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Morning Devotional...

Psalm 21:1.  The king shall have joy in Your strength, O Lord; and in Your salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!"

The human race is fallen.  All mankind has rebelled against and attempted to ignore their God and Maker.  The results have been catastrophic.  The entire race seems bent on destroying itself through greed, suspicion, murder, cheating, acrimony,  bitterness, deceit, and war.  The actual results are chronicled in newspapers daily.

But God and His intentons for humanity have not been injured in the least!  He still intends to have an eternally perfect humanity, a humanity He will love and care for, a humanity who will love and glorify their Maker and Lord.  That beloved race is under construction.  The Bible chronicles that work of God's immense grace and salvation. 

He began with a redemptive covenant, a covenant that constituted a special people, a people through whom all the nations of the earth would be blessed.  In time He gave those special people a king, a man after His own heart, a man who would be the progenitor of the One through Whom salvation of His beloved new race would be thoroughly and blessedly accomplished.  This psalm is about that king and his greater Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

See how greatly God blesses this king of His people.  Beginning at verse 3, we're told that He sets a crown of pure gold upon his head, answers his prayer for life by giving him everlasting life, brings glory to him through salvation, and then, to top it all off, gives him the joy of His own glorious presence.  That's ultimate joy!

The psalm, then, is really not merely a psalm of David, but also a psalm of the people, so it was therefore very appropriate for them to sing it when they gathered in the morning at the tabernacle. It's still appropriate today for the New Covenant people of God.

God's greater Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, is King of His church, and we too can join in and repeat after the worship leader, "The King shall have joy in Your strength, O Lord; and in Your salvation how greatly shall He rejoice!"  Our Lord Jesus Christ, even in His manhood, rejoiced to look forward to accomplishing His people's salvation. He could then and does now sing, "You have given Him His heart's desire, and have not withheld the request of His lips." (See also Isaiah 53:10-12)

The song actually describes the blessings received by our Lord Jesus Christ at His resurrection and ascension to the right hand of His Father, and the psalm is obviously a victory song, a song sung as the victorious King returns to the palace – whether in David's day or our own. But it's not a joyful song for His enemies.  They cannot escape their doom.  Of the victorious King it is said, "Your hand will find all Your enemies; Your right hand will find those who hate You." These enemies are going to meet justice at the end when all evil is cleansed away.  It should remind us of David's words elsewhere (Ps. 110, Matt. 22:44), where he says, "The Lord said to my Lord, 'Sit at My right hand 'till I make Your enemies Your footstool!"

And, finally, all the people of God join together in the final chorus and they sing, "Be exalted, O Lord, in Your own strength!  We will sing and praise Your power!"

Do you join in this joy of your Lord, the joy of victory over sin and the Devil?  Are you glad in His gladness?  And are you joyfully awaiting the day when He returns to make that complete victory plain to all men and angels?
Al Moak





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I pray for Nita's sister Faye, Father.  I ask You to make something extra-specially good out of that malady - as only You can do.  Oh pour down blessing of some wonderful kind upon her, and let her know how much You love her - through Jesus Christ our Lord.

   I was able to sleep until after 4 AM without coughing and am so much more settled this morning.  5 days of non-stop coughing and travel at the same time - giving thanks for this recovering. 

We were walking the streets of Canterbury and heard some brass being played, walked over and it was a small group of Salvation Army playing - then, they played songs I knew and so we stood and sang with the British SA - just a super moment in time.  We also went to Evensong service at St. Mildred's church in Canterbury and Don's mother was named Mildred - had a great time and really enjoyed the mid-week gathering in an ancient place.  The wooden bench was so small...  Don says he didn't know his mother was a saint.  - an Anglican church, I believe.

Marilyn:  Bless you for your loving care of your patients.  How are the doggies?  Our youngest son's dog just had emergency surgery for a twisted stomach. A wonderful German Shepherd with multiple health problems. 

Carol

Watch the little billboard above.  It changes messages.

Not much news since last evening.  I am surprised that I feel pretty good this morning.  No sore muscles.  Trash has been taken to Kaye Don's drive.  I went in and visited with him.  Then his brother-in-law came and we all visited and then Ivalou came in and we still visited.  Jim and Kaye Don were going somewhere so Ivalou and I left. 

I talked her into coming over this afternoon to help me grind green tomatoes & put them in freezer bags for the freezer.  I emptied out things from the freezer to make room for the bags.  Hope Ivalou can take some also. 

For those of you who wish to try the Green Tomato Pie, click on the name.

God is good...all the time.  All the time....God is good.

Good Morning from over here in the corner with Jane. Not much new here. We are working on a training schedule for me with the new Patient. It is looking like my work days will be Monday and Tuesday from 2:00 in the afternoon until 8PM and Friday mornings 8-2PM.  Gotta go now.

I took Beth to the chiropractor this morning.  We are having trouble with the van.......door doesn't want to close, etc.  It's a conversion van for handicapped.  Darrel and I will drive it to Amarillo on the 9th and get it repaired.

Welcome home, Carol.  Sounds like you had a wonderful trip!  I was sorry to hear this morning that Colorado lost the World Series.

I must go to the pharmacy and get some prescriptions filled.

Etta Sue, love that little billboard!  Short sermons, and good.

Hello all!  We had a really good service last night at church.  The group "Forever Brothers" was singing.  They are an "up and coming group" and are usually booked months out.  Another sister church booked them some time back, but are knee deep in renovations right now, and they (the group) wasn't going to be able to set up.  Instead of backing out, they asked if we could "host" them.  We did, and I am glad, because they challenged us in some ways that my little church definitely needed challenging.

Hope all is going well with you.  Take care

Al:  Thank you for taking the time a few years ago to post the Psalms, Mark & Romans series  I have now got them all copied and will be saving them for the daily 1/2 hr  wait between school bus trips..   

Etta Sue:   I will be trying your green tomato pie, but our neighbour will wait to see if we turn green.  Is this pie a first course or dessert?

The cold & sunny days have arrived but it does feel good , good old fresh air.  Leaves to rake, gardens to be cleaned although we do have most of it done.

Janet:  Sorry to that the van is acting up, you so very much depend on it to take Beth out.

Al:  Thanks for this weeks devotional.

Blessings to all          Ruth

Hi, friends,

It's good to be able to come back to CP.

Y'all have a good evening.

Ruth Ann

I thought I would add that I do have two-4 other jobs. 2 of them and now  I also have Monday and Tues mornings with other people.

Good Night

I've never tried green tomato pie, but mom used to talk about eating it.

Hi, Ruth Ann.  Why were you not able to get to CP? 

Marilyn and Jane, I see, are over in the corner.

My sister still hasn't heard when her appointment is.  Her daughter said she should get a call tomorrow.  I'm sure having the hysterectomy will be a priority, but who knows how many other women are waiting? 

We have a new baby in our family. Babies are always good news.  My nephew and his wife had a boy today.  When my other nephew did the statistics (gramma asked him to email us) he proudly remembered to tell us that baby Lane was 8 lbs. 2 oz, and 185 inches long. LOL   

Etta Sue, you have some of the neatest graphics.

I'm still learning to paint using Paint Shop Pro.  This is so pleasurable and learning all the techniques (trial and error) and watching the picture reveal itself to me, is pure joy.   I never thought I could paint period, but much less using a desktop computer and a mouse.

Blessings,  Nita

Marilyn, you came out of the corner while I was editing my post.

Greetings from the island!  It has been a nice dry day and so I went to the big city for a few hours.  Needed to walk and reduce stress.....it has been rather a daily thing lately.  All the changes to the house and prep. for the work to be done in Jan. to....?  Painting, hardwood floors, etc.  Even the cats are upset and both Squeek and I are feeling our age I don't want to be involved, somehow have to be advised about all the choices.  Guess that would be nice if it wasn't so exhausting trying to keep track. 

I surely do agree with your devotional, Pastor Al.  Makes me feel a little less like I am either overly cynical or loosing my marbles.  Seems the world only gets more driven by greed, cruelty and things we won't mention.  Watched the nature channel and 'The Silence of The Bees' and even knowing quite a bit about the problem, was horrified at the severity.  The kids do not use any sprays in the garden, but lost many bees during the summer.  Others do use sprays that kill....too lazy to do things the natural way.  I was particularly upset by the attitude of the scientists saying that bees evolved with the evolution of flowers.  How can anyone with a lick of sense, think that our complex and wonderous nature evolved   No wonder problems are not being solved!  Our planet is dying and still greed marches on....

I am praying for your sister, Nita.  So sorry this has happened.  Also, happy that your work has increased, Marilyn.  As Etta Sue is always saying, God is Good, God is Good.  So many interesting posts, can't begin to remember everyone.  Pray where asked and that also helps me

Here is a little smile:

The Bathtub Test
During a visit to the mental asylum, a visitor asked the Director what the criterion was, which defined whether or not a patient should be institutionalized.

"Well," said the Director, "we fill up a bathtub, then we offer a teaspoon, a teacup and a bucket to the patient and ask him or her to empty the bathtub "

"Oh, I understand," said the visitor. "A normal person would use the bucket because it's bigger than the spoon or the teacup."

"No." said the Director, "A normal person would pull the plug. Do you want a bed near the window?"



Pleasant Day/Evening and God Bless.

Liz

Good morning everyone.

We had a good time at Small Group last night.  What interesting times discussing the Bible and how it applies to life on a daily basis.

We had Heather and her family plus her mama dog and babies, plus Melaura snd our family of 5, that makes 10 people in the house.  Two friends of John and mine camping in the friveway.  THat is 12.  Then all the Dogs.  Ours too great exception to heather's dogs and every time they came into the line of sight an uproar of barking went off.   We came to think it was a mad house.  In the daytime the puppies of Heather's were able to stay outside, mama has pins in her leg so the cold really bothered her , and she needed to be brought in.  Having the pups outside really settled things down for our guys.

Heather gave Mother a perm it looks really nice.  Heather is tallented with her hands.

We have lost our deck.  It is a good thing, and next spring we will have a mud room attached to the house.  IN the meantime we got a ramp from the dhurdh (that was being skuttled) and it is a perfect fit to our door.  Mom can now nevigate to the outside without the risk of her falling.  That was always a worry, but you know she became quite adept at the staird when she used the walker.

A friend gave us a pile of left over oil based paint.  We have a floor in the kitchen that is just underlay and are not wanting to put vinyl down till the kitchen is redone.  So we are taking all this paint and mixing it together, then painting the floor.  THe kitchen will be a winter project, rewiring, re plumbing and reinsulating.  Our house is very close to a century house, and the wiring is not up to todays standard.  Also we will be making changes to the plumbing, to accomodate a dishwasher.

I have read all the news, both the troubling and the good.  KNow I am praying for the troubling news and rejoicing with the good.  May God meet your need today, as you walk through your day.

Good morning.  My desktop is whining.  Last time it was the little fan on the side of it.  Sounds like a trip to Best Buy or some place to find a replacement. 

Ruth ~ With all the sugar/Splenda in Green Tomato Pie, it is definitely a dessert!  Some people will not think of trying it just because it has tomatoes in it.  But all of my family loves it.  In fact, Tony, my son, will be getting one for Christmas!!!  My family cut their teeth on Green Tomato Pie!!  Some of the in-laws loves it...some won't even try it! 

I really want to get out there today and mow the leaves.  So it is going to be a toss up to see what wins...mowing or getting a new fan for the pc!  Hmmmm! 

Looking at WeatherBug, it looks like I could wait to mow...Sunny the rest of the week!  Now, what to do?  What to do?

MAGNOLIAS

By Edna Ellison

I spent the week before my daughter's June wedding running last-minute trips to the caterer, florist, tuxedo shop, and the church about forty miles away. As happy as I was that Patsy was marrying a good Christian young man, I felt laden with responsibilities as I watched my budget dwindle . . . so many details, so many bills, and so little time. My son Jack was away at college, but he said he would be there to walk his younger sister down the aisle, taking the place of his dad who had died a few years before. He teased Patsy, saying he'd wanted to give her away since she was about three years old!

To save money, I gathered blossoms from several friends who had large magnolia trees. Their luscious, creamy-white blooms and slick green leaves would make beautiful arrangements against the rich dark wood inside the church. 

After the rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding, we banked the podium area and choir loft with magnolias. As we left just before  midnight, I felt tired but satisfied this would be the best wedding any bride had ever had! The music, the ceremony, the reception - and  especially the flowers - would be remembered for years.

The big day arrived - the busiest day of my life - and while her bridesmaids helped Patsy to dress, her fiancée Tim, walked with me to the sanctuary to do a final check. When we opened the door and felt a rush of hot air, I almost fainted; and then I saw them - all the  beautiful white flowers were black.  Funeral black.  An electrical storm during the night had knocked out the air conditioning system, and on  that hot summer day, the flowers had wilted and died.

I panicked, knowing I didn't have time to drive back to our hometown,  gather more flowers, and return in time for the
wedding.  Tim turned to me. "Edna, can you get more flowers? I'll throw away these dead ones and put fresh flowers in these arrangements." 

I mumbled, "Sure," as he be-bopped down the hall to put on his cuff links.  Alone in the large sanctuary, I looked up at the dark wooden beams in  the arched ceiling.  "Lord," I prayed, "please help me. I don't know a nyone in this town. Help me find someone willing to give me flowers - in a hurry!" I scurried out praying for four things: the blessing of  white magnolias, courage to find them in an unfamiliar yard, safety from any dog that may bite my leg, and a nice person who would not get out a shotgun when I asked to cut his tree to shreds.

As I left the church, I saw magnolia trees in the distance. I approached a house . . . no dog in sight. I knocked on the door and an older man answered. So far so good . . . no shotgun.  When I stated my plea the man beamed, "I'd be happy to!"
He climbed a stepladder and cut large boughs and handed them down to me. Minutes later, as I lifted the last armload
into my car trunk, I said, "Sir, you've made the mother of a bride happy today." 

"No, Ma'am," he said. "You don't understand what's happening here."

"What?" I asked.

"You see, my wife of sixty-seven years died on Monday. On Tuesday I  received friends at the funeral home, and on Wednesday . . He paused. I saw tears welling up in his eyes. "On Wednesday I buried her." He looked away. "On Thursday most of my out-of-town relatives went back home, and on Friday - yesterday - my children left.

I nodded.

"This morning," he continued, "I was sitting in my den crying out loud. I miss her so much. For the last sixteen years, as her health got worse, she needed me. But now nobody needs me. This morning I cried, 'Who needs an eighty-six-year-old wore-out man? Nobody!' I began to cry louder.  'Nobody needs me!' About that time, you knocked, and said, "Sir, I need you." 

I stood with my mouth open. 

He asked, "Are you an angel? The way the light shone around your head into my dark living room . ."

I assured him I was no angel.

He smiled. "Do you know what I was thinking when I handed you those  magnolias?"

"No."

"I decided I'm needed. My flowers are needed. Why, I might have a  flower ministry! I could give them to everyone! Some caskets at the funeral home have no flowers. People need flowers at times like that and I have lots of  them.  They're all over the backyard! I can give them to hospitals, churches - all sorts of places. You know what I'm going to  do? I'm going to serve the Lord until the day He calls me home!"

I drove back to the church, filled with wonder. On Patsy's wedding  day, if anyone had asked me to encourage someone who was hurting, would have said, "Forget it! It's my only daughter's wedding, for goodness' sake! There is no way I can minister to anyone today."  But God found a way. Through dead flowers. 

I received the above story from a friend.  So often when there is a loss in our lives we are left feeling useless.  I hope this encourages you if that is how you feel, to explore the possibilities around you.

Perhaps there is a young unwed mom or a young family that is alone in your part of the country.  There is nothing more blessed to a family than to have little ones spiritually adopted by surrogate grandparents.  There are so many ways that one can bless others, and allow God to work through them.

Liz, I love your little "smiles"...thanks for sharing those.  We have to maintain a sense of humor, else how could we make it through life?

Etta Sue, love your little graphics!  To mow or not to mow, that is the question.............

We have had really warm days lately, and the yellow jackets (wasps) come swarming out by the hundreds!  We have been spraying them---too many to swat, and their stings are vicious!  The mornings are quite nippy, but then it warms up nicely.  Lovely "October's bright blue weather."

Ruth Ann, how are you?  I've been missing you!

Our piano lessons for today were canceled, seems our teacher is not feeling well.  She hasn't seemed herself lately, and I'm concerned about her.

I must go mix our shakes, talk to you later!

Judy, thanks for sharing the above story.  It really touched my heart.

Thank you Judy for that.

This morning I wrote  a little speech for me to say at Ruth's memorial service, I have been thinking of all the things we talked about, the Lord and her family were the two things were talked of most. Her boredom was another.

I am going to one of my 2 other jobs this morning, I have to prepare the medication boxes and clean Bob's little cabin. Tomorrow I get my flu shot. Thursday I take another to a dental appointment and shopping (this one is every now and then)

At 2 tomorrow I go for 3 hours of training on using the Hoyer lift and getting Maggie down for her nap, dismantling her computer off the wheel chair etc. Friday I go at 8 am to learn the morning  procedures.

I also have to get the muffler replaced on my car sometime after tomorrow. It  will be delivered to the Muffler shop tomorrow. I need to mow one day this week, the grass continues to grow during this wet weather.

I need to go take my Colloidal Silver before I go to work.

TTYL

Just quietly reading notes in here and I wasn't going to post anything - until I saw some names online above.  - just to know that I am thinking of you.

Carol

Glad you like the 'smiles', Janet.  Just thought I had best mention that I was referring to Honey Bees in my other post.  Not wasps.  We are loosing all the honey bees all over the world.....this means no pollination of flowers, fruit, etc.  At least 1/3 of all the world's honey bees have disappeared from hives in every country and they have absolutely no solution to the problem, despite working round the clock to solve the problem.  I personally hate wasps, still, do not spray other than the actual nest.  They sure can bite!!!

Yes, Judy, we can find many ways to help others.  Sometimes they simply fall into our laps....

Pleasant Day/Evening and God Bless.

Liz

I am very glad, Ruth, that my studies are of benefit to you!  They sure were to me!

Hi Everyone!

Well, Al suggested I come in to this thread, so hear I am.  Al, yes, you have to browse through the categories to see my work  

I had posted in the intro thread, but let me re-intro. myself here.  I am very new to the photography business, and have been on another forum for a long time.  I have learned a lot on this forum, but have also had to see some pictures I just don't want to see.  I am hear to learn in an environment geared toward those who don't define more skin as "art".

Thanks for visiting my site, and to those who haven't, feel free to do so and make any comments you have.  Also, I am very interested in what others have to say about my work, both negative and positive, so don't ever think you need to hold back criticism on my images!

Nice to meet you all and, like I said, I hope to learn a lot while I'm here.

Great Website Misty.

I sure had a lot of Bumble bees thhis year no honey bees tho'

Hi, friends,

I'm back once again. This was an odd day at work. First I went to the doctor and got out so late I just decided to call the first half of the day a 1/2 vacation day. After all, it was 12:30 when I arrived, and 8:30 is my sign-in time! So, it was actually a necessity.

At any rate, I got my work done in about 3 hours and wondered what to do with the rest of the day, and just about 30 minutes before time to leave, someone called with a complex project, so I ended up getting out of there later than normal - go figure. 

Y'all asked why I haven't been here - well, I spent a really long weekend in Atlanta, I came back with a tummy virus that hit with a vengeance, and then I've tried to keep up some other web obligations, so haven't felt like coming once I got the obligations out of the way.

It really saddens me to learn of Pinky's death. She was very dear to my heart, and I will have an empty spot when I kept my thoughts of her. Isn't it wonderful, though, to know she's now at peace and in no more pain.

It's so good to hear what everyone is up to. Y'all have a good rest of this day and a good one tomorrow.

Ruth Ann

Good Morning.  Thank you, Janet, on your comments about my graphics.  I love them.  They are so much fun. 

Thank you, JudyB, for the story about the Magnolia blossoms.  Quite touching.  God works in mysterious ways....to us.

Honey bees...bees, period.  Not many around Indiana this year at all.  Too dry this year, I guess.  Usually around September and October, just stepping outside brings the bees to you but not this year.  We used to have what we called 'sweat' bees.  I haven't seen one of them for years.  Same as oats bugs, picnic bugs, etc.  Seems some bugs show up at few years and then...phhutt, they are gone! 

Well, I did mow the leaves yesterday but you wouldn't know it today.  The grass was a little high so now maybe the winds will blow away what leaves do fall...that's my hope!  But not into Ivalou and Kaye Don's yard!! 

Then Ivalou called me and wanted to know if I would go out to eat with her.  She had been at the hospital with a neighbor all day to the neighbor...she's 97 years old...to have surgery.  One of the ladies grandson's showed up.  All she has left of the family are grandchildren and they very seldom call or come around.  So sad.  They are the ones to inherit a lot from Bernice but they never show care or concern.  Maybe now they will since they can see how Grandma is failing. 

Then Ivalou and I came home but first, I called Kitty.  She said earlier she might come to my house to watch 'The Bachelor' that I recorded that she missed Monday night.  So she came a few minutes after I got home. 

Oh, yes!  Yesterday I searched for 'Green Tomato Recipes' and found a recipe for Green Tomato Cake.  I made it and it is so good.  Raisins and lots of nuts in it.  Almost like a fruit cake!  Also found Green Tomato Raspberry Jam that only has green tomatoes, sugar and JELLO!  Jello is what give it the flavor.  I made some of this years ago but had forgotton about it.  Very good jam! 

That's it.  Stay safe and healthy!  God Bless!

  Greetings from Nobleton. 

Etta Sue:    I did some copy and pasting of your Halloween greeting to send to an Aunt. 

Also your pie thanks I will be making it but a couple of other folk  just did the reading and said I do not know about that. Someone else can have it but not me.   Each to their own.

A beautiful sunny day     Their are changes coming with my job but not to worry, how can taking children to school each day really change.

Take care    Ruth

Hi everyone.  We are back home after being away for two weeks.  Both Pat and I are feeling the impact of the last two days in the car.  However, I did go to coffee this morning and then to Bible study with the pastor.  When I got home Pat left to get something to eat and go to the grocery store as the cupboards are pretty bare.

We had a very enjoyable trip and a safe drive.  I was just about sideswiped on the bridge going from Missouri over to Illinois on I-64.  A driver suddenly changed lanes and I was in the lane.  Fortunately I was able to serve to the left as no one was beside me and avoid the crash.  Obviously the man didn't see me and was concerned about passing the truck in front of him.  Our car worked perfectly during the trip and that was a relief.

Needless to say we are happy to be home and return to our normal routine.

I was saddened to learn of Pinkie's death and the illnesses among our CP family. 

I will be short today as no way I can address everyone.  Maybe I can get back on track the next couple of days.

Thank You, Father, for bringing Larry back home safely.  Special thanks for keeping him from the potential sideswiping.  Oh God - You are our sufficient and only safety.