Christian Photographers Community

Come and join us this week and share with us your plans and thoughts for the week!  We sing, share and encourage other members here.  We also love to view your photos!

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Morning Devotional...


Jesus... Taking a Stand

"Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. 'It is written,' he said to them, "My house will be called a house of prayer" but you are making it a 'den of robbers.'"              Matthew 21:12-13

It's easy to picture a kindly, loving Jesus. We've had lots of help on that score from religious artists down through the centuries. The Lord sentimentally pictured with children, lambs, and birds. You can almost hear the organ music.

But it's challenging to visualize an angry--violently angry--Jesus Christ. You can almost see him overturning cash registers, grabbing the money changers by the scruff of their necks and heaving them out the temple door on their self-righteous backsides.

Jesus, full of fury, took a stand. No one, He asserted, was going to make His Father's house into a haven for con men and rip-off artists. Jesus ripped the mask off hypocrisy. He exposed dark recesses of the hearts of greedy, materialistic men. Jesus squared off against sin.
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We need to fully meditate on portions of Scripture such as Matthew 21 in order to get a more complete picture of the way the Lord dealt with sin. If we think that Jesus always confronted sin gently, as with the woman at the well or with the one caught in adultery, remember that Matthew 21 records that He drove out all who were buying and selling-that includes innocent townspeople who had come to merely purchase doves for offerings.

Friend of Sinners, don't be gentle with any sin that I might be safeguarding in my life. Expose the dark recesses in my heart, square off against my sin and uproot it out of my life. 

Blessings,

Joni and Friends
www.joniandfriends.org

Hi To all.  Well it has been a very long time since I have been on C.P. and I am sorry as I am not sure if I told you that I am working part time and Noreen and I are doing a lot of baby sitting as all the kid's are working and it is so exspensive for baby sitting. God is good and has given us both the strength to be able to help them but it is nice that they go home at night.  Ha ha.  Just kidding.  Iam having to go to Scotland as my Mother is very sick and I would like to see her before she passes so I have a friend who works for an airline and he can get me a reduced fare return so I am going on the 15th. of July till the 31st. and I am praying that Mum will make it till then. Could you please pray that I can be able to talk to her about the Lord if she is able. I hope that you are all well and that the Lord is with and I know that he gives us strength daily.  God's richest blessing's to you all.  Gordon and Noreen.

Gord may you be with you mother in time!   yes that good child sitters are so expensive and it is great that. You and Noreen have the stamina to help your children. 

sitting up in the dark living room as I am so wide awake but will soon be sleepy if I am fortunate.  It was hot today and we always are thankful to have air conditioning. Always remember our early marriage with babies in that hot little brick house.  We were always taking cool showers to cope and the afternoon 3 PM storms were actually welcome as long as they didn't interrupt nap time.  Never my nap time though  . How did we do it? 

Hello well Gordon I suppose this is the day of coming back.  I haven't been here for a very long time. So much has happened and not enough time or space to write it all. I just come asking for prayers for the Lord already knows what I need.  Somethings are just very hard to discuss. Thank you.  Gordon I pray your momma is doing well.  In Christ Marlo

Hi everyone on this Monday morning.  We are looking forward to today as will meet our son and DIL in Madison, Ga a little before noon to have lunch and visit for awhile.  This is a little over an hour for us and about 90 minutes for them on the road.  After coffee this morning I need to stop at the Publix pharmacy and pick up a prescription this morning.  This evening I have a meeting to attend.  This is going to be a busy day.

Pat, thanks for the devotional for this week as it is a good one.  Yesterday at church we had a time of prayer based on needs, concerns and joys of the congregation.  Small slips of paper were handed out and we were asked to write our prayer request and not sign it but bring it to the front of the church and put it in a little basket.  Following Communion the pastor read each of these in his Pastoral prayer.  There were many requests and it was something special I hope might become a part of our service periodically

Gord, I have missed seeing your postings.  I don't think I knew you had taken a part-time job but knew of the baby-sitting.  It is nice that they go home at the end of the day and I imagine all of us know exactly what you mean as we don't have the energy of the little ones.  So sorry that your mother is so ill.  I do hope you can get there to see her in time. 

Carol, Hope you were able to get back to sleep last night.  Your description of those hot days when your children were little sure brought back memories of hot days in Oklahoma in our first little house with no air-conditioning. 

Mario, good to read a posting from you also and it has been a long time.  The Lord does know our needs and concerns. 

Not here long but I will return this afternoon sometime with a UPDATE of what has been happening with me. I just wanted to stop and wish each and everyone a great morning and I shall see you all soon !!

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and for all ages - Hebrews 13:8

Cheerful flowers with all bright colors - thanks to WinterRose. 

We ran to two stores for food and produce as tomorrow night I will serve angel food cake (baking that in the morning) and ice cream or sherbet with strawberries.  Hope you all like it!  Oh, yes - Sun Tea will sit on the deck for a few hours.  That will be my quilting group. 

Don's old Apple iPod stopped working and that very nice corporation tried to fix it and sent him a new one this morning.  He likes to have audio books on it while walking.  They didn't give him a new model and upgrade though - that would have been much too much.  Just glad someone treats customers well. 

Larry:  That isn't a bad drive for you two and so nice you can meet almost half way.  We really did sleep well in that little house as this altitude does cool our nights.  Hard to cool a house without fans though. 

Stay cool.

   Hi to all.  I want to thank you for your encouragement which many times we do need my brother in Scotland called tonight and told me that Mum did talk to him today but all she wanted to do was sleep and tell him to get out of her room but at 97 she is aloud to do that.  I am starting to get excited about going and I do hope that I get there in time.
Larry it sound's like you and pat are just as busy as ever look after yourselves.

Well don't all fall off your seats when you see that I sent this post at 8-30 at night.  May the Lord richly bless you all.  Gordon and Noreen.

Good Morning to Everyone...

I just found this on Facebook from our dear friend over in Northern Ireland, Colin Moffet:

Well, I guess I could say I'm thankful I woke up today but I've not been to sleep!    So, I thought that instead of just turning from one side to the other, I should just get up.


Gord, I pray that you will make it in time to speak to your dear mum.  I can't believe that she's 97!  I remember so well meeting her in years long since passed.  God bless you as you make this journey to share the message of Salvation with her.


Carol isn't like a breath of fresh air having Karen here with her lovely graphics?  Such nice ones as well.   How nice that Don walks listening to books.  That's such a great idea!


Karen, thanks for your presence here at   It's great to have you back.  You've been so missed.  I've been praying for your daughter as she sets off to night shift each night.


Larry, I'm so happy that you enjoyed the devotional.  I really like Joni's writings and better still, I enjoy listening to her as well.  Are you going to have a big party for Pat for her birthday?? 


Marlo, it's so-o-o good to have you back!  I've missed you.  I'm sorry that you've been going through a dark valley--maybe of sickness--but know that you can come here and fellowship with the rest of the posters here.  I look forward to reading your posts as often as you can post.


I've been busy in my garden trying to get rid of an awful weed.  Garlic Mustard is just so horrific.  The day I left to go to Virginia in May, it was raining so heavily and as I looked out to my flower garden, I saw neat little clumps of this awful weed which were just the right size to pull before they actually took over but the rain stopped me.  When I came back from Virginia, the Garlic Mustard was everywhere!  It was higher than my peony plants and irises!  I've been carefully pulling it and stuffing it into bags to take to the dump!  So far I've taken about 10 huge brown paper garden waste bags full of it! 

Here's a picture (or many pictures) of what it looks like:  Garlic Mustard


Well, I'll drop in later to see what you've all said!   

I was just checking my email and Joni's devotional was just so good today that I just had to share it with you:



Guard Your Words
"Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips."          
Psalm 141:3

It happens so often. You're itching to say something, but before you double-check your words against the Holy Spirit, you let the sentence slip. You drop a precisely timed phrase that manipulates. Toss a few flirting words that entice. Aim a verbal barb that stings. Send a signal that you dare not be crossed.

Whatever the message, you've hit the target with your words. Someone's reputation has been slandered. A heart has become divided. Feelings have been crushed. A testimony is compromised. A spirit is badly bruised.

Someone once prayed, "Before I move, before I speak, perfect wisdom I will seek." That's good advice for the Christian who ignores the Spirit's prompting and proceeds to be slow to hear and swift to speak. Matthew Henry builds on that prayer when he says, "Since my lips are the door to my words, let grace keep that door, that no word may go out which in any way dishonors God or hurts others."

And in case you still think a few, subtle words can't do that much harm, let the following serve as a warning:

"The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell" (James 3:6).
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Proverbs 13:3 is another reminder, "He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin." Your mind, will, and emotions are dangerously exposed to ruin when you say things with an impure or hurtful motive. So before you speak, ask yourself, "Will what I say hurt or help? Will it glorify God? Would I be ashamed if others heard?"

Lord, before I move, before I speak, perfect wisdom I will seek.


Blessings,

Joni and Friends
www.joniandfriends.org

   

Good morning it is 7:55 am here in Ohio and it is to be a LONG DAY AHEAD. We say good bye to my husband's Uncle so please pray that we can get thru the day.  Anyway my daughter made it to work and is on her way home so thanks so much for all the prayers said for her ... she has a few more days of these hours so continue to pray for her.  Well have a great day all and I shall see you all upon my return sometime this afternoon !!

   

Hi everyone.  We are suppose to have high of 91 degrees today with little chance of rain.  This morning I want to stop at Aldi's on my way to my meeting and that will be about it for today. 

Yesterday was a busy one.  We did met our son and DIL in Madison but were able to spend just a little over an hour with them as our DIL is very weak and wasn't feeling at all well.  In all honesty she looks like death warmed over as it skin and bones and is not eating as she should be.  Pat and I both wonder if she has a secret death wish.  She had apparently suffered a couple more seizures before they left home yesterday.  We did enjoy our brief chat with our son.  He is very concerned about his wife but there is only so much he can do.  She is back down to 95 pounds after having been able to put on a few pounds. 

This morning Pat is going to the church to help for a couple of hours with the doll making project for the children in Honduras where are missionaries from our church go for a week each year.  Then this evening she is going out with some women friends to the Cheesecake Factory for a birthday dinner. 

Karen, beautiful graphic in your message. 

Carol, you can hardly go wrong with angel food cake and ice cream or sherbet with strawberries.  I have had good success with Apple and also with Amazon. 

Gord, you are so fortunate to have had your Mum these many years.  Pat lost her mother when she was in her early 60s and her father when he was in his 50's.  Both my folks lived to be 80 or a little more.  Gord, Pat and I sound busier than we really are. 

Pat, thanks for sharing the beautiful poem by Colin Moffett. He is such a talented poet.  You did get an early start today.  Maybe you will be able to work in a nap later today.  Are you in a lot of pain?  It sounds like you have been invaded by that mustard seed plant.  That is a good writing by Joni that you shared today.  Something I learned many years ago from my Masonic work was "that if you cannot speak well of a person you can at least remain quiet". 

Thinking of you Karen as you attend your husband's uncle's funeral.  Sometimes these are difficult times, saying Farewell.  It's always so nice if you can say, "Until we meet again!"


Thanks Larry for your encouragement.  Happy Birthday to Pat!!! 

Hi, friends,

I've struggled with some type of virus or head and chest cold. Today, almost 2 weeks later, I'm seeing some relief, thanks be to God.

Now to go to Facebook, then pack something to send to my son overseas.

Love to all,
Ruth Ann

So sad that you've been feeling so ill, Ruth Ann.

I had a smile the other day.  Do you remember the first time we ever met?  In Georgia?  And you were walking around with sunglasses on for fear anyone would see your huge black eye?  I'll never forget that and what a blessing it was for me to meet you so many years ago.  I think that was 1999 or 1998.  I just forget.

When you miss 6 days plus there sure is a lot to catch up with.

Last Wednesday at 5:09 p.m. lightning struck and my cable, which includes my internet access, went kaput.  The TV was fine, I could watch VSR's or DVD's and I could dub some of the VSR's onto DVD's, but there was no cable signal at all.  I waited most of Thursday thinking it was widespread and something would soon be done, but when I checked with neighbors I found I was the only one affected!  The tech was finally here this afternoon and, after he checked all sorts of connections, it turned out the lightning fried both the digital adapter and the cable modem.  He replaced both and I'm finally "back in business"

I'm not going to comment individually but know that all needs and prayer requests have been noted and are being responded to from here.

Great to have you back, Jeanne. 

   Hi to you all and May you all have the many request's and prayer's answered.

Pat when I do a post and send it out and then there is a reply sent is it possible that they will not come through to my inbox?


Hope all have a good rest of the week.     

                                 Love in Christ,  Gordon and Noreen.

Hi everyone.  Yesterday was in the low 90's but today it is not suppose to get over 85 with the possibility of afternoon showers.  The landscape guys were here yesterday so it looks like someone lives here again, although it really wasn't that bad.  Today will be our typical Wednesday with Bible Study and a time of friendship afterwords at Dunkin' Donuts.  I do plan on taking Pat out to dinner this evening as it is her 73rd birthday.  She already has her gift but think I will pick up some flowers for her as well. 

Ruth Ann, glad you are finally seeing some relief from your cold.

Jeanne, glad to see you back online.  When we are used to having Internet access it seems a bit difficult when we don't. 

Got thru husband's Uncle's funeral really well ... good to see COUSINS that we have not seen in a long time. And so it is going to be a BUSY DAY here for me ... going out this morning to APPLY for a JOB and YES I will keep you all posted of ah what happens ... then we have church tonight so I will be in and out most of the day !!

PRAYER REQUEST ... There is a older lady from our church that I worked with YEARS AGO is going in at 7:30 am EST and is having OPEN HEART SURGERY and so I am asking that you please keep her in PRAYER her name is Gloria and so when I get UPDATES I will share ... so take care and I gotta go and get this day moving so see you all soon again !!

I haven't been getting my email notifications again for some reason, so I have missed a couple of days here.

I went in to visit Beth and learned that she now has lost her sense of smell.     .  John arrives on Friday, so she will have a much happier life for a couple or three weeks! 

We have been working like fiends getting ready for reunion.  I think we're about finished, and I didn't work on it today as I needed to rest.  I will do some food preparation tomorrow, though.

Jeanne, glad your internet problems are fixed now.

Ruth Ann, glad you are feeling better now.

Larry, sorry about your DIL's health problems.  Sure makes it hard on your son.

I am really, really tired, so I'm heading to bed extra early tonight.  I pray a good night of sleep will make me feel like myself again.

Love to all of you,
Janet

Hello everyone I've not been here this week so needed to catch up with all y'alls posts. It was a busy week at work these last 3 days, but boy Oh boy were we on a roll, pick up time was  2 or 3 depending on the day.  It seems to go that way some weeks other times it is a longer day when the Doc runs into something else has he is doing a spay or neuter. then we've had pregnant cats  that need fluids and special care after surgery I don't think I will go into any more detail on that subject.

Keith has been working on his continuing ed for his Architect license renewal and I've been keeping a running record of his tests in and printing them out from my computer plus I've been doing my research for my Bible study classes. This wee I will be giving the lesson on the Women Jesus healed. I had Keith make copies of the questions to be answered after each scripture reading. I love this class and I love doing the research for the lessons, I am learning right along with the class.

Good Evening Everyone...

I was just reading through some posts on Facebook and I came to Judy's and my cousin's post.  John Barros goes every day with other Christians to preach God's message of Salvation at the Women's Centre (another name for a vile place where they murder babies!!!).

I thought his post was worth copying and sharing with you all here tonight.  Please pray for John.  And if you are on Facebook, go and "friend" him so that you can read of his experiences each day down there in Orlando, Florida.


John Barros posted:

"I don't know how many "First's" there are in this world left to do but I think we may have one here....

I have been Extremely Blessed to have served on the sidewalk here with my Dear Brother Bryan McDaniel for a long time... He is one Faithful Servant of God... Bryan is getting married here in a week and a half and has Blessed this ol man by asking me to be his best man...

I have racked my brain trying to figure out what to do for his Bachelor Party... He wasn't too thrilled with Bingo, lawn bowling or anything else I could come up with..... What's a man to do... I asked Bryan what would be the Greatest thing he would want to do for a party....

He said... "No question about it I want to Preach The Gospel with my Brothers at OWC next Thursday and then let's all get a bite to eat" This is the Kind of Man he is....

Any of you guys that are friends of Bryan's come on down next Thursday morning... You just may be a part of History... Don't think anyone has spent their Bachelor Party Serving Their King By Ministering At An Abortion Clinic..."

Amen Pat.  What I find outrageous if the fact that the Christians who go for abortion are harder than those who make no claim to Christianity...So very sad.

It has been a while since I have been here.
saying hi and hoping everyone is doing good

Good morning ladies & gentleman ... It is YET another busy day ahead of me !!  Cleaning house and then having to go in later this afternoon and donating blood { as I always do every two months } and then spending sometime w/ my dear daughter before she goes off to work tonight. So, I just wanted to wish each and everyone a blessed day !!

PAT ... Thank you for letting me come back to the group here & to be able to change my name
JUDY ... It's good to have to you on FB
MARILYN ... Good to see you and I have missed reading your messages
LARRY ... Good to see you too

Well I am sure that there are other's but if I did not mention you it's not that I did not want to ... It's just that I forgot some of your names ... so just know that I am here praying for each of you. Be sure to check out the pictures I have up and do leave some comments { if you want }

Well time to go ... so have a great day & see you all later !! 

Hi everyone on this Thursday morning.  It is suppose to get to 87 degrees today with only a small chance of rain.  Pat and I went to lunch at our favorite Mexican Restaurant yesterday for her birthday rather than trying to go out in the evening. Today she is going for a massage and I have my weekly men's luncheon and we are going to Steak and Shake today.  That will be it today.  I am returning the expensive camera I bought for my smart TV as it is basically for Skype use and I don't use that program anymore. 

WinterRose, funerals do bring families together.  Hope the job situation works out as you want.  Please keep us advised on your friend Gloria's progress.  Most of these surgeries are very successful (I know from personal experience from many years ago.) I wish I could donate blood, as I used to do, but they don't want mine anymore as I have had Hepatitis C plus all the heart medicine I take.

Janet, so sorry that Beth can no longer smell.  I know Beth is counting the hours until John arrives on Friday as his visits brings great joy into her life.  Hope you had a good night's sleep. 

Marilyn, sounds like you have been very busy at the clinic.  I know they must really appreciate your assistance.  Glad your Ladies Bible study is going so well and you are enjoying preparing for it.

Pat, thanks for sharing the information from John Barros.  Is he a minister as he appears fairly young and would have to make a living.  The abortion situation is so sad in the USA. 

Hi Melody, please come back as I enjoy seeing your posts.   

Good morning!  It's a windy one here already and predicted to get worse....   You all know how I feel about the strong winds!    I had the windows open until the wind picked up.

Pat, thanks for sharing John's message today.  What a remarkable young man, to think of that way to use his bachelor's party!  May God richly bless him.

Judy, if the women are TRULY Christians, they know they are doing wrong, but are in rebellion against God.  They will, sadly, have to suffer the consequences of adding sin upon sin, taking an innocent life.

Karen, good to see your post today.  I will go look at your photos when I am not so rushed.

Hello, Larry!  Good, as always, to see your post.  Enjoy your day with not so much on your calendar.  We need those days!  You are a blessing, and I just wanted to tell you that! 

Marilyn, sound like that clinic where you work stays plenty busy!  It's good that some love that work enough that, like you, they volunteer their time to help out.

This is the last day before folks start arriving for reunion.  Tomorrow we go to pick up John, and some of the family from afar will be arriving also.  Then.......Let the fun begin!!         

Please remember to pray for Israel!  They are facing tough time, as are we, with this mess on the border as well as all the other problems.  God, help us!  We need you so desperately!