Christian Photographers Community

  





Come and join us this week and share with us your plans and thoughts for the week!  We sing, share and encourage other members here.

Hope to see you posting this week!











                                          MISSOURI PHONE CALL

Scripture: Psalm 95:7-8a
"He is our God and we are the people he takes care of, the sheep that he tends. Today listen to what he says: Do not be stubborn" NCV

The story is told of an elderly man in Missouri who received a phone call from President Reagan in the 1980's. The first call came in and the man answered and immediately hung up. A second time the call came in and he likewise hung up. The third call was from a Southwestern Bell operator who explained that President Reagan was trying to call him. He also hung up.

The Southwestern Bell operator then contacted a neighbor who walked over to his house and informed the elderly man that the next phone call he will receive will be from the President of the United States.

This time the elderly gentleman answered and apologized for not believing that the President of the United States would call him! After the apology the two men talked for more than fifteen minutes.

Now what are the odds that when the phone rings that it is the President of the United States? Currently you or I would be one out of 312 million people in the USA! And the President of the United States is just one of nearly 7 billion people on planet earth. What are the odds?

Answer: Astronomical at best!

There are at least 1.5 billion galaxies with a minimum of 1/2 billion stars each in the Universe. The observable universe contains about 30 sextillion (10 to 21st power) to septillion stars (10 to 24th power). Some say these numbers are way to small!

Now let's talk about the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. What are the odds that God who through the Lord Jesus Christ made the universe will speak to you or me.

Answer: Clearly 100%.

Prayer: Father thank you that with 7 billion people you care for me and when I pray and listen your still small voice is there. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!

Carol:  Taking the whole quilt apart to do the repair properly it seems to me that you are the kind of person that likes things done right, so the best thing to do is do your best to take it apart and go from there, boring I do not really think so because in your heart it will be a job done well and with very much love.

You are not alone because I am known to take things apart to get it right and always it is done with happiness in my heart both while doing the task and being happy and satisified when it is done.

Janet thank you for the devotional.

Carol Our mother had a saying that Pat Ruth and I all seem to adhere to.  "If a job is worth doing it is worth doing right."  You are following this principle as well.  It seems the youth of today do just enough to "get by" and no more.  Whatever has happened to pride in their work?

John went with me on Friday to buy some material....With all the stash I have I needed more!!  I bought a purple top and want a white skirt to wear with it.  Do you know there wasn't one white skirt in North Bay that I could find?  So out comes my pattern paper, ruler tape measure and straight edge.  I will get what I want, but not without some work.

I had an encounter with a Christian business man, on Friday as well.  I needed to discuss a problem with him.  I left in tears as his attitude was so prideful and arrogant.  It didn't matter who he stepped on, he perached and he did mission work and it was all about him.  I pointed out to him that there was an "I" issue he needed to think about as that was the main word he spoke.  Pray for this man....(no name, God knows), that God will humble him so that He (God) will be able to use him.

It has been a windy day today.  Sunny and the temperature has been warm, but the wind has made it feel really cold.  We are to have sun for the next couple of days, that is nice much better than all the rain we have had.  Our main consolation has been that "At least we don't have to shovel it!"  Last night the temperature dropped to freezing.

Have a great evening folks. And God bless.

Hi, friends, it's been a really chilly day here in Nashville, but since I live on the 13th floor (next to the top floor), heat travels upward, so I won't need to turn on heat tonight.

Our pastor also preached a wonderful sermon. He compared advertising techniques (and backed up his words with a video that truly DID point out exactly what he was saying). Those techniques included making us feel like "one of the club" if we buy certain name brands. The advertising executive said he decided to study cult behaviour to determine how to best bring in the most sales.

We don't HAVE to "buy in" to being in the cult frame of mind. Our God loved us so much that He sent his one and only Son to bear our sins with him to the cross as a sacrifice for us. For that reason we were urged to allow our Heavenly Father to satisfy the deep longings in our hearts, rather than trying other means of satisfaction that eventually grow stale and then we rush out to purchase more to try to fill our hunger again.

"The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want..."

Y'all have a great rest of the day.

Ruth Ann

Hi everyone.  It has definitely turned cooler here in Georgia as it is 55 degrees this morning and has been running at least 10 degrees warmer this time of the morning. 

We also had a good sermon yesterday.  We are having a series of sermons on the "I Am" statements in the Gospel of John.  This one related to the gate.  I got caught in the choir loft with no tissues and my nose decided to run.  I made it through the service but was getting very worried.  I am usually careful to have tissues in my pocket.  My wife suggested I keep a little package of tissues in the slot in my choir folder and will do so if I can remember to take them. 

We went to the pizza place we often go on Sunday after church as the service is fast and it is just up the street from us.  I came home and rested and slept all afternoon.  I should be well rested today.

Today I am going to try to get through to the telephone company to see about changing the cost of my service.  I called on Saturday but the office I needed to reach, after a long series of menus, wasn't open on the weekends.  Then have my Monday men's luncheon and that will be it for today. 

Janet, thanks for the fine devotional for this week.  We do have a God who loves us with all our faults. 

Welcome to summer..... Today will be filled with playing with Ruth and then going to eat lunch with nana and cleaning .... Ruth doesn't understand we don't have to be up at 715 any more so we were up and going early.... Today is going to be hard we came home last night from being gone all weekend to find our dog had suffered a stroke or something and could no longer walk he would take a step or two and then fall on his face. Today papa took him to the vet and he is being put to sleep He was an older dog and we have had him for 15 or 16 years.... anyways I need to get up and start working on cleaning this house and getting ready to head up to Elkhart to see nana. Have a good day
Sarah

Yesterday, we had Craig from Rainbow Christian Camp and Conference Center speak at church.  When I was at Park Chapel I worked there a couple of days in the kitchen preparing food and cleaning up.  I do believe I suffered from heat exhaustion the last time so I haven't been back.  But that was before A/C in the kitchen and the whole campground has been renovated and even added the Conference Center.  Craig is a great speaker and very knowledgeable about Rainbow.

Then it was Sunday school and five of us ladies ate at Olive Gardens.  By the time we were done, we had just enough time to come back home, get our gifts and go back to church for a baby shower.

After that it was back home again and then I had Small Groups at 6pm.  I was so tired last evening, that I didn't even get online...now that's tired...before hopping into bed!!

I have already been to Pendleton this morning to eat breakfast, go to the ATM machine and Marsh's for sandwich spread, buns, bread thins and chips.  I am taking a break from sweeping the floors.

I will be done by 3pm tomorrow! 

Well, since I hardly slept on Saturday night, these cool temps certainly helped me make up for lost sleep time.

I think I'll head over to the church to check that the kitchen's clean. The Lion's Club meets in our Fellowship Hall tonight, so they'll be having their meal and using kitchen facilities. The Lions Club certainly do good works - many, many of the members are great christian leaders in their churches.

Sarah, I remember those busy years when my children were little. You enjoy your little Ruth, she sounds like such a treasure. So sorry that your dog will be going to Rainbow Bridge today. I'll be thinking of you and the family. Loss of a pet is very difficult.

Y'all have a great day!

Ruth Ann

It sounds as if yesterday was the Sunday for guest speakers.  I called a friend from church this morning and she said we had a missionary speaker yesterday.  We were in Salina for grandson's graduation, so I missed it. 

Sarah, sorry about your poor doggy.  It's hard to let them go, espeially when they have been part of the family for so long.  I'd like to meet little Ruth, bet she is a lot of fun.

Etta Sue, that's too much activity for Sunday!  That is the one day when I do try to get some rest in the afternoon.

I got another call from Tate Publishing!  And that was followed by an email directing me to their website to get specific directions on what to do next, the timeline for publishing, etc.  Still some work to do, and some waiting, but I know the Lord is in this project, so will keep persevering....we will get there!    The first step I have to do is to format the manuscript in certain ways and then re-submit it.  So I am about to start on that now.

I wish you all a pleasant evening.

Janet, I certainly wish I were there to help you! I love doing that type of work.

I'm back in the apartment after doing a bit of work at the church and then eating with friends. That was followed by a brief visit with my son who lives up the hill.

Y'all have a great evening.

Ruth Ann

Ruth and JudyB:  Thanks for the feedback.  I am trudging along and probably 1/3 finished with the delicate part of clipping everything apart, using masking tape to get all the clippings out so my machine won't clog - next part will be to re-iron every bit and check measurements. Judy:  A white skirt in the month of May in your area?  You are probably still getting some snow in that rain    - good luck.  You will like your own fabric anyway. 

Janet:  Wow - things are perking along so quickly.  good luck with that formatting job. 

Judy:  It sounds like you were able to get a word in with that man and good for you for reminding him of speaking of himself all the time.  He may take your words and dwell on them. 

Sarah:  Belated hugs to you on the loss of your sweet doggie.  They do become such a part of our lives.
enjoy every minute with your baby because they do grown and go too quickly. 

Larry:  My pockets or purse have cough drops and tissues - even tiny dabs of perfume catch me in church with a coughing fit & Don used to have nose bleeds until finally he got attention. 

Don helped me plant two tomato plants in those funny upside down contraptions.  They are now hanging under the stairs in the back which face the sun.  Also, washed and finished mending one son's quilt & it dried beautifully on the porch.  This is the first morning in a long time with no frost.  Sunny - cool, went for an hour's walk down by the pond & old ranch area because it is peaceful once you get there.  Water is running in the creek. 

The floods are taking such a toll on our SE neighbors.  Hard to imagine having to move to shelters for weeks on end and then to go home to devastation. 

It is warming up here.  Today the wind has died down, and it has been warmer.  The sky has promised a better day tomorrow.

Carol, The white skirt id for summer.  To match a top.  I love wearing white, and this is a nice heavy weight.  John picked out a cotton poly for a blouse.  It will match the skirt as well

It has been a long day.  Starting with the dogs taking off.  This is not normal for them but being spring time and them being bird dogs......We live on 86 acres with a lot of partridge......I am sure you can see the picture!  Elizabeth let them out at 6:30 and went into a panic at 7:30 when they didn't come when called.  I drove the girls to the bus in case they went down to the road, and they didn't.  It was 9:30 before they finally came home and flopped in their bed not stirring for the balance of the day.  I went into town to get the girls, Kassie had cadets tonight, Elizabeth and I visited friends.

Oh be sure to check out Prayer and Praise we have some very serious prayer requests there.

Time for bed
God bless.

Hi, friends, just a note before I also go to bed. It's been a peaceful day with several things accomplished. So, I'll "rest easy" tonight.



Ruth Ann

Good morning!  I worked for about seven hours last night on the formatting, still found a few errors (now I know why almost every book I read has them!)  I worked until my eyes were so blurry I could barely see, then decided I'd better stop!

Now I will start making the various parts:  Dedication, acknowledgments, table of contents, etc.  Some of those I haven't written yet, so will be using the old brain today, for sure!

I had an answer to a specific prayer yesterday!  God is so good.  I need one of Beth's senior pictures for the book, because she talked about that particular picture.  Would you believe, I couldn't find one anywhere?  And I know I have several of them.  Anyway, I didn't want to waste time searching any more, so I was praying about it (why didn't I pray FIRST??)  And I heard the Lord say, "Look in your Mom's album."  Sure enough!  There it was!!  Thank you, Lord!  Proof that even the small things are things He still cares about.  It was a big thing to me, though, at this time!

I got up early and did my housework, now I'm ready to work!

Carol, I don't think I would have the patience to put a quilt together in the first place, let alone remake one.  You must really have a lot of patience!  Good for you.  Now, if it were a painting, yes, I would redo it, but not a quilt.  Isn't it wonderful we all have different interests and talents?

Blessings to each of you.

PS to Ruth Ann:  I wish you were here to help me, too!  This is my very first experience doing this, and I KNOW there are easier ways to do it than  I have the knowledge to do.  May I 'pick your brain' some?

Ali and Inky knows something is up.  They are investigating everything I do.  I just put down throw rugs that have been folded after washing and drying.  What in the world is that?  They both were sniffing and sneaking up on them!  They are so funny!  I 'made' my bed, opened the blinds and shut the door.  That's where they usually take their morning naps but I didn't want them to re-make the bed!  Why is that door shut?  And just before the gals get here, I will coax them into the spare bedroom and shut the door!  They may or may not stay in there anyway but I sure don't want them to get up on the counter tops while company is here so they will be in the bedroom! 

I will be done by 3pm. 

Saturday afternoon a young man came to my door and asked if it was alright to leave his truck between my drive and my mailbox.  It died.  He said he would get it that evening.  Well, it was still there yesterday morning.  It is hard to turn right out of my drive...his back bumper is that close to the drive.  So I called the Sheriff's department.  Soon a trooper was here and he tagged the truck.  Said it was not on the road...was not blocking my drive...was not blocking the mailbox for mail delivery...and when they called the number that was listed from the license plate...no one answered.  So now if the truck is still there Thursday at 11am, I am to call the department back and it will be towed.  It is still there right now.  Hope no one hits it today and damages their car.  Truck?  Do I care or not?

It is cloudy and gloomy and probably rain soon.  Yucky day!

Hi everyone.  We have a sunny morning but still cool, only 52 degrees.  Just back from coffee and walking at the gym.  I need to leave in a few minutes to go to a meeting and then my schedule will be clear the rest of the day.  Pat is going out to lunch with a friend.  I am thinking about mixing up some bologna salad as haven't had it in a really long time and always enjoy.  The last time I bought bologna I had them slice it too thickly so this would solve that problem. 

Etta Sue, hope your Euchre game goes well this afternoon but know you will be glad when your time to host is over.  I think we always look forward to doing it and then look forward to it being over for awhile. 

Janet, does the publisher have an editor work with you on the book or are you doing your own editing?  Glad you found the picture you needed for the book.  Hope your writing goes well today.

Judy, I have been keeping an eye on that special prayer request.  It certainly is a very serious situation.

Carol, I have wondered how you keep those tomato plants from falling out after you initially plant them.  I can see that after the roots grow it would hold.  Hope it works as the ads sure show pretty tomatos.

Ruth Ann, is your son still experiencing the devastating headaches?  It sounds like you had a busy day.

Sarah, it is always hard losing a pet but it is just something we must accept as pets have a short life span.  Fortunately new pets can, after a period of time, fill the void of losing one. 

You all have a nice day.

    Good day to all on C.P.    i HAVE FINALLY READ THROUGH THE POST'S AND YOU ALL HAVE BEEN VERY BUSY. 

Etta Sue:  I still don't know how you manage to keep going you had such a busy day last Sunday that is the day that you are supposed to take it easy please look after yourself.

Larry;  Iam so glad that you are able to go and walk on a track.  I am a member at the Y.M.C.A. and I find that it is so hard to get into a proper schedule to go and to do what I need to do. Hope that your daughter is feeling better.

Judy B.  How are you all doing hope the dogs don't keep taking off to much.  How are the girls doing? 

Noreen and I have finally got over the bad flu that we both got and I had to get a very strong antibiotic and a nasal spray but they did work well.  I was doing the lawn last Friday and I have a ditch in front of the house and as I came to it my feet just went under me and down I went on my rear and it wrenched my back and my neck and I could not move for a few minutes and my back is still very tender today. My wife and I have said if we could find someone to cut it at not a lot of money we might go ahead and do that. :thumbsup.

Janet:  You are also very busy I do hope that you are looking after yourself and not working to much.

Well I must go for now and to all other C.P. Family don't forget to always pray for each other and to pray for all the problems due to the flooding and the tornadoes.  There are so many people that have lost all there belonging's and many of us have never had this happen so we need to pray for all the things that have happened in the last month or two.

Have a wonderful day  Gordon and Noreen

The rain has been around Toronto and vicinity for many days.    It is good for the green stuff on the lawn but now the problem is when do I cut the grass?!      It is so long and thick but it can't be cut when it is raining.      Oh well, they promise sun by the weekend!   

God bless
Love Ruthie

Ruthie up here we cut in the rain as well as in the sun...

Gord if I lived near I would love to do your mowing for you.  That is my favourite all time job as you well know.

Please check out the prayer requests.  We have two similar urgent requests in there as well as all the other important ones.  As Gord said we need to be praying for each other.

OF COURSE, JANET! Others from CP have asked and it was SUCH a pleasure to be able to help.

Today, I have done very little, but am now busily preparing for a Bible study at my church. We seniors bring foods for a little potluck supper, then have a special dedicated time of prayer, followed by a wonderful study of a full chapter of the Bible led by the sunday school teacher who began teaching this class of young married couples that gradually grew older with him, and now some of us "youngsters" are attending, too. This man is such a wonderful deeply committed Christian who actually earned his doctorate and taught at Trevecca Nazarene University, my alma mater.

A little bit of trivia, both he and my dad were ordained as ministers when I was only 14, and he often teases me about how long he has known me. He's now 88 and doing well.

First, I need to make a quick stop by the grocery to purchase a bit of bacon to make a couple of my dishes more tasty.

Y'all have a wonderful day serving and communing with our Lord.

Ruth Ann

   Hi Where is everyone I can't believe how few have posted on C.P.    I don't see Pat or Al or quite a few others.   It is so nice to read there post's and I know that I don't get on as often as I should but the Lord knows that I am always thinking of you all. 

As I said before and Judy B. reminded us about how we should always remember each one in prayer.  I want to thank you all for the prayer's that you have done for Noreen and I.   

Well continue to have a wonderful week.   Praise his name forever.

                            Gordon and Noreen

Well so far on this vacation It has snowed each morning and rained, sun hasn't come out until around 5 pm. Please don't send me any forwards or emial until my return next week I am just deleting all of them.

I have been to the dentist again and now have a temporary crown on my tooth.  I will get the permanent one in two more weeks.  But by paying the full amount today, I saved about $75, so that helps!

I'm waiting on a couple of answers from Tate before I can proceed with working on the book.  I wish I knew some people to ask for endorsements--I have to get those myself.

It was our weekly coffee this morning and now home to to take care of the business, I had made a list and for someone that is retired it is long.  Mel took his truck in for repair so now at home he sits waiting for a phone call from them.

Yes we have rain again but no snow.

Hi everyone.  This will be the typical Wednesday with coffee and then to the church for Bible study.  I have no other errands to run after that so sure we will go for the fellowship at the donut shop when the study is completed.  We are suppose to finish up the Book of John this morning as have been studying it for many weeks.  Now the group has to decide what the next book of the Bible that we will study.  Last week we had a little celebration for our minister's 50th birthday.  I think he was a bit surprised.

Tonight is choir practice so it will be a busy day.

Gord, good to see you post but sorry to learn of your fall and hurting your back.  You sure don't need that as know you need to stay strong to help your wife.  

Ruth Ann, to have the same teacher for so many years must truly be unusual.  Glad you are able to participate in your church activities.

Ruthie and Judy, we are actually in need of some rain but not in the drought condition that others are.  Our ground just dries out very quickly.  Everything is nice and green however and sure looks ggod.  It is cold her this morning as it is 45 degrees but suppose to warm up to 70 today.

Was it CP or my laptop with the hiccups this morning?  I couldn't get into CP.  Other websites were fine. 

I am glad that my Euchre hosting duty is over for now!  After getting everything back in placed and washed up, I collapsed! 

I slept good until 6am.  I got up and was at the nurses office by 9:30.  I didn't realize it was my yearly checkup so I had an exam as well as urinalysis and an EKG.  My blood work showed my triglycerides high, cholesterol high, A1C high and calcium high.  So I am to lower my sugar intake drastically...I knew that.  And watch my fats...203 cholesterol count isn't THAT bad...I have been as high as 367...now that's GOLLY!  And I am to stop taking my calcium supplement and find just the Vitamin D tablets.  I am to get a bone density test done Monday.  I am waiting on a call from the rehab center to have physical therapy for my back. 

Other than all that, I feel fine!!  I go back for Blood work in 3 months and in 6 months I have the Medicare Wellness exam. 

Needless to say, I am doing nothing the rest of the day...maybe tomorrow and Friday I go swimming.  Oops!  I need to mow if the sun shines!!

JudyB:  Dogs taking off ----I remember too well how exhausting it is to run after a runaway dog.  No more for us.  A good friend is the best trainer and she makes dogs really obey everything.  It is amazing.  They really listen to her commands. 

Could not get into Prayer & Praise.

Janet:  Patience - not me so much, the fabric is too pricey and I could not do anything with it.  Good for you on your latest endeavors. 

Etta Sue:  Sounds like your tests went well.  Good going!

Larry:  Comfort food is what we all crave at times.  This is my first time in trying to grow tomato plants in this high desert - well, I did have a garden when living in Fort Collins but that sure needed tender daily care with all the sun and wind.  Two days & the plants are still alive.  The birds keep looking this way. 

Gord:  Sorry about your fall.  It does sound like it was soft at least but your back took the brunt of the fall.  Spring is coming and I do hope it means some very good days for you and Noreen to sit and relax outside. 

this was potluck last bible study morning.  Only 28% of the population here just SW of Denver area have any religious affiliation.  This is a nature loving place and methinks the others have forgotten the source of nature.  Hmmmm?  40% of the people attending the church do not give any money.  Ever.  Isn't that something?  If they are out of work or not healthy, I sure can understand but to sit there and know the needs of the church - how can they be that way?   Am sure they get in line at Starbucks - there is always a long line of vehicles running their motors instead of getting out of their cars.  Oh, well - that is between them and the Lord. 

On to tending house. 

Well, it's time to go to the fitness center and use the treadmill.  I'll sleep better if I do.  I'm still waiting until the 26th for my opthamologist visit to see when the cataracts will be taken care of.  I'm looking forward to the results, but not to the actual operation.  So pray that Al Moak will trust the Lord.

Janet - I know what you're going through as I've been an editor for about 30 years.  Wish I was closer to you - maybe I could help.  I've done fomatting 'til it came out of my ears.  May our Father give you sticktoit'dness and patience.

It's sunny here today.  The green of the evergreen trees in the early morning sun was beautiful.  God greatly bless all.

Hi, friends, today's been a relatively quiet day, with a trip out to mail a pkg to daughter in law in Georgia, and then catch a bite with friends. It's so good to be with fellow christians, isn't it!

Love to all,
Ruth Ann

Etta Sue:   I really do not know how you can share your Medical results, because for me I so well remember when I shared some of my reports. What came from their mouth was so much of a shock that I have no words to explain then from the mouths of others it was embarrassing so although I would like to share it is best to keep quiet.  But I will say good for you for feeling comfortable enough to share and even teach us how to make changes.

I should also mention that this site has been dragging its feet all day kinda on the slow side. 

We even had a some time without rain and I think a touch of sun.
I did get almost all of todays errands leaving one for tomorrow morning. No more dragging my feet.