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Morning Devotional...

Heavenward by Scotty Smith

Accepting and Resting in God's Timing


But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you. 2 Pet. 3:8-9 (NIV)

Heavenly Father, I'd do well to meditate on this passage as least once a week. Thank you for being patient with our impatience. You've never been late for anything. "Swiss timing" is tardiness, compared to the precision of your faithfulness. You'll send Jesus back into our world to finish making all things new at just the right time. That grand Day won't happen a day early, or a day late.

And how we long for that Day. No more death, pain, or mourning; no more knowing in part or loving in part; no more goodbyes or good riddance's; no more disappointing others or being disappointed; no more betrayals or rejections; nor more broken hearts or broken anything; no more heartaches or even heartburn.

But Father, your faithfulness isn't just tied to the timing of the second coming, but also to everything else you've promised as well. Indeed, there's no panic or second-guessing in heaven today. You're not distracted, agitated, or perplexed about anything—including our current political mess and morass.

Though it's hard to imagine why you haven't answered certain prayers with a quick and big "Yes!" nevertheless, you do all things well. You gave Jesus for our sins; certainly we can trust you to give us everything else we really need (Rom. 8:32; 2 Pet. 1:3).

So grant us grace in our waiting, strength in our weakness, and wisdom in our bewilderment. And in the meantime, help us to be more attentive to the needs of others around us. Fill our hearts with kindness and gentleness, as we bear one another's burdens. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus' compassionate and grace-full name.

What a wonderful reminder of the patience we need in the world today.  How often do we try to "second guess God" with our frail human understanding and try to convince ourselves (and/or others) that these times MUST be indications of the second coming.

Thank you Pat.

Pat, thank you, I really need God - Jesus in my life now, more than ever, this passage is so comforting, guess that is why I joined this forum, I was drawn here at the right time, because I was needing it......

Carol, I am currently living in Dorset, the South West, after moving from the South East...

Jackie..

Pat:  Thank you for today's devotion.  Timing is everything and we are sometimes impatient only to find later that God's timing is always the right answer and so perfect.  Yes, your idea on the "Thoughtful Thoughts" is just great.  Glad you two "thought" about it. 

That said, it is almost embarrassing to mention I have something on my mind that is keeping me from sleeping - and I certainly know I cannot do anything about it.  This too shall pass.

Jackie:  The closest we have been to Dorset is when Don went often to Brighton - we lived in Texas and he had an office over the pond.  We had a wonderful day trip by car compliments of one of the staff - so nice I will never forget it.  Still, driving on the wrong side of the road was heart-stopping ( ).

Hi everyone.  It is going to be another day like yesterday weather wise with the temperature getting into the low 70's this afternoon. 

Scott was able to get my laser printer working again last night while he was here.  It was just he and I at dinner at the Church as Jennifer didn't attend again.  I took her off the permanent list of attendees and if she wants to go she can make the reservation on a weekly basis.  Today will likely be my typical Thursday with coffee and, if I feel up to it, attending the Wisdom class.  I will just have to see how tired I feel when I get my friend back to the assisted living facility where he resides. I also have to make a stop at Walmart to return something Pat ordered that was the wrong item.  The only other thing on my list to do at this point is to make an appointment with a podiatrist and also one with the car dealer for an oil change.

Janet, great news on John finding the key for Beth's van.  Maybe the Care home thinks John has the funds to pay such large medical bills.  Could you hold her hand and guide it to make an X for a signature and have it witnessed to satisfy Blue Cross & Blue Shield?  She certainly can't be the first person they have as a client who is not able to sign. Glad the credit card company was on top of the false charge but it sure can create problems when you have regular payments tied to the card.  I have had this happen a couple of times.

Carol, we are loving the online grocery shopping with pickup the next day where you don't even have to get out of your car unless you need to unlock the truck and they likely would even do that if needed for a person.

Pat, thanks for posting the new devotional.  Changing it only once a month sounds like a very good idea and the one you selected for February is a good one.

Jeanne, your comments on the devotional are certainly "right on".  I hope you are feeling better and the same for Pat. 

Jackie, glad you have joined us in this discussion.     

Carol, I think that is the most comforting thought, that no matter what is going on within our lives, whether good or bad, we know that " this too shall pass..." and it does...hang onto that thought...

It is good when I read that some of my US friends have at some time either lived in UK or have visited and know just how green some of our glorious villages are with their quaint thatched roof cottages...of course I am painting just the good picture, but if you have transport it wouldn't take too long to go out and find these picturesque villages and hamlets...

Brighton is in the South to us, think it might come under the South East...one of UK's popular seaside holiday destinations...    

Good morning I see we have a new member, welcome Jackie,.

Tuesday I went with Keith to the DMV to take the written test per a letter from the state that he has to takes both written and driving tests over. he failed the test after sitting at their computer for 1½ hrs taking the test. Then he couldn't pass the eye test and has to see his eye dr. I have been doing all the driving for over a year now because he scares the holy Sh^%t out of me when he drives. I am the one who wrote to Salem and told them to retest him.  We spent 3 hours at the DMV yesterday. I am so frustrated that he keeps insisting that he  drives just fine when he doesn't.

Busy as always, I have a hospital visit therapy dog visit this afternoon. I skipped the gym this morning so will go this afternoon.

Hi, friends,

Jackie, welcome home. We're thankful you've chosen to be with us.

This computer is driving me nuts - of course, my hubby would have said, "Honey, it's a short putt, not a drive." To use his golf reference.

It was a true emergency when we had the evacuation order. The dumpster  was afire, so this time the smoke came all the way into the 13th floor hallway.  I made it down to the 11th floor by stairs, but had to stop and rest. Then residents began to trickle up the steps, telling me that the fire was extinguished.

I'm expecting a delivery today, so must make ready for it. Y'all have a wonderful rest of the day with our Lord.

Love to all,
Ruth Ann

Larry Hanna, sounds like you have rather a busy schedule....dont overdo it...

Marilyn, they certainly make the driving test harder than they used to, no written test when I took mine, and that was only 23 years ago...

Ruth Ann, thank you, I hope I have found my new home...I do need to settle somewhere...

Well I plucked up my nerve and got myself out of the home for a short downhill walk with my rollator, this was on my third day attempt, the last two days I gave up as I knew my legs and body wouldn't allow me...It was tough going, and getting it through the back gate and down those concrete steps didn't make it any easier, but chuffed that I did force myself to do it...And yes, I even gave a smile to God, and said thank you once I was out walking...

We are back from our favorite charity shop where we gave them a basket of donations and ended up buying a really nice office chair for Don. I sent an email to my doctor's office because my password is not working.  Those dreadful passwords. 

Ruth Ann:  There should be something in place for you to have assistance in any evacuation.  And, a backup on what they set up - I am shocked that someone doesn't have orders to check on the upper floors, send the fire person and so forth.  So glad you are alright. 

Jackie:  We spent a week at Morton-on-Marsh once (soon after the flooding) and would take a local daily bus to a lot of villages just to walk around the houses, etc.  So unbelievable charming - such a beautiful breakfast and how kind everyone was to us. 

Larry:  We use the WM and Amazon for buying stuff anymore.  We went into a Kohl's store last week and there were barely any shoppers - because of the internet.  Sometimes it is nice to see what you are buying before spending the money though.    ]

Carol, I wasn't familiar with Morton On The Marsh so google mapped it, of course I should have realised it comes under The Cotswolds, now that is a beautiful place to live, that is the place I next have my eye on...

I have now given a lot of my old clothes to my Multiple Sclerosis centres, the one I am a member of raised the largest amount so far at the end of last year...I told our fund raising husband and wife team that I was giving her amongst other things a very expensive pair of shoes, and told her to not let them go cheap, to get as much as she can for them...she assured me she was passing them to her daughter for inspection who would between them make sure they got a good price for them...and I am pretty sure that they did...

Well , y'all will be shocked - here I am again today.

When the Comcast technician installed an updated modem, he changed the name of my network. Thus, causing me to rattle the few brain cells I have left in my brain and try to come up with answers for connecting to various peripherals. That failed the first time I tried, but today it seemed to work well. Now, my network wireless printer is working again, and I was able to get connected by way of my cell phone, too.

The delivery has been postponed until tomorrow so I will have some free time today. 

Y'all have a good rest of the day.

With love to all,
Ruth Ann

Just taken another fall this time I had dozed off on my computer chair, and fell heavily sideways onto my good leg, my right knee, had to call for help as I couldn't get up, also banged my head slightly on the wall..my good leg and knee hurts and I am still quite shaky but going to bed it is 11.20pm...hopefully I shall be safe in my bed, I shan't fall out there...

I will say goodnight and God bless...   

Ruth Ann, like Carol, I'm surprised there isn't something in place for safe evacuation from the upper floors.  And I'm very glad you came through safely.  Congratulations, too on getting computer stuff set up and working. 

Jackie, chairs are for sitting in/on - not falling off of!  Can you get a chair for your computer with arms so that if you fall asleep (or pass out) you won't fall to the side?  You must be sore and aching this morning.

Hi everyone on an overcast and what will be cooler day here in South Carolina with 60 being our high today.  I did go to coffee yesterday but was just too tired to go back downtown for the Wisdom Group at Church.  By late afternoon I was feeling better and this morning got up a little less tired.  I have nothing on the calendar for today although we do plan on eating our big meal out later this afternoon or evening and I need to pick up just a few things at Aldi's if we eat down that way. 

Marilyn, it sounds like Keith would be a danger to himself and others driving.  I don't blame you for not wanting to ride with him when he drives.  I hope your hospital therapy dog visit went well yesterday afternoon. 

Ruth Ann, does the management have a list of folks who would need help to evacuate your building in the event of fire?  If they do I hope you have added your name to the list.  Glad you didn't have to try to get down all 13 floors.  Glad to see you may have conquered your computer problems and now your wireless printer is working. 

Jackie, as you can see from what I wrote above I didn't overdo it yesterday as had run out of energy.  Is there anyway you could have an outside ramp so you don't have to get up and down the stairs?  How about seat belts for your chair at your computer.  The suggestion of a chair with arms would probably help as well. 

Carol, sometimes we can find good bargains on good merchandise at the charity shops.  I agree it is nice to see what you are getting before purchasing.  I do think department stores will be pretty much a thing of the past in another few years. 

The chair has arms but I still managed to fall out...

  That takes talent! 

Jackie do you still have any of your dogs. I thought you looked familiar so I went over to S and F and there you are.  Do be more careful, The bed is where you are supposed to fall asleep. Just following up on Jeanne's little quip

today I am tryin g to reach Social Security so i can get started with applying for  spousal benefits. We have to be married for a full year but I amsuppoed to apply 90 days ahead of time..

Apologies for any confusion, yes I am the same Jackie - Vanilla from S & Fs....

Marilyn, bed was where I took myself.....
One dog is now left, Toby Cocker Spaniel, after we lost three to cancer....

Jeanne Lee, oh yes I certainly have plenty of talent, I can now add another string to my bow......I knew I would be safer in bed...

Good morning fellow friends, our sun is out but, it sure did pelt buckets sometime through the night...we certainly do hear it as we do not now live in bricks and mortar....but of timber frames...

Oh I know we can laugh and see the funny side, well even I can now, if not at the time but, I honestly thought I had broken my leg, as I landed with the knee-leg bent right back and my full weight was upon it...

Marilyn, hope all goes well and to plan with your form filling....

Larry Hanna, you done right, we must listen to our body...just a shame it didn't get its timing right...

Ruth Ann, oh yes our brain cells, we need to hang on to them as long as we can...

Hi everyone.  It is a clear sky and one of the colder morning we have had all winter as when I arose the weather report said it was 34 degrees.  However, my outside thermometer now says it is over 40 degrees.  I really didn't accomplish much yesterday.  We did go to Ruby Tuesday's late yesterday afternoon after Pat stopped at the Dollar Tree store to get more cards for the Sunday School card ministry and I waited for her in the car.  We had a very good meal and they have improved their salad bar a lot but have also increased their prices by a dollar on most items.  We did get home before dark.  I have nothing on the schedule for today and glad as got up tired again this morning after plenty of sleep.  So I will just take things easy again today. 

Jackie, so much for our arm chair idea.  Perhaps you could take a belt large enough to go around the back of the chair and buckle in front of you when you are at the computer and begin to get sleepy.  You sure don't need to be falling out of the chair again and break a bone. 

Marilyn, I hope you were able to contact the Social Security office and get the process started.  Since Pat has Social Security and I don't I did inquire about getting the spousal benefit only to find it would take away a significant part of my retirement annuity and that wasn't going to happen so said thanks but no thanks. 

Hi everyone on the first Sunday in February.  It is cool this morning but going to go up to 60 degrees this afternoon.  We have the chance for a little rain today as well.  I will go to Sunday School and Church this morning but Pat isn't planning on attending.  This evening I will watch the Superbowl.

As I am limited on time this morning I will be very brief for today.

Good morning on this dreary Sunday morning.  The sun is hiding but at least the temperature is above freezing.... just barely!  I'm not sure what the guessers have in mind - other than the Super Bowl which interests me, not at all. 

I did hear on one channel that Tuesday may usher in a winter storm.  Of course, that's the day for my next doctor appointment.  Which of course will be rescheduled if the storm does arrive.        But from the way the winter weather has been this year it will probably be much worse south of us.  Much as I'd like to instruct God about it....  I'll try to remember that He knows best.   

Jackie:  This is a kind and gentle place to visit whenever asking for or giving praise and prayers.  So sorry about your fall from the chair which can be as bad as from standing position. 

today is the day I am shortening two pairs of trousers for Don - he lost enough weight to buy three pairs of  pants but the length is too long for these.  Not my favorite thing to do but "a woman's gotta do what a woman's gotta do" so the saying goes.     We usually catch up with children on phone or skype today.  Sunday isn't our church day anymore as the music and noise is too much for Don's hearing problem and we are so thankful for two other choices during the week.  so grateful.

Larry:  I buy Sudoku puzzles at the dollar store - they are $4.95 at any other place.  Between doing puzzles on electronics and the books, it keeps me entertained whenever in the waiting and waiting room.  Usually, everything takes a long time out of the day. 

It does look like another storm is cross country.  Take care everyone in the path. 

As my dad used to say, "Over and Out".   

Today t chuch I was asked by the worshikp leaders husband to come to music practice and bring a song I wouhld like to sing for church on Sunday,
This is what I will sing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8tEaiUMu98

Jeanne Lee, weather, that is one thing that is out of our control, isn't it? yet can play havoc with our medical appointments..re, having to re-schedule...and then of course so is everyone else doing the same, all vying for that next appointment...I hope on the day your weather stays good for you..

Carol, thank you for your comforting words...." This is a kind and gentle place to visit whenever asking for or giving praise and prayers...."
Think for that reason I shall be a regular here...

Carol I got rid of my sewing machine just before our move ten months ago, with my hand now the way it is I doubt if I would have been able to continue, as my right hand is now on the numb side, re, peripheral nerve damage..

Larry Hanna, I too often do Sudoku puzzles, keeps the mind and brain quite active...

Marilyn, not sure I am familiar with your hymn...hoping all went to plan with your singing....that is the one thing I worry about, I sing but I really dont have the best singing voice, of that, I do know, and am fully aware of...

My leg is starting to feel normal again, well that is my good leg...still some stiffness when it is bent fully forwards or backwards but is a lot easier to walk on...

As I type I hear the sound of birds singing, now that brings joy to me...

Hi everyone on a chilly 40 degree morning but headed up to about 70 this afternoon.  I did make it to Sunday School and Church yesterday and stopped to pick up a sub from Firehouse Subs for my lunch.  Pat had arisen late and had a late breakfast so wasn't hungry and didn't want me to bring her anything.  I did watch the Superbowl game last night and it turned out to be a very good game even though my Atlanta Falcons ended up losing after getting ahead by quite a few points in the first half.  New England really played well in the second half and came back to win in the first overtime game ever played in the 51st playing of the Superbowl.  Now football is over until September.  I hope to get to my Monday noon meeting today and may make a quite trip to the Post Office to mail a package to Pat's sister and then make a brief stop at Aldi's for a few things we need.  However, these last two things may wait until tomorrow depending on my energy level.

Jeanne, sure hope your area misses the bad weather from the pending winter storm and you will be able to make your appointment. 

Carol, years ago Pat had a new pair of slacks that needed to be shortened and when she finished with them she found she had shortened the same leg twice and that didn't work well.  She wasn't happy with herself but later we had a good laugh over the event.  Pat and I both like to work the Word Find puzzles and we also buy the books at the Dollar Store.

Marilyn, that is a very fine song you will be singing.  I love the music of the Gaither Vocal Band and have a lot of it in my Spotify playlists. 

Jackie, my son suffers from a numb right hand and arm.  I have never acquired the knack of working Sudoku puzzles.  I like to work Crossword and Jigsaw puzzles and that is enough.  Glad your leg is starting to feel normal again. 

 

Making medical appointments for the month of May - when we return to Colorado.

Larry:  Tell Pat that I carefully sewed 4 children's western style shirts one year and when I asked them to try the shirts on to show us how they looked - it was a real downer.  I had accidently sewn all 8 sleeves in the wrong way and they were trimmed too short to reset the sleeves.  You can bet I did not sew any shirts for a long time.

Hello everyone. It is still wet here on ther southern oregon coast. but I did takle Freckles out for a walk  in our raincoats. Yes she has a raincoat and a wi ter coat as well. For our second walk us a bit ago we m,ade it home before the rain starts.

I have a loaf of sour dough bread in y bread maker. i made a loaf on Friday too. I have two pints of starter in the refrigerator that will last a long time as I keep adding to it what I took out, which by the way to do today. We will be going out for a birthday dinner later this afternoon since I can 't drive very well at night any more.

Well I have to get some PSPing done for my stationery group.

That darn groundhog!  It has been snowing for days...and everyone knows this is Victoria BC.  No end in sight and it causes lots of trouble with trees, power lines, etc. as our snow is so very wet.  Makes so many problems for work, etc.  My GD can not get down to the highway with her car....We are so fortunate power is still on, tho have gas and electric heat, so that surely helps. This snow is breaking all records.

I also watched the Super Bowl Larry.  It is closely followed in Canada.  Love the commercials.  Have been watching my much loved curling as it is that season again.  Folks who have never curled often think it is like watching paint dry

Nice to read your posts Jacki.  I am in my 80's so often fall asleep when sitting still at tv, not often at computer....yet! Up often during the night and my cat takes that as a sign for him to eat or play. So tired before it is even breakfast time.

Looking out the window and the snow is coming down at an alarming rate.
This whole year is getting off to a rather bad start in so many ways.  Sometimes I think this must be how Alice felt when she fell down the rabbit hole.....More like rather bad fantacy then reality!!  Thank goodness we know that God is watching over things.  As long as we do our part to follow along his path, all will be well.

God Bless.

Liz