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Morning Devotional...

Psalm 28

It's approximately six in the morning, and the ram's horn has sounded atop Zion.  The people's leader David wants to accomplish three things.  He wants to move the people 1) to pray for their needs for that day, 2) He wants to move them to pray against their enemies, and 3) wants to move them to praise the Lord for His gracious help.   What a wonderful way to start the day!  Each and every one of the people needs very much to start the day with this kind of dependence upon their Lord, with this kind of reaffirmation of his/her relationship to Him in every aspect of daily life.

The first thing they need to do is to confess their absolute dependence upon their Lord. They need to begin by telling Him that in all likelihood they're going to be crying out to Him many times that day, and that they'll very much need to know that He hears them each and every time.  So they sing, "To You I will cry, O Lord my Rock: do not be silent to me!"  They're just asking Him not to "tune them out" when they call.  Of course, He wouldn't actually "tune them out," but He wants them to pray this so that they'll be more aware of His close personal relationship to them.

The alternative they mention is awful indeed!  They sing, "Lest, if You are silent to me, I become like those who go down to the pit!"  In other words, each singer confesses that his courage and success in each situation of daily life is absolutely dependent upon a hearing God, an answering God, and a God Who actually acts on his behalf. Those who descend into lthe "pit," the place of the dead, have no further hope.                 

So of course each of them wants to be heard and answered each and every time he cries out to the Lord, each and every time he "lifts up his hands toward Your holy sanctuary."  The "sanctuary" is the place God commanded to be built to remind every worshipper about His Providence and mercy! 

Having sung this prayer for the needs of that day, the worshipper then prays for his continued safety from God's enemies.  He doesn't want to become at all like them, because they "speak peace with their neighbors, but evil is in their hearts."  So, he prays instead that these enemies  will get just what their evil actions deserve.

We might tend to think that this is an unusually vindictive prayer and that  instead God's people should pray for the welfare of their enemies. But we need to be aware of two things: 1) this isn't a personal prayer against individuals, but a general prayer against enemies of God and of God's people. The worshipper who prays this prayer might at the same time pray for the repentance of individual enemies.  Secondly, God's people should have God's perspective.  They need to remember that God says, "they do not regard the works of the Lord, nor the operation of His hands." So, paraphrased, they're saying, "Lord, STOP them!  Don't let them hinder Your work!" God will  answer that prayer.  So the worshipper sings, "He shall destroy them and not build them up."

Finally, each worshipper is led to praise the Lord for actually hearing and answering him!  He sings, "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him!"  It's an expression of confidence in the living Jehovah.

The song ends with a climactic chorus of praise to Him Who ALWAYS hears, Who ALWAYS blesses His dear people, and Who in fact blesses them by means of their anointed King.  So they joyfully sing that God "is their strength, and He is the saving refuge of His anointed." 

Our Lord Jesus Christ is our anointed King, and, through Him God will hear YOU today!  So - when you pray for your church today - you too can have the confidence of this psalm, and you can close by singing, "Save Your people, and bless Your inheritance; shepherd them also, and bear them up forever!"

Do you begin your day this way?  Do you realize that you're going to need His grace and strength  many times each day, and that you should be prompted to cry unto Him on each occasion? Do you pray that He'll hear you each and every time?  Do you realize that it's His day, not yours, and that you're prayers will therefore not only result in your success, but also in His glory?  He's an ever-present God!
Al Moak

Here's a hymn that reflects these thoughts.  Just click to hear the music.

I love the Final Chorus, "We shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever"
    We are the temple of the Holy Spirit, and it is such an honor to have the Spirit of the Living God dwell within us, I thank God for being with me everyday my brother....

      LarryBoy

Amen to that!  Considering our rebellion against Him, the wonder of wonders is that we're even able to know Him at all!

I am going to have a busy day today.  It has rained for three days so I have to mow today while the sun is shining.  I have small pools of water in the low places but I will just mow around them.  If I don't mow, I will have to make hay while the sun shines next!! 

Then I have to shower, wash my hair and be at Kitty's by 4pm.  We will go out to eat and then to Photo Guild by 5:30pm.  I got my 4 pictures emailed yesterday. 

That's about it!

Hi everyone.  Al, another fine devotional on the Psalms.  You can really explain them in a way that helps us hear the meaning of the words.

We had a cool but not cold morning.  At 12:30 today we are meeting at the Longhorn Steakhouse with our church birthday group for the monthly get together.  We are celebrating 2 birthdays.  We are picking up one of the honorees as she doesn't drive and the person who usually stops to get her isn't able to attend today.  Another couple will take this lady home.  That is all that is one my schedule for today, which is just the way I like it as have already had coffee with the retirees this morning and walked laps at the gym.  

When we took our daughter home yesterday I put in the new sound card in her computer and was able to get sound on it once again.  We stopped at a Firehouse Subs shop for a sandwich on the way home.  They make a delicious sub.  Then had a nice quiet afternoon and evening.  

Janet, I was happy to read that you didn't let the lack of the calls from your children get you down.  We can't know the reasons someone else doesn't do something and therefore we accomplish nothing by making ourselves miserable over something we can't control.  

Marilyn, it sounds like you had a nice weekend with Keith.  Hope your family liked him and that he liked them.  It does sound like you all ate very well.  

Etta Sue, the musical program sounds like it was great even if it was long.  Hope they had comfortable seating.

Gord, we are finding that doing one or two things a day is enough for my wife and I and we still accomplish what we need to do.  Glad your DIL was not seriously hurt.

Summicron, that was a very interesting explanation of the scripture.  

Ruth Ann, if you had had a sail in the bed of your pickup truck you could probably have sailed right over to Memphis.  Seriously, glad you had a nice trip and the flower sound lovely.  

Hi Samantha.  Good to see you posting.

Understand The Times supports over 100 children and adults who have been devastated by the disastrous cyclone that struck Yangon and the surrounding area. While all of these dear people survived the storm, they are in desperate need of assistance for food and other necessary items. UTT has established a Myanmar Relief Fund where concerned people can donate to this cause. One hundred percent of the funds received will go to the victims of the Myanmar disaster - to the people we care for and others who our representatives will reach out to in the surrounding area. The Myanmar Relief Fund is located at the top of our web page http://understandthetimes.org  Thank you for you support at this critical time.



Note from Roger Oakland: I have been in touch with Philip [from the orphan home in Yangon, Myanmar] on a regular basis - only Myanmar citizens are allowed into the severely damaged areas to assist. Many people are trying to get out of the devastated areas and are coming into Yangon. The junta (mob) are taking the supplies that come for humanitarian assistance from countries and organizations and packaging them as gifts from the Myanmar army.



The degree of injustice there is deplorable. It causes me great sorrow and grief - I have been there, I have seen the people and their need before this event - now, they are being put through such torment - it is easy to shut one's eyes and ears and do nothing. I know we must do what we can at this time.



T. W. is scheduled to go to Yangon by May 22 - he will take cash. There are others who are applying for visas who can do the same. We are organizing P., M., E., I. and others to assess what they can do with their people as we provide the cash for them to purchase needed supplies. We will use our Bible school facilities for an outreach center.



There have been many generous donations coming into the web site - close to $15,000 now. Others have promised to help.

Christian Photographers website will be unavailable from tonight until late tomorrow as the webhoster will be migrating our site to a new server.

The work will start in the middle of the night.

So, please do not upload any photos or start any new topics or post any messages after 6 pm this evening or they will be lost.

Thank you for your understanding.

Pat

8500 die in earthquake today in China

I'm home for a couple of hours, then have to go back to work.  My sister's knee went out and she is having a lot of pain, so I am covering her shift today.    So I am going to lie down for a bit.

So many tragedies in the world, coming faster and faster.  We truly are living in the end of the end times.

See you later--probably tomorrow.

Well, everyone...  Not sure when we'll shut this site down but please don't stay away.  As soon as the site is migrated, then we'll be back

Well, here we are back!

Now, let's all post lots of messages!

Al, what a wonderful devotional!

I love the Psalms and you make them live! 

Praise to "... to Him Who ALWAYS hears, Who ALWAYS blesses His dear people, and Who in fact blesses them by means of their anointed King."

Now, if you haven't voted please do!

I fell yesterday and I am still hurting. I misstepped going off the step and landed  in the grass with my right arm up like I was protecting my face, therefor I do believe I have pulled the muscles  under my right arm and down quite away down that side. I did go to Curves for my workout and only skipped a couple of the machines. I am so glad I didn't break any ribs or bones.

I'm so sorry, Marilyn. 

That's too bad.  It's horrible to fall.

Well, I'm glad we're back!  I checked this morning and saw the site was unavailable then.

Sorry about your fall, Marilyn.  Not fun at all.  Hope the soreness passes quickly.

Boy, was I tired after working a double shift yesterday.    I told Darrel I don't believe I will be doing that again!  His response "Well, you SHOULDN'T!!"

We are still working toward having this place cleaned and spruced for the reunion, now only one month away!  Today involved cleaning the refrigerator and freezer in the back kitchen, putting up some cabinets, putting doors on others and adding the pulls.  Is the end in sight?  Not yet!

I ate with my Youth Friends for the final time this term today.  So that's one thing off my schedule for a while!

Our Mother-Daughter banquet at the Senior Center is this Friday night.  Diane and Abby will come and go with me, I'm happy about that.  The theme this year is a cruise.

I hope you all have a great evening!

Marilyn I pray that you are doing better today!  It never feels good to fall, I just found out my own Mom fell today just checking the mail, she too is alright, but scraped and bruised, a bit.....I pray that you are not injured and are already up and about.....KYIP
  (keeping you in Prayer)
        Have a blessed day..
              LarryBoy

Sure glad to see the site back.  Our thanks should certainly go to our webhosters and Pat for getting all this done!

Sure sorry about that fall, Marilyn.  People have told me that if I fall I shoulld try to fall on my head.

Thanks for the prayers regarding my fall, Pat, Larryboy, Al , and Janet. I am sure I will be better soon. At least it didn't interfere with my sleep last night, I was so concerned that  laying on that side would  be painful, but I did  just fine. today what irritated it  a lot  was dragging my garbage out to the road to be picked up tomorrow.

Thanks for remembering Ian, our webhoster, Al.  He does try to keep us going and now we're hoping to introduce new gallery software that will enhance our site so much!  I'm so thankful to Oldiesmann for the help he is as well.

So glad the server move went well.  Good morning to everyone from Japan.



After a busy couple of weeks, I've had some time to take a picture or two, and will post some here soon.

Until then, take a peek at my blog when you have a minute.

http://pastorkevinspicts.blogspot.com/

Please pray for the earthquake survivors in China!

In His Grip,
Kevin

Such a troubled world, Kevin. 

My heart goes out to the folks in Myanmar who can't be helped by the international world due to the terrible government in power there.  How many more will die and they just need food and water!!!

And the China earthquake is so terrible.  Yes, we must continue to pray for these people.


Love the curlew photos in your blog, Kevin.

Glad we are back.  I was just ready to turn out the lights and go to bed when I remembered to check to see if CP was back.  Yeah!!! 

Not too much was done here today.  A leisure day of catching up on the computer and the TV. 

Marilyn ~ So sorry you had a fall.  But so happy no broken bones!  We get fragile in our old age....

Anyone who uses PSP ~ How do you do vignetting on a photo with PSP?  Guild that uses PhotoShop talks about darkening the corners and edges (vignette) but I can't figure out how to do that on PSP.  I learned today how to get rid of the power lines when I take photos out my bathroom window...use the Scratch Remover tool (on Corel X).  Now for vignetting! Email me if you know how and share your secret!

Etta Sue, if I even learn HOW to get a digital photo downloaded from camera to computer and then uploaded to a web site will be a MAJOR accomplishment. I have no idea (except I want to spend a good bit of time on it after retirement) how to do any of this stuff...YET! 

Janet, be good to yourself - you deserve it.

Y'all have a wonderful evening.

I'm glad your fall wasn't too bad Marilyn.

Gosh...everyone must still be sleeping!! 

Not much going on in Indiana at my place today.  I have been doing a bit of house cleaning for possible company tomorrow.  It is cloudy and rainy again.  Ponds and small lakes everywhere!  Need to mend a blouse this afternoon and Tony is coming tonight to do maintenance on the lawn tractor. 

That's about it!!

G'day everyone.  Today at work has been a madhouse.  I was alone and the phone kept ringing and the customers were steady.  I missed a few calls, I really wish people would leave a message.  One customer called and said that she had broken her needle plate for her serger, could I get another one for her.  Two companies later I found one.  Her particular machine has been discontinued, thus no parts.  That is too bad as the machine is only 10 years old.

I am looking forward to our holiday weekend.  One of my favourite customers gave me a box full of perennial plants that she had thinned out of her garden.  Soooo I will be gardening if it doesn't rain.  I also have a dress to buikd for a certain wedding that is coming up.......

I must run  phone ringing again
JudyB

Well I do think I have broken a couple of ribs, because I sure do hurt this morning much worse than yesterday. I didn't go to Curves either. I think I did more damage when I  dragged the garbage out to the road yesterday. I do not want to go to ER because I would be around sick people and would have to be there hours  waiting around for them to do the x-rays. I think I will call my DR's office and see about just getting a referral straight to x-ray.

I still have to go to work we are getting their house ready for guests who will be arriving on Saturday from Georgia for 10 days. I know I won't be able to vacuum it hurts to much.

Edit: She told me I don't have to vacuum until I feel better. I wrote the post early this morning and it wouldn't post, good thing I had it my clipboard.

My dear Marilyn...  Please get to the doctor.  You must find out if you've cracked some ribs.  I'm so sorry you are going through this.

Please keep us posted.

No news here today.  I got home from work a little while ago, now I need to go order some frames for some things I got ready to frame last night.  I had been letting the framing slide, gotta keep up!

The wind isn't as strong today, which makes me happy.

So sad for the people in Myanmar and China.  After having been to China twice, my heart really aches for them.  The people we met were all so friendly and welcoming.  I hate to see them hurting so.......

Did I hear that there's 15,000 dead now, Janet but probably thousands more?

Awful...

Your thoughts?





"Terminal sedation" is a process in which a person with a severe illness or injury who is terminal -- or perhaps in a supposed "vegetative state" -- is sedated until unconscious and then starved to death. Rita Marker of the International Task Force on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide believes the practice is fairly common.

"Those who favor assisted suicide, for example, have defined it as ... both sedating the person and removing food and fluids," says Marker. "And then they say, well, you see, they're going to die anyway within 5 to 21 days."

As Marker explains, the process is completely legal. "First of all, a person can be sedated if they are in a great deal of pain. Secondly, under all state laws, food and fluids provided by tube -- which they would have to be if the person is sedated -- would be considered medical treatment [that] can be removed from the person who is sedated. So legally speaking, it is something that can be done."

Should 'terminal sedation' be a legal alternative to assisted suicide?

Marker is especially concerned over a West Coast attempt to use terminal sedation to circumvent the ban on doctor assisted-suicide. "[T]here is a bill pending in California which actually would tell doctors that they're supposed to let patients know if they have been diagnosed with having a condition that will cause their death within a year," she says. "If the patient wants to know [their] options, [doctors] are supposed to inform them of all kinds of options, including ... terminal sedation."

The task force recommends individuals visit their website for free legal documents in which they can stipulate that terminal sedation be ruled out. An individual also needs to have a second party named to make decisions for them if they are unable, but it must be a person who fully agrees with their position.

Pat, thank you for posting the ongoing news about Myanmar.  I just can't imagine the heartbreak.  Mine does too, as I pray.  It's like a light in the dark to hear of Christian love already being there.  No, it's not LIKE a light, it IS a LIGHT.  I'm also praying for those who are there as the hands of Christ. 

...and the earthquake in China.  So much suffering.  I know we are to take it to  God, pray as the Holy Spirit leads, and then leave it with Him, but still....it is so heavy and it's almost like the pain of such magnitude can be felt by our hearts....as we share Christ's heart.  It's so important to keep casting this off onto His shoulders, even as we mourn with the survivors and pray for their salvation. 

Etta Sue...I've sent you an email about your vignette question.

It's a lovely day here....warm, but some wind.  I'm getting ready to start mowing in the back yard.  I can't believe how quickly it's grown.

I've voted about the changes in our albums.  I think if any of us want to keep anything, we can always copy before we delete.  I have everything on my computer, so am looking forward to the new look.

Blessings,  Nita

I hope feel better soon.

Thanks Nita...

I've looked into this new software and it's fantastic.  And we can have at the left hand side of our page here a little slide show that shows either Random photos or the Latest Uploads in the gallery.  Then if you see something you'd like to comment on and you missed, you can click on the thumbnail and voila! you're there.

Yes, Myanmar (Burma) is just awful. 

I have another update to post.

Myanmar cyclone death toll could climb to 127 thousand


YANGON, Myanmar - The Red Cross says the death toll in Myanmar's cyclone may be between 68,833 and 127,990.



The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies says it arrived at the figure by pooling and extrapolating assessments by other aid groups and organizations.


It says in a situation report on Myanmar that the total affected population is between 1.64 million and 2.51 million.


The report issued today noted that "official government casualty figures remain significantly lower."


The government says 34,273 people were killed and 27,838 are missing.


The Red Cross figure is the highest reported so far. The U.N. has said the number of dead could be between 60,000 and 100,000.

Hi, friends,

Just trying to keep my head above water this afternoon. My son feels better today, so we're heading out to look for a storage building to put in our back yard. I think that may be a really good way of spending that government rebate check and $ome more, of cour$e!!

Marilyn, it may be good that you've waited to have the x-rays. My best friend was involved in a horrible accident recently where a speeding car hit her in her driver's side without braking at all. They had to use the jaws of life to free her from the wreckage. At any rate, when they got her to the hospital, they x-rayed her all over and couldn't find any broken bones. Several days later, she was still in so much pain that she phoned her regular doctor, who ordered x-rays of her ribs again, and that time they discovered 4 broken ribs. Yikes! These injuries can certainly be painful. Yet, aren't we ALL thankful you may have held your damage to a minimum and that my friend Mary's life was spared and that she's beginning to recover, too.

Y'all have a good evening.

Pat, to answer "YOUR THOUGHTS" post.

When my father had his heart attack, the swelling in his brain caused him to go into a "semi-comatose/chronic vegetative" state.  The doctors guessed, by all outward indications, that my father would only live a few weeks. 

My mother insisted they insert a feeding tube.  He came home with hospice after a few weeks in the hospital (indicating that his condition was imminently terminal).  When he started developing pressure sores, hospice would not treat them, or assist my mother in preventing more of them.  They eventually "dropped her" because she was too aggressive in how she wanted to care for him.

My point?  My father lived 2 1/2 years after his heart attack, and had a feeding tube the whole time.  His brothers and sister all felt that the feeding tube was "life support" and needed to be removed because we were keeping him alive artificially.  (Note -- he died despite having the feeding tube, so if it was life support, it didn't completely work ). 

Yes, of course people will die within 5 to 21 days without food -- there's a good chance you might as well.  If not die, get very sick.  :/

So, I think it is just another step of legalizing the murder of those around us that inconvenience us in any form.

Off my soapbox as I could go on and on and on and on and on and on.

Thanks Karma... 

My thoughts exactly and my thoughts do go back to the lady in Florida that we all tried to help back then when the courts agreed to remove her feeding tube.  Her name just escapes me at the moment but I'll think of it later.

Pat her name was Terry Schaivo

That's it, Marilyn!  Thanks!

Good Morning, I am doing a little better this morning, I slept real good and the pain has subsided somewhat. I still did not go to Curves this morning,  I do not want to irritate  anything. Keith gave me orders yesterday not to walk Happy, because he pulls on the leash, to rest, no heavy cleaning or vacuuming. it is nice to have someone who cares. I did take Bebe for her walk yesterday, she can walk by herself off leash, she stays right with me and doesn't run off. Happy would take of way ahead of me.

Pat the photos in the challenge are going to be so hard to vote for, so many  and ALL are so fantastic. All y-all are doing a great job in the challenge.


Pat on  "your thoughts" :

QuoteMarker is especially concerned over a West Coast attempt to use terminal sedation to circumvent the ban on doctor assisted-suicide. "[T]here is a bill pending in California which actually would tell doctors that they're supposed to let patients know if they have been diagnosed with having a condition that will cause their death within a year," she says. "If the patient wants to know [their] options, [doctors] are supposed to inform them of all kinds of options, including ... terminal sedation."

Like Karma's father; I to know someone who was sent home with Hospice given only 2 weeks to live with terminal pneumonia. In that two weeks he greatly improved, this was 7 years ago and he is still alive and preaching at 89 years old. Hospice was amazed at  his speedy recovery and left after the 2 weeks. Of course we were all praying for his healing too.

In my opinion this would be murder to let a person starve to death in 5-21 days or to have terminal sedation.  Doctors are committed by oath to save lives not to end lives. They use overdoses of sedation and paralyzing drugs  when they give the needle as the death penalty. It would be the same thing as an execution of the patient.

Hi everyone.  I checked here yesterday morning and didn't get back the rest of the day so was quite a few postings behind this morning.  Pat it looks like all went smoothly.

We are awaiting the beginning of rain this morning and then the possibility of severe storms this afternoon.  Fortunately, I have done my running around and errands this morning, the trash has been picked up the buggy is back at the house so other than getting the mail this afternoon really don't have to go outside again today.  I made a trip to Wal-Mart for a return after coffee and walking this morning.  I was able to purchase a few supplies we needed so will save another trip. 

We continue to have a terrible time with our telephones.  The new ones I bought don't eliminate the hum on the line and I have again called the telephone company and reported the problem.  Either they get it fixed within the next few days or we are going to go to something different and drop ATT for phone service.  Unfortunately you can't talk to a human when you call and so far no one has called me back to followup on the same report I called in last week. 

Marilyn, sorry about the fall and do hope you haven't broken ribs.  Falls are so unexpected and can have such long lasting effects.  Glad to see you are taking things easy in terms of stress to your upper body.

Janet, a double shift sounds like torture.  Are you having your family reunion at your place this year?

Judy, these company are very good about introducing new products and forgetting about those they have already sold.  Glad you were able to find the part for the customer.

Ruth Ann, I expect you will find that getting the photos off your camera is a snap once you have gone through the process. 

Karmat, interesting comments on the subject Pat posed.  I think each case needs to be considered individually. 

Well I have a lot I want to get done today and the morning is about gone so will stop for now without trying to comment to everyone.  I did read all the comments.

Quote from: Marilyn on May 15, 2008, 10:07:35 AM

Pat the photos in the challenge are going to be so hard to vote for, so many  and ALL are so fantastic. All y-all are doing a great job in the challenge.

I know, Marilyn!!!!!!!!!!!!  I've in awe of the entries we have on there.  We have some wonderful images and all of them deserve to win!

Quote

8 more days Pat

I think it's nine, Marilyn!  HAHAHA!  And I have about nineteen days of stuff to do!!!

Hello from a rather cloudy day on the island.  Have had constant rain until today.  Cold and wet.  Now the forcast is for it to suddenly go from cool to hot....forcasting great increase the next few days, going to 90 on Sat.  Could be the weather person is a little 'off'....in more ways than one?    No sun in sight at the moment!

The painter and crew have not finished, won't be back for a month!!!  The floor crew has not completed the work, tho all the wood is in place, damaged some and it is supposed to be replaced.  Good luck on that one.  The plumbers have not sealed some of the sinks, etc.  Taps loose in one bathroom....Electrician is nowhere in sight....   We have heard so many stories about the destruction done by tradespeople ....  building new homes and damaged before even lived in.  Houses drywalled in the rain, without the roof built.  They have left a trail of damage here and the kids are so unhappy.  My daughter is in terrible pain from all the work and stressed beyond belief.  She can barely walk and will need to go to the specialist for another shot in her neck, hopefully also in the back.  In case you are wondering, these tradespeople are supposed to be the best around...the painter is even a Christian.  His daughter worked for him and he let her go...she did lots of damage here while pretending to work.  This is a divorced woman with two children.  Used to paint with her cell phone in one hand and the roller in the other.  I am too old for this word

Try to pray for all the problems around.  Find it getting harder by the moment.  So many problems right here.  As a person whose body has dealt with my own chronic pain for many years, I agree with Larry about Pat's question.  Think it is something that needs to be dealt with on an individual basis.  To me, personally, quality of life is more important than quantity.

Must go and have a look at the pictures in the challenge.  So many good ones to choose from...Hope everyone has a nice day.  Listen to Keith, Marilyn. 

God Bless,

Liz

Hi Liz...

I'm so sorry about all the unfinished work in that house!!!    It seems as if it's been an ongoing chore for such a long time now.  It's very depressing for you.

Well, it's supposed to get up well above 80 degrees here today.  That's summer.  And the gas prices are up over $4.10.  Obviously, the oil companies have no conscience.

Nita ~ Thank you bunches for the help and files you have given me so I can now vignette!! 

Busy. busy, busy!  Tony came last night.  Got the oil and filter changed on the mower.  He couldn't get the bolt off of one of the blades so had to pull the deck out from under the mower.  He got the blade off and for some reason stood the deck up sideways and leaned it on the mower.  The deck fell.  One of the belts cames off the deck.  When he went to put it back on, the deck was broken.  So he loaded it in the back of his pickup to take to work and get it welded back. 

He called later and said the deck is fixed.  He welded it himself in his garage. 

He called back and said he was on his way back here to get the mower going again. 

Then he noticed the ground drive belt was about broken.  The only thing holding it was the backing.  You don't go anywhere if it is broke. 

In the meantime, I picked up the bucket of old oil to move it and the handle broke.  Four pints of oil on my garage floor.  Thank God, I had kitty litter in the garage...probably from when Jerry worked in the garage.  Hope that cleans up in a day or two. 

So today I went to Sears and got a belt and also to WalMart for some groceries. 

Now I am to meet Kitty at 5:15 for pizza and then for lesson at the Photo Guild.

It's $1.26 per liter here in Guelph, Alan.  That's a little over $5.00 per gallon!!!

I love your little 'eek', Pat.  Exactly how things feel at the moment.  The kids are going to the States for five days the last week of this month, am looking forward to some peace. Even tho' it means looking after the six rabbits and two cats, etc.  Time to start smiling again...

Forgot to mention that the Anne Murray concert was wonderful.  She still has a wonderful voice and I was thrilled to see her in person.  We had a floor seat and were quite close, so that was really special.

The sun has come out.  I am going to ignore stuff and go outside with a book and read.  Can't run away physically, so will do the next best thing.  Could be the weather person is on track this time....

Liz

Hi Liz

That little "eek" can be found if you click on the "More" in the Smilies.  Then you just click on it.   What you type is : eek: with no spaces and it will look like this: 

Liz, I'm so happy that you enjoyed Anne Murray.  Did I tell you that I drove her kids on the school bus many years ago?  And Anne
still lives in the same house and it's not a huge pretentious house.  It's a ranch style bungalow.

Good evening all from a beautiful evening here on the Race Road. It has been absolutely lovely since I came here. Colin and his family are wonderful, and Colin and I have been all over taking pictures and videos. I don't think there is any place else on earth that is so beautiful, and the people are so friendly.

I have read the posts and will be praying. Time to go back to my corner. Have a blessed and restful evening in the Lord.

Still Trusting In Him,
Jeannine

Hi Jeannine...

Happy you checked in.  I know all about that beauty and the wonderful Ulsterfolk!

Please vote in our poll, Jeannine about the new Gallery Software and tell Colin to do so as well?

Thanks!

http://www.christianphotographers.com/community/index.php?topic=6927.0

Larry, I agree with you.  We all have our own ideas and experiences with end of life issues.  When Ron died, it was because we had them take the machines away.  He kept oxygen and that was all.  The doctor tried to tell us we could have him transported to a long term VA facility and on kidney machine for life, he could have "some quality of life".  I was horrified.  A nurse came and talked to the family later, and said we'd have to tell the doctor what we wanted.    We did.

We all gathered around Ron, while he was still conscious, and touched him and spoke to him.  He asked his son if he was dying, and Skeet told him it "didn't look good".  He didn't want machines.  We already knew that.

When we were alone, just he, myself and Kim, our daughter, I talked to him about the Lord.  About how much He loved him.  He said "I wish I could believe".   Kim and I sat with him while his organs were shutting down.   I laid my head on the pillow next to his ear and told him again that all he had to do was accept what Jesus did for him.  If he could do that....if he could just say "Yes.  I believe, Lord", then he would be.  I talked to him of my own coming to the Lord, and how he'd seen such change in me, and that was for him too.  Kim cried gently in the background, but the feeling was that we were in the presence of God, and she was also in awe.

I whispered in his ear, "Ron, if you can believe, if you've said yes to Jesus, then it's ok to let go.  You don't have to fight anymore.  It's ok to leave.  We'll be ok."

We sat and watched, from that very moment, the machine monitoring his heartbeat and the various dials gently head left and finally to zero.  He was gone.  And the way he wanted, and we felt that we had only done what was right for Ron by not keeping him on machines.  I know he said, "Yes" to Jesus in his dying moments.  My heart is at total peace about this.

Another family may have had him put on a kidney machine and visited him as often as they could.  And it would be right for them.

My brother had hospice, and they were able to give him medication to stop the terrible pain of stomach cancer.  It gave him time to sing for the last time with his sisters, "Jesus Loves Me" in the most incredible harmony,  and to hear again the gospel message from his sister, Faye. Though his mind was messed up already (not from drugs but from an infection in his brain), he was able to respond, just like a child, "Now I feel saved."   When the pain got worse, the last night, they upped the drugs and he died peacefully.   He died belonging to our wonderful Savior.

Both of these deaths have been so inspiring to know that there is a death bed acceptance of Christ, and that in the eyes of God, these dear children are as saved as if they'd walked with Him for all their lives.

This is our Jesus. 

I understand both views, and just wanted to share our story.  Nita

Thanks Nita. 

I so well remember that day for you. 

Thanks, Pat.  Sometimes I remember like it was yesterday, and at other times it seems so long ago.  hugs, Nita

This is a heart-wrenching subject for me.  My Beth is in such terrible physical condition, and I often think about and wonder about what her future will be.  When I called her yesterday, she was not even able to hold the phone up to her ear.  Oh, my........

Still, there is nothing wrong with her mind, so that kind of decisions about her life will only be made by her.  We did write up a living will for her, specifying that in NO CASE should water be withheld from her.  That's the part that got to me in the Terri Schiavo case--that they weren't even allowed to moisten her cracked lips with a cloth moistened in water!  That was pure torture, whether or not she could think clearly or speak.  And I do not think her so-called husband, who was living with another woman and already had two children with her, should have had final say, over her parents who loved her.

But, anyway, Beth's will says that she should receive "comfort care", water, and if I remember correctly, food.  But not to be put on a respirator or other machines to prolong life.  These are all her own wishes.

I do not believe any doctor should deliberately end a patient's life.  The Hippocratic oath begins with "First, do no harm."  Nor do I believe they should prolong life by using machines when the patient is, in all practicality, already dead.  So now you know my opinion, aren't you happy you asked? 

Larry, the double shift was tough, and I will not do that again unless it's a real emergency.  My boss thanked me three times for doing it, but that didn't make my body feel better, just my emotions.  Ha ha.  And yes, we are hosting the reunion here at our house----lots of work getting ready!

I must quit chattering and get to bed soon. 

Pat, I'm thinking of you (and Paul!) each day.  Love you! 

Good morning, I'll be taking my son for some oral surgery this morning, so plan to be with him all day. Y'all have a good day and I'll return if possible later.

Well, it was up over 90 yesterday, and supposed to be like that today as well.  Then, beginning with good old Humboldt County "patchy fog," tomorrow, it's supposed to be back down in the 60s and 70s.

Pat - the thing is, $5/gallon is high up there, but there is absolutely no excuse for it here.  The oil companies are making record profits after record profits, yet they insist that the high prices aren't their fault!  If not, then whose?  God sees their greed.

Yes Al Humboldt has the highest gas prices in the USA. I usually gas up in Brookings Oregon before I come home, i never let my car get below ½ tank that way it doesn't cost me an arm and a leg for gas I wouldn't be able to afford gas any other way; I am so grateful now that Keith is helping with my expenses for gas. It was $60. my last trip to Oregon because I waited until I got to Brookings to gas up on the way up there.

I am slowly recovering  from my fall it gets painful when the Aleve is wearing off. That usually lasts about 10-12 hours or so. But in general I m not feeling up to par. It will be better when there is no pain.

Have a great and blessed day everyone.

Hi everyone.  We had some very nice rain yesterday afternoon and no storms in the area.  Unfortunately, I don't think we got very much but the yards appreciated it and look greener this morning.  I didn't go walking this morning as a coffee drinking friend offered to come back from coffee with me to see about my office chair.  The plastic piece that connects the back to the seat broke the other day.  He thinks he can fix it.  I decided not to use it anymore until it is fixed so am using one of our dining room chairs at my computer.  It is quite comfortable so it is no problem.  The man who is helping me is the brother of my good friend that passed away a few days ago.  He always has projects on the burner and I have done several things for him on the computer and guess he saw this as an opportunity to help me and I appreciate it.

Pat has plans for most of the day so I will be alone here at the house.  It will be a good time to do some computer maintenance on her computer.  She has an AMD chip in her computer and the new service pack 3 that Microsoft issued the other day caused it to crash.  I have found a work around so will give it a try to that I can get her computer up to date on the fixes from Microsoft.

It sounds like you all are having really warm weather on the West coast.  We will be having that soon.  However, for the last couple of weeks or so we haven't need to heat or air condition either and have been able to have the house opened to the fresh air, which is always nice.

Marilyn, glad you are feeling better.  I hope the pain goes away soon.

Ruth Ann, sure hope your son doesn't have too much pain from the dental surgery.  I am sure he will be glad to have it over.

Janet, you are fortunate that Beth's mind is good and that she can make her own decisions.  I know this was such a help for my sister and I with my folks.  My dad stayed in sound mind to the end and could make the decisions affecting mother.  They both had made known their feeling about being kept alive on machines and so my sister and I made the really tough decision to not put her in the hospital and on to machines to prolong her life only a few days.  There was no quality of life for her. 

Nita, thanks for sharing that beautiful story with us.  When we have Christ as our personal savior we do not need to fear death as we will have new life with him.

Jeannine, I am sure the time must be going by too quickly for you on your trip.  It was nice to see your posting.

Etta Sue, it sounds like you are having quite a time with your lawn mowers.  The oil spill certainly couldn't have been much fun either. 

Liz, it sounds like the tradesmen have everything in a turmoil.  If they did it right the first time they wouldn't have to redo it and it is so sad when they leave before the job is finished.

My wife has left so guess I had better get busy on her computer.  Hope this works.

Duh!  I haven't noticed the 'more' beside the Smilies!!   

Well, yesterday I received a letter from my electric company.  I signed up to get emails to read my own meter last summer when they overcharged me for a 1000 kilowatts.  Once a year, they read the meter themselves.  It was cold last year and a man came to read my meter.  But I haven't gotten emails since.  This letter stated that they have been unable to read my meter because it is inside a locked fence, dogs are present, I need to leave a key to get in my locked fence with a neighbor or something other things to that affect.  I called them this morning and told them that I was sitting on my deck drinking coffee when the Accu-Read truck came to read my meter which is less than 20 feet from my driveway in clear sight.  She said since I was on EasyRead ..reading the meter myself and calling or emailing it in...the reading that Accu-Read did was nil so an estimate was done since last October!!!!!!!  And I just now got a letter!!!  I told them to take me off the EasyRead since it wasn't my fault that I didn't get emails telling me to read my meter and submit it.  She said that I should have called them with my reading.  No, that wasn't the deal!  They read my meter May 8th and I have over 1500 kilowatts since.  So I will receive a huge bill in June for July billing!! 

I am off my soap box now.

At Photo Guild a lady talked about ProShow Gold and ProShow Producer...software to make movies of your pictures and music.  Similar to Movie Maker on Windows XP but you can do a lot more with it.  She makes movies for others and charges them.  I may just have to put a shingle in my front yard!!! 

Tonight is a Variety Show at Lapel High School.  Ivalou has company and if they don't want to go, I may just go by myself! 

Bright and sunny here today but still chilly.  Only 54°.

Honest question here.  I keep seeing the phrase, "Quality of life" and it was a phrase used in my dad's situation as well.

Will someone please define it for me?

Karma, I don't know how others define it - maybe they can't.  I simply define it as the ability to relate to God - to communicate with Him and worship Him.  Actually, there are probably very few who define it that way.  Nevertheless, I believe that if these attributes are present at least in some degree, then non-emergency measures should be taken to prolong life.  Non-emergency, to me, does not mean measures without which death would occur fairly quidkly.  Of course defining these terms might be difficult, and I confess to not having all the answers.  I only ask for reasonableness.

Quote from: Al Moak on May 16, 2008, 01:35:10 PM
Karma, I don't know how others define it - maybe they can't.  I simply define it as the ability to relate to God - to communicate with Him and worship Him.  Actually, there are probably very few who define it that way. 

Al I am impressed with your answer.  I am about halfway through a book my daughter, Joy, sent me and finding it really an incredible work on relationship with God!  It's called The Shack, by William P. Young, and if anyone ever has an opportunity to read it you will be amazed at the author's ability to make these concepts so clear.  It is actually a novel but parallels John Bunyon's Pilgrim's Progress, except for this generation. 

You can check it out at: theshackbook.com

P.S. I recommend, if you go to this website, that you read the forward and/or some of the first couple chapters that are provided there.  The REAL journey into the heart of God begins after the 3rd chapter, actually. 

My son did react a bit to the anesthesia, so we waited a few moments for the nausea to subside before leaving the surgeon's office.

He's dealing with a good bit of pain, but seems to be okay - even asked for food. So I think he'll do all right, just will take some time.

As for my own wishes about death, I've asked that no heroic measures be done, and that hydration not be removed until death. After all, God has blessed me with many years and he answered my prayers to allow me to live long enough to see my children to adulthood. And, last but not least, it is well with my soul. I look forward to seeing my Master face to face.

Amen, Ruth Ann.

How I long for the "Upper Taker" to appear!!!

I pay just over $6 a gallon here in Japan, and the price has been going up, just as it has been in the US and Canada and elsewhere.  And you know what?  The traffic jams continue.  The consumer keeps buying it.  I guess if there wasn't such a demand... 

I do ride my bicycle on my days off more than I used to, and I've started taking public transportation a bit more, too.

In His Grip,
Kevin

I've heard that ours will  be a out $1.45 by summer per liter.  Multiply that by 4 and that's about a US gallon.

I think I'll get a bike!  I'd like a battery operated bike with a carrier on the front and I can go on it to get my milk and bread, etc. 

I was chatting a bit with Colin this week, and he said gas there in Ireland is over $10.00 per gallon!    For sure you would need a bicycle there!  Here in our rural area, we have to depend on cars for transportation, there is NO public transportation at all--no trains, no airport, no buses, not even a taxi!  And we drive quite long distances, too.  Today they raised the price at one station to $3.97, but I filled up earlier at our usual station (Sinclair) for $3.87 per gallon.

Karma, Al gave a great answer, one I must admit I hadn't thought of, at least in those exact terms.  I guess I think of quality of life as being a state in which the person can enjoy at least a few aspects of living.  That could mean many things--enjoying television, reading, visiting with people, eating, using computer, worshiping, whatever means something to that person.  And also having their pain well controlled. Does that make sense to you?

Tonight was our annual mother/daughter banquet at the senior center.  Diane and Abby came and met me there, and it's always a joy to see them.  We each won a gift in the drawings.

I am really weary, still going after the cleaning and getting ready for reunion.  Have to work tomorrow afternoon, and in the morning is our monthly scrapbooking day-- well, it's all day, but I can only go for the morning.

One of Darrel's classmates who now has MS and is very weak, won "Mother of the Year" tonight at the banquet.  She has lost a lot of ground over these past few months, and I hope that honor gives her a boost in morale, at least.

See you later!

It was over 90 here today!!  I'm not used to this. lol  Now, just after 8 pm, it's nice and comfortable...with all the doors and windows open.  We're supposed to cool off tomorrow.

Jane, that must be a really good book, for you to recommend it.  I'll go check out the website.

Now..........ready for some iced tea.  Nita

Quote from: Nita on May 16, 2008, 11:15:08 PM

Jane, that must be a really good book, for you to recommend it.  I'll go check out the website.

Nita

Youbetcha, Nita.... this reminds me of when we would share each other's book list.  One of us would find a good book and recommend it to the other and vice versa ...  This is, indeed, a book you will not want to pass up.  I recommend reading the forward by the author ... it sets the stage for the rest of the story.

Yup, it was (and is) hot here on the south coast ... not something we are used to, so it really hit us hard.  We don't even have air-conditioning here because it's not needed ... oh yeah?   hmmmmm

It is the same here no A/C, yesterday it was 87° at my desk but more tolerable outside. I took the dogs for a short walk each around the block. We will do the longer walks today while it is cool.

This morning I need to do a little shopping and some baking before it gets hot. I am baking a batch of Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip cookies to take with me to Oregon on Thursday.

Now to sit back and enjoy my 

TTYL

I suppose if I pay £5 and you guys pay $5 dollars a gallon for gas/petrol it is the same difference if all things are equal but it is really expensive to run a car here. Our coal went up just £3 a bag!

Anyway....hi everyone. Been reading all the posts and keeping up with all you are doing. The weather in N. Ireland has been fantastic for at least 3 weeks and Jeannine is getting a false impression of what we have to endure over here. Where is the rain, rain, rain she will be asking. I know Pat and Gordon will know most of these places we have visited so far...Slemish, Coast Rd., Giant's Causeway, Glenarriff, Castlerock, Downhill, Benone and lots of other less known places besides. Last night we watched a beautiful sunset setting over the sea at Benone strand. Jeannine has taken hundreds and hundreds of photos and video and I have taken video of Jeannine taking pictures! I am so happy to show Jeannine around my land but I might have to go and rob a bank before I am finished!
God bless...I will be in touch.

Hi Everyone,

Colin ~ I'm afraid to ask where all the rain is for "fear" of bringing it on. lol  All kidding aside, N. Ireland has had truly beautiful weather from what I hear from everyone. And I could not have asked for a better guide to this beautiful land.

I have been reading and keeping up with the posts, just not commenting much. Praying for everyone here. May you all have a God blessed and filled day.

Still Trusting In Him,
Jeannine

Hi everyone.  It is a beautiful day here, a bit cool this morning, but suppose to warm up nicely this afternoon.  I went to coffee for about 30 minutes this morning and then my friend said he was ready to come and fix my desk chair but had a ball game to attend for his grandson at 9 am.  So we came on back to the house and he fixed it.  I am sure it is stronger than new and I really appreciated him doing this.  He had the tools needed and the the know how.

Not much on the schedule today.  We will attend a meeting later this morning and then have the rest of the day clear.  

I called the number on my jury summons and found out I don't have to report for jury duty until 12:15 on Monday.  It will be a day-by-day situation all this next week as to weather I will have to go to the courthouse or not.  I have been through this process before so know what to expect.

I finally heard from the telephone company on the problem with our phone system.  They had me unplug all of the phone systems from the wall jacks and turn off my modem/router and wait for 30 minutes.  Then start by plugging in the wired phone.  When I did this there was still a buzz on the line.  They mentioned that the interference could be coming from our satellite dish and I have about concluded that is the situation.  We are seriously considering going with a voip system again and will probably stay with ATT as we have a bundle of services that gives us a discount on monthly charges.  

I didn't go to the Variety show last evening.  My stomach was a little upset so didn't want to chance it. 

Ivalou asked me over to visit with her, Jim and Emily.  Jim is Ivalou's brother-in-law and they live in Minneapolis.  There were in Indiana to gather with their Class of '53.  They left for Minnesota this morning. 

Aaron called this morning.  I have been putting him off too long so decided to take him to the bank and out to eat somewhere.  We ate at Logan's Steak House.  Wonderful.  Steak, sweet potato and salad.  Just what I needed! 

I think I hear Ivalou's mower.  Does that mean I need to mow, too? 

I'm just stopping by to say hello.  Too tired for much else, so I am headed to bed.  I think I must stop working so hard.....

    Good morning to all.  I have been very busy with family and many other things since I last posted.  My doctor from the hospital seems to be happy with what I am doing to help my medical problems and I dont have to see him again unless I have any more pains in my chest.    Praise the Lord for that.

This past week we went and spent time with our granddaughter and her parents and we had a great time and also we went to a large church that has a very large seniors group and they had a luncheon and then a talent show after and it was grat and the people who performed were very talented.

Al:  Thank you for your devotional it was excellent and the psalms are so full of good teaching.

Larry: What does this short form mean I cannot think what it is.

Marilyn: Sorry about you injury and please make sure you go and get it checked out.             

Jeannine:  Hope that you are still enjoying that wonderful country.

Ruth Ann  Hope that you are looking after yourself and your health.

Well as you all can see it is getting late at night or early in the morning so I must sign off.  Have a wonderful day with the Lord's people and in his house.   God bless  Gord.

Hi everyone.  Slept in a little bit later this morning as we don't go to coffee on Sunday morning.  I am ready for church and Pat made a nice breakfast of egg and sausage burritos for us and they were very good. 

I don't have to be at church until 11 am this morning as the choir is only sitting in the choir loft to help with the hymns and to do the final three-fold Amen at the end of the service.  We have a choir member singing a solo this morning.  Our director is still in Germany as the last concert with the Berlin Philharmonic was last night.  We did have an e-mail from her earlier in the week following their first concert saying it was wonderful and the Berlin orchestra was superb.  She will be back for choir practice on Wednesday evening.

Gord, I am completely lost regarding the "short form".  I looked back to see what context I had used but didn't find anything.  Sorry.

Janet, only you can make the decision as to how much work is too much for you.  Sometimes the prices we pay for doing things, even those we enjoy doing a lot, can be too high in terms of our energy and overall health.  I am sure you will make the right decision for you. 

Etta Sue, sorry you weren't feeling up to attending the variety show Friday evening as sure you would have enjoyed it.  Hope you are feeling better today.

Hope this is a glorious day for everyone.  We sure have a beautiful day here this morning and might even get a nice shower later in the day. 

Good Morning I don't have to be at church until 10 am this morning  it starts later at the church in Arcata. This afternoon I will be meeting a friend who is giving me some  cream for me to try out on the bruise on my right knee I did take another tumble last night, My slipper came of as I was stepping up into the kitchen and I tripped, fell onto the same knee that I always fall on. Drat!!!! What's bad is that I had  been barefoot up until that time and had just put my slippers on.

Willa tells me that the numbers are still going down at the church here on Saturday nights. So I just keep on praying for them there.

Well must go see if I can do something with my hair now.

I felt much better yesterday than Friday night, for sure!! 

Today was church and I listened to two sermons...and then to Taco Bell.  Getting to be a habit but I do like Taco Bell.

Then, I know, I shouldn't have done it but I came home and mowed the grass.  I have made a vow that at the price of gas, that I am not mowing until the 6th day after I mowed last and today was the 6th day.  With all the rain we have had lately, it was really tall.  If I had waited, I would have had to 'make hay while the sun shined!'   

Now to get my feet and legs up.  I can feel them swelling. 

Hi, I'm back home from Atlanta, but 'zausted. So, don't think I'll even go to SN. I'm just too tired tonight. Y'all have a good evening.

Ruth An n

I hope I don't lock the door too soon and shut someone in here. 

There is a whole new place to post right cheer!