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Morning Devotional...





Moses summoned all Israel and said: Hear, O Israel, the decrees and laws I declare in your hearing today. Learn them and be sure to follow them. Deuteronomy 5:1


The school into which we Christians are introduced furnishes many lessons, all taught by the wisest of all teachers; but everything depends upon how we respond to them. Unfortunately many of us learn little and soon forget what little we may have learned. We can hear great preaching, as Demas heard Paul, without profit; we can meet saintly Christians without becoming stimulated to seek to live holier lives; we can see miraculous answers to prayer and be none the better for it. The providential circumstances set up the lessons; the Teacher is wise and patient; only the disciple fails to profit.

A child who through negligence learns nothing in school is guilty of practicing serious waste. He is wasting the money furnished by his parents or the taxpayers, and the gifts and energies of everyone associated with the effort to teach him are wasted as well. And much the same thing may be said of the dullard Christian. He is wasting the painstaking efforts of every pastor or teacher who tries to help him.

There have been a few noble souls who have managed to break through into a place of great spiritual power and purity with scarcely anyone to help them and with but the scantiest educational equipment to assist them in their search for God and holy things. Ought we not to be ashamed who are surrounded with such a wealth of aids and still learn so little?

And how much suffering is wasted on us. Chastisement is a stern teacher, but there are great riches to be gained in her school. It is critically important that we enter that school with humble hearts and open minds.

Yes, it is possible to go through school without learning anything. For all of us the final bell will ring soon. We had better do some hard studying before that time comes.


We can sit under the greatest teachers and experience valuable lessons without learning. Learning requires personal application to our life situation—obeying what we have been and are now being taught.



Lord, forgive me for failing to personally practice lesson truth You teach me.

From Devotions By Dr. Tozer

Very good Don.  Good reading, and much needed admonishment!  Thank you.  Reminds me of a phrase "To whom much is given, much will be required."

Hi everyone.  I'm having more Internet problems and with what Comcast had me do this morning I couldn't get any of my computers online but finally re-powered the router just now and am back online for now. They have scheduled a tech to come out Tuesday afternoon to check things out since this problem re-occurred again last night.  It is going to be a very nice day with the high about 84 this afternoon. I will go to church at 11 this morning and perhaps Pat and I will go out to lunch. That remains to be seen however.  Pat was feeling somewhat better yesterday and so I'm hoping today will be the same with more improvement whatever she still has the cold and the bad cough. Nothing else new down this way so will be brief this morning.

Don, thanks for the devotional for this week as it certainly causes one to think about wasted opportunities.

Hope everyone has a great Sunday.

Thanks for the devotional this morning, Don.  It does make one stop and think - and that's what it's supposed to do. 

Good Morning everyone, Just topping before a few minutes before going to church. The weather has been crazy, first it was hot in the 80's now it is wet and cool again, The sun keeps trying to peek out of the clouds for a few minutes then its back behind the clouds again.

Thank you Don for the devotional today

Larry I hope you get your computer problems sorted out.  My priter has stopped communicating with my computer so I am going to try hooking it up to my Netbook. it scans and copies fine but it won't print from the computer, It printed on thing after I got the new power cords.

Thank you, Don, for the words of wisdom ... and thoughts to ponder. An illustration that I have used in teaching is  like learning to ride a bicycle:  I can bring you charts, videos, demonstrations, books by experts ... tell you all about how the bicycle is built, and the principles of bike riding.  I can even show you how I ride a bike, but you will still never learn to ride a bike until you get on it yourself and experience it. 

   Good afternoon to all.   Gordon here.   Well I have been on the road so much since the 25th of April and a lot of miles or km. it seems like we have not stopped.

John Congratulation's on your retirement.  I do hope that you  will enjoy it. 

Well must go for now  will try to check back later.  God's blrssing's .   Gordon and Noreen.

Good evening. 4 1/2 days in the hospital and I was shipped home.
A lot to absorb given that this considered major surgery but God has been real good.
I will be thankful when all the healing is done.

I got my printer fixed by uninstalling and reinstalling it. Works fine now. I got word after church today that my work partner Joan  was taken off life support this morning. This was very sudden she was taken to the hospital on Wed. night and put on a feeding tube and respirator. She had Myasthenia Gravis which is an auto immune disease that  attacks the muscles of the throat, eyes etc throughout out the body making it difficult to swallow or eat.  She didn't want anyone to know she had the disease so it has been a terrible shock. She was a fantastic worker and loved the cats the most. It is a sad day she was an atheist I only hope she met Jesus before she passed..

Oh, my goodness, Marilyn! What a shock. Yes, we can hope she was given a chance to meet Jesus before death.

Ruth, it's so good to see you again. Yes, major surgeries seem to have shorter and shorter recovery periods. I was only in the hospital 3 days including the day of surgery when my knee was replaced. Then, I asked for and received (thank goodness) a stay in a rehab center. It's amazing what they accomplished with me while I was there. I have 2 friends who have had hip replacements, and they say they are easier than the knee replacements. So, I wish you a great recovery.

Hi, Gord. It's good to hear a brief bit of news from you and your family.

Jane, that's such a good illustration - we have to try ourselves and in the learning and trying, we gain skills, balance, and more wisdom.

Hi, Jeanne, hope you're doing okay today.

Larry, I had problems being connected to the internet this week (with Comcast). It turns out my modem is obsolete, so they're sending another one. Then, will send out someone to hook it up for me. I'm all thumbs when it comes to setting up new equipment.

Don, thank you for that good devotional. My hope and trust is that I continue to sit at Jesus' feet and learn of Him throughout the remainder of life.

Judy and John, enjoy this first week of retirement.

Hi, Pat. Hope you're doing well, also.

Love to all,
Ruth Ann

Happy Monday to all.

Nice pictures of the coast, Marilyn.   Sorry about your loss of a friend.

Larry, hoping Pat is recovering from her cold.  80 sounds pretty hot for spring.  Ourj neighbors have been housebound or at the medical appointments for at least two years.  He can't be touched for fear of germs     He stays so strong in faith and is such an inspiration now getting weary with so many appointments and this last bought of strongest chemo. 

Leaves are budding here and maybe tomatoes can be put into the hanging containers. Flowers have been in the garage for a week so that needs sun. 

Hi, friends,

I'm just breezing through today.

So, y'all have a good day.

Love to all,
Ruth Ann

Hi everyone.  I am really late getting here today as spent all morning trying to find a new router.  I bought one but after trying to install it took it back as it wouldn't connect to my modem the way the simple instruction indicated.  I then went to another computer store but they didn't have any of the specified models.  So I decided to wait until after the tech comes tomorrow afternoon.  This morning we had no wi-fi and then this afternoon is it one again working at a high speed.  It makes no sense to me.  I also had to make a stop at Lowe's for a piece of wood that I needed for a turntable for our kitchen TV.  Then I stopped at the post office to mail a package and then it was time for my Monday men's luncheon.  I don't think I could handle too many morning like this as was very tired when I got home and will go to a meeting this evening.  It is up to 88 degrees this afternoon, about 10 degrees above normal for this time of year.  We still haven't used the AC but don't think it will be long. 

Ruth, glad to see you are home and now in the recovery mode since you are past that third day. 

Marilyn, what shocking news about your friend. 

Ruth Ann, my neighbor's wife, who had the open heart surgery, didn't go for rehab as was afraid to leave her husband alone any longer and it is a good thing she made that decision as he well could have died when he blood sugar got so low it wouldn't register and he was non-responsive. 

Ruth Ann, I will be interested in what the Comcast tech says tomorrow.  I hate to rent the router and pay $7 a month to use it rather than buy my own as in a year or less it will be paid for. 

Carol, Pat seems better each day now.  She still has a cough and congestion but not as bad. Spring is full blown here and my gardening friend that I saw at lunch time had planted his tomatoes this morning.  He would love to have a big garden and has raised beds but his physical condition is such it won't allow.

Well my friend didn't pass away after all the bad reports. I went to see my friend this morning, She is one blessed lady to be alive after what she went through. She was sitting on the s\ide of her bed when I got there, but I helped her to lay back down as the nurse was going to put some Protonix in her IV. That is to protect her stomach from the acid that would cause acid reflux. She wants to get better. it was a good visit and several from work are going or have been to see her.

good evening.   
We all have Our  good or bad stories about surgery and mine is good but I but perhaps when I am not quite as tired I will explain more fully.  My Aunt has missed my presence very much and has said that she is praying for my full recovery.

Larry: Do you and Pat have hospital type beds and how do you like them as I am giving serious thought in that direction even though I they they are expensive. 

For now have a great night

Ruth, it's great to see your post!  It really is!  Happy you're home.  I can't believe the short stay!!!

Don, thank you so very much for the wonderful devotional.  Dr. Tozer is such a great teacher.  Thanks so much, too, for your faithfulness in posting every four weeks.  Our "Thoughts Team" has shrunk to only four but we seem to get through our turn each time.  Thanks so much to you, Don, Judy and Jeanne!  Not sure what I'd do without you!

Well, I must get to my bed.  I couldn't sleep so got up and thought I'd post in here.

It was so nice to have Judy and John over for supper last Wed.  Great to see them.  we don't get the opportunity to get together too often due to the miles between us.

Hello to the rest that I haven't mentioned.  I'm sorry for this being short.  But praying for you all.

Hi everyone.  We got up to 88 degrees here yesterday and the same is forecast for another day or so.  Last night at bedtime we finally turned on the AC as it was just too warm in the house.  Today's schedule will be to attend a meeting this morning and then wait for the Comcast Tech to come this afternoon.  Yesterday afternoon everything started working as the speed of the wi-fi became good and I hadn't done a thing, in fact I was gone until that happened.  So don't know what to expect this afternoon. 

Marilyn, glad you were able to visit your friend and she made it through the previous night.  Obviously God wasn't ready to call her home yet.  I sure hope she continues to improve.

Ruth, so glad your surgery experience was a positive one and it sounds like your aunt will appreciate you more now that you are unavailable for awhile.  Pat and I do have a king size bed that consists of two adjustable twin beds.  We each have our own controls.  The head will raise to 18 degrees, which is almost sitting up and the feet raise from the knees down but don't know the angle, but it sure feels good.  I am able to sleep easily with my head raised somewhat but usually put the legs down when I want to sleep as it makes it hard to turn on one's side with the feet up.  We really like them.  They have foam mattresses and very comfortable.  I just wish we had gotten them several years earlier.  They are a bit expensive but not too bad.  I believe they were about $1400 each.

Pat, sure hope you are feeling better as know you have been under the weather. Hope you were able to get some more sleep as sleep is so healing to us. 

A quiet day here but I trust that I will be clear in what I say.   I went into surgery with great fear as my mom had such a bad experience, her hip came out at least 6 times  she had a bone infection and also a slight stroke the result of the above I fear, she was not home for close to a year as a result. It was later found out that the surgeon in her case comsum ed to much alcohol.

About me I should have been in the care of a surgeon many years ago but I was not after a long time of knee pain. Early morning on surgery day  the surgeon called
to say that on preparing for the procedure it should be hip not knee. thus a delay of at least a week but in the meantime I came down with the flu which lasted 4 - 5 days. now the delay was 4 wk's because of safety for reasons of infection. Daily the pain got worse.  On May 25 I arrived at the hospital for the procedure. They wanted to give me an epidural which is the safest, I consented on one condition that they try 3 times and abort , yes they had to because of spinal curve ( they could not get the needle in the area required  ) so now it is a local not a fast or easy recovery.  They had to call Mel into the recovery room to try to get me settled down. Back in my room on the second day I was so sound asleep at dinner time that the nurse scared the ************out of me to get me awake she thought it to be funny.  even in the presence of my family Dr. and the surgeon. Never did she apologize.
Almost a week later I am starting to feel on the up and up, although the flu came back for a 2 days. Others in the area are having the same thing happen.
So now it is a nurse to change the bandage, I was given daily therapy to get my strength back. 
Time will tell but down the future road but I do feel that a knee d
replacement will be in order as there is still an issue in the knee. . As Mel says get better from this first.  Most of this is the result of issues at birth so I would say that I have lived a great life to this  point in time.
I had gone to the chiropractors for many years perhaps it should have been therapy but if the chiro had said that no more could have been done this process would have started at least 10 yrs ago.

Ruth Ann:
I had asked for a longer stay but it was up to us to figure out where and how. We do have exteded coverage but they were not anxious to help.

LARRY:  I have been wondering about this kind of bed now that I am home but here in Canada I feel that the cost is highter, but consideration will be given.

I willl be glad when I feel well enough to drive.

Hi Everyone!

Larry, I did finally get to sleep.  Sometimes at night, the pain is worse than when I'm busy doing things.  My knees are both so sore and both hips. 

Ruth, it's great hearing about your surgery and how well you are doing.   I'm so very happy.  I was concerned as I've seen a few friends over the past several years go through this surgery.

Hi to Marilyn!  And Jane! and Carol and Don!  (Still love my pen Carol)

And to all I've not mentioned, God's richest blessings.

I have to get busy doing some "housecleaning" on one of my websites.

Speaking of housework.....

Hi, friends,

It's good to hear that your friend has more opportunity to find our Lord and the wonderful feeling of knowing that for a fact.

Pat, so good to see you here - we miss you when you're too busy to talk. That picture gave me a smile.

Larry, how interesting the fluctuations you're seeing in your internet, Larry. Hope the tech can help.

Ruth, it's good to see you here, also.

Y'all know of our father's care for each of us. May we show that love to others all our lives.

Love to all,
Ruth Ann

Hi everyone on what is going to be a lovely, but very warm, spring day here in Georgia.  I will be gone all morning so wanted to stop by early and post for today.  The Comcast techs were here yesterday and confirmed what I expected that I had a failing router.  So I ordered another one from Amazon Prime and it will be here tomorrow.  The router is working sporadically so we were able to use the wi-fi devices and computers most of the day.  I will soon leave for coffee and then will go to Bible study and then over to Dunkin' Donuts.  Pat has PT again this morning.  That will likely be it for today.

Ruth, I don't want any surgeon consuming alcohol and then doing surgery on me.  How awful for your mother and your family.  Glad you have had good ressults.  I know that Pat had very good results from her knee and hip surgery and after the recovery period no longer complains of either knee nor hip pain and sort of regrets waiting so long to have the surgery.  You did have quite an ordeal.  Pat was put out totally and I would sure want that too.  Hope you will soon be back behind the wheel of your car. 

Pat, are you likely to need hip or knee replacement in the future?   That graphic you posted is getting a little personal. 

Ruth Ann, I was not surprised with the tech's comments on the problem with the wi-fi.  The new router will be an N router and much stronger and faster than what I have now. 

Pat:  Thanks, I'll tell Don that you still like your pen. 

Ruth:  I read your health story and what a shame you had so many issues with doctor and hospital staff.  We are quite concerned about the future of health care here as they are letting a certain number of staff go.  The ER surgeon son of friends is exhausted from all the hours he has to put in and it just doesn't sound like a safe place for quality care we are used to until now.  Now you are able to mend and relax.  Home is the best place to heal sometimes.  Best to you. 

Larry:  Router problems, we have replaced two in much too short of time.  What kind of a doughnut do you like?  We went to Lamar's Doughnuts for a coffee last week and I ate the biggest one - it almost gave me a stomach ache    almost. 

Today was the annual potluck brunch at bible study.  Over 200 women show up for this day - almost 300 as visitors are invited.  I made my normal egg/sausage/cheese casserole and my oven had to be cleaned this afternoon because of the greasy pork sausage I had bought this time.  Never again.  What a mess.  It went over very well though.   I chose a plate of salads and then went for only chocolate for dessert and some darling and brilliant woman brought Stover chocolate candy.  Yum with a cup of coffee.  Heavenly, for sure. 
 

Tornado warnings up by Fort Collins and going east and we did have a big wind here but it has passed.  Temperature dropped 15 degrees very quickly. 

A dinner brigade was set up for one of the table leaders as she had multiple bones break when skiing a few weeks ago.  So, tomorrow I will bake a bacon/cheese quiche and a friend is bringing a salad.  Years ago, our family had a few things going on and I had surgery - someone set up dinners for the family and it was just such a loving gift I will never forget.  Complete strangers came to our door with dinner for our family of six.  That was the generosity of Texans when we had not even been there very long. 

All of you are just as generous in "listening" to our posts. 

Hi, friends,

Ruth, Larry answered about the beds a day or so ago - about having a king size bed arrangement but with 2 adjustable twin beds. He even named the price.

Carol, we, too, had serious need for assistance from friends/church members when first I, and then my husband, had serious surgeries. Those meals were provided for several weeks, and oh, what a help they were.

Larry, my new router hasn't gotten here yet, so I'll just try to be patient and wait for it.

Naturally, a couple of things - the router and some asthma medication - could be delivered tomorrow while I'm in an all day meeting.

Y'all have a good rest of the day.

Love to all,
Ruth Ann

hi everyone:  I feel that I have overdone my walking around with a cane. Back to  using the walker for the rest of the day.. 
Adding to my misery I feel that the flue has returned yet again unless it is caused by a blood thinner that I must take for the next 9 days.Time will tell.

Ruth Ann I had read Larry"s response about the beds.

Ruth You know medications cause havoc with me....This could be a drug reaction.

It has been a beautiful day in the north, shirtsleeve weather.  Boy it has been a long time coming!

Today was an early morning, I am off to bed early.  Night all

Shirt sleeve weather here too, Judy but I think there's going to be rain during the night here but not sure.

Ruth, don't overdo it.  I'm sorry you're feeling "fluish".  Thank goodness for Mel and the way he has been helping you.

Hi everyone on a glorious spring morning here in Georgia.  It is suppose to get up to 86 degrees here this afternoon, about where we were yesterday in the afternoon.  Today is a fun day as I will meet with Federal Highway retirees for lunch.  It is a fairly long drive for me, about 50 minutes or so, but worth it as I always have a good time.  My new router is on the UPS truck for delivery so should have it by mid-afternoon.  I will have to call Comcast to get it activated as they have to have the info about and serial number of the device before it will operate.  That will be it for today. 

Carol, I share your concern about the health care situation as many doctors are now not overworked but are refusing to see Medicare patients.   My favorite at Dunkin' Donut is the apple fritter, which I guess really isn't a donut.  I do not care for cake donuts but the ones made with yeast.  I have never lived where they had Lamar's donuts.  What a big gathering of women.  I bet there was none of the Stover's candy left.    That would be my choice also, although some lemon or chocolate pie would be hard to pass up, so I would probably have a little of each.  Your dinner brigade sounds like a great idea.  We have benefited so much from the generous gift of meals that several folks brought us when Stacey passed. 

Ruth Ann, do you have to sign for the packages delivered or will the desk hold them for you? 

Ruth, sure hope your flu hasn't returned as you don't need that on top of recovering from your surgery.  Using your walker for awhile longer sounds like a wise move.  You sure don't want to fall and do damage like Gord's wife did to her knee.

Judy, glad you are having beautiful weather at last.  Are you keeping John busy? 

Pat, sounds like you have nice weather as well.   

We are blessed with such good neighbors.. I am borrowing an oven this afternoon as our oven door is shut and cannot be opened after I used the self-cleaning button last night.  This is the 2nd. time that the oven has been so hot the entire electronics have to be replaced.  So - I will ask Don if we can donate this thing to a repairman and get a normal stove once again. 

We met DD (Jenny) from Senior & Friends the other night.  She lives a very active life and they are only a minutes drive away from us and we have only been able to get together about three times.  Always such a nice visit. 

Larry:  Our new pastor is from a huge church in the Chicago area and apparently they did not have an exclusive women's bible study.  Could not believe so many would come and study once a week and bring food - praying for so many people and issues.  There is even a nursery and child care so the young moms can attend.  I would have loved this type of a gathering when our children were young.  FYI, my overload on chocolate did not affect me at all...

Don is at the monthly breakfast for men today with neighbors. 

Good afternoon: 

This has been another good day. The blood thinner that I must continue with for another 8 days is the cause of my grief, I have reread the page that comes with the package to see how it could react and all of the flu systems are written somewhere on the list. I will cope now that I have  this figured out as it is the interest of my recovery (no blood clots). Not long ago I went out for a short walk, out the front door around the side of the house to the back door.

Pat:   God new well in advance why  Mel was introduced into my life.