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BIBLE MEDITATION:

Isaiah 41:10 - Fear thou not; for I [am] with thee: be not dismayed; for I [am] thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.


People cannot live without hope. Throughout history, human beings have endured the loss of many things. People have lost their health, their finances, their reputations, their careers, even their loved ones, and yet have endured. The pages of history books are filled with those who suffered pain, rejection, isolation, persecution and abuse; there have been people who faced concentration camps with unbroken spirits and unbowed heads, people who have been devastated by Job-like trials and yet found the strength to go on without cursing God and dying. Humans can survive the loss of almost anything – but not without hope.

Hope is how we live. Hope is what gets us from one day to the next. A person goes to school and hopes that one day he will graduate. That person graduates and hopes that one day he will enter into a great career. If he is single, he hopes that perhaps one day he will meet the right person and get married. He gets married and hopes that one day he and his wife will have children. When they have children, they hope that they will live long enough to get the kids out of the house.

We live by hope, and when hope is gone, endurance and joy and energy and courage just evaporate. Life itself begins to fade. When hope goes, we start to die. One of the most profound proverbs of the Bible says, "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life" (Proverbs 13:12).

It could be argued that everyone has hope and that the problem with most people is simply that their hopes have been misplaced. Many people begin looking around from the time they are young and wondering what is going to pay off. Perhaps they will invest in athletics or academics. Perhaps they will invest all their hope in beauty and fashion. As we get a little older (but not always wiser) we put our hopes in wealth and status, achievement and prestige.

When we place our hope in the wrong things, one of two things is likely to happen. Either we will never make it to the level we had hoped for, in which case we end up envious or bitter. Or we make it to that level only to discover that it doesn't fill our heart. In that case, we end up unfulfilled and disappointed.

This is when we need to lift each other up and give them encouragement to hope again. Often you can see in a person't face that they have lost hope, they are a shell of their old selves.  Encourage them and stand by them till hope is restored.

Psalms 33:22 - Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.

Thank you, Judy, for today's devotional and another beautiful hymn.   

   Thank you sis for this wonderful devotional and it does make you think a lot.

Today has been a bit better and I sure do hope that the cough goes away by Tuesday or I will not be able to take Noreen to the hospital for her surgery.  So again please continue to pray that it will get better.   God bless.   Gordon and Noreen.

Hi folks Just a quick note tonight as I sit here in Cedar Rapids IA with my trainee. We have been here since about 4est this afternoon and cant deliver till 10est tomorrow so lots of time to do some other things this trip. Spending lots of time going over things with my trainee in preparing him for a life on the road. He is very attentive and is taking everything in and is processing it well. Think he will make a good driver when he gets some experience under his belt. He has a good attitude. In driving attitude is a very important ingredient. Show me a person with a bad attitude and I will show you a person who is accident prone. Weather is good here. Sunny and around 60 degrees this afternoon. Makes a person thankful that we have a Heavenly Father who is in control of this world we live in. If we didn't have that assurance this would be very frightening times indeed. Ill go for now. Check for a signal tomorrow when I get stopped. Blessings All.

Not many here since yesterday morning.  They must all be sickies like me!! Hope everything is well for everyone.

I feel much better today.  I am ready to take Kitty to Bluffton, Indiana. 

Small Groups was fun last night even though to topic was Global Crisis.  Fear of hurricanes, tornadoes, nuclear bombs, persecution, etc. 

The grass sure looks greener now that we have had a few days of above freezing weather.

Also JudyB, I don't have a clue where you were talking about in MN without looking at the map.  I live 20 miles northeast of Indianapolis...almost straight south of Sous Saint Marie, MI.
And in the middle of Indiana. 

Off I go to Bluffton>>>>>>>>>>

Etta Sue  I was wrong as you can see John corrected me.

A "J" night last night, today will be a rough day.  The weather is reflection of how I feel.  That being said this IS the day that the Lord has made let us (I will) rejoice and be glad in it.

Larry Prayer continues for Stacey.  Gord get well!!  Hot water and lemon and honey, sip it when you feel a cough coming on. (Sorry not Stephen honey available).

Jeanne Praying about your hand....always a sore like that gets bumped when you work around the house, that is probably why the big bandage. 

Have a great day folks!

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Hi everyone.  It is another lovely day here in Georgia but is a bit windy this morning.  The housekeepers are here this morning.  I will have my usual Monday activities of the men's luncheon and a meeting this evening.   Stacey just called and said they have rescheduled her amputation for Thursday.  Yesterday when I visited with her she was having trouble with her eyesight and I had to read the cards to her that she had received.  She also is having trouble seeing her Kindle.  I sure hope this isn't the diabetes taking away here eyesight.  Pat's foot is better and she will try her shoes today. 

Etta Sue, glad you did what you needed to do to take care of yourself on Sunday.  Good to read that you are feeling much better today.  The pollen season has really hit hard down here and I think the longer we live in Georgia the more we are affected by the pollen.

Judy, thanks for that lovely devotional thought for today.  I just watched a video that seems to fit right in with the subject of having hope.  Here is the link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52AOPQvCTv4&NR=1

Gord, sure hope you are feeling better today.  This is finally the week for Noreen's surgery.  I am sure she is both dreading it but also looking forward to feeling better once the healing has occurred.

John, I doubt your trainee realizes how fortunate he is to receive training from you but glad to read he is attentive and you feel he will be a good driver.  Attitude is so important for almost everything we do in this life. 

Judy,  I sure hope you are wrong and this won't turn out to be a rough day for you.  Pamper yourself today you deserve it.  Have you been in contact with Jeanne?   

I got my computer back!!!  But this afternoon when I came in here, there was no reply button!

Anyway, I am glad to be back and hope everyone is doing well.  See you in the morning!

Was just chatting with Heather. She is still suffering from the concussion, she is having major migraines.  This is affecting her school attendance.  As a mom I am concerned.  She is waiting for a referral to the brain injury clinic.  These things take time, and time she doesn't have with college.

Heading to bed see you in the morning. Janet check your mail you have my new email.  Night all!

Good Morning everyone!  Last night was a better night, I slept well, and the light was turned  out early.

Waiting for an update fro Larry and Gord. 

Pat's friend (Ross) from Photo Cafe passed away night before last, and I have yet to know when the funeral is. 

We have chilly weather again today.  Sap is running, my friends are boiling down the syrup, and hopefully it keeps up for a while for them. 

I'm off will be back later!

I read this on Facebook today. 

Paul Washer Quotes

"You know, there is two ways to discover the holiness of God.
One is through renewing your mind in Scripture.
The other is the discipline that comes upon the house of God.
Your generation, it will require a lot of prayer in order for you to escape the coming judgment of God on the church in America.
You ought to tremble, because if we won't learn holiness, he will come and teach us.
God is holy and his holiness transcends all other aspects of holiness."~Paul Washer

We have been to the gym and had a good workout, home to bring in a small fruit tree in a pot, because the temp dropped drastically overnight!  Yesterday, it was 80 degrees, today it is 24!!  Brrrr!  And the wind chill is 9!

I had a nasty fall a couple nights ago.  Managed to break the fall with my hands and arms, so they got bruised up, and banged up my right knee pretty good.  This, too, shall pass!  I am thankful I didn't break anything!

Still praying for Larry's family, also for Noreen.  Hope Gord got better so her surgery didn't have to be postponed.

I don't want to go out in that cold wind again today, if I can help it!

Yesterday was the funeral for Madelyne Wilson, whose story I posted some time ago.  She's the one who was still skiing competitively  into her 80s.  Amazing woman.  And the pastor who did her service took most of his information from the story I wrote.  Both he and Madelyne's son thanked me for writing the story.

I did take Kitty to see her sister, Sara, yesterday.  The trip went fast...174.1 miles round trip.  It was cloudy and then sunny but no need for the wipers.  Sara has a man friend now.  So cute.  He takes care and looks out for her.  Sara has Alzheimer's.  She still has long term memory but even has a hard time remembering which door is her closet and which is the bathroom.  Kitty and I took them out to eat to a Chinese Buffet.  I don't know what Tom's illness is but he said it was the first time he had Chinese food!  It rained while we were in the buffet but still no wipers needed taking them back to the Assisted Living Facility.

Kitty and I visited some more and then we came back toward home.  Of course, Kitty saw a Hobby Lobby in a city about 25 miles north of us and we had to stop there.  Then she filled my gas tank and I took her home. 

A great day!

Today I didn't go to the pool.  Ivalou said she was driving herself to her class lunch so I decided to stay home.  My neck, shoulders and sides are sore from coughing so I am giving them all a rest today.

It is a bright and sunny day in Indiana with a brisk wind!  It is already 72°!  Love it!

Hi everyone.  It is another really beautiful day here in Georgia.  It wasn't even a sweater morning.  Pat and I ran some errands this morning.  She went back to the speciality shoe store to have them work some more on her shoe.   Then I will take Pat back up to the shoe store to have her shoe worked on some more.  I sure hope it works this time.  I made a quick stop at Publix, the bank and the post office and then we went to Dollar General looking for some inexpensive glasses to take to Stacey to see if it would help her see until she can get to the eye doctor.  We then stopped at Wendy's for a quick lunch.  Stacey called this morning to tell us that the results of the bone barrow test were negative.  Since I don't know why they did the test don't know exactly what that means other than negative usually means good.  I think I mentioned yesterday that she is now scheduled for surgery on Thursday.  We do not plan on going back down there until then.

Janet, falls at our age is really not a good thing.  Glad you didn't break anything but know you must be sore today.  Good to see you posting again.

Judy, doesn't sound good concerning Heather.  Hope she can soon see the brain specialist. 

Etta Sue, how nice of you and Kitty to take the folks to lunch as that must be a nice break from the care home food. 

What a wimpy snow "storm" at our house.  This is more like an everyday snow in Minnesota.  Sadly, the mountains didn't get enough snow but there are places where the snow is deeper.  Only about 4 or so inches at our house. 

Prayers for Larry's family and for Noreen.  Etta Sue - you are doing better, it does sound like you are getting out. Janet:  Glad that you were not seriously injured in that fall   you know, we are breakable.  Take care all 

We bounced out of bed early Sunday AM and pastor had a really nice sermon.  I think he is feeling a bit of relief from his decision to step down as Sr. Pastor.  Today, we have stayed in and I finally got to my sewing a little - also have a book to finish for our neighborhood Book Club.

   Gord here.  Just a short note to say thanks for your prayers for tomorrow at 8-00 a.m.  I will try to let you all know tomorrow how it all went with Noreen's surgey.  So God bless and have a good sleep we have to be at the hospital at 6-00 a.m. so by by.   Gordon and Noreen

Good Gord.  I will be praying.  If you come in here before surgery let Noreen know.


Another Paul Washer Quote

Paul Washer Quotes
"Why is it that something so simple, so common sense is thrown out the window when we come to Christianity, that we actually believe someone can be Christian and yet live a life of continuous rebellion against God, without remorse, without conviction, without anything, running wild, yet they are Christian?

Don't you say they are not.
Judge not lest ye be judged.

Yeah, twist not Scripture lest ye be like the devil, because that is not what that verse means.

So, you see, he is saying, "Look, there is a reality here."
Again, to deny this reality is to deny the very work of God in his intent in the entire purpose of salvation.
You go back to Ezekiel 36 you understand why he saves people.
"I am doing this for my name's sake," he says.
Jeremiah tells us, "I am making an internal monument to me, to the saving work I do in this people."

And for preachers to say that a man can live in a continuous state of carnality all the days of his life and then he is somehow miraculously transported into heaven is an absolute denial of everything the New Testament teaches and the Old Testament teaches on the saving work of God, the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit and the work of sanctification in the life of a believer."~Paul Washer

Hi everyone.  I thought I would leave a note before going to coffee this morning as plan on going to Bible Study after coffee so most of the morning will be filled up.  We are expecting another 80 degree day here before the rainy weather comes our way tomorrow (unless the forecast changed overnight).  We did learn yesterday that Stacey's surgery will be at 7:30 am tomorrow and the doctor has assured her that it will occur as the foot is looking blacker all the time and needs to come off.  So we will be getting up early in the morning and fighting the morning rush hour traffic to get to the hospital before she goes into surgery. 

Carol, I saw in the news yesterday that Denver was spared from the predicted big storm but that Wyoming got a lot of snow and closed roads. I would like a minister would feel relief from giving up the many responsibilities of a senior pastor. 

Gord, I will be waiting to hear good news from up your way on the surgery for Noreen.  I will be praying for her today.

Judy, thanks for sharing the Paul Washer piece for us to ponder today. 

What's going on?  Two days in a row I have lost a post!! 

Well, I won't repeat what I had written since I don't have time. 

Ivalou and I both have appointments with the nurse this morning.  She is having a blood draw.  Then we will find breakfast or brunch since she is fasting. 

Praying for Noreen since she is having surgery as I type. 

Started out to be raining but now the sun is trying to shine! 

Ok Larry I will be praying for Stacey, praying for wisdom for the Doctors. Has she said how her eyes are? 

If Gord doesn't post I will call him. 

Pat's company goes home today, I expect to hear from her soon. 
Jeanne how is the hand?

Janet how is Beth doing?

John is having a rough day today. Pray for him as you come in to our coffee shop.....I'm heading for a hot chocolate.

I think a little good news is in order here...or am I just wanting to boast a bit....I have a new GrGr Son born Friday night in Amarillo.  His name is Seth, and he weighed 7 lb 8 oz.  Is it OK to call boys beautiful?  ha.

Seth is my husband's only descendent who can carry on his family name.  Earl would be so pleased to know about Seth.  He only had 2 grandsons, and one of them was his daughter's son, thus a different name.  (He had 6 Gr Dtrs though!)

Praying for the upcoming surgeries...may the Lord be honored in the results.  Bless all of you having concerns today.
Love in Jesus, Janice

Congratulations Janice!

I just had a call from Gordon about his wife Noreen.  She has come through the surgery with flying colours, and is doing well.  Gord is very tired and is still coughing.  He has asked for prayer to continue for Noreen that she continue with the good reports and I am asking prayer for him that he get rested and this cough gets better.  HE said thank you for praying!

Congratulations, Grandma Janice!!

Glad to hear Noreen's surgery is now over and she can concentrate on healing!

Beth is doing better.

See you all tomorrow.  It's been another busy day, with Dr. app't. for Darrel in Garden City, getting some things at Walmart and Sams, etc.  We are both tired.

Janice:  Oh, how wonderful - I hope you get to meet Seth very soon.  That isn't too far away - maybe someone could drive you or both drive/?

Janet:  Glad someone asked about Beth because I have thought of her but failed to mention it in here.  Best wishes for Darrel's checkup. 

Larry:  Strength for you and Pat tomorrow. 

Gord:  Nice news about Noreen   have a quick recovery both of you. 

I went to the little neighborhood Needles group today where we visit and knit or stitch something or some just chat for two hours, have a little sweet thing or a cup of tea and get out monthly visit over feeling good. 
Don is planning our drive to Minnesota where our oldest grandson is graduating - he got 100 on his Trigonometry  ( that class was way beyond me).  Of course, we have many relatives and friends in the state so this is turning into another pattern of checking in on so many.  His cousin in Duluth is 90 and we want to take her to lunch - she is very bright and active & a happy girl (she was orphaned as a young girl and she & her brother were taken into separate relatives homes). 

Hi everyone.  The surgery is over and we just talked to the doctor.  He said all went well and he closed the wound this time.  He is optimistic but still concerned about the elevated white cell count.  We feel very blessed to not have had to drive in rain this morning and the traffic wasn't bad.   It was warm here yesterday and to be warm today with possible storms tonight.  We hope to be safely home before the rain and storms start. 

Judy, Stacey said yesterday that by the afternoon she really can't see well.  She hasn't had the chance to try to glasses I got her yesterday.  Sorry to hear that John was having a rough day yesterday and hope today is much better.  Glad you have heard from Gord and Noreen is doing well.

Congratulations on that new great grandson and nice he will carry on the family name.  Have you heard from your granddaughter in South Korea.  It sounds like           

I went to see the nurse for a blood pressure check.  It was high a month ago.  Never have had high blood pressure.  It is fine.  But I have bronchitis.  So hoping that after 10 days of antibiotics, Mucinex and an inhaler that I will be fine.  What is worse is my neck and shoulder.  I think it all settled there.  I have been sitting with a heat pad on there and that feels sooo good! 

Today is my class lunch and then this evening is the visitation for my cousin. 

So glad that all the surgeries are over and everyone seems to be doing as well as can be.  May God Bless You All!

Today would have been my husbands 83d birthday.  He will be forever young to me.