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Morning Devotional...





Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. Hebrews 11:1-2


Remember that faith is not a noble quality found only in superior men. It is not a virtue attainable by a limited few. It is not the ability to persuade ourselves that black is white or that something we desire will come to pass if we only wish hard enough. Faith is simply the bringing of our minds into accord with the truth. It is adjusting our expectations to the promises of God in complete assurance that the God of the whole earth cannot lie. A man looks at a mountain and affirms, "That is a mountain." There is no particular virtue in the affirmation. It is simply accepting the fact that stands before him and bringing his belief into accord with the fact. The man does not create the mountain by believing, nor could he annihilate it by denying. And so with the truth of God. The believing man accepts a promise of God as a fact as solid as a mountain and vastly more enduring. His faith changes nothing except his own personal relation to the word of promise. God's Word is true whether we believe it or not. Human unbelief cannot alter the character of God. Faith is subjective, but it is sound only when it corresponds with objective reality. The man's faith in the mountain is valid only because the mountain is there; otherwise it would be mere imagination and would need to be sharply corrected to rescue the man from harmful delusion. So God is what He is in Himself. He does not become what we believe. "I AM That I AM." We are on safe ground only when we know what kind of God He is and adjust our entire being to the holy concept.

Faith is trusting God and what He has promised even when we cannot see and may not experience the fulfillment of those promises according to our personal calendar.


Father, my faith finds its resting place in You, in You the Eternal God.

From Devotions By Dr. Tozer

April Fools!!

Thank you, Don!  My, it seems posting a new devotion comes around pretty quick any more.  I'm next!

No news about Jacob yesterday.

Kitty called yesterday and asked if I wanted to go shopping with her for Easter stuff!  That girl spends more money for holidays.  Something for everyone in her immediate family.  And a pinata that she still needs to fill with candy!  She kept saying...I don't know what to get Alex and Matthew...16 and 24 years old.  MONEY!  Everyone appreciates MONEY!  But she hides Easter eggs in the house and they all contain money so she can't give them money for a gift!  And she fixes dinner for all of them.  What do they give her and Bob?  Nothing!

Well, I have my Caramel Corn made and I only had one bite.  Kind of hoping they don't like it and I can bring it back home!! ha!

It's been raining but suppose to get to 78 degrees today.  The sun is trying to shine right now and the flag is blowing from the southeast. 

Ivalou is going with me to church since after church we are going to our local Lions Club for the Palm Sunday Pancake Breakfast.  It's always good and they do have peanut butter for the pancakes with syrup!

Don, thank you for the new devotional for this week.  Etta Sue, you are terrible wanting people not to eat your caramel corn so you can bring it home.  That sounds like something I would say. 

A friend sent the following piece related to Easter and I found it inspiring.  It is long but I found it work the read.


THE STORY OF EDITH BURNS...

Happy Easter!

Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio , Texas . She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns.

One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it was because of Edith Burns. When he walked into that waiting room, there sat Edith with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside her.

Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way: "Hello, my name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved.

Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw the head nurse, Beverly . Beverly had first met Edith when she was taking her blood pressure.

Edith began by saying, "My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?"

Beverly said, "Why yes I do."

Edith said, "Well, what do you believe about Easter?"

Beverly said, "Well, it's all about egg hunts, going to church, and dressing up." Edith kept pressing her about the real meaning of Easter, and finally led her to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Dr. Phillips said, " Beverly , don't call Edith into the office quite yet. I believe there is another delivery taking place in the waiting room.

After being called back in the doctor's office, Edith sat down and when she took a look at the doctor she said, "Dr. Will, why are you so sad? Are you reading your Bible? Are you praying?"

Dr. Phillips said gently, "Edith, I'm the doctor and you're the patient." With a heavy heart he said, "Your lab report came back and it says you have cancer, and Edith, you're not going to live very long."

Edith said, "Why Will Phillips, shame on you. Why are you so sad? Do you think God makes mistakes? You have just told me I'm going to see my precious Lord Jesus, my husband, and my friends. You have just
told me that I am going to celebrate Easter forever, and here you are having difficulty giving me my ticket!"

Dr. Phillips thought to himself, "What a magnificent woman this Edith Burns is!"

Edith continued coming to Dr. Phillips. Christmas came and the office was closed through January 3rd. On the day the office opened, Edith did not show up. Later that afternoon, Edith called Dr. Phillips and said she would have to be moving her story to the hospital and said, "Will, I'm very near home, so would you make sure that they put women in here next to me in my room who need to know about Easter."

Well, they did just that and women began to come in and share that room with Edith. Many women were saved. Everybody on that floor from staff to patients were so excited about Edith, that they started calling her Edith Easter; that is everyone except Phyllis Cross, the head nurse.

Phyllis made it plain that she wanted nothing to do with Edith because she was a "religious nut". She had been a nurse in an army hospital. She had seen it all and heard it all. She was the original G.I. Jane. She had been married three times, she was hard, cold, and did everything by the book.

One morning the two nurses who were to attend to Edith were sick. Edith had the flu and Phyllis Cross had to go in and give her a shot.

When she walked in, Edith had a big smile on her face and said, "Phyllis, God loves you and I love you, and I have been praying for you."

Phyllis Cross said, "Well, you can quit praying for me, it won't work.. I'm not interested."

Edith said, "Well, I will pray and I have asked God not to let me go home until you come into the family."

Phyllis Cross said, "Then you will never die because that will never happen," and curtly walked out of the room.

Every day Phyllis Cross would walk into the room and Edith would say, "God loves you Phyllis and I love you, and I'm praying for you."

One day Phyllis Cross said she was literally drawn to Edith's room like a magnet would draw iron. She sat down on the bed and Edith said, "I'm so glad you have come, because God told me that today is your special day"

Phyllis Cross said, "Edith, you have asked everybody here the question, "Do you believe in Easter but you have never asked me."

Edith said, "Phyllis, I wanted to many times, but God told me to wait until you asked, and now that you have asked." Edith Burns took her Bible and shared with Phyllis Cross the Easter Story of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Edith said, "Phyllis, do you believe in Easter? Do you believe that Jesus Christ is alive and that He wants to live in your heart?"

Phyllis Cross said, "Oh I want to believe that with all of my heart, and I do want Jesus in my life "Right there, Phyllis Cross prayed and invited Jesus Christ into her heart. For the first time Phyllis Cross did not walk out of a hospital room, she was carried out on the wings of angels.

Two days later, Phyllis Cross came in and Edith said, "Do you know what day it is?" Phyllis Cross said, "Why Edith, it's Good Friday."

Edith said, "Oh, no, for you every day is Easter. Happy Easter Phyllis!"

Two days later, on Easter Sunday, Phyllis Cross came into work, did some of her duties and then went down to the flower shop and got some Easter lilies because she wanted to go up to see Edith and give her some Easter lilies and wish her a Happy Easter.

When she walked into Edith's room, Edith was in bed. That big black Bible was on her lap. Her hands were in that Bible. There was a sweet smile on her face. When Phyllis Cross went to pick up Edith's hand, she realized Edith was dead. Her left hand was on John 14: "In my Father's house are many mansions. I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also."

Her right hand was on Revelation 21:4, "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes, there shall be no more death nor sorrow, nor crying; and there shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."

Phyllis Cross took one look at that dead body, and then lifted her face toward heaven, and with tears streaming down her cheeks, said, "Happy Easter, Edith - Happy Easter!"

Phyllis Cross left Edith's body, walked out of the room, and over to a table where two student nurses were sitting. She said, "My name is Phyllis Cross. Do you believe in Easter?"

If you believe in Easter, forward this on. God works in wonderful ways, and to believe in his power is to truly be free. If Jesus had e-mail, he'd do the same for you.


(Actually, maybe He just did)

"Father, bless this person in whatever it is that You know he or she may be needing this day"

Don, thank you for today's devotional.   A fine description of what faith really means.

Larry, what a great story about Edith Burns - and how wonderfully it relates to Don's devotional! 

How good it is to believe that Jesus LIVES!  And that He gave Himself for me and presently lives foor me!  May He also live IN me.

Today is April 1st but to the folk in a town farther north than were Judy B lives they got not an April fools but lots and lots of the white stuff called snow.

Larry All my best for Stacey and may the Lord guide the Dr's in what lies ahead 

Larry: I loved the Edith Burns story.

We did get a skiff of snow but it is now gone.  We did hear that communities to the North of us got a lot more!

Etta Sue, what a wonderful little cartoon for us today! I had laughed and told my friend by phone that today was April Fool's day, and she chuckled and then said firmly, "Yes, Ruth Ann, but it is ALSO Palm Sunday!"

And, for the granny and her 2 grandchildren (who are with her only for this week) that I've shared with you, we saw that they were wanting to be in church, that they were well behaved, and that they got the lunch steak that they each wanted. Oh, how we've prayed for them as they've had to be away from their granny for a few weeks because of a rehab program their mother was sentenced to which also required that the children be in the rehab place, too. I'll be trying very hard to make this one of the best weeks of their life.

Al, how great to read your posts.

Don, thank you SO much for that devotional. It's amazing to me that our Lord guides each person who brings the devotionals to us to a topic that I need to reconsider. Faith is such a nebulous thing, and yet, it produces such concrete results!

F   fantastic
A   adventures
I   in
T   trusting
H   Him

'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus!

I do so much wish I could remember each person's message, but understand that God knows the intent of my heart, and that He will be with us as we worship and pray together and sing along with the wonderful hymns.

I was begging God this week to literally, physically shut someone's mouth, just as he shut the mouths of those lions in Daniel's lions den experience. I believe he can and will literally do this through his strength and power!

Much love to everyone here, and also it's intended to go to your own extended family members.

Ruth Ann

Thanks for the devotional, story, song, etc.. All are good encouragements for us. We had some snow this morning too. Trees were covered - it looked like a Winter Wonderland, but most of it is gone now.
Otherwise, the ice went out of our lake about a week or so ago. This was the earliest that people remember it happening.
It's nice to see spring coming, and be able to get out more.

Here in unusually warm Nashville, TN, we are dealing with record high temperatures and also with HUGE pollen counts. No wonder my eyes are burning!  See, I'm wearing my sunglasses so y'all can't see how red they are!

Welcome back, Betty.

Love to all,
Ruth Ann

Janet you posted this in last week's  Thoughts

QuoteJanet Damon--Book site
Re: Thoughts for the Week~March 25
« Reply #64 on: Today at 08:46:44 AM »

We are going to Moscow for church today, and need to pick Beth up earlier.  So I will come in and post when we get home!  Happy Palm Sunday, everyone!
Janet

Today at 07:41:13 PM »

Our members must all be resting today!  I did some of that myself! 

We took Beth and went to Moscow to church.  I was really disappointed in the service, but maybe it just was so much different from what we are used to.  I pray some people were blessed by it.

After church, we went over to Curtis and Toni's house, as they made lunch for us.  Their house has steps at both front and back, so no way to get Beth's wheelchair inside.  Thus, we had a picnic/barbecue in the back yard.  The weather was really nice, but the wind got up, which wasn't nice.  It got to 90 degrees here today!  It was so good to see the little girls again, too.  We stayed until close to 2 before Beth got to hurting and wanted to go home.  Bless her heart, she is a trooper!

I was scheduled to work tomorrow, but yesterday I called and told them to have the gal for whom I worked last Monday work instead.  I am relieved NOT to be working!

I have a list of possible things to do to promote my book, so will be working on those.  Also am to do a Bible Study on Thursday night, so need to work on that as well.  Always plenty of things to do!

Last night we went to a barbershop quartet singing event in Liberal, which was very enjoyable and fun!

Later, peeps!   

Glad you had a great day with Beth give her our love.

Hi everyone.  Another week is upon us and it looks like it will be more of the same weather-wise.  I am certainly not complaining.  The last few days we have been able to have the house open and avoid using the AC as it has been in the 80s but the humidity has stayed down.  Nothing new on the surgery for Stacey.  It is too early for her to call this morning so we don't know if today will be the day or not.  I will get the car filled with gas this morning so we will be ready whenever we need to go.  I spoke with her last evening and she said she has been sleeping a lot, probably the result of the pain medication.  If we don't go to the hospital today I have my Monday men's luncheon at O'Charley's and then an activity this evening. 

Janet, proud of you for taking care of yourself and telling your work to find someone else for you shift.  Regarding your book I told my sister about it last evening and she was most interested.  She told me about a book she thought was outstanding and I bought it from Barnes and Noble after we spoke.  I told my sister that we had known each other through the message boards for quite a few years and to let you know she was my sister. 

Betty, Judy and Ruth, hard to imagine snow when it is in the high 80s here in the SE USA. 

Ruth Ann, nice of you to take and interest in those little ones.  It sounds like they are going to have a bit of a rough life.  How old are these children?

Al, it is so good to see you posting regularly again.  God is awesome, I agree, and is what gives us hope for a better tomorrow when today is tough.

Jeanne, I thought that was a rather special story.  My friend sends me some really nice things and it is a joy to be able to share some of them with you all.

God does not set aside His righteousness, holiness or justice. He instead gave us a sacrifice that would satisfy the price, Christ paid that price.

The enemy tells the world that they aren't worthy, the cross didn't exist, Christ didn't rise again, and on go the lies. 

If we are not honest with ourselves and God, does it matter who we are honest with? 

I find this sad.

OK I'm off my soapbox!

I have been out and about and yes I spilled my Tim Horton's    on the garage floor.

Larry I would put the picture that my BIL sent of the snow but sorry I do not know how.

I figured someone would call me out by saying I was hoping they wouldn't like the caramel corn.    I KNOW it is great but if I made 6 quarts of caramel corn for myself, I would eat all 6 quarts ... probably in one sitting.  The Small Group loved it but I also got to bring home some...which is gone now! 

I love the story of Edith Burns.  I wish I had that fire in me!  Larry, keep us up to date with Stacey. 

Jacob's grandma's birthday was yesterday so 29 family members were at the hospital celebrating Joann's birthday.  Jacob is continuing his movements and all and the family is hoping they leave for Atlanta tomorrow morning.

We had a short storm last evening.  Pea-size hail.  But it was told on TV that some of the surrounding areas got ping pong ball size hail!!  It sure sounded back hitting my front window and door window!  It only lasted about 5 minutes.  And then with the rain, the hail was soon gone! 

Today the sun is bright and not a cloud in the sky.  My house was hot when I got up so the heat pump/AC is set on auto.  It's windy but not a strong wind...the flag is dancing but hanging down! 

Tonight is Church Council meeting...that's it for today.  Maybe I will mop up that coffee spill on my kitchen floor???

Judy, thanks for moving my post.  I thought it sstrange that nothing had been posted all day!

This week is starting off great!!  Darrel had an appointment this morning for a physical before he gets his eyelid surgery on April 30th.  I told him I was going with him, because I needed to talk to Dr. Appling about Beth, and hadn't been able to make contact with him.  So I went along, taking the two natural health products I want Beth taking every day, and a hard cover book.  When I told him I am Beth's mother, he seemed genuinely happy to meet me, and he will write orders for them to give her the products as they should.  They have been really giving me a hard time about it at the care home.  AND....he was so glad to buy a copy of the book!  He asked me to sign it, and said several times, "This is so exciting!  I can't wait to read this!"  And he also told me he'd heard me on the radio (locally) and was impressed with the interview.  And yes, he did take care of Darrel, too!    Anyway, I'm happy to know Beth's (and our) doctor is in our corner!  Praise God!

After 90* yesterday, today is in the 60s.  But I went out and walked a few miles this morning, anyway.

Good to read all your posts, and may God richly bless each of you today!

Ruth glad it wasn't on your clothes.  Did you win a roll up?

It is so interesting listening to Christian radio.  Today it seems more than one speaker is preaching on the holiness of God.  How often we forget and get wrapped up in the world  and forget that first and foremost our God is Holy.  Isaiah said....CH 6:5  5Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.   

That chapter is an amazing passage of scripture.

Holy is the Lord God Almighty

We stand and lift up our hands
For the joy of the Lord is our strength
We bow down and worship Him now
How great, how awesome is He

And together we sing

[Chorus]
Holy is the Lord God Almighty
The earth is filled with His glory
Holy is the Lord God Almighty
The earth is filled with His glory
The earth is filled with His glory

We stand and lift up our hands
For the joy of the Lord is our strength
We bow down and worship Him now
How great, how awesome is He

And together we sing
Everyone sing

[Chorus]
Holy is the Lord God Almighty
The earth is filled with His glory
Holy is the Lord God Almighty
The earth is filled with His glory
The earth is filled with His glory

It's rising up all around
It's the anthem of the Lord's renown
Repeat

And together we sing,
Everyone sing

[Chorus]

Holy, Holy, is the Lord Almighty
Holy, Holy

Howdy I am passing though to let all y'all know that I was here reading your posts, praying for those who need prayer, and generally just relaxing  before I get up and get started again with what needs doing here today, folding the laundry, walking the dogs and taking it easy.

Larry, thanks for recommending my book to your sister!  I just received an order from her, and also an email note, so nice.

Judy, I love that song!

I get to keep my little great grands on Thursday!  Yippee!

Marilyn, it's nice to take it easy sometimes.  I am learning to do some of that more often. 

Ruth Ann, I enjoyed your post today.  God bless!

Hi, today's been one where there was constantly something taking my attention, including an hour and a half of a conference call with the Medicare/Medicaid program that I now support. I'm a trained volunteer, and they even sent me a nice nametag and certificate.

It's so interesting, for I get THE most up to date information about what's available to seniors, those on disability, and those with needs for financial assistance. Today, we even had a very detailed overview of how the SNAP program works for "seniors" - whose definition is those over 60. And, I was immediately able to give that information to a wonderful Christian friend whose pension is very small each month.

Then, lunch with that friend, and now on the computer. In about an hour and a half, it will be in the car to take a young man to his work assignment this evening. Thank goodness it's still daylight at that time, or he'd need someone else.

And, surprise, the service rep who works with me on car repairs called early today, and if some parts aren't backordered, I MAY get Josie back as early as tomorrow or Wednesday!

Much love to everyone,
Ruth Ann

Judy B is going to post a picture of the northern snow for me.



[attachimg=1]

OK It worked.  That was April 1st a real April Fool surprise.

Hi everyone.  Another warm day yesterday and we finally had to turn on the AC as it became very uncomfortable in the house.  Today we are going to go to the hospital to visit with Stacey for a bit.  Tomorrow she is to have a hip replacement as apparently the hip was damaged too much from the fall for the break to be repaired.  Life sure throws us interesting curves sometimes.  She is only 47 years old. 

Etta Sue, glad you had some caramel corn to bring home.  I know about the temptation of eating it when it is just sitting there looking lonely.    If you would send me via e-mail the information on Jacob's parents, i.e., names perhaps I can look them up while spending time at the hospital with Stacey.  They  will be in the building next to the hospital, which is connected by an underground tunnel so easy to get to. 

Janet, it sounds like the doctor is a fine man.  Glad you had such a positive experience.  I did get an email from my sister.  I know she will be blessed by the book and perhaps will share the word about it among her friends.

Ruth Ann, I will try remember you are a trained volunteer on Medicare/Medicaid as might need your council one day regarding something to do with Stacey.  I hope you get your car today.

Ruth, that snow picture is sure in contrast to what we see here in the SE.  Judy, thanks for posting it for Ruth.

Good morning!  A chilly start to the day, but we're promised bright sunshine and a little milder later in the day. 

Ruth, I didn't really need to see what snow looks like  but thanks to Judy for posting it for you.   

Larry, I hope your news from Stacey today is much better than it's been lately. 

Janet, what a wonderful wide distribution your book seems to be having.  I know all those who read it will find a true blessing, as I did.   

Snow, sleet and fog here.  Power is out a lot of places but we have underground lines,  thank heaven for that invention.  No Bible Study this week and this would have been a canceled day anyway so that is good.  Friends picked me up for a coffee chat yesterday and we four talked for three hours.  How can that be?   Love being home. One gal has a very sick husband just getting off chemo for thyroid surgery.  He was at a chemo appointment & driven there by a friend so she got out of the house - daily for weeks so this will be wonderful when the procedures end.  He is a retired pastor. 

Washing clothes & pre-treated the shirts where Don has had his nose bleeds.  It is alright this morning so we can only hope - or, he will get ahold of his doctor. Not his blood pressure - return to altitude and how dry it is here. 

Larry:  Perhaps the entire hip replacement will have a better outcome for Stacey.  Let us hope and pray this is a good choice for her health.  She is so young.

Janet:  Just ordered your book and am looking forward to receiving it.  I did not realize that Beth's condition was diagnosed at age four.  They really need to work on the disease. 

Al:  It is just great to read your posts once again.

Well, this looks like a crockpot soup day for sure. 

We had RAIN last night!!  Went to bed hearing the wonderful sound of rain; but woke up later to the sound of roaring WIND    I don't know how much moisture we got, but there are puddles outside!  Thank you, God, for the moisture!

Carol, thank you for the book order, and I do hope you enjoy the book.  I will mail it in just a little while, when we go to town to eat at the Sr. Ctr.  Good to know you are home, and hope the nosebleeds stop for Don.  How nice to have time to chat with friends.  Too often we just say hello on the fly, as everyone seems to always be too busy for a real visit.

Larry, I pray the hip replacement will mean a big improvement in Stacey's overall condition.  Our daughters are too young to have such serious problems!!  I'm so glad we can trust God for their futures......

Mark just arrived!!  It is his 26th birthday today--so I'm going to get a big hug NOW!!   

A setback for Jacob which could be a blessing.  He had surgery yesterday morning on his colon on day 26.  On Day 1 he had surgery to remove his spleen and a part of his skull.  They inserted a feeding tube.  He is taking anti-biotics for pneumonia and an infection in his colon.  Well, it seems that when they inserted the feeding tube that they perforated his colon!  Surgery went well with being able to repair the punctures to his colon.  So now, hopefully, Jacob will become infection free and get off of the anti-biotics.  Hopefully he will improve daily now! 

So that means him going to Atlanta has been delayed a bit.  But they think it will still be this week. 

Church council meeting was short and sweet last night.  As soon as our county approves the septic system proposed for our new building, we can start building.  The state approved it.  The county did not!  They keep saying the run off will go north...everyone knows water goes south!  And it is flat land where the church is to be built!  Always something to delay.  We have been told that if we would have built in the county east of us...about 2 miles, we would already be in the building!!

This morning I went to the pool.  I have never asked the therapists for advise but I woke this morning with a stiffness between my shoulder blades...I can't think why.  She told me what to do so I incorporated that along with my walking in the water...I feel so much better now.  And after all that exercising, I went to Pizza Hut for the salad/pizza bar!  Now is that a defeating thing or not?

Now I am home, relaxing and watching the blue skies, no wind and feeling it getting warmer.  The mailman just went so I must see if I got some $$ in the mail!!