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BIBLE MEDITATION:
1 Corinthians 6:20 - "For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Matthew 26:28 says, "For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins."

The word "testament" is from the Greek word diatheke, which means covenant. Christ has purchased us with His blood. We have entered into a covenant with Him. The church is the bride, He is the bridegroom. We are betrothed to Him in a covenant bought with His blood. Samuel J. Stone wrote these powerful words in the hymn "The Church's One Foundation" — "From heaven He came and sought her to be His holy bride; With His own blood He bought her, and for her life He died."

ACTION POINT:
Let this powerful truth sink deeply into your heart today. Meditate on what it means that Jesus came and sought you, then bought you with His blood.

Jeanne:  Thank you for devotions - I love that song. 

Heavy rain this morning but we did make first service and I sure wish it wasn't so early but it is worth it once we arrive. 

Oldest son reports five moose in his cabin's backyard yesterday.  They are huge. 

Larry:  I will have to check out that book.  I finished "New York" by Rutherford and it is just amazing of the history of greed in our country that comes in cycles.  As for cooking, just do the simple things and you will do fine.  Nothing is easier than a roast in the oven and several meals from it.  There is a cookbook that has a title of 3 ingredients or is it five?  If all else fails, baked potatoes with toppings is always a full meal. 

Hi everyone, I am just here to let you know that I am now home. We got here a little after 1:30. I have put everything away, dirty clothes in the hamper, food in the fridge and cupboards clothes where they belong. It seems we left the sunshine  to come home to overcast and high fog.

Grubby came running as soon as we pulled in the driveway. He wanted in the house to eat and eat some more. Fritzy has been acting like a crazy Cat, running and leaping  up and over the rocking chair and running all around.

I have the graduation photos on the laptop and I am going to   moved them to  my external hard drive so I can crop  and edit them on this machine. There are also photos still in my camera.

Grubby just ran in here and jumped in my lap. He sure missed his Mama.

Kass wanted to go swimming so off we went.  I am so glad we live near water.  We met up with some of her friends, and they had fun till they spied a beaver swimming, fishing close to them!  He kept disappearing under water, so they all came in.... I am sure he is more afraid of them than they were of him.

As we drove home we saw a pretty cat walking across the road.  This is the second time we have seen her.  Yes it is her as our orange male "Milo" was tracking her.  Just before she got to the ditch I stopped.  Just inches away from Milo there was a porcupine crossing the road.  I have had more than my fill or those creatures.  When he went into the ditch on the other side of the road, Kass got out and picked up Milo.

It was an interesting trip!  Have a good night everyone!

Hi everyone.  This is going to be a very hot day and a pretty full one for me.  After coffee I need to stop at Sam's Club and pick up a couple of things.  Then I have to drive over to Atlanta for a doctor's appointment with my cancer doctor.  I hope to make it back in time for me men's luncheon at 1 pm.  We are trying a new seafood place today, which is something different for our group.  I hope it is good.

Jane, I am so happy for you and to know that you won't have to struggle so to live day to day.  I had just read something this morning about all things in God's time and this was a wonderful example. 

Nita, glad your son was able to help you.  I used to be able to call on my son when I needed some help but since he has moved away that is not possible.  Sure glad none of your relatives got caught in that Arkansas flooding.  I was glad to see yesterday that they had accounted for more of those they thought were lost and only one more death.

Jeanne, thanks for the fine devotional for the week and the hymn. 

Carol, I just finished reading "The Imperial Crusie" and it was an eye-opener regarding how rough-shod Teddy Roosevelt tried to control Asia and hid what he was doing from Congress and the people.  I am glad I read the book. 

Marilyn, our pets do miss us when we are gone. 

Judy, glad you didn't have an encounter with the porcupine.  I have never soon one of those outside a zoo.

Time to get my day started with coffee.  Hope you all can stay cool today.

Wonderful Sunday.  The message was great.  I love my little church and all the laughter and seriousness.  We had a visitor in our Sunday School class.  I think she must have been from England with her English accent.  So refreshing. 

Then 4 of us went to King Chef for lunch.  Wonderful Chinese restaurant. 

And I did it.  I mowed when I got home.  I was so tired when I got done that I took a nap. 

Later as I was watching TV and crocheting, it started raining, storming, satellite TV went out.  Glad I mowed when I did.

Now I am heading out the door to get the car maintenance done. 

We have a storm brewing today.  For once I am hoping it doesn't stop with us.  Hope it blows its self south or east.  Our garden is fine, and I have outside work to get done.

Kass is in her last week of school and 4 exams.  She is stressed, but knows the work and will do fine. 

I am off and running be back later.

This week's promise: The whole earth will hear
God uses us

We are Christ's ambassadors, and God is using us to speak to you.

1 Corinthians 5:20 NLT


Storms over Romania

In the summer of 1990, following the overthrow of the communist regime in Romania, a number of Romanian church leaders invited me to return to the country for a preaching mission in four cities. I will long remember the first night in Timisoara. I was preaching the gospel in a stadium that had been built to promote and proclaim communism. When I gave the invitation following the message, I thought my translator, Peter, had misinterpreted what I had said and dismissed the crowd. It seemed as though everyone got up to leave. I then realized the people were not leaving, they were responding to the invitation to accept Christ!

After several nights of rich harvests, we began meetings in the city of Medias. As I was preaching, a storm approached the stadium. The wind began to blow, and I could see a huge black cloud approaching. I knelt on the platform and prayed, "Lord God, there are people in this stadium who have never heard the gospel. They may never have another opportunity. I ask that You stay the storm and allow us to continue."

Several American businessmen in our ministry team were sitting in the top rows of the stadium that evening. They later reported that as the storm approached, it literally divided and went around the stadium. In the path of the storm, houses were destroyed, trees were uprooted, and power lines were downed. But in the stadium, we continued the service, and hundreds of people gave their lives to Christ that night. To God be all the glory!
Steve Wingfield in Live the Adventure

Hello, friends.  We got home from our family reunion last night.  Today I am doing laundry and other chores, and getting ready to pack for Cozumel.

We had a great time reconnecting with family, seeing a new generation of great neices and nephews, and getting to know some of the relatives better.  We didn't have a great turnout, but I told my sister who was hosting us that if it is important to them, they will come, and if not, nothing we can do will persuade them to come.  So we just enjoyed the time together.  We had a lovely church service, sharing what God has done in our lives this past year and expressing our gratitude to Him for the blessings we have received.  It gave me insight into some of them, expecially the men who usually don't talk about things like this.

The flooding in Arkansas is really tragic.  So many problems all over the world, and it will continue to get ever more so until Jesus returns.  They had lots of rain up in north central Kansas where we were, and in Hugoton they got 1 1/2 to 2", but we didn't get even a drop, 27 miles away.  :(  We were really hoping we had gotten rain.

Jane, it is wonderful that you will have an easier life now.  It sounds as if that was Tom's intention for you.  You are truly blessed.

Larry, I hope you get a good report from your doctor and don't wear yourself out with all you need to do today.

I got a call this morning to judge at the Wichita County fair in Leoti in July!  I'm pleased.

(https://www.christianphotographers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fpublic.bay.livefilestore.com%2Fy1pQfsmSKydPiNqh0oT8S1hsnyDrSa2P6tRtjCWOGl4nT-NlmLONT2WeubqXVrzuR4J-uakXnaJ_tZo966FQOwbSA%2F6.14.10%2520Jeanne%2520Lee.jpg%3Fpsid%3D1&hash=6b63756c34af760cac219dc0885a699ad98a93aa)

Good morning from sunny Coos Bay.  It's so pretty this morning, and only a slight wind.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JEANNE!!!!  :) :) :)   Thank you for the devotional.  Such a reminder of our purchase, the Price, and our standing as His. 

Thanks for the birthday greetings.  Beautiful graphic, Marilyn. 

And my wishes for a wonderful birthday for Ruth V, too! 

Just before I came to get on the computer the sun was shining and it was 80 degrees.  Within 5 minutes the sun disappeared and the skies opened up - as if a bucket was suddenly dumped out, and the temperature dropped 10 degrees.  Lasted about 2 minutes and now it's getting brighter again. 

Jeanne, you seem to have progressed in your age.  Do you think you ought to have done that?  For most of us, it seems to do nothing but age us when we do it.  My suggestion is simply to quit doing it.
But, as long as you've gone and done it,
WE'RE GLAD YOU'RE HERE, AND WE CELEBRATE THE MARKER OF WHEN YOU CAME!

Thank you Al.  I think.  :o

LOL Yup Jeanne you are doing better than I am in reading that!!!

Happy Birthday, Jeanne and Ruth V.!!  And many more!

Al how is Marbeth, I have had her in my thoughts & prayers,  and thought I better say something.

Marilyn - Marbeth is supposed to be discharged this coming Thursday.

Hi, there, friends. Surely hope our birthday celebrations have gone well. And, that everyone with "creaky bones n groans" is feeling better. There were 2 celebrations here in the middle Tennessee area this weekend, and as a result, at least one heat-related death. Today's "feels like" temp is approx. 99 degrees.  :o

I'm listening to a nice a capella concert on public tv as y'all talk with me. :)

I'm enjoying their music so much I think I may ask for one of their CDs for an upcoming birthday.

It's good to have Jane back home and much relieved about her economic$ and also to hear how much the kitties at Marilyn's home are enjoying her return. :)

Y'all have a wonderful rest of the day.

Ruth Ann

I never did get my hair washed, I'll do that tomorrow. I have the Chicken and Brown rice casserole in the oven and the covers off the dog beds in the dryer.

The dogs were so happy to see me and couldn't wait to get out and into the car, they cried all the way home. they brought out Happy first and he hates slick floors so that was hard for him.

I loved on him some before I put him in the car and went back in to get Bebe, she practically drug me out the door. Between them they drank about a gallon of water as soon as the got in the house.

They wanted outside for potty  after that. They came in and ate and went out again. They have received a lot of attention since I picked them up and Keith will be home soon.

Thank you, all, for your birthday greetings!

Jeanne Lee..... I'm very honoured to share this day with you. Happy Birthday!!

My daughter and her four children came for dinner and we had a lovely time!  She knows that I am not too fond of cake so she made a special dessert with dessert shells filled with a creamed cheese base with a variety of fruit topped with a glop of whipped cream. They were so delicious!

My son, in Toronto, called plus a few of my friends, so my day really could not have been better!

Hello to everyone in CP. I do come in often and JudyB has been encouraging me to post more..... I guess my the shyness, I had in my youth, has never really gone away!!

Hi everyone.  I really don't have time today to post more than a quick note.  First of all a belated Happy Birthday, Jeanne and Ruth V.

I have a meeting to be in charge of this morning and as soon as I get home we have to heard once again back to where I was yesterday for Pat to see an ENT doctor.  She has developed a hole in the cartilage in her nose.  The doctor she saw yesterday didn't want her to wait to see about it.  She was able to get in for an appointment at 2 pm this afternoon.  So it will be a busy day.

Hello!  We had a lovely day yesterday and have the same kind today.  I'm always thankful for beautiful weather.  Our renter is out mowing.  He lost his job a while back and we told him he can earn his rent by doing the mowing, as Darrel really doesn't feel up to doing it.

I had a chiropractic appointment this morning, then went by to visit Beth and Mom.  We got most of our scuba stuff gathered up and packed yesterday, but I need to search for Abby's log book.  She says "It's at Grandma's."  That covers a LOT of territory!

We heard yesterday that our primary doctor is leaving.  Seems his little girl (about 6 years old, only child) has been being bullied at school, and the school hasn't done anything to stop it!  This is upsetting a lot of people.  Geoff was born and raised here, went off to school and came back home to practice.  He's a great doctor, and his wife is a PA who also sees a lot of patients.  We hope something can be done to persuade them to stay.  It is so hard to get good doctors to live in small towns.   :(

Larry, I hope Pat gets the right treatment for her nose.  That sounds serious!  I have a deviated septum, and sometimes that causes me to get sores inside my nose, but what could have caused a hole?  I hope you don't get over-tired today.  Prayers for you both!

The big O with the big mouth is blabbering away on TV, trying to turn the oil spill crisis into a political advantage for himself.  Makes me sick.

And I'd best not say more, so.....later!  ;)

Janet he makes me sick too. Constantly campaigning.'nuf said.

Not much to say this morning, I need to get busy and shampoo my hair, do  a small load of dark clothes in the washer, I had to  go down  the hill in back of the house to get happy away from that stump again where the raccoon hides.

He tracked that sucker  down the hill while I thought he wasn't going to  go far just to go potty, but he kept on going farther down.  I had to  come back in the house to get my tennis shoes and find a way through the brush to get down the hill. It is like trying to get through a jungle of trees and ferns. I can only thank God that it wasn't wet and slippery or I wouldn't have made down or back up for that matter.

He fooled me good. I was so out of breath and breathing so hard  after climbing back up that hill through the brush and roots, I thought I was going to pass out by the time  we got back  up to the yard.  

Marilyn, I think you, Happy, and the coon ALL had your aerobics exercise for the day. :)

Well, it's time to be off to see the eye doctor. Hope I can get new lenses in an already-owned frame - will be lots cheaper that way. Gotta squeeze those pennies, you know. :)

Much love and appreciation to all.

Ruth Ann

Power of the Spirit

But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.


Acts 1:8 NLT

I love to tell the story of unseen things above, Of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love; I love to tell the story because I know 'tis true, It satisfies my longings as nothing else can do.

I love to tell the story! Twill be my theme in glory—To tell the old, old story of Jesus and His love.

I Love to Tell the Story, Arabella Catherine Hankey (1834-1911)


I Love to Tell the Story

Kate Hankey, the daughter of a prosperous London banker, grew up in a stylish London suburb. She started a Bible class for girls in her neighborhood, and then, when she was only eighteen, Hankey went to London to teach a Bible class of "factory girls." In her twenties, she started other Bible classes for factory girls.

When she was in her early thirties, Kate Hankey became seriously ill. Doctors said she needed a year of bed rest. She was forbidden to teach her Bible classes for twelve months. During her long, slow recovery, she wrote two lengthy poems. The first, at the beginning of her convalescence, later became the hymn "Tell Me the Old, Old Story." The second, written ten months later, became "I Love to Tell the Story."

After ten months she felt strong enough to leave her bed. She soon returned to her Bible classes in London and continued teaching for many years. When she became too old to teach the factory girls regularly, she started a prison ministry in London—even then she continued to tell the story of Jesus.

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Happy Birthday Jeanne Lee and Ruth V. :hb2:

We had a storm last night while I was at Photo Guild.  I watched TV when I got home and then tried to get online.  No internet.  None this morning either.  I called my provider.  Waited 23 minutes to speak to someone.  She didn't help.  But said it wasn't inside the house.

Then today was Euchre and when I got home, I had internet.

Ivalou has a corded telephone with two handsets.  Neither of them was working after the storm.  I fixed them by taking the battery out and plugging it back in.  Then I had to reprogram the directory, time and date.  Got that done. 

Also I was printing with the desktop printer and it quit on me this morning.  So I had to finish printing with the laptop and the Epsom. 

I am going to Battle Creek, Michigan, tomorrow to deliver a Memory Book to one of my classmates who is in a wheelchair.  So I called to reserve a room.  The lady told me at least 4 times how much it was going to cost me and I finally had to tell her that I was in a hurry and to just give me a confirmation number.  She still rambled on but finally I got the number and a number for something else that I don't know why.  Then she wanted me to take a quick survey.  I told her no that I was in a hurry!  I wish business people spoke understandable English!!

Oh, yes!  Happy Belated Birthday, Jeanne and Ruth V. 

Now to go pack so I can leave early in the morning.  I must remember to go to the ATM and get some money also.  Was going to do that on my way home from playing Euchre but I didn't drive!

We had the opportunity to meet up with John as her rolled through town.  We decided on going out for dinner, and had a good time together.  There was so much on the plates that we have enough for tomorrow!  Not sure what the rest of the week holds for him.

I have other work to do, so bye for now.

I think I missed something awhile back, Judy maybe you can answer something for me. When did we start get new devotionals every day? Sometimes more than one?

Hi, friends, I'm back from the eye doctor with the great news that there is no diabetic retinopathy, despite my being diabetic since 1973. Thanks be to our Lord.

I'm very tired, so will go in, lie down, and listen to the President's speech.

Much love to all.

Ruth Ann

We don't They are promises and some like them so I post them.  Don't you like them?

Sure Judy the are fine. I was just wondering why so many.

I missed a day, The promises are so great, that I felt they should be shared.  I don't always add the stories with them though.....

Ruth Ann, that is wonderful news!  As for the speech, we skipped it, two hours of that is way more than we can tolerate, especially since we can't believe hardly anything that comes out of his mouth.  Just my opinion, of course, but has proved so in the past--many times!

Darrel got new glasses recently, he also has no signs of retinopathy, praise the Lord!

We have a fierce wind blowing here today, it is overcast and cool.  I hope  the wind doesn't blow away any chance for rain!  The trees are really whipping out there, and the house (we live in a metal building) is squeaking and groaning.

Today is the day we leave for Cozumel!  I think we have most of our gear together, plus extra for the Crawfords.  They have some, but not four complete sets.  Saturday is my birthday, and I plan to spend part of it under water!!  :) ;) :D ;D

Hi everyone.  Just a couple of minutes to write before leaving for Bible Study with the pastor this morning at the church.  

Pat saw the ENT doctor yesterday and he said there was no sign of infection and that nothing futher was required at this time.  We were both greatly relieved with that news.  

Ruth Ann, that was indeed good news you got from the eye doctor.  Our daughter recently had her eyes checked and no diabetes related problems at this time.  

Etta Sue, hope you have a good trip today and enjoy your visit when you present the Memory Book.  It is very nice of you to deliver it in person.

Janet, sure hope you can convince your doctor to stay in your town.  It would probably be very difficult to get another one there.  Hope you have a wonderful trip and get to do a lot of scuba diving.

Good Afternoon everyone. I have been here 3 times to read but just went on and did other things. I completed a tutorial and did a Photoshop lesson, mopped the kitchen floor and fixed  lunch of leftover Chinese take out from Monday  night's supper.

This afternoon I am going to the Framers Market in Coos Bay (just down the road a piece) and over to the Episcopal Church for a minute. Then back home to walk the dogs. I put their flea med on them this morning. Grubby is in the Master bedroom  sleeping on Happy's very large dog bed that sits on top of the mini trampoline. We don't use that bedroom until it is much warmer weather, with that high ceiling it is so hard to heat.

 :wave: Bye for a while, everybody!  See you in a week or so!

Hello from Battle Creek, Michigan!!


I got here around 11:30am so it didn't take as long as I thought.  203 miles according to my GPS.  Wanda and I have talked and talked and talked some more!  I think we had all the problems of the world settled but when we continued talking, the problems started all over again.  Just like housework.  Never ending job. 

I ate dinner at Bob Evans and now I am in my room.  I need to travel more.  It took me an hour to get internet.  The wireless was going but the internet wasn't.  It was so simple I won't tell you what I had to do to get internet! 

I don't know what time I will leave to go home in the morning.  Not going to set an alarm.  And I will have my GPS take me home by way of State highways instead of the internet.  More of a leisure drive. 

Greetings Friends

There used to be that program called "The week that was" or something to that effect and boy, have I ever had one! God is showing me so much that my eyes can hardly keep up, but my heart can!
I was asked to a wonderful Senior luncheon last Friday and this was with a group of seniors I had never met. In fact, I only knew one person there and she practically had to drag me over there. I am so happy that I went. Besides the great speaker that we had, I got a chance to meet some really dynamic and energetic seniors, doing a whole lot of stuff.  I gathered up as much material as I could and since this was held in a church, I decided to attend this past Sunday and lo and behold ran into co workers from the past and I got hugged and got a chance to hug and suddenly things in my life seemed a lot fuller.
Oh, I have had some success with the book and even with being on a local television program a few weeks ago, but my nest is emptying and the enemy has been trying to convince me that when the last one leaves, I will be totally alone.
What a lie that is. We are never alone. God provides company for us in many different ways and look, we even have our Internet friends to chat with if we feel lonely, but if we didnt have that, we would still have the camaraderie of our Lord and Savior. Thats got to be the best there is!
I am happy to announce that I am going to a Christian women's retreat next week and in July I plan to visit my hometown, Chicago.
Oh! I saved this for last....
When I was at the senior luncheon, I met a very special lady.
Guess what? Her name is Zenobia. It was the first time we had actually ever met someone who shares our name. Of course, we traded phone numbers and she is a writer too. She says that my getting the book done has inspired her. I also met with another lady who wants to collaborate on a play. We did one before in the 1990's. How fun! God is so good to us.
Please pray for a dear friend of mine who is facing risky surgery. We used to be sweethearts a long time ago, and now we are both alone. He lives in Chicago and we went to high school together. He is a concert pianist and has found that there is a tumor growing rapidly in his lymph nodes. The surgery will take five hours at the least and he has been given a shady prognosis, so we talked today and I reminded him of God's love and mercy. I plan to see him while in Chicago.
I have known him since we were fourteen ( me) and sixteen and we have kept in touch over the years. He is now sixty five.
Well, I pray that you are all well, and as promised I am trying to get here as often as I can. You are all special to me.
Blessings Galore, Zee

PS I have embarked on yet another adventure. I planted in the community garden this year. Tomatoes, carrots, onions ( red and yellow) as well as Collard greens and Forget-me-nots in honor of my deceased children. We have had a lot of rain and as this is my first endeavor, my neighbors are lenient with me.
I will take photos and try to post them here. You all know how awful I am at posting photos. Took me forever just to add my own. You are the experts, so I hope I do not embarrass myself!  ???

Zee, Hello!  Isn't it great how God provides?  How can one be alone with God in their presence?  We all have ups and downs.  I truly believe the downs are so we draw closer to God so He can help us. 

Wanda and I had great conversation...almost 8 hours of conversation.  One of the first things she said was she never had good memories of Lapel High School.  I will admit that the girls had a click.  I don't know how I was accepted into their click...I was the only one that didn't attend all my school years with the others.  As soon as Wanda said that, I told her that I was truly sorry that she doesn't have fond memories of Lapel and that I would love your forgiveness if I caused any bad memories for you.  I got an email this morning from Wanda stating that our few hours together diminished those memories.  Kids can be so cruel and I am in sorrow to think that I might have added to her sorrow many years ago. 

I am still in Battle Creek but heading south in a few minutes.  God got me to Battle Creek safe...He will get me back home.  I don't want Him guiding me.  I want Him driving and me in the passenger seat! 

Hi everyone. 

So nice to see you posting Zee as it has been quite awhile. It sounds like have been busy and are getting ready to try some new adventures in your life.

Etta Sue,  hope you had a nice trip back home.  It is sad when people feel they have been left out of the group.  I worry sometimes that folks reading here may get the false idea that we are a clique here on CP but nothing could be further from the truth.  This is always a welcoming and caring place if folks will let us know they are looking in.  Hope you enjoyed the back roads.  It takes a little longer but certainly is less stressful.  The last time we went to Florida we stayed on the State routes until we got to the Florida border and enjoyed the leisurely drive and saw some different places.

Hope that Janet and Darrel got off on their adventure and that they have a great time.  For me scuba diving would be the last thing I would want to do.  A fish might nibble on my toe.

Marilyn, they are starting a couple of farmer's markets in our area.  We haven't visited any of them but my friend always has a big garden and has good produce from it. 

I had coffee and then walked at the gym this morning.  We are getting ready to host the two couples with whom we play Mexican Train this evening.  We always eat out so the hostess only prepares an easy dessert.  Pat had a lemon pie in the freezer and I look forward to that.  She doesn't even have to cook it.  This morning she is making her own mayonnaise for the first time.  This way she will know what is in it.  Hope it turns out well.

Zenobia, how great to see you posting!  Thanks for bringing us up to date with what's been happening in your busy life.   :thumbsup:

Etta Sue, you are probably on the road just now, and I have you firmly in the arms of Jesus as He bring you safely home.

Janet, it sounds as though you will have a wonderful week at Cozumel, and I'm also praying for the Lord's safe keeping for you and Darrel.

Yesterday I had a wonderful visit from my pastor.  We got so involved in our conversation that I completely forgot to offer him the fresh coffee I had waiting!   :(  This morning I put the finishing touches on the monthly financial reports for our county American Legion Auxiliary meeting tonight.  I always breathe a sigh of relief when the figures all match up like they're supposed to.   :)

Jeanne I know you were very relieved when all the numbers matched up. I hate when they don't and I have  look for the mistake, usually mine.  :ticked:

Not much new here today. Yesterday I couldn't find the  Farmers Market. After calling Nita I discovered that I was looking on the wrong side of the street and not even looking in the right direction. I will go on Saturday.

God has been so good to me and I am thoroughly blessed. I am so happy that God brought Keith into my life, He is the best thing that has ever happened to me. You all know the kind of life I had before I received Jesus into my heart. I had been abused by every man that I had ever been with. 'nuf said.

Thank you Jesus!!!

We are in Grand Lake in Grand County, Colorado right now.  Just a tad closer to heaven, don't you think???
altitude:  over 8,000 ft.

Terrible drive yesterday that took us four hours instead of less than two.  The roadwork had everyone going from three lanes to one, uphill and trucks were struggling as they couldn't get a good run at the hill.

JudyB:  I think John is away too much - you called him a HER  :D   Just joshing with you!  Take care.

Don painted a kitchen door yesterday and it dried very quickly but today is too windy so we came to the village  - not many boats out on the lakes.  I bought a little kit of wool fabric to make Christmas ornaments - hand stitch.  My neighbor will help me understand the directions. 

A dear cousin in Sweden died from cancer.  It pains us so much when things happen and we are so far away - she had a top job in the country in social services and was a sweet woman.   Also, our friend who had a stent put in for heart pain is not out of the woods yet and may need open heart surgery.  Last night, the issues were on my sub conscience much too much and I finally dozed off abut 2 AM.  Not good.  We always have a little trouble with the altitude too although we don't want to admit it and don't think about it until we go upstairs carrying a load of something - then, whoosh, it is back to reality & we are not spring chickens anymore. 

Hello Al:  You mentioned Marbeth would be coming home.  Thinking of you and prayers for you situation.

Gord Brown:  Never forgetting you either. 

 

Hello Everyone.

Life has become so busy, busy for me that my visits here seem few and far behind but I always enjoy reading the back posts to try to catch up.  I just am so thankful to Judy for looking after our little "coffee shop" by being a wonderful moderator in this area.  Thanks for the hymns you have posted and I've so enjoyed the promises you've added.

Our "Thoughts for the Week" topic is just that--a place where we can share special spiritual thoughts, hymns, what we're doing, where we're going and just a nice, "Hi there" from our many members.

Thanks Judy!

I was reading an email earlier from Joni (Joni and Friends) and I thought that today I'd share it with you.

It's entitled, "Be a Blessing"



Be A Blessing

I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.
                                                  -- Genesis 22:17-18

         
Make me a blessing, make me a blessing,
Out of my life may Jesus shine;
Make me a blessing, O Savior, I pray,
Make me a blessing to someone today.

Would you like to have assurance that you are enjoying the Lord's favor? There is a way to know, and it's simpler than you might realize.

The clue is in the Scripture for today. God was in essence saying, "Abraham, I am blessing you so you in turn can bless all nations. They will receive something through you, and it is in this way that you will know that my hand of favor is upon you."

For us, the surest evidence that the Lord's hand of blessing is upon us comes when others are blessed through us. When we encourage friends and family in the midst of our trials, we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God's hand of favor is on us. The best part is that those who are being blessed are at the same time being drawn closer to the Lord.

To be blessed by God means being drawn deeper, higher, and further into his heart. Being blessed means feeling his favor, his pleasure, and his delight. It means understanding him in his ways. What a gift to pass on to others!

Is the joy of your relationship with Jesus overflowing to those around you? Is their walk with him different because of you? Is their prayer life growing because of you? Has their witness gone up a notch because something about you has rubbed off on them? If so, rest assured. God's blessing is on you.

* * * * *
　
Lord, the best blessing you can ever bestow on me is Jesus. Help me to get to know him. In turn I'll pass on the blessing that results to others.

Totally frustrated.   :clobber:   :clobber:

I have had 3 posts ready , hit post and there they sit.  I left the last one for an hour and still it sat.  I have shut down 4 times, and all to no avail.  I am wondering if this will work this time!

Pat Thank you for your words.  Much appreciated.

Kass has one exam left, science.  she knows the work and will be fine. She is doing better this semester. Less stressed.  I had a call this morning and she starts work tomorrow after school, at noon.  She has also volunteered at the food bank.  This will go toward her volunteer hours for school as well as cadets.  We picked up a computer for her from Freecycle.  All we need to buy is a mouse!

Yesterday we had a day of rain, all day with no let up.  Today the sun is shining and it is pleasantly warm. 

Kass and her friend are going swimming later.  This girl is amazing.  A strong Christian and high moral standards.  We both love her to bits.  They go to school together, and will be working together this summer.

Well got to go

To those who have not heard

My ambition has always been to preach the Good News where the name of Christ has never been heard, rather than where a church has already been started by someone else. I have been following the plan spoken of in Scriptures, where it says, "Those who have never been told about him will see, and those who have never heard of him will understand."


Romans 15:20-21 NLT

Hi, friends,

I'm pretty tired tonight. Two friends came to help me get the apartment ready for my grandson & his wife to come Saturday, bringing their little one - my very FIRST great grandson. :) You don't think I'm happy do you!!!

What a sight it must have been - something was going on in every room. Before they left, I fixed them a bit of lunch and we enjoyed our conversation.

Y'all have a nice evening.

Thanks be to God for His Unspeakable Gift of our Lord Jesus Christ and for the Comforter He sends also.

Ruth Ann

Good evening Ruth Ann.  It was wonderful talking to you the other night.  John has headed to Indianapolis and will Lord Willing be home Saturday.  Unfortunately he rarely goes down your way. 

I took Kassie swimming tonight.  This is becoming a nightly event.  She enjoys swimming with friends.

I am weary, so will be heading to bed really soon. 
Have a good night and rest well!

I wish I knew John was coming to Indy.  If he is on I-69, I am about 4 miles from it.  Would love to have a cup of coffee with him.  And Judy, when your post wouldn't post, did it have graphics in it?  That's why I quit the animations...took forever to post on CP.

I knew when I left Michigan that I was not going on the interstate but I was on country roads...not county highways or state highways.  I would go a mile or two and turn left, then another mile or two and turn right.  I don't even know where I crossed the state line.  But when I got to SR6, I knew I was in Indiana.  The GPS said to turn left on a country road.  I didn't.  I knew if I stayed on SR6 I would come to a town and a pit stop!  So Lagrange, Indiana, it was.  I hadn't eaten breakfast yet and it was almost 11am. 

So I stopped at a McD and got lunch.  I called my step-daughter with my thinking I would stop in and see her if she was home.  No answer.  So I called Ivalou and told her that according to the GPS, I should be home at 2:14pm.  The rest of the way home I was on State Highways.  Even made another pit stop and pulled in my drive at 2:16.  Maybe GPS stands for God's Patrol System!

I crocheted 4 rounds on the afghan last evening.  I made up for not crocheting the night before.

I have a doctor appointment today at 11.  Pray that this procedure will work for me. 

Etta Sue My Posts don't have the animations.  But When they won't post I click the "Preview" button and then when in the preview page I save.  It works then. John goes to Indianapolis quite frequently.  I will email you.

This is the last day I will have to pick up Kassie from school.  Exams are done, and she is moving on to work this afternoon.  I welcome the end of the running.  I have to leave will be back later.

A reliable messenger

An unreliable messenger stumbles into trouble, but a reliable messenger brings healing.


Proverbs 13:17 NLT

A credible message needs a credible messenger because charisma without character is catastrophe.

Peter Kuzmic


Letters from God

A U.S. ambassador resides in a foreign country and yet lives on U.S.-owned property. Though the laws of that land may differ from ours, the ambassador is still responsible to uphold the laws and rules of his own government. His words and actions can never be wholly his for he does not act in his own capacity. When he speaks, he is a messenger for his government. When he acts, his deeds reflect on the country he represents. We are Christ's ambassadors and therefore his messengers. Too often we think that the message we preach reflects our faith. However, on a much deeper level it is the message of our everyday words and actions that are influential. We are the letter from God that people read. We become unreliable messengers when we speak crudely, gossip about a neighbor, or act dishonestly.

Our words and actions reflect God, who lives inside us, to people who never open a Bible or enter a church. Never forget that you are an ambassador for Christ and a messenger of hope. Ask his Spirit to empower you to deliver the Good News with your life and words.

LORD, thank you for allowing me to be your ambassador. Let my message be honest and true. Help me to encourage others and to go out of my way to speak a kind word. Forgive me for times when I have spoken without thinking. Let me live in such a way that my words and actions represent you so that my message may be one of love and hope.

Hi, friends, I'm committed to take a blind lady somewhere around 3 today, so thought I'd better slip in here now, rather than not come at all. Last minute preps for the grandchildren will take up my evening. :)

Y'all have a wonderful day with our Lord.

Ruth Ann

The Making of a Father
   
   In Canada and in many other parts of the world, the third Sunday of June is specially set aside as the day for all Fathers to be recognized. To me, Father's Day is the day when each of my three daughters was born.
   
   It was on September 21, 1978 when I became a Dad for the first time. I was young, and energetic but surely an inexperienced parent. Although just a rookie in a sense, I fully knew what I was getting into. I wanted to be a father _ the best father I could ever be.
   
    To be the best father a man could possibly be, he must first accept the fact that he has become the student of his child. In my case, I was educated about babies by my first child. I got better in parenting when my second child was born, and became an expert dad by the time my third child arrived.
 
   Just like anything else, you must love what you do to become good at it. Loving your child and loving the fatherly obligations are two separate things. It just makes perfect sense that a father must embrace both without any compromise. 
   
    When you give a toy to a child, the act of giving is not complete until you and your child play with it. Children need attention and plenty of it. Toys can be forgotten but the quality time you spent together will stay forever; the same way as I remember my own father.
   
    As a little boy, I flipped through the colorfully illustrated pages of the book, Arabian Nights. I was captivated by the pictures, but nothing can surpass the thrill of listening to my Dad's story-telling of "Aladdin and His Magic Lamp." It was the only children story he ever told me, but I have always cherished it all my life.
 
    My eldest daughter has now a little girl of her own, a two year old girl. Babysitting my granddaughter is like re-living those very special moments of my early fatherhood. And being a grandfather, well... it sort of makes me feel like a young father again, pushing a stroller, singing lullabies, reading and telling children stories and playing make-believes.
   
    On June 20th, all fathers will be acknowledged by their families and by most of the media. But there is something more significant for me on the month of June. I became the Father of The Bride for the second time. I walked up the aisle of St. Michael's Cathedral with my second daughter to the wonderful man who changed her maiden name. She has dropped my name but she will always call me Papa.
   
    On Father's Day, I urge everyone to say a prayer for all the fathers in the world and may you remember to praise God, the Father of all fathers. Amen.

I received a message in my email from Kevin.

QuoteOur eldest son is getting married today.  I was going to post that at CP, but haven't been able to get into the site.  Everyone's been really busy with the prep, so I haven't posted much.


God's best to you!


Kevin

I pray God's blessing on his son and the entire family.  May their lives reflect the love of our Lord and Saviour!

I had trouble with the site until I just tried a gain a few minutes ago.

We are going to get Thai food take out for supper this evening. There is a place in Coos Bay that we want to try and I think it is take out only. We will find out when we get there.

It has been  beautiful day, however a little on the chilly side at 59° I did walk the dogs with out a sweater, won;t do that again.

59º ??  It was close to 70º on my porch just a few minutes ago!  I did get out and use the weedeater all around my place this morning.  It was a chore, for sure!  I have been gone so much lately that the grass and weeds have really responded to all the rain these past weeks/months.

Now, I am ready to go to the store and find a hedge clipper that will help me get after all the shrubs that have decided to grow rapidly! 

I am pretty worn out from my outdoor excursion this morning, but there is still yard work needing my attention so I will just have to "suck it up" and get after it.   :-\

Y'all take care and I'll be back d'rectly.... Have a great weekend if I don't manage to get here all that d'rectly, tho.   :D

I want to say a hearty AMEN to what Mario said.  Oh may we be like our heavenly Father!

And then - Kevin:  May our Father greatly bless your son and make him thankful every day for the rest if his life to the God Who gives him this wonderful gift.

Homesick for God

The woman left her water jar beside the well and went back to the village and told everyone, "Come and meet a man who told me everything I ever did! Can this be the Messiah?" So the people came streaming from the village to see him.


John 4:28-30 NLT

How many people have you made homesick for God?

Oswald Chambers (1874-1917)

Hi everyone.  It is going to be another very hot day here in Georgia and the heat seems to sap my energy.  I found myself very tired yesterday and went to bed early. 

Our daughter came out yesterday and spent the night with us so we can celebrate Father's Day.  Pat made a nice dinner last evening and we had a nice time.  We will take her back home late this afternoon.  She and her mother have gone to Wal-Mart early this morning to get some things she needed. 

Another storm across Indiana last night.  Lots of rain.  Puddles and new ponds everywhere!  I was going to mow today but it is predicting rain again today and tomorrow.  But right now the sun is shining bright!! 

Ivalou and I went out to eat yesterday at a Steak House.  I got a great steak and she got Enormous Nachos.  What a plate of Nachos.  But then, the menu said 'enormous'. 

I got more done on the afghan.  10 more rounds. 

Today I am dusting and sweeping.  Either that or throw grass seed on the carpets and mow!!

Good Morning God is so good, the sun is shining and it is a beautiful day.  The rain that God provides has made everything so green and pretty. Thank you Father for  the rain.

I am going to the Farmers market this morning, I did find it last evening when we went to Coos Bay to pick up some Thai food for supper.

Mario/Laughing Peppers, thank you or sharing  about what it takes to make a father. I wish I had -had a father like that. and that my children would have also. My sons have turned out to be great fathers, it amazes me  what good fathers they are.

It is bright and sunny here in Indiana also.  Looks to be a beautiful day today! 

Today's devotions were about Dads.  Mine has been gone 23 years and I still miss him.  Dad and I had a special bond...  I felt loved by him in many ways even those he could be grumpy and grouchy.  I miss you, Dad. 

I am ready for church and Sunday School.  I imagine us ladies will go out to eat somewhere.  After that I am not sure.  I don't like to mow on Sunday but maybe I should since it was too wet yesterday and it is predicting rain for tonight.  And of course, do some more crocheting.  Only 6 rounds to go!  Whoo-eee!  I don't like crocheting on a time budget!  

Hi everyone.  Another very, very hot day here in Georgia for today. 

We will go to church in less than an hour.  Our choir is going to be very small today as lots of folks are away and/or will not be able to attend.  We expect only two men, one bass and one tenor.  The anthem we are singing has a couple of places where only the men sing but the choir director called me (and several others) on Thurday and said that part could be made for everyone to sing so we are going ahead with the anthem today.  It is not a difficult piece.  We should have more of the choir back next week, which will be our last week to sing until August as we take the month of July off.

We had a nice visit with our daughter and took her home yesterday.  I have no idea whether I will hear from our son today or not. 

I did not feel well yesterday and spent a lot of time resting and then retired for the night about 9 pm and slept until about 8 am this morning.  I do enjoy the one day I don't have to get up as early to get to coffee.  However, getting up earlier the days of the week is well worth it to be able to enjoy the fellowship and friendship of these men who come to coffee.

We will probably eat out after church and then spend the rest of the day quietly, as usual.

Hope everyone has a wonderful day.

This week's promise: Blessings come from obeying God
What is a blessing?

Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with scoffers.

Psalm 1:1 NLT

Time to start a new week HERE (http://www.christianphotographers.com/community/index.php?topic=10082.0)