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Morning Devotional...





They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.
Acts 2:42-43


Dr. Samuel Johnson, the famous English sage, once said that one of the surest evidences of intellectual immaturity is the desire to startle people. Yet there are Christians who have been fed upon the odd, the strange and the curious so long and so exclusively that they have become wholly unfitted spiritually to receive or to appreciate sound doctrine. They live to be startled by something new or thrilled by something wonderful. They will believe anything so long as it is just a little away from the time-honored beliefs of sober Christian men. A serious discourse calling for repentance, humbleness of mind and holiness of life is impatiently dismissed as old-fashioned, dull and lacking in "audience appeal." Yet these things are just the ones that rank highest on the list of things we need to hear, and by them we shall all be judged in that great day of Christ. A church fed on excitement is no New Testament church at all. The desire for surface stimulation is a sure mark of the fallen nature, the very thing Christ died to deliver us from. A curious crowd of baptized worldlings waiting each Sunday for the quasi-religious needle to give them a lift bears no relation whatsoever to a true assembly of Christian believers. And that its members protest their undying faith in the Bible does not change things any. "Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."

Is the "apostles' teaching" still at the heart of our worship services or do we feature the more interesting story-telling and Christian entertainment? Perhaps it is the Spirit's power demonstrated in some wonders and miraculous signs we need.



Lord, give me a hunger for the solid food that feeds the heart and a holy dissatisfaction with anything less.

From Devotions By Dr. Tozer

Oh my!  How we need the "solid food" of God's word!  So many people are so happy just to have the fluffy, tasty icing on top of things and that satisfies them. 

Thank you Don for this good and timely word from Dr. Tozer.

Thanks for today's devotion, Don.  Dr. Tozer always gives something uplifting.  The final "Thought" is certainly valid.

Don:  Once again, many thanks for your devotion in setting up a weeks message.  Much appreciated. 

My cousin and wife left yesterday afternoon - always a wonderful visit.  They are devoted Christians in all ways.  He rises early each morning and reads for about an hour - I on the other hand, get in about 15 minutes and then tend to the kitchen fussing.  Makes me more of a Martha instead of a Mary.  I always learn a lot from them. 

Ruth Ann:  We love old-fashioned molasses cookies.  Such an interesting story of how things were done not too many years ago.  Enjoy your visiting with loved ones.

John:  No wonder maple syrup is so expensive - it doesn't take much to make a little treat.  I have a question for you.  Are you busier now that you are into so-called retirement?  I know you have lots to do - as always but we are remarking on how on earth did we have time to work some days? 

Larry:  Don is having a few health issues and we are not sure it can be controlled.  We are not in control of much in our lives, isn't that true.  We make the best of it. 

thanks Pat and Larry!  I will re-register. 

Oldest son and wife land in Phoenix airport in a few hours and rent a car, go to hotel and the next few days they will look into renting.  Their house sold in a matter of hours with six offers - talk about a frenzy. 

It's Jane Walker's Birthday!!

Happy Birthday, Jane!!

Yes, Ruth, it sure is Jane's birthday

Hi everyone.  It is another bright, sunny and calm morning and it should be a great day for the beginning activities at the Master's Golf Tourney. We had a much smaller number at both Sunday School and church yesterday as a lot of folks leave this area on Master's week.  The only time I plan on going over to Augusta is a little before noon today to attend a meeting.  At that time of day most folks will probably be at the golf course and off the roads.  I look forward to watching the NCAA Men's Finals in Basketball tonight.  Our stair lift signaled us that all is not well so will have to get hold of the company to get someone here to fix it.  This is the second time in just over a year and each service call is at least $200.  Needless to say we are not very happy with what was suppose to be the best stair lift made.

Happy Birthday Jane. 

Don, thanks for that fine devotional.  I sometimes think we should  be made to feel a bit uncomfortable when we hear God's word from the pulpit rather than be entertained as we are admonished in the Word.

Carol, glad your son and his wife had such a quick sale on their house.  The houses certainly don't sell that quickly here or in Georgia although we were able to sell our home in Georgia in less than 48 hours and close very quickly.  Hope they find what they are looking for to rent. 

Late birthday greetings to JANE

Larry: Perhaps they should install a new stair lift - this one sounds like a lemon.  Enjoy your trip to Augusta.  Yes, this house sale beat the one we had in Denver when we were being sent to Minnesota - I was pounding the For Sale sign in the ground when a car came around the corner and they wanted to see the house - they bought it shortly afterward.  About 300 people came through sons very ordinary house and they put on slippers so everything was still clean. 

Pat:  Thank you for the message on Ed's wife Donna's passing.  Love the photo you have posted.  Do you see the dog on her lap? 

Don has signed on to donate his body for university research when he dies.  Now, we are reading that they do not always accept bodies for study so we are told to have an alternate plan.  Just mentioning this in case anyone else has ideas on donating.

Thank you for the birthday wishes ... it was just another day here ... now "they" say I'm another year older than I was the day before ... how did that happen? Oh, well ........

I happens one day at a time, Jane!  So you are really only one day older!  Feel better now?    I hope your day was a blessing in every way!

Tomorrow is Beth's eye appointment in Garden City.  I did find out today that they said her eye is retaining water, and that is the reason for the increased pressure. They even did a sonogram on her eye!  Amazing what they can do now.  I hope they can use the laser so they won't have to make an incision surgically, depends if they can get her up close enough to the machine.

We did get a little bit more done in the garage today.  Huge job.

We got Abby's graduation announcement Saturday!  Boy, she grew up so quickly!!

I really hope I can get a good night's sleep tonight.  I'm tired!

Blessings to you all,

Janet

Janet they sure do. I had a great conversation with Forest list night for his 16th birthday. It was such a wonderful time and we spoke of all kinds of things with no gaps in the conversation. Gilbert andf the family are finally going to make a trip up her next month for a special occasion.

Hi everyone on a fine, sunny and reasonably warm morning with the expectation of seeing it get to around 68 degrees today.  Nothing yet scheduled for today  We may check out the new Aldi's today.  We will continue our preparations for my sister and BIL's visit starting late tomorrow afternoon or early evening.  The tech from the star lift company was here yesterday around noon and checked everything out.  He did find one of the battery connectors was probably not making good contact so fixed it and things seem to be working OK now. 

Carol, apparently it was just a small problem with the stair lift so hopefully it will now work seamlessly for another year or so.  It was a good idea to wear the slippers since I know there has been bad weather in your area and a house sure doesn't need to be tracked up with that many people looking.  That is a huge number of people coming through the house. 

Janet, hope Beth can get some relief without the incision.  Having an incision in the eye sounds very painful and frightening.  I was surprised to read that it is Abby's graduation coming up shortly as I still think of her as that little girl who loved to spend time with you. 

Marilyn, I know you will be excited to get to have Gilbert and his family visiting in your home.  As with Abby for Janet it is hard to believe that Forest is already 16.  They grow up way to quickly from our age perspective. 

An afternoon with genealogy assistance at the work room.  I feel exhausted.  Someone misspelled my grandfather's name - close but not right.  It was a census worker.  Also, called home to friends and our very close friend is not feeling well once again. 

My friend here has forgotten to call me 4 times in a week after saying she would be calling.  She is under stress - too much company so we can see it does affect her memory.  I know the feeling. 

Larry:  OOPS, I meant son had 30 separate showings of families who came through in day & half - they did have close to a dozen offers over asking price - there is a desperate move to the area for some reason or another.  The open house next day was cancelled.  Just had a message they have decided on a rental in AZ so things are moving fast.  It will be about an hour and half drive. 

Well today was the first funeral this week with another one on Sat. Judy counted up that about 7 people passed away, that we knew in the past week and a half. Today's funeral was a true celebration of the our friends life. It was in many was a very uplifting experience that left us feeling truly relaxed and well assured of his love for his Lord and Savior. Some of his favorite songs were sung and the message given by family members was absolutely comforting for all in attendance. And what was most important is that the complete plan of salvation was presented. If it is possible to experience this at a funeral, it was anything but depressing. And it was all done according to his wishes, including the music.

Marilyn, isn't it a delight to talk to our grandkids and just enjoy them?  I love when that happens.  Hard to believe Forrest is already 16!  Glad they are coming to visit you.

John, that funeral sounds very much like the one here recently, which was also comforting, enjoyable and the complete plan of salvation presented.  I remember when I was a child, the few funerals I was taken to were awful--hysterical crying and so depressing.  Not so now, and the families have much more input, or actually take part in the services.  Of course, those for people who don't know the Lord are still very sad.

Larry, there were four of us with Beth today, two of the staff from the Care Home, John and I.  It was not a good day.  Her pressure was still 48 in the left eye, so they decided to try to do the laser procedure to make a hole in her iris, to allow the water to drain, thus reducing the pressure.  We took her to their Surgery Center, but we couldn't get her into position so he could do the procedure.  With 6 of us holding her, we still couldn't keep her in position long enough for him to do it.  The doctor was really frustrated.  We tried using the lift; but the straps crossed in front of her head, so she couldn't get her chin on the chin rest.  Then we tried using a regular chair, with the girls trying to push her forward (she barely bends!)Another girl from their office was holding her chair from sliding back; I was on the floor holding her feet and pushing with all my might to keep her from sliding out of the chair; John was pushing on her back...but she kept slipping off the chin rest, and he was never able to complete the procedure.  We were all sweating and tense and really disappointed.  Now, the only alternative is to put her to sleep and do surgery, which is dangerous because of the tube that will need to go down her throat.  So they will continue with the drops to try to lower the pressure for another week and see how she is doing.  The high pressure will damage her optic nerve; and the right eye will likely have the same problem.  This is not related to the Neurofibromatosis..

We left at 8:30 AM and got home after 4:00, so you might guess I am tired, after the physical and emotional strain.  You would be correct.  I do try not to worry about things I can't change.  But it would be so nice for Beth to get GOOD news!  Next week is her appointment with the neurologist in Colby.

Larry, I sure do miss that sweet little granddaughter who used to enjoy spending time with me.  She seldom has time for me at all any more.  But I always hope for that to swing back the other way.

Carol, that was really a quick sale of your son's house!  Way to go!

Hi everyone.  It is another cool 45 degree, sunny and calm morning but we should get to 70 degrees this afternoon.  We have to do a bit of grocery shopping today as this evening my sister and BIL will arrive. It will be after the dinner hour so we may have a big lunch out while we are shopping so dinner can be a light one.  I had an email from her yesterday saying they were having a great time in  Gatlinburg, Tennessee and they certainly have had nice weather. Don't be concerned about my not posting the next couple of days as want to spend as much time as possible with our visitors. I will just have to play it by ear.

Carol, a whole afternoon of concentration on something like genealogy would be exhausting for most of us.  I wondered about the 300 but you had indicated the market was strong.  Even 30 in such a short time is a very large number of people. It sounds like things are moving quickly.

John,  it seems that funerals come in bunches but 7 in a week and a half way surpasses a bunch.  It does sound like a fine celebration of your friend's life.  I know it is hard to give up good friends. I don't think there is anyway I could ever speak at a funeral for a loved one or good friend but it is nice that some people can do so. 

Janet, what an ordeal for poor Beth and for all involved and to face a dangerous surgery would be very worrisome.   

Chris Saunders shared this on Facebook.  It is worth listening to over and over.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4JnNIOnEg0

Good morning, friends,

I'm sorry for my absence, but I certainly enjoyed the God-ordained "coincidence" that my son from Houston and my family from Atlanta all ended up being here on the same day.  How nice it was to spend time with each of them.

I recommended we go to a cute restaurant here that has an outdoorsy theme. There are numerous stuffed animals, a pond inside that has catfish and also a waterfall, cabinets and walls filled with old-time objects. My 12 year old granddaughter first toured the restaurant with her uncle, then rushed back to take her dad, and then also took her mom.

Also the food was good. I had grilled tilapia, okra & tomatoes, and white beans. Far too much for one meal, so I loved having the "doggy bag" the next day.

The leg complaint ended up being a sprained ankle and strained leg muscles. So, the instructions are to rest as much as possible and use warm compresses.

It is so good to hear that you, Jane, had a good birthday. I'm late, but nonetheless very sincere in wishing your new year to be a good one full of faith, love, ever increasing health, and deep abiding joy of the Lord.

How wonderful to have our family and friends visit. Thanks to each of you for sharing.

And, how sorry I am that Beth is having more difficulties. And I'm sad that Donna has left her husband and family for her heavenly home.

I listened to the link that Judy provided. That was deeply moving to me. Thank you, Judy.

Ruth Ann

Hi everyone.  While the household is arising this morning I have a couple of minutes to stop by and say good morning, or good afternoon, whichever is appropriate.  My sister and brother-in-law arrived before we were expecting them.  We had gone out to a late lunch after 2 pm as my sister had indicated they would not be here for the evening meal.  They called just as we were leaving the restaurant and still had to make a trip to the supermarket saying they were near our house but their GPS had quit working and needed a few instructions.  I told them how to find the house and that we would be awhile before we got home.  I called Scott and he went on out to the house so they could get in but in the meantime I had told them of the Greenway walking trail that has access from our cul-de-sac and they are both walker so took advantage of the time to have a nice walk and by the time they got back Scott was here.  They didn´t want dinner as had eaten a very late mid-afternoon lunch so we all ended up having some homemade pound cake with fresh strawberries and a scoop of ice cream.  We had a nice evening of visiting.  We have no fixed schedule for the next two days other than staying away from Augusta due to the Masterś traffic.  We will likely go to Ruby Tuesdayś for a late lunch today and then have a light supper.  They will be with us until Saturday morning. 

I was able to read all of the postings from my phone this morning before arising.  Just glad to see all of the postings and hope all have a good day.  We had some heavy rain during the night but it is bright and sunny this morning and will get into the mid-70ś this afternoon so should be a very nice day.

Hi everyone.  We had a very pleasant day with our company yesterday and they will be with us again today.  We did go to Ruby Tuesdays for a late afternoon meal and then had a nice evening of playing the card game Hearts.  We did show them our big town of North Augusta with is two short business streets and a few other places like going by our church, which is on the main street right before downtown as is the big Baptist Church.  My BIL is going to go to Loweś with me this morning to help me get some potting soil to my back yard as we want to try some container gardening in some 5 gallon buckets.  We will try one tomato plant and perhaps some herbs as well as some flowers for the two ceramic containers we have. 

Larry, it sounds like you're enjoying your visitors.   

The weather and temperatures we didn't get in late February, early March seem to have visited us this week.   

JudyB:  Listened to the message sent by Chris - it is so true that people are friendly in church at times but no one knows who is hurting.  I feel blessed to have friends who care and a bible group where anyone can talk about anything and it stays in the group. 

Our oldest son & wife who are moving to the Phoenix area for a few years (her job) drove up for a visit yesterday and we took them out for a light dinner.  We are so happy to see them here.  We will be available for help in May while heading home at that time. 

Now we have three friends in critical condition.  We expect news any day and one is a lingering prognosis - everyone heed these words "have a colonoscopy every five years".  It can catch up even if you are 90 years young. 

Janet:  Hugs!

Carol I was thin king about what you said about lots of people moving to Colorado now, Do you thinkn it may have something to do with the marijuana laws that took effect there?

Hi, friends,

I enjoyed reading the postings today.

Marilyn, that's an interesting question you posed.

Carol and Larry, how wonderful y'all can experience the joys of having those you love with you for a while.

Jeanne, we are to go down to freezing tonight and tomorrow night - here in the South!

I think I'll go look at the blue photos.

Goodnight, friends,

Ruth Ann

Hi everyone. It is a beautiful but bit chilly morning here in South Carolina.  We had some brisk winds yesterday and they are starting up again this morning, which effects the golfers at the Master's Tourney.  Unfortunately, most of the beautiful flowers we see at the Master's have already bloomed and gone but the course is still magnificent. I will be watching it this afternoon and the final day tomorrow.  Our company left about 9:15 this morning and plan on taking a few days on their return journey back to their home in Northern Iowa.  This was a very laid back visit and we ate out the big meals and had very simple breakfasts.  Both my sister and my brother-in-law are very thin and really don't eat much.  We did play some Spades the last two evenings and they helped Pat with her 1,000 piece jigsaw puzzle. 

Yesterday my BIL went with me to Walmart and I bought some planting soil and two large planters for the back porch plus a tomato plant.  We will put the tomato plant in one of the planters and we are going to put herbs in the other.  The plantings will be up high enough that we won't have to bend over very far to tend to them.  This morning I went Lowe's as forgot to get the rocks for the bottom of the planters and I also got three beautiful New Guinea Impatiens plants for our front porch.  So now I can look out my office window again at the beautiful blooms and the two low planters that had these tiny bushes that died over the window each have a blooming Impatiens plant in them.  We will have a quiet rest of the day. 

Ruth Ann, we did thoroughly enjoy enjoy our visitors and my sister told us yesterday afternoon that she had felt the most at home here as she had at any visiting they had done.  Whether she was putting us on I don't know but it was nice to hear. 

Marilyn, the same thought about why the great demand for housing in Denver came to my mind.  I do hope that isn't the main reason although I think the handwriting is on the wall that one of these days all states will have similar laws. 

Carol, so sad when our friends get into that critical stage of life.  We had word last night that our dear friend Eddie, who was the angel who helped us so much at the time Stacey died in cleaning out her apartment and being their along with his wife throughout the ordeal, has been in the ICU with pneumonia and a fib and has been since Sunday.  His health has taken a sudden turn in the last year and his dear wife isn't in goo d health either.   Nice that you will still be in Arizona when your son and his wife relocate to Arizona.

Hmmm!  Seems I read yesterday, but didn't post.  Sorry about that.  Darrel and I are attempting to get a small garden plot ready, and that involves lots of digging with shovels.  Neither of us can work hard for more than an hour or two any more, so we are doing it in short bursts.  He was in the hospital last year when I was doing this job, but a wonderful young man from our church came out and helped me--a real Godsend!  The gal who runs our senior center is a master gardener--that's the love of her life!  She told me to dig down, put a layer of corrugated cardboard down, then add garden soil, fertilizer, peat moss, straw, old newspapers, the stuff from the compost pile, whatever, set out the plants, then put another layer of newspapers and another layer of straw around them for mulch.  Whew!  Lots of work, especially while I was feeling so battered and mentally foggy from the car wreck.  But I kept plugging away, and eventually got it planted. An even though we were well into June by that time, we had the best garden we've ever had out here.  The soil is very sandy/clay mix, and when dry, as hard as concrete.  So it does need a lot of help!  I know!  TMI.  Sorry. 

I'm trying my best NOT to think about politics, stupid laws (like the one in Colo. on marijuana use) and other depressing things I have no control over.  Lots easier that way.  When the Lord brings specific things to mind, I take that as my call to pray about them, and I do.  I'm not unaware of what's happening, but I have plenty to think about already.

We are going down to Hugoton later.  They have a Senior Citizens dance there tonight we will attend.  But we're going early so I can do a framing repair job for someone and take some things to Diane that she can use, and that frees up two whole shelves!!  Yea!    She just called, from Dodge City.  Abby was singing in a contest there, and got a 2 on her two solos, and their Jr-Sr girls ensemble got a Superior rating!!  I'm so pleased for her, as she has never wanted to sing in front of a crowd, but has a really nice voice.  So she's expanding her horizons! 

I need to go swap the clothes from washer to dryer and fold a load!  Later! 

Hi, friends,

It's been a weird day here today. The cleaning lady that was assigned to me came an hour and a half late. Then, hadn't eaten breakfast and took 30 minutes to do so. Then she fiddled around and did very little except take out the load of trash. Suddenly she said she had to go to her car to get her medication that she forgot. Well, I had such a strange feeling about her that I wrote down the time she left - 3 minutes past noon.  She finally showed back up at 12:51! And told me she had to leave at 1pm. I stated firmly that I fully expected her to get my laundry done. She got stressed out, but I reminded her that she had actually worked 1 hour out of the 4 I pay for.

So, she did, but when I started to hang the clothing in the closet, it was too damp - had to be put hanging in a doorway to dry. And I don't know when the bathroom rug will be dry enough to use.

So, I plan to speak with the human resources director on Monday and see if they can arrange someone to come out to clean the kitchen, bath, then sweep and mop the floors.

I surely wish I felt up to doing these chores myself, but I fear that time has passed.

Thanks to all of you who posted. You really are a bright spot in this day. May God richly bless y'all.

Ruth Ann

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