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Morning Devotional...


    "Leave her alone," said Jesus. "Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me" (Mark 14:6).

Our Lord takes this beautiful incident and shows us the true value of it. He says five things about it that mark it as an extremely valuable act. First, He says, "She has done a beautiful thing to me." The beauty of it lay in its very extravagance. This woman did not spare any of the costly ointment but broke the flask and poured the whole quantity out upon Him. Judas, with his practical computer mind, reckoned it up as worth three hundred denarii. A denarius was the day's wage for a laborer. Three hundred days' wages would be a tremendous sum. In the eyes of Judas, this woman wasted an enormous amount of money when she poured out the ointment upon Jesus. It was such a lavish act, and therein lay the beauty of it.

Second, He said that it was a timely thing she had done. "It was something that could only be done now. Any time you want to do good to the poor you can, because they are always around." And it is right to help the poor. But there are opportunities that come in our life that must be seized at the moment. Mary had sensed this and seized the moment to offer this gift, for such a time would never occur again. It was out of the sensitivity of her heart that she realized that the timing was right, and Jesus recognized this.

Then, she did that which was feasible. That is, she did what she could. She could not fix Him a meal; there was no time for that. She could not make a garment for Him; there was no time for that. There was nothing else she could do to show her love but this. She did what she could. I am sure our Lord has called our attention to that because it is so practical for us. Someone said, "I'm only a man, but I am a man. I can't do everything, but I can do something. And what I can do I ought to do. And what I ought to do, I'm available to do."

The fourth element of this act was that it was insightful. Our Lord says, "She has anointed my body beforehand for burying." Many times Jesus said to these disciples that He was going to die. Not one of them believed him--except Mary of Bethany. She understood that He was heading for burial. And since she could not be sure she would ever have the opportunity later to find His body and anoint it for burial, she did it now, as a loving act of service. What a comfort this must have been to our Lord! Of all these friends who were around Him at this time, only this one had the sensitivity of heart to understand what was happening.

Finally, what she did was deserving of being remembered. It was memorable. Jesus said, "The story of this beautiful act will be told in memory of her wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world." Here we are today, two thousand years later, fulfilling this very word, telling again of the act of Mary of Bethany when she anointed our Lord's head and feet.

    Father, help me to understand that Mary is but depicting a far greater sacrifice. May that act of love grip my heart and strengthen me all the days of my life.

Yes, what a beautiful act of service to our dear Lord.  She who has been forgiven much, loves much.

I got called in to work the evening shift, one hour after time for the shift to begin.    But it wasn't too bad.....

It has turned colder here, we even had a little skiff of snow on Saturday morning when we got up.  They are saying much colder and more snow this week.

Blessings to all of you!

Judy, that song has touched my heart many times.  Your pastor sounds like a man of worship.   If we lose our First Love, we've lost everything.  No amount of ministry, giving to the poor, singing songs "to the Lord",  nothing we can do has any eternal value if we lose our intimacy with Jesus.  I know that I don't always feel that "First Love" adoration, and also I know that I feel so lost when I lose that.  Nothing else has value once we've tasted His Love.  We are so blessed by His mercy and grace and love that has no ending.  Thank you for posting the lyrics to that song.  It touched me again to read them.

Pat, your devotion today felt like a continuation of Judy's post.  My heart feels warm tonight.

Amazing Love!  Thanks, Pat ... and Judy.  All He wants is our love.   

Nita, I know ......

Hi everyone and Pat, thanks for the new devotional topic for the week.  It is a good one.

It is misty and chilly here this morning and is only 40 degrees.  It is only going to get up to 47 degrees today.  I am just back from coffee and walking over a mile at the gym with three other men.  We are getting into a routine for the walking and that is good and it is beneficial to us all. 

I have a luncheon to attend at one o'clock with a group of men.  We are going to the airport at the nearby town of Lawrenceville as they have a good restaurant and we always enjoy going there.  Nothing else on the plate today that I am aware of. 

Janet, it looked from the forecast that Kansas, Missouri and several other midwest states were in for some heavy snow.  I know it was very cold over the weekend in northern Iowa where my sister lives.  Glad that call-in to work didn't turn out to be too exhausting.

Etta Sue, it sounds like you are mastering the software used by your church.  There are several ways to save Utube videos.  I just did a search on "saving Utube video files" on Google and it gave a lot of reference material.  I have aprogram on my computer called CaptureWhizPro, which will capture up to 10 minutes or so of video playing on your computer.  I forget how much I paid for it but it works very well for that and also capturing anything you see on your screen as a flat image.

Marilyn, good to read that your friend was feeling better when you visited her in the hospital. 

Liz, hope you will be able to visit with your friend before too long. 

A special hi to everyone else who has posted or will post today.

Pat ~ Thanks for the new devotion.  Just goes to show you that anything you do for God isn't a waste!  I love that story in the Bible.

Thanks Larry and Don on your help for me to save YouTube to my computer.  I have tried kissyoutube.com three times and each time it causes Firefox to not respond so I don't think that will work.  Will try the searching...now why didn't I think of that??  

My friend/classmate from Mexico has found out that his son has cancer througout his body and isn't expected to live over 6 months.  David is in the hospital now and is told if he leaves there, he will have to go to hospice.  David is in the hospital at Noblesville.  Rex has asked me to call his ex-wife sometimes and find out how David is and then let him know through IM or email.  Would save them lots of money instead of phone calling.  If you would, put David on your prayer list, please.

Not much going on here today.  Haven't even had Pandora on yet!  Kind of quiet.

I got my blood test results. Woo Hoo

My  Cholesterol is 189 Hallelujah I am totally amazed. LDL is 109 HDL is 63 triglycerides are 90, all I take is Red Yeast Rice, no statin drugs for me.

 :)Good dayto all.  It seems that the time is just going to fast.  I checked back and there wee so many post's to read.  So many people are needing prayer for so many things and of course the situation in the whole world regarding closures and job loses.

Janet:  I do think of you many times and always wonder when you will actually say that's it to your employer.  You sond that you have had it and as otherrs have said you can only do so much. Please look after yourself.

Judy B.  Yes that was Noreen that was on  W.D.C.X. and I have also been on to.  It is so great to be able to talk to such a Godly man as Neil Bouron and he never  cuts his audience of when he is interviewing them.

Pat:  Thank you for the devotional and for the previous one re: mariage it was so good and easy to understand to bad this world is so mixed up. Love ya sis

Please continue to pray for my kids that lost there jobs.  Also pray for my oldest son who will be having surgery this Thursday to do with a sport's injury    My wife still has had know response from our  Government hospital ins. re her out of country surgery.

To all others I have read all the post's and will be thinking of each one of you.  May the Lord be with you all and give you a wonderful week.   God bless.  Gord and Noreen.

Hello everyone,

It has been a while since I have had an opportunity to sit down and write, and since I promised Gordon that I would do so here I am.

First, I want to thank God for answering the prayers of my friends arcoss the country and in Canada concerning my wife. Her chemo treatment finished just before Thanksgiving and it had little effect on her MS. I know several people from C.P. had us on their prayer list, my heart felt thank you.

Our son returned savely from Afganistan, after 4 months there.

A freind of mine informed me the other day about 3 children at John Hopkins being treated for cancer. I will ask each of you all to keep the 3 children in your prayers. It seems that the children were abandoned by their parents. One child expressed they felt unlovable because of their illnes. Keep me in your prayers. I would like to find them without breaking the confidentiality laws. They need to know that God loves them and there are people who love them jst because they are a child.

Second, sorry I missed the last couple of challanges. My digital SLR broke and Sony is giving me a run around about fixing it. Damaged pins for the memory card are bent. Any body who of a reputable company who can repair a Sony A-100 without cost an arm and a leg, please send me a private email.

Enough for now I have missed you all. God bless

Earl Kauffman (Papasmirf)

What I write is such nonsense and meaningless as compared to so many in need of prayers here.  My thoughts and prayers for all of you.

We went to the community Baptist church on Sunday and knew every song we sang except one - love those good old songs that live forever.  It is really interesting and fun to visit so many churches and great to meet the people.  Then, we walked at nearby Honeybee canyon.  It is not far but tough to walk in several inches on sand for an hour and my legs felt like jello when we returned.  We didn't do much in the afternoon.

Marilyn:  Congrats on the test.  I saw your note on Facebook.  Can't get the hang of it yet - but great that a niece found me there as I do want to keep in touch with her. 

I had planned to stay home today, most of the day, anyway.  But my friend Pat called and wanted me to go to Garden with her.  She had a dental appointment, and also wanted to do a few other things.  So I went along, and taught her how to use the photo machines at Walmart.  She got 344 photos!  And I got the ones printed from Beth's camera card, so that was good.  While she was seeing the dentist, I sat in the waiting room, read my latest Dive Training magazine and some mail I had neglected.  It was an enjoyable hour and a half....then we ate at Golden Corral and came home.  It has been snowing off and on all day.  Too cold for heavy snow, just the light, fluffy stuff.  It was wind chill -6 this morning with a breeze blowing; I think it got up to actual temp of 18 this afternoon.

If you would, please pray for Darrel.  His local doctor sent him to a urologist in another town last week, as he keeps having recurring infections and elevated PSA reports.  Tomorrow he has to go back for an ultrasound and some other procedure he didn't understand; but was told it could cause bleeding.  He and I are both trying not to worry, but leave it in the Lord's hands.

Gord, the more I think about it, the more I believe I will soon be leaving my job.  Somewhere along the line, it just isn't worth it!

Red yeast rice, Marilyn?  Is that a pill, or what?

HELP!  My spacebar suddenly became hard to make work, just since I started this post!!  What can I do??

I am very concerned about Beth.  She is now having trouble being able to speak above a whisper.........Dear Lord, please help her.  This has been one of those days when the tears have been very close to the surface for me.

Carol nothing you write is nonsense.  I emjoy each post of yours.

This has been a tough day.  John is home now for a bit so tomorrow will be better.

Good night all!

 :)Pat;  Thanks for that beautiful hymn I don't remember it but am sure it goes back a long way.  How is Paul doing and how is the house coming along.  God bless

We are thinking about  Beth it must be so hard for you Janet but don't forget that the Lord is able.

Good night to all.

Janet, you must have heaven's own strength.  No matter how much your heart is hurting for Beth, you keep on going, praising God and giving Him the glory for your life and every day.  I think we should call you Our Father's Little Energizer Bunny.    I will pray for Beth, for you, and for Darrel.

Marilyn, that's great news about your cholesterol.  I go in next week.  I'm on 1500 mgs day of niacin.  But I've eaten wrong and feeling sorry so eating wrong again.   I guess I'll find out how much the niacin is bringing my cholesterol down, and how much was diet.  When i let old ugly depression grab me, I only want comfort food.  I'm feeling so much better now so I want Heavenly Food...the Word of God and that's my comfort Food.

Pat I listened to that version of Amazing Love and it isn't like the the newer version.  The same beautiful words of love and what Christ did for us.  His Love really is amazing, absolutely amazing.

Hi everyone.  Have just a few minutes before leaving for coffee and then have plans for this morning.

Janet, I will be thinking of Darrell and have walked down that road a few years ago of concern.  Also, so sorry to read that Beth seems to be weakening.  Hope you find her feeling better.

There are many needs expressed here since I last wrote and am praying for each of these, including the children who feel they are forgotten and not loved.  That is very sad.

Maryilyn, good news on your blood tests.

Gord, I understand your concern for your children without work as well as for Noreen.

Well, I had better get ready to leave to pick up my friend for coffee.

Red Yeast Rice is a pill and should be taken with CO q 10 It  has a natural statin, Lovastatin. Here is a link to tell you about it.


Click Here
and here

Good morning. It is very cold here today and with the wind chill factor even colder.
Pat-thanks for that wonderful devotional
Janet-sorry to hear about Beth but will pray.
Hello and Have a good day all.

JudyB:  You are too kind 

Janet:  Stay strong - sending prayers

We have, in our Prayer & Praise area, a very urgent prayer request posted today by one of our members, WEARE1.

I'd appreciate all of you CLICKING ON THIS LINK and posting your support for our dear brother.  He needs it right now.

And thank you so very much.

Nita, I never knew niacin was used for cholesterol problems.  My eldest son had Raynaud's syndrome when he was little and it was used to treat that problem in him.  He's 45 years old now and still takes it when he lacks circulation in his extremities.

I have found that savetube.com works for me to download YouTubes to my computer.  Also I already have Prism Video Converter but I do have to pay for Plus if I want them in .mov or .mpeg files.  And I can see the YouTube videos after they are downloaded by using my VLS Media Player.  I forget what file YouTubes are.  I downloaded several of Israel Kamakawiole'ole videos.  He is a great Hawaiian singer that passed away in '97 but his music is still strong.  His 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' was on the Miss America show last week.  Just go to YouTube and put 'Iz' in the search.  You will love his music, too! 

Seems like all the states east are in for winter advisory weather.  We were to have sleet then snow last night but the roads were clear when I got up and just a skim of snow everywhere else.  Ivalou called and said she was out of money, milk and bread and wanted to know if I needed anything.  I said Yes, a breaded tenderloin at Woody's.  So we went to Woody's and I managed to get some things at Dollar General as well.  No longer than we were in DG, the car was covered.  Now I think I am in a white wonderland.  Great big flakes are falling down and I can't even see the highway a quarter of a mile away.

I think Ivalou and I will be glad that we got some staples in for this winter advisory!! 

Praying for you all!

Sounds like you really got the snow now, Etta Sue.

Washington, DC is getting it too but really not that much.

I want to thank each of you who administer this site.  I know it takes an accumulative effort to keep the threads current each week.  It also takes some computerezz to keep this site running a lot of the time.  And someone had to get the idea for it.

I thank each of you that have responded to my prayer requests.  We all need the body of Christ to hold us together.  We turn to each other for support and for common sense answers to life's everyday problems. 

So thanks again you CPer's for all you do, whether it's expertise, wisdom, or funds to keep this site going.

Thanks Gord for dropping me a line.

I guess I am in a thankful mode this evening.

Awwww... Ed, you are very special.  Never forget that.  Thank you for the lovely post.

We couldn't run this site without such a great community that we have here--and you are a big part of that.

Pat, I remember years ago my mom used to take Niacin for high cholesterol too.  Oatmeal and Niacin.  It wasn't spoken much in doctor circles as they were still uneducated about using natural supplements.  Now they've come around and you can get some info re natural things to take.  Used to, you had to hide them from your doctor. It's good that people are taking their health  as their own responsibility, when knowledge is made known.

Hi everyone, I'm Back, (not that I have been anyplace), I just haven't been on here much.

I got  a few more boxes packed today, now the china cabinet is all packed up. I have a box started of stuff that I want to make sure Gilbert has in his possession.

Happy got his sutures out today and I took him for a nice long walk when we got back from the Vet. Happy is now a happy dog.

I am going to work for Fay on Thursday to take down  yer curtains , wash them and put them back up, her current caregiver is too short to reach  the rods. Happy will be at the groomer while I am at Fay's.

Willa came  home from the hospital today, She is doing very well, Thanks for all the prayers. God is so good all the time.

Nita is your Doctor keeping up on the natural healing? Over the years I have been here in McKinleyville I have helped to educate the  people in my Doctors office, I tell them about something then  the do the  research,  One nurse practitioner told me I had taught her a lot. Nah, I just  gave them some information.

Thank you, kind friends, for your encouraging words.  They really are a big help.

Marilyn, I cannot take lovastatin, tried it, it makes my shoulders hurt within a week.  So guess I won't try the red rice whatever.

Today was quite long.  Darrel had NINE needle biopsies!  Not a fun experience, for sure.  They said results in four days, but that would be Saturday, so probably won't hear until Monday.    Anyway, I'm sure it will be a long four days.  They found three "suspicious areas" in his prostate, and took three biopsies from each one.

After resting for an hour, I went to the care home.  Beth had a chicken breast she was trying to eat for supper, and she did not have enough strength to lift it up to her mouth!    You can imagine how that makes me feel.  I tried to cover up my feelings, and went about packing some of her stuff, getting ready for the move to the new facility. I stopped every little bit, to give her another bite of the chicken or some jello.  Dear God, please give us both strength.

It is good to read all your messages, but I don't have the energy tonight to respond to each post.  Please forgive me.

Ohhh, Janet!

HUGS!!!   

Paul and I will be praying for you and Darrel.  Horrible to have those biopsies.

This has been a day full of prayer needs and praise reports.

Janet, I don't know how you keep going...and going...and going.  Well, I take that back.  I know God keeps you going -- in His strength and peace -- But you also need to accept His rest, as well.  I am praying for Beth ... and YOU! 

I will be leaving in the morning (Wednesday) for a pretty much unexpected trip to California.  There is some business that needs my attention and, it seems, that before the end of the week.     I will have to pick up some chains for my car before I leave because the reports are saying "carry chains" over the passes between here and Northern California.  I don't have any.

I am not sure how much computer access I will have while gone -- nor how long I will be gone -- so y'all just carry on as if I were here anyway, okay?    

I also would like to ask for your prayers, if you think of it, for ease of transactions and safe travel.  I'm glad I just got my car taken care of so I don't have that worry anyway. 

I'll be talkin' atcha later ....