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Morning Devotional...

Psalm 47

The setting for this song is should be one in which it is preceded, followed, and interwoven with the triumphant sound of trumpets!  It's that kind of song, a song of praise to the heavenly King of the people of God, to the King Who, in fact, is not only the true King of Israel, but Who also rules the entire universe! 

It should remind us of Daniel 4:34, 35, where we read, "For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom is from generation to generation. All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth.  No one can restrain His hand or say to Him, 'What have you done?'"

It would have been appropriate for the people of Jerusalem to sing this song the day before their armies returned from battle.  Then, the next day, it would be appropriate to sing it again – with great joy - as their victorious armies entered the gates, the warriors themselves joining in as they came near.  The sound - and the joy - would be overwhelming indeed!

The song focusses upon the reason for victory.  They sing, "For the Lord Most High is awesome; He is a great King over all the earth!"  Simply put, He can provide victory because He rules over all that happens on this spinning sphere called Earth, because it is all His property! 

And since it is His, He gives His people whatever lands He will: "He will choose our inheritance for us, the excellence of Jacob whom He loves!"  He gives it to them, and He maintains it for them as well. Then, each time He leads their armies to victory over those who would try to take their land from them – it's as though He gave their inheritance to them again.

So in every case His people are simply called upon to shout and sing praises to Him Who is "king of all the earth!   - (Who) reigns over the nations (and). . . sits on His holy throne!"  He IS greatly exalted, and His people should joyfully sing out that fact!

But let's bring the understanding of this psalm up to our own day and situation.  In the present age our Lord Jesus Christ has risen from the dead and is exalted to the right hand of the Almighty on high.  Regarding Himself our Lord Jesus Christ says that "all authority in heaven and earth has been given unto Me."  So it is with that authority that He leads His Church into every battle of the modern age. In fact the battles are won even when they seem to us to have been lost!  And of course the final triumph will also be His, for "all His enemies shall be made His footstool!" 

It would do us well to be reminded of that sovereignty over all that results in final triumph.  Let us, in fact, be reminded of it as we join His people in songs of praise like this one.
Al Moak


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





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Al, thank you for this great devotional. The Psalms are more and more meaningful to me as I have the time to ponder their prose and poetry.

It was great to be in the house of the Lord this morning. And, the dine with some of His wonderful saints.

Must go for now, but wanted to greet y'all in the name of the Lord Most High.

Love to all,
Ruth Ann

Our most beautiful weather has left for another part of the country.  Cloudy all day.

Yesterday 3 of us went to a craft show north of here we really had a wonderful time, except for a couple issues, which is best to keep my frustrations to myself.

I had a lovely e-mail from Judy B.  Also just a few minutes ago Sue(my daughter) called asking if I would be interested in a girls night out on the 27 of Nov. and if she does not have to work we will be going.

The evening is drawing to a close so will return tomorrow sometime.
Ruth

When I got to Ivalou's last evening Jo said that Ivalou can't walk.  Ivalou said that Saturday night she woke up and her right foot hurt real bad.  Yes, the one with little feeling.  She was having a hard time transferring since she couldn't put weight on it.  We watched TV for awhile and then Ivalou said she was ready for bed.  When I took her socks off, where you get bunions was swollen, red and hot.  GOUT!  So she took one of her pills for gout.  At bathroom time in the night she said it felt a lot better.  When PT calls this morning we are going to tell him that she can't do therapy today. 

I have a doctor's appointment at 10:30am today.  Nothing else this week!

I must be receiving a huge email...I keep having to click 'wait' for my POP3 server to respond!  Wish they wouldn't do that!  Probably a video.

Al:  Very nice devotions today - thank you.  That is such a "big voice" song - can you not just hear the baritones? 

Streets are clear after a foot of snow.  We took our two youngest sons & spouses out for Fatburgers last night and Don and I ordered the mini size.  It was plenty.  Enjoyed just getting together for fun before they start the work week today. 

I listen to a local radio station in the morning and today, I kept hearing that a city in California had banned Patsy Cline.  I was trying to figure out why in the world anyone would go to the length of banning the singer Patsy Cline (who died years ago).  Well, they were saying "cats declawing"    - so the joke is on me.  Why would a city council take up precious time to even discuss such a thing.  I know - it doesn't sound anything like I heard at first   

Hi everyone.

Carol, you lost me on the Patsy Cline business.  Are you saying what you thought was Patsy Cline was actually cats declawing? 

Etta Sue, glad that you knew what was causing the pain for Ivalou.  I am sure you will find plenty to keep busy with this week.

Ruth, your girl's night out sound like something that would very enjoyable.

Al, thanks for the devotional for this week.

My wife spoke with our daughter this morning and she is vomiting again and not able to keep the medicine down to deal with the vomiting.  I expect she has gone back the ER as she can't let this go.

I did not have a great day yesterday as my heart was giving me fits.  I called this morning and got an appointment for tomorrow morning.  I seem to be feeling better today, so far, but didn't try to walk at the gym this morning.  I was finally able to get the pain stopped last night with one of my strong pain pills.  Unfortunately, it caused me to have intermittent itching all night long so didn't get much sleep.  It must have something in it to which I am allergic.  However, will take the itch over the chest and arm pain. 

I am planning on attending my Monday men's luncheon at 1 pm today.  Later today the man is coming to check out our furnace for the winter season.  We didn't have it checked last year.  That will be it for today.

Sure hope both you and Stacey feel better shortly, Larry. Just as I got in this evening, it began to rain, and is supposed to be 100% rain tomorrow, so it's good I don't need to get out tomorrow until about 5:30. Maybe by that time, it will have moved on away from Middle Tennessee.

Y'all have a great evening with our Lord.

Good Morning all!  The sun is up and it is blinding to look south at the snow and sun.  We are planning to go to work on the cabin tomorrow and I see that the temperature is 5* F up there this morning.  Thankful that we have heat in there and it doesn't take too many hours to get up to a normal range. 

Larry:  I am glad that I made you smile - yes, I really did hear Patsy Cline & how do I ever explain it?  But my prayers and concern are with you and Stacey. 

Ruth Ann:  I hope you day isn't rainy all day long.  I meant to mention in another site that the meals you cook for students is a wonderful act of love and are surely much appreciated.  It is such a thoughtful thing for you and your friends to do on a weekly basis.  Hugs to you. 

Good Morning lots of rain here during the night and more expected today.
Keith is going up to Portland today to visit with his sons as well as attend a Continuing Education seminar tomorrow. Not much else is new here I am just coming out of my corner long enough to let you  know that I am here reading  several times per day and still around. Now back to my corner.

Ooops, Marilyn ... you got the wrong corner!  Yours is over there, this one is mine!   

Sorry Jane I didn't look where I was going I  just backed up and landed in your lap.
What a surprise that was. Sorry.

's okay ... How 'bout a cuppa     while we hide out sit here? 

Hi everyone.  It wasn't such a beautiful day here in Georgia as we have been having as has been overcast and misty. 

I saw my cardiologist this morning and will have some more tests.  He took three of my heart medicines to the maximum dosage and I will have a nuclear stress test next week.  After that may have another angiogram as it has been 6 years since that was last done.  I have another appointment with the doctor in a month.  He suggested seeking a heart transplant but I reminded him I had been down that road and wasn't a candidate because of the cancer I have had. He said he is going to check with some of his fellow cardiologists who may know of some new techniques or treatment options as we have about exhausted what he has to offer.  This sounds more dire than I feel it is as most of the time I feel very good.  However, have started having more problems than for quite awhile.

Carol, that sounds like it is going to very cold up in the mountains.  Stay warm.

Marilyn and Jane, glad that you two came out of your corners for a bit. 

Ruth Ann, hope the weather cleared up your way before you had to venture out.

We got home from Amarillo, Texas a couple of hours ago.  The heart doctor said we are both doing really well, come back in six months.  We did a little shopping, went to Golden Corral where Darrel got his meal free, as they were honoring all veterans in this way.  There were a lot of them there that night!  There was also a bagpiper who played several songs.  He wasn't very good, but we appreciated his effort.  He was dressed in his kilt, so sure looked the part.

We are really noticing the increase in the prices of almost everything these days.  With the economy in a slump and so many people out of work, seems a terrible time to raise prices, but I know the overhead costs increase right along with everything else.

Carol, I heard about that town in California banning declawing of cats, too, and really got a chuckle out of your hearing "banning Patsy Cline." 

Larry, I do hope you are feeling better by now, and that they can find further treatments for your condition.  You keep such a wonderful attitude, it is inspiring.  Hope Stacey feels better, too.  I think of her and Liz's Wendy so often, as I deal with the issues with Beth.  God knows all about these three, and He loves each of them so much.  We just need to entrust them to His care.

Tomorrow night our son in law is in another play, and Abby will be dancing in it, too.  Oops, not tomorrow; Thursday!  So we will be going to that, should be a fun evening.

Etta Sue, glad you saw what was hurting Ivalou's foot.  That old gout is nasty, huh?  Hope she feels better and is able to do her PT tomorrow.  That is so important to her recovery.

Marilyn and Jane, are you wearing dunce hats in your self-imposed corner isolation?  Why don't you come on out and play with the rest of us kids? 

I actually bought a few Christmas gifts today; also the making for some I want to make.  Looks as if we will be going to Los Lunas, N.M. to grandson Curtis' for Thanksgiving.

See you all later!

Ivalou did have therapy yesterday.  She told Raymond that she had gout but he said he had some strengthening exercises to do while sitting.  She said they didn't even hurt her gout foot!

I decided yesterday to do a PC Optimization from Iyogi Support that I paid a years membership to about 6 months ago.  I had only used it once so thought I would do this.  Well, afterwards my laptop was super slow!!!  I saw 'Not Responding' and the hour glass more last night than I have in all my years of computering!  So I called Iyogi back.  We worked 2.5 hours last evening and still couldn't do get it fixed.  Seems that my ISP wasn't giving the internet signal and without internet they can have access to my computer.  Why does that happen?...when you have one problem, another problem develops also.  So I got internet back today and spent another 3.5 hours with another guy.  The laptop is running fine now.  Let's just say that I understand the East Indian accent very well after hearing it from 7 hours!

Just before I retire for the night, I just wanted you to know that I've read all the messages in here and we've prayed for the requests.  Larry, my heart goes out to you at this time. 

Give Ivalou a hug for me, Etta Sue.

Hi to everyone else.

I'm sorry for not being in here much but I've had two very painful arms/shoulders and typing is a bit of a bother.

    Hi to all.  Just to say hi to all and will remember you all with your needs.  As you can see it is very late and I must get to sleep will read some more tomorrow and the devotional.  God bless and good night.  Gord.

This is my first day back to work after a 2 week "staycation".
My wife and I didn't feel right leaving and putting Smokey in a kennel while we were gone while he was sick. In fact I never felt right about this trip. It's a good thing we listened. If we had gone, we would have only had a week after we got back before we would have had to put Smokey to sleep. As it was we got to spend 2 weeks with Smokey every day, and go to the park several times and for lots of walks, and lots of treats. At the end of that time Smokey started to have trouble getting up steps, and being able to go for walks, or even get up.
Saturday night and Sunday night we made 2 trips to the animal emergency clinic. The second time they told us that his oxygen level was down, and x-rays showed that he had more fluid in his lungs than he did the day before. He wasn't going to get better, and there was nothing they could do to correct the underlying problem, the cancer that had spread into his bones. We had planned to take him to our vet Monday morning, but it was 5 hours till they opened. So we chose to have him put to sleep. It wasn't fair to let him suffer for 5 hours trying to breathe so our regular vet to tell us the same thing.
Smokey passed at 3:00AM Monday morning.

The squirrels, possums and cats under the deck have a repreve for now.

I am so sorry to hear about Smokey. Prayer for you and your family. I know how you feel.

Hi everyone.  Once again it is a misty and overcast day with some light rain occasionally.  We had a nice group out for coffee this morning.  Tonight I have choir practice but other than doing that will have a quiet day. 

It is always a sad day when we see the end of life for our pets.  We just have to keep in mind the good times we have had with them, grieve the loss, and let time heal. 

Pat, thanks for your comment.  Please don't worry about me as I am doing OK.  Hopefully the increases in medication will get me back to where I have been in terms of pain free days.  I feel that I am blessed not to have pain most of the time and know that there are many people (and I think you are one of them) who endure pain everyday because of various conditions. 

Etta Sue, it is very frustrating when you experience problems with your computer after applying a program that is suppose to improve performance.  Glad the Ivalou was able to continue with her rehab, at least a portion of it.

Janet, it sounds like you have great plans for Thanksgiving in being able to see your grandson and his family.  It is always nice to get a good report from a doctor visit.  The play sounds like it will be a lot of fun.

Sorry about Smokey.  It is sad when we our pets leave us.

The nurse has been here to draw Ivalou's blood to send to the lab so the lab can send the results to the doctor's office so Ivalou can visit next Wednesday, the 25th.  We are waiting on PT and Speech now.  Waiting to see who is first.  I know they can't be on exact time each time but it is frustrating when one is suppose to be right after the other and the first one is late!  But we have been told that the second one is suppose to wait.  But that makes for a late lunch and Ivalou didn't have breakfast...just coffee and a small bowl of cereal after the nurse left. 

My laptop is running superb now!  I even called Toshiba last night and I have the Hot Keys now showing when I press the Function button.  Tarun, the Iyogi guru, couldn't figure that out.  Just tried it again and it was off again.  Grrr! 

That's it from Indiana.  Two days of rain in a row.  Dreary today.  Farmers will wish they had gotten their crops in when it was sunny!

I'm so sorry to hear that the end did finally come for Smokey.  I know that even though you were aware that it was coming it was a very difficult final decision to make.  We are never as prepared as we think.   

Etta Sue sometimes the therapists get delayed at the last patients house or some other patient therefore they are running late, they can't help it if that happens. I know it can be annoying but please just be as patient with them are they are  with the people they see. Having been in the business for as long as I was I know how you feel when you have other plans and someone is late. But  as I told myself, and I will tell you,  that is all part of the job of being the caregiver.

I was up very early this morning and finished a couple of PSP projects I was working on. I am part way ready to go out and about with my friend in the other corner here. I have a cake in the oven right now.

Pat, it is so good to see you back, but I am so sorry about your shoulder pain.  Are you in Guelph or Virginia?  Please take care of yourself.

I'm sorry to read about dear Smokey the dog.  It is always so sad to say goodbye to those faithful animals who have become such a part of our lives.  Just know we are all thinking of you; most if not all of us have walked through those tough times, so we do know how you feel.

We have now sold Beth's older trailer, and they moved it off our property this week.  Now, all of a sudden, we have two different men both wanting to buy Darrel's trailer and lot in town.  I think it is because they make really economical housing, and times are tough.  The trailer in town will go to the people who live next door to it now, I think they are buying it for their son.  This would be lots better if the rates on CDs and other investments were better.  At least it will save taxes and insurance!  And having to deal with renters!!!

Etta Sue, I wouldn't even attempt to do any of that stuff with my computer!  I would probably really mess things up.    Glad your laptop is humming along now.

Larry, we all hope the change in your meds will take away the pain.  You are a bright spot in our days!  

I had missed four days of exercise, counting the weekend, but got back to it today.  I sure feel a lot better when I exercise.  I started using weights again toay, using light ones to begin, of course.

   Hi to all and Iwill try to send this posting again. 

  :)Marilyn: Hi to you I am going to send you the recipe for the banana bread.  It is called  MADEOVER LIGHT BANANA BREAD    1/2 CUP  Margarine (soft)
                         1CUP     SUGAR
                          2          EGGS
                          1CUP     MASHED BANANA (2-3 MEDIUM)
                          1/2        SOUR CREAM
                           2CUP     ALL PURPOSE FLOUR
                           1TSP.    BAKING SODA
                           1/2 tsp   SALT  ( OPTIONAL

                          1  Preheat oven to 350F and grease & flour loaf pan.  (1large or 2 small or medium.
                          2  Cream margarine and sugar in large bowl at medium speed for electric beater

                          3 Add eggs, banana and sour cream, beating until smooth.

                          4Combine flour, baking soda and  (salt).  Add to mixture.  Mix until blended. Spread in pan.

                          5Bake at 350 F for 55 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in centre comes out clean.  Cool in pan 10 minuet es, then remove.  Turn out on wire rack untilcooled.  It may be wrapped well and stored in freezer.  Happy cooking.


Larry:  Sorry to here about your daughter and I do hope that she gets some renewed strength in her body.  Wewill be remembering her.  Noe to you I hope that you are feeling better and don't overdo it if you don't have to go out just stay home.  God Bless.

Etta Sue.  I hope that you are doing o.k. and mywife and I know how hard it is for a care giver as Noreen and I looked after her parents and that was hard. Mat the Lord give you lots of strength to continue.  God bless you.

Pat and PAUL.   Hope THAT YOU ARE O.K. . Pat i MISSED READING WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU SEND ME AN EMAIL IF YOU GET TIME AND TELL ME WHAT HAPPENED.  please LOOK AFTER YOURSELVES.   Love ya sis

Good night to all and may you all have a wonderful week.  Gord.

Thank you so much Gord.

I hope  everyone is doing just fine this morning. Larry, Liz and Janet I am keeping your daughters in my prayers.

Hi everyone.  We have sunshine again today and it sure looks good. 

Pat and I are meeting friends for lunch at 12:30 today at a Mexican place.  Tonight I have choir practice again. 

This increase in medicine has put a lot more nitroglycerin into my system and as a result had a headache all day yesterday and a slight headache today.  I know I just need to get used to it, which should happen in another day or so.

Janet, it was a very happy day when I sold our rental home.  I never want to be a landlord again.   

Etta Sue, glad to see you got your laptop problems resolved.  I am going to put the new Windows 7 on both my laptop and desktop.  However, have some preliminary preparation to do before I will be ready as have a lot of programs and want to know what I have had.  I can probably drop some of the programs.

Good to see all of the postings.  I am not going to try to respond to each person today but be assured I have read your postings.

Yes, I know that therapists will be late...even when they tell you they will be there in a half hour.  Traffic!  We understand that but we are relieved when they are done for the day and then our time is ours...not waiting.  I, for one, am a terrible 'wait on someone' person.  But I also understand that a lot of occupations cannot be on time all the time. 

Tony and Charlene came last evening to visit.  Of course, Ivalou stumbles on words and has to re-focus or slow down and then the word comes out.  Once Charlene was talking and she got consonants twisted around and Ivalou said 'See, you talk like me now!'  We had a good laugh!  I am so blessed to have a sister that I am caring for that is positive, laughing, so easy to get along with...even cooking.  It is her house but she seems to let everyone else do as they want in her house.  Hope not too many things have been moved around and she can find things once she gets more independent. 

And my computer is running great!  It turns on faster and seems to work more efficient.  That's what I was wanting in the beginning...before I let them do stuff that wasn't necessary!

Another dark and dreary day in Indiana.  It is 44°.  A little cool while getting the trash from my house and here and taking it to Kaye Don's drive.  But that task is done for another week!  I fed the kitties also while I was home. 

Good evening after being away for several days.
I had a doctors appointment on Tues and another today but good news with the both of them.  Then  Tim Horton's for our Wednesday morning  coffee that is always a fun filled morning.

Pat:  Does the shoulder and arm problems go back to your bus training days?

We have had rain for the most part all day.   
Something interesting Mel had built a bird feeder but now he is trying to plan a way to get rid to the squirrels they like the sunflower seeds as well, he is saying that a sling shot would work.

We should try to keep stress as far away as possible.

Marilyn:  Do not sit in you corner all day.

Time say nite nite.     Ruth   

Early, dreary morning again.  Doing some laundry so the next person will have a clean bed.  Home tonight. 

OT was very nice yesterday.  He took Ivalou through a lot of movements to evaluate her right arm.  He said he would be back to bring some items that will help her and some exercises to do but to use her right arm/hand all she could.  We were told for her not to because they didn't want her to do them wrong (hospital rehab).  So we had popcorn last night and I told her she was only to use her right hand!! 

Not many poster yesterday.  Let's get to posting today, ya hear!!