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Morning Devotional...



...Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. --2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Ten thousand enemies cannot stop a Christian, cannot even slow him down, if he meets them in an attitude of complete trust in God. They will become to him like the atmosphere that resists the airplane, but which because the plane's designer knew how to take advantage of that resistance, actually lifts the plane aloft and holds it there for a journey of 2,000 miles. What would have been an enemy to the plane becomes a helpful servant to aid it on its way....

If this should seem like a bit of theorizing, remember that always the greatest Christians have come out of hard times and tough situations. Tribulations actually worked for their spiritual perfection in that they taught them to trust not in themselves but in the Lord who raised the dead. They learned that the enemy could not block their progress unless they surrendered to the urgings of the flesh and began to complain. And slowly, they learned to stop complaining and start praising. It is that simple--and it works! Dr. Tozer in...We Travel an Appointed Way, 32-33.

"Lord, I wish I could more readily 'stop complaining and start praising.' I pray for Your grace to work within me that I might allow the trials to lift me aloft rather than press me down. I'll do it in Your strength today. Amen."

AMEN Pat

ZEEBERS!!!!

It's so good to have you back.  Great to see you posting today and hopefully you'll be in during the week.

Good Morning, The fog is think here this morning. I kept turning on my wipers when I went to Curves because it is so wet plus I could barely see the street.

Good prayer meeting last night, the Deaconess that is the prayer coordinator led the prayer meeting. We need to keep on praying for the youth, not only in my church but in yours. They are the future  and though some may say that they will always come back if they stray, the point is to keep them from straying.

Have a great day.

Hi everyone.  What a pleasant surprise to see Zeebers posting.  I also send condolences on the loss of your son Zeebers but glad to read that things are better for you.  I hope you have favorable response from the publishers.

It has turned considerably colder here today.  Fortunately, I don't have anyplace I need to go today.  I have already been to morning coffee at the cafe with my retired friends.  I need to clean our and reorganize my storage closet here in my office.  It has 5 shelves and it is easy to just put things on the shelves until they are messed up once again.  I bought some plastic drawers that stack to use and hope tha helps me organize. 

Pat, thanks for the devotional.  I think we all could pray the prayer at the end, at least I could. 

Ruth Ann, it sounds like your son is quite a musician. 

Colin, we don't see any signs of spring in our area until late February or early March. I didn't know the answer to your Bible question.

Etta Sue, I wish we had a Bob Evans close by as they always have good food.  We usually stop at one when we travel.  I expect Ivalou was happy to have to attend church with her.

Janet, I don't think you could get much better pay than what your grandson said.  That was very nice. 

A special hi to Jane, Marilyn, and anyone else I have missed mentioning above.  I better get busy.

Wow!  Zee stopped in for a visit!!  Welcome back!  Now don't be a stranger!  So sorry to hear about your son.  What a great tribute David made about his brother for your Christmas present.  What great memories.  And I, too, hope your publishers realize how great your two books are!

It was so much fun visiting with Ivalou's son's family last evening.  I had been to granddaughter, Melissa's house before but before she moved in.  Ivalou showed me her new home a few years back.  The contractor was there and the door was open.  The house was full of little post-its marking where Melissa and her dad, Jeff, thought needed attention and corrections.  Melissa got married last May and Steve got custody of his son, Elijah.  Now they are a family of four with Alexis being Melissa's daughter.  Whew!  Complicated but that's the way it is. 

Tonight is Kilbuck Photo Guild.  Dr. Steve couldn't get our regular meeting room for tonight so we are going to his home for the meeting. 

I need to call Kitty.  I don't use my cell phone much and noticed last evening I had a Voice Mail.  It was Kitty.  She left a voice mail for me the 10th!!! 

Welcome back Zee, I am sorry to hear of your loss.  I pray God's peace will be yours.

John is in Mass, and contending with the weather there. 

It is snowing here. I have to get going, teaching and am being called on.

God Bless everyone.

A big WELCOME BACK to you, Zee!  I have missed you, as have others.  I'm so sorry about your son, that is so hard. 

Will someone post the link to the tribute here?  I have no idea how to find it.  Thanks.

I'm wishing I was in painting class instead of here.    But that's life.  I got some canvasses ready and will do some painting in my own studio.  Not as much fun, but........I think I will drive over and spend the day with the class on Friday, see what they have been painting, and listen to the critique.  That will make me feel better. 

I had a full morning of appointments and errands.  That's a real Monday.

See you!

MAKE LIFE WORTH IT
--Author Unknown

One morning, I wasted nearly an hour watching a tiny ant carry a huge
feather cross my back terrace. Several times it was confronted by obstacles in its path and, after a momentary pause, it would make the necessary detour.

At one point, the ant had to negotiate a crack in the concrete about
10mm wide. After brief contemplation, the ant laid the feather over
the crack, walked across it and picked up the feather on the other
side, then continued on its way. I was fascinated by the ingenuity of this ant, one of God's smallest creatures. It served to reinforce the miracle of creation.

Here was a minute insect, lacking in size yet equipped with a brain
to reason, explore, discover and overcome. But this ant, like the two-
legged co-residents of this planet, also share human failings.

After some time, the ant finally reached its destination: a flower
bed at the end of the terrace and a small hole that was the entrance to its underground home. And it was here that the ant finally met its match. How could that large feather possibly fit down small hole.

Of course it couldn't. So the ant, after all this trouble and
exercising great ingenuity, overcoming problems all along the way, just abandoned the feather and went home.

The ant had not thought the problem through before it began its epic
journey, and in the end, the feather was nothing more than a burden.
Isn't life like that!

We worry about our family, we worry about money or the lack of it, we
worry about work, about where we live, about all sorts of things.
These are all burdens, the things we pick up along life's path and
lug around the obstacles and over the crevasses that life will bring,
only to find that at the destination they are useless and we can't
take them with us...

--as seen in Inspirational World
====================

Janet, I guess you missed Zeebers post.  It was in last week's "Thoughts for the Day" HERE


And here's Ruth Ann's Post

Thanks, Pat, I had found them and changed my post before seeing your post.  Feel free to delete both this and yours above if you want.

Love you!

Zeebers:  Welcome home!!!  I am so sorry to learn of your sad news about your son.  It does look like you have a tremendous amount of love and support from your family. 

Colin:  It was easy with only four people on the earth! 

Jane:  I bet you thought of the answer so much quicker than I -

Marilyn:  Fog - I do miss the sound of the fog horns but sure don't like to drive into fog. 

Janet:  You'll be back painting again - How are you doing this wintertime?  We have a frigid day coming up this week and then back to normal temps again. 

Welcome to Mrs. Barbarian!!!!!!! 

Carol

Please vote for your top SIX before clicking on the submit button.  All voting must take place in one operation.

Voting will close on January 24 so hurry and get your voting done!  We'll then post the winning entry and the member whose entry that is will choose the next topic for our next challenge!

Click on this link to see all photos without having to scroll from page to page:

http://www.christianphotographers.com/community/index.php?topic=6498.0;all

Hope some of you can see this!

Hi everyone.  Have just a few minutes before leaving for coffee and then going to Kaiser for a blood test.  My friend Rod is going with me as he needs to return some items he bought recently at Fry's as they either didn't work or weren't what he needed.  I then have a meeting to attend, so have a full morning.

Not much new here.  I did spend several hours yesterday cleaning and reorganizing my storage closet in my office and am now sorting old records and getting rid of a lot of old papers that are not needed.  I have quite a bit of shredding to do to comolete the job.

Janet, I liked the ant story.  I hope you can attend the last day of the painting class as know you will enjoy it.

JudyB, I sure don't envy John having to drive a truck in the bad weather in the NE.

Etta Sue, I am sure blended familes are very interesting.  Glad you had a great time at the party.

Well time to head out.

I am off to get the van.  Heater lines went, and we have been without transportation since Friday.

Just have a couple of minutes to be here.

EVERYONE  Look at the challenge pictures.  They are just amazing.  Take a minute and enjoy them.  Then pick the 6 you like best.  Good luck with that, they are all so good.

Well got to run, my ride should be here any minute.

Photo Guild was very interesting but my pictures didn't show up.  When Dr. Steve sent out his reminder email, he put the wrong email address to send our digital shots for viewing.  I wasn't the only one.  They didn't come back so whoever got these pictures, I hope they enjoyed them.  Oh, well, I will just send them to the right address next month.  Our meeting was at Dr. Steve's home.  Have you been to homes that is full of 'stuff'!  That's Dr. Steve's home!  Organized chaos! 

I was glad that I wasn't driving.  When we left to go home there was beautiful, light, fluffy snow covering everything.  You could almost blow the snow off the car!  The kind of snow that makes you feel like going Christmas shopping!  It wasn't slick, thank God.  Cherie turned on the brights and there were huge snow flakes stabbing the car!  Beautiful!!

This evening we are going to Beef and Boards to and see 'Run for Your Wife'!!  Sounds like to me!!

Kitty called me yesterday.  They are heading home Wednesday!  I sure have missed her.  She hasn't had any internet hookups!

Bright and sunny but how deceiving!!  It is only 17° and not to get above freezing today!  Brrr!  May have to re-think what to wear tonight! 

Think about it.  2008 is 1/24th over!!

Hi Everyone!

Thanks, Judy, for the reminder to all to go and vote!  Only 8 have voted so far in the challenge but I'm sure that will be more by the end of the day.  We also have a new member who has both introduced himself in our Intro area and also posted a most fantastic snowflake photo below the challenge entries.  It's a "MUST SEE" for all of us and then we'll again praise our wonderful CREATOR for making these wonderful snowflakes!

Please welcome Andy in our Introductions area and view his marvelous photo over in the challenge area.  He posted after it closed to entries (WHEWWWW) or it would definitely have won!!!  LOL

Etta Sue, I see by your temperature "thingy" you're one degree colder than me! 

Ok things are beginning tosettle doen. 

Janet are you continuing with your piano lessons?  I am just back with Kass.  I have 2 new (to me) pieces to work on.

Dana just came bounding in thinking she can type.....lol

Well we are all hungry.  Off to make supper
Back later
Judy

Feel like singing like me?

.

Hi everyone. I have been to the Hand Therapist again and go back to the doctor tomorrow. I have a prescription for  new wraps once for each hand and a pair of those Arthritis gloves that only go up to the middle of your fingers. Those will sure keep my hands warm and comfy.

Got to go now I am cooking  a pot of food for the dogs and  am about to leave to take them for their walks.

HI everyone.  I will just leave a greeting and try to get back later to post a little more.  After coffee we have Bible Study this morning and then I have the afternoon off.  Tonight is choir practice so this is going to be a relatively busy day, as busy as I want.

Later.

I did come in and read yesterday, thought I would get back later to post, but didn't.  Sorry.

We have winter again today.  High winds and some (but not much yet) snow.

I'm trying not to feel bad about missing my painting class.  That's hard for me to do.  I did get another canvas sketched yesterday.  I'm going to paint some scenes from Peru.  I like using my own photos to paint from.

Judy, I haven't been to piano lessons for several weeks because of my eyes.  Our teacher called last week to say she's teaching again after Christmas break; but to just let her know when we are ready to come back.  I have continued to practice when I can see the music.  Good luck with yours.

Darrel has gone for his last PT appointment.  Now, to keep him from falling again! 

Here's a thought for you.  "You need to THINK ABOUT what you're THINKING ABOUT!" 

Pastor Bill used to tell us that all the time, and it's so true!  You can think yourself happy, or you can think yourself into depression, misery, discontent, anger and hopelessness.  Thank God, we DO have a choice!

I decided to pass on Dunkin' Donut this morning as it is cold and there are somethings here at home that I would like to work on.  We had an interesting Bible study this morning on Matthew Chapter 10 and then we started on the Parables and studied the Parable of the Sower.

The weathermen have this area on alert for possible ice or snow tonight.  We are on the line so don't know whether we will get any of it or not.  I do know it is cold and the sky has that snowy look. I did stop at Walgreen's for another of the emergency lights.  I had gotten one sometime ago and believe they would be very helpful in a power outage.  Now Pat and I each have one.   They should last a long time as they use an LED bulb and 4 double A batteries. 

Janet, it sounds like you are wise to pass on the painting class today.  Glad to hear that Darrel is doing well and finishing the PT.

Marilyn, glad to see that you don't spoil your dogs.    Hope the new wraps and gloves bring your hands relief.

JudyB, I didn't realize you were taking piano lessons as well as your daughter.  I hope you enjoy them. 

Etta Sue, how was the play?  Many years ago we attended a couple of dinner theaters in Kansas City and always had a great time.

Pat, thanks for posting the Hymn. 

Hi Everyone...

I'm just working around the house today.  I also have to go out to pay a bill before I leave for Virginia on Monday. I posted a squirrel on my http://guelphdailyphoto.blogspot.com blog yesterday and I can't believe the number of comments it's received!  HAHAHA! 

well, coffee is ready so will go and pour a cup.

Pat ~ Your squirrel is perfect!  I truly don't know how you have all the time for what you do online, do for others and your social life.  You are an amazing woman.  And now you are going to Virginia again! 

The play was hilarious.  One of those plays that is so funny but when it is over, you can't remember what was funny.  Like 'Laugh In' years ago on TV.   You can read about it by sliding your mouse over 'Run for Your Wife after clicking on 'Run for Your Wife'.  You can also see what other shows our foursome will see this year!  Lots of fun!! 

And today, we are playing Euchre.  We are going about a mile east to a friends house.  Always fun playing Euchre even though I haven't won for months...maybe years!

Bright and sunny in sunny Indiana.  Right now it is 30°!  And warming up!!   

Thanks Etta Sue.  I'm thrilled that my squirrel has done so well!  HAHAHA!

Yes, heading out at about 4 am on Monday morning.  I want to drive in the dark here where I'm familiar with the roads and arrive in Paul's area in daylight.

Good afternoon, friends,

Brrr - I'm mighty cold already, and the icky snowy stuff isn't supposed to begin til later today.

Pat, I wish you safe journeys and a very happy visit while you're in Virginia.

I'm taking off the rest of the week - need to work off a few of my carryover vacation days and simply have a bit of R&R.

Y'all have a good remainder of the day.

A little bit of R&R, Ruth Ann, is what we all need from time to time.  Enjoy yours!