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Morning Devotional...


And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.  The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away... –Psalm 1:3-4

Prosperity according to the world and Biblical prosperity are not the same.  Prosperity in the world is people being in competition with others concerning material belongings, or prestige.  The old timers used to call it "keeping up with the Jones's."  Worldly prosperity has produced untold millions of broken homes and disillusionment.  To avoid this, a Christian must adjust their definition of prosperity to that of God's by learning Bible principles, acquiring the wisdom needed to put what we know to practical use in our lives, and instilling those things into the hearts and minds of our family.

Prosperity in a believer's life is not always determined by things gained; sometimes it is realized in things lost.  Prosperity of the believer is marked by recognition that God owns all that we possess.  Prosperity of the believer is matured in gaining the wisdom needed to live within our means.  Biblical prosperity is measured when a believer is faithful in the practice of giving above the tithe.

The prosperity of the world always remains on earth after death.  Biblical prosperity gained and accumulated in this life is always taken with, or sent ahead by, the faithful believer into eternity.
Tim Luchon, Pastor, Hilltop Baptist Church, Hunker, PA.

Hi everyone.  It sort of looks like most of our posters here are taking a holiday on this holiday weekend here in the USA.  I am just waiting for the time to come to leave to go to coffee at McDonald's this morning.  I try to leave at the same time each morning as pick up one of the fellows so need a definite time.  Really don't have any other plans for the day.

Yesterday we had a good church service and then went out with a group of 18 (the largest we have ever had).  The place we went were not very busy when we arrived and were able to seat us all at one long table.  Of course, you could only talk with those close to you. 

Been watching the hurricane coverage and it looks like it is going to be bad along the Louisiana coast.  Then Georgia is looking at this coming weekend and the possible hit on our coast area from hurricane Hanna.

Liz, sorry to see that you are still suffering.  Glad you haven't been impacted from the earthquake.

Carol, that is really a long walk.  No wonder a cat nap was needed.

Etta Sue, it sounds like your knitting needles will be busy for quite awhie as you have taken on a large project.  However, I am sure your efforts will be appreciated.

September.  We will soon be like this kitty! 

I have two 15 inch hot pads done.  And I was tired.  I haven't crocheted for a long time and my fingers and arms weren't used to that much crocheting.  But they look nice.  Three or four more of that size and then to make some smaller ones. 

Not much going on today.  I am laboring though.  Doing laundry but not hanging it outside.  Using the dryer this time. 

Just plan to 'hang loose' as the Hawaiians say!! 

Let's see.....I don't think I posted either on Saturday or Sunday, so......what's been happening here?

On Saturday, I took Beth and her friend Jennifer (her favorite CMA at the home) out to lunch at the place of Beth's choice, which was a Mexican place.  We each asked for a go container when our food arrived, divided the meals in half and took half home with us.  Mine is still in the refrigerator.

Saturday evening I worked at the care home for the first time.  Boy, talk about hard work!  Whew!  I do not think I will continue doing that.  So much heavy lifting, in spite of using the carts to move things around.

Sunday we went to church, which didn't get out until some time after 12:30.  We got up and left a bit after that, as we were to be in Hugoton to eat lunch with the kids.  Mark is home this weekend, and this was our only chance to see him.  We stopped by to pick up the puppy, as Abby wanted to see her.  Names are still being discussed.  Darrel likes Scuba, Abby likes Chloe (so do I) but I don't think Scuba fits her.  Today I suggested Kiki, after a cute girl we met in China.  I just wish Darrel would decide, poor little girl needs a name!

We didn't have long to visit with Mark, because I had to be at work again at the home at 4:00.  Then I hurt half the night.  I stopped and picked up the Park View schedule.  They only have me on it twice this whole month, which is not worth changing plans for, so I'm thinking I'm out of there soon!

Yes, Scotty, we are having fun with the puppy.  I have been taking some pictures of her.  She is about half the size of Dinah the cat, who is a small cat.  But that will change quickly, that puppy can really eat! 

Etta Sue, the hot pads will be handy, and they will think kind thoughts of you when they use them.  I also liked the lady's response to the pastor's question. 

Larry, I have been watching the storm coverage too.  We need to go back down to South Texas again, and don't want to get involved in really bad weather.  The trip is rather urgent, but we will still wait a bit before we go.  Darrel's brother's wife called and said thieves have been breaking into their garage almost every night and stealing Don's tools, even his big air compressor.  This is from the attached garage!  She said a car came driving up their drive, real fast, pulled right into the garage and stopped!  She was there, asked what they were doing there, and they said " Uh, uh, uh........we just wanted to know if you want someone to mow the grass."  Not likely!  Anyway, Don just sits all day, waiting to die, and Julie says he won't even take a bath!  Ugh.  The thing that upsets me is, there is really nothing wrong with him!!  I know he is depressed, but go get some help, for Pete's sake!  Okay, I know....TMI.  Sorry.

We didn't get to swim today because the pool is closed for the holiday.  Phooey.

I need to get off here and get ready to go to senior center for lunch.

Good morning, friends,

I missed being on the computer yesterday - ended up feeling like I had a brief episode with a stomach virus. So, slept hours and hours yesterday afternoon, and certainly do feel better today.

Yes, Janet, it seems like now would be a good time to retire again! 

Y'all have a wonderful day.

I s'pose it's about time I came in and reported on my time away with my family.   

We were in a beautiful (Five Star) resort in Rancho Vistoso, AZ. all week.  The scenery is fantastic there -- right up against the mountains/desert of the Tucson area.  Our accomodations were excellent (in my opinion) and it seems everyone enjoyed themselves.

Daughter Dot left on Wednesday evening and the others (two sisters, a brother-in-law, and my brother) left on Thursday.  Joy and I stayed one more night so we could get some rest before setting out on the drive back toward Sacramento.

We stopped again in Lancaster to see Candice and her husband, and then headed out again about midnight.  We got to Joy's home at 6:30 a.m. Saturday and headed straight for a bed! 

After a nap, we returned the rental car and I got into my trusty Neon and drove home to wonderfully cool, quiet, Coos Bay!     I was a bit tired from all the traveling and lack of sleep, but oh, so happy to be HOME again.

My sister Kathi had a list of 34 questions she got off the internet and she taped an interview with each of us siblings using the questions.  This is so she can have our voices discribing our memories of things of the past to add to the DVD she is making for posterity.  She will have photos of everything/everyone she can find (there are many, you can be sure) with background music and then our voices telling "our" stories.  Quite a project, but Kathi is good at that sort of thing and she will make it happen if anyone can.   

While I was away my neighbor was very busy around here -- again!
He and his wife have cleaned out ALL the gutters around my place, replaced the portion of the front porch that he fell through in the process, and spread chips all along the bank of our lake and in the place where I used to have a wood shed (he took that out a few weeks ago).  I am ever so grateful for people like this!  God is so good to me.

Jane, you certainly do have good neighbors.

Ruth Ann....in Pandora, you can click on Create A New Station.  That gives you the option of naming either artist or song.  Put your favorite Hymn in there and then Pandora will know you want Hymns. The first few songs, I listen to be sure it's what I want.  If not, you can click on the little Thumbs Down icon and it won't play that one again.  Isn't it nice?   I have a nice classical station too.  And of course, I have my Jim Brickman piano.   I love the piano music that Pandora adds to his music.

I'm making fresh apple cakes in a few minutes.  My granddaughter's place of employment is having a potluck tomorrow and she asked if I'd make the apple cakes.   I usually make a few to give away when the apples are dropping.  We've done so much trimming, I don't have as many apples, but some aren't ready yet.

Soon....very soon I hope, they will start work on my new roof and then the rest of the remodel...the floors and windows.  I'm trying not to feel any stress over the inside part, but I don't know if I can come home at night, with the dogs, while they're doing the floors.  I hope so.  I checked out a kennel and it was nasty!  I might have to look some more if we can't come home.

later, Nita

Nita did you check out the Puppy Love kennel. I don't know anything about it except that where Keith took his dog when he still had a dog. I would also be interested in knowing of a good kennel in the CB/NB area.

Jane I am glad you are back home safely and can rest now and get caught up on your "Me" time.

I took a big bag of plums down to Willa's house for her and her daughter to share. I have so many plums this years. I have given them to my neighbors, taken some to Oregon, given some to my Chiropractor and now toWilla.

Liz are you feeling better yet?

Samantha how are you doing  with the Gustav's rain and now Hanna coming in. Are you in a safe place there is Mississippi?

Thoughts and prayers for all in the path of those hurricanes.  Looks like a whole line of them just waiting to attack.    I told Darrel that Don and Julie will need our help even more if they get lots of water.  She said the other day it had been raining and raining, the house is flooding, all the floors are wet......and that was even before Gustav made landfall.

We have a tree of lovely peaches!  I was afraid we might not have any, as we had such late frosts, but we have one tree with nice sized ones, and another with small peaches.  Today we put several bags of them in the freezer.  Yummy!

Jane, welcome home!  That sounds like a great project Kathi has undertaken, but what a lovely thing it will be for your progeny.    And what nice neighbors you have, what a blessing.

Marilyn, may I have some plums?  What kind are they?

Nita, I hope the home repairs don't stress you out.  We really need to get some stuff done, too, can't seem to get motivated enough to get started. 

It looks as if the puppy is going to be named Sarah.  Darrel likes that.  I'll see if he sticks with it for a few days. 

We have been keeping an eye on the hurricane damage - we went to Port Arthur last year to work on storm damage house from Rita.  It was said that it would take 20 years to repair the damage and if another storm like it hit, the place for miles and miles would be totaled.  I just had a note that the state of Texas has stopped all faith-based works and it is a shocking to us as where else can they get free labor, money and help right up front?  I can't get over the stupidity of it all.  Does anyone know anything about this? 

Larry:  Don usually walks farther than me as he has really been dieting and determined to get his blood sugar numbers down - so far, it has been of great help.  It helps my blood pressure and my pulse is that of an athlete.  LOL. 

We made great gains in unpacking, repacking & identifying things in boxes, breaking down boxes and getting donation stuff ready.  This is getting to be annoying and so much more to do. 

Janet:  Stop - I thought you were going to ease up on the exhausting work.  You make me so tired.  Besides, you need to play with the new puppy.    I just read that your Texan relatives are flooding already - my prayers for them.  It has to be so difficult.

Jane:  It sounds like a wonderful reunion you experienced.  And, a safe trip back!  It was well worth the effort. 

Nita:  Good luck on your home repairs!  It is nice when it is over.

ScottyBoy:  I can see your smiling faces with flashing eyes to my left - they caught my attention - back to you too.

Pat:  How are you feeling?  Better, I hope. 

   Good evening to all.  It has been a wonderful Labor Day weekend in Canada and the weather has been perfect.  I had a good friend of mine from when I first started driving bus way back in 1969 invite my wife and I come to there home which used to be the family cottage and it is on a lake called Lake Scugog.  They have raised the cottage up and put a full basement which has a 9ft. ceilings and they have also totally changed the kitchen and dining room.  The view that they have looking out onto the lake is so beautiful so we had a wonderful time and also got to go to church.  God is so good and just blesses us with so many good things.

Paul and Pat:  I hope that Pat you are feeling better and also Paul.

Etta Sue:  Well you must knit very fast that is one thing when I was in school we had to learn to knit.  Dont do to much.

Larry:  Hope you and your wife are looking after yourself.  How is your daughter doing?

Ruth Ann: Please take it easy we always think that we have so much energy but we don't.

Janet:   Hang in and also take a breather when you need it.

Liz:  Look after your health

Jane:  When we need help God always sends it in his perfect timming

Carol and Don: I wish that I could walk 3 miles but don't overdo it. :

Marilyn:  It is nice to be able to give :

And to all others that I did not great personaly have a great week to all.

Marilyn, I haven't checked out Puppy Love.  I knew they were groomers but didn't know they kenneled.  BUT the good news is...

We don't have to use a kennel.  The contractor told me tonight that the floor would be installed in one day.   We can be home that night.  That's a relief.

I have Maycie here now, and she's sleeping, so I'm headed to bed too.

Blessings,  Nita

Marilyn,

I live in the Northeast corner of Mississippi, 7 miles west of Alabama, and about 35 miles south of Tennessee, so Gustav hasn't gotten to me yet.  We are expecting some rains later today off of it.  But thanks for asking!

I would love to live near the coast except for that reason, too many storms. 

To all who have been praying for me -  Thank you!

I have been reading every day and praying for those with needs.

Later,
Samantha

Hi everyone.  Just back from morning coffee.  I have a meeting to attend this morning and then a luncheon at 1 pm with a group of men.  This will be enough for one day.  I stayed up until midnight last night watching the Tennessee/UCLA football game and when it ended in a tie I gave up and went to bed.  So I am not sure which team won the game--I will have to check.

Nita, glad you won't have to be out of your home at night or kennel your dogs.  I like the music of Jim Brickman as well and really do enjoy the music on Pandora.  It is so handy and you get such a nice variety.  I have several "stations" set up and you can have a quick mix and it will play songs from all of your categories in a random way.

Jane, it sounds like you are blessed with wonderful neighbors.  Glad they are helpful to you.  What a memorable trip you have just had.  Glad you were able to participate and spend that time with your family.  I find the older I become the more important family becomes to me.

Ruth Ann, glad you are feeling better and the stomach virus didn't last very long.

Etta Sue, you are really making fast progress on your church project.

Gord, sounds like you had a great holiday.  Did you catch any fish?

Carol, I have understood that exercise really helps with blood sugar.  It sounds like you all are working pretty hard getting unpacked.  Hopefully that will soon be behind you.  I remember when we moved to this house I couldn't wait to get the boxes emptied and broken down.

Janet, is the working at the home something new?  That is really hard work and I know there is a lot of lifting involved.  Has the puppy gotten you both trained yet?

Marilyn, I will take some of those plums also.  Pat bought a few plums at the store on Saturday and they were really good this year, nice and sweet.  We had to eat them within a day or so.  She bought six apples it is cost $7.  I am going to eat just half an apple each day rather than the whole thing as these are very large apples.

Samantha, glad you are safe from the storm and hope you get a reasonable amount of rain.

It is a beautiful day that God has given us here in Georgia.  The sun is shining and it is suppose to get up in the 80s.

We are planning on taking our daughter back to her apartment tomorrow and will take her to the ER at Grady hospital to have the PICC line removed.  She is starting to gather her things together.  We will have a car full of things to return to her apartment.  She is looking forward to getting back to her own place and her own bed and I will get my office back and perhaps our lives can return back to a more normal routine.

Janet and Larry I don't know what kind of plums they are they are red, very sweet and not real large. Shall I send the  through cyberspace.

I am going to call ATT today and see about changing my DSL it depends on how much it costs. One thing that really appeals to me is that the router is built right into the modem so no need for a separate piece of hardware if  I decide to get a laptop.

I had a nice weekend, we picked blackberries for a cobbler and for him to take some home. He ran with Happy , I took the leash off Bebe so she could run with them as I did some fast walking. With all the food I prepared i need to stay off the scale for awhile.

It's going to be a scorcher in Indiana today.  I plan to stay inside where it is cool.  Earlier the horizon was really hazy....humid.  Last night the sky was really pink....humid.  And predictions of 90+ degrees today.  HOT!

I was hungry for Mexican food last night and called Ivalou.  Just as her answering machine came on, I remembered she was going to her son's house for a cookout.  So I went to Taco
Bell alone.  I hadn't been to Taco Bell since changing churches.  It tasted really good.

We need rain.  I was reading my devotions on the deck and realized the deck was so dirty and dusty.  So I got out the hose and hosed it down.  Now it is nice and white again.  (white resin deck...)

And I crochet...one needle with a hook on it.  Not knit...two straight needles.  I have almost 4 hot pads done now.  When I went to bed I had more on the last one done than when I got up.  Seems one of the furgirls thought I had made a mistake so helped take out a round or two.  Grrrr!   

I am hoping that everyone had a great Labor Day weekend.  Nothing spectacular for me except the Reds ballgame.  Still think about that. 

Praying that all of ya have a God Blessed day!!

Hello Everyone...

Paul just left for his return trip to Virginia. 

Murray's funeral service was a coronation service of a saint gone home to his home in Glory where he will worship the Lord forever.  It was simply amazing and the family members all took part--except Grace. 

It's so nice to read all of your messages.  Samantha, I've been praying for you and definitely will continue.  Thanks to Terry for posting.

Hello to the rest of you.

Please join us here to vote in our latest photo challenge that is entitled, "Weathered".

Even if you didn't enter any photos, we encourage you to vote!  Just scroll through the following photos and see if they fulfill the subject of this challenge ("Weathered") and then vote!

You can vote for your top ten choices and the winner will choose the topic for the next challenge!

VOTE HERE!!!

I really enjoyed seeing the beautiful representations of "Weathered". It's so interesting to see the photos from the eye of the camera operator.

Well, today's my first outpatient physical therapy session. Wonder what that will bring...

Samantha, sounds like you may be close enough for me to contact you for a glass of iced tea when I'm in the Memphis area sometime.

Y'all have a wonderful day.

I was in here and read all the posts this morning, but the time got away from me before I got anything posted.  So I'm back.

I swam 3/4 mile plus 3 today---that is 27 laps!  I will make it to that mile yet!  This afternoon we picked and put up more of the peaches.

A while ago I got a call from the care home asking why I wasn't at work!  Nobody told me they had me scheduled, and yesterday I made a special trip to look at the schedule, and my name wasn't on it!    Boy, the management needs to improve for the dietary staffs.  I said I could be there in 15 minutes if they really needed me, but they decided they can do without my help, and I'm glad.  I will be glad when I am completely out of there.  I sure didn't want to work tonight, then be at Park View at 6:30 in the morning.  Good grief.

Pat, your brother's service sounds so lovely.  I really like the trend now, having loved ones and friends, and others who knew them well,speak at funerals.   It is so much more meaningful for the family.  Hugs to you. 

I can't remember now what all everyone posted, but will try to do better another day.

Weight Watchers tonight, hope I have lost some more.  Yes, Larry, I go to the meetings.  They only last 30 minutes.

Have a nice evening, see you tomorrow.

Brrr!  It really feels like Fall at the moment.  Guess the Farmer's Almanac (?) is going to right on target.

My daughter phoned the Septic Tank Co. that pumped the tank and put in a new pump.  The kids felt this was what was causing the problem.  Seems they didn't have a tech. available until next week, so got another similar co. to come.  Did this because I am ill and my daughter was not in a mood to take no for an answer.  Good thing as it seems the pump was not installed correctly, not anchored and this caused the rattle, etc.  Does anyone care about their work anymore
At least now I can stop going upstairs when feeling so ill.  Not to mention the other alternative at night....Needless to say, the kids have kept the card from the good co.

Things are really bad in the work dept. these days.  One of their friends own a nice coffee shop and help simply will not stay..They are really nice folks and treat them well, no one seems to want to work on a regular basis.  Now getting employees from the Philippians and sponsoring.  Pleasant and want to work!

My SIL is letting contracts go because he has so much trouble getting reliable help.  Again, no one wants to work a regular job at good pay.  Had one guy who took the job for a few months, then emailed saying he would be thro' the end of the week.  Didn't even bother to phone!  No wonder things are in such a mess.
That is my rant for the month!

Guess it is going to mean another trip to the doctor for a third kind of medicine.  Seems like our SuperBugs are smarter than the medicine these days.  Oh well, guess God has a reason for all the problems.  This too will pass. Painter and Electrician still to come and then PEACE at last.  I want to sit and paint a nice barn and forget this spring and summer.

Pleasant Day/Evening and God Bless.

Liz

Good day.
We are having another warm day here today and I am thinking of going to pick some blueberries . I just want a bluebery cake and some blueberry muffins.

Yesterday was a great day we had prayer at our church and we are seeking God for revival.

I trust you all are having a great day. God's blessing to each one of you.

Hi Liz...  It's great to see your post.  What a very long time you've been going through all this construction.  I feel so sorry for Wendy. 

Good Morning Melody!  Those blueberry muffins sure sound good!

Good morning....for a little while yet!

I was getting frustrated with my Embarq Mail account at Embarq.  Several little things so I decided to go to Windows Mailbox...Vista's version of Outlook Express.  I love it but I can't seem to forward to several people.  First I thought I needed a name in the 'To' but that didn't work.  Then it seemed to reject all Yahoo accounts...so didn't include Yahoo email addresses...that didn't work.  Then it was a Comcast account...  I went online to seek some help and that's like trying to find a needle in a haystack.  I can send emails to one or two people but a bunch....can't do!  Back to the old drawing board.

It is going to be another hot day in Indiana.  Ivalou and I did get out last evening.  She was picking up a book at the Christian Book Store and I needed a few things at WalMart.  Then we went to Chili's to eat so she could spend some of her birthday gift certificates.  It rained on us leaving WalMart.  But quit by the time we got across the highway to Chili's.  Just enough rain to make it stuffy and smell like dirt! 

Nice and sunny today but hot.

Thank you so much, Colin, for sharing that.

What a lovely poem and how nice to read it when just a few days ago, our dear brother went Home to view his mansion.

Thanks!

Hi Etta Sue!

You were posting as I was!  Thanks for the reminder.  I have to go to WalMart too.  I have a couple of things to pick up.

Hi, friends,

Yesterday was certainly a BUSY day for me. It was my first assessment visit to the outpatient physical therapy clinic. She was pleased with what's been done thus far but was surprised how much it hurts for me to lie down in any position. So, that's what we'll be focusing on.

Then, a rash has developed beginning to the outside (right) side of the knee and going downward  in a diagonal fashion toward the inside of the ankle. I was wondering about shingles, since the rash is about 2-3 inches wide and follows such a well developed line, but got a work-in appointment at my primary care physician's office (of course had to wait a couple of hours, but I certainly didn't mind the wait!). He thinks it's developed because of the large amount of swelling in the leg. So, he changed the way I've been treating the rash and will be setting up a second opinion with a dermatoloist just to be sure.

And, the bathroom floor has gotten soft, so had someone to come out and give estimates on that repair - Leslie had to handle that one, since I only had time to eat a 1/2 peanut butter/diet jelly sandwich between PT and the doctor's office.

Next was the stop to get the new medicine for the rash. I got there and have never seen that pharmacy so backed up. I gave them the prescription at about 4:20, went on about the other shopping that needed to be done, and then had to wait so long that it was quarter to 7 before I pulled into the driveway.

Needless to say, we had one of those fix-it-quick suppers and off I went to lie down and rest. Thankfully I was able to listen to the speeches at the convention last night, but certainly couldn't sit at the computer or really do anything else.

Today seems to be shaping up to have fewer challenges - how nice.

I, too, enjoyed the poem, Colin. I try to visualize the beauties of heaven, and often will conclude that even if it's a little cabin in the woods near the River of Life, I'll be so happy to be there that nothing else will matter.

Much love to everyone - y'all are my extended family and I love, respect, and appreciate each one of you.

Thank you Pat and Ruth Ann. I sat down at the computer last night having no thought what to write and these words started to come with God's help. I had not even thought of a title or anything and I wrote it the way you find it...not in verse form as such. I actually did think of you Pat as I was posting it. I have often too thought about Heaven and...this might sound silly...felt a little bit uneasy about streets of gold and mansions and a city...because I am a country lad and I shun cities and streets. But I know Heaven will be perfect. Yes Ruth...a little log cabin would do me in the corner of Glory Land.

God bless all those who visit here today.

Great poem Colin-thanks for sharing