Christian Photographers Community

Etta Sue, it's so good to know that Ivalou is better.  Praise the Lord!  And I can hear the excitement as you make your plans for the retreat.   

Hi everyone.  Another gloomy and very chilly day here in Georgia but no rain.  I had a busy morning and just finished my lunch and trying to get caught up on my computer reading.

I was running out of time to submit a request that the county reassess my property due to the terrible loss of value we all are experiencing.  It had to be submitted by April 1st.  However, I saw where I could go online and was able to file the necessary request online, which saves a trip to the post office and the cost of the stamp.  Hopefully that is taken care of now.

I just had a delightful chat with Janet.  I had read her posting about a word processor and immediately picked up the phone and called her and suggested the Open Office program to her.  She indicated I wasn't the first, as I saw when I read through the rest of the messages.  Great minds, do you think! 
Just a little hint to those of you using Open Office.  You can, when you save the document, click on the "save as" button under the line where you put the name of the file and then save it as a Microsoft Word 97/2000/XP.  As far as I know each newer version of Microsoft Word will read and open these earlier version document.  If you need any help with this just let me know.

Etta Sue, nice to read that Ivalou is doing better and also that you get to swim today.

Judy, guess your experience is another demonstration that we often worry unnecessarily or anticipate the worst.  Glad you were able to get the motor fixed and hope you are warm now.

Don, nice to see you back with us.  We have missed you. 

Kevin, hope you friend experiences no adverse side-effect by visiting that area to do God's work.

Ruth Ann, know it must seem a real blessing for your friend to finally get the medical attention she needs.  Hope it can resolve her pain.

Carol, Pat is feeling better today but still running a low-grade fever.  She was at least able to eat a piece of toast this morning and a very light lunch and is now sitting in her easy chair rather than staying in bed all day as she did yesterday.  This will just have to run its course.

Ruth, I expect there are a lot of card games played that the cards take backstage to the talking.  However, nothing wrong with that.

I think I haven't mentioned everyone who has posted since I did but have run out of steam and it is time to rest. 

Hi everyone, Ruth Ann it is good to see you posting again,  I have missed you.

Kevin I am praying for your Senior Pastor.

Larry I hope Pat gets better real soon.

Etta sue, Great news about Iva Lou being about to do all the things she is not doing, like coming to your house to visit.

I am almost through with the last afghan, I just have to do the edging now, I should have them in the mail by  the beginning of next week.

We are going out to dinner tonight to a fantastic Mexican restaurant, it is the 3rd anniversary of our first meeting/date. My goodness now time has flown.

Marilyn:  Happy date Anniversary!  Enjoy your meal. 

Jeanne:  I went back and reread the devotion and it spoke to me more today than yesterday so that was meant to be - I mean, isn't it strange that I felt that I needed to look at your devotion again? 

Washing, packing some things - friends are coming to visit & I can't do everything. 

Larry:  Tell Pat that I am thinking of her and that she should put her feet up and sip hot broth or something like that for now.  Keep hydrated.  Nice of you to check on Janet.  I think it was snowing in Denver today and here in Arizona they are going to pass a record of 95* possibly on Friday.  We are heading back on Sunday and it will take 1 1/2 days of driving. 

Can anyone please show me how to change my picture?  I look like a teacher standing in front of an unruly classroom with my arms folded.  Am much friendlier than that in person - thanks so much.   

Well, we got moved over to the new server but all won't be able to get on the site yet.  Michael finished the move at 4:21 am!!!  What a fellow he is!  We just have to thank the Lord for him.

Carol, if you have your picture you'd like to use for your profile, you can send it to me as an attachment and I can change it for you or you can go into your profile and change it.  Click on "Forum Profile Information" and tick the part where it says "I will upload my own picture:" and then navigate to it on your computer.

I see that some of our photos have "disappeared" so I will speak to Michael about this and he can get them back. 

I was surprised when I was Able to Connect just now.

Thank You LORD!

Thank You Michael!

Quote from: Don on March 30, 2011, 08:49:58 AM
I was surprised when I was Able to Connect just now.

Thank You LORD!

Thank You Michael!

Hey, I just reread my post and kind of ironic and those are the two in heaven that are at the top of our leadership as Christians. 

I wasn't expecting to get on CP this morning either.  Michael must not be on Daylight Savings Time...he is still on 'fast' time!   

Swimming tired Kitty and I both.  We really had a workout.  We have gotten so we can do 36 links in less than 45 minutes!  I know I bettered myself yesterday!  I fell asleep watching TV soon after I got home.

And I got a call from David saying my glasses were in.  So since it was on the way back from swimming, I got them.  I am thinking that I do have a cataract on my right eye since it still seems blurry when I shut my left eye.  But I can see so much better with both eyes...reading and distance!  So I said 'Self!  Quit shutting one eye!'  So that's what I will do. 

I am doing some laundry today and need to leave by 12:30 for Ivalou's rehab.  Then we will eat somewhere.  And this evening is Wednesday Night Live Bible Study. 

That leaves packing and going over my little 'talk' before leaving tomorrow.  I am going to drive Betty's little Honda SUV.  So I want to make sure I know where everything is before leaving my house.  Wipers, horn, adjust the mirrors and seat...all those things that could be in different places since it isn't a GM product!  Who knows...I may like a Honda and switch for my next car!

I think I am taking the computer but may or may not have time to be online. 

Oh, yes!  I forgot to tell you that it has been snowing here.  Nothing on the ground but it was in the air!

Sounds like you're quite the swimmer, Etta Sue. 

It will be interesting to see how long it takes some of our folks to get back on CP. 

I'm back.... didn't try earlier.

This is a beautifully sunny day.  Had Elizabeth home today and what a joy that has been.  Kassie will be here soon.

Good to be here.

Pat: Thanks for telling Carol how to change her picture as I think that I would like to change mine or at least remember how.

Whom ever had snow please keep it but the news did say that we could get some as well.  Mel should not be shoveling and I have trouble making him understand.

It is getting late and I have to rise earlier tomorrow morning.

Pat:  Thank you - I forgot you were going to be "down" - we had visitors all afternoon so I just ran in here & so glad to get on.  I will try to find some picture. 

Ruth:  Hi - I agree that Mel should not be shoveling snow.  It is too much of a strain. 

Interesting to see who is getting on since we were "down".  I think that some still can't get on.  It could take up to 48 hours.

I can get on but it takes a couple minutes to get to the log in page and then it takes another couple minutes to log in. After I get logged in everything seems to work ok except no photos yet. It will take a while to get all the bugs ironed out.

Don, do you see your profile photo?  I do.

Paul was in Winchester at the McDonald's and he tried to get on and he just got the message "No Server..." something or other.

How wonderful to "see" all of y'all once again. How great that the transition worked so well. May God richly bless Michael, and also everyone else who puts so much time and effort, as well as resources to allow all of us to receive the blessings that come when we participate.

Hugs to ALL!

Ruth Ann

Hi Ruth Ann!

Great to see that you arrived.  Talk to you soon again.  Hopefully everyone will be here tomorrow.

Quote from: Pat on March 30, 2011, 11:35:56 PM
Don, do you see your profile photo?  I do.

Paul was in Winchester at the McDonald's and he tried to get on and he just got the message "No Server..." something or other.

Yes Pat. I can see my profile picture and others. This morning I can see some of the photos, some I can't see.  

I also see there are 2 guests viewing this thread with me so someone else is able to get connected.

I went back to the index page and see there are 18 guest and i user,which I assume is me, online.

I had this come into my email INBOX today from Joni and it so touched my heart.  I very much know what she's talking about and this little writing I find very helpful:



Forsaken Feelings

"About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, 'Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?'-which means, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?'"                                                                           
                                                                   --Matthew 27:46


I received a letter the other day from a man who described his painful feelings of separation from the Lord.  He was a strong believer, but because of a death in his family he felt as though God had forsaken him.  This man was ashamed and upset with his emotions, trying desperately to feel connected with the Lord.  He said in his note, "Joni, I don't know if I'll ever be able to experience closeness to God again."

I put down his letter and recalled those dark times when I, too, felt like God was far away.  It's frightening to feel that the Lord has turned His back on you.  But if you've ever experienced that dark emptiness, you're not alone.

Jesus felt the same way.  There was a time when the Son of God Himself was unable to experience closeness with His Father.  It happened on the cross.  And when He felt separated, He cried out, "My God, why have you forsaken me?"

It's hard to explain, but I draw comfort from the knowledge that even Jesus was unable-at least at one point in His life-to experience closeness with the Father.  That fact alone convinces me that Jesus understands exactly how I feel; it convinces me that the Lord would not condemn me for feeling separated from Him.  The lack of closeness won't last forever.  Jesus came through it, and He'll give you all the hope you need to come through those feelings, too.

Lord Jesus, I can't begin to imagine your agony of feeling separated from the Father.  I'm simply grateful that You understand my feelings today.  With You, I am always close to God-thank You for assuring me that You will never leave or forsake me.

Blessings,

Joni and Friends

Good morning.  I am all ready to leave for Nashville, IN except putting my laptop in the suitcase and my cosmetics and zipping it up!  But that won't be for 3 hours before we leave!  You may see my room here.

I was surprise that it is so cold outside!  Only in the 20's!  It looks nice.  Not sunny but at least no white or wet stuff!  

Kitty is coming tomorrow to feed the purr-girls.  Inky is a gobbler with her food and then you know what happens.  So I can't put out a lot of food at a time.  She will get our mail also.  

I can't wait.  I have read my daily devotions ahead so I don't have to take my big Bible but I have Bible on Droid.  Was it Marilyn that has a Droid now...(senior moment)?  Have you downloaded 'Live Bible'?  There are four versions on it that are audio also.  Neat to read and hear at the same time!

And I couldn't find my alarm clock but I have an alarm on Droid.  I thought about not taking the laptop since I have about everything on Droid but...I am taking it!  Hope I have time to use it!

And Pat, I love to swim but probably won't be doing too much swimming after July 15.  Not renewing my membership.

Hope to check in tomorrow and Saturday!

Is that really your room, Etta Sue?  That's beautiful!

How long will you be there?

I must look and see what this Droid is all about.  

Quote from: Pat on March 31, 2011, 10:53:33 AM



I had this come into my email INBOX today from Joni and it so touched my heart.  I very much know what she's talking about and this little writing I find very helpful:



Forsaken Feelings

"About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, 'Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?'-which means, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?'"                                                                           
                                                                   --Matthew 27:46


I received a letter the other day from a man who described his painful feelings of separation from the Lord.  He was a strong believer, but because of a death in his family he felt as though God had forsaken him.  This man was ashamed and upset with his emotions, trying desperately to feel connected with the Lord.  He said in his note, "Joni, I don't know if I'll ever be able to experience closeness to God again."

I put down his letter and recalled those dark times when I, too, felt like God was far away.  It's frightening to feel that the Lord has turned His back on you.  But if you've ever experienced that dark emptiness, you're not alone.

Jesus felt the same way.  There was a time when the Son of God Himself was unable to experience closeness with His Father.  It happened on the cross.  And when He felt separated, He cried out, "My God, why have you forsaken me?"

It's hard to explain, but I draw comfort from the knowledge that even Jesus was unable-at least at one point in His life-to experience closeness with the Father.  That fact alone convinces me that Jesus understands exactly how I feel; it convinces me that the Lord would not condemn me for feeling separated from Him.  The lack of closeness won't last forever.  Jesus came through it, and He'll give you all the hope you need to come through those feelings, too.

Lord Jesus, I can't begin to imagine your agony of feeling separated from the Father.  I'm simply grateful that You understand my feelings today.  With You, I am always close to God-thank You for assuring me that You will never leave or forsake me.

Blessings,

Joni and Friends

I too just recently went through something like this and I just want to Thank God for not forsaking me even though it seemed like he had. Thank you Lord for keeping me in a time that I felt like you didn't hear or care about me. Remember you can't trust in your feelings but you can trust in Gods word. We have a unchanging God that means what he says no matter how we feel. 

Heb. 13:8  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

AMEN!!!  Don!  And what a great verse!  That's so true.

from the mouth of babes while we ate lunch.   My daughter, Krista is 5 years old

Krista: "I was just thinking, we must look like dollhouse people to God because He is so big."

Me:  "you know, I never thought of it like that, but you might be right - because He is a really BIG God"

Krista:  "I don't think Ben (best little friend in K) believes in God.   I think he only believes in Batman"

Me: "what makes you think that?"

Krista:  "because when we were on the bus, I told him that God made him and he said, no I came out of my Mommy's belly"

Me: "then what did you say?"

Krista:  "Ben, didn't you know God made your Mommy too?"  But then he was quiet and that's why I'm not sure if he knows who God is.   I think I have to tell him that if he doesn't believe in God, he won't go to heaven.   I want him to go to heaven."

Lord, will you take the simple heart-felt desire for Krista's friend Ben to know you  and make it a reality - in your time... in your way...Amen

Praise God! 

Bless that little girl, Krista, Take the words that see said to Ben and start growing that seed she planted until they produce what they were sent forth to do.
Amen

What a wonderful conversation!  Thank you for sharing that in here, Darcy.  Children speak so truthfully, don't they?  Sounds as if she's being schooled correctly in God's Word!

Well, well, well ....
I didn't even try to come in here yesterday because I figured the site was still in transition.    So good to be "back" except I don't see my profile photo or some of the others ... maybe that will come later?   

I'm STILL waiting for the man to come over from Roseburg and fix the damage done by the last couple of storms.  The strip he put along the roof ridge blew off and, on Sunday, the skylight was leaking!     He has promised since Sunday afternoon to come and take care of it, but so far I haven't seen him!  Yesterday and today there has been blue sky and sunshine, so I can't imagine what his excuse is now.