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Morning Devotional...





If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes. Second Corinthians 2:10–11


The devil is wise, and shrewdness is all that we may properly attribute to him, since sound moral judgment is an ingredient of wisdom and this the devil does not possess.

Further thought might require that we modify our belief that he is shrewd in any other than the most superficial meaning of the word: for shrewdness carries with it ability to plan ahead successfully, and apparently the devil is unable to do this. The truly shrewd man does not get caught in his own trap, but the devil has been caught in his not once but many times.

A shrewd strategist knows when to attack and when to call off the attack and withdraw. This the devil never seems to know. Bible history will show that he frequently went too far and defeated his own purposes over and over again.

One example of this was the heat he turned on the Hebrews in Egypt. Pharaoh had a pretty neat thing going (from his standpoint) when he managed to get all the able-bodied men among the Hebrews to work for him free. A great army of laborers was busy making bricks for the vast building activities of Egypt, and these bricks were costing Pharaoh not one cent. They were being made by slave labor. Had Pharaoh been wise, or even shrewd, he would have eased the pressure on the Hebrews a little and so continued to enjoy the benefits of their free labor for years to come. Instead he imposed impossible terms, drove the afflicted Hebrews to their knees and brought God to their rescue. Surely the devil overshot himself that time.


Though it appeared that Satan was immensely successful in choking the life out of the struggling Hebrews, his scheme was ultimately defeated and the Hebrews freed from Egypt. As believers we must be alert to Satan's schemes but it is in Christ that we triumph, not in ourselves.



It is in You, Lord, that I am safe. Out of You I am easy prey to Satanic entrapment.

From Devotions By Dr. Tozer

Hi everyone.  It is to be a typical summer day here in Georgia with sun and clouds, a high of 91 and possibility of a stray shower this afternoon.  Pat and I are going to church this morning and then out to lunch somewhere with our friends and then will stay in and stay cool the rest of the day. 

Judy, good to see your posting and it sounds like you and John are staying super busy.  There seem to be a lot of tornadoes and other bad weather this year although I suppose it is no different than in other years.

Janet, perhaps you are overdoing the workouts.  Glad you were feeling better yesterday and hope you had a good nights rest last night.

Ruth Ann, hope the movie was to your liking and you had a nice, restful day yesterday. 

Judy, our gas prices jumped about ten cents this last week apparently related to the deterioration in Iraq.  I paid $3.65 per gallon yesterday when I filled up my PT Cruiser, certainly not as bad as you are having it. 

Don, thanks for that fine devotional of this week.     

Thanks for the devotional this morning, Don.  Sometimes it's easy to see where Satan is working and sometimes it's easy to be deceived and realize it only later.

Gas prices are climbing here, too.  And now the airlines, bus companies and railroads will raise fares.  I imagine a lot of people will be staying close to home.

Good Morning Folks...

Don, what a wonderful thought this morning.  Thanks for that.

Quote
It is in You, Lord, that I am safe. Out of You I am easy prey to Satanic entrapment.

Oh, that we might stay close to the Savior!

Well, I just got caught up with the posts I missed  in last week's "Thoughts" and I'm so sorry that I missed saying "Happy Birthday" to you, Janet.  Paul was to leave on Monday, then Tuesday and then Wednesday and on Thursday evening he left at 8 pm to head south to Virginia.  He drove all night getting in at about 4:30 am. 

I've been trying also to do my gardens a little bit here and a little bit there with a sore hip!    Paul did some digging to loosen up some horrible weeds that caught hold while I was in Virginia the last time and that will be a bit easier for me to get them out.  The name of them is Garlic Mustard and they came to my garden from the city property through my back fence and they truly are such a horrible invasive weed.  When I arrived back from Virginia they were higher than my irises and peonies and so I had to get to work which I did off and on last week.  I also had Aaron three days minding him so that cut my computer time down immensely.

Any way...

Oh dear, Pat!!  I missed wishing you a happy birthday!  And you were SO MUCH OLDER than me, I really am embarrassed to show such disrespect!  Please forgive me, now that I have caught up with you again.         You are such a wonderful friend and I just wish there were a way for us to spend some quality time together.  Love you, girl.  Please don't work too hard in your gardens.

Yes, Larry, I think I did overdo the workouts last week.  I just never want to say I can't do something.     and so sometimes wind up paying the price in sore muscles.  It was over 100* here yesterday, I don't know how hot it is today, but not as bad.  We have the south garage door open, though and I think I'll go close it before it gets any hotter.  Oops!  Darrel already did!

I must start making lists of groceries to buy for the reunion.  Darrel is the treasurer, so we will buy the ingredients, but everybody helps prepare the food.  I surely wouldn't want the whole job by myself!

Judy, I'm sure glad our gas isn't that high---at least, not yet.  Too high as it is.  I expect lots of people will have "stay-cations" this summer.  My kids--Diane, Jeff and Abby have gone to Yellowstone National Park this week!  I love that place, have been there twice, and I think every American should visit that park!  There is no place like it on the earth!

I need to get a reunion email out, see if I can get some idea of how many to expect!

Hi everyone.  Just back from coffee at McDonald's on a bright and sunny morning.  They are predicting some heavy rain/storms starting about 4 pm.  I am staying home today but need to get out this evening to attend a meeting. 

Pat, I am amazed that Paul is able to drive all night as he does without getting very sleepy.  Do you have a large garden?

Janet, having grown up in the Midwest I know about those hot summer days.  Hope it will cool down on the day of your reunion.  I did go through Yellowstone when I moved back from Alaska to Illinois and had to drive back from Seattle.  I also remember how beautiful it was as I drove into Coeur d'Alen, Idaho as drove around a very large lake and it was in the late afternoon with the sun through the trees.  Unfortunately Pat has never been in that part of the country as she had stayed in Missouri with the kids when I went back to Alaska to close out our affairs and to move as got the job offer while we were in Missouri on vacation. 

We were shocked and greatly saddened yesterday evening at the news of the sudden death of my niece Jo Anne's husband.  This is my sister Shirley's daughter.  Kenneth was apparently in great health, enjoyed riding his bicycle for miles every day and snapping photos of God's creation along the way; then posting them on Facebook with his comments.  He apparently fainted, it was seen by people who were following him in a car.  But he didn't faint; he was dead when he hit the ground, and his bike wasn't even scratched!  Besides his wife, he leaves five grown children and several grandchildren.  He was only 58 years old.  This reinforces what I strongly believe:  we should all live ready, because we never know at what moment we will be called home.

I have no idea yet how this will affect the family reunion.  It may not even happen now.  The death is under investigation, as are all unattended deaths.  Prayers for the family are appreciated.

Beautiful day here so far, with cooler air and no wind.  Thank you, Lord!

Much to do; be back later.

Janet, what a shock!  Prayers for the family will indeed be needed and you can be sure of mine. 

Ohhhh, Janet!  I'm truly so saddened to read this news.

My sympathy to you and the whole family circle. 

Hi, friends,

Yes, I, too, am saddened to learn of your nephew's death. We know it will come to each of us, but a sudden death seems very tragic to all who are left behind. My condolences to each of you.

Larry, they say I'll get storms here this afternoon, with 80% chance of rain tomorrow. Oh, well, the crops need the water, and it tends to cool down the atmosphere somewhat.

I'm so sorry you're working so hard in your garden, Pat, with a sore hip. May God grant you the strength needed to complete your tasks, and then to be with you as you heal.

Don, I really enjoyed reading the devotional - it's good food for thought.

Hello to all my friends who come here but don't have much to say. We love you and value your comments.

Love to all,
Ruth Ann

We were at Melaura's graduation today.  She is such a beautiful young lady, and to have worked so hard to complete this final course is wonderful.  We enjoyed our time with her, Tyler and the kids.

We are having wonderful weather, however it looks like rain for tomorrow.  We have a Grade 8 grad to go to and then home Wednesday.

The Doctor has added a medication for the stomach, and it appears to be working.  I forgot to take it this morning, and sure feel the difference.

Have a great evening everyone!

Hi everyone on a very dark and cloudy morning here in Georgia.  I stayed home and rested most of the day yesterday.  I do plan on getting out for a meeting this morning and that will be it for today.  Pat plans on joining some of the church ladies as they make little cloth dolls for children in need.  I think they also make a teddy bear.  Sure is nice to see you feeling up to doing these things. 

Janet, what a shock for your family to lose Kenneth so suddenly.  You are so right as we never know when our time will come.  Was he the father of Shirley's grandson that went to Africa with her on the mission trip?

Ruth Ann, I just checked and we have only a 60% chance of rain this afternoon and evening.  We had only a sprinkle yesterday but it sure cooled things down. 

Judy, so glad to read that Melaura has completed her courses and has now graduated.  Glad the new medicine is helping your stomach situation. 

Hi, friends,

It's been kind of a lazy day today. I think I'll stay in and accomplish a few things in the apartment.

Y'all have a good day.

Ruth Ann

Good memory, Larry!  No, Eli, who went with Shirley to Africa, is the son of her middle son.  That son was killed in a terrible trucking accident when Eli was only four years old.  This is her only daughter's husband.

The coroner's report said Kenneth died from hardening of the Aortic valves, that they were nearly as hard as a rock; and that even had he been in a hospital, there was probably nothing they could have done to save his life.  So now his family knows the HOW, and the WHY will be known when they (we) join him in heaven.  His service will be Saturday at 10 AM in Emporia.  Darrel and I are planning to go.  It's a long drive, but we want to support them.

We got more accomplished in preparing for reunion this afternoon.  We both had chiropractor appointments this morning.

I wish you all many blessings from our loving Lord.

Hi everyone.  It is a clear morning and only a small chance of rain today.  Yesterday we had a couple of brief showers. I had another down day yesterday, which made three in a row, and stayed home all day.  I seem to be feeling better this morning so plan on the usual Wednesday morning activities of coffee at McDonald's, Bible study and then a visit to Dunkin' Donut.  I do need to go to the local Kaiser pharmacy to pick up a prescription.  That will be it for today.

Janet, I had forgotten Eli's name so thanks for the info.  Nice that you and Darrel are planning on attending Kenneth's funeral.  At least the family know that nothing could have likely saved him with the condition that he had.  It sounds like the reunion is still a go. 

Hi, friends,

Larry, I'm sorry that you had to endure 3 days in a row of wishing you felt better.  Hopefully you will begin to rebound from that today. We love you and are supporting you in prayer.

Wow, Janet, y'all surely stay on the go. Atta girl! 

To everyone else, howdy and I hope you're taking good care of yourselves.

Ruth Ann

G'Morning    While i have a bit of free time, I thought I'd stop by and see what everyone's doing.

I have been in California since last Friday and have managed to get a few things crossed off that never ending to-do list!  I am currently waiting for the mail to bring me the (finally) new title and registration on this manufactured home.  It has been a long haul, but I went to the Title and Registration office one more time to fill out a change of address form (they had sent the title and registration to a wrong address!) on Friday afternoon, and it was to be in the mail "right away"

In the meantime I contacted a tree service to come and trim/prune three trees and a huge bush.  I got the estimate yesterday, and was told to "call for an appointment"  which I did ... and am now waiting for them to call me back with said appointment.  I said I won't be here after this week and, of course, was told I could just leave the check with my daughter!  Just so they get their money, right?

Gary, with heating and air conditioning, is supposed to be here in about an hour to check and tune-up the a/c.  It has not been cooling at all, and the blowers are not blowing (enough) so Dot and Becky have been using a box fan and that does little in allaying the very hot temperatures here.... For sure, this Oregonian is not tolerating the triple digits!

Saturday, I went to my grandson David's place, hung out with his wife and kids, and then he took me to his favorite tire shop and supervised the installing of four new tires on my car!  Got a good price, too, and far better than I would have done on my own.  Add to that the pleasure of being with his amazing family for the first time in years and the enjoyment of a great meal. 

Got to spend time with Candice and my newest great granddaughter, too.  Everyone seems happy and in good health.  Jessica, another granddaughter, is out at Sierra College right now testing for admission in the Fall Semester.  That makes three, in that family who will be in school ... Dot and Becky are going to MTI and now Jessica will be in Sierra College.  Dot is taking medical billing and coding and Becky is working toward a Paralegal certification.  Jessica wants to become a teacher.

The weather channel promises it will be "only" 89º today, and about the same tomorrow, but heating up for the weekend.  I am hoping to be headed back to my cool corner of the south coast of Oregon before then.  Hopefully I can make it before I have a heat stroke.   

I'll be back as I have the opportunity, but please know that I am thinking of y'all and will be checking in often.  (using my daughter's computer while she's at school.)

Jane, it is lovely to read your post today.  You are staying busy, for sure!  Hey, 89 sounds pretty nice to me!     It has been above 100 here several days, but the past three days have been wonderful, we got little showers at night and then it stayed cooler all day.  It's warmer again today, though, but that hot, dry wind isn't blowing, so this ol' girl is happy!   

Larry, I am so glad you are feeling better today, and I hope it is a long time before you have another 'down' day.  Those are not fun, for sure.  We love you and are praying for you.

Hi, Ruth Ann!  Yep, if you ever run out of things to do, just come stay with me a while and I will try to find something to keep you busy!     I know you are busy, too, as you ae always helping others, God bless you.

I have some pots and an old bathtub ready to plant flowers in, will do that late this evening when the sun isn't quite so hot.  I'm hoping the wind won't destroy them.

Need a nap, see you later!

Well, Janet, I just checked the weather for Coos Bay and it's raining and 54º ... that's what I'm looking forward to!    

The a/c guy came today and found there was absolutely NO freon!  I'd say that's a really good guess why we couldn't get cool here!  He added 5 pounds for a hefty price, and will be back tomorrow to clean the ducts which are 50% clogged.  Just more expense.  All in all I am out a lot of $$$ to get this place back to near normal and comfortable for Dot to live here ... not to mention appease the park manager. 

We got a notice that, beginning July 1, there will be a new management group taking over for this mobile home park.  The thought has been expressed that maybe they'll fire the manager on premises ... hmmm.  She sure has been giving me (and several others) grief for a long time ..... which is strange because she has always, in the past, thought Tom and I were "good people" and never had a problem with us. Things and times change, though.

Hi everyone.  It is a clear and bright morning.  My schedule is light today but do have a couple of things to do this morning.  I will go to Walmart for a few items and then go on to my Thursday Men's Luncheon.  Today we are meeting at an Asian Buffet we have visited numerous times before.    That will likely be it. Yesterday afternoon we finally went to our local farmer's produce market that is held in our park each Wednesday afternoon.  We were able to get some Georgia peaches, a couple of pounds of pecans and some other vegetables.  Finally we got a pound of smoked brisket that is great.  I know because we had it for supper last night.  I did feel back to my old self yesterday and the tiredness had departed. 

Ruth Ann, thanks for your comments and your prayers.

Jane, hope you get the new title at last.  What an ordeal for you.  It sounds like this has been a maintenance and repair trip for you this time.  Glad you got new tires before you had a problem with them.  Nice that David could help you with this.  Always good to get more schooling as that broadens the opportunities for work.  Glad you were able to get some computer time and gave us the update on your busy schedule. 

Janet, nice to get a cooler day every once-in-a-while.  It wasn't quite as hot here yesterday either.  Planting in containers should mean you don't have to bend over as far as when they are in the ground. 

Larry I am sorry you have not been feeling well. Could this be weather related?

We had two days of rain going down for the graduation of Heather's daughter.  We picked Pat up on the way and had a nice visit with her.  I am really surprised at the tado that is made of grade 8 grads.  One person suggested that this would be the only graduation some children would have as they were not expected to pass grade 12.  Sad because kids should be expected to finish to 12 as well.  I have always felt the lower the expectation the lower the accomplishment.

We have a beautiful day here, sun shining and a lovely blue sky.  I have grass to mow so I had better get at it!

Well haven't posted in a while so thought I would share a few thoughts tonight. Tomorrow is the last day of school here in Ontario and the little darlings will be off for a summer of fun and driving dad and mom crazy. School bus companies have a couple of months to do school bus maintenance and get them all ready for start up in Sept. As for me I will be kept quite busy this summer with things around home and some photo trips here in the area we live in. Really getting lots of enjoyment out of this new camera. Still experimenting with it in many ways and am pleased with some of the results that I am getting. Looking forward to this summer. I have not had much of an opportunity to enjoy our property during the summer while I was running over the road but this summer I will finally be able to fully take this all in. Gas prices have sky rocketed around here so we will really be limiting our travel this summer. But that's OK as we really do live in resort country up here in the north. Think I will even get some fishing time in this year and some canoeing on the river. Something we have been wanting to do for years and never got around to it. The weather is warming up nicely here. I think summer has finally arrived.  Well going to run for now Blessings everyone.

John, it sounds like you will be having a wonderful summer.

Well, the hot, dry winds came back just in timed to cook the plants I put out yesterday.    I think I will give up and buy some silk ones!

Our plan is to leave in the morning, heading to Emporia for Kenneth's service, and returning after church on Sunday.  Try to miss me while I'm gone, will you? 

Hi everyone on a very muggy and overcast morning here in Georgia.  They say we could have some showers later this afternoon.  I have the ROMEO's men's luncheon at 11:30 and that will be it for the rest of the day.  Still  feeling  exhausted.

Judy, I think the heat has something to do with it as it seems to sap my energy.  It is sad that some kids are already given up on by the time they finish the 8th grade. 

John, good to see your posting.  Our schools have been out for several weeks and will be starting again in early August.  Hope you do find time to get some fishing in. 

Janet, silk plants sounds like a good idea.  We did that for a planter basket we have on the sun porch and they stay looking nice.  If they are pleasing to the eye who cares if they are silk for real.  With the silk no watering is needed.  We will miss you and hope you have a good safe trip for this sad occasion for your family. 

Hi everyone.  Another overcast morning on its way to becoming a hot day.  I had coffee at McDonald's with nine other men this morning and will attend a meeting in a little while.  Then plan on just having an enjoyable and restful day.  I did enjoy the ROMEO's group yesterday at Olive Garden.  We only had four men attend but had a nice conversation and the food was good. 

Larry, it sounds as though you're not as "wrung out" today.  I hope you get home and can rest before the heat and humidity get unbearable. 

It is a beautiful morning here and I have been up for two hours now sipping coffee with chocolate cream. Finished my 30 minute walk while listening to a Joel Rosenburg book. This one centers on the end of days and gives all the bible forecasts of what is to come.  I finished 90Minutes in Heaven yesterday. That is for our lunch with church friends this week and one gal has moved to an apartment that has all facilities    Expensive but she will be safe and enjoy this new way of life.   We all bring a salad and discuss the chosen book.  Very dear people.
Have a wonderful weekend!