Christian Photographers Community

Good morning to all:     

Although we did not loose anyone to the war Mel could have been one without a father as his dad did serve overseas, he came home with memories that never never would he ever talk about.

Good morning ... Thank you, all, for the poems and remembrances.  I have had several family members serve in the military over the years.  Most recently were my two grandsons, who were in Iraq.  Both came home but one, Bryan, was homeless for several months until someone took pity on him and let him sleep on the couch in their apartment. 

He has now rejoined the Army and serving in a different capacity than combat.  We are grateful for the prayers answered on his behalf.  He has a new determination to "Finish right!"  I believe he will.

Etta Sue, right in the middle of the video, there's an arrow.  Click that.

Thanks Jeannine for posting Colin's poem.  It was late (middle of the night) when I was free to do some things and forgot where I put his poem to post.  Thanks so much Colin!

Keith, that's a wonderful poem as well.  Thanks for sharing it with us.

Hello, and Happy Sunday!

I so much appreciate all the poems, the song, and words of appreciation for our Veterans.  I hold a deep honor and respect for them in my heart.  This morning at church, Pastor asked all who had served in the military to stand and be honored.  There were only three!    Darrel and two Bobs--I was surprised there were so few.  But they received a rousing round of applause, and I thought that was good.

Carol, we have really enjoyed the escorted tours.  So much easier to leave the planning, logistics as to where to stay, where to eat, what to see to those who have knowledge of the area.  Grand Circle does a fantastic job.  This trip is with the other company they own, Overseas Adventure Travel, or OAT.  The OAT trips are more active, they tell you you must be in good physical condition and what to expect.  On this trip, they say we will be walking up to three hours a day.  That's why I've been walking, getting into shape for it!  Most of our SCUBA trips have been on our own, but these are the escorted tours.

Darrel and I had such a nice day yesterday.  We celebrated his mother's 95th birthday, and had an early Thanksgiving with all of his family, in Amarillo, Texas.  That was the first time since her 90th that all the family has been together.  The three siblings are all in their 70s now, and their only cousin and his wife came, too.  It was a very enjoyable day, and I did get them outdoors (it was in the 80s) for photos. 

We were talking on the way home yesterday, and I asked Darrel why he supposed it is that many of our family, friends and acquaintances seem to have the very mistaken perception that we are "rich."  He said it is because we do go on the kind of trips we do; that many others spend their income on other things that we do not, and thus never have enough money for this kind of trip.  And that's fine; to each his own!  Everybody spends their money on what they want, right?  And I am of the opinion that if you want something badly enough, you will find a way to cut corners in spending and save up for it.  IMHO, of course!    We want to do this traveling while we are in good health and can enjoy it.

I am going to see the local high school musical performance of Oklahoma! at 4 PM.  That's one of my favorites, and the kids always do a terrific job.

Larry, I'm thinking of you today as you visit your grands and greats.  I'm so happy God is blessing your family this way! 

PRAISE REPORT----PRAISE REPORT---PRAISE REPORT!!!

Darrel saw his Cardiologist Friday, and he says Darrel's heart is functioning at 97% of NORMAL!!!  I am overflowing with thankfulness!

We are still praying for our precious Audra.  Her open heart surgery is scheduled for the 19th.  They plan to actually slice away part of the heart, because the walls are so thickened.  (shudder. )

I know I haven't responded to everyone, but the list is long, and I don't want to make you read all day!

I just had this sent to me in an email..

Thank you  Colin, Keith and Jeannine for the wonderful poems to remember our military. Thanks to Pat for posting the video and two more poems.

Hi Janet as you run through on  your way to Peru!!

Was CP down this morning? I couldn't get on from 6AM until I left for church at 9AM Pacific Daylight time.

Beautiful sunshine today, a little on the cold side but beautiful. It was a wonderful worship service last night at AFB (Arcata First Baptist.) Pastor David prayed  for me and gave me a scripture that  is so right on for me.

My friend Eleanor and I both danced with our Glory rings, there was a man there  who used a flag in worship and a young woman who used two flags. It was so beautiful to be so free to worship in spirit and in truth I felt set free of any and all chains that had held me in bondage to a religious spirit. I could be myself. It was so awesome.

I know some  (most) of you do not believe  in dancing before the Lord, I come here to share with you (my brothers and sisters) the wonders of my love for my Lord, my freedom from my past, and what it is like for me to be so much in love with Jesus that I will dance for Him (my husband). So instead of any negative thoughts I would just like you to understand the AWE that I have for my Savior.

Colin and Keith:  You two are so much alike.  Now, give each other a hug.... Lovely poetry.

Jeannine:  I don't know how you ever find the time - blessings to you.

Pat:  I did really enjoy the tribute to our heroes.  They should be remembered a lot more than one day per year.


Marilyn said:

QuoteI know some  (most) of you do not believe  in dancing before the Lord, I come here to share with you (my brothers and sisters) the wonders of my love for my Lord, my freedom from my past, and what it is like for me to be so much in love with Jesus that I will dance for Him (my husband). So instead of any negative thoughts I would just like you to understand the AWE that I have for my Savior.

Marilyn:  I remember the very first time I saw dancing in our church - the wife of the assistant pastor was a ballet dancer & she set up a soft song, we were all heads bowed and I felt a swish go by me & was so astonished - it was such a lovely interpretation and gift - of course, some people disliked any change.  This didn't happen very often, so it was a real treat.  I always envied the grace and admire someone who feels this way of expressing their feelings. 

Home all day & I didn't cough too often.  There is one good thing and that is I finished making six pillowcases for gifts.  Don is better but still exhausted.  He did sleep better last night.

Janet:  Thanks for the info.  We have always liked to travel the other road and so many spur of the moments in our travel so that will be hard to change.  Yes, I have always made the trips to parents when they were in Washington and so forth and trips out there and it just galled me to no end that everyone acted like we were so wealthy to drive out there with kids in tow and in turn, they never come here because "it is so expensive and so far away".  But they have inherited so much property and money & so stingy while we worked and saved like crazy for our family.  It is funny what a skewed picture people can get of others.  Have a super trip - you guys really deserve to get away.

Pat:  I like your new picture too = you are standing in the light. 

Carol

Hi, all.

Pat, I like your new picture too.  You look younger.    Not that you ever looked OLD old,  but this picture is really nice.  And younger. LOL

Marilyn,  to me, dancing before the Lord, is as anything in worship.  If we do it for Him, and out of a heart so overflowing that we must dance, or we must sing, or we must overflow in tears, then it's always beautiful.   The Presence of the Holy Spirit should always move us to something....whether a passionate respone, or an silent brokeness.   I'm sure your dancing is from a heart that adores the Master. That's all that matters.

We should all be so overflowing with such passion that we eagerly and hungrily look for ways to express to our Jesus how much we love Him.  We might not do it right, but He looks at the heart of the worshiper.   Thank God for His heart toward us which is filled with passion for His bride. Glory!

Company just came in.  Gotta run.  Nita

Thank You Carol and Nita for your kind understanding words.

Yes Carol....Keith and I are going to bury the hatchet.....in each other! I am wondering how the impression got out that we are at loggerheads.  I think Keith is an excellent poet....not my style of poetry but something I feel like trying now since I have read his. Glad you like the poetry.

Marilyn.... my church absolutely frowns on dancing. Even its moderator is on record as saying line dancing is of the devil. I am not a dancer or was I ever inclined to go to dances but since being in the company of good friends who are reallly good dancers and know all the steps...I have formed the opinion that there is a world of difference between the way they dance and some couple pawing and groping and swaying on a dance floor.I think Irish and Scottish dancing is brilliant. Who can say that is wrong when they are using God given skill to perform it. I think Nitas has the right idea. I have seen people who preach against this and that and then commit something worse themselves. Thank God we will only have to answer to Him on judgement day. When you sit in a corner nice and quiet one can hear and see things!

Hi everyone else!

Pat ~ I kid you not....the video thingy wasn't there yesterday when I said it wasn't there.  I went back to page 6 just now and there it was. 

Janet ~ I know how others feel about you traveling so much.  My husband and I took at least two weeks vacation a year.  We never wanted to be asked, what did you do on vacation and answer, we painted the house!.  Lots of memories in all those vacations.  You can't take a vacation on two weeks notice.  You have to save year round.  Or at least, we did.

As for dancing or anything else we do for God.  God knows in our heart why are are doing what we do.  Two women can have on the same dress.  One is vulgar, the other is not.  It all depends what is in the heart!  We have dancing sometimes in our church.  Most lyrical ballet.  Beautiful!  And when accompanied with a sign interpretation, it is really awesome.  So moving.

My friend, Betty, who goes to Beef and Boards with us, lost her son to God yesterday.  So sad to bury a son or daughter.

Today I am going with Ivalou for her to get a blood test and for me to pick up a prescription.  Then we are going somewhere for her to get the paper items for Thanksgiving. 

Then tonight is Kilbuck Photography Guild.  That is always wonderful in we get to see such awesome photos by the members. 

Gotta run!

Good morning, I am having a bit of a back problem this morning but I managed to get through my Curves workout anyway just skipped one machine. I will be working for  my little 2 hour job this morning cleaning house for a nice Methodist lady. We do take some time out to talk about Jesus. Her husband has COPD and his kidneys don't work properly either. We work together on the house.

I see I am not the only one who has dancing in their church. My pastor lets me dance as long as I stay in the back of the church, he just doesn't want me to use any props. Yesterday I pulled my scarf off and waved it a couple of times and he (standing in the back) didn't like it and made me stop using the scarf. We have had dancers in the front from time to time. The youth and once a visiting Evangelist's wife.

One of our elderly brothers is in the hospital with pneumonia, please pray for Brother Roy Bay. Willa and I will go visit hm today.

Have a safe trip Janet, Will be praying for your safe return.

TTYL

Hi everyone.  I tried to read messages here yesterday before leaving for Augusta but couldn't get the page to load.

We had a most marvelous and blessed day yesterday with all of my immediate family together the first time in 25 years.  I honestly didn't think I would live long enough to see the day but God is so good and has so richly blessed us with the reconciliation between my son and his daughter and between my son and daughter. 

It was great to see our granddaughter after more than 3 years and then to see those beautiful great grandchildren was beyond my ability to describe.  They are so cute and sweet and while a little hesitant to warm up to us by later in the afternoon that was broken down.  It brought such joy to be heart to see all three of the little ones sitting on my son's lap and hugging and kissing him.  He has spent a lot of time with them since they relocated to where they are about 10 minutes away.

We will go back over on Thanksgiving to share the day with them.  It was a long drive over and a much longer one back as we had to take our daughter back to her apartment in downtown Atlanta.  I think on Thanksgiving we will have her spend the night when we come back from Augusta and I will take her to work on Friday as they will cut about 2 hours out of the driving during one day.  I was really exhausted when Pat and I got home.

There are so many postings that I am not going to try to comment on very many.  I did enjoy the poetry and other comments related to Veteran's Day.  On Saturday at lunch time in the cafe where we ate lunch two ladies had a table setup by the door selling the poppies.  It had been a long time since I had seen this or had the opportunity to support the poppy sale.

Marilyn, in our church we have some young ladies who often do a dance during the offering on the Sundays our youth pastor preaches.  I see nothing wrong with the dance although I was a bit shocked the first time I saw it as it was not a part of my religious upbringing or experience before going to this church.  Being a Presbyterian we are often called the "frozen chosen" and our services are usually very sedate (guess that is the right word). 

Our church webmaster has been called back into the Army so I have resumed that responsibility and have a lot of work planned on the website that is going to take quite a bit of time.  I will tackle it slowly but think it is time it is totally redone.  Guess I had better get busy as the day is quickly passing.

Marilyn, I feel that if you are praising God with all your heart and spirit, who is to say its wrong?  Keep at it!  Although the response from your pastor surprises me.  (From what you have said about your church anyway) I just wish I had that in me to do!  I so desire to praise the Lord more than I do, but I don't know what to do.  Does that make any sense?  Our preacher sings a song called Wading thru deep water.  He sang it last night.  And he gets excited while singing and starts marching (wading) around the church.  He asked me 3 times if I wanted to go wading!  On the third time, I fell in behind him!  We had a great time in the Lord last night!  Just marching around the church.  Others marched also, but at the end of the altar call, one man was saved!  And isn't that what its all about?  Praising the Lord and seeing souls saved.

My but I've rambled a bit! 

Larry, so glad your family reunion, so to speak! was great! 

Janet have a great time on your trip. 

Everyone else, have a blessed day today!

Gotta go, have a toothache that needs medicine.

Later,
Samantha

Rats!  I don't know which key I hit, but just lost my whole post.  I don't want to type the whole thing again, so my input about the dancing in praise will go by the wayside. 

Larry, your report of your family get together just makes my heart sing!! God is SO good---ALL the time!

Thanks for all the good wishes on our trip.  We are sort of wandering around the house, trying to think of all the things that need doing before we leave.  And the refrigerator is mostly empty, so meals today are really strange! 

Etta Sue, how right you are!  What fond memories will people have of working on the house or yard instead of going somewhere with their family and having a good time?  I wish we could have made more trips while the kids were still at home, but I had a different spouse in those days, who had different values. 

See you all later!

Ow   I seem to have Colin's  hatchet embedded in the back of my head 
Serves me right for being a genntleman and allowing him to 'go' first !  Seriously though we do not have any 'issues', just an overactive sense of banter.

Yuck!  What's all the blood on the floor!???


Janet has opened a new topic for the coming week.

You can find it HERE