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BIBLE MEDITATION:
Philippians 3:14[/b] - "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Do you want to win the prize that Paul talks about? He didn't want to fail. He strained with every inch, every ounce, every nerve, and every part of his body to win the prize. He had ambition. But it was more than just ambition, it was a holy ambition.
He said, "I want that prize and I'm going to have it. I'm going to be like an athlete who denies his own body worldly pleasures. I'm going to train like an athlete. I'm going to stay in shape for the Lord Jesus. I'm going to do all that is necessary that I may win."

ACTION POINT:
Friend, the Bible clearly teaches that we ought to be ambitious, but for the right reason. And that reason is for Jesus. In this new year, may God deliver us from pint-sized ambitions and small-time aspirations.

Hello to all.     

We woke to flakes of snow floating down and yes it is colder more like our winter should be. Like Judy B said the warmer days were nice and easy to get around.
I was talking to my brother-in-law that lives farther north than Judy, according to him it is colder than down here which is to be expected, cool enough that when he takes his dog for a walk he puts boots on the dog.

Larry:  I should write things down in order to reply to all that posts on here too much to remember by times.
About the dryer I try to do that right away as I would forget as well then like Pat need to do a rinse for them to dry nicely.

Soon I will need to leave to pick up my Aunt for our get together this afternoon on the way she would like to stop at the bank, Mel could and would go to pick her up but when she wants to do some banking I prefere that I am the one to go.

Janet:   Take care of yourself try to get enough rest, then the problems will be less difficult to deal with. Most times that is a difficult to do.

Ruth V:  That drive to the south and back all in one go is very tiring.  We have done the drive to the north 6hrs one way stayed over night then came back did it only once, a long drive and a short visit. 

Janet How are you feeling today? I hope you are doing much better.

We had a late breakfast and  have cleaned up the kitchen. I took the tree down and got all that put away 9AM. I had repacked and put away the Ceramic Christmas Village  last week.

Yesterday I worked on getting  much of the art stuff stored in my computer  put in the folders by the year, then onto CD's, I do have 2009 and 2010 stored in my Windows Live storage place. So I doubt I will be losing anything, I also have it backed up every day to my external Hard drive. I decided to have my program files also backed up to the External HD as i don't want to lose all my programs that I use for my graphics and music.

My backup program discards the previous days files. There are some on there from the old Microsoft program that was before Microsoft essentials that I can't delete. I wish I could I don't  need all the extra things taking up  space.  Larry how would I delete those files I will never need them.

Larry, I also like the auto focus on the camera.  This one has full auto, but you can change the mode, such as portrait, landscape, close-up, etc. and still have the auto on.  Lots to learn!

About the Kindle--is it easy to download and delete books off it?  And how costly are the books you pay for?  I think I would enjoy one, but I like toting paper books around with me, too.

Thanks, Marilyn and Ruth, I am feeling fine again now, thank God!  Lots of people around here had that same crud I had, not fun.  Sorry about your fall, Ruth, and I sure agree as to going to the chiropractor, saves lots of problems down the road.

Etta Sue, we use small propane heaters plus a couple of the electric Eden Pure heaters, just try to keep the area we are in at a comfortable temp.  So our temps fluctuate far more than 4* at times.

We drove to Hugoton to go to church today.  Another chance to see Curt, Toni and the great grands.  I love that church!

We are to have a pastoral candidate come and preach to us on the 23rd.  I'm not very excited about it.  I guess the shock and hurt from the last pastor hasn't dissipated yet.  I know we have to get past it, though.  I'm making it a priority in prayer.

I really do not think Beth has shingles, but the doctor still hasn't been there to see her.  Maybe tomorrow....

Marilyn:  It is nice to see you posting in here. 

Ruth: Ouch - for you slipping on the floor.  Yes, get yourself checked out. 

We went to an 8 AM service very nearby this morning and found some super friendly people.  Several from Minnesota originally so they knew a lot about where Don grew up.  We had jumpers in the SUV so Don was able to get a dead battery going on a car in the parking lot.  The service is a lot more formal than what we go to now & a guest pastor so several people told us to come back & hear the pastor.  We will and I see that they meet for quilting too so I could help in that way.  We chose the early traditional service instead of the later one that for sure has a lot more lively music - I like that too but Don can't stand the music as it is always and will forever be distorted by his hearing loss. 

Listening to a book on iPod right now and Don is watching football.  It is windy and too chilly to walk today. 

Janet:  Just spotted you!  You can download many free books on kindle just google place and there are free books to read from your county library.  Not all will be what you like but just keep asking for certain books.  You may find a few you really like. 

It is great that you are feeling better.  How far are you driving to the church you like?  Maybe you can go there a few times a month - it is nice to be close.  Sorry you are feeling that way about the hunt for a new pastor.  It is a big undertaking to find someone just right for congregation.  As for Beth, I pray that the doctor will diagnoes her correctly and there will be relief very soon.   

Thanks, Carol.  It is about a 70 mile round trip to Hugoton, and Darrel doesn't want to drive it every Sunday.  But we can go once in a while.  The church here is just doing so much better without a pastor, that we aren't in any hurry to find a replacement.  That's a sad situation, huh?  But I know God's heart is for the church, so will continue to pray for our hearts and His will.

I know there are hundreds of free books for the eReaders, but was wondering how much new releases cost.  Do you have a Kindle, too?

Thanks for coming back to "talk" to me! 

Janet  - you know it wasn't God's plan that churches should "hire" a pastor.  After all, they aren't produced on an assembly line.  They were raised up from within the body.  If such a person is found, then any further education he needs (and I do believe in educated pastors) can be obtained in other ways.  Obviously, the whole process needs to be bathed in prayer.

Al--?  Not sure I understand your reasoning here, other than about prayer, with which I am in complete agreement.

Hi everyone from a chilly 26 degree Georgia.  However, it is suppose to warm up quite a bit today.  This is the day for the housekeeper to come and perhaps the yard people.  During the three winter months the yard people come only once a month to tidy up the yard as I have a yearly contract but not much to do in the yard this time of the year.

Other than my men's luncheon today, my schedule is pretty clear.  I need to send out some advance copies of Treasurer's reports that I will present at a meeting on Wednesday evening.  It is also time to adopt a new budget for the year and I have that ready to send out as well.

Janet, you can easily check on the going prices of new books on the Amazon website.  Generally, you will find them for around $10.  As far as deleting them, there is a lot of room to store them on the device so that really isn't a worry.  I have not been successful in getting my eBook reader to recognize a book from the library.  The library site says it will work with my device but so far no luck.  However, I have so many books to read already on the device and Barnes & Noble offers a free book every Friday so no danger of not having something good to read.

Carol, I take it that you really like the iPad?  It does look quite impressive.

Marilyn, you could try using the right mouse button on those files and see if they are locked.  Go to properties for the files and see if you can unlock them and then erase them.  Also, you need to be signed in as Administrator if you don't work in that mode all the time. 

Will it is time to head out for coffee at McDonald's.  Hope everyone has a wonderful day.

Janet - I just mean that churches in our day act way too much like the world.  When a pastor is sought, they do it as the world does it for a new CEO, etc. - they hire and fire just as a corporation might do, checking qualifications, education, etc.  But the early church didn't do things that way.  They prayed, then began looking within the local church body for men whom the Lord had raised up and given the pastoral gifts needed.  It's an alternative to the world's way of checking out the recent graduates or the men who may have recently left successful positions.  God gives gifts within the churches to men He has chosen, and the church then recognizes those gifts and calls them to be undershepherds for His flock.  I'm just saying that our Lord's church is not like the average modern
company when choosing its leaders but seeks instead to find the men within the congregation upon whom the Lord has conferred His gifts and graces.

Each local church is a family.  A family doesn't choose its leaders from the population at large by looking at local graduates or men from successful families - it seeks GOD'S replacement from among those it knows and loves.

In saying this I don't mean to say that seminary grads or previously successful pastors are all bad or wrong choices, but I'm just saying that maybe - just maybe  God is raising up someone from within the church to lead His people.

In addition to what Al has said; the men God is raising up often feel useless and unwanted in the local churches, because the "corporation" doesn't recognise what God is doing in their lives.

Janet, I have Kindle on my Droid.  Last evening I got my first book from the Kindle Store.  I found it on the laptop and then used the Droid to find it and purchase.  I got 'Heaven is For Real' for $6.64.  I think you recognize that title.     Even if you are getting a free ebook, you will have to have an account set up with credit card...just in case you purchase one.  It was easy...just follow their instructions.  And then you get an email that you can print after your purchase.  Just got to www.amazon.com and look for Kindle Store.  Go from there!

Today is a busy day already.  Trash.  And Kitty is to be here by 11am.  We are going for Chinese...her first Chinese dining experience.  We have to make sure she tells them she is allergic to fish but I think she will love Hawaiian Chicken!  Then to Frye's if we have time.  Then we are going to go the the Breast Center for her to get her mammogram at 1:15....the main reason for the Kindle ebook.  Then swimming.  Then home.  And at 7pm is church council meeting.  Busy! 

And all of that is if it is God's will.  I can't predict the future...He can!

A lady at church was telling someone the alternative wouldn't be good.  I asked her what she meant.  She said 'Death!  No one wants to die.'  I told her I would.  I am ready to die and live eternity in heaven.  She looked at me like I was crazy!! 



4
 

Just a little corollary to the idea of finding pastors from within the local flock: The Holy Spirit of God is living and active and moving amongst His people.  He can lead us (or His local church) to exactly the man He chooses to be pastor.

Thank You, Father, for the vacancy in Janet's church, because, by Your grace, it can be an opportunity for You to bless them through someone You've chosen!

Lookee, lookee .... I'm here this morning!    

I just wanted to say a loud AMEN to all that Al has written ... and to Judy's comment, as well.  I sooo agree!  

Today started off very "chilly"  .... heavy frost!   But I have already been out and about, and even managed to pay some bills.  Now, I am home and getting warm and I think I'll grab my fleece throw and settle into my recliner for a while.  For some reason I have been tired ever since returning from my week away.  Well, that was last year ... I should be able to catch up by now, doncha think?  

I'll talk atcha later ... pouring myself a fresh cuppa, and grabbing my warm fuzzy ....   

Larry it didn't work. all I can do is compress them and I am the administrator logged in all the time. Oh Well they do take up much room on the External 120 gigs only 7.68

I have been out and about this morning, paid bills online and not I have to take Bebe to the groomer to have her nails trimmed. Then I am done for today until Keith gets home from  work. We have to go to Walmart then fix supper. I am tired just remembering all the things I've already done today.

I agree with what Al and Judy have said, I remember when Pastor Danny came to AG/my old church and he started trying to bring in a lot of people from his old church. That didn't go over very will and people left the church because they didn't want a new pastor. Well with a much smaller church and those who hung in there, Danny has become part of the family. he has now been there 4 years. but it was very hard for him to make it through that first year.

I will comment on the pastor thing later.  Right now I have an urgent prayer request:  My sister Doris fell today, down her steps, and broke a hip.  She couldn't crawl and get back into the house, didn't have her cell phone (was just getting the mail) and she lay there in the bitter cold for quite some time until passing good Samaritans saw her lying there.  They stopped, covered her with a coat, she told then to go in the house and get her a blanket and call an ambulance, which they did.  Then they followed the ambulance from their small town to North Platte, and saw that she was admitted into the hospital.  I don't know if she knew these people or not.  When her daughter called me, she was sobbing so that it was hard to understand her.  Barb lives way up in Minnesota, and she was so wishing she could be there with her Mom!  The doctor said she needed surgery today, but he was booked up until tomorrow afternoon, when she will have surgery.  Barb said my sis was in a lot of pain when she talked to her.  Prayers appreciated!!
(Sis is 74 years old, works like crazy all the time!)

Thanks, friends.

Oh!  And Beth does NOT have shingles, thank you, Lord!

Adding this to my list Janet.

as an after thought....how far are you from North Platt?  I know I have driven through there, but I'm a little foggy at where you are, in relation to there.

Oh Father, I pray that the surgery for Doris will go unusually quickly and well and that the results will result in relief and healing through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Janet I am praying as I type this and will continue when I get off my computer.
I am going to a Women's Extreme Spiritual Makeover on the 10th, I am so excited. I know the Evangelist and his wife and the Music minister is the worship leader at my home church in McKinelyville. I am so excited, He is going to set something up for May here in North Bend or Coos Bay, I am  thrilled beyond words. this man is so fantatsic and has a Holy Spirit filled healing ministry. Denny Valero} You would absolutely love his preaching.

Thanks so much for the prayers, friends.

Judy, North Platte, Nebraska is about a five hour drive from us.  We are in the very SW corner of Kansas, about 60 miles from Oklahoma and 40 miles from Colorado, and not too far from Texas.

I'm going to work in a few minutes.  Working on the Unit again, and just now, they have only 7 residents, one of whom is in the hospital, so it's not a hard job.  Just being on my feet for 7+ hours is enough, though.

I am expecting a GOOD report on my Sis sometime this afternoon!  I know God cares for His own.  He even loves those who don't know Him!

So sorry to hear of Doris' fall.  That's why I generally carry my cell everywhere.  Outside is more dangerous than inside really! 

Busy day yesterday.  Kitty and I ate at King Chef.  Kitty's first Chinese dining experience.  She said it was good and a lot healthier than Mexican but she preferred Mexican.  We didn't have time to go to Frye's.  Reading my Kindle made the time pass so quickly waiting for Kitty to get done with her mammorgram. 

Then off to swim.  I think I really swam 38 links.  I lost count but then was thinking, I didn't lose count.  But my back knows I did my maximum in swimming yesterday!  It takes a while for my git-along to get going today!!

Church council was okay last night.  One of our trustees resigned.  He has been a member of CCC for years.  No explanation last night...just that he has a job directing choir at another church until February something and then he will seek another church.  His wife is the council secretary.  She was pretty torn up with the decision.  Then pastor Steve talked and was telling us about change in churches.  Mainly we have older members in our church that doesn't want change.  They want CCC to remain the same.  Well, he said, when your appliances wear out...you don't buy the same as the old...you get better, more improved appliances.  Same with cars.  Roofing.  Clothes.  Shoes.  TV's.  So the church should do the same.  The future is the kids in any church.  Without kids, the church will die.  We need to bring kids into the church through change.  We may not like the high-tech things that kids do but when it brings them to God and church, that's what needs to be done.  And when the kids come, the parents come.  On and on he talked and you know what?  I fully agree!  I don't mean that church should be party time but it should be enjoyable and you should go to church for the fellowship with others AND learning about God. 

That's it! 

Waiting for a call telling me the heat pump man is on his way.  Tonight is Beef and Boards seeing a show about a Spelling Bee.

Janet, I'm praying for Doris that the Lord touch her with His peace and comfort, as well as her daughter and all your family.  And praise the Lord that Beth doesn't have shingles - but do they know what the problem really is?

Etta Sue, I agree that, even though the "senior" contingent doesn't enjoy some of the modern music, etc., if it brings the younger people in to hear the Word, then we need to accept it.  Actually, that's the main reason we have two services every week - one modern and one more traditional, although there is some over-lapping in both of them.

Hi everyone.  A sunny but cool 30 degrees at the moment in Georgia.

I have been to coffee, went to the Credit Union to get some cash and then stopped at Kroger's.  Not feeling up to par this morning so plan to stay in and rest the rest of the day.  Nothing serious so please don't be concerned as sure I will soon feel better.

Janet, so sorry to read of the fall your sister had and the broken hip.  Hopefully she will soon be on the mend.  I bet they will have her up by tomorrow, once the surgery is performed.  When you said you were working in the unit is this something other than cooking or do they have separate kitchens for each unit?  Sure glad that Beth doesn't have the shingles.

Interesting discussion on calling a pastor.  Our church has a very set way to call a pastor and it is quite a process.  Our youth pastor of 14 years announced this last week that he is accepting another call in the area so we will be seeking a part-time youth pastor this year. 

Etta Sue, I have read several books on the Kindle application I have on my iPod Touch and it is fine.  However, must admit I find the eBook reader a bit more enjoyable as it is more like reading a page of the paper book in that more is displayed on each screen due to the larger screen. 

Marilyn, I have never compressed any of my files so you are ahead of me in that regard. 

Good Morning from the cold Oregon coast. It is 34° according to the temp thing on my monitor screen.

I have been to the gym and am ready to go to the Dr. for a check up on my hand. I still can only touch the first two fingers with  that thumb, I don't know how long if ever i will have full flexibility in than hand.

My friend Willa in McKinleyville is very sick, I just spent a half an hour on the phone with her daughter. She has two bacterial infections in her body and her gall bladder if inflamed. She will have to have surgery but  they can't get her in until Thursday. She is 85 now but still very active, her potassium level is way to low and they are worried that it might cause her heart to  beat erratically or cause a stroke.  Please pray for her.

Kristena my friend and nail stylist is coming this afternoon to do my nails, it sure is nice that  she can come here. She hasn't got a shop set up yet but is  getting things ready in a tanning salon just a few blocks from where I live right on 101.

Etta Sue did you really mean that Kitty has NEVER eaten Chinese food. Oh my That is odd. But yes it is healthier than Mexican food depending on what you  eat in Mexican food. 

Hello to everyone who checks in today. We are sure down in the numbers who post in this thread. Lots of people post in photos, I wish some of them would  come over here to post too

Al in reading Last night I came up with verses I am sure I have read before, but they were nw to me this time.
Genesis 14:3...... All these were joined together in the vale of Siddim which is the salt sea.  Is that sea now called the Dead Sea?  Never noticed that before.
also:
Verse 10.  The Vale of siddim was full of slime pits.  Another translation calls these pits asphalt pits.  Now were/are these pits what we would consider to be oil reserves?  A commentary says these were submerged under the Dead Sea.

Pat's son has challenged friends to read through the KJV in a year as it is the 400th anniversary of the translation.  I have accepted this challenge, and it is surprising what I have found in a book I have read often.

The sun is shining and everything is sparkling  with the layer of fresh snow.  Al the dogs are content to be inside where it is warm.

I am working on a X-stitch .  The main part is done but the more intricate part is a butterfly and flowers.  Thankfully it is bright outside which makes seeing the material easier.

Back to work, Have a great day everyone.

I've gone back - again - to the schedule in Halley's.  This time I'm using the NIV translation in Thompson's Chain Reference which I didn't have for my earlier reads.  This may take quite a bit longer than a year, what with all the cross references!   

Jeanne sounds like you have my problem.  I cannot "just read" the Bible.  I look at words and try to discover meanings.  I know I will get bogged down, but it is fun to do the word studies.

Janet:  Blessings and prayers for your sister, Doris.  I had a SIL named Doris and remember her fondly.  It is a miracle that the young couple found Doris in time and stepped in to help.  See - angels are around us all the time. 

Larry:  I have an iPod and only download audio books but I could read text.  This suits me just fine because I can listen and do something else as there are so many interruptions - why, I really do not know but there is always something. 

Pastors:  We do love our pastors and expect too much from them. 

The group at knitting consisted of about 20 or more and I got expert help with my sweater project. 

It is fifty-two degrees F. right now in Arizona.  Not a cloud in the sky.  My cousin from north of Seattle made it safely to southern AZ with his trailer.  No more volunteering for him at the orphanage in Mexico as it is much too dangerous to travel.  He feels badly about it but that is a good decision right now. 

Hi everyone.  I have a couple of minutes before leaving for coffee and then we have a full day planned.  Pat is seeing the eye doctor that did her cataract surgery for the 5 month checkup.  She has done well with her eyes and this will likely be the last time we have to make this trip across the city to see this doctor.  We will use our own Dr. that is close by and who has been our eye doctor for a number of years.

From the eye doctor we plan on meeting our daughter at the Mellow Mushroom pizza place.  She can get there in her wheelchair and it is a good place to meet.  We can have a nice leisurely lunch and visit.  Then this evening I have a business meeting to attend that I have been preparing for this past week. 

Carol, too bad that Mexico has become so dangerous that the missionaries cannot go there and provide help to the people.