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Morning Devotional...

WALKING IN THE OLD PATHS Jeremiah 6:16 By the late Jack Scott 4. The Old Guide Book

In the years of long ago when I was a child, I often heard my mother sing a hymn that somehow I understood was very dear to her. Sometimes I would find her sitting alone singing it with tears on her cheeks. As the years rolled by its importance to her seemed to increase.

Some would have thought it a very strange choice had they heard her quietly sing it. Most people who knew her would have been surprised to hear her sing at all, for she never sang in public. Not even with the congregation. While others sang, she would follow in her hymn book intently with her eyes and I suspect with her heart. Her lips would not move, nor her tongue utter a single syllable. Those who knew our circumstances (although they were probably few in number) would have been astonished at the words:




Over the years we had accumulated few of this world's goods and it was a constant struggle for her to feed and clothe the family.

What then were the blessings that a very poor Irish woman could sing about? They certainly had no value on the stock market and could not be accumulated in the local branch of the Belfast Savings Bank. The "passbook" in which the blessings she sang about were listed was an old black leather covered Guide Book. On the spine in faded gold letters were two words which made up the title, "Holy Bible". The pages were more worn than the cover. Once white, they had long since yellowed with wear and age and tear drops.

My mother probably never heard of John Locke, philosopher and writer, but she would have agreed with the truth of his statement when he said, "It has God for its Author, salvation for its end, without any mixture of error, for its matter: it is all pure, sincere, nothing too much and nothing wanting."

Theologians refer to the Bible as God's Special Revelation to Man. The wonders of creation testify to us of God's unsurpassed wisdom and power, but the Holy Scriptures tell us so much more about God, and it helps us to understand ourselves if only we are willing to accept its teachings. In it we see that God is holy, just and righteous and at the same time, gracious, loving and merciful.

Woodrow Wilson, twenty-eighth president of the United States, spoke truly when he said, "The Bible is the one supreme source of revelation of the meaning of life."

Paul, the apostle, reminds us in 2 Timothy 3:16 and 17 that: "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."

It is true that ungodly men have attacked the word of God and tried to destroy it down through the ages.  Many have used or attempted to use "facts" of science to disprove its truth. In 1861 the French Academy of Science published a booklet listing over fifty supposed "facts" to contradict the Bible. Atheists of the day rubbed their hands in glee as they ridiculed the Christian faith. Today all of the claimed "facts" are rejected by men of science.

In the early and mid-nineteenth century, archeologists said that they were confident that their findings would discredit the accuracy of the Bible. A few years ago, I heard a lecture by a professor of the Department of Archeology at the University of Toronto in which he said that the Bible is now considered by many archeologists to be the most reliable guidebook to finding remains of old cities etc. in the middle-east.

Yes, the Bible is an old guide book. In fact it is the only truly reliable guide book on the path of life.

An ancient writer said: "Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105 NKJV)

Despite the attacks of Satan and puny men, "We rest upon the impregnable rock of Scripture". (Winston Churchill)



There are many "great and exceeding precious promises" (2 Peter 1:4) found in the Old Guide Book we call the Bible. There are countless multitudes of blessings in this grand old book. One outshines all the others and accepting it is the condition for receiving and enjoying all the other blessings. It is described many times over. We shall look at only a few instances where it is mentioned.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." (John 3:16, 37)

What love God expressed to us in the coming of His Eternal Son in the body of human flesh! True God and true Man to suffer the penalty of sin upon the cross. What a blessing to know that those who repent of their rebellion and sin and trust Him as Lord and Saviour possess eternal life.

Paul in his Epistle to the Ephesians 2:4-10 gives us a great summary of this wonderful blessing. "But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."

You can enter into this the greatest blessing that can ever be known to mankind. Why not do so now by faith in Jesus Christ?

"Behold, now is the accepted time; behold now is the day of Salvation." (2 Corinthians 6:2b).

---

Jack Scott loved his Lord! He passed away on January 10, 2001 after a lengthy illness.
He is missed greatly by his family.

Wonderful devotional Pat, thanks, I needed that.
Seems depressing messages are going around. I had emailed a friend who no longer goes to our church, he graduated and got a job down south, to get the information about our church computers says he's not there any more and I'm on my own. I knew that and haven't asked him anything until now. There were 2 things he forgot to tell me and I asked him. Someone I thought a friend and he blows me off with he's not there any more and don't bother him with any of it. 

But I guess I don't need someone like that, with God's help I will figure something out and if I have to start fresh with all that stuff then I guess I will.

Well, see you all later. Hope everyone has a blessed morning!

<><Jeannine\\\\\\\\\

What a wonderful post Pat. Your husband Jack was truly a man of God. It is so lovely you have his devotionals to share with us. We are truly blessed by them. thank you Pat.

Hi Jeannine..this depression thing seems to be catching. I had some more depressing news this morning. The devil is really out and about! Well I am down but not out and neither are you Jeannine and we wont let ourselves get depressed...will we! We have a wonderful Saviour and He is in control. You take care. I shall return later in a more cheerful mood I hope and try to brigthen up the day for you. God bless

Must dash..going to Broughshane...remember Pat?   I SHALL RETURN!

I am still doing my own little countdown to Christmas here to keep you all right! There are now FOUR weeks to go! 


I think Etta Sue said Portglenone had a very narrow street. A part of it is narrow but in the centre of the village it widens out. It is a very busy little village and its street is packed with traffic. I was standing on the pavement the other day and a irate lady came up to me and bellowed... son..that traffic is desperate..I cant get across this street at all. Look dear...I said...there is a zebra crossing on down the street there. Well ..she roared..I hope it is having better luck than I am! And off she stamped!   
Hi everbody...I made tae but it will be stewed now so ye mae put on some fresh stuff. See you later.

Winter is here once again & it is really chilly.  The furnace was running a lot to keep up and that is why I awoke at 5 A.M.  Much too early.

Marilyn:  I remember your mentioning twins - what a handful for you.  My father was a twin and twins run in the family but it didn't happen to me and luckily so because my guy traveled so much - it was enough with four children.  My brother in the Seattle area said snow was falling yesterday - rain on top of that and it looked like a mess again. 

Janet:  I am sorry that you had such a heartache day.  I have a good friend who has a son & 4 children she has never seen because of a twisted frame of mind he has but she doesn't pray and you and I know the comfort of prayer. 

Colin:  I was listening to Radio North - too bad someone had the bad manners to send you a not so nice message.  I will have some tae with you - thank you very much. 

Jeannine:  It is bothersome when a friend shuns or drops you.  I am sorry that this happened and perhaps something was going on in his life that he handled your call very badly. 

Pat:  I googled this recipe for you on Amish Bread Starter:

[AMISH BREAD STARTER   

Makes enough to keep and share. 2/3 c. milk 2/3 c. flour
Combine the above ingredients in large, airtight container with lid and store at room temperature; do not refrigerate. Container must be non-metal. Stir starter every day for 17 days. For the next 10 days, handle starter to the following instructions: On day 18, do nothing. On days 19, 20 and 21, stir. On day 22, stir and add: 1 c. sugar 1 c. milk

Stir again. Stir on days 23, 24, 25 and 26. On day 27, add: 1 c. sugar 1 c. milk

Stir. Take out 1 cup three times. Give 1 cup each to two friends and keep the remaining cup for your self and use in the Amish Bread recipe. When you give the starter to your friends, and with the remaining starter you have (not including the 1 cup you will use in the Amish Bread recipe), include the following instructions: Do not refrigerate and do not use a metal spoon when feeding this starter. On day 1 (the day you receive your starter), do nothing. On days 2, 3 and 4, stir. On day 5, stir in: 1 c. sugar 1 c. milk

Pour mixture into large glass mixing bowl; mixture will rise. Stir on days 6, 7, 8 and 9. On day 10, Stir in: 1 c. sugar 1 c. milk

Stir, then pour into 3 (1-cup) containers and give to 3 friends. Note: By mixing up starter on the first day of the month, the calendar will be your guide. Yields 5 cups.


This sounds similar to one I used to make - umpteen years ago.  Thanks for the Christmas songs. 

Carol

This is for you Jeannine. I hope it helps.

Jesus will walk with you when others are gone
Each weary step of the way
At your side He will always hold on
Never will He leave for He is there to stay
Nearer to Him He will tightly hold
In your trials and despair
Nothing can take you from arms that fold
Encircling you in their love and care

Colin

God bless

I called my twins yesterday to wish them Happy  Birthday and found out that Carole had a lump removed from on breast earlier this week. It was sent off to a lab to see if it was malignant or benign, ell I know that with my God all things are possible and I told her that we are claiming her  negative right now.  Please pray for Carole.

Add me to your prayers as well because I have a small red spot with a little knot under it on one of mine. I know it is nothing but will tell my Dr. about it when I go for my Yearly checkup On the 5th. I will probably be gone by then.

Thank you Pat for posting the Old Guide Book sermon. I needed that this morning.


It seems as though as we get closer to the time of year that we celebrate the birth out our Saviour, The attacks of Satan increase,  illness, depression, accidents, disease, etc. you name and he does it. Let us not allow that old slime ball to get to us. The Lord rebukes you Satan, get thee behind me. Stay prayed up and watchful that he doesn't get into your thoughts, because as Joyce Meyer wrote The battlefield is in the mind, that is satan's playground. Keep your thoughts on Jesus and stand on the word of God. Put on your armour and keep on standing.

We have had a major downpour, I read in the paper that we are in for an El Nino year and that we should get prepared for flooding. To get outr emergency packs ready and have one in the car as well. Now that the rain has let up I need to get ready to go workout.

I haven't seen my 4 older children since 1996 and one of them longer than that. They do not keep in touch with me and I don't even have addresses for three of them. I call the twins  every few months, they don't call me. Gilbert my yougest and I are very close. He has a different father than the 4 older ones and they have never treated him like a brother. He wants nothing to do with them.

Talk later.

I was sitting typing here and happened to look out the window and saw such a beautiful rainbow. I got into a splutter looking for my camera mobile phone..which was stuck in my pocket. The time I got it on camera mode and dropped it and had to reset camera mode again and then open window to get better view of rainbow...It was near gone!   . I managed to get tail end of it and might post it. I shall see!

Hi Carol..actually the text message was a pleasant one. It is a long story. It was from someone I had built up a very deep and close friendship with only to have it ended by them about two months ago. I was shattered and heartbroken. I was trying to get over the emotion of it. I had tried to build a dam to hold back the tears and was succeeding a little until I got the text yesterday and I am afraid the dam burst. It is complicated a little. I think I give too much of my heart to people. Even loved ones break it at times. I know One who never broke my heart when I give it to Him and that is my Saviour. I give you all a mention on Radio North. There is some fault on the computer and when it is fixed ..you can all send in requests for me through the net. There is a page on the Radio North website for doing so but the presenter told me yesterday it does not seem to be working at the moment. I will keep you posted.

Anothe two rainbows have arrived and I am away to get the crock of gold..you know what I mean Pat 

God bless

Thank you Colin and God Bless You!  <3That indeed does help. I do know that Jesus is there through it all, it just hurts a little when someone you care for blows you off or leaves you "shattered and heartbroken".  :'(I wish I could write a poem just as beautiful for you but don't have that talent.  BUt I will pray for you and maybe come up with a picture for you.

Marilyn ~ I am so sorry things have to be that way for you. Sooner or later they may see the error of their ways, I pray God will work on their hearts.

Carol ~ Thanks. I do remember having some of that Amish Bread a long time ago and it was good.

Think I'll go learn how to make an animated gif like Etta Sue puts up. I am crazy enough to give it a go.

Blessings,
<><Jeannine

Enough to know you are a friend Jeannine. 

Colin,

Christ made us His
O how happy are we
Let His loving arms enfold you
In love, grace, and mercy
Never let go, no matter what.

Sorry it's not up to your standards but it's my prayer for you.

Off to learn animation.

Blessings,
<><Jeannine

That is beautiful Jeannine...that is the first time anyone has written a verse about me and for me and it is all the meaningful because it comes from the heart. That is where all the best poetry comes from so yours Jeannine is the best to me. Thank you for caring.
God bless

Before I forget, Carol, I copied and pasted your Amish Bread Starter into the Member's Recipes.  Now we need the recipe for the Amish Bread.  Do you have it? 

Colin ~ I clicked on your name where you post and looked at the google map where you live.  My question is what are the white spots in your area?  Was this taken in the winter and it is snow?  Hope you know.  Curious minds, well, mine, anyway, wants to know!  BTW, Colin, I love Radio North.  I like Country Music and the Country Music in the States today is almost Rock.  I like the older type songs that are sung on Radio North. 

I came home from church yesterday and decided since it was very nice out...almost 70°F...that I had better take advantage of it and do some more yard work.  So I changed clothes, got my pruners, rake and utility cart.  I cut down my Hibiscus and Butterfly Bushes and then raked the leaves out of my rocks that surround my house.  Then I had leaves all over my drive so I got out my lawn mower and 'swept' the leaves across the drive into the grass...then mowed the grass and leaves in that area.  It sure looks nicer now. 

Ivalou is coming over this afternoon to cut my hair.  She is my beautician.  She does a great job in my thinking so why not?  I had better get busy in here and fix me a bite to eat before she gets here.

I am so happy that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend.  It does seem that somewhere I read that December is a very depressing month.  Satan works hard to keep us from thinking of why we celebrate CHRISTmas.  There are a lot deaths, accidents, fires, just about anything to take our minds of the Reason for the Season...Jesus Christ!

Because of you, Colin, I made my Christmas cards this year with this message:

On the front, I typed the words Merry CHRISTmas, (the person/people's names)!   Then below that I have a beautiful image of Christ's head. 


Inside I typed this:

   Names of Christ

   Wonderful
   I Am
   Teacher
   Holy Child

   Love of God
   Offspring of David
   Vine
   Emmanuel

   First & Last
   Resurrection & the Life
   One & Only
   Messiah

   End
   Tender Plant
   True Bread
   Almighty

   Savior of the World
   Unspeakable
   Express Image of His Person

And on the back side I always put

Created for you
       by
   Etta Sue

Pat, I love Jack's writings.  Thanks.

Carol, thanks for the starter recipe.  I have the one (a bit different, I think) that my friend gave me, will make the first bread today.  So if anyone wants the recipe for the bread, and you don't have it, I can post that.  It must be quite sweet, calls for a package of instant pudding.  I'm thinking the recipe must have been modernized along the way! 

Colin, how nice for you and Jeannine to write verses for each other.  The thing I most like here is that the members encourage each other.  I hope your hurt and heartache heal quickly, with the loving help of Father God.

I got back into the swing of exercizing today, and hope I didn't do too much damage over the holiday by eating much more than I usually do.  Got to get it back off..........Christmas is looming! 

We are going to eat at the Senior Center today as they are serviung oven fried chicken, and Beth wants us to pick up meals for her and her friend Gloria.

Larry, I'm so pleased with your news of Stacey, may it continue!  God bless.

Oh!  Colin asked what is a potato bar?  Well, they bake big potatoes, then you go through the line and put whatever toppings you like on them:  Chili, cheese, sour cream, butter, chopped onions, etc.  Not a calorie in the lot!    Then there were several desserts from which to choose, and water or tea to drink, coffee, too.

Gotta run!

Hi everyone.  After a good nights sleep I am once again functioning.  It is another beautiful day here.  Pat has gone to work on crafts again this morning.  The craft sale is this coming Sunday so all of this effort will be over for awhile after this week.  I know the ladies will be relieved to have this craft sale behind them.  They use the money to support the Senior's ministry of our church.

Pat, always nice to see Jack's fine devotionals.  Thanks for sharing them again.

Colin, as always your poetry is very nice and so is your humor.  Sorry to read you have been saddened.

Etta Sue, your card is very nice.  So many of you are so talented in writing poetry and doing graphics.  My talents are in other areas.  It sounds like you are having the same type of weather we are.  When Carol has cold weather we know it is headed our way so know it will be getting colder soon.

Jeannine, I don't have any idea whether I could help you with your webpage problems but would be glad to try unless it is something unique to your own computer equipment at your church.  I have done a lot of webmaster work.  If I can help just send me an e-mail and I will help if I can.  Hard to understand why the former webmaster wouldn't be of assistance.

Marilyn, glad you were able to speak to your twins on their birthday.  Sorry to hear of the problem your daughter is experiencing and also that you are.  Please do not delay having the problem checked.  We have a close relative who put off having a similar problem checked and now will have a radical masticomy (sp) done on Wednesday.  She had waited only a few months after finding the problem and didn't do the additional testing her doctor wanted to do at that time.

Janet, I bet Abby has those older brothers wrapped around her little finger.  Glad to see they had such a good time playing Monopoly.  So sorry to read that your son and granddaughter didn't bother to contact you while they were in the area.  Sometimes our kids do things that are beyond understanding.  While I have a good relationship with my son he does something that are beyond my understanding such as refusing to have anything to do with his daughter or his grandchildren, whom he has never seen beyond pictures I have sent to him when I get them from my granddaughter.  Just don't give up hope, as I don't give up hope,  that someday these children will realize how juvenile their reactions have been. 

Janet, you asked when our cantata will be sung.  We are doing it the evening of December 17.  There will be a fellowship supper and then the children will do their Christmas program and the evening will be capped off with the chancel choir singing the cantata, which will involve a candle light ceremony.  It should be very nice.

Ruthie, I agree with you on the issue of saying Merry Christmas.  I was very frustrated last year to find it difficult to buy Christmas cards that had anything to do with Christ. 

Ruth Ann, glad to read of your super weekend with your family here in Atlanta.  Wasn't the weather just glorious?

Well think it is time for a little nap.

I see I have the two people most intelligent people with me at the moment...Etta Sue and Janet so I am going to ask a question I forgot to ask earlier....

Why is there only 25 letters in the alphabet at Christmas?

Hi Janet... Jeannine and I are a pair of poets....or is it poet and poetess? Thank you for your concern Janet. I am ok. I like your potato bar!

Hi Etta Sue...that is brill. Your cards will be beautiful. I will get to the white spots later on photo when I research it. Wish Pat would shift that balloon up the road a bit. This thorn bush is terrible to live in. Glad you like Radio North. I will get you to listen in on a Monday when Martin Moore comes back from his holiday and then we will have a bit of craic!

I know you all have admired my garden and the beautiful lawn I have. I put down the turf for it last year. it was the best I could afford and it came in rolls. I was so glad I had my son Gregory to help me with it. He stood and watched and every now and again shouted.. now now Da!...keep the green side up...remember...keep the green side up! I would have been lost without him! 

God bless

Hi Larry...nice to see you. Thanks for your kind words...God bless

Hey Colin...I have the back done to a cardigan started several years ago that I could send your way....maybe if your wife and I work together we might get a sweater that you and my Bruce could share...

QuoteJeannine, I don't have any idea whether I could help you with your webpage problems but would be glad to try unless it is something unique to your own computer equipment at your church.  I have done a lot of webmaster work.  If I can help just send me an e-mail and I will help if I can.  Hard to understand why the former webmaster wouldn't be of assistance.

Actually the problem is figureing out how to access the control panel. We changed our name to something that people would recognize as a church and maybe be able to bring more people in that way. He sent me the html to change the pointer to our new name but says he doesn't have the info i need or ever did have it. He is the one who changed/set it up like that.

Otherwise I have updated the site except for that and figured out how to get the audio MP3 I make of the sermons up.

Thanks for the offer anyways, I need to talk to the person who paid for the service and see if we can change it that way. Here's hoping.

Blessings to all,
<><Jeannine

QuoteSorry to hear of the problem your daughter is experiencing and also that you are.  Please do not delay having the problem checked.  We have a close relative who put off having a similar problem checked and now will have a radical masticomy (sp) done on Wednesday.

Thank you Larry for the heads up, I have had my appointment with the Doctor for more than a month and will be sure to tell her  about this latest discovery on Saturday.

I have moved my prayer request into the prayer section. Please do pray for me and my daughter.

Later

Colin ~ I could have saved you some money.  My brother and sister rent out their land to a Sod Farmer.  I could have emailed you some sod/turf!!  And you do have to lay it on the ground 'green side up'! 

Carol ~ I went to the web and searched for Amish Bread Starter and all of them for the beginning ingredients had yeast or sugar in them.  Did you miss an ingredient?  And perhaps we need your Bread recipe to go with that Starter. 

Thanks for the comments about my CHRISTmas card for this year. 

I got my hair cut and now ready to settle in for the night.  Tomorrow I need to wrap Christmas gifts.  I have never done that with two cats in the house!  (Last year, I felt so rotten, I bought Gift Cards for everyone.)

Hi Sue...an arm and a back for a sweater..now we are making progress! Just the front and another arm to go..Brill. I did a little bit of knitting myself once. We had to learn at primary school. I have a scarf which is about three miles long for I never learned to cast off! It is also full of button holes..well holes where I dropped stitches. I thought I was doing well when I learned to knit purl! Bruce can have sweater for the summer and I will wear it in the winter. Is that ok?

Hi Marilyn..will be praying for you. God bless

Hi Jeannine...I do hope you get website sorted out.

Nobody has answered my question yet!

God bless

Hi Etta Sue...how did I miss you! I will talk to you tomorrow.
Lovely haircut!

God bless

Dear Pat,

It was a joy to read about your husband's mother and the great blessings that she received from reading her bible.  The man who God used to show me the way of salvation pointed out a hymn to me once.  I've never heard anyone sing it, but the words are appropriate I think.  Here's the first verse:


I love that hymn and it's good to know that myriads of people, like your mother-in-law, have cherished their bibles and come to know the God that the scriptures write about.  Thank you for posting Jack's encouraging message.

God bless everyone, the folk who will remember me and the new ones too.

Anthony.

Anthony Welcome Home. Come back here real often we have missed you. How is your Mum?

Thanks for the prayers Colin. I am not worried or scared, I know where I am going.

Hi Anthony...

So nice to see you.  I've been wondering how you've been and how your mother is.  AND SAMMY!!!

Thanks for the kind words about Jack's little devotional.  I still enjoy reading them.

Now...  Who's taken a photo today?  I see some in the Gallery by our new member, Doc!  Hope you all take a look.

Well, folks!  Help me congratulate our very own Kevin!  He had Photo of the Day on the Photography Cafe and now that photo has been voted Photo of the Week!

Colin, I just read your question, and I don't have the answer........but I'm sure you will tell us soon. 

Marilyn, my former neighbor recently found a red spot just in front of her armpit, had her doctor check it out, and learned she has the most aggressive form of breast cancer.  She had her first chemo treatment last Tuesday.  So do get that checked!!

Thank you, Larry and Carol, and Colin for your kind words re my son.  Life has many heartaches, but Jesus carried them all.  Sometimes I wonder why it still hurts so much, though.

Etta Sue, that is a very beautiful and meaningful CHRISTmas card!  Ya done good, girl!

I decorated my living room window and the coffee table today, now I think that will be it for this year.

Kevin, that is really a beautifully done shot!  Love the lighting!