Christian Photographers Community

That is one of the "spiritual songs" that I enjoy.  How many times do we take our salvation for granted and forget what it cost our Lord to be our sacrifice.

Judy I love that song we sang it almost every Sunday in the church in California.
I am going to check at Walmart to see if they have those little dome shaped screens that fit over the drain.

My friends, thank you so much for your care and concern, and for the prayers.  I am glad Darrel and I were able to be in Amarillo to support his sister, who is frail both emotionally and physically.  She left the planning of the serv ice here up to me, and since we don't yet have our new pastor here, the first item was finding a pastor we know....and with God's help, I did.  He did a wonderful job; used personal anecdotes about Mother that I had written, the scriptures and poem I chose, and added a few remarks of his own.  I wanted to make it as easy as I could for him, since he had never met Mother.

Our church prepared a wonderful meal for us after the service, which was such a comforting, loving thing to do.  How  do people make it through this life without knowing the Lord, or without having a church family to help them through the tough times?

We are mostly resting today.  God has and will continue to sustain us.  He is our refuge and strength, a very present help in  times of trouble.  And I learned that Mother had accepted the Lord at the age of 17, so that was a great relief to me!  Praise God.

See you tomorrow.

QuoteHumble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
1 Peter 5:6-7/KJV

This just caught my eye in the side bar. Sometimes I feel so humble before the Lord that all I can do is cry. It seems like every time I go to church all I do is cry when we are called to the front for prayer, and during the worship. I am fine during the sermon.

When I was putting on my make up before church Keith said "I don't know why you bother with  eye make up you are just going to cry it off"

How true, Judy - we don't often reflect on what it cost our Lord.  In fact, one thing we seldom realize is that our Lord, in suffering Crucifixions, was being accused of each and every sin we've committed - as though He were guilty!  And oh how He loved the father and would only do what glorified Him.  That's what broke His heart on that Cross - to be treated as though He had done those wrongs against His Father.  I think of J. S. Bach's famous words,

O blessed Jesu, how hast Thou offended,
That such a doom on Thee has now descended?
Of what midseed hast Thou to make confesseion -
Of what transgression?

And too Al we far too often don't count the cost to us to be believers.    It is not an easy path we are to follow to be like Him.

In fact, really, how can we be like Him?  We truly can't experience the depth of His love for sinners.  But we can begin to do so, a tiny bit.  Oh may He increase it in us!

Hi everyone.  This is going to be another beautiful day here in Georgia.  Still a bit overcast but should burn off before long and get into the 70s.

Went to coffee this morning and now have the rest of the day to work on some projects here in my office and rest.  I didn't feel up to par last evening and not too good this morning.  Northing serious, just minor discomfort but it tires me out quickly. 

Etta Sue, glad you got the heat pump fixed finally and that it was under warranty.  I know it has been an aggravation.  Hope the ice and snow are gone soon.

Janet, we experienced the kindness of the church ladies in serving us a fine meal after the services for my mother.  It gave us a chance to visit with the relatives and special friends who attended that we could not do at the funeral home or cemetery. 

It is February and we are getting our January thaw.  I really don't like the games the weatherman is playing, a promise of spring and then the temps will drop again and we will have snow....again.

John is in Guelph.  Unfortunately I doubt that he will be able to get together with Pat.  He has a meeting to attend and then a trip north. ;( but it will be good to have him home for a day or hopefully 2.

Had an email from Ruth.  Please keep her and Mel in prayer...he is in a lot of pain.

Have a great day everyone.

This week's promise: God is in charge of the world

Do You Sense God Working in History Today?

O God, declare [my enemies] guilty. Let them be caught in their own traps.

Drive them away because of their many sins, for they rebel against you.
Psalm 5:10 NLT

A refuge to rejoice

Things didn't look good for Martin Luther when he was summoned to Augsburg in late October 1518. He was being charged with heresy. Up to this point Frederick the Wise, elector of Saxony, had protected Luther from the church authorities, but now the prince was under pressure to withdraw his protection. It seemed only a matter of time before he would.

In Augsburg, Luther was asked, "If the elector of Saxony abandons you, where will you find shelter?"

The Reformer responded, "Under the shelter of heaven."

In the last part of Psalm 5, we find that David, like Luther, trusted in the Lord to rescue him from his enemies. Did the psalmist escape from the trap? We don't know, but the psalm closes with "joyful praises," because David knew that he was now surrounded by God's protection. Like Martin Luther, he found refuge under the shelter of heaven.

Under his wings, O what precious enjoyment!
There will I hide till life's trials are o'er.
Sheltered, protected, no evil can harm me;
Resting in Jesus I'm safe evermore.
WILLIAM O. CUSHING

What was going to be a lazy day yesterday turned out to be a busy day.  Ivalou needed meds at the drug store so we got those and ate at Woody's in Lapel.  We both decided we needed things that Lapel doesn't have so we went to WalMart in Noblesville. 

That means we didn't get back home until almost 3pm.  Then an email asked me to come to the preacher's home at 7pm for the Womens Retreat planning committee.  So I went.  The theme this year is 'Wonder Full World' with visiting all the continents.  I am in charge of Africa.  One thing we will be doing for Africa is getting the pre-cut material that is printed with 'God is Good' on fleece and making the blankets that you tie the edges.  Ruth Ann and Steve's son went to Africa last year and he said he could have the team that is going this year take our blankets to Kenya!  How neat to know that the blankets that we tie will go to Africa!  But now I want to find an animal print blouse or top to wear and maybe a straw hat with a band of animal print!  Our retreat is Mar 31-Apr 2.  A wonderful time with our Sisters.

Not much planned for today.  Kitty Skyped me and she is going to wash windows outside.  Not me!!  It is bright and sunny and only got down to 44 degrees last night but I noticed I still have a bit of snow at the end of my drive where the farmer piled up snow!  And this has been a week of above freezing temps now!

Oh, how I like the way my heat pump is keeping the house warm and comfy!

Hi Everyone...

Without internet, it's terrible.  My modem decided to quit and the technician came and installed a new one for me.  I think it's faster now going from page to page.

So glad that the church folks gave you a lovely meal, Janet.  This time of fellowship after the funeral service is such an important time to start to heal.


Vapor, it's so good to see you posting in here.  Thanks for the newsy post.


Ruth if you peek in, I'm remembering you and Mel in prayer.

Good Morning everyone. Good to see you posting again Pat.

Ruth If you happen to peek in I am praying for Mel and of course you too.

Etta Sue don't take any chances of slipping and falling on you deck to wash any windows.

I have been tot he gym and today I am going to do some house cleaning, vacuuming mopping etc. Friday is Take Out day. Keith wants to go to the Safeway deli for Chinese, I was thinking Subway for Spicy Italian subs. 

Thank you Judy for today's Promise.

Hello friends, I visited here last night I think it was and sort of caught up reading for the last few days.
I was too tired to post so I didn't sign in at that time.  My husband Earl was in hospital with congestive heart failure from Saturday until Wednesday afternoon, and at that time he was transferred to a rehab facility for 3 weeks of physical therapy.  He was so weak and unstable that he needs PT to gain strength and able to walk again.  While in hospital he was so full of fluids that they drained off a lot. He lost about 25 lbs. and is down to 130 now...he is skin and bones almost.  He is gradually improving though. 

Today is the first day that I have not gone where he is.  I was just so tired and weary, and my feet had been swelling every day, so I tried to rest today.  I am waiting for another doctor's call about that biopsy from last week at the dermatologist. If he needs further surgery it will just have to wait awhile.  He has had numerous skin cancers over the years. After that call comes in, I will go down to where he is. 

Janet, I am so sorry to hear about your MIL passing.  I know it is hard to let go, but also a blessing that our loved ones who know Christ as Savior are with the Lord after they leave this earth. 

Etta Sue, did you get called up for jury duty at federal court?  You said you had to go to Indy.   Our dtr has received notice she will be on call too, to go to Santa Fe for the April/May time period.

Greetings to all of you.  ~Janice

Back from Tucson and now I have a new problem - a chip came off my front tooth and it is the main tooth that hit the concrete when I fell in October.  It was right at the end of the work day - well, dentists were not answering here at 2:45 PM.  I hope to find a walk-in dentist tomorrow in Scottsdale.  My dinner was cooked noodles tonight. 

Sad phone call yesterday that a rather new friend lost her husband suddenly.  They are about to move into our neighborhood back home so she has a lot of changes ahead.  We have mutual friends & go to the same church. 

Janice:  Nice to hear from you.  We like to stay in Santa Fe on our trips to and from Arizona.  The courthouse is in such a picturesque area.  Good wishes to Mel for his therapy and I hope you can rest too. 

Janice so sorry to hear about Earl.  I will be praying for you both.

Hi everyone.  Just back from coffee and enjoying the beautiful weather we have today.  It is bright and sunny and is to warm up again into the 70s.  Nothing on my schedule today except will attend a meeting this morning and then take it easy the rest of the day.

Janice, it sounds like Earl is getting the help he needs and I hope he will soon be strong enough to walk.  I always worry about my wife when I am in the hospital as I think it is harder on her than on me sometimes.  Sure understand your being worn out.

Carol, always fun to have to get medical or dental attention in a new area.  Hope you found a dentist.

Marilyn, was it Chinese or Italian?   

Pat, nice seeing you back on line.  When I have been without internet I have spent time each day at the library or Barnes & Noble utilizing their free internet service. 

Etta Sue, doing things on the spur of the moment sometimes turns into some very enjoyable days.  Your women's retreat sounds interesting.  It sounds like your planning went well.

Judy, hope John is able to spend a couple of days at home.  Sorry to read that Mel is suffering with his arm.

Larry it was neither, we both had the steak and Cheese  from Subway, I had mine on flat bread and Keith on Italian bread.

Marilyn ~ The only windows I have to go outside to clean are the outside door windows and the front window.  I use a squeegy for the front window and can reach the door windows just fine.  All the other windows I can clean both sides from the inside. 

Janice ~ Yes, it was Federal Court that I was called for jury duty but I wasn't kept...only stayed about 3 hours. 

I went to breakfast alone this morning to Woody's, to the bank to cash my Federal check for jury duty and to Dollar General for a couple of night lights...two burnt out this past week.  When I got home, I decided to wash my car windows...so dirty from all this snow and ice and dirty roads lately. 

I came in the house and noticed I missed a call from nephew, Aaron.  I called him back and he wanted to know if he could buy a stamp from me.  He came and we fixed up his letter to mail his check for the electricity off in the mail.  He found his bill in the snow where it blew out of his mailbox.  When anything is not routine, he gets so nervous.  He asked me to look at the check and the address on the outside since he couldn't used the envelope provided from the electric company and make sure everything was okay.  Bless his heart.  He was the nephew that when born the cord was wrapped around his neck.  They were told he wouldn't live to be 4 years old.  Aaron will be 34 this August, on this 15th year working as custodian at the local elementary school and is buying his own home where he lives alone.  He drives a moped to get where he wants to go.  He graduated from high school and is a blessing to whoever he speaks with.  He is a walking sports encyclopedia.  Ask Aaron about sports and he knows!

Anyway he didn't leave until after noon and now I am catching up online.

Ivalou has company this weekend.  Daughter, Teresa and her husband, Doug are there.  Also a pug named Mr. Jeeves.  Mr. Jeeves had to check me out while I was washing car windows.  He's so ugly, he is cute!!

I didn't really drop off the face of the earth.... just can't keep up with all the activity around here & IN here.  Been on the phone for over a week doing "leg work" to find my son the generator he wanted.  Nearly every place I called had a different price the 2nd time I called back, or had given me the wrong model number because they didn't know there are 2 generators with same numbers except for one word.  I don't mind doing all the calling, this son will drop whatever he is doing if we need him, so we go out of our way to not ask unless absolutely necessary.

Etta Sue, this son started out in the world like the nephew you talked about.  He was also born with the cord around his neck and had to be cut before he could get all the way out.  His lungs didn't inflate, he was blue, so was in an Isolette for 10 days.  The little ward nurse took him out to feed the 2nd day and nearly killed him so they had to "up the oxygen to a dangerous stage".  The doctor came in to tell me that he could be born "blind, deaf, mentally retarded or all of these things". 

For 2 years I was sure he couldn't hear because he didn't jump at noises.... thought he was "slow" because our daughter was talking at 5 months & he didn't, & so on.... but by the age of 2 I realized he was just a happy little boy, had allergies, but was out smarting his mother!  I have thanked God over & over for this blessing, he has such a good heart everyone that meets him, loves him.  I wish your nephew all the love in the world for the life ahead, everyone has challenges, it's learning to make the best of what we are.  My son had Perthes' Disease (balls in the hip sockets sluffed off until circulation was restored)... spent a total of 4 years in braces on his legs, the principal told me during his first grade that "the braces only slowed him down enough to learn."  He has a degree in electrical engineering and has done things that engineers around the world couldn't.  But like your nephew, coping with life is never easy. 

Been trying to catch up on all the posts... hugs to all.  God Bless!

Etta Sue and Tisie, thanks for the encouraging stories about your special guys.  The human spirit is a wonderful thing, so resiliant!  Beth continues to be a wonder to me--how she keeps such a great attitude and stays so happy in spite of her physical condition.  She keeps saying, "One of these days  I will WALK down the aisle to become John's wife!"  I pray her dreams will come true.

I was supposed to be in my portrait class all this coming week; howeve I think I'm going to have to miss it this time.  We need to go to Amarillo to help clear out Mother's apartment, then later to Los Lunas to help move Curt and Toni back to Kansas.  Sigh.....  Too much all at once.

Janet don't take on too much.  Your energy reserves are already low you son't want to depleate them much further.

Etta Sue Mr Jeeves sounds like he could be the hilight of your day.  Dogs really do have personality.

Tissie nice to see you here.  I enjoyed the story of your son, 

Marilyn I hope you enjoyed your steak and cheese dinner. 

Larry I wish I had your temps.  I have been freezing all evening!

Night all, John is home so I am off here,

Etta Sue and Tisie:  Thank you for writing about your very special guys in your lives.  They should be proud of their achievements.

Larry:  I am waiting for Monday morning appointment.  I had to tell the truth that the tooth wasn't hurting but I am being so careful because it sure is iffy.  Being open Saturdays does not mean that you can get in without paying an Emergency Fee.  Our family doesn't consider many things an emergency. 

I picked up a Jan Karon book from the library and we have a load of movies borrowed as well.  It is a rainy and very windy time and no malls in the area so we just feel too chilly outdoors.  While we are here in Arizona, our sons are high in the mountains snowmobiling and other outdoor activities.  I don't know if we even want to take our snowshoes out anymore and it was always so enjoyable.  Time for knitting and reading meanwhile. 

Janice, it's so good to see you on here and Tisie too.

Janice, I'm sorry to read what you've been going through with Earl.  As Larry says, "looks as if he's getting the treatment now that he should be getting".  That's good.  Please keep us posted.

Mobiles vs THE BIBLE

I wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our mobiles?

-What if we carried it around in our handbags or pockets?
-What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?
-What if we flipped through it several times a day?
-What if we used it to receive messages from the text?
-What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?
-What if we gave it to kids as gifts?
  -What if we used it in case of an emergency?
-What if we got it out to show our skill in knowing how to use it?
-What if we groaned when we dropped it?
-What if we always had it close for easy access?
Oh, and one more thing....

Unlike our mobiles, we don't ever have to worry about our Bible being         
disconnected, because Jesus already paid the bill!

Pat: So true!!!

Dear CP friends: In prayer for all your needs.

Janet, I am sorry, I did not see that Darrel's dear Mother passed away. I am sorry and praying for all of you. I so often think and say what you said: How in the world do people make it with out trusting our wonderful Lord!

Ruth, How is Mel doing? I hope continuing to heal.

Judy, Thank you for the reminder, under God's shelter! I love that song, Here I am to Worship!

Etta Sue, I am so glad your heat pump is fixed!

Larry, I hope you are doing better, Glad you had that special fellowsip with church family after the service for your mother.

Marilyn, I know the humbling peace is wonderful!

AL, You are so right! We do not think enough about the price Jesus paid for us! I am reading the book Slave by John MacArthur, it really has me thinking about the price God paid and how we do not really honor and serve Him the way we should!

Janis, I am sorry your husband is having such a time, glad he is doing better, I hope he is continuing to recuperate quickly. How are you, putting those feet up as much as possible I hope.

Pat, Thank you for the welcome! New Modems can be such blessings! Where I live there is only 2 choices for fast Internet, Charter I had for years, service would be good for several days then go out several times a day for days. I finely got tired of bad service and continuous price rising and switched to ATT. It was wonderful for a couple weeks then starting going out a lot, and then I got the bill! $150. more than they said first month! 2nd month $100. more! They told me my bill was going to go down, because of a bundle special! I am on the 3rd month now and it is sill a lot more! And I have spent hours on the phone with them.

Carol, Sorry to hear of your tooth, did you get to see a dentist? I had a bad dentist visit this week! Sorry to hear of your friend's loss. The name vapor is to remind me we do not know how short this life is James 4:14 (and that the next one is forever!) I had no idea that most people use thier real name here!

Pat, I love the Mobiles vs THE BIBLE! So true!

Tisi, How blessed to have a son like yours!

Ruth V, Thank you for praying for everyone!

The weather has been so beautiful this week!
I had a horrible dentist visit Monday. He was in a hurry to go to lunch and did not wait for numbing shots to work for a filling. I thought I was going to pass out. Then he said it was under the gum line and big so I really need a crown. I am not doing any more crowns or permanent bridges, I have dry mouth, they do not stay tight, food gets under it and rots teeth so then I end up with oral surgery trying to get them out.
I was still felling week by Friday and noticed a fungal rash on my stomach so I went to doc, she said she thinks it might be starting to get a bacterial infection to and since I am felling so bad I should take booth anti fungal and antibiotic. When I picked them up at pharmacy the antibiotic is one that made me very sick when I took it several years ago.  Pray for wisdom of taking these meds, remembering when to take, etc. Thank you.
The doc gave me a brace for my arm for tendinitis to, but one plastic thing was broke off so I had to fix it! Sew it. Better than having to buy one.
Between the Tendinitis and this lap top jumping back to the middle of previous words I spend a lot less time on the Internet!
My 4 year old grandson called me 2 times this week! The second time to tell me all about the Charlie Brown cartoon, he knows I love Charlie Brown cartoons. My 1 and a half year old granddaughter said Hi and blew kisses! I got to see and hear my 4 month old granddaughter in a video on facebook!
My 14 year old grandson called me to read the Bible to me, because I cut his cell phone off. We had an agreement I would get him a cell phone and keep it on if he would call and read a chapter of the Bible to me every day. Some times he forgets. (It is wonderful to be able to cut it off and on over the Internet!)
I hope everyone has a wonderful Sunday and week! Lifting everyone in prayer!

I doubt if Vapor has seen the illusion above.  Keep watching it and get a surprise!

I am all ready for church.  Today and next Sunday are my days to run the projector system so I need to go in a half hour early.  It is getting easier and easier...or at least, I am not freaking out when I make a mistake! 

I don't know what else is on for today.  Ivalou will probably go out to eat with Teresa and Doug.  I will probably go with some ladies at church. 

Also I crocheted a pair of Mary Jane's for baby Ellie...the Youth Minister, Brad and his wife, Krista's baby.  Hope she likes them and keeps them on!

Hi everyone.  Have had breakfast and am ready for church but it is still awhile before we leave.  We are suppose to have another beautiful day.  Yesterday was down right warm but beautiful. 

After my meeting yesterday morning I went to lunch with a friend.  Pat and her friend were making a trip to the quilt shop and went to O'Charley's for lunch.  So there was no need for her to fix dinner.  She had a carry home from her lunch and I was still full from my lunch.  I had a nice nap and then a quiet evening.  I finished reading the Sherlock Holmes story "The Study in Scarlet".  I really enjoyed it and have several more of the Sherlock Holmes book on my ebook reader.  I have done more reading since I started reading ebooks than I have in several years.  I think I have over 200 books I picked out on the ebook reader from the free books available from various sources.  I can also read books on my iPod Touch and find that quite enjoyable.  That open up the books from the library to be downloaded.  I have yet to buy a book and Pat gave me a gift card for my birthday to do that very thing. 

Lot's of interesting posts since I posted yesterday morning.  Pat, I got lost on your piece about mobiles and the Bible.  Is the mobile a cell phone?  That is not a familiar term for me.

Vapor, it sounds like you might want to find another dentist.  It doesn't seem that he treated you very well.

Janet, hope is a wonderful motivator.  It is so sweet that Beth is anticipating being able to walk down the isle to meet John at the altar.  I am sure she has played this out many times in my mind's eye.  Who knows, God performs miracles.

Tisie, nice to see your post.  It sounds like you have been very busy. 

Etta Sue, it sounds like Aaron would be a neat person to get to know.  He obviously care a lot for you and has a lot of respect in asking you to help him be sure he had his bill envelope correctly done. 

Well, hope everyone enjoys today and takes time to enjoy God's many gifts to us that are all around us. 

Good day everyone. Not much going on around here. WE have been to Walmart to do some weekly shopping and I can't believe how high the prices are getting. $3.48 a gallon for regular gas. We don't buy our gas there. But prices were up on the things we did buy.

God is good and in control of everything.