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Morning Devotional...





Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God has prospered him.
1 Corinthians 16:2


God has been pleased to deal with us in a most remarkable way concerning our Christian stewardship and responsibility of honoring Him with the things He has entrusted to us. The Bible teaching is plain: you have the right to keep what you have all to yourself, but it will then rust and decay and ultimately ruin you. This may hurt some of you, but I am obliged to tell you that God does not need anything you have. He does not need a dime of your money. What you need to understand is that it is your own spiritual welfare at stake in such matters as this. There is a beautiful and enriching principle involved in our offering to God what we are and what we have, but none of us are giving because there is a depression in heaven. A long time ago God said: "If I had need of anything, would I tell you?" Brethren, if the living God had need of anything, He would no longer be God!

God does not need anything you have!



Lord, help me to remember the reasons that I give to Your work and make me a faithul trustee of the blessings You give me.

From Devotions By Dr. Tozer

Once again, Dr. Tozer makes a valid point, and does it in a manner that's easy to understand.

Thank you, Don.

Hi everyone.  The morning is starting out cloudy but I see some blue sky peeking through.  I woke up fairly early this morning and stayed in bed and read my email, daily devotions and other readings and all the message boards I follow. 

After a fine Sunday School and church service yesterday, Pat and I went to a place here in North Augusta called Wifesaver for lunch.  They feature friend and baked chicken with a lot of different sides although they have other items as well.  The portions were generous, the food very tasty and the prices very reasonable, including a 10% senior discount.  They even had a nice slice of pie for $1.69, which is sort of unheard of anymore.  We will definitely be going back from time to time. The rest of the day was quiet and restful. 

Today I may go to Lowe's to look for a different cover for the light fixture up in Pat's sewing room and to also look at different light kits as the one she has now doesn't put out enough light for a sewing workroom.  Then at noon plan on attending a meeting and that will basically be it for today. 

Judy, I imagine John is enjoying being home and having the time under his control and not that of the company he worked for so many years. 

Ruth Ann, nice that you could experience the worship service via TV even when you weren't feeling up to going in person. 

Don, thanks for the new devotional thought for this week. 

Don:  Thank you for devotions on giving or tithing - it has become something of the past I do believe.  Once, a pastor remarked or it was written, forgotten how it was noted, that a huge percentage of the church did not give anything.  Hard to believe.  We like to give to churches that are in themselves great givers to those in need. 

Larry:  Prices at your new found restaurant sound so nice -

It was freezing this morning at home and here has been balmy and so nice.   

Hi everyone.  We are going to have another one of those sunny/cloudy days and a high of 73 degrees.  Today is the Senior Luncheon out our church and the major of North Augusta is the featured speaker.  He is to talk on the past and future of North Augusta.  I need to check on getting my PT Cruiser into the garage to see why the service engine light came on the last time I drove it.  I am not driving it very much since we moved but try to drive it at least once a week. 

Yesterday I arranged for a new dentist as it is time for our 6-month cleanings.  I also attended a meeting at noon and then took the rest of the day easy.  Pat made some chicken soup yesterday that really had the house smelling great all morning.

Carol, hopefully the freezing weather will be over by the time you get back to Colorado. 

 

Had a lovely 4 days away up in North Bay.  Got home last evening and I'm very tired. 

Judy and John took me to a wonderful falls and I climbed higher than I thought I could have!    All in all, just a lovely weekend.  Thanks Judy!


Don, great devotional to start the week.  I enjoyed reading that.

Hi Everyone else!

Hi, friends,

I went out for errands today. Tried a new salad at Wendy's, and it was spicy hot! I had to throw it out and my mouth burned for quite a while afterwards. It was named asian cashew salad.  Well, live and learn.

I plan to go to a new dentist for a checkup on Friday, so went to the approximate location to know where I will be going Friday.

Now, what's for supper? I think I'll go review my pantry to see what recipe I can concoct.

Y'all have a wonderful remainder of the day.

Ruth Ann

HELLOOOO!!!!  I'm Baaaack!  Did you miss me?    I just finished reading all the posts I missed, and see that I failed to update you before I left for New Orleans.  Darrel told me to go ahead and go, as he was feeling better but didn't think his back felt up to riding tat far in a bus.  I had found a gal to buy his ticket (for half what we paid) so she and I roomed together.  We had a pretty good time and got along really well, especially for not having spent time together before.  The whole group on the bus were fun and congenial, so that was nice.  I left on Sat. the 18th and got home on Sunday the 26th.  Darrel was fine, but I don't think he moved out of his recliner much while I was away!    It was a pretty short trip, and easy physically, too, so I didn't need time to rest and recover.

Jeanne, I am SO glad you got a good report from the doctor!

Pat, glad you had a nice time at Judy's, wish I could have joined you. 

I'm going to get a new granddaughter-in-law!!  Our Mark has asked Tiffany Cope to marry him.  They have been seeing each other for a couple of years, he brought her home with him two or three times already, so we weren't surprised.  She's a really sweet girl from a good solid Christian family, so that's a real plus.They think October will be the month they choose for the wedding.  Mark called me while I was in New Orleans to tell me he was going to propose to her, and I was thrilled he thought to tell Grandma!

Time to put this tired gal to bed!  Good to be home, and good to read all your posts!

It seems my post went poof.  I posted after Pat and said she needs to come in the summer with her hiking boots.  We will take her to Wolf Lake Falls and she can take some pictures there.  It is a bit of a hike to get to them but well worth the effort.  We enjoyed having you up and look forward to your next trip!

This has been a rather quiet day with the Temp at 61F and sunny skies.  We are looking forward to more nice weather this week.

Well it is late and I have a full day tomorrow, night all!

Hi everyone on a cloudy morning.  We had some rain during the night and it is possible periodically throughout the day. 

We had a very nice time at the Senior Luncheon yesterday except the meal wasn't one I particularly cared for.  It was Shepard's Pie with a role and a lemonade cake that was very dry.  It was the first time Pat and I had ever eaten Shepard's Pie.  The program was outstanding as the speaker had some slides of the town as it existed in the 50's and 60's and had interesting stories about each of the businesses shown.  While we didn't relate to any of the photos it did bring to mind similar store fronts when we were growing up and the speaker was very entertaining. 

After we left the church we went to the Benina store and got Pat's sewing machine.  She tried it out in the store and thought all was well.  She came home and started to sew on it and the same problem appeared except she noticed the computer screen on it would go blank.  Apparently one of the computer cards has failed so it will go back to the shop today.  This evening is our Wednesday night dinner at church and Bible study. 

Pat, it does sound like you had a great time and were able to do some walking and climbing. 

Ruth Ann, thanks for the heads-up on the Asian cashew salad although I probably wouldn't have ordered it anyway. 

Janet, good to see you back home and you finding Darrel feeling better.  Glad you found a good traveling partner.  Another wedding in the family is always an exciting and busy time.  Nice of Mark to call you as he did. 

Judy, hope you got rested yesterday for your full day today. 

Good morning!  Boy, April surely has slipped by fast, hasn't it?  We have a beautiful day today.  Darrel and I plan to go to Garden City later, pulling our 16 ft. flatbed trailer, so we can purchase new planking for the bed of it, and then go buy a new riding lawn mower.  The old one is nearly 30 years old, and has been repaired over and over and over again, to the point he can't get the welding he tried to do on the deck to hold.  So I guess it's time to spend some more money.    I prayed about the matter this morning and fully expect God's goodness again.  He is wonderful!

Larry, I think I've only had Shepherd's pie once, and it was a frozen one, heated up, and not very tasty.  I might like a home made one.  I did eat gumbo in N.O. and it was good.  It didn't have any okra in it, for which I was glad.  I like okra only fried or pickled, not boiled and slimy!  Ha.  I also had a Muffaletta sandwich.  Boy, you would need to be starving to eat the whole thing!  They must bake the buns for those in 10 inch skillets!  They are HUGE!  Plenty for four people!  I ordered a half and gave half of that to a homeless man on the street.  They wouldn't let me order a quarter. 

I must go shower the gym sweat off and get ready to go.  Darrel went to the chiropractor, as he fell out in the yard yesterday and needed an adjustment.  Praise God, he didn't break anything!

Talk to you all later!

Hi, friends,

I had such a busy day today that I'm having problems settling in for a good night's sleep. Also Thursday and Friday will be very busy, too.

So, Saturday's coming. I expect to rest that day.

I had Shepherd's Pie at an Irish restaurant. It was pleasant, but I felt had PLENTY of calories.

Well, y'all have a wonderful rest of the day, and a good time of slumber when you turn the lights out tonight.

Love to all,
Ruth Ann

Hi everyone.  We arose to a beautiful sunny 53 degree morning with several days of sunshine forecast. 

We had a good dinner at church last night with the feature being chicken and dumplings.  It had been years since I have had that and remembered it as little balls of dough.  However, these were relatively thin strips in a chicken type soup and tasty.  They also served peas and carrots, which I just put in with my dumplings.  It sure made it easier to eat than chasing the peas all over the plate.  We then continued our Bible Study of Acts. 

Today we will take Pat's sewing machine back to the repair shop and then this afternoon she has an appointment at the doctor's office for a test and a visit following with the doctor.  Following that we are going to have our midday meal, which will be a combined lunch and dinner. 

Janet, if you got 30 years worth of lawn mowing from the mower it has served you well and deserves retirement.  You feel about okra as I do.  I remember the first time I ever saw it presented to eat was at Tinker AFB cafeteria and it was stewed okra and tomatoes.  I don't mind it is soups and have eaten it fried at least once.  I agree about the Muffaletta sandwich.  It was thoughtful of you to share it with the homeless man. 

Ruth Ann, the Shepard's Pie we had definitely was not diet food.  I considered it edible but not something I would ever order in a restaurant.  Hope you don't overdo today and tomorrow.   

We did buy a new lawn tractor (mower) yesterday.  We first bought the 2 x 6 x 16 treated boards for the trailer, which we just laid flat on the old ones, then put two heavy nylon straps with the device to tighten them.  Then we bought the mower, which was in a crate, so they loaded it using a fork lift.  When we got home, our renter (Beth's renter, really) was watching for us, came right out and helped un-crate and unload it, and when Darrel had gotten the oil and gas in it, Jim got on it and started mowing!  He enjoys mowing and we really need his help, as we own four acres here!  No, Larry, the old one really didn't owe us a thing!  But a person won't go spend $1500 for a new one until totally necessary! 

Darrel is outdoors taking off the old boards from the trailer and putting the new ones on it.  He has to cut each one off a few inches.  Man!  Those treated boards are really heavy!!

I ate a huge salad with vinegar and olive oil dressing for lunch.  I had gained two pounds on the trip and we are having a challenge at the gym.  My goal was to lose 6 # by Mother's day, so it's going to be hard!  I have taken off all but .4 lbs. of the gain, so still have 6.4 to lose to make my goal!

We had Beth's care plan today, and could understand her--one word at a time--without her having to repeat too many times, so it was a good day for her.  Everybody loves Beth, and she had just gotten back from seeing Dr. Saxon (chiropractor) and he had given her a chocolate duck!

I'm going to the library in a little while to visit with my scrapbooking friends. 

We have a beautiful day today, except it's a little too windy.  I hope you are all enjoying many blessings from our Father!

Hi, friends,

I'm back a home after quite a long time today. Fortunately for me, the hospital had people who would push her wheelchair today, so I rested up in the lobby for 3 hours during the tests and treatment consultations.

I plan to rest remainder of the day.

Y'all have a wonderful rest of the day.

Ruth Ann

Hi everyone on another clear and beautiful morning.  Yesterday was so nice as in the afternoon the humidity dropped and it got up to about 78 degrees.  I enjoyed a couple of hours sitting on the front porch.

Our day yesterday was not what we expected when we got up.  Pat had a call from the doctor's office that the doctor was ill and her appointments were rescheduled.  We did take her sewing machine to the shop and left it.  The repairman was also out sick.  We then went to Lowe's to see about the lightning in her sewing room.  We ended up with some daylight bulbs that look like corkscrews.  I will put them in today and hope that they will provide enough light for her sewing room.  If not the next thing will be a floor lamp.

Today's schedule is very light.  Pat does plan on going to Walmart to get a prescription filled and also get a towel set to donate at church on Sunday.  Apparently once a year the women's group collects towels and wash clothes to send to the Epworth Children's Home, which is a Methodist run home for homeless children.  There are a few bills to pay today but that is about it.  I hope to do some reading today and can always find things to do to keep busy here in my office.

Janet, nice of the renter to help with the new mower and then to start mowing the lawn.  You certainly have a lot to mow.You haven't given yourself much time to lose the 6 pounds.  Obviously the chiropractor is very fond of Beth as expressed with the chocolate gift to her. 

Ruth Ann, glad you could rest at the hospital rather than having to push a wheelchair around.  However, I know from some experience that just sitting in a hospital is still tiring. 

Had to come back to share a link to a most beautiful choral group and lovely backup pictures. 

ACAPELLA AMISH CHOIR
Who Am I?
Since most conservative Mennonite and Amish churches sing only acapella hymns in their churches, it is not surprising to find that there are numerous Mennonite and Amish canella choirs, quartets, and family singing groups.
Most of these groups sing in simple four-part harmony.
Altar of Praise Chorale is a mixed acapella group, comprised of some of the best male and female singers in the conservative Anabaptist world.
Members of the group come from various Anabaptist backgrounds:Beachy Amish, Mennonite, and Charity Christian Fellowship.
Acapella Hymn: "Who Am I"

Click here: YouTube - Who Am I?  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBDwpLLXMTA&authuser=0

Larry, that is absolutely beautiful!!  Thank you for sharing the link.   

Good afternoon, friends,

It's been a very quiet day for me. I helped one son do some things on the internet, and the rest of the day I've been lazy.

I like those daylight bulbs, Larry.  In fact, I have lamps in both the living room and the bedroom with those bulbs. Thanks for that beautiful link. I really enjoyed their rendition of a song I've loved for quite some time.

Janet, take care. Glad you're back home.

Jane, thinking of and praying for Joy.

May our Lord grant us a great rest of the day.

Ruth Ann

Larry you're right about the time remaining to make my goal, and I well might not make it!  I made a mistake when writing it down, thus giving myself even less 'wiggle room!"  But, if I don't make it, the world will keep on turning!

After a really hard workout this morning, Kristi told us to eat 6 small meals today, each consisting of one carb and one protein.  So I'm trying! 

My girls (Diane and Abby) are coming up to go to the movie with me tonight.  It is Nicholas Sparks' The Longest Ride.  It will be sweet to have some time with them.

And....drum roll, please.....I got two dozen beautiful red roses yesterday!!  They are from Beth, for Mother's Day.  John ordered them, bless his sweet, generous heart!  Love those two, too!

Darrel and I went over to Sublette today to choose which of the photos Ellen took we want.  NOT an easy choice.  She is a wonderful photographer!

Now I will go listen to that choir!  Thanks, Larry. 

The choir was beautiful Larry Thank you.

The beautiful weather has arrived.  John  and I are going to spend some time outside then Company is arriving tonight for a great visit.  We are looking forward to this.

Maple syrup season is now over, our friends are sold out, Pat was wanting some of the dark syrup , however unfortunately that is the first gone.  Even I don't get any this year!  Oh well hopefully we will have our own next year and enough tho share with family.

Have a great day folks enjoy the beautiful weather.

Hi everyone.  Another beautiful morning and nothing particular on the agenda for today as expect to stay home all day.

Glad you all liked the beautiful video.  I soon as I heard it I knew I had to share it as it had been shared with me by a good friend. I thought the voices were perfectly blended.  Last Sunday at church the choir sang their anthem without musical accompaniment and was so enjoyable as sometimes the accompaniment sort of masks the beauty of the voices.

Janet, Kristi sounds a bit like a drill sergeant.  Now nice of Beth to ask John to send the roses.  I think roses are my favorite flower.  Hope you enjoyed the movie. 

Hi, friends,

It's certainly nice to hear from all of you today. In a little while, I'm going out to get a few groceries and possibly a dinner meal.

Other than that, no news from Nashville today.

Love to all,
Ruth Ann

I was speaking to Pat earlier on her cell phone.  He land line, internet, and cable TV is out and they said will be up to 36 hours.

We had a wonderful evening with dear friends, good food and great conversation.

G'night everyone.

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