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Morning Devotional


You, brethren, are not in darkness ... you are all sons of light. I Thessalonians 5:4-5

The born-again Christian sees life not as a blurred, confused, meaningless mass, but as something planned and purposeful.   His eyes have been opened to spiritual truth.

In Christ's first sermon at Nazareth, He said that one of the reasons He had come to earth was to preach "recovery of sight to the blind" (Luke 4:18).  By nature we are all spiritually blind because of sin.  But the Spirit of God helps us see our sin and our helplessness and shows us God's redeeming grace in Christ.  The Spirit reveals the truth of Jesus' declaration: "I am the light of the world.  He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life" (John 8:12).

In the Bible we are called "children of light and children of the day" (! Thess. 5:5 NRSV), because it pleased God to share His mysteries and secrets with us.  We are no longer in the dark – we know where we came from, we know why we are here, and we know where we are going.  In the midst of a world living in spiritual darkness, walk as a child of the light.

Rev. Billy Graham ~ Hope for Each Day: Words of Wisdom and Faith

Hi everyone on this start of a fine new week in in Thoughts.  We are starting out the day at 30 degrees but should see about 54 degrees this afternoon and the day is to be sunny.  Nothing out of the norm on the schedule for today.  We will go to Sunday School and Church and this is Communion Sunday so I guess there really is something special for this morning.  We will go somewhere to have lunch and then home for a restful afternoon and evening.  I will watch at least some of the Superbowl this evening but may not last until it is over as expect it will be close to midnight before the game ends.

Jane, thank you for that fine devotional for this week.  It highlights the Blessed Assurance we have in Christ. 

Ruth Ann, I wish we could vote early here.  I should have gotten with the game and requested absentee ballots as standing in line is misery for Pat's back and is very tiring.  However, we do plan to vote. 

I hope everyone will have a good day. 

Jane, thanks for this morning's devotional and the hymn with it's own special message.

Referring back to your message yesterday, I will certainly be in prayer for you and the situation you've encountered. 

Yesterday I turned 76 and I sure don't feel  like that is my correct age. 

we did our weekly Walmart run and I took Freckles to the dog park to play with the some of the other dogs in our group.

We will celebrate my Birthday on the 9th with another couple  by going to the Coach ouse for dinner. The date is between her birthday and mine. http://www.thecoachhousecoosbayor.com/

  Happy Birthday Marilyn! 

Hi everyone on a clear sky and chilly South Carolina Monday morning.  I slept in late this morning as am not rushed this morning.  At noon I will attend a meeting and that will be it for today.  I did watch the Superbowl last evening and Denver certainly outplayed Carolina.    I just had a brief email from my best friend saying he is back in the hospital as he mentally blacked out yesterday.  He is suffering from Parkinson's Disease and also a couple of cracked bones in his back, one of which has gotten worse in the last few days so he is in a lot of pain. 

Marilyn, Happy Birthday.  You are a year older than I am and sometimes I feel my age but I do understand your comments as our minds seem to stay younger than our bodies.  I hope you have a great time out with your friends on the 9th.  That sounds like a very nice restaurant.

Thanks for the birthday wishes. Yep I am now 76, don't look my age so I'm told, butsometime s I really feel it when my back flares us like today

   Good afternoon to all on site.  Well I want to thank you all again for your prayers and that they have been answered  I am feeling a lot better but am waiting for an app. for a Neurologist to see me.  I have what they call with my heart Mild Cardiac Vascular Disease Also Bundle branch block so you can look at this on google.  I  had a Angiogram done and all was clear no heart attack and blockage Praise the Lord again.   I still have some pain and they think that it may be muscle and nerve problem.        Noreen knee is healing up again and she also was grateful for all your prayers as she was back in the hospital again.  They kept me in hospital for 6 day's .   We are so thankful for all the many people that prayed and also brought some food to the house.   
  We ask if you could remember some people rho are having cancer treatment's  David a very close fried  Bryan who has lost 20 lbs. and he is very thin any way my niece Fiona who is a mother of 3 young children in Scotland and is finished her treatments but that they will work and that she will here that gospel of Christ.  Husband Rolly and Vicki have many medical  problem's also stage 4 cancer.   This past year and the start of 2016 has been hard.   But with our heavenly father I have no doubt that he can do miracle's.    One person that I forgot for prayer is my middle son Dan  He has type 1 diabetes since he was 14 he is almost 39 years old and I had to take him out of town today to see that surgeon who has already operated on him twice for his eye's and I know that you have prayed for him before...   Danny first of all need;s to find the Lord then he would be able to understand why we pray for each other.. He was just informed today that he needs an other very important surgery to hopefully fix his left eye.  I would appreciate all of your prayers'.

  It seems that I come to bring bad news's but thay;s the way it has gone.  Jane.   Thanks for your devotional it was good.

  Larry it been a while hope that you and Pat are doing well

Marilyn.   Happy birthday but you sure do not look that old. I hat to think that I have an other one coming to.

Well Please stay healthy an d may the Lord give you all a wonderful week  All our Love in Christ" name   Gordon and Noreen.

Hi, friends,

On a snowy evening here in Nashville, I'm tucked in and warm. With some disability, I just don't go out in the snow anymore. A lady got a bit upset that I didn't take her to the doctor and I reminded her that I told her months ago that I "don't do snow" now that I, too, am dealing with disability.

It's good to hear from y'all.

Maybe we'll hear from Janet soon.

Y'all have a good rest of the day.

Ruth Ann

Hi everyone on a chilly but sunny Tuesday morning.  We are suppose to get up to 48 degrees today.  Other than to get the mail I just plan on staying home where it is warm today.  I did get a Facetime call from my best friend last evening and he was calling from his hospital bed.  He said they have done another bunch of tests and so far found he has another infection.  It was an infection that caused his last spell when he was not aware for awhile.  He hopes to get out of the hospital today.  I got word yesterday that a good friend and his wife from my McDonald's coffee group where I moved from will be coming over for a day visit a week from today. That was a very pleasant surprise. 

Marilyn, sorry your back is causing you more problems.  These bone structures have carried us upright for many years.  I am very fortunate in that my back seldom bothers me.  Hope you are feeling better today.

Gord, glad to read that you are feeling a lot better.  While you have some heart problems at least you didn't have a heart attack or blockages.   Glad that Noreen is back on the road to recovery.  There are so many people experiencing cancer problems and that is very worrisome. Certainly hope your son's eye surgery will fix his eye problem.  Pat and I are doing well, just the usual aches and pains. 

Ruth Ann, it almost sounds like the lady you help with medical appointments is taking it for granted that you will be available when she needs you.  Glad you stood up for yourself and are doing what you know is best for you.  It is certainly not worth a fall in the snow to be getting out if you do not have to do so.   

You all sound like children to me.  I'll be 84 in June!  Sometimes I have to convince myself that I've been around that long, since I don't feel old.  I am so blessed that I have no pain and my only problem is muscle weakness and COPD with difficulty breathing after any activity.  But guess who's to blame for that!  65+ years of cigarettes sure did a job on my lungs/bronchial tubes.     Oh yes, there's the problem of hearing, too - especially on the telephone.

Gord, prayers continue for you and Noreen.  We know so well that God hears us and answers - not always the way we expect but.....

Good evening, friends,

It's so good to hear from y'all.

I'm still in my warm apartment. I may have my days and nights mixed up after this stint of being tucked away in my apartment. I am not certain how many naps I took today. 

Yes, Larry, we must be firm when there's danger involved.

I may need to stop all taxi service soon. My left knee is letting me know it's time for that replacement surgery.

Jeanne, wow, I suppose we really do sound like children - I'll be 76 in July. You seem to be dealing with your limitations very well.

Well, y'all have a good rest of the evening.

Love to all,
Ruth Ann

 :)Good evening to all.  About my Son Dan we went to see the New surgeon today regarding his left eye and the news's is not good   the retina is detached and the do have to operate and that will be on the 18th Feb.  the doctor could not say to much about what is going on inside as there is a lot of blood and he cannot see with out going in to figure out what they need to do.   They hope that they can reattach  the Retina so that is what we need to pray for that a miracle will happen and that Danny will recognize that it through prayer and the power of the heavenly father that if it is God's will he will be healed.  I am very tired as these last two days have been hard regarding all the driving I had to do.  Also Danny"S wife met us today with her beautiful little son but it is not Dan"s so that was hard as that is the first time I have seen her for a few years she also need's lots of prayer.   Her name is Danielle.

I am so grateful for your prayers.  May the Lord richly bless you.  Love in Christ.  Gordon and Noreen.

Hi everyone on a chilly 28 degree morning.  It is only to get into the low 40's this after with the sun coming out around 3 pm but cloudy the rest of the day.  Pat will go to her craft group at the church this morning and then probably around 1 pm we plan on going to The Chop House for my birthday lunch.  While my 75th birthday isn't until Friday this is the only day Scott has off from work.  This is a nice restaurant we have enjoyed a couple of times before and good for special occasions.  It worked out well as there is no dinner at church tonight as there is an Ash Wednesday service this evening.

Jeanne, nice to read that you are not in pain.  Sorry to hear you have COPD.  Stacey also suffered from that condition.  Most of us probably would have tried to take better care of ourselves had we known we would live as long as we have.  I know I never expected to live to be 75 and my new goal is 80 or beyond. 

Ruth Ann, you must have needed the additional naps.  You do need to tend to your own needs first.  I see you are a bit older than I am but not by much.

Gord, at least your son is seeking the help he needs with his eye and we will certainly pray for a good outcome from the surgery.  Nice that you could see Dan's wife and the step grandson.  I also had a step grandson but we have basically lost contact.  My son met his mother when she was 6 months pregnant and married her but she turned out not to be faithful to him so they divorced.   

Good Day everyone  May all we pray for have good results from medical issue and just normal daytime living.

There is only 5.6 % chance of catching shingles after having the serum shot.  Well, I am in the 5%.  It started with what looked like cold sores but yesterday morning my right side of my face was rosy and swollen and looked terrible.  At Urgent Care (thank you Lord for bringing a knowledgeable woman doctor here) the doc walked up to me and said you are in full bloom of shingles.  What a surprise.  So, I am contagious for some time.  Really sleepy and staying in house until part of this is over.  But --- so thankful for medical care we have and thankful for Don - good friends and caring family. 

Ruth Ann:  Kudos for you on now thinking of cutting back or ending taxi service.  Perhaps everyone can get together to find a solution?  Take care of thyself.

Gord:  Prayers for your son and your family as well. 

Jeanne:  I don't know what your bad news was and just want to acknowledge it and pray for your answers to prayers. 

Larry:  We did watch the game - and 1 million were in a quiet and controlled gathering.  Did you hear the Bronco quarterback mention his faith?  This week, I have worked on my old Viking several days and suddenly it seems to be fixed.  Another miracle because parts for it are not available anymore. 

Thanks for  the song - so nice.

Hello Pat 

Hi, friends,

I've enjoyed spending some time on the computer today.

It's still icy and very cold here with more snow to come in today. They say we may reach a high of 30 degrees.

Gordon I'm so sorry to learn of the problems. We do what we need to do and trust the Lord for the strength to do them. I'll be praying with y'all about your son's health.

Carol, I sure am sorry you have the shingles. I've had the shot and truly hope it works for me. I'll be praying that you recover with minimal pain.

Larry, have a most wonderful birthday. My grandmother's birthday was Feb 13th, I'll think of both of you on that day.

May our Lord bless us and keep us in His will today.

Love to all,
Ruth Ann

Hi everyone on a beautiful and calm 27 degree South Carolina morning.  We should get to about 52 this afternoon.  Yesterday was sort of a miserable day to be outside as it stayed very cold all day and we had a vicious wind that chilled to the bone.  So far no wind today. 

Our plans yesterday had to be modified as when we got to The Chop House they were closed due to a county-wide water problem.  We then tried another nice restaurant and it was closed.  So we ended up just down the down a bit at Longhorn's Steak House and had a nice meal.  We stopped at COSTCO for a couple of items and Scott had been wanting to stop there for an item.  When we got home he worked for about two hours trying to see an "easy to setup" wi-fi extender to work.  I am taking it back to Office Depot this afternoon and have ordered one like the one we already have that works well and it will save me around $50.  I am going to coffee this morning and then the Wisdom class before going to Office Depot.  I also need to prepare for Valentine's Day.  That will be a full day for me. 

Carol, getting the shingles is sure the pits.  I have never had them but have several friends who have and I know they are a source of misery.  I hope you got to the doctor on time so the medicine will help shorten the duration and the ease some of the pain.  The Denver fans are to be congratulated on having a nice parade without having to have riots and destruction as seems to happen in many cities. 

Ruth Ann, I hope you didn't get too much snow or ice yesterday.  Glad you can stay in where it is warm. Thanks for the birthday wish.  My sister's birthday was on the 6th and my great granddaughter's birthday is today and she will be 12 years old.   

Thanks be!  Recovery is happening on the shingles problem.  The swelling on my face is half over and no longer rosy and purple.  Such a sight!  I have been tinkering (not happily) with my old computerized sewing machine as parts are no longer available and about to do another test run on it - holding my breath.  Don is taking a walk and I don't want to be in the sun right now until completely cured.  84 degrees will be the high today and that is almost 20 degrees higher than normal.  It feels wonderful - and the news in Tucson is that they are so happy for the heavy snowfall in the Colorado mountains.  Someday, there will come a time of real water fights.  Every time I see a garden fountain, it means a waste of precious water and the builders still do it at entrances and so forth. 

Don is back - thank you for any concerns.  I feel blessed.

Hi everyone. I awoke to a 39 degree morning and we will see the mid-50's this afternoon.  I am looking forward to today as I will be driving over to Madison, Georgia (about a 90 minute drive) to have lunch with one of my men's luncheon groups from where I lived before. 

Late yesterday afternoon I had a call to come and pick up the CPAP machine the lung doctor had ordered for me.  So I used the machine for the first time last night.  It has a small piece that goes over your nose and just one elastic strap around your head.  I used it all night without difficulty.  It is the exact same machine that Pat has although she has a much more complicated mask and head gear apparatus. 

Carol, good news that you are having recovery from the Shingles.  Hopefully by the time you make your trip to California they will just be a bad memory.  Hope your sewing machine has worked after your work on it.  Your weather sounds great.

Hi, friends,

It's been a busy day for me with the cleaning lady and I sorting through and filing, shredding, or discarding some papers as well as getting the laundry done and general cleaning.

Now, I've decided to enjoy spending some time with my friends on the internet.

Carol, good news about the shingles beginning to get better. That's wonderful. I also hope to hear good news with your sewing machine.

Larry, hope your birthday has been great, and that your new gadget will work as you planned. Also, it's good that your have your new CPAP.  I just received the new style air delivery device such as you have described. I hope it works well. Will be setting mine up in a day or so. I've had a much more complicated face mask to use for many years. So, this will be a relief if I can accept it.

Well, it's to be very cold - only in the 20s tomorrow, then bad weather with various types of precipitation predicted for Sunday through Wednesday. I'm so thankful to be able to stay inside until it's better.

May our Lord bless each of you who come here.

Ruth Ann

Hi everyone on a sunny 34 degree morning.  We are not to get above 45 today.  I had a great time at the luncheon in Madison with the six men who are active in the weekly men's luncheon group.  We spent about 90 minutes and were fortunate to get a round table that held seven people and we could all participate in the same conversation.  I had a good drive over and back. 

On the way home I stopped at the credit union and then Walmart for one item in the pharmacy.  Finally I stopped at Jersey Mike's for my free sub sandwich, which Pat enjoyed for her supper. I had several Birthday calls including one from my childhood best friend via Facetime.  I have nothing on my schedule for today so plan on a quiet, unhurried and restful day. 

Ruth Ann, I am finding I like the CPAP machine and the very small mask and especially the ease of putting it on and taking it off with just the one band that goes around the back of my head.  They sure have a lot of different styles and types of masks.  Hope your weather isn't too bad over the next few days

Hi, friends,

I've been shopping this afternoon. Now, the chores of unloading them.

They're predicting all sorts of different weather in the upcoming days. So, I'm glad to get the food in before the "blitz."

Y'all have a wonderful rest of the day.

Ruth Ann

Hi everyone.  I won't comment on our weather this morning as know many other places are suffering under the extreme cold and we are not.  As usual we will attend Sunday School and Church and then go out to eat.  The rest of the day will be a quiet one of rest. 

Ruth Ann, glad you were able to get to the grocery store so you won't need to get out in the weather, whatever it is, for several days. 

A new week begins HERE