Christian Photographers Community

GÔÔd morning!!

Happy Birthday, Michael!  What a blessing that you are 10 today!  Thank you, God!

Marilyn ~ I am sure hoping that Happy is okay and I pray that whatever enticed Bebe to attack Happy that she won't ever do that again. 

Janet ~ Sorry about your fall.  If it is the same leg as the one that was bothering you after exercise, then you surely had to do something harmful to cause a great fall.  Do be careful and if it continues 'talking' to you, see your doctor.  Remember most of them are out of the office this time of year so don't hesitate to go to the ER if necessary! 

Colin ~ You made me laugh when asking if my tongue was wore out.  I got my talking from my dad.  It had to be him because he was quiet.  (I took his talking from him)  Mom could talk an hour on the phone even if it was a wrong number!!  It was told to us that when Mom was born, she was tongue tied.  The doctor clipped her tongue and it didn't stop wagging since!  God Bless, Mom!  We sure miss all our loved ones that have passed away at this time of year. 

Pat ~ I just don't see what those evil people get out of posting their evil.  Sorry you are having to patrol the site but happy that you are.  They sure are a nuisance! 

Karen ~ What a wonderful family you have.  I want to thank you so much for posting your family photo! 

Carol, Jane, Nita, Jeannine, InspiredGal, Ruth Ann, and anyone else that happens by...even you evil ones...I want to say Good Morning and praying that you all have a wonderful day.

I got a call last evening from my SIL.  We are going out to eat and then exchange Christmas gifts sometime this afternoon/evening.  She said this evening but then said after an insurance man comes to their house.  I asked what time he was coming and she said after noon.  So I guess I am suppose to be ready to go out the door anytime after noon!  Hmmm!  I waited on her three times on Red Hat day...she can wait on me today.  No, knowing me, I will be sitting at the phone, ready and waiting so I can go out the door.

Hope you all have a good week!

I was posting at the end of page 12 on the previous thread.  I didn't see page 13 and posted my post.  Then it showed some previous posts before the 'post' would take.  THEN I saw where Pat ended yesterdays postings and started a new week.  Did you know that if you post on a locked thread that it goes to the next one?  Mine did!  I was so happy when I didn't have to 'compose' a new post!! 

Pat ~ The story of Christ's birth is always so inspiring to me.  I know it was all God's plan but if even one tiny thing didn't go as God planned, it would sure be a different world today....one with no hope, for one.

It is still ONE week to CHRISTMAS although my week starts before the most of yours!

I did leave some comments earlier on but they are in last weeks but in this week but not the begining of your week....  ugh...I am all confused! 

Etta Sue!.....I am so delighted your tongue can motor! They tell you to post early for Christmas and when you post here early it gets desperate!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICHAEL!

HAHAHA!  Etta Sue, I used the magic "split" button and split your post and made a new one and then used the magic "merge" button and merged your post with the new topic!  I knew it would work as your post was a couple of minutes after mine so it would be placed under the top one.

Kathy or as she's known on our site as Kaycee is having her birthday today.  She's busy right now taking her father to the hospital but she looks in here often.

Let's surprise her with some birthday greetings today!

Thanks once again, Pat, for all you do for us!  I pray those who post only evil material will leave us alone.  

It's beautiful but cold here this AM.  Gotta go work out.

Al, I am a bit envious of you---I've been told to rest, not work out.    Better to rest for a week or so than to have to take 6 weeks off, or wind up with a permanent injury.  It just means I will have to guard my mouth.  (Both for what goes into it and what comes out!) 

I've been to the care home, re-arranged Mom's pictures on the wall, so we could put up some special Christmas cards; took Mieka to visit, and Beth was having her bath.  So Mieka visited several residents who dearly love dogs.  They always smile when they see Mieka coming!  I also took back all the gifts I wrapped for Gloria, Beth's friend.  She asked me to wrap them for her.  Anyway, by the time Beth got to see Mieka, it was about time for me to get home, so she asked if Mieka could spend the day with her, but the nurse said no.  OH!  Yes, Nita, Beth and Mom are in the same care home, on the same hall.  I'm glad they aren't in different facilities miles apart, as it would be difficult to visit as often as they need.

We are going piano shopping today!!    I'm so excited that Darrel is starting piano lessons on January 8.  We will soon have music in the house!

Thanks for the reminder, Colin.  Love your poem!

Happy birthday Karen/Kaycee!

We need to be leaving soon for Liberal, so see you later!

Ready, Set,   !!


HAPPY  BIRTHDAY !!!


<><Jeannine

Marilyn I am sorry to hear about the dogs.   Sometimes there is no explanation for fighting.  Sometimes it happens to change the alpha role.  

Janet.  I am sorry to hear about your fall.  Bruised hands and knees can be a real problem.  Take care.  Enjoy the piano.    I have longed for one.  

InspiredGal  I am sorry you have been sick.  Make your health your second priority, your spiritual health being first.

Carol. The mammogram is uncomfortable, but a necessary step to good health.  Just think, when this is done, and the all clear comes, you are then walking in to the New Year with a clean slate health wise.  That is on the plus side for having it done this week.

Colin Enjoyed your poem today, as I always do.  

Pat I do understand a lot of Dutch.... But your explanation to Etta Sue was a new version of double dutch!  When I come down you will have to show me what you did!

Happy Birthday Kathy. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATHY!

Hi Janet...sorry your leg is giving you bother. Glad you liked the poem. Take care.

Hi JudyB....Glad you enjoyed the poem...Pat did not make sense to me either...but then she is a genius on the old computer!

Take care everyone!

Hi Everyone...

I've been so engrossed with the news of the three climbers on Mount Hood and found it so sad when they found one body and now it's been decided that it's Kelly James of Texas.  It was indeed wonderful to hear the testimony of Kelly's brother saying how Kelly was a wonderful Christian brother and so he was our brother too and is now with his Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Now, I pray that they find the other two alive.

Please read the latest prayer request from Dennis.

Click here

Isn't it strange?...

Isn't it strange how a 20 dollar bill seems like such a large amount when you donate it to church, but such a small amount when you go shopping?


Isn't it strange how 2 hours seem so long when you're at church, and how short they seem when you're watching a good movie?


Isn't it strange that you can't find a word to say when you're praying but... you have no trouble thinking what to talk about with a friend?


Isn't it strange how difficult and boring it is to read one chapter of the Bible but how easy it is to read 100 pages of a popular novel or ZANE GREY book?


Isn't it strange how everyone wants front-row-tickets to concerts or games but they do whatever is possible to sit at the last row in Church?


Isn't it strange how we need to know about an event for Church 2-3 weeks before the day so we can include it in our agenda, but we can adjust it for other events in the last minute?


Isn't it strange how difficult it is to learn a fact about God to share it with others; but how easy it is to learn, understand, extend and repeat gossip?


Isn't it strange how we believe everything that magazines and newspapers say but... we question the words in the Bible?


Isn't it strange how everyone wants a place in heaven but...
they don't want to believe, do, or say anything to get there?

Hi Pat...What "strange" thoughts you have had and oh so true! Sorry to hear about the climbers. Take care.

Good morning everyone! 

Pat, sadly that is so true!

Thank you all for your well wishes. I'm much, much better and hoping to go to the shops today. It's quite hot here so I'll aim to go out before the heat increases too much. Aside from Christmas preparations, I have an exhibition of my photos to set up in an Art Gallery about an hours drive from here, before Friday. So I'd appreciate your prayers for strength to get that done. The exhibition and sale goes towards raising funds for our return to India in 2007, and is an incredible God opened door.

As I read through this thread from the beginning and pondered the vereses I suddenly remembered that I had written a story about Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem, but from a Roman Centurions point of view.... hope you enjoy it.


There's Not A Room Left!

The centurion's menacing scowl signalled impending danger. No-one desired to be on the receiving end of his hostility, which had been brought about by a hot and frustrating day. Flavian's posting in Judea seemed to him to be a cruel, demoralizing demotion. "Stubborn, insolent Jews!" he hissed with anger as he sensed the palpable, seething animosity that was dangerously building and close to erupting beneath the surface of the Jews.

Augustus Caesar had ordered every man to the place of his birth, to be numbered in the census. All day long Flavian had contended with the parade of obstinate, bitter Jews. He preferred to be back in Jerusalem and enjoying a long hot bath. But, that would not be possible tonight. To his distain, he was stationed in Bethlehem until the census was completed.

The tiny town with its census swollen population, grappled a lodging crisis. I needn't worry though! A wry smile straddled Flavian's face, elated that he could enjoy the best lodging Bethlehem had to offer, while the Jews were left to fight it out among themselves, searching for accommodation in their own place of birth. The cruel twist of fate delighted the centurion.

"Another hour and the setting sun will dismiss this wretched god-forsaken day," Flavian muttered under his breath. His attention turned again to the arduous routine of counting men. The Jews nerves were frayed, their bodies bone weary. They had traversed from the Roman empires farthest corners.

Dust flung up by hundreds of passing travellers had congealed on Flavian's sweat covered face. The coarse Judean dust always made his skin itch. His fatigued mind drifted to pleasant memories of his own homeland - holidaying on the banks of the Tiber, his doting family and influential friends, the exhilaration of Roman entertainment and lavish banquets among Rome's elite citizens.

"NEXT!" The soldier's shrill demand snapped Flavian back to reality - the never-ending line of Jews to be counted. "NAME?" the soldier barked at the man standing next in the line.

"Joseph, from the House of David." was the measured reply, "And my wife, Mary." Five gruelling days travelling from Israel's northern town of Nazareth, with his heavily pregnant wife just culminated with these ten words.

Flavians attention was strangely drawn to the pregnant woman. He followed the couple with his eyes, as they left the census booth to begin the futile search for lodging. The congested village square was a concoction of men and heavily laden beast, all vying for a night haven. Flavian realised that the woman would deliver her child during the night. "Just another Jew destined to irritate me." he thought with replusion. Sudden exhaustion engulfed the centurion's soul.

******

The middle-aged inn-keeper was annoyed with having to constantly repeat the same phrase: "Sorry, there's not a room left!" Weary with the pressing demands of so many travellers, he rose from his hurried meal to answer the urgent pounding on the door. Happy to momentarily escape the noisy din of belligerent Roman soldiers and vexed Jewish guests, all clamouring simultaneously for their evening meal, he opened the door ready to repel the next inquirer. The innkeeper noted the traveller's question was identical to all the others, but the circumstances were different - the woman was with child, and the child's birth imminent.

"Shalom!" Joseph greeted the inn-keeper. "My wife is soon to deliver ... tonight! Do you have any room for us?"

Stroking his greying beard the man searched his tired mind for a suitable resolution to the immediate crisis. After a prolonged silence ... "Yes, well ... it's not a room ... a stable, but it's furnished with fresh hay."

******

The inn-keepers demeanour had captured Flavian's heart, still curiously watching the man and pregnant woman's desperate plight. Benevolent and courteous among themselves, even though they bear the brunt of vicious Roman dictatorship. Flavian pondered this stark reality. What is it that sustains them? Perhaps, we Romans are brute dogs after all? he mused, trying to fathom the corrupted 'justice' of the empire he so loyally served with his sword.
   
Observing that the man and woman were granted a safe haven to deliver their baby, Flavian sighed deeply. A sudden repulsion for Rome's strangling regime struck his heart, which was instead, being drawn irresistibly towards Yahweh, the Jew's God of Justice and Mercy.

Overcome by an acute inner heaviness, the Centurion quietly turned and trudged towards his own lodging for the night, the best hotel in town.


By Karen Elengikal
15/09/2005


Bless you all, In His unfailing love,

Hey there, all y'all!  I'm late getting here 'cause I stayed off line all day expecting a call from the mechanic about my car.     I finally decided to go ahead and make the call myself ... I should have my car home tomorrow.   

Saturday I decided I wasn't in the mood to clean house and would rather go to the store (Dollar Tree) to browse.  When I got in the car I noticed the gas guage was nearly on empty and I only had 69 miles on that full tank!     I drove to the nearest gas station -- not more than a mile away -- and the guage was definitely flat on empty! 

I asked the attendant to "fill it up" and prepared to write a check as I was told the power outage had knocked their computers offline.  Soon I heard her saying something about a fuel leak.

I got out and looked at gasoline pouring out from under the car!  She had put 10.1 gallons in and we watched as it all ran out!!!   I was told I couldn't move the car or try to start it because a spark could send us all into oblivion in an instant.  So .... The assistant manager was running around trying to sop up the spilling gasoline but that was getting him nowhere fast.  Finally, he got hold of his manager who told him to call the Fire Dept and have them clean up the spill.

Eventually, the fire department arrived in their big truck and began spreading kitty litter all around and under my car where the 10 gallons of gas (at $2.63.9 per gallon) was continuing to run out of the tank.

It took a couple hours for the tank to empty and for me to get a tow truck to come and escort me and the car to an auto repair shop.  Of course, there is nothing open on Saturdays (I learned that once before) so I could only leave my car and have the tow truck driver bring me home.

Several well-wishers    had advised me of all the dire possibilities that had caused the leak!  Could be a hole in the tank; a broken fuel line; someone had cut the line ... etc.   

Today I called the shop and the man told me "It's really very simple"  A small plug at the end of the fuel pump had corroded and given way ... They ordered the replacement part from the dealer @ less than $1 and the labor will be "not more than $20 plus the gas he had to put in the tank to get it to leak again ....  I'll have it home tomorrow.

All that excitement on Saturday --- even the fire department sending two trucks and standing around for hours in the cold waiting for a full gas tank to become empty.   So .... that's my story!    

Several times during this adventure I was told "what a great attitude" I had about it all.  What else am I supposed to do?  I didn't have anything important to do or any place special to be so ... why not?  I could have been going some place important and/or been stranded someplace far from home.   God is so good to me ... He saw that everything was taken care of really close to home.  It didn't even start raining again until after I got home!

My goodness, Jane, what an adventure you had!!  And what a great testimony as God's child, not getting upset about it.  I wonder how many of us would have handled the situation as sweetly as you did?  Thanks for the story, well worth waiting to hear!  (((Hugs)))

We got home just a bit ago, had a really nice day.  At the music store, they had one electronic piano on the floor, and a used one in the back room.  Darrel liked the new one better, it had more "bells and whistles", but I didn't like the color of it.  They called it dark cherry, I called it black!  So after a bit of discussion, Darrel said he can use his organ to practice until they can get one in the color (they call it mahogany, it looks like cherry to me, and matches our entertainment center) we liked.  Anyway, it will be in before his lessons start on Jan. 8.  AND....Darrel collected his alarm bill from the owners of the store, which was half the cost of the piano!!    (I came back to say that they owed him a full year's bills, for three separate locations!! Wouldn't want you to think his fees are too high.)

Then we did some shopping, found some things for Mom and Beth.  They are hard to shop for, as there isn't much they can use in the home.  And my sweetheart bought me some new clothes........all in all, a good day.  And everything we bought was on sale, most for 50% off!  My kind of shopping!!

We stopped by Hugoton where I collected hugs from Mark and Abby---and Diane.  Curtis had to go back to Manhattan to work Tues-Wed-Thurs and will be home again on Thursday night.

Karen, glad you are over your illness, and Godspeed to you in the shopping.  I really enjoyed your story about Mary and Joseph!!  Bless you.

I just do NOT understand WHY anyone would want to go climbing a mountain in adverse conditions in December!!  Such heartbreak for their families....they are talking about it just now on the Bill O'Reilley show.

Time to look for some supper.

Well, although very different in content, I certainly enjoyed reading Karen's story, and Jane's account of her Saturday adventure.

Karen, the story was wonderful. We have a stained glass window in our church that depicts a centurion kneeling with upraised eyes in front of the cross where Jesus was. Thank you for the story.

Jane, God's amazing love for us is wonderful. I'm so happy that you were safely kept through this emergency, and that the car's repair costs won't be too bad.

Janet, take care of yourself. Colin, thank you for your wonderful poems. I've printed some out for giving to others.

Oh, how I wish I could remember everyone's names. May God richly bless you all.

Pat, thank you for this site. Moderators, thank you for your faithfulness. May each of you feel the Lord's strength as you work in this site.

Ruth Ann

Janet~Sounds like you had a busily productive day yourself!.  

I wanted to mention one other thing that my Father reminded me of:  Here in Oregon we are not allowed to pump our own gas.  If I had been any place else and that had happened I'd have no help and not a  clue what to do about it.  I don't have a cell phone so that would not even be an option.  

This way, there were people coming and going and offering "advice" and the station crew were so concerned about it all ... As I said: My Father takes good care of me!  

This was only the day following the episode with my outside water faucet breaking, and the development of a small pond in my yard!    

P.S. Hi Ruth Ann  -- You were posting just ahead of me. 

Hi everyone.  It is late but didn't want another to pass without posting.  I didn't have time to check in yesterday and have had computer problems.  On Saturday I had the hard disk in the desktop fail.  At the same time I had trouble with my laptop.  Fortunately I have a third computer that I could call into service.  This morning my best friend came over and we were able to put in the backup harddrive I had cloned about 60 days ago and then were able to access the files on the disk that wouldn't boot.  I recovered hours and hours of work on the project for the adult day care center.  I forgot to copy off some new photos so will have to reconnect the old drive and try to copy over those files as well. 

We had a lovely evening yesterday as we had a congregational dinner at 5:30 pm and then the Christmas music program with the children's and young people's groups singing and then the chancel choir sang.  It all went very well and singing to the recorded music worked very well.  Our had gone to downtown Atlanta and picked up our daughter at her apartment at 3:30 pm and we had her back by 9 pm. 

I was just about ready to read messages here a bit earlier and the electricity went off for about 15 minutes.  It has been a beautiful day here with tempertures up to 75 again today so it wasn't weather related. 

I was able to contact my doctor today and get his approval to return to the new medicine I had taken for two months but stopped in November 24th.  The old medicine that I had been taking for angina just isn't doing the job.  I am looking forward to feeling better shortly as wasn't having any angina on the new medicine, which is called Renexa.

Jane, sure glad your car problem has been resolved.

There is much I could respond to in the postings but will pass tonight as am just too tired.

Jane, what an ordeal.  God id good....all the time.
Karen I like the different spin on the Christmas Story of yours,  may I copy it?  I would love to have a good friend read it during the Christmas Eve Candlelight service.

Janet that was a good trade ½ a piano for what they owed him.  I like those numbers.

Ruth Ann Good to read your posts.  Not likely John will be down your way for some time.  He no longer drives truck but I am coming to think he drives more now than he did the truck!

Larry get some rest.  I pray you will feel bettor with the new meds.

We have absolutely no snow.  This is such an unusual year weather wise, temperatures are high for us, (high fifty's F) and we cre able to leave the furnace off for ost of the day.

We are having a candlelight service on Sunday night.  It is usually only for an hour, but much enjoyed by all.

I am heading to bed.  Be back tomorrow.

May God give everyone a blessed rest tonight.
JudyB

Hi Everyone,

I'm not so busy today, but fought a headache and I have finally won  .  Tonight, Midori will be treated to an Italian gourmet meal at a fine restaurant in Hiroshima.  I searched for a present and searched some more, then someone suggested a fine meal out.    I reserved it, then told her I needed her help tonight with some "stuff", so she wouldn't make plans.

She's excited, and whenever food is involved, I get excited, too!

Hope to chat with ya, soon.

In His Grip,
Kevin

Karen, what a wonderful writing that is.  I so enjoyed it.  I hope that in time you'll share more with us.  Hopefully you've written more.

Jane what a horrible time you had.  I've been in situations like that and all you can do is pray, "Lord, help!"  (And he does)

Yes, Judy, no snow!  I can't believe that we probably will have a green Christmas!

Hi Colin and Kevin and Larry!

My goodness I should never start to mention names as for sure someone will be left out.


I'm so saddened by the situation in Oregon at Mt. Hood.  I just haven't been able to get them out of my mind.

Tomorrow, I'm meeting up with AnnaBanana!  She's visiting her family here and after New Year's she'll go back to England where she resides.

I'm sure hoping to get out and get more photos taken but this weather has sure put a damper on it for me.  Was hoping for some nice white snow! 

Talk to you all tomorrow.

I hope Michael had a nice Birthday.

I hope also that Terry got good results from his tests.

And...  have you all bee to read the prayer request of Dennis for his dear little nephew?

I meant to say this to you, Karen...

Do you know of Mizoram in India?  It's to the east of Bangledash? (or is it Pakastan?)

Anyway, it's border to the east is shared by what used to be known as Burma.  We have many friends who live there.  My father used to be the driver of the Mizoram Choir that used to come over nearly every year to sing across North America.  And I still keep in touch with the evangelist who used to accompany them each time. 

Morning All,

Thanks Pat, Michael had a good birthday. He was kind've sleepy all day until Jerry came for the evening shift. Leeann does nothing with him because of her pregnancy  , when I was pregnant with Michael I did everything. He lit up when Jerry opened the presents he got for him, 2 Mickey cd's and played them for him. Michael absolutely enjoyed that. . Grandma gave him a Care Bear that reads a story. Our gift to him was early since his radio/cd/tape player died.

Jane what a wonderful testimony on how to handle "problems". And I too have been there with the car. Still am as a matter of fact, it does not want to start. Getting old I guess.

Larry I hope the new meds work quick, angina does not sound fun.

Kevin, good for you beating the headache. Hope Midori enjoyed the time out with you and the meal, sounds delicious.

Karen I loved the story and I hope you are feeling much, much, much better.

Judy and Pat, we have no snow either, looks like a green/brown Christmas for us too.

Hi Colin, Al, RuthAnn and anyone else I forgot. I'm not real good at remembering names, just faces. I hope and pray everyone has a God filled and blessed day! See y'all later.

Trusting,
<><Jeannine

Good morning!  We have no snow, either, but some is predicted for later today, after freezing rain, which has already started.  The freezing rain we could do without!  That makes for treacherous driving.

Darrel is leaving for the bank and the grocery store.  He likes doing the grocery shopping, and I like letting him do it! 

Hope is fading for the other two climbers on Mt. Hood.  Such a sad story, and I can't help thinking "for WHAT?"  But each of us makes and is responsible for our own decisions.

Kevin, I hope Midori is very surprised and that the two of you have a wonderful evening, along with great food.

Larry, it sure is a good thing you are so computer savvy---and having a good friend who is also is a big help.  My machine keeps freezing up, and I have to keep rebooting.  Aggravating. 

Pat, I'm sending you a PM, since you didn't answer my email. 

Just a quick note.  I have been busy and still am with work for John.  so have just a minute.  John was listening to the news last night and aparently here is very little snow any where.  Even Russia is in for a green Christmas.  Strange.

Girls are doing well with their school work.  I am pleased.  Elizabeth has just about finish a grade level in ath and this is so good.  Perhaps this time next year she will be able to start the grade 9 level math.  That will put her back on target with her peers.

Well GTG and get more work done myself.
Love Judy