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Morning Devotional...





Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world. John 18:36


In the kingdom of God, the surest way to lose something is to try to protect it, and the best way to keep it is to let it go. This was the word of our Lord Jesus Christ: "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross!" Christ turned from the fallen world of Adam and spoke about another world altogether, a world where Adam's philosophy is invalid and his technique inoperative. He spoke of the kingdom of God whose laws are exactly opposite to those of the kingdom of men. So, the true Christian is a child of two worlds. He lives among fallen men, but when he is regenerated, he is called to live according to the laws and principles that underlie the new kingdom. He may, then, find himself trying to live a heavenly life after an earthly pattern—and this is what Paul called "carnal" living. That is why it is vitally important to move up into the life of the Spirit of God. Give up your earthly "treasures," and the Lord will keep them for you unto life eternal!


Christ turned from the fallen world of Adam and spoke about another world altogether, a world where Adam's philosophy is invalid and his technique inoperative.



Lord, make the lure of that which I cannot keep pale in the light of that which I will never lose.

From Devotions By Dr. Tozer

Don, thank you for today's devotional.  The closing prayer by Dr. Tozer is very apt.   

Great thoughts, Don!

Happy Sunday, everyone!

Very good devotional, Don!

Hi everyone.  The morning is starting out cloudy and dreary looking but the forecast has been changed to only a 51% chance of slight participation two or three times during the day.  We ate at Arby's yesterday after church and later in the afternoon I finished up our taxes for last year.  I had e-filed them and in sorting some files in my desk I found another 1099 for some savings bonds I had cashed earlier last year.  So I went ahead and prepared an amended return but the instructions say to wait until after the small refund we are do is received as often the IRS will pick up the omission and deduct the additional tax due.  However, if needed I have the form ready to mail in.  Today I plan on attending a meeting and then Pat and I may go to Aldi's while we are over in that area.  I also have a couple of projects in mind to do here at the house.  Otherwise it should be a relatively quiet day.

Happy Monday, which means back to the usual routine.  We have been to the gym and had a good workout, now home to begin whatever tasks are needing done.  I made a small list earlier, so just need to stay on track.

We enjoyed being with friends at our Connections Group meeting last night.  It's about the only fellowship time with others from our church that we have, since the congregation has outgrown the building, and the former fellowship hall is now used for children's activities, so we seldom have3 a meal together or other things including a lot of people.  This should change when we get to move into the building that was donated to us.

It seems to be a fine day here, partly cloudy and not too cool.

Janet:  That will be so nice when your group has a building.  It means so much to gather and keep up with each other.  I am missing my Wed. women's bible study at home and I wanted them to put it on podcast like they do with the sermon.  Why not?  There are so many women who can't always come.  Anyway, I will keep asking when I get back.

Just cutting some fabric for a little gift giving and wouldn't you know?  I had to make a mistake - but all is well.  That is why I buy extra fabric.     No time to sew here - I am not even going to say who is coming this week. 

Don had a nice chat with the VA and now has a certain person he will meet with whenever in AZ.  The only way they cauterize a nosebleed anymore is if he goes to the ER.  I suppose lawyers and lawsuits have changed that too. 

I made a cheese and Keibalsa sausage soup yesterday and blended it so it will be ready for tonight's meal too.  The crock pot is doing overtime here and I stick it on the patio to keep the kitchen cooler. 

Have a blessed night's sleep everyone.   

Hi, friends,

It's been a relatively busy day with the housekeeper here and then out to a meeting and some shopping at Walgreens.

Now, it's REALLY good to be here with all of y'all.

Have a wonderful evening with our Lord.

Ruth Ann

Hi everyone.  It is clear and sunny morning here and it is suppose to get up to 75 degrees this afternoon.  At eleven this morning Pat and I will attend our first meeting of the seniors group at the Church we are attending. There will be a meal and then a program with a Patsy Cline impersonator.  I am looking forward to the day.  We also have to make a stop at the post office to mail a package and then a stop at the library to return items that are due today.

The yard people are here this morning. I think starting next month they will be here every week to mow and to trim throughout the growing season.  They put down new pine straw here yesterday around our bushes and trees.  Apparently this is done a week or so before the Master's Golf Tourney. 

Janet, your church is fortunate to have a building donated to it that will allow you to have fellowship activities including eating. 

Carol, an interesting idea about doing the Podcast of your Bible study.  That could probably be done very easily with software on a smart phone as it would create an MP3 or MP4 file.  Your "mistake" in cutting your fabric gives you more scraps to use in other projects.  My wife doesn't through any material away except very small scraps.  Currently she on a project to "debone" men's shirts and even found some at the thrift store here plus some I had discarded for a frayed collar or some other reason.  I had never heard the term deboning before but it simply means reclaiming as much of the shirt fabric as possible for use elsewhere.  Glad Don could get established with a VA doctor that he likes.  Is he going to have the cauterization done?

Ruth Ann, it sounds like you had plenty on your schdule yesterday.  Always good to see your posting. 

Good morning!  It is rather cloudy here this morning, and I even heard a few drops of rain hitting the air conditioner outside the window.  It would be so nice were we to get some rain!

Larry, thanks for the explanation of the term "deboning".  My thought on first seeing that was that Pat was taking the stays or 'bones' out of the collars of the shirts, and I wondered what she was planning to use those for, but see she is to use the fabric of the shirts!    In our painting class some time ago, we made aprons from men's shirts that were rather cute.  I remember when I was a kid (many moons ago!) that Mom always had us cut all the buttons off a garment before it was put into the rag bag.  I have her button box still.  When I was little, it was a real treat when she would allow me to play with those buttons, and I was careful not to lose a one!  Memories! 

We will go to the gym shortly, and then I have several tasks planned for the day, including continuing to get rid of excess stuff from this house.  The kitchen and living room are done and today I plan to tackle the laundry room.  It feels SO much better when the clutter of too much "stuff" goes away! 

I wish each of you a blessed day with our wonderful Lord!

Janet I still save buttons that way.  However John was asked to make wooden buttons for a friend's crochet project, 2"buttons that turned out beautifully.  I am knitting a sweater for myself and he will be asked again to make buttons.  This time about an inch.  Can't wait to see what he makes of that challenge.

Yesterday I was at a women's Bible study and the subject was the woman who touched the hem of Jesus' garment.  Imagining how she would feel being found out.  We went into Old Testament law to find the  reason for her "shame".  It was very interesting. 

Well I am off we are measuring for renovations and hope to start soon on them.

Judy, I remember that John was making buttons.  I would love to see some of his creations!  I still love buttons, and have lots of them around. 

 

Hello everyone, I had to go to the Chiropractor this morning, I had  a terrible pain in my neck and shoulder, He fixed me up and told me to baby it and use ice for about a week. Back to doing just legs at the gym for a while maybe this adjustment will hold, I sure hope so.

I'm starting the dogs on an Holistic food from the Health food store,, with only 6% fat which will be good for Bebe. The Vet said to keep iot under 10% and this is the only kind I could find under that amount. It is called Holistic Blendz from  the Solid Gold pet food company.

We had a buyer for Keith's office last week who made a low offer, tour relator counter with a higher offer and they reneged on the sale. Oh well someone else will come along.

Marilyn:  Great that the chiropractor was able to help your shoulder pain. 

Larry:  There is a group in CO calling themselves the "Scrap Happy Club".  I have collected buttons forever - cutting them off before discarding if something was too awful to donate.  Sometimes they come in handy.

JudyB:  What did you learn about the woman's shame in your study?

Hi everyone on an overcast morning but with the prospects of getting to 77 degrees today.  Today we may make our first trip to Aldi's since moving here.  Also this evening is the Wednesday night dinner at church and the Bible study with the pastor.  Our son was here yesterday morning to do a few projects and plans to be back late this afternoon to do a few more.  We had a very enjoyable time at the Senior luncheon yesterday at church.  The meal was Italian themed and delicious.  The program was s lady who sang a number of songs by Patsy Cline wearing a costume like Patsy Cline wore.  She had a wonderful voice and did a very nice program. 

Janet, my mother also had a button box and I think Pat has the same thing, which should be added to quite a bit with the shirts she is taking apart.  With the cost of buttons today that is a nice thing to have.  We are also enjoying our "uncluttered" home.

Judy, John must be quite a craftsman to be able to make buttons. 

Marilyn, no fun in terrible neck and shoulder pain.  Hope it stays at bay after your treatment yesterday. Too bad about the sale of Keith's office. 

Carol, the "Scrap Happy Club" sounds like something Pat would like. 

Good morning!  I am still on the green side of the grass!   It is nearly time to go to lunch if we are going to the Sr. Ctr. but I wanted to stop in and greet you before I go!

I shall return!

Here's my girl (Joy) sporting a new haircut, with a good friend from her church.  Still smiling!

WHEE!  Above freezing!!! 

The snow piles are melting slowly - which is good, in order to avoid flooding.  But we may be getting some heavy rain tonight and tomorrow morning, which might bring some trouble, especially for the lower parts of town.

Janet, I don't know what you mean by "the green side of grass" but it sounds good.   

Jane, what a great photo of Joy.  Thanks for sharing it with us.   

Jane, Joy looks wonderful!  Praise God, Who is still in the healing business!

Jeanne---think about it---the roots of grass are not green!       So I am still above ground! 

I had hard workouts both yesterday and today.  Yesterday I did a mile on the treadmill in 15 minutes, at a grade of 1 1/2%, followed by a lot of weight work, lunges, etc; then today a mile on treadmill at 4 MPH and at a 3% grade, followed by 27 sets of abdominal stuff.  And now, when I stand up to walk, I'm going Ow!  Ow!  Ow! with every step!  And tomorrow she wants me to do some hard intervals.....   I surely am thankful I'm healthy and strong for my age!

After lunch I went to read to Beth, but didn't stay long because they came to take her for Bingo.  So I've had a nice little nap instead!  Not intentional, though.   

Our Kansas wind is showing its strength again today.  Ugh.  But it is nice and warm, at least.

Son in Law Jeff is in their community theater play on Saturday night, so we will go to support him.  He's quite a ham, and really enjoys acting.

I don't have much of interest to say, so I won't say it! 

Janet, thanks for that explanation.  It makes sense and I'm sure glad you're green!   

         Any day on the green side of the grass is a good day!

Hi, friends,

I had never heard the "green side of the grass" comment before. Thankfully, we're all still on the green side.

I took my sister in law to Captain Ds seafood restaurant for lunch, and we both enjoyed it. Then, we stopped by the pharmacy to pick up prescriptions before going back to our apartments.

Now, my eyes are watering from all the pollen floating around in the air. We're supposed to get rains tomorrow, so maybe they will reduce the pollen levels considerably. The daffodils are beginning to bloom, and I see buds on the Japanese cherry trees.

It was so good to hear from each of you. I am fearful of pointing out friends by name, for I may offend someone by forgetting to mention them. Just know that I love each of you, and that your lives and those of your loved ones and pets are very important to me.

May God richly bless you today.

Ruth Ann

Hi everyone.  It is another overcast morning with the possibility of rain.  I plan on staying home today as yesterday really wore me out.  We went to Aldi's for the first time since we had moved.  It isn't a big store but was exhausted when we got to the car.  Then our son was over for a brief time and did a couple of small jobs but had to go back home as his wife called saying the cat had gotten out of the house.  He plans on coming back this morning to finish up the odd jobs where we need his help.  We had a great dinner last night at the church before the Bible study with the minister. 

Jane, I must say Joy has a very beautiful smile.

Jeanne, hope your town escapes any flooding with the expected rain and melting. 

Janet, you are fortunate to be able to do all of that workout at the gym.  A nap isn't a bad thing you know whether intentional or not.  Agree with you about being on the green side of the grass. 

Ruth Ann, so ar I haven't seen any of the yellowish pollen we had from the trees in the Atlanta area.  However, it may be too early for that. 

Thank you for the kind remarks about Joy ... I have posted more in the Prayer and Praise folder, but here is the email message I received from her today:

I'm needing to call you today, but I have several calls and appointments going on today. We have applied and have been accepted to The Cancer Treatment Centers of America. They are flying John and me out to their Illinois center on Monday for a three to five day evaluation. They may start their treatment right away and that means I would stay.

I have been ready to start chemo for several times already and each time something happens that it could not be started, maybe the CTCA will find another result... They are very nice people over the phone and they pay our way and accommodations and food.  I'm excited. Their whole focus is on my quality of life. So I will be out of state for your fiftieth birthday and maybe Dot's graduation too...but I need to get whole.

The Hummingbirds are emptying their nectar so fast and even a Flicker hangs on the side every day.  We had lunch for Minnesota relatives yesterday and he is looking weaker this year after more surgery on his Korea bullet damage years ago.  Many many surgeries.  Now, Don is taping the edges in our bedroom as we need to finish our painting and this afternoon is the 2nd class on the iPhone that we can use mid-April. 

Our good friend here has company arriving and departing the same days now - this is the best weather time so everyone wants to be able to sit outdoors.  Can't blame them. 

Jane:  We pray for the best for Joy. 

I had another tough workout this morning--intervals.  20 seconds running as hard as I could, then 20 seconds moving slowly to recover, for a total of 20 minutes.  My heart rate got up to 160 BPM, but the profile from the watch I was using showed a really good profile for the workout.  I know I'm very blessed to have excellent health at this stage of my life, and I thank God for it almost every day.     My back hurt so much last night I didn't get a lot of sleep, and got up at 4:30 to take Ibuprofen, then stayed up.  So another nap might sneak up on me today!    And yes, it is okay.

I just cannot imagine what could have made that young German pilot deliberately fly that plane into a mountain, murdering 149 people besides killing himself.  Nor can I understand how he got that job with only 600 flight hours' experience!  What incredible evil there is in the world today. 

But I am so glad God is still in control of all things.  Someday we will understand all of this.

Time to go do more de-cluttering, as I haven't done any yet today.  I'm determined to keep plugging away at it!

Blessings to each of you today!

Hello, friends,

I've had a quiet day today. The temps have dropped more than 20 degrees from the 60 degree morning reading. Now the temps are heading still downward. And we have a freeze watch for this weekend. Ah, the joys and trials of springtime weather.

Y'all have a wonderful rest of the day.

Ruth Ann

Hi everyone.  I got up to some rain and now it has started again with a pretty heavy downpour.  However, according to the forecast there will be another shower around noon and then it is just to be overcast.  I think I will make a quick trip to Walmart later today for a couple of items and that should be the main activity for today.  I hope to have a little more energy today than yesterday.  I did enjoy the basketball games last evening and look forward to more of them this evening. 

Jane, glad Joy was accepted into the Cancer Treatment Centers of America. 

Carol, hope you and Don got that bedroom painted yesterday.  It sounds like you are going to have to go back to Colorado to rest as you have had a busy winter there in Arizona.

Janet, that did sounds like a tough workout. Does the exercise contribute to your severe back pain?  I don't think there can be any rational explanation to that German co-pilot crashing the plane. 

Ruth Ann, I see we are going to have falling temps with it getting down to 36 at night in a couple of days. 

Larry:  I have thoughts of resting when we return but know that we are expected to partake in a few things and two meetings are at our house so we can't take naps when people are visiting, can we?  It is alright as Janet says that we are grateful to have the energy to do these things.  We did finish painting & it is now fresh all through the house except two closets which I believe we will wait until next year to tackle.  Enough.

Holy week is approaching.  I really want to get to several services. 

All basketball playoff hype around here as the Arizona Wildcats made it to the final 8.  We have windows open all the time now and it is getting hot outside but the trees and shrubs seem to keep this place cool so far.