelings and doubts.  Truly it would be nice to know that folks understood us a bit better sometimes but the wonderful thing about Christian fellowship is that we accept one- another in Christ and learn tolerance of one anothers weaknesses.  Indeed this is our school. He does reveal our teachers to us.

PAPA JOHN love and prayers continuing.

A dull, cold morning here in leafy Warwickshire. Christopher reminds me that tomorrow is the first day of October.  The clocks alter over here soon.  Do they do this in America and Canada?

However,

"LET US PRAISE GOD TOGETHER  ON OUR KNEES,
LET US PRAISE GOD TOGETHER ON OUR KNEES.
WHEN I FALL ON MY KNEES WITH MY FACE TO THE RISING SUN.
OH LORD HAVE MERCY ON ME".

On or off knees let us give thanks this day.
Chris will no doubt find the music for this...

Every blessing in the Heavenlies to all dear Ones today.
Jenny.

Goedemorgen allemaal/Goodmorning all 10.27 AM

Pat thank you for the very nice hymn yesterday
Iain thank you for the good devotional also this
morning you are very good.

Chris and Margit thank you for the website yesterday

Goedemorgen zus Jenny hier ben ik

It was foggy this morning in Holland and it is cold but
now the sun is coming.

Janet you have a new picture under your name.
Yesterday i was not good wake up i was thinking you
are new. But then i saw all the stars and i am looking
good to the picture and then i saw it is Janet.
But now you are alone on the picture not with Darrell
And your hair has an other color and you have glasses
But it is a lovely picture.
And you have send the pictures of the spider i have
had a dream this night about the spider he was
sitting on my bed. I don't like spiders. And such spiders
we have not in Holland.

I wish you all a very good day and are thinking on this
Today Jesus Christ is the same as yesterday and
forever.
Love for your all
Bye for now
RIA

Welcome to Lee Kirkwood!
So glad to have you here with us at CP.  I see you like to play golf.  We have a 90+ year old member of our church that plays golf.  He has not long retired from his work, gets up early every day and goes to breakfast into town. (Can you tell I live in the rural farming section?)  What a fun life!

When I retire I want to start a new career...any suggestions, folks?

My prayers this AM are with Papa John, his family and the doctors, etc.  May God just hold them all close as they go through this surgery.

Ria, your weather sounds like winter to me.  This morning I had to turn on the heat as it is about 42 degrees outside.  I hope it warms up.  I am glad I live in the South because I don't think I could take the wet, cold most of you have in Europe, England, Canada, etc.

Karmat I can tell you are not from the South if you HATE GRITS or even put milk & sugar on them.   I'm sure our forefathers turned over in their graves when you said that.  

a big thanks to Iain for the 3-part devotional.  It takes me a while to digest all of your knowledge in the early AM.  Think I will come back later to ponder.

I love the song you posted, Jenny, and have been singing it along this morning.  Our time here in the South changes the last Sunday in October.  (fall back an hour). and then again in the spring (spring up an hour).

 

and from the hopefully-to-be  later-in-the-day
 Sunny South

everybody have a blessed, God-filled day!

Good Morning!  I will try to come back later to see if there is any news of Papa John.

Pat:  Loved the music "Until Then".  Thanks ever so much.  

We spent all day yesterday buying a used pop-up type trailer and having it checked-out and then a new hitch on the vehicle we now use for pulling.  so many things.  An angel kept us safe on the highway as we had alternator problems pulling in the dark home about 150 miles.  Our lights flashed the entire way but did not go out.

Also, we have a ruined computer and have lost so much information and pictures that it will take forever to work on the mess.  thank goodness, the financial information is saved.  I have a list a mile long of things to do and thank the Lord for being able to do this now.  One step at a time.  

Kathy:  Hello!  I always cite a cousin who retired as early as he could so he could "work for the Lord".  

Carol

  Hello Mr Lee, I am mieka, It is nice to see you are here.

Mr Iain, I hope you are well today !

My Papa John, I pray for you today. You are my treasure.

Hi Ms Carol, I am glad you get home safe. It is nice to see you are here too.

Hi Ms Kathy   Hi Ms Ria And Hi Ms Jenny

And HELLO ms Scott   I hope you did get a good rest.

I am awake very early today.   I did run on the beach and have a breakfast already. I will go to the harbor soon and spend the day with my brother on the boat.  ;DI hope to be in the San Diego for the dinner tonight, but I SO love the quiet time at sea. It is a wonderful time for me to share with God, (oh, and my brother too  ) But I will pray for my Papa John many times today.  

I hope it is a wonderful day for everyone.  

Good Morning; Iain thank you for your hard work on the 3 part devotional we have here today. Bless you dear Brother, I pray you are feeling well.

Today I go to work this morning at Bea's place. The 94 yr. old lady's name is Fay. We had a wonderful visit yesterday talking about her life and our Lord. She is very alert and in her right mind. I have 2 Bibles in my car and tomorrow when I go there I am going to ask her if she would like me to read to her as she is legally blind, can only see  shadows or things right in front of her eyes about 3 inches.

Lee it is good to see you posting here. Come back and post after  you game of golf. Our Elizabeth here is also a golfer.

I am praying for Papa John today, When I woke up at 3;45 I remembered to pray for him before I went back to sleep and when I awaoke again at 5:45 and arose, I prayed again for him. Does anyone know what time is his surgery?

Be Back later
Marilyn

  I lost my post again! That's what I get for trying to be "fancy."

I did say Goedemorgen to Ria!  And Darrel is still here beside me (he is a keeper!) but this is a more recent photo, taken just this month.  I used to wear contacts, but then I had radial keretotomy surgery on my eyes.  Now I can wear thin-lensed glasses.  My old ones were like the bottoms of Coke glasses!  They said I could have them "fine-tuned" by the Laser surgery, for ONLY $4500.00-----so I guess I will keep the glasses!  Glad you recognized me!

We have a busy day planned.  This morning we are going to work on the alarm system at the final of the four schools here.  Then this afternoon we plan to rip out the carpet in the dining room and start laying ceramic tile on the floor.  We discovered we are a lot messier cooks than we thought!  No more kitchen carpet for us!  We have ceramic to put in the dining, kitchen, utility and one bathroom.  It is a BIG job, but we don't have to rush.  Maybe I will take photos and show you the change it makes!

A BIG WELCOME TO LEE KIRKWOOD!!  IT'S GREAT TO HAVE YOU HERE, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING TO KNOW YOU BETTER!

Iain, I plan to print out this week's devotional and absorb it better!  Thanks for all you do.  It helps us and it helps our Pat, who really has her hands full keeping up with this family!  ((((hugs to Iain!))))

Mieka enjoy your day on the boat with your brother.  May I join you?  You know how I love the ocean!

I'd better scoot.....looks like Darrel is ready to go to work!  See y'all later!

OH!! About the grits-----Darrel really likes them, with just butter on them.  I have learned to eat them that way too, and they are okay.....not yet at the top of my favorites list, but I enjoy them occasionally.  And we aren't even "Southerners!"

Yep, I'm a native Southerner.  My family has lived in this same county in Western North Carolina since before the Revolutionary War.  I guess I just have a defective gene or something!!!

Good to see you posting Lee.  

I have a toddler on the run, so I had better run myself.

love
karmat

Good Morning Everyone...


Sorry you lost your post, Janet.  Not sure what you did to cause that.  (Wish I did)    Janet, when you get that tiling job done, I'd love to have my kitchen done and it's just a small room so it won't take you long. But the time you're done your big job, you'll be an old pro and you could have my kitchen done in no time.



Mieka, I'd like to come too on the boat.  I love the sea and the salt water.  Hurry back though.  We miss you when you aren't here.


Carol, sounds like a nice new trailer.  I hope you take some photos of it.  How is Don's hand?


Marilyn, wasn't this a wonderful devotion from Iain?  I've really enjoyed it and it caused me to do a lot of thinking about my own Christian life.  Thanks Iain.


I look forward to your retiring, Kathy so that we'll have you in here more!  LOL    When will this be?  How much longer do you plan to work?  You eat grits, Kathy?


Well, Ria, I just don't understand Dutch.  It seems like a difficult language to me.  I hope you are having a good day.  How is your son's foot?


Jenny!   Yes, it's good to see Lee Kirkwood here.  I hope he gets the hang of posting soon.



Well, this is Avon Ordering day so I won't be here much.


I hope you all have a good day.


I'll stop in on my coffee breaks.  

Don't forget to have a look at the Monthly Photo Challenge.   People are posting their Autumn Colours photos.

Good morning all!  It's been a while since I've had the opportunity to sit and post anything significant.  I've been pretty busy, and I'm likely to remain so now, with a lot of extra planning to do.

Mom is sitting and doing some schooling with the kids.  It's coming along wonderfully, and Hannah especially is really picking up with her writing.  It's fascinating to watch a child learn and concentrate.  Gives a good reminder of what a sponge they can be, and to fill it with the things of the Lord, carefully avoiding worldly teachings and mind sets.

Pat, it's been a while since I've had the chance to chat with you.  I hope you've been doing well.  Don't overwork yourself.  Did you already do that whole hutch all by yourself?  I still have a house key to return to you.  I had forgotten about it until Ben was inspecting my key ring and asking what each key was for!  

Well, as I said, I'm still busy, but I'll try to come and post regularly.  I have been reading the posts though.  God bless you all.  Jen.

Grits: I love grits,  I like  them with Red Eye gravy, or grated cheese, bacon bits,( not the ones from the store). Yuck  to sugar and milk or cream on them. Tat ain't the Missouri way of eatin' em either.

My mother's side is from Missouri and that's who I spent my time with as a child. Eatin all the Southern stuff, like grits, collard greens, Okra, Red Eye gravy, fried green tomatoes, etc. etc.

QuoteQuote from: Etta Sue on September 29, 2003, 07:06:45 PM
I did get my Mexican today.  Then I took him home.  


Etta Sue, what are you going to do with that Mexican you took home??  

Janet ~ When I read what you quoted that I said, I thought....I didn't say that, did I?  Sure enough, I did.  That's what I get for not proof-reading my posts.    I took JERRY home and left him there.  But the Mexican did stay with me all evening  When I went with Ivalou, she asked me if I wanted Mexican.  No, it didn't even sound good so I had ice cream.    And it wasn't Ben or Jerry!!    

Good morning everyone.  I am so glad I am alone today.  I moved my bedroom furniture around.  I have baseboard heat and in the summer I position my bed in front of that baseboard.  It is getting cool so I moved the bedroom furniture around.  Ivalou came over and helped me turn the mattress.  It is soooo nice to have a sister next door.  

Oh, yes!!!  The reason I am glad I am alone is because I need a shower BAD now after cleaning the bedroom and sweeping the house.

God Bless All of You....I think Papa John's surgery is this afternoon early so my prayers are with you, Papa John!

I love this Words of Wisdom today!

<)))><<~~<)))><<~~<)))><<~~<)))><<~~<)))
"Lord, while You prepare a place for us, prepare us for that place."

Marilyn - Pardon my ignorance sis, but what are grits and red eyed gravy?

Just a thought folks:- I find it easier to print out long posts/messages and read them from paper rather than from the computer screen. I know that the devotional this week was very long and I feared boring you. I was simply helping out a friend in need.

LOL

And I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your help, Iain.  



Show us your photos dealing with this subject!

CLICK HERE

JudyB, did you take photos of all your canning and freezing???

I just lost my post!  Oh well I will try again later.

6.05 p.m.

Thanks Iain I was going to ask about Grits.....Please cousins what are they,  I thought they were a breakfast cereal like weetabix!
Don't think I would like Mexican food.  The smell of curry emanating from next door is bad enough.,too spicy.  I certainly would need ice cream Etta Sue.

Pat I still wait to learn  what is a "hutch".  do you keep rabbits in  it?  We do here in England.

Kathy there are other verses to that...one of them is......

"Let us break bread together on our knees"
CHRIS CAN YOU FIND THE MUSIC FOR KATHY AND ME............I'VE BEEN SINGING IT TODAY TOO.

Janet I do like the new picture..........'GRACEFULLY!

I have been busy today in  the park taking some Autumn pics. , and then this afternoon my dear little adopted froggie came out to see me. I tried to catch him on camera. Pinkie could do it!  He's still so tiny. He wasn't much more than a tadpole when I started watering him in the garden...Now we are friends!.......CATS KEEP AWAY!

Marilyn I think I fancy cheese on toast for tea.  You mentioned cheese and I feel hungry now.

First of all I will pop into prayers to see how Papa John is !

LEE PLEASE COME BACK SOON.

Love to all.
Jenny.

Hi all,

Don't know what grits are but my daughter says when I visit in Fayetteville, NC ;; I will definately know.

I think it looks like oatmeal--on one of the cooking shows this weekend a delightful cook from the South made grits.

She made them "special" with butter and then some tomatoes and cheese thrown in---now she sounded like she was part italian because to flavor anything; I throw in tomatoes and cheese!!!

Hi Lee do try to post more often.

I am going over to Prayers forum; heard anything from
Papa John?

Talk to you later,

Love in Christ

Joyce

Oh, the site ---women of substance----was absolutely inspiring.

Thanks for the ones who posted that site.

Music is great; going back to hear "How Great Thou Art..

JOYCE lets ask Iain about grits....
I think the Scots make scones from oatmeal, lovely ones!

Jenny.

http://www.oremus.org/hymnal/l/l086.html

A Hutch in the States is like Welsh Dresser, lol

Kathy yes in the morning and in the evening it is cold now in Holland  we now have on the central heating
also early in the morning. After tomorrow the say we
will have storm and rain Autumn weather and after
that we will have winter. But the winters in Holland
are mostly not so strong as in Canada America
Where you are living do you have never autumn and
winter no snow?

Janet you are lovely on the new photo

Hi Mieka nice to see you i love you dear Mieka

It is now 9.25 PM in Holland about 2 hours we are going to bed.
Then you in Canada and Amerika will have the evening
and maybe some people a little bit afternoon but in
Europe it is now evening
When i not come back today i wish you a good evening
and also a goodnight. But when you have night we are in the beginning of the morning

I wish you all a goodnight but first a good evening
Till tomorrow
Bye love Ria

http://my.homewithgod.com/merrysheart/iron.html

Thanks Chris.....PERFECT!

               It  "sent" quickly in an e amail page too.

                                  Jenny.

9,25 p.m.
                               KEN

                       KEN....MISSING YOU
           
          WHERE ARE YOU. ARE YOU ALRIGHT?
                     ALSO MARGARET?

                   God bless you both
                              Jenny.

Pat the Dutch language is not difficult little children
can speak it hahahaha

I say the English language is difficult

Bye Pat

Goodnight your all

LOL  RIA

Most people do say English is difficult if they didn't grow up with it!  So I'm sure it must be.

We got the alarm work done, assessed the damages to our house (tenants moved out) and it's getting late enough now that we likely won't start on the floor.  Tomorrow is another day..........

We are going to Hugoton tonight to present the Scuba students with their Certification cards and certificates, so I will get to see my Mark and Abby!    That always makes my day!

While we were at school, several of the third graders came up and said "You're Mr. and Mrs. Damon---you came and talked to us about Scuba diving!"  They said they liked it a lot.  Nice to be remembered and appreciated!  Then one of the teachers emailed me some photos she took that day!

I need to run......see you tomorrow!

I came back to tell Iain that grits are the tiny little part of the corn (hominy) that germinates.  I don't know how they remove those, and get enough to make grits, but anyway, that's what they are.....hominy grits!  One of those things you have to acquire a taste for, in my opinion!