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"And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." Matthew 6:12 (NIV).


In this age of financial crisis, newspapers are full of articles about loans being "forgiven." The debt loads of entire nations are sometimes forgiven. There's talk about student loans being forgiven, or homeowners being forgiven for unpaid mortgages, or institutions forgiven that are too big to fail. But one financial expert warned that there's no such thing as free forgiveness. Someone has to bear the burden of the debt.

Regarding our sins and souls, Jesus paid it all. We come to Him with a load of guilt and confess all our regrets. We tell Him about that moment of foolishness that causes shame. We admit the stupid thing we did or said. The tragedy we caused. The hurt we inflicted.

As we confess it, He forgives it. As we lay it before Him, He washes it away with the blood of Calvary. What God has forgiven should no longer have dominion over our minds. In the blood of Jesus, we have relief from our captivity of guilt and fear. It's nailed to the Cross and we bear it no more.

 

There is unspeakable joy...for the person who knows release from guilt and the relief of forgiveness.
Stuart Briscoe

Thank you, Jeanne, for the new Thoughts.  Wonderful thoughts!

I am all ready for church.  Looks like it is going to be a dreary day with no sunshine. 

Yes...Super Bowl Sunday.  I wouldn't be in that crowd if someone flew me down there and set me in the middle of it!  I think about everyone in my family but Ivalou and I have been to downtown Indy to take in all the festivities that have been going on this week in Indy!  Nope!  Not me!  They even have a zip line for people and the tickets are sold out before an hour is up after opening!  All kinds of celebrities are arriving.  Nope.  Not me.  Wouldn't go there for any amount of money! 

And yes!  It is bringing money to Indianapolis and the businesses in Indy but I am sure they spent lots of money getting ready for the crowd!  I am so glad I don't listen to the news.  I would be 

Janet, after reading about your accident, I was thinking that Darrell couldn't have been a super driver to get through all of that and not turn over the vehicle.  I think Jesus was at the wheel.

A word about today's devotional. 

When I first received it, I thought "Thank you Lord, that I don't have a problem with that."  Then I heard "Oh, yes?  What about....?"  And a long ago incident came to mind - complete with all the original anger and hurt and resentment!    Unfortunately, the person involved has long since passed away and I can't confront them, but I can, and do, plead for forgiveness in my heart.

Hi everyone.  After a rainy night the sun finally peeped out for a little bit a few minutes ago.  It was warm yesterday and suppose to get up to 69 degrees here today.  After a really full day yesterday I expect to have a much quieter day today.  We plan on attending church and perhaps will eat out but that will be it as far as I know.  I will watch the Super Bowl this evening as don't want to miss any of the hype.  Can you imagine spending $3,800 for a ticket to the game?  Where have our priorities gone?

Etta Sue, don't forget that your GPS system will also help you find lodging and eating places and gas stations on your trip.  Nice to see you are getting excited about your trip.  It looks like you are coming down to spring weather.  Our flowering trees are beginning to flower out and I saw daffodils blooming yesterday.  It is about a month too early but guess the ground is warm enough to trigger the growth. 

Ruth, nice that your husband and son enjoy doing the same thing.  The idea of ice fishing would not be the way I would want to spend a day.  Do they have a heated covering while they fish?

Carol, the local quilt shop just up the road is in the process of closing as have several others in the area.  Was that the Electric Quilt program?  Pat has had a couple of versions of it but don't think she has ever designed a quilt with it.  She is currently making a bed runner.  She is enjoying having a membership in Pam Bono's website where she gets a lot of quilting ideas and patterns. This lady and her husband were at the quilt retreat that Pat attended two or three years ago and she showed many of her quilts and talked about her patterns and the tools that her husband has designed (which were, of course, for sale.)

Judy, isn't it very unusual for your not to need a coat in early February where you live?  Glad you and John were able to share a nice meal out.  We ate out last night with our four friends and had a delicious meal.  They all liked the place where we ate, which is just down the road from us and where Pat and I have been several times.

Jeanne, thanks for the new Thoughts for the Week to get us off to a good start.  Someone must always ultimately pay the price.  I am so thankful that I have Christ in my life.

Jeanne, in reality the only people we really hurt when we harbor anger and resentment in our minds and hearts is ourselves.  We may never forget but we can certainly forgive and then no longer dwell on the thing that has caused us so much anguish and pain.  I have come to the conclusion that I can only be hurt when I allow myself to be hurt by someone else's words or actions (not thinking of physical attacks which would obviously have physical pain associated.)

Good Sunday morning to all who enter here ...    I have been up for a few hours already and come here to see what's going on in your corner of the world.

Jeanne, I appreciate your Thoughts for this week ... as Larry says, we only hurt ourselves when we harbor ill feelings toward anyone or anything.  I can "remember" there were times when I was hurt or something unpleasant happened, but I don't remember any of the details any more. I'm sure glad about that.  God has, indeed, washed it all away.   

I wish you all a wonderful day with the Lord ... enjoy it whatever you choose to do.  Be safe, be warm and be healthy.

Janet, I that sounds similiar to what happened to me a couple years ago.  I was driving along, minding my own business, when it seemed my car suddenly had a mind of its own.  Took off across the side of the highway and across a bit of grassy dirt and through a barbed wire fence!  A tow truck driver said the tie rod was broken ... I never got that judgement from the insurance adjuster, though, because they assessed the car to be totalled before even checking underneath.    I was using cruise control at the time, and I have never wanted to use it since then.  I'd just as soon have my speed under my own control!   

I'll probably have the Super Bowl on today ... it's on a local channel ... I may not spend much time sitting in front of the TV, though.  I usually have the television on and end up in another room (like here at the computer) and only listen to whatever is happening.  If something really exciting comes along I'll go in and take a look, though.   

Hello it has been a while since I have been on.  The doctors have ran me ragged.  I am on a heart monitor for 30 days.  They are thinking congestive heart failure due to the pitted edema.  I have permant inner ear damage.  Which is a blessing because now I know what that problem is.  I have been praying for you all. 

Gord I pray your hand is better.

Larry I to have saw our buttercups coming way to early this year.  The bugs are going to get us this summer I am afraid.

I would love to thank everyone who voted for my niece who came in 2Nd place in the mini challenge.  Isabella Cassetta is a Diva Queen in her own catergory with three older brother the oldest 22, 18, 13, and Isabella is 2.  Needless to say she gets pretty much what she wants.  Thank you for voting for my nephew Aden he got the honerable mention, he is one of 6 that was adopted by my sister in law and brother in law .  Five of the children are brother and sister and 1 is well their brother. 

A virtuous woman will recognize that her worth has nothing to do with appearance, talent, or the opinions of others.  She will recognize that her past belong in the past and a future awaits her.  A virtuous woman has worth far above rubies because she recognizes that her worth comes from who she is in Christ.

     Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters.  Isaiah 55:1a

Good afternoon, friends,

Well, it was a good service at church today, and then we went to a local fish restaurant for lunch. Great prices and the food's excellent.

Now, I must go across town to pick up something for the old house. So, better get off line and head that way.

Love to everyone,
Ruth Ann

Jeanne:  Thank you for today's thoughts on forgiveness.  We can always be reminded that it is better to put retaliation thoughts out of our mind and live with the peace of forgiveness.  After all, we are forgiven each and every moment with our eternal Grace.

Church was a little different today.  The pastor had taken a muscle relaxer for his back was out and he did give a lovely sermon, which he said would be short - then, he forgot to have the ushers take an offering until someone went up and reminded him - he was embarrassed but should not be at all.  He had to leave and couldn't lead bible study but we can't stay anyway because Don can't hear anything in bible study - Don only hears the person on the microphone hooked up to the ear receiver and that works so well.  We are so very thankful for that technology. 

Larry:  I will search the name of Pat's quilt lessons. 

Our children have sent us pictures of the snow piled 10 feet high in a drift that is in our block.  Power is still on - there is underground power in the area and it only went off once in three years and that was a blip in the system.  All the dogs are having a really fun time in the snow! 

I can't believe that I watched the Super Bowl!!  Great game.  Well, I did fall asleep and woke up just as Madonna was singing but the second half was a good half.  I do believe Indy did a good job sponsoring the Super Bowl.  News around here says it has been a very safe week or two celebration.  Someone said they went downtown Saturday and it was shoulder to shoulder.  Glad I wasn't in it.  Also I didn't go to church for Soup and the Big Game.  I had a 'J' night the night before and figured I would take a nap. 

Well, this time tomorrow morning I should be on the road.  Things are getting done and tied up.  Jane came yesterday afternoon and she knows how to take care of the furgirls.  And I am glad I went to church.  I forgot that tonight is Council Meeting.  An hour or so chunk out of my time.  But we don't have to leave as early as I plan.  We don't have to stay in Georgia tomorrow night.  We don't have to be at Kaye Don's Wednesday night.  So I am praying for patience and calmness. 

Yes, I know I can find motels on the GPS's but it's hard to re-train sometimes.  Seems easier to pick up the book, turn to the town and find a lodging!  I will have two GPS's.  TomTom and Droid.  So I do have a back up plus an old triptik and an atlas!  I love maps!!

Today is going to the DDS and getting my new partial.  Then Taco Bell for lunch.  Then fill up the car up with gas hoping the prices have gone down since the Super Bowl is history today!  I couldn't believe how high just for the fans to spend more money! 

Then I want to do some laundry and pack.  Then the council meeting and then watch 'The Bachelor'!  Hope I can sleep tonight!

Marilyn, I wished you Happy Birthday on FB today.  My notification said today is your birthday...you said tomorrow is...I think you should know better than FB but since I may not be online until evening, I wished you a happy birthday today.  Just make it a great day! 

Etta Sue...you are right...I don't believe it!  You actually watched the Super Bowl!  Yes, it was a great game and I was pulling for the Giants. 
I hope you and Ivalou have a good trip and enjoy being with your brother and wife in Florida.  That is a lot of miles though, and hopefully you two won't get too worn out.  We used to travel like that, but those days are gone now.  When do you expect to be back home?

Janet, I am so glad that you and Darrel were not in a serious accident when the car hydroplaned.  That is such a dangerous thing, and deadly.  My brother lost a grandson when his little pickup hydroplaned in Little Rock a couple years ago.  It was raining and he had just gotten off work at a hospital and was going home.  The most awful thing happened to his mother...she also works at that hospital in the trauma emergency dept and received a message of an incoming DOA.  When they gave the name, it was her son.  How terrible that was for her. 

Happy Birthday to Marilyn, I hope you have an enjoyable day.  My hubby is having a birthday this Thursday, and he will be 89.  No party planned though, as he is in a hospital bed now and has not left this room in nearly a month.  His daughter from near Dallas is coming to see us though, and maybe his two sons can come after work Thursday.  They both live at Amarillo, just slightly over 100 miles away.

JudyB, thank you for the hymn "Just a closer walk with thee".  I have a recording of my son singing that song at church, when he was in high school.  He passed away less than a year ago, from a stroke at age 50.

Good morning to all who check in for a visit here today.  I cannot start calling names as I would surely forget someone, but I do appreciate all your posts and greetings on CP. 

Blessings,  Janice

Here it is the start of a new week.  Yesterday proved very interesting, we had the arrival of a visitor which we were expecting then soon after they left we had surprise visitors - lovely then before they left our son and a friend arrived for a short visit. It sure seemed like a busy afternoon.

Larry:  The fellows have a heated shelter for ice fishing and this time time they brought home enough perch for approx. 4 good meals.

Today is the start of putting drops in my Aunts eye - she is to have cataract surgery on Wed of this week.   Because of her age I have concerns but trust & pray all will be fine.

So far we have had a day filled with sun. The most we have had in several days.

Hi everyone.  Yesterday did turn out to be a restful day.  After church Pat and I went to a place and had a quick lunch and then came home and rested.  I enjoyed watching the Super Bowl last evening and I thought it was a good competitive game.  I didn't really care who won.  I thought the halftime show was terrible. Today will be my usual Monday with my men's luncheon at 1 pm and then a meeting to attend this evening.  We did some walking after coffee this morning but was only able to get in 8 rounds before I had to stop and take a nitro and decided that was enough for today.  Came home and Pat decided this was a good morning for her to have her knee x-rayed and I needed another blood test so we went and had that done.  Then I needed to get the car inspected so stopped to have that done but when they went to start the car the battery was dead.  They jump started the car and I went immediately to Auto Zone and the had the battery checked and it was bad.  I called the dealer regarding pro-rated replacement since the battery is a little less than 3 years old but their was only a few dollars difference from the replacement at Auto Zone.  It wasn't worth the time and effort to take it back to the dealer so had the battery replaced.  All this filled up the morning.

Jane, as soon as you put your foot on the brake pedal the cruise control is turned off.  I remember when you had that event with your car.  They always replay anything in the football game that is exciting. 

Marlo, those heart monitors aren't much fun but do give the doctors a lot of information.  Our daughter has been wearing an external life vest that is a defibrulator and has had it for at least two month and probably will have it for another month.  She is to go this week for an echo test to determine whether her heart is strong enough for them to put in a permanent pacemaker/defib. 

Carol, the software for quilts that I referred to isn't a lesson series but shows many fabrics and lets you create a quilt design.  She never has really used it even though we bought the update version of the first one she bought.  Just so she enjoyed looking at it was all that mattered to me.

Etta Sue, drive safely tomorrow.  It sounds like you will take your time, which is very wise.

Once again, my email notification didn't work, so I got a day behind in here!  Therefore, I will not attempt to address everyone this time.

But I do want to say "Happy Trails" to Etta Sue and Ivalou, have a wonderful and safe mini vacation and enjoy the journey!

Thanks for the thankfulness on our not being hurt the other day.  That is really a wierd feeling, when a car loses all traction and just goes off on its own like that!  Yes, God was definitely in control!  But I'm glad Darrel and not I was driving, as he is more experienced and has had that kind of thing happen to him before.  He knew not to touch the brakes until he regained some control, even to knock it off cruise, because hitting the brakes could well have caused us to flip!  I was busy PRAYING, that's for sure!  Praise God, He was listening!

I have the manuscript for a children's book ready to submit.  But I want to ask first, if they can do two of them at once, if the cost initially would be less.  That's a lot of money to invest in a children's book!  However, I know kids' books do sell well.........what to do?  What to do?  Another prayer concern!

I need to go work on my studio for an hour while Darrel is gone with the car.  Then have Monday errands!  Why is it that Mondays always seem to bring the need for running errands?  (Probably because Mondays follow weekends!  )

Love you folks!  Have a great day!

Etta Sue actually I was wrong my birthday is today

 HAPPYBIRTHDAYMARILYN

Marilyn, I had to chuckle about you being wrong about your birthday.  Darrel thought he was a year older than he actually was for several years!    And I got your check today, thanks so much.

Happy birthday Marilyn!!

I submitted the children's book today, and they love it!  Now to come up with the $$$$$.........

I've had a really busy day today.  Lon and Dallas came out and moved the shelving from our bathroom that we are replacing, set it where we wanted it in the garage, and I started working on getting my studio cleaned out and rearranged.  I made good headway until Beth called, wanting me to come visit her.  (I spent most of yesterday afternoon with her!)  I had some other errands, so quit on the studio and went to town.  Now I am about to write up some press releases for my book!  Need to send them to the towns we formerly lived in, as well as to Hugoton, where my next book signing (after this week's) will be.

Anyway, I'd better get with it, before my day's supply of energy is depleted!

I'm sorry--I forgot to close the size tab!  Didn't mean to yell at you! My bad...

Janet: I received your book when I arrived home from work today ... and have read it already. What a blessing to read ... such an encouragement for people, and so God-honouring. Thank you for writing it.

Betty, thank you so much for those kind words.  They do mean a lot to me.  God bless you!

HI eveyrone.  After the unexpected events of yesterday I expect today to be much quieter.  It got a bit colder last evening but suppose to get up to 60 degrees this afternoon and zero chance of rain today.  After coffee I need to go to the post office and get a money order to send to our great granddaughter along with her birthday card.  I plan on trying to walk again today and hope to get in a few more rounds than yesterday.  Nothing else special is planned for today unless Pat has something in mind I don't know about. 

Janet, glad the publisher liked your children's book.  Sure Beth looks forward to the time you can spend with her.

Hope you all have a nice day and don't forget to count the many blessings God gives us today.

After a good rest last night I finally feel rested.  Yesterday was along day, today I plan on taking it a bit easier.

We got a skiff of snow yesterday  and all the fields are sparkling white, however there is no white whiter than God's white is there!

I am dog sitting a friend's dog for 10 days or so.  She is a lovely girl and she really does smile with her nose all scrunched up and her lips showing her beautiful pearlie whites.  It is a bit scarey to see the first time, but she smiles so often that you quickly realize it is a smile.

I will look for another hymn, any requests?

I was beginning to wonder a bit whether any of Beth's friends from the NF chat room were going to order books, but did get a check yesterday for one.  And John said today that someone on Facebook wants one, so maybe it's going to get going among them.  They are the main group that we thought would want to read it, and we wrote it to help them.

The house cleaner came today and in two solid hours all she got done was dust the living room and sweep the kitchen and laundry room!  So I did the rest myself.    Thaat didn't leave much time for working on my studio.  I spent a couple of hours with Beth, re-arranged her stuff on her walls to make room for the latest gift from John.    Two more nurses purchased the book today. 

I need to go work more on the studio, then complete some Valentines and make a birthday card.

Have a blessed evening and a restful night, everyone!

Hi, friends, a couple of really busy days have passed. Now, I'm preparing to go to tonight's Bible study. I think tomorrow's mostly free, until a late afternoon doctor's appointment.

The Lord blesses in so many ways. This morning, I had agreed to play piano and sing a special song for our Tuesday morning Bible study and devotions. Well, it turned out the lady who was to lead the congregational singing couldn't attend, so I thought, "Well, maybe I'll have to lead singing from the piano." But our Lord had different plans. In walked a fine pianist whom I have helped out during all his eye surgeries and exams. So, he ended up playing piano and I did the song leading. Then, how great, he also played for my solo. God works things out according to His master plan - how much better are his plans than those we try to make!

Well, must go and finish up my contributions to the supper tonight.

Love to all of y'all,
Ruth Ann

It's been a quiet day, here on CP as well as in my home.  John has a trainee with him again this week, so I have heard little from him.  Did some shopping and a little running around.

Baked 2 chicken breasts in the oven wrapped in tin foil.  Stuffed them with fresh veggies and by the time I was finished eating I was stuffed.  Tomatoes, onion, mushrooms, and celery all chopped,  Was quite tasty and the chicken was moist.

Two shows on TV tonight I want to watch, NCIS and NCIS LA.  I do enjoy those shows.

Night all have a good rest tonight.

I MADE IT TO CARTERSVILLE, GEORGIA, IN 10 HOURS AND 10 MINUTES!!!  Does that sound like a man bragging?  We stopped about 5-6 times and stretched our legs.  We had supper at the Fruit Jar Cafe...grilled pork chops, home fries with onions and peppers, fried okra, fried green tomatoes, cornbread and bean bar!  And yes, all the drinks are in fruit jars!  Yum! 

Now to get a good night's rest and get through Atlanta in the morning. 

The trip was great.  My TomTom said before getting to Louisville that the traffic delay was 10 minutes and there is faster route.  Do you want to use the faster route?  Yes.  No.  I did.  Then Nashville was the same.  And when exiting multi-lane areas, it shows the lanes on the TomTom.  It even tells what the speed limit is and if you are going over...when passing    When we started out it said our arrival time would be 3:31 but we arrived at 5:16 so the difference was stopping time.  Good GPS!

I don't know about getting online tomorrow since it is usually dark when we get to Kaye Don's.

I had a haircut today and with the coupon it was still more than I usually pay.  Very nice haircut though and I may have to fit one more in before we leave at the end of March.  We had our defensive driving class and it saves money on insurance.  There is one new signal here in this state (AZ) that is interesting.  They put in a flashing yellow turning signal after the green arrow (I think it goes that way).  It is to keep traffic moving with caution.  Good grief.  I don't like it.  The instructor graduated from  the same university as Don, same year and they had same major classes but did not know each other before today. 

Tomorrow, I need to get busy and plan the meals for a cousin is coming for 2 1/2 days. 

Etta Sue:  You sound like my children when you say the fast time you drove-  .  Love your heart/smile! 

I am joining the discussion a little late this week.  Might have got a little lazy being home for a week, but have enjoyed every minute of it.  It has been snowing for about 24 hours, but still only a couple inches of accumulation.

This morning started out on a bittersweet note, as I received word that my Grandmother passed away.  She's been suffering from Alzheimer's for several years, and was well beyond the point of recognizing any of us years ago.  She turned 89 last Saturday.  Her physical health was failing recently, and the Lord took her while she slept last night.  Whenever I am asked where I first came to know the Lord, I recall Paul's writing to Timothy in 2 Tim 1:5, "I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also."  I have known no woman with a stronger faith and fear of God than my Grandmother, and she was instrumental in establishing the faith that lives in me today.  We are delaying the service until next Saturday, giving the family time to make travel plans and gather in South Dakota.  Not a bad trip for me, but several are coming from California and Oregon.

Wishing you all a week blessed by the grace and mercy of our Lord!

It is well,
Ken

Hi everyone.  Another nice day on tap.  I will go to Bible study this morning.  Not sure that Pat will as she wasn't able to get much sleep last night and told me this morning if she is asleep when I come home from coffee just let her sleep.  Later this afternoon I have someone from the mattress company coming to look at our bed frame for our adjustable bed.  Often when you sit down or stand up you hear a popping sound.  It doesn't seem to impact the operation of the bed but is a bit annoying. 

Janet, sounds like you might want to find someone who will give you a set price to clean everything that you want done routinely.  We have an agreed on price to clean our whole house. 

Ruth Ann, God does provide so well for us. 

Judy, we have started to watch the NCIS series and are starting at the first season.  I watched the last two episodes on the first or second disk last night. 

Etta Sue, ten hours in the car is a lot of time.  Hope the rest of your trip has gone as well. 

Ken it is tough to lose a grandmother even when they don't know of anymore.