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Morning Devotional...



Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.... And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. --1 John 2:15,17

Any appeal to the public in the name of Christ that rises no higher than an invitation to tranquillity must be recognized as mere humanism with a few words of Jesus thrown in to make it appear Christian....

Christ calls men to carry a cross; we call them to have fun in His name. He calls them to forsake the world; we assure them that if they but accept Jesus the world is their oyster. He calls them to suffer; we call them to enjoy all the bourgeois comforts modern civilization affords. He calls them to self-abnegation and death; we call them to spread themselves like green bay trees or perchance even to become stars in a pitiful fifth-rate religious zodiac. He calls them to holiness; we call them to a cheap and tawdry happiness that would have been rejected with scorn by the least of the Stoic philosophers....

We can afford to suffer now; we'll have a long eternity to enjoy ourselves. And our enjoyment will be valid and pure, for it will come in the right way at the right time.
Dr. Tozer in "Born After Midnight", pp. 141-142

"Lord, may I be faithful to call people to that which is important to You, at whatever cost. Thank You that 'we can afford to suffer now; we'll have a long eternity to enjoy ourselves.' Amen."

I'm opening this up a day early as tomorrow, we will be travelling to Ashtabula, Ohio to Paul's daughter's home and there's no internet access there.

Have a wonderful Sunday!

Pat:  Safe travel for you and Paul! 

I just wanted to mention that I went into Facebook and actually looked at my site - then I really don't know what to do about certain things.  What in the world are orchids and other things being sent to me?  What should I do next?

We went out tonight with son & DIL as they treated us and her parents for dog-sitting.  It is a great place where we get a Vietnamese Noodle Bowl.  Normally, we would have this for a lunch and this bowl was so heaping that I brought home about a pint of veggies and noodles.  The kids are building their cabin at about 10,000 ft. and it is frigid up there - Don is helping next week to put up as many electrical outlets as they can get done and he will be surely wearing longies.  I can't stand that cold so opt to stay here & would only be in the way anyway.  They will be so happy when they can get the wood stove installed and a propane heater as well.  The insulation is supposed to be put in this weekend so that will be of some help.  Actually, Don has been bothered by pains here & there so it won't be good on his old bode either. 

Tomorrow, we will make the 9 service instead of 7:30 for a change. 

Thank you Pat for this message.

Quote
but he who does the will of God abides forever.

--1 John 2 

Amen Pat.

Liz don't get cold, I seize up in the cold...sounds like you do as well.

God bless everyone

I have some great news.  About 4 years ago our grandson Victor accepted Christ as his Saviour.  Last year at Christmas his Dad Jay accepted Christ as his Saviour.  Jay was a hard core agnostic.   Tonight I found out that the fellow Melaura intends to marry accepted Christ as his Saviour as well.  I am just in awe and praising God for what he is doing in our family.  There is one left to come to Christ, and that is Bonnie's baby's daddy.  God will do something there too.

Praise God with me as you go into worship tomorrow!

Wonderful news, Judy ... I am always in awe of our Father's provisions ... He always knows best and we have only to trust Him.

Carol, sounds like a good time to stay home and keep warm.  Hopefully, Don will be okay with the frigid temps.  I'll be praying.

P. S. I know NOTHING about facebook ... sorry, I can't help you on this one.

 :)Good morning or good night.   My wife and I have had a very busy time the past few days as we have had the kids and there babies here( Grandchildren).   We have had a lot of fun and we opened our gifts on boxing day.  It was so much fun to watch the grandkids opening theres. .

Larry:  Thanks for putting that site to connect to here the messiah it is great. I hope that your daughter is feeling a bit better.

Judy B:  What great news to here about the family and all the decisions for accepting the Lord.  Praise his name and we keep praying for our kids that they will do the same.


Paul and Pat.  Have a safe trip and may you enjoy.

Ruth:  Congratulation's on your retirement I thought I did a long time driving a bus but you got me beet.  I hope that you have many years to enjoy yourself.  God Bless

Have a great day in the House of the Lord.

Gord I will be praying for your family.  If God can answer prayer in my family with the tough nuts that we have in the family, He can answer prayer in your family..  The main thing I have learned in the past 5 years is we are to remain faithful and not compromise. We must praise God for the answer to prayer, even before we see the results.  Remember the verse..."before they call. I will answer!"  He has already answered, you just don't see the results yet.  You will!!! Just be patient and thank Him.

What a windy night!  I thought the roof was going to blow off!  I got a phone call yesterday afternoon asking if I would run the projector this morning at church so I am up and ready to go to church.  I couldn't go back to sleep at 5:45 so just got up! 

It is just now getting daylight!!! 

I am glad that I played with Sunday Plus yesterday.  I hope I remember all that I learned! 

The temperature sure dropped overnight.  It is 29 now after being in the mid 60's yesterday!   Big difference!! 

Larry ~ I bookmarked your website.  Will check it out later. 

Hi everyone.  Ready for church and have some time before we leave.  I got some new shirts and pants for Christmas and so undid all of the fasteners and tried them on this morning.  I am going to take two of the shirts back as they are too small and hope I can replace them with something just a bit bigger. 

It has started to rain here this morning but don't think it is to last too long.  I hope we see a little sun before the day is over.

The Messiah links contain about 55 minutes of music.  You are most welcome to right click on any or all of the links and save the music files as they are mp3 files or just listen to them from the website.  If you need help doing this just let me know and I will see if I can help you.  For ready reference, since we are in a new week, here is the link again:


Gord, are daughter seems to have fallen into a state of depression.  We are encouraging her to seek help from her pastors or from the mental health department in the county where she lives.  It is beyond our ability to deal with this situation.  We feel this may be the result of the two surgeries and the constant pain she endures from her foot and back and recovering from the surgery. 

Etta Sue, sure you will handle the equipment well at your church this morning.

Judy, that is wonderful news concerning your family members accepting Christ. 

Jane and Carol, I am like you all I know nothing about Facebook or Myspace.  I have been thinking I might check them out.  Carol, I think you are very wise to stay where it is warm rather than so to 10,000 feet and be miserable.  Summer is the time to go there when the heat source is available if it gets chilly or cold.

Pat, thanks for the fine devotional for this week.  Hope you have a wonderful time with Paul's family in Ohio and then a good trip on to Virginia.

Ruth, it takes awhile to get into the retirement mode but the sense of relief at the lose of the responsibility comes fairly soon.

Jane:  How sweet of you to think and pray about Don and our son as they drive through the wintery weather to work on the cabin.  I have looked at Facebook but am reluctant to put too much information on it because it is so public and could be attacked by who knows who. 

Larry:  My heart goes out to you and Pat over Stacey and her feelings of depression.  How difficult to manage a normal attitude with constant pain. 

We went into the massive sanctuary this morning for service and will give it another try but really do prefer the smaller chapel and the more quiet beginning to the morning.  So, I think we are narrowing this down and must say that it has been a very long time since Don has enjoyed and spoken about the sermons so this is very nice news.  A nice day here maybe into the 40's and we do want to take a walk as it won't last long.  Don is watching the Vikings play football.   I remember sitting on a bench in the 60's watching Fran Tarkenton work his wonders on the field in Minnesota.  Talk about freezing at Thanksgiving time - we didn't wear slacks at that time.  Yikes. 

Pat, thanks for the devotional.  You and Paul stay safe, have a great time, and return to Virginia (and us) safely!

Larry, thanks for the link.  After Curtis comes to fix my computer on Tuesday, I will check it out.  Darrel had the opposite problem; the shirts he received are too big!  So we need to do some exchanging, too.

We had a really nice day yesterday celebrating Christmas with the kids.  I even managed to get some photos of my three daughters and me!  Those will be cherished.  Our day came to a rather abrupt end with two crises, but it will all be all right.  Son in law Ray's mom called, his Dad is dying of mesothelioma, and she said he was incoherent, falling down, wouldn't let her help him--so they left quickly and headed back to Salina.  That is over a 4 1/2 hour drive; they got home at 3 AM.  And the other thing would require too much explanation, but involves Darrel's brother's family.    They need prayer.

I have been asked to work tomorrow for a lady whose uncle passed away, his funeral is tomorrow.  So I must be up early in the morning.

Israel decided not to allow Hamas to continue their rocket attacks on them; now the media is accusing them of targeting "civilians."  God will not allow Israel to be destroyed!  Look up, for our salvation draws near!!

Ruth, I hope you get to do many things now that you are retired, that you have wanted to do for a long time.  It is a blessing to have you posting more often.

Carol, I hope Don doesn't get all achy from the cold.  That's what it does to me, if I stay cold very long.  Facebook--I know nothing about it, have heard several bad things, and don't feel I have time to waste on it, anyway.  And being such a computer novice as me, it might prove to be a problem.  Problems, I do not need!

I intend to do some serious resting this afternoon!

Howdy everyone!!!!!!! Keith has hit the road for home and I hope he doesn't run into any flooded roads. We have had so much rain and  i received a notice from the Weather channel and Accuweather as well there there is some flooding  at Klamath.
The dogs and cat got along just fine , Fritzy is becoming quite the traveling cat. Keith says he travels real well. Keith has to stop again in Gold Beach to see a client on the way bay up the coast. He also stopped on the way down, plus he talked to my son about the remodel he will be drawing for him so this whole trip can be a write off as far as the car is concerned.

I have been here everyday reading but not having much to say. I have prayed for your needs and said some extra prayers for Stacy, Beth and Wendy. Thank you for the prayers for the Martin family that I asked for they are OK I am not sure if they know the Lord or not. I should ask Sarah's parents  that question.

What a day wind and more wind we had to go out and recover some of our stored items, now it is time to remain in, where it is nice and warm. I do believe that the temp. is to drop this evening it goes from being warm to brrrrrrrrr its cold.


Have a great evening.    Ruth 

Ruth, I hesitate to tell you that we have had a beautiful day, no wind, and temperatures close to 70!  Unbelievable!

Kerri (daughter) just called to update me on Ray's Dad.  It is not good; she thinks he will not make it to New Year's Day.  So sad, but he does know the Lord.

I had a nice nap this afternoon!    But should have gone for a long walk, instead, considering the weather! 

Thanks for the good devotional, Pat.

Quiet day today.  Did not feel like doing much.  Read all the posts and saved the link for Larry's music.  Will listen in a bit...

So good to hear how prayers have been answered for Judy B and family.  Yes, Judy, cold is not a friend to my body either. I try to remain indoors right now...as does Misty, the cat.  She really has come to dislike snow this year.

I am so sorry that your daughter is having such a terrible time, Larry.  Will continue to pray and trust that things will improve.  Not an easy problem to deal with and professional care can help.

My Paint Shop Pro 8 didn't give me what I wanted for editing pictures, so have loaded Picasa 3 and it is much simpler.  Since I do not do all the great things some of you are enjoying, this is more my speed!  Also free...and I do not want to update PSP and pay out more money.  Has anyone tried Picasa by Google?

Million Dollar Password is on tonight and I am going to watch later.  It has Betty White on and she is usually amusing.  This is a new show and looks promising.

I finished reading 'The Christmas Sweater' by Glen Beck.  Got it from the library.  Has a nice lesson...not sure how to take the ending.  Anyone else read it?

Pleasant Day/Evening and God Bless.

Liz

 :)Well all is now quiet around the Brown household as we are almost back to normal.  Everyone has gone home and Grandpa and Grandma can relax.  Boy it was busy and they are still so young I can just think what it will be like as they get older.

Larry:  I am sorry to here about your daughter I do hope that she will realize what she needs to do. We will remember her.

Judy B.  Thanks for the encouragement and yes it is not easy but I know what the Lord has told us in his word. <

Have a wonderful week and may the Lord give you all the strength that you need.

hey everyone
hope all is well for ya'll i'm still working on all the plans and getting everything ready for wednesday hope ya'll are doing great
Sarah

Hi, friends, sorry I've been away from the computer so long. Christmas was nice with almost all the family there. The family was laughing and joking, and OH, what a relief there was no strife or even a hint of discord. Thanks be to God for His unspeakable Gift! And for allowing me a peaceful holiday season this year.

I learned on Christmas Eve morning that both my son and I have been approved to move into the apartments. Both apartments are now being painted and recarpeted, etc. prior to move-in date, so we're still waiting to learn exactly when they will be ready for occupancy.

Janet and Al, I too wear compression stockings. They really make the legs feel better.

Well, y'all have a good day with our Lord.

Ruth Ann

Hi everyone.  It is suppose to clear off here today and warm up and seeing the sun will be welcome.  I don't think we had much rain but it has been misty and cold.

Not much new here.  We had a nice day yesterday as we attended church and then just Pat and I stopped and had lunch as the group was going to a place we just don't care about so pass when they decide to go there.  I came home and watched the Falcons game, which was exciting.  They are in the playoffs the first time in four years so this has been a good year for them.  I had a nice nap during the game. 

Late yesterday afternoon and into the evening I worked on reorganizing and cleaning out my bookmarks/favorites.  I had accumulated so many over the years and most of them I don't use so decided it was time to eliminate many of them and make my organization of them more useful.  I then did some reading before going to bed.  Not exciting but that was my day.

I am going to try to do some winter housekeeping on the computer between now and the first of the year.  I need to clone my hard drive and go through my files to eliminate those I don't need.  I also have a project that Pat's 90 year old aunt asked me to do for her so will be working on that.

I have several things on the agenda for today, including getting a haircut, walking a the gym, going to a luncheon and going to Kohl's to exchange the two shirts.  I think that will be enough for one day.

Ruth Ann, nice to read that you had such a pleasant Christmas with your family.  Things change with time so we always need to maintain hope for the future. 

Sarah, don't forget to breathe during the next few days as you prepare for your marriage. 

Gord, I understand how nice it is to have the family visit and then again how nice it is when they go back to their own home and our routine of life can be resumed. 

Liz, I have used the Picasa since its early days although really haven't used the tools very much.  They keep making it better.  There is also another free graphics program that my friend Rod really like that is easy to use and it is called Irfanview.  You can resize graphics easily and make some other adjustments.

Janet, sorry to hear of the impending sadness for members of your family.  Even though we know things like this are inevitable they are never easy.  Hope your work day isn't too stressful today.

Ruth, hope your weather improves.

Marilyn, thanks to you and all those who remember my daughter in your prayers.  She did get a letter from the IRS advising the training period for this year will start on January 13 through the 15th.  I am hoping this will give her a lift from the depression.  She did say yesterday her pain level had lessened and that is also good.

Carol, I remember watching many games on TV when Fran Tarkington was playing.  I agree with you on liking my church not to be too big.  Size has some advantages but also disadvantages.

Time to head out for coffee and get my day started.

Good day. Its 32 degrees here today with a small amount of freezing rain. Hopefully it will not last long.
We had a great day at church yesterday and last night we ended out our last Sunday of the year with Thanksgiving and testimony. It was good to listen to those who shared. For many 2008 was a year of challenges but each spoke and said in the midst of trials God was faithful.

Larry thanks for that link to the Messiah . I will certainly look into it.
Praying for your daughter Stacey and asking the peace of God that passeth all understanding touch her life at this time
God Bless each one of you

Hi, friends, I slept quite a while this morning - am fighting that pesky cold/bronchitis that won't go away and also my DIL had a bug when we were with them for Christmas, and I think it must have "flown" my way.

I agree - my father pastored tiny churches and in small churches it seems the friendships grow strong and it's great to be able to welcome all newcomers with open arms and begin to get them assimilated quickly.

Well, today will be exercise at the YMCA, getting prescriptions refilled, trying to talk with the leasing manager at the apartments, and packing -- soon this packing will cease...then, of course, comes UNpacking! 

Y'all have a great day with our Lord.

 :)Good afternoon to all at C.P.   

Well my day started a little earlier than usual as I had to go for a stress test at the hospital.  And praise the Lord the doctor was happy with the results. I was able to  last a lot longer on the treadmill machine but they make it go a lot faster than the one at the Y.M.C.A.

Larry; It is good to here that your  daughter seems a littel better.

Ruth Anne:  It is nice to see you potsing and to here that you had such a good time with your family. Praise the Lord.  I hope that you have no problems with your move to your apt.

Well must go for now God bless all .

Good Morning or Good Afternoon where you are. I have taken down the tree and put away all the decorations for another year. I have  two strings of lights that  don't work and the lights on my prelit tree do not work either. But I did figure out how to replace the bulbs, (I couldn't get them out the last time I tried, but not my nails are a bit shorter and that helps.) maybe I will have more patience next year.

Went to Curves and to Tai Chi practice this morning and vacuumed the  living room and bedroom and washed my hair. I need to get busy with the sorting of this and my other desk, so I am not moving a bunch of  stuff I don't want or need. I am also going to leave a lot with Gilbert that will be his eventually anyway.

Good to see  some of you here already and I am wondering where is Etta Sue she is usually here by now.

Wonder of wonders, I think that I just unpacked the very last two boxes and they are of antique cruets and mugs from England that belonged to mother.  And, Don didn't say anything although he has mentioned the boxes more than a few times.  I would rather be sewing    also cut a lot more
2 1/2 inch squares that I need almost 1800 of those to make a quilted throw.  Am at about a thousand now and it is slow going. 

Gord:  Wonderful news on your stress test!  Every time you say something is from the Brown house, it reminds me that our daughter married a Brown.  She uses our last name & Brown for business reasons as that name is so popular. 

Off this afternoon for a 2nd mammogram - I am not worried, just concerned that it has to be done.  Our daughter says that I should "demand" a sonogram.  These kids - they question everything. Then, must drop off a kitchen timer that when opened did not work at all.  A dud. 

Marilyn:  You certainly keep busy.  Good to start sorting things as it does seem to take a lot longer than you can anticipate. 

Hi Sarah!  yes, take a moment to relax.   

I had a pretty rough day at work, some of our equipment isn't working properly; and my youngest daughter called to say her husband had to take his Dad to the hospice facility today.  His pain is so bad he cannot bear it.  They told him that if they can get the pain under control, he can go home again.

I read all of your posts, but my eyelids keep falling down and blocking my view, so I think I will go get in my recliner for a while and just leave them closed. 

Lovely weather here today; don't even need a sweater!

The mammogram and ultrasound is over and I will either go in again at six months or one year depending on another reading. 

I don't know about your part of the country or even all over the world but we are seeing a lot of mom & pop businesses collapse.  Tough times for a lot of people.  Still people line their cars up outside of Starbucks.  Isn't it funny that twenty cars can line up and not a one even thinks of parking and going inside? 

Waiting for a call back from daughter and then I will go in and attempt to knit.  It isn't my talent at all. 

Janet:  Still working?

Here I am, Marilyn!  Whew!  At least someone missed me!! 

I did real good on the projector yesterday!!  (Bragging on myself.)  During the sermon, I was trying to open a movie.  The computer froze!!!  I told the woman doing the audio that the computer froze and they were about ready for the next song.  She said, that's okay.  Everyone knows the words to 'Isn't He.'  I was panicking.  So I did the CTRL+ALT+DEL.  The program closed saying it was Not Responding.  I clicked on the icon to bring it back up and just as the praise team leader said we are now going to sing 'Isn't He', I put the words up on the over head!!!  Whew!!!

Okay, I am late getting here today.  Kitty called this morning and asked me to go with her to get her mammogram in Indy...so we left here at 10:45.  I don't know why it took 2 hours for her mammogram and only 15 minutes for Ivalou's but I sat there for two hours waiting on Kitty.  Then we went to Don Pablo's for a late lunch. 

Then to Verizon.  My cell phone was acting up.  All the girl did was remove the battery and put it back in...it locked up for some reason.  Also changed my plan to 65+ plan.  Only $29.95 for 200 minutes and 500 minutes for weekend a month plan.  I never go over 300 minutes!!! So I am saving $5 a month. 

Then we went to a couple book stores and home. 

She came in to listen to a song with my Bose speakers.  Stayed for about 6 songs.   

Now I am caught up again online!!

Yes Etta Sue I missed you this morning. Two hours for a mammogram, that is a long time, did she get an ultrasound along with the mammogram.

Carol what are you knitting?

What can I say it is winter and we must deal with the good and bad, the good today it was sunny then toward evening it got colder and I think it is starting to snow a little. The bad tomorrow it is to snow.

Janet if retired means doing lots of things the first will be getting rid of items that just found a drawer or hanger - now it is time to move then out. Looking forward to free space. 

Larry: About Picasa & Irfanview is that the web sites or do I need to go looking.

Will return tomorrow     Ruth