Christian Photographers Community

• Prayer and Praise     Thanks for visiting this area of our site to share prayer requests and items for praise!

• See the last photos uploaded to our Gallery

 



Morning Devotional...



"Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is inexhaustible and boundless." Psalm 145:3

The extent of our concept of the "Majesty of God" and all of His inconceivable attributes, will have a direct relationship in our response to God, and will determine the commitment and dedication of our life, worship, and walk with God. What man thinks about God and the truths and principles of His Word, will not alter or change the reality and verity of them one bit. Let's focus on the God of Creation as one aspect of His greatness. Our thoughts need to extend beyond the fact that God performed "creative acts." We need to grasp the fact that HE IS THE CREATOR, a fact that is basic to our Christian living. Our concept of God is to worship, what the foundation is to the Temple. When the foundation is "out of plumb," the whole structure will sooner or later collapse. I believe that improper spiritual growth and a shallow spiritual walk are directly related to a poor and improper concept of God. Too few Christians walk in a "holy and reverential fear of God" that comes from a basic concept of WHO GOD IS !

Show me someone who has a poor or improper concept of God, and I will show you someone whose life is centered in "self", and who finds pleasure and focus in the world and all its allurements, rather than in God. -- We need to see God as Isaiah did: "I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up. The seraphim cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of His glory." And Isaiah said, "Woe is me! I am undone, because I am a man of unclean lips; for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts." -- We need to see Him as Moses did, when he was on the mountain with God and cried out, "Lord, show me thy glory," and the Lord showed unto him a "measure of His glory." When Moses came down from the mountain, the children of Israel could not look upon him, because his face was so aglow with the glory of God. -- We need to see him as Job did, when God revealed unto him "who He was" and His Majesty. Job says, "I have heard thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye sees thee, wherefore I abhor myself and repent in dust and ashes." -- We need to see God as revealed in His Word ... His Holiness, His Righteousness, His Grace, His Love, His Mercy, His Justice, His Compassion, and His Sovereignty. God's creative acts are but the "footprints of His power." How much better it is to KNOW HIM AS OUR MIGHTY GOD, rather than simply to know "what He has done." We need to experience in our lives His mighty power as we "DARE TO BELIEVE"... that "he is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we can ask or think."

The more we allow the Holy Spirit to move upon our hearts and open our understanding as to WHO GOD IS, the greater will be our Concept of God that will expand our dimension of God to unforeseen heights. It will put within our hearts compassion and love for others, and will cause us to reach out to them. It will radically change the way we live, worship, and walk, and will cause us to be "conformed into His image." Let Him expand the dimensions of your faith with His infinite greatness.



© 2007 by Ed Powell. Used by permission

Good Morning Everyone.  Have to hurry to say that as it's almost noon.

Hope you have a wonderful week together.

    "Today's featured hymn was writen in 1952 by one of our contemporary song writers, John M. Moore, currently a Baptist pastor and evangelist in Toronto, Canada. The hymn was prompted by an experience that Dr. Moore had while serving as the assistant superintendent of the Seaman's chapel in Glasgow, Scotland, one of tht area's outstanding evangelistic centers. He recalls:


    I wrote 'Burdens Are Lifted at Calvary' after a most interesting experience. The company secretary of a large shipping firm telephoned the Seaman's Chapel and requested that I visit a young merchant seaman who was lying critically ill in a Glasgow hospital. After getting permission from the nursing sister, I went in to visit the young sailor. I talked for a few moments and then put my hand in my case for a tract, not knowing which one I would pull out. It happened to be a tract based on 'Pilgrim's Progress', with a color reproduction of Pilgrim coming to the cross with a great burden on his back. I showed the young seaman this picture and told him the story in brief, adding that Pilgrim's experience had been my experience too. I explained that when I came to the cross of Christ, my burden rolled away and my sense of sin and guilt before God was removed. He nodded his head when I asked him, 'Do you feel this burden on your back today?' We prayed together and never shall I forget the smile of peace and assurance that lit up his face when he said that his burden was lifted!


    Later that night, sitting by the fireside with paper and pen, I could not get the thought out of my mind--his burden is lifted! I started writing, but never for a moment did I imagine that this little hymn would become a favorite throughout the world. Since that time, I hear of people all over the world who are being blessed and saved through the singing of this hymn."

Church with Ivalou was great yesterday.  I realized that I am blessed with having two church families.  A couple of ladies was surprised to see me and even said, 'It's not snowing.  I am surprised to see you here.'  I imagine someday Ivalou's church will be my church...when I really get old and won't drive very far...

After church eight of us ladies went out to eat and while there we saw several other of the church members there also.  Really fun! 

Then after coming home for a few hours we went back to Ivalou's church to the outdoor pavilion.  They had a potter that demonstrated making pottery and talked how pottery and verses of the Bible related.  After that was ice cream for everyone with all the different toppings.  Ivalou and I went on to Noblesville to O'Charley's for a bit more to eat than ice cream. 

So I truly had two wonderful days this weekend. 

Now today or later on today, I have to mow the lawn. 

Oh, yes!  I have two Surprise lilies in my yard.  One is where I haven't had a lily in the almost 6 years I have been here.  They start out in the spring looking like daffodils without the bloom.  Then all the leaves turn yellow and I mow them down.  Now it looks like grass.  Then all of a sudden you look out and there are long leafless stems with beautiful pink lilies at the top!  Click here to see a picture of them.   

Oh, Pat.........my sincere apologies.  This was my week to post the new Thoughts, and it completely slipped my mind.  We had Abby here, and I had to drive her halfway home to meet her mom, and.......and.......well, anyway, I'm so sorry I messed up.   

Your devotional, and the story about the song are really good, and just what I needed to read today.  So God turned my mistake into a blessing.  And a blessing is what you are in my life, too.  Thanks so much.

Janet, no apologies needed.  We just felt that it was due to your wrist.  No problem at all sweetie.


Etta Sue, I must look into these "surprise lilies".  I'd love to have them on my lawn.  We need to know the latin name or something to see if we have them up here.

Thanks, Pat.  A lot is due to my wrist and the associated pain, but I really did think about it last Thursday or so.

I have a pot of that kind of lily, and they are so fun, and always a surprise!

Good afternoon all!!

We had a good service yesterday.  We had a guest preacher since ours is in the South Pacific on an island somewhere.    His wife said that he had called and couldn't say a lot about where he was or what he was doing, but that he was safe, healthy, and had "been in the field." 

Hope everyone is doing well.  I'm slow getting started today, but I need to get it in gear.  Things are going to start growing in my sink if I don't get the dishes done.

Time for a nap. (Kristi that is, but I get to lay down with her to get her to sleep.)

Later

Thank you so very much, Pat, for that devotional from Ed Powell.  In my humble estimation, it is that very lack of realization of the godhood of God that has led to the ruinous condition of the Church in our day.  Oh may God mercifully move in our hearts to really WORSHIP Him in that way!  I'm writing a piece these days on Biblical Worship, and I definitely may want to quote from that devotional.

Checking in now. I have been out watering. When I moved my tomato plant that is in a bucket my hand slipped and I tore my fingernail almost half way down the nail from the side to the center. OUCHY!! So I used Krazy glue to glue it back together.

Nothing new here well yes there is the sun is out Hooray  :thumbs up:

I got the bill for my new health insurance, wow! $102. not bad  for the amount of coverage I am getting. I did go with United Healthcare Plan J. No deductibles to pay, no copays either. They pickup everything that medicare doesn't pay.

My thumb has been hurting a lot more than usual. I have a bone spur in the joint on my left hand. I am thinking if it gets any worse I will ask to have it removed.

I will be going for another lipid panel this month I am curious to see how much my cholesterol has come down in 3 months by eating carefully and using Cholest off, Cinnamon and Turmeric.

Gotta go now.

Hi everyone,

I have another prayer request if you can go there and see it.  Pray for my sister in law.

Thanks,
Samantha

Hi everyone.  We had more delightful rain last evening,  about a half-inch.  We have had a lot of rain in July and I hope it continues into August.

Not much new here.  We have a meeting to attend this morning and this afternoon, after the call saying our Saturn is ready for pickup, I am going with my friend Rod up to pick it up.  He needs to return some phones he bought recently and I will help him with that as there are four separate returns.  He will then drop me off at Saturn. 

We had a call about 5:15 pm last night saying that when they got into the timing belt repair they found that the water pump was leaking and it would be much better to replace it now than with as it would save us about $250 plus any related damage when the pump failed.  They are also replacing the one other belt (in addition to the timing belt) as it has worn in the close to 100,000 miles we have used the car. 

I am sure that will be enough running around for one day.

Pat, thanks for that fine devotional.

Marilyn, it gave me a shudder when I read about your nail being torn.  Hope it doesn't hurt now.

Etta Sue, nice you have a church close to home that you feel comfortable in attending when you don't want to make the long drive. 

Hope it is a fine day for everyone.

Hello all!  Just breezing through before I get ready to go to work. :/

hope everyone has a wonderful day!

Good morning!  Well, morning here for a few more minutes.  If I hurry, it will still be morning when I click 'Post'. 

I got my yard mowed yesterday and that's about all I did that was significant. 

Today I am doing some laundry...I don't know how one person can be so dirty...or so clean!!   

Kitty sent me an email today.  She couldn't get online with either of her computers...the desktop or the laptop.  He SIL got her online.  She can send email by way of Outlook Express but can't receive or read it there...she receives it on Embarq and can read it there.  Her nephew by marriage is suppose to come today to fix it.  She has so many computer problems and so many people who could fix them but they say they will and never show up.  Her SIL said it would fix her computer right after Christmas....a year ago...so that means 1½ years ago!  Not me.  If my pc is acting up, I get it fixed! 

And yes, Larry, it is nice that I have a church to attend just 3-4 miles away as well as 25 miles away.  The local church are people I grew up with.  In fact, some call me Mrs. Stevenson.  That was my Mom.  My name hasn't been Stevenson since 1960!!

Can you believe July is almost over?? 

Pat:  Thank you for the thoughtful message at the top of our page.  It is one that needs to be read every day of this week. 

Pastor Al:  You have hit the nail right on the head with your thoughts on "what is wrong" - I may sound like an old fuddy duddy but things have changed so much in our nation, so sad and astonishing that people don't remember their parents and grandparents upbringing.  When going to church really meant something and not just a fun time - silly sayings - jazzy music - the feel good crowd.  Not that there isn't time for a little humor and good thoughts at all but I don't understand why the big change when at the same time the evil of this world is so noticeable.  I am probably saying this all wrong because I do like the Praise Band - just like everyone to settle down and listen to the message.

I have two friends - one is to have surgery (likely) for breast cancer and she is the one who had a heart transplant.  Her meds plainly state that cancer can be a side effect.  Another just had kidney tumor surgery (cancer) and will undergo chemo - again, most likely.  Feeling overwhelmed with the cancer prayers now.

Thankful for this morning walk and a chance to relax before tackling stuff around here.

Carol

Thank you for all the comments on the devotional.  It really meant a lot to me when I read it so thought I'd share it with all of you.

It's so hot today here.  And the humidity is high as well so the best place to be is in the basement.

I found this lovely rendition of "On Eagles' Wings". 

Hope you like it too.

Beautiful Pat.

It is hard for me to type  using my left index finger. It still is very tender.

I am cooking up a mess of beet greens, My friend Willa
brought me some Beets and Zucchini this morning when we went to Curves.   

Larry it was pretty painful when I ripped my fingernail.

Getting off now.

cu l8ter

Hi, Kids.  I have done..........nothing today!  And I don't like that.  But have felt just awful.  Tomorrow I will drive to Leoti to judge at their county fair, so I hope I feel a lot better.  I am ready to be done with this pain, for sure.

I'm reading!  Just not doing much writing.

Janet, I am PROUD of you.  While I know we are instructed to be diligent and to work, we are also instructed to rest.  Doing nothing every now and then is a good thing.

Hope everyone had a good day.

Please pray for me in the next 24 hours.  I have a "situation" that I really need grace and wisdom and the ability to keep my trap shut.   I can't say more about that now, but, please just say a small prayer for me.

I have a story for you.  Truth is stranger than fiction.

About 2 and a half months ago.  Dennis got a call from a stranger asking if he still loved Volkswagons.  Dennis said yes and why did the man ask..  The man  we now know as Erik told him he had a volkswagon to give Dennis, and would be there shortly.  Dennis didn't know whether to have the police on standby or what. 

The young man and his wife came to Dennis's home and as he walked to the car the wife said "Thankyou for giving me a Christian husband!"  Not understanding Dennis in a way only he has started to ask questions.

Several to many years ago a young man had his VW break down.  He called a repair truck and the guy was full of expletives saying he hated Volkswagons.  He told him to call the "crazy pastor' in town who loved VW's.  Our pastor was called.  Dennis figured out what the problem was, took the young man to another VW that he used as a parts supply, and fixed the car, all the while presenting the gospel to the young man.  The Job was fixed and the young man went on his way. 

What Dennis didn't know was that the young man Erik went home to Timmins and went into the first church he found.  Timmins First Baptist.  After a few services he turned his life over to Christ.   Months later he met the lady who was to be  his wife.   They decided to repay Dennis with a car, a VW that he would love.   Dennis sowed and another reapped.  Isn't that the way so often with us as christians?  How often do we see the seed we have sewn actually be reaped?

The story doesn't end there.  Dennis was in Sudbury at a Baptist meeting and was introduced as a pastor from North Bay,  from Lakeshore Evangelical Church.  A man from the back of the church stood up and said "That has to be Dennis Anderson!"  This pastor introduced himself as Adam Tulloch!  Pastor of First Baptist in Timmins!  Adam's father was an associate pastor at the church Pat and I grew up in!  Life comes full circle!  Praise God!

Hi everyone.  Just a few minutes before coffee and then will be gone all morning as this is Bible Study morning with the Pastor.

Not much new here.  This is suppose to be the hottest day we have had so far.  I don't have choir practice tonight as our director is out of town.  So we got an additional week from rehearsal.  It will resume next week and I am looking forward to it.

Judy, that was a wonderful story.  Truth is always stranger than fiction.

Janet, glad you took a day to yourself.  Just wish you hadn't felt so bad all day.  Enjoy the fair today.

Karmat, it sounds like you are on top of the situation.  We seldom regret what we don't say and often regret what we do.

Marilyn, I thought the nail tear sounded pretty painful.  Hope it feels better today.

Carol, I agree with your comments.

Time to leave for the morning. 

Busy morning.  A couple of days ago, my security system beeped.  On the console it said, '06 Low Battery'.  I was thinking mine was electric.  Well, the console is electric but the sensors are battery operated.  Anyway, my manual said to enter my code and press OFF.  I did and it was quiet.  Last night as I set it for night, it told me to 'check system'.  I turned it off and the phone rang.  The security system.  They said I had batteries in my sensors and they needed to be replaced.  So they were 3-volt batteries and I don't have them. 

So I went to WalMart at 7am this morning and bought 4 of these batteries for my four door sensors.  I called customer service and they put my system on hold for an hour.  But after I replaced all four, it still said I had a battery low at 06.  So I called customer service and 06 is my motion detector..forgot about it.  It has two of these batteries.  I sure didn't want to go back to Noblesville so I replaced two door sensors with the old ones and put the two new ones in motion detector.  Now everything is fine.  What a hassle! 

Today I took my Diovan again.  I am feeling a little queasy but I am trying not to think about it!

Thanks, Karma and Larry.  I'm off to the fair.......only about four hours' sleep, and more pain today, so please pray for me. Five days until my surgery.

Heh, all.  I'm just waiting, and waiting and biding my time.  Kim, my daughter, finds out today what she's having.  She believes it'll be a girl, but we'll know for sure soon.  Well, she probably does, but I have to wait till she comes to show me her video.   I hope the baby cooperates and is in the right position to tell.

I'm cleaning today....well, cleaning OUT, I meant to say.  Kim is having a yard sale this weekend, and I'm trying to find what I can sell.

Janet, how was your day at the fair?  Fairs and pain just don't go together.       I stopped typing and prayed for you this moment.

Karma, I saw your prayer request too.  I know there was one more, so I'll go back and see who it was before I get off here.  Oh, I remember...I'd better go look in the prayer requests.

Blessings, Nita

Thanks so much, Nita.  I found an unlikely thing that relieved a lot of my pain today.  They were giving away those wrist sweatbands at the fair; I put one on just below my elbow, on the place hurting from golfer's elbow, and boy!  It helps so much! 

I had a good day at the fair, and on the way home I stopped several times to take photos of old falling-down barns and houses, and a real tiny old cemetery.   Kept me from getting so sleepy, too.

And Darrel had supper almost ready when I got home, so I had a nice day.  Thank you, Darrel and thank you, Lord. 

Oh yes, and I had a call from grandson Curtis, too, after I got home!!  His little daughter Alexis, will be born next month, if all goes according to schedule.     You will enjoy the video, Nita, I got to see the one of the coming great-grand baby, and it's so cool!

I must not have written our good news yesterday.  The cardiologist said that newer tests reveal that Don DID NOT have a heart attack a couple of years ago.  What a load lifted.  He still does have scarring of the lungs from both smoking years back and bacterial pnuemonia.  All is good now though. 

Karmat:  Why is cooking greens called a mess?  I know = it is a southern thing.  I lived in Texas. 

Judy:  Inspiring story about the VW.  Just a neat story to tell the family. 

Pat:  A lovely song = thank you.  I have been sewing in the basement and keeping cool and today brought everything upstairs & kept the fan right on me.  It is just better light but so much warmer with the sun pounding in here.

Marilyn:  Owie.

Janet:  You are just posting - will you be a great-grandma?  You are much too young..  Oh, yes - when my wrist aches from humidity I put a sweatband type thing on it and it helps so much.  Hope you are better very soon.

Sick and tired of these 90 plus degree days - it just isn't normal to have it day after day and the house can't cool properly.  I can't really complain though because we have air conditioning. 

Carol

Carol

Hello from the west coast. Today I spent  over an hour on the phone ordering a DirecTV satellite and DSL Internet. I will be getting a better deal with the satellite than I have with cable. Currently I have the very basic cable, 13 channels, and my Internet for almost $50. For a few dollars less I will be getting DSL high speed Internet, and 120 channels plus the 6 local channels. I called cable today and was going to order Animal planet and they told I had to get the whole package for $51. plus the Internet on top of that.

Carol I don't know why greens and some other veggies are called a mess but that's the way I learned it from my grandmother and mother. A mess of greens, a mess of green beans, peas etc. Just like fix instead of cook. I'm fixin' breakfast for example. It's just a southern thing.

The finger is still pretty tender, but getting better. I keep a band aid on it during the day and take it off at night.

Janet I am glad to hear that you found something that would relieve some of the pain.

JudyB quite a story. Thanks for sharing.

Marilyn ~ I have DirecTV and I love it.  Also Ultimate TV, like TiVo, but my DSL is with my phone company. 

Janet ~ I must have missed it that Curtis is going to be a daddy.  And I am so glad that the wrist sweatband help your arm.  Must keep your wrist warm and the warmth helps.  Sound like Arthur!

Well, I must be allergic to something in Diovan HTC.  Or is it HCT?   
I took my pills this morning with breakfast and within an hour, I could tell my stomach wasn't going to take the Diovan.  Sure enough, I lost every thing I ate but I was only to the bathroom once.  I called the doctor's office and the nurse called me back saying they have some samples of another blood pressure medication that can be picked up.  Since I was in Noblesville this morning, I really didn't want to go back so Ivalou and I are going tomorrow around 11am...and eat out.  Good excuse, right?  Now when I am asked if I am allergic to anything, I can say Diovan. 

Time for bed...my email service has been down all day...Embarq was doing maintenance on it so I was checking my email before going to bed.  Ta ta until morning!

Hi everyone.  Just back from coffee and Pat has left for the senior center to play Canasta with some friends this morning.  I am very happy to see her getting our and enjoying these things.  I have the rest of the day clear but we have a meeting to attend tonight.

Etta Sue, it sounds like you have identified what is making you sick.  Hope the new medicine will not have the result.  Our e-mail with Google has been pretty slow this week and also the Internet on occasion.

Marilyn, I also have DirecTV and my son has used it for about 6 years and loves it.  The only time there is a problem is when we have heavy rain and the satellite signal breaks up or knocks the picture off until the storm passes.  However, this doesn't happen too often.  My Internet is not with them but with AT&T and is DSL.  However, I am having some problems with it in that it keeps dropping out for a few seconds.  Fortunately it never seems to stay out.  I was on the phone for close to an hour yesterday afternoon on the problem.  This was my second call and after the third call they likely will send someone out.  I think maybe they just need to run a new line to my house where my Internet is connected. 

Carol, that is indeed good news regarding Don's heart situation.  Where I grew up in NW Missouri we also referred to a "mess of greens"  etc., and fixing breakfast.  I never thought about where those saying came from before. 

Janet, sure glad you found something that helped relieve some of the pain.  I am sure you are anxiously looking forward to being great grandparents.  We have 3 great grandchildren but have never seen one of them.

Nita, a new grandchild is also a precious thing.  It has been a long time since we have been around little ones.

Guess I had better get busy on some projects that need attention.  Hope everyone who stops by today has a good day.  Keep a good thought.