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Ineffective and Irreligious
(Turning Point With Dr. David Jeremiah)



Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
Matthew 6:27

Sometimes Bible translators can't agree on the meaning of a text. For instance, in the Sermon on the Mount Jesus advises against worry. It's the practical reason He gave that translators can't agree on. He either said that worrying won't add to your height (NKJV, The Message) or won't add to your lifespan (NIV, NASB). Fortunately, both translations mean the exact same thing: Worry changes nothing and accomplishes nothing. You can't grow taller or live longer by worrying.

Actually, worrying does accomplish something in a Christian's life: Worry calls into question the sincerity of one's profession of faith. Worry is not only ineffective, it seem irreligious. It gives the appearance that the "worrier" is indifferent to the role of a sovereign God. If we profess our faith in a loving God who cares for our life, and then worry about how life might turn out, what does that say? That's why Jesus said, instead of worrying, to focus on God and His kingdom. When we focus on what we know about God, what we don't know about the future pales in significance.

Are you worried about anything today? If so, put your faith in the One who cares for all His creation—including you.


Worry and worship are mutually exclusive.
John Blanchard

Hi everyone.  It is going to be a very hot day getting up to 99 degrees or more this afternoon.  I don't look forward to coming out of church and getting into that hot car but guess we won't melt.  Nothing unusual on tap for today.  I have completed my outside and inside chores for today while it is still reasonably comfortable. We will go to Sunday School and Church and then get something to eat.  We had a nice quiet and restful day yesterday. 

Jeanne, I really liked the devotional thoughts you shared with us.  I try everyday to not worry about tomorrow or the days after as know the Lord will be with me whatever happens.  It sure makes life much more enjoyable.  We can't change the past nor can we know the future so why wait precious minutes of our day worrying about something that is past or future.

Jeanne thanks for teh great devotional on worry. I have learned that the word worry  is no longer part of my vocabulary. I might be concenred about something for awhile but I do not dwell on it longer that  minutes.

We got back from Sunriver on Friday afternoon. Our cats were very happy to see us and I picked up Freckles yesterday when her caregiver brought both dogs to the dog park for the weekly playay for our Therapy dogs. He dog is a jack russell terrier and Freckles got along  fine with him.

Next weekend we are going  up the coast to a place called Neskowin, His parent had a cabin there when he and his sister wer young. His sister Sandee sent a wedding givt with the stipulation that we go there and spend the weekend at Proposal Rock inn, go visit the cabin and just enjoy the weekend. We are taking freckles with us this time..

Hi everyone.  Another clear and hot day but not suppose to be as hot as yesterday when it got up to about 100 degrees. 

Yesterday after church we went by Firehouse Subs and Pat waited in the car to keep it cool while I went in to get a sub for our lunch.  When we got home we found the sub wasn't the one I ordered but it was still very good and made a good lunch.  They were training someone new on the order station and we all have to learn.  Today should be a pretty quiet day as only thing I have on the schedule is to attend my regular Monday Noon meeting. 

Marilyn, I know you were glad to get your animal family back together again after being away.  It sounds like you had a nice time and can now look forward to next weekend's trip.

I'm back!!  Last week was my yearly painting class in Fowler, and I enjoyed it so much!  Two years is much too long in between seeing those friends!  I got two paintings done and another about two-thirds done.

Darrel  worked on getting the 5th wheel travel trailer repaired and ready for our little road trip while I was gone, and today I worked on cleaning it.  We haven't used it for several years, so it was dirty.  Hail broke the vent covers on the roof and broke out a bedroom window.  He got those fixed, as well as installing a new kitchen faucet and repairing the water heater.  I brought in all the bedding, including the mattress pad and the bedspread, towels, and all the dishes and got all those washed.  Boy, my tail is dragging tonight!    We plan to leave early Thursday and go to near Emporia, Ks, to my sister Shirley's for a few days, and plan to stop and see youngest daughter Kerri on the way home.

God has blessed me in so many ways lately, I can't stop praising His name!

Forecast here is over 100 every day for the next week!  Ugh.   Johnson, about 22 miles to our west, is getting 70 MPH winds, and they predict at least quarter-sized hail.  We are so hoping we don't get it, as the trailer is hitched to the new pickup in preparation for leaving.  He will really be unhappy if that pickup gets hail damage!  And so will I, of course.  He pulled the rig up as close to the house as he could, hoping that will give it protection.

Beth and John are doing about the same.  We are so thankful he is here with her and is so dedicated and loving.

I simply must get to bed![/size]

Hi everyone.  It is going to be another very hot day here in South Carolina.  This is going to be a busy day for us.  I have a doctor's appointment with my cardiologist at 10 am.  Then are good friends from our previous church are in the area at their son's home.  They are coming over to visit us later this morning and we will go out to eat.  We are looking forward to their visit.  We had lunch with them a couple of months ago but they did not come to the house as they will this morning. 

I just read this very nice piece this morning and want to share it with you all:

Whose Hands

A basketball in my hands is worth about $19.
A basketball in Michael Jordan's hands is worth about $33 million.
It depends whose hands it's in.
                               
A baseball in my hands is worth about $6.
A baseball in Mark McGuire's hands is worth $19 million.
It depends on whose hands it's in.
                                                                                                                                                                                           
A tennis racket is useless in my hands.
A tennis racket in Venus Williams' hands is a championship winning.
It depends whose hands it's in.
                                       
A rod in my hands will keep away a wild animal.
A rod in Moses' hands will part the mighty sea.
It depends whose hands it's in.
                           
A sling shot in my hands is a kid's toy
A sling shot in David's hand is a mighty weapon.
It depends whose hands it's in.
                                 
Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in my hands is a couple of fish sandwiches.
Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in God's hands will feed thousands.
It depends whose hands it's in.
                       
Nails in my hands might produce a birdhouse.
Nails in Jesus Christ's hands will
produce salvation for the entire world.
It depends whose hands it's in.
           
As you see now it depends whose hands it's in.
So put your concerns, your worries, your fears, your hopes, your dreams,
your families and your relationships in God's hands because...

It depends whose hands it's in. 
   
Janet, glad you had such a nice week with your painting buddies.  I did miss your always interesting postings while you were gone.  I bet Darrel is happy to have you back home. 

Chick'-fil-a has my praise for a wonderful gift.  After the Orlando terrorist shooting, they saw lines of people waiting to donate blood.  They opened their store and cooked (on a Sunday normally closed) chicken & biscuits and served sweet tea to those in line.  Very thoughtful and loving gesture. 

We are having afternoon storms that begin rather small and build in size so someone is having damage - mainly east of us.

Larry:  I hope you had a good report from your cardiologist.  Nice of you to have visitors from before your move. 

I am walking up the block for quilting tonight and that husband is probably coming here for cribbage - although he is pulling a boat back from a winter in Kansas today. 

Hi everyone on a bright, sunny and already warm morning.  We are expecting to get to 94 degrees this afternoon.  We had a two showers of about a quarter of an inch yesterday, which is appreciated.  I won't have to water my yard on Thursday morning. 

We had a great time with our friends yesterday. We enjoyed a long leisurely lunch at Ryan's Buffet, then we took them for a brief tour of our little town and then across the bridge to Augusta and went down the main business street quite for some block seeing things we had not viewed.  When we got back to the house it was time for them to leave. 

I did see the cardiologist yesterday and she wants to do a PET scan of my heart, an ultrasound of my carotid arteries and a stress test to get a better feel for the condition of my heart.  I should hear soon when these are scheduled.  I have never had the PET scan done before. 

Today is our day with Scott, which we always look forward to.  He called me yesterday afternoon to see if I would be available, if needed, as he works on his brakes to take him to the auto parts store.  I told him I would stand by.  He will then be out either to go to lunch with us or this evening when we will got out to eat.  Spending time with him is always the highlight of our week. 

Carol, sure hope the storms have stayed away from your and Jenny.  I hope you enjoyed your quilting last evening and the men were able to play some cribbage.  Cribbage has always been one of my favorite games.  I have a nice version that plays against the computer.

    Good Day! 

PAT:  I hope you feeling better.  Prayers for you. 

Larry:  Your little town sounds like it has all you need. 

Last night was another relaxing and easy time with the quilters.  We take turns hosting the bi-monthly meetings and there is always so much to catch up on - the good and bad of our lives - the children, and animals. I am working on a flannel quilt with moose, bear, etc. and they helped me figure out what kind of a batting (inner stabilizing fabric) to use.  As mentioned before, they are experts. 

It is going to be hot today - cannot escape it now.  We plan to visit neighbors for a night in the mountains this weekend.  - the traffic is just horrible going to the hills now.

Good morning!  It was so foggy here when I got up I could barely see across the road to the weed line in the fence row.  It's burning off and the sun is shining now.  Supposed to be 102 today!  Whew!

Larry, thanks for the lovely underwater video!  Sure makes me want to go diving again, as it has now been exactly six years since our last dive trip.    We may go this summer sometime with our Kids, if Jeff gets it scheduled.  We went with them last time.  And I do not have any new pictures to post, Jeanne.  Sorry!    Well...not dive ones, anyway. 

Larry, I hope you get good reports from your medical tests.  Carol, always good to read about your daily doings! 

I have two appointments today, then we will be leaving early in the morning for Emporia for a visit with my  sister!  Really looking forward to that!

Pat, I was painting when your birthday rolled around, but I did leave you a message in FB when I got home!  Remember--you will always be older than me!  By nine whole days!    I do hope you are feeling much, much better by now!   

My iPhone is giving me fits.  It refuses to take photos!    It will take selfies or videos, but not just pictures.  What the heck?  I have had three techies look at it and none of them could figure it out; said they had never seen nor heard of this problem before.  I will have to contact Apple support, which I really dread and have been putting off.  Also lost all my email, from computer, phone and iPad!   

It's time for me to leave for my first appointment--see you later!  Love you all!

Hi, friends, I'm having a J night. Jeanne, I really needed this week's devotion. I've always dealt with worry. This insomnia is connected to worry and some heartache.

We're also having recordbreaking temps here in Nashville. I hear that on tv - actually I've only been outdoors one time since mid May.

Y'all have a great day.

Ruth Ann

Ruth Ann, good to see your post!  I had a J night, too!  I seem to be having them often, and it's because of pain and related issues.  I really try to turn the worries and concerns over to God.  I know you do, too, but sometimes it's really hard to turn our minds off, isn't it?  I hope you will feel better and sleep soundly tonight.

I am going to get new hearing aids, with the fancy updated technology.  They are so expensive, I just asked if they can't up the power in the ones I have now, but Darrel said, "I have a Discover card."  He is so good to me!  These hearing aids are four years old already!  It doesn't seem like it's been that long, but I have decreased hearing in both ears since then.  So soon I will have some that I can program for noisy environments when needed and hear my phone in both ears, and stream the TV into them, etc. 

I thought we were leaving really early today but Darrel has decided to stop in Salina on the way, to see our daughter, instead of on the way home.  She will be working until five, so no reason to get there hours ahead of then.  Salina is about 100 miles from where Shirley (my sister) lives.

We stopped at Diane's store on the way to Liberal yesterday, and she said Abby was at the pool with the kids she is baby sitting this month; also Toni was over there with the three great-granddaughters, so we went there (It's just across the street from the store.)  It was such a special treat to see all of them!  We really should see them much more often when they live so close!  People just stay too darn busy!

Hey, Larry!  I even got here before you this morning! 

Later.........

Hi everyone on what is going to be another scorcher of a day getting to 97 degrees this afternoon and no rain in sight.  It is already 76 degrees with 85% humidity.  I will try to stay where it is air-conditioned as much as possible today.  I have already taken care of my outside watering morning chores. 

Today I will go to coffee and then to the Wisdom class at church.  Then this evening, starting at 5:15 our Sunday School class is having a party with the food being catered.  There were about 70 people signed up as of last Sunday morning.  It should be very enjoyable and a chance to talk with people more than is possible on Sunday morning, although there is a lot of chatter before the class begins.

Yesterday Scott didn't need me to help him get parts for his brake job on his car.  He got them fixed and then met us about 12:30 at the Tin Lizzie Bar-B-Q side of the restaurant.  This was our first and last visit to that side of the place as the food, except for some awesome Mac and cheese was really bad.  Pat was wise and was able to order from the Mexican menu and really enjoyed her food.  I guess they all can't be winners.  Scott had a medical appointment and then was going to come out.  However, he went back to his house and laid down and we didn't hear from him until 8 pm when he called to say he was on his way to spend some time with us. 

Carol, we love this little town and are so glad we moved here.  It sounds like your quilting group was a most enjoyable experience.  I hope you will have a nice time in the mountains this weekend.

Janet, you all are a bit hotter than we are.  I hope you will be able to go diving this summer as six years is a long time and you don't want to lose your skills.  Hope your visit to your sister and others will be a time of relaxation and rest for you both.  I did a little research on your Iphone camera problem and found an interesting article with tips to perhaps help solve it. I have emailed the article to you just now. I hope your new hearing aids will be of great assistance to you.  I know a couple of people who have them and they seem to work well. 

Ruth Ann, I am not trying to be glib but consider whether the worrying has ever accomplished anything good for you.  I feel worrying is a waste of my time and no longer do much of it but place the problem in God's hands, try to do what might be my part, hopefully with God's guidance, and leave the outcome to him.  Sorry to read that you are having heartache and hope God comforts you through that time.  You must be getting cabin fever not being able to get outside at all.  Do you have any idea of when you will be able to return to your home?

We seem to be warming back up - maybe around low 80's by this afternoon.  And the brisk wind we had for four days has let up to almost still.  The meteorologist this morning reported that the first half of June was exactly "normal" both for average temperatures and amount of precipitation.   

Janet, we don't necessarily need to see new underwater photos, although of course that would be great.  The ones from a few years back would be just as fascinating for us now as they were then.   

Here is a link to a video that one of the Furry friend husband's made of the FF oduring the memorial day pardaed where we honoroed all the war dogs i though y'll would enjoy this.

http://www.kizoa.com/Video-Maker/d49758999k4761029o1/diaporama%20kizoa

Hi everyone.   We are already at 83 degrees and headed to at least 97 and perhaps to 100 degrees this afternoon.  Fortunately, my outside watering is done and Pat and I both plan on just staying inside today.  Our housekeeper will be here later this morning and that is all that is on the agenda for today.

We had a very nice Sunday School party last evening.  The facility was very nice, the food was good and the opportunity to spend some quality time visiting with a few folks and meeting some I had not met before.  Fortunately we were able to park right in front of the entryway as it was very hot late yesterday afternoon.  The party ended, as planned, at 7 pm as there was a concert in the part adjacent that many of the folks were attending.  The lady I was sitting next to at the table is our oldest choir member at 86 and she has been singing in the church since 1952.  She is the lady who bakes a little cake for our refreshment table at Sunday School each Sunday and has done this for a number of years. 

Jeanne, I would enjoy some of your normal weather for a few days.  I see our record temperature for today is 97 and it looks like a new record will be set.

Marilyn, I enjoyed watching that very fine video.  There were a lot of beautiful dogs and proud owners.  How long was the parade and were you walking or riding?  I tried to pick you and Freckles out of the pictures but not sure I identified you in the right photo.  That video will be a nice remembrance for the years to come.  You all do good work.

Larry we were walking I am the only one is a blue ball cap. Freckles is the only  dog with the black spots, she is a Blue heeler.

Hi, friends. Yes, I agree with y'all - my worries are a waste of time and effort. But it sure is hard to break that habit. I hope I can get home during July fourth weekend. Y'all have a good day.

Ruth Ann

Hi everyone on what is starting out to be a great day.  It is only 71 degrees outside now and we are only suppose to get to 85 this afternoon after reaching 100 degrees yesterday and setting a new record for this area.  We got just a little bit of rain yesterday afternoon but some parts of this area had heavy rains and winds and lost power with trees down. 

Nothing special to comment on for yesterday other than we now have a nice clean house.  It was so hot yesterday that we decided not to go out for lunch as we usually do on the day the housekeeper comes.  Today will probably be a repeat of yesterday as don't have any plans to go out other than perhaps to put gas in my PT Cruiser while it is a cool morning.  I will watch some of the U.S. Open Golf Tourney if it isn't rained out.  They are running pretty much behind.  However, sure I will find plenty to keep myself occupied.

Marilyn, I found you and Freckles in the little video.  That was a very nice video that was put together to share the day with others. 

Ruth Ann, I sure hope you will be up to returning to your apartment by July 4th.  Nice that you have had a good place to be while you are healing but expect the time drags.  Those dogs are going to really miss you when you go home. 

Nice video of the dog parade! 

We did have a short but happy time visiting in the mountains - first with oldest son at his cabin and next at a condo with neighbors.  It was 37 degrees F. both mornings and then warmed up really fast. Don played cribbage and I sewed with a friend last night - perfect.  We were at snow level and did alright on the altitude, even for a while at  9,000 ft.  We saw several moose and bunches of elk near the cabin.  A tourist from Wisconsin didn't know she was looking at a moose so we could explain this to her and the rules of leaving dogs in the car.  Moose will attack a dog right away - they think it is a wolf.  Traffic was awful - just ahead of us a car hit a deer and the couple was OK - today was mass exodus from the city. 

Happy Father's Day to all the dads! 

Hi everyone.  This is one of the most beautiful summer morning anyone could desire.  It is 71 degrees, very low humidity and a light breeze with a clear sky.  Our high this afternoon will only get to 85 with it being around 80 when church is over this morning.  I am pretty certain we will be eating out after church today.  My son sent an e-card early this morning for Father's Day.  Unfortunately he will not be able to come out today due to his work schedule. 
I plan on watching the golf tournament this afternoon after 3 pm. 

Carol, it sounds like you had a delightful time with your son at his cabin in the mountains.  It seems like there are many accidents with deer.  I did not know that about a dog and a moose but it makes sense as I understand a moose has very poor eyesight.

We are always thrilled to spot a moose - one of God's great and curious creatures.  So fortunate in the USA to have wildlife. 

Today, we have been taking care of the new credit card - and I have sent pictures of a crack in a bathroom sink to a handyman.  Fingers crossed that he can help us.  Grandson has a birthday - we are glad they now live here because he was born in Texas.  It is hot enough here today. 

It is  a great day for giving thanks - for so many things plus air conditioning - a cooler basement to escape to from this heat.  I read that one out of 118 people on this earth are not settled and in poor conditions. 

Take care all.