Christian Photographers Community

It was so cold in the house this morning that the oil furnace kicked in.  That means it was 10 *C or 50*F .It was cold.  I have an electric heater in my room wo keep my firds warm.  So i didn't feel it till I opened my bedroom door.  I quickly added wood to the hot coals and the wood is now burning.  It will take time to heat up this old drafty house!  I am thakful that we have still a lot of wood to use.

More singing.

Thanks, Judy.  The Doxology is sung at every service in my church.   

Hi everyone.  Just back from Bible Study with our associate pastor, who was filling in for our senior pastor who normally teaches the class.  We have been studying some of the hymns as to their Biblical inspiration and what they mean.  It is an interesting study.  Stacey learned yesterday, after spending about 8 hours at the ER and having another x-ray of the hip her hurt in her last fall that there is a minor break in one of the bones but not something that needs surgery and that time should take care of the pain.  She is suffering a lot and when she got to the ER her blood pressure was too low for them to give her any pain medication. They told it it would take about 6 weeks for the bone to heal so she has some tough days ahead of her.  I am planning to go down on Friday, with one of the housekeepers we use, to get her apartment clean and her laundry done.  We have put together some meals to take to her.  It was about midnight when they released her from the hospital but they were going to get transportation for her back to her apartment.  She had gone down in her power chair on the bus. It is a cool but beautiful day here in Georgia and it was 45 degrees as I came home from the church. 

Bonnie, I hadn't thought of that hymn about "You are the potter, I am the clay" for a long time.

Judy, I have a little electric heater I use in my bathroom as it can be pretty chilly on cold mornings.  I don't have to use it very long but sure appreciate it. 

Jeanne, glad you can stay in where it is warm. 

I spoke with Pat and Paul last night and we are looking forward to sharing a meal and visiting with them late Thursday afternoon and evening on their way home.  Yesterday afternoon I had a nice call from Gord.

  Hi To all.  I did post and I thought that I was putting it onto daily thoughts but it went to  the portion for prayer and info about Nita.  It is vary cold here and I know where Judy B. is is much much colder and I am glad that I am not up there.  I do pray and hope that all of you on C.P. are staying warm and are so grateful that we have heat.

Larry;  It was so good to talk to you yesterday and I do hope that you and Pat look after yourselves.  Please say hi to Paul and Pat when you see them give my big sis a big hug from her little brother.  HA HA. God's richest blessings.

May the Lord be with you all during this cold weather.

Our beautiful new granddaughter has started to gain some weight and we are so thankful to the Lord for that she was so tiny when she was born. Well God's blessings to you all.  Gordon and Noreen.

Jake didn't show again yesterday.  I called the office at about 3:30pm and Patty told me he wouldn't be here and that she would write a note to call me this morning to set up another appointment.  Well, she didn't call.  I am getting pretty disgusted.  I am on the schedule but then others jump in front of me when they can't get here. 

And we all went to Outback Steakhouse.  No falls, no ice, no one suffered in any way other than stuffing our tummies!!  Actually Larry, it was an Outback Bonus Card.  It seems that Kaye Don and Barb purchase gift cards for 16 people from Outback Steakhouse for Christmas gifts.  With each purchase of X amount of dollars, they get an X amount of bonus.  I don't know how many of their family gets gift cards and who gets bonus cards but Ivalou and I seem to get the bonus cards.  They aren't in the cold, cold weather so they think nothing of us having to drive 20 miles for a meal in cold weather.  But we should have went last week when it was Florida weather in Indiana!! 

I am going to call Patty one more time.  I am at their mercy.  I don't know anyone else that services Mitsubishi Heat Pump/AC units.  So I guess I have to wait on them!  I am warm...it's just that it is costing me $$$.  I can't imagine waking up to house that is 50° like Judy!  That would take hours to heat up my house to where I could take gloves and coats off!! 

I have no place to go today.  It seems colder today than yesterday but the temperature is warmer but the sun isn't shining!  So no solar heat today either!  Just the furnace and fireplace.  I am blessed to have them, I know!

   Etta Sue.  That must be a royal pain when these people do not show up.  I had someone try to  sell me a few years ago the same type of heating system and at that time we did not get it as there were to many people having problems with them.  I do hope that you can get it looked after soon.  God bless.  Gordon.

All this talk about the cold makes me appreciate the mild weather here in our corner of Kansas!  We need only a sweater yesterday and today.  It's always subject to change, though!    And I, too, am most thankful for a comfortable house and heat when needed.  I noticed in our paper that they are doing a survey to find out how many homeless people there are in this county.  I don't know of a single one, but there may be some.

Larry, thanks for the teacup story.  I had read it before, but it's good to be reminded how much we owe our heavenly Father.  He truly made us in marvelous and wonderful ways, and He knows what's good for us.  Sorry to hear about Stacey's latest trials.  She certainly has more than her share of them, and I wish we could help her.

No news yet on Beth's CT scan.  And we are NOT going to Amarillo tomorrow for Darrel, after all.  That doctor KNOWS he has a problem, yet he wants to put us off till Feb. 1 to even check on him again!  So we are going back to our family doctor tomorrow and requesting he refer Darrel to a cardiologist in Garden City.  That's 60 miles, instead of 200!  That doctor in Amarillo wants us to keep coming back every week, and we have told them that is a 400 mile round trip each time. 

Curtis (grandson) called and wants us to meet him for lunch, so gotta get!  Later, kiddos!

It is freezing cold here as well! By reading all the post it seems like everyone is in a deep freeze. Piled on the clothes and went out for a brisk walk anyways. I could walk on top of the snow so that made it better for walking. It felt good to get back in the house though. Some of the schools were closed today because of the wind chill this morning (-35). The kids in this district all had school. Must have been bitter waiting for those buses at 7Am.
Scrubbed floors this morning. No baking for a change, that will come tomorrow.
My inlaws are enjoying time in Florida. Hmmm I think they should have taken me with them!   My sister is heading south too. She will make a stop over in NC to visit our niece and her family.
Well, just wanted to come in and say hi. I read the posts every day, just don't post myself as it is very quiet here.
God bless you all and keep you safe.

Etta Sue I have added a second lot of wood in the furnace and I am comfortable in a t-shirt.  John is still sitting in at the Volvo dealership.  He doesn't know what the problem is yet.  We (John and I) are suspecting something with the severe cold we are having.  This is to last at least another week. 

Larry glad you will be able to see Pat and Paul.  Enjoy your time.

It seems I have been on the computer all day.  This is the warmest room of the house, so I am getting 'puter work done.

Well just sitting here at the Volvo dealership with my truck They have diagnosed the problem as a pressure sensor with the exhaust regeneration system. This system removes most of the unwanted gases from the exhaust that goes into the air. My truck puts almost zero emissions which is good for the environment. I have found that it is a good cold start truck as well. It was minus 9 F here this morning and it started like it was summer time Very unusual for a diesel. Had a very enjoyable visit with Larry last week in Georgia when I was there. It gave us a nice time to get to know each other a bit. Hopefully we have another opportunity some time soon in the future. After keaving Larry I loaded the next day in Hickory NC and got caught in the snow storm in Virginia going over the mountain on I77. Ended up staying in a truck stop in Ft Chiswell as the northbound Highway was closed going up into West Virginia. I got snow again Monday here in Ontario and yesterday in and around Rome NY. Guess this is the winter for me to encounter lots of snow again. i remember a few years ago having snow to deal with evryday I was on the road throughout the whole winter. That year Ironwood MI got about 19 inches of snow over night and I came through there the next morning and it snowed from there right through to Sault Ste Marie. Sure makes one homesick for the trips to Florida that I used to do. Would love to get back on those trips. But thats a bygone era. Im thankful that we have a loving God who rides with me and keeps me safe over the miles. I leave the control of the wheel to Him and it makes it so much easier for me. Anyway enough said for now. Keep well everyone and God Bless. Bonesy

Good to have  you posting, John, and so glad you are safe!  Hope they get the problem with your truck sorted out soon and get you on your way home.

How a day changes things!  After deciding to just bypass that doctor in Amarillo and start over, the nurse called this afternoon to say they have scheduled Darrel for a heart cath in the BSA hospital in Amarillo on Friday morning!  So we will be going down tomorrow.  I called and cancelled his appointment with our doctor and told them we will re-schedule, as we still want to find a doctor here.  So if you friends would pray for safe travels and a good result for Darrel, I will really appreciate it.  Thanks.

I have a couple of sweet potatoes baking for supper.  Yummy. 

Mmmm Janet, I do love sweet potatoes!!

Another day in North Bay getting my automobile serviced..... I spent most of the day finishing off a book entitled "Hitting The Wall" by David Payne, a former pastor of mine from Aurora, when I lived in Oak Ridges, just north of Toronto. I cannot express adequately how useful this book is (or would be) to Christians who are in the midst of a valley and all they can see is in-scalable walls! I'm supposed to give a book review on it tomorrow afternoon........ a little behind in the preparation 

The front struts have been replaced, the wheels balanced and the spark-plugs changed ..... however the module for the lights was, again, unusable..... he might be able to get one from Alberta..... let's see, that is about 2,000 miles from here. If that doesn't work we are looking at a retrofit  ......

Etta Sue how is the young may who had that awful accident doing. You haven't posted about him in a long time

Ruth I'm sorry they didn't have the correct part.  Perhaps check kijiji for a parts car, never know when you will need another part that is inaccessable.  Often the body is done but the mechanical parts are good.

Well I too finished a book.  Walk Across America was a fantastic book of searching, love, death, and faith.  I am now looking for the next book that he wrote!

It is late.  John is at the Guelph yard, truck is fixed, the problem was a blocked sensor.  It took most of the day to diagnose the problem and then fix it.  Now to see what the want him to do tomorrow, hopefully home for the weekend.

Janet know that we are praying.

Hi everyone.  Just back from a trip to the hardware store and need to rest for a bit before tacking a few housekeeping tasks around here this morning.  It is a nice morning and was 48 degrees when I went out.  We probably will have some rain tomorrow with the possibility of some icy rain but it sounds like most of it will miss our area and go north of Atlanta.  The lady who is taking on the data processing for the games is suppose to be here this morning at 11 am.  This afternoon we are looking forward to Pat and Paul Halbach stopping by to visit and having dinner with us.  So it is going to be a full day. 

Janet, they should get Darrel fixed up tomorrow and I will be thinking and praying for you all.

I have enjoyed all the postings but am limited on time today so going to bypass other comments, although could comment to each of you.

(WRITTEN BY A PASTOR)

I like many Americans was deeply saddened by the reelection of Obama on Tuesday, was quick to be ashamed of America and the people who voted for him and also questioned why God would allow this to happen. Today I started to reflect upon what happened and why. Then it hit me that I wasn't trusting God and He is still in control!

Perhaps God in his wisdom knew that Romney was not the right choice for us at this time. Perhaps God in his wisdom knew that whomever got elected was going to face huge problems and why shouldn't Obama be the one to shoulder that responsibility. After all he is the one who has misled, lied to the American people, and has further plans for the destruction of our Country as we have known and loved it.

He now has to "inherit" his own mess and can't blame it on someone else. The media would have crucified Romney over the next four years for "ruining" Obama's hope and change plans and blamed him for all the problems. I believe that our God will show this nation what happens when you allow Godless people to manage the gifts this nation has to offer and He provided for us.

I believe He will expose Obama once and for all for the failure he is and our corrupt media will not be able to save him. I also believe that Obama's attitude and treatment of Israel is not looked upon by God as obeying his command and Obama will have to answer for that. We have another Congressional election coming up in two years and maybe we can get rid of some of the democratic critters that occupy Congress today.

Maybe in four years we can run a ticket for President and Vice President like Paul Ryan and Marco Rubio. Maybe when America again suffers serious setbacks, people will realize what a weak and corrupt management team we have and be tired of it. I will not question God's wisdom or plans He has for us again, because He is in control and has always done what's best for us. We are reminded that prayer isn't always answered in the way we would like at the time, but God does answer our prayers in His time and in a way that is best for His children.

So, let's keep the Faith, lay our worries at His feet and trust God to take care of us!

This was on my heart today and I hope you all don't mind my expressing these thoughts to you. I am in need of strength, encouragement and understanding as are so many of the faithful and good Americans in our Country today!

PRAY FOR AMERICA !

I have posted the update on Janet's husband in Prayer and Praise.  Please keep checking that area folks.

Again another cold day.  The furnace is running, however I do have to add wood. 

Again we need to remember God is in charge only He knows the timings of things, This is HIS day, let us rejoice for that.

Hi, friends,

Well, it's time to fire up the "taxi" again. This time it is a work-in because her actual appointment was tomorrow morning. However, her primary care physician contacted the foot doctor and asked for an earlier appointment because of her condition.

So, I'll take the newspaper and plan to wait awhile for her to be worked in.

One of these days my eyes won't let me drive any more, and then I'll be extremely thankful for the person God will send my way to take me.

Y'all have a great day with our Lord. (And, try to stay warm and dry!)

Ruth Ann

Thank you, Marilyn, for asking.  Jacob is on day 323 of his recovery.  A doctor just last week said he isn't in a coma any more.  But he is still somewhat unresponsive.  He is home but has had many trips to the ER and hospitals mostly due to UTI's.  His temperature rises sometimes to 106° and all they can find is a possible UTI.  His Mom and Dad works but at alternate times and his brother, Tyler, helps with Jacob.  A wonderful lady in Noblesville is the head of 'take them meals'.  They have breakfast at home and then one other meal is furnished by someone.  Jacob eats yogurt/jello, drinks liquid from a straw and the cup.  He is showing joy when introduced to new foods.  He is still on a feeding tube that costs $8 daily!  I wonder if his problems now are due to the two strokes he had right after his accident!  His parents are so God loving that they know in their hearts Jacob will be healed.  Sheree's sister, Linda is my nephew's wife.  She said she has never seen Sheree down...never saying what if, or feeling doomed.  She always has a smile and seems as if everything is right.  She does miss Jacob's hugs and his 'I love you, Mom' statements. 

Now Jake.  I did not get a call from Patty yesterday morning as promised.  So around 2pm, I called her.  There was a message in Jake's voice stating...

QuoteHello.  You have reached Jake's Heating and Air.  We are no longer in business.  I hope this has not caused you any inconvenience.

What??  I happen to have Jake's cell phone number so I called that number.  Jake answered with 'Hello'...in a sad way.  I told him who I was and asked, 'What's happening, Jake?'  He said that he just can't get guys who want to work.  They either don't show up for work or they take way too long to get a job done.  He sent two guys yesterday morning to do a two hour job and hasn't heard from them yet and it was 2pm!  He said he was so frustrated that he is taking the day to decide what to do...close the door or continue? 

He did say that he has my part on one of the trucks and that he would get back with me to come and fix my heat pump.  I told him that I would appreciate that since I don't know anyone else that works on Mitsubishi units.  He said he would give me the names of companies if he decides to close the doors. 

I then told him I was sad that he is having to go through this.  And that all I could do was pray for him.  He said he really appreciated prayer right now because his mind is so befuddled, God needs to give him the answer. 

So I am still using my furnace for heat with my fireplace and solar heat for supplements.  I understand his dilemma.  I don't understand why guys will goof off when jobs are hard to find.  Maybe it is the attitude of the generation...I don't have to work...someone will take care of me!  Or I can do as I please, someone will get me out of my problems. 

I need to change clothes and go to Dollar General.  I have a few things I need to get before morning.

That is sad Etta Sue.  There are so many who need jobs but aren't qualified, others who have jobs but don't work wisely wasting time and the bosses money. It costs money to become qualified, in this economy the money isn't there.  I feel for those who want work and can't get it, disapointed in those who are qualified, but don't use the qualifications.  I hope he follows through on his promise to help.

We are both a wee bit better and celebrated by going out to a $2 breakfast at Denny's.  Used the AARP card for an extra $.99 for coffee.  Felt so good to get out.  It is raining a little here in Arizona. 

Bonnie:  Hi!  You always look so calm and relaxed in your picture - nice to see you posting.  Take care. 

Gord:  give a hey from us to Pat and Paul.  That is wonderful news about your granddaughter gaining strength and weight. 

Etta Sue:  Thanks for the update on the accident victim.  I am glad Marilyn thought of asking you regarding his progress.  good wishes on getting your heating serviced. 

JudyB:  Sad but true letter from that pastor. 

Janet:  Good news - take care and safe travel to you two. 

Etta Sue thank you so much for the update on Jacob, I will pray for him to become responsive.

No matter what our personal opinion is concerning the President, Scripture teaches us that we are to pray for those in authority.  I read a very interesting and thought provoking piece by Dr Charles Stanley in his "In Touch" magazine on Inauguration Day.  I thought you all might gain some insight as to how we can make a difference, as well as I did.  Perhaps some of you receive his magazine too.
Here is the article:

How to Pray for a President
   1 Timothy 2: 1-5

Christians have a responsibility to pray for those in authority.  When you talk to God about the President, ask that he will:
1.   Realize he has been given that position by either God's choice or His permissive will.
2.   Recognize his personal inadequacy for the task and look to God for the wisdom, knowledge, and courage to succeed.
3.   Restore dignity, honor, trustworthiness, and righteousness to the presidency.
4.   Readily forsake his political career and his personal ambitions if doing so would be in the best interest of the country.
5.   Reverse the destructive trends of atheism and humanism that try to dethrone God, deify man, and lead to an ungodly society.
6.   Respect and obey the Constitution – the protector of our freedoms.
7.   Reject all counsel that weakens our defenses against aggressors or endorses agreements that would do so in the future.
8.   Refuse to promote a way of life in which citizens become increasingly dependent on the government for their needs.
9.   Remember that he is accountable to Almighty God for his attitudes, motives, behaviors, and decisions.
10.   Resolve to help the nation again become a place of creativity, security, national pride, and individual prosperity, where God is recognized as the Source of all our blessings.

Leading a country is a very important, demanding job.  The President and other elected officials need our prayers.  But to be effective, our requests must be more specific than "Lord, bless the President" or "God, help our leaders do a good job."
The above list is a good way to start.   

Hi everyone.  It is to be rainy with some possibility of sleet, ice or snow but the indications are it will basically not have much effect on the Atlanta area or where I live.  After coffee this morning I will meet the cleaning lady at our church and we will head down to Stacey's apartment to get it cleaned up, attend to some errands for her such as her laundry, get her LIfeline set up and hopefully her computer back in operation.  I will also be sure she has sufficient food in the apartment.  They are telling her it may be up to two weeks before the scooter store can get the paperwork processed to come and fix her power chair.  So she is basically isolated.  We did add her to our son's ATT phone family plan yesterday and I got a new phone for her where she will have unlimited minutes.  Right now she is basically stranded without a phone as her Skype isn't working since her computer fell on the floor even though the computer is working. Pat and Paul Halback got here a around 5:30 yesterday afternoon and we had a lovely visit, including enjoying a very nice Chinese dinner.  We came back to the house and visited until about 9 pm when they got on their way to get into South Carolina before stopping for the night.  They wanted to get out of the storm possibilities this morning as they are coming in from the west, as usual.  I did meet yesterday morning with the lady taking over the data processing duties for the Senior Golden Games and hopefully got her on the right track.

Judy, thanks for sharing the pastor's thoughts.  I have to say I agree with him. 

Ruth Ann, you are being that angel that God is using in your friends life.  I am sure you have many friends who will do for you what you are now doing for your friends.

Etta Sue, thanks for the update on Jacob.  What an ordeal.  That must have been a surprise to find your heating man was no longer in business, although it sounds like he is struggling with his decision.  Hopefully he will finish up the jobs he has committed to. I think you are right about the attitude of our current young generation in some respects.  It is sad when people don't treasure their jobs.  Unfortunately, it has become more desirable to some to be on welfare than to work. 

Carol, glad you were feeling like getting out yesterday for breakfast. 

Gord, I did pass on your message to Pat and Paul yesterday evening. 

Good Morning Marilyn.

Janice, you are so right that we must pray for our leaders. 

Thank you, Judy ... Ihaven't heard that song for a long time, but it is very close to my heart since we sang it, and the choir sang it, for my daughter Jean as she was dealing with a terminal disease.  It has also appeared often in my life ... for myself as well as others. 

I had never heard that song, and find it easy to sing - I'll be trying to learn it to sing in our downstairs devotional periods on Tuesday morning.

I need to meet a plumber a bit later in the day, and that will kind of "do it" for the tasks for today, albeit an expensive one.

Then, I think I want to make fish for dinner along with mixed veggies and probably carrot sticks.

Son #1 has learned to make yogurt, so homemade yogurt with pineapple will finish off the meal.

Y'all have a great rest of the day with our Lord.

Ruth Ann

Good Morning or afternoon where ever you may be.

Janice thank you for posting that from Dr. Stanley, our president does need all the help he can get to change his thinking and his very left  progressive doings. If we bombard heaven with our prayers then God will hear and answer. I am thinking of 2nd Chronicles 7:14 " If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." KJV