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Morning Devotional...





"No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with; I will never leave you nor forsake you." Joshua 1:5


For all things God is the great Antecedent. Because He is, we are and everything else is. He is that "dread, unbeginning One," self-caused, self-contained and self-sufficient. Faber saw this when he wrote his great hymn in celebration of God's eternity.


Thou hast no youth, great God,

An Unbeginning End Thou art;

Thy glory in itself abode,

And still abides in its own tranquil heart:

No age can heap its outward years on Thee:

Dear God! Thou art Thyself Thine own eternity.


Do not skip this as merely another poem. The difference between a great Christian life and any other kind lies in the quality of our religious concepts, and the ideas expressed in these six lines can be like rungs on Jacob's ladder, leading upward to a sounder and more satisfying idea of God.

We cannot think rightly of God until we begin to think of Him as always being there, and there first. Joshua had this to learn. He had been so long the servant of God's servant Moses, and had with such assurance received God's word at his mouth, that Moses and the God of Moses had become blended in his thinking, so blended that he could hardly separate the two thoughts; by association they always appeared together in his mind. Now Moses is dead, and lest the young Joshua be struck down with despair, God spoke to assure him, "As I was with Moses, so I will be with thee." Moses was dead, but the God of Moses still lived. Nothing had changed and nothing had been lost. Nothing of God dies when a man of God dies.

"As I was—so I will be." Only God could say this. Only the Eternal One could stand in the timeless I AM and say, "I was" and "I will be."


We cannot think rightly of God until we begin to think of Him as always being there, and there first.



Let us think rightly of You, Lord, by realizing that You have always been there and that You were there first.

From Devotions By Dr. Tozer

Don, thanks for the new devotional this morning.  The concept of the Eternity of God is not easy for us to grasp.

It's sunny, windy and only 37 degrees at a little past 10:00 (yes I turned back all my clocks).  We may get above 40 this afternoon.  I sure wish summer would hurry up and get here!   

Nothing of God dies when a man of God dies.  I had to read that over a couple of times.  We would like to think we have lasting value on the earth that will live on, but the only eternal changes we can make are the things we do for God; the people we influence for the Kingdom.  Good THOUGHTS!

I had to smile at your "hurry up, Summer" comment, Jeanne.  I haven't heard anyone wishing Winter would hurry up and get here!       But I'm sure there are some, most likely those who like to ski!

I got part of my packing done yesterday.  Two weeks from today, we leave!    I don't want to take unnecessary items, but sometimes it's hard deciding what is really necessary to take!  But we have had lots of practice, and are pretty good at it now. 

It isn't cold outside, but it sure is windy.  Ugh.  We went to the early service, so are back home already.

My friend Paula is very, very sick.  She's the one who is on home dialysis. I need to prepare some food and take over to her and Roy.  Or call him to pick it up; she doesn't feel like seeing anyone.   

 Our friends were supposed to come today for a three day visit.  She has been in a coma, now semi coma, for three weeks with West Nile Virus.  Feeling sad.  her husband is coping in a different way by staging almost funny contests on the messages.   Everyone copes with their grief in different ways and I used to see that the years of volunteering at a hospital.  So, I. Do understand and he loves his wife dearly.  Many prayers for them.

Judy, yes a lot of doctors can be too sensitive and that is a pity.   The US is going to feel the shortage of medical assist very soon most of the newcomers are already overwhelming some areas.   So it is another change in our lives.  Same for your area too.  hug for you.

Don! Thank you for the wonderful devotion. Good News!   

Janet.  Bon Voyage!

I hung a hummingbird feeder on the kitchen window.  They are so cute and the feeder is being used a lot.  We made breakfast for friends yesterday and sat outdoors with temp in mid 70's. 

Happy Sunday to all!

Hi everyone.  There was frost on the yard this morning when I left for coffee.  However, it is going to warm up a bit this week and today we are suppose to get up to 62 degrees.  I have a quiet day with nothing on the schedule until this evening.  We had a nice church service yesterday and the luncheon at the church after was good with bar-b-que pork, beans, slaw and peach cobbler.

Don, thanks for the devotional for this week. 

Janet, so sorry to read how sick your friend Paula is.  Your trip is coming up quickly.

Carol, that West Nile Virus is frightening.  Lyme disease has done a terrible health destroying job on my friend, who was misdiagnosed as having mad cow fever.  He can no longer drive and has to have some outside help.  He is a lot better but far from well.     

It's sunny and chilly here again this morning, but not quite as cold as yesterday.  It looks like Maine has really had an early taste of winter.

Well we hit 29.9 last night. Up to 53.5 already. When I went out the back door I didn't even have to look for frost. I could smell death in the air from my plants. A smell you never forget once you smell it. I guess winter has arrived.

I don't know if it means an early winter, but my Christmas Cactus is in bloom!   

Hi, friends,

Thank you for that good devotional message. Yes, God was, is, and always will be. What a comforting thought!

I'm dealing with allergies today - I cleaned the grids on my heating/cooling unit, and apparently there was mold. Now, I'm stuffy and my eyes are tearing up.

So, I'll close for today.

May God bless you real good.

Ruth Ann

Thanks for the blessing - I will take it to heart and cherish your thoughts.

Don has been putting together a piece of furniture that came in a box in what he said was a million pieces with some missing and some things broke so easily - he had to come in and put himself in the mood to tackle it again.  What we do to save $$ sometimes.  He is out there trying to work on it again. 

A friend from quilting is suddenly suffering kidney cancer and it is going fast.  We never know when a diagnosis of something drastic will come out of the blue.  Trusting.

It is snowing at home today and we want to drive there next week - being delayed by a delivery for almost half week.  I have been making a jillion fabric tissue holders for little gifts - they are sized for the small soft kleenix packets.  Also cut fabric for pot holders for a neighbor who loves her blue dishes & kitchen.

Thank goodness for the end of voting for a while.  We are thankful to be able to vote and would just like the ads to simmer down. 

Snowing in Maine - our grandson is there and now is able to play hockey since his broken finger has finally mended.   

Carol, Darrel and I so agree with you!  We told each other today, "Only one more day of these nauseating political ads!"  Thank goodness!

My friend Paula's husband called me this afternoon to tell me she has peritonitis, has had it for at least FOUR DAYS, and they still won't have the needed medicine until tomorrow!  Hard to believe how they are being treated.  Obamacare in action??       He said she doesn't want to see anyone but him, and I can understand that.  He is to come by and pick up some food I prepared for them soon, as he has to be out anyway.  I sure hope she makes a fast recovery when they finally get the medicine!

Darrel and I just went out for a walk-through of the building that has been donated to our church.  It is probably at least three times the size of our present church, and will be wonderful....after we spend probably two million dollars on it!  But then we can all attend the same service again!   

I think I just heard a car door slam!  Yes, I did...............

Hi everyone on this Tuesday morning and thankfully election day is here.  Both Pat and I voted early so don't have to get to the poles today.  I will watch the returns on TV this evening, at least for awhile.  I went no where yesterday after coffee as just wasn't up to it.  I hope to get to a meeting this morning but not certain I will go.  So it may be a very quiet day. It is suppose to get up to 70 this afternoon and the sun is shining brightly. 

Jeanne, It looked like Massachusetts also got a lot of snow as shown on the news last night along with Maine.  When we saw those pictures I told Pat I was so thankful God had allowed us to end up here in Georgia.

Don, I expect you are saddened to see the growing season come to a close but now you can plan for next spring. 

Ruth Ann, don't you have maintenance men to clean the ducts, etc, in your apartments?  That sounds like it wasn't a good thing for you to be doing. 

Carol, that furniture sounds like a real challenge for Don.  Will he make the replacement pieces himself that are damaged or broken.  So sorry to hear of your quilting friend with the kidney cancer. 

Janet, I think about everyone feels the same about the constant political ads that are repeated over and over.  We may not be done here as they predict a runoff in early January will be necessary.  The church project sounds like a big investment but a good opportunity. 

Well we finally, officially have a doctor.  We had our first meeting yesterday.  He is doing all kinds of tests and considers me complex.  over 3000 people in our area have to depend on walk in clinics and we are fortunate enough to get a doctor who cares.  We are so thankful to John's boss for speaking up for us!  If she hadn't we would still be waiting!  Thank you Lord!

We need more family practices  here in the north however the new doctors go south where the population is greater! 

Judy:  Sorry to say that so many people do not like living in the cold north, I know of an undertaker that moved even farther north than you and he loves it. The north has everything to satisfy his after work pleasures.

Janet: Insurance company's sure do not like spending money. State Farm is very bad for that. 

This morning was sunny allowing Mel to get the leaves picked up and delivered to the dump, but now it is raining.

I have been sitting here at the desk getting the paper work organized and ready to be filed or delivered.

Have a wonderful rest of the day. 

Hi, friends,

I'm beginning to come out of my "Benadryl hangover." As for others cleaning the vents, I considered that to be my job. They are, however, going to remove the unit and steam clean it. That's a matter for thanksgiving.

I ate lunch with friends today. We met a Golden Corral, a buffet restaurant. It was certainly nice to enjoy the good vegetables they offer.

Well, I'm off to rest up a bit.

May our Lord bless us as each of us has need.

Love to all,
Ruth Ann

Hello everyone, Just stopping by to let you know I am still alive and kicking. I go back to work on Monday after being off for two weeks wi=hile they do some restructuring of our  clinic program. We might be working different days or  whatever, we will find out Monday.

I've been working on some new graphics that I will be posting to Facebook later.

Tomorrow I will be going to My Friend Leslie's house so we can work on that denim Quilt we will be raffling off  to raise $$ for our Church Provident Fund for helping those in need. We are making it out of old jeans and lining it with flannel. No batting in between as it will be heavy enough with the flannel and denim. I will take pictures when it is finished.

Please remember my Daughter In law Sarah in your prayers, she is having an hysterectomy tomorrow.

Well its been a long time since I last posted, so I thought it was about time. Kept quite busy this fall trying to get outside work done between rain showers. It has been a wet fall here but at least it has also been somewhat milder than usual. So far only had maybe a half a dozen frosts, which is nice. Getting a few inquiries to teach defensive driving classes as well as guess speaking at company safety meetings. Looks like I won,t have to worry about how to fill my time in retirement. If that wasn't enough already I got an request from a trucking magazine to do an article for them including pictures of my grand daughter. This is going to be an interesting challenge as well. Looking forward to it. They are looking for a veteran drivers perspective on the industry. It,s hunting season here in the north right now and the deer have become elusive. Before the season started we had deer in our back yard every day and I also encountered them on my bus run on a daily basis. But now that the hunters are out and about the deer have gone into hiding and we rarely see one now. The animals seem a lot smarter that I think humans give them credit for. Hope all of you are doing well as we are here. May God richly bless each and everyone of you.

Hi everyone on a cloudy but pleasant afternoon here in Georgia.  I did get out this morning for coffee and then we went to Bible study.  I took Pat over to Dunkin' Donuts while I went to Kaiser for a blood test to check on my sodium level.  Fortunately I got in immediately and had the blood draw and was back in the car in about 10 minutes.  We then stopped to have a good lunch so Pat need not worry about dinner tonight.  I am in for the rest of the day.

Judy, glad you and John were able to connect with a doctor that you like. 

Ruth, I am one of those folks who don't want to live in the cold north.  We have seasons here but it is unusual for us have a day in winter where it doesn't get above freezing even if it freezes at night.  Some years we have no snow at all. 

Ruth Ann, I hope you won't be hesitant to let the apartment management know what you need in terms of your apartment.  In both apartment complexes Stacey lived in they had a work needed form that they filled out with any non-emergency work request and if an emergency happened such as a water leak they could get immediate attention.  Glad you are feeling better.  Golden Corral makes their buffet bars like so appetizing. 

Marilyn, your quilting projects sounds very worthwhile.  Sure hope Sarah has a quick recovery from her surgery. 

John, good to see your posting and I hope as winter comes on you will find more time to share with us.  It sounds like your life has stayed very busy since retiring. 

It's been a busy day for me!  But I am one happy gal today because I feel America has been given another chance to do things right!  I pray we will not squander it.

I have talked to Diane, Jeff and Curtis today.  They tell me our Mark is coming home (and bringing girlfriend Tiffany!) on the 11th and has to go back on the 14th.  Pilots must be there around holidays to fly those planes!    So we are planning an early Thanksgiving for a week from tomorrow, since Darrel and I will be in Burma for Thanksgiving.  This way we can celebrate with Mark and Tiffany and the rest of the family before we leave.  It's rushed, but we can pull it off, I think!  Diane is very busy getting ready for her Open House at her store, and their play on the weekend.  Abby is in her High School Musical that weekend too.  Like I said, busy!

I went to visit Beth again today, read to her a while until she wanted to go play Bingo.   

Going to get something done now!  Later!

My laptop's mouse has stopped working; we bought a new mouse and tried it - not working.  So, a friend gave me an old mouse she had no use for and now I can use my laptop.  Later, we will make another trip to the store to return the China mouse. 

We kept the same gov. in our home state even though he is recorded lying to the group of sheriffs. He promised somethings twice and reneged on those promises - business as usual.    Otherwise, there are two really good people who have been elected. 

I am cutting up the old drapes and washing them to use for furniture covers when we are gone.  Orange trees here are showing large green oranges and they will be ready when we return.  We have three little fruit trees and they are:   lime, orange (not producing) and grapefruit (they look big for the little tree). 

Yummy, Carol!  Home grown fruit sounds wonderful!

Well, I lost all my comments...oh, well, suffice it to say, I love each of you and hope you have a wonderful rest of the day with our Lord.

Ruth Ann

Hi everyone on a nice early 60 degree morning with a 60% chance of rain this morning and then sun this afternoon.  This should be a fairly quiet day with only my Thursday men's luncheon at 11:30 and then the man is coming for the fall check of the furnace about 2:30 this afternoon.  Pat plans on going to the church to work on the doll project and then has a 1:30 routine appointment with the dentist.  Exciting day--not.  That is the way I like it most days. 

Janet, it sounds like you have exciting plans for next week with the big family get together.  Sure you will be happy to see Mark again as well as being with the family.  Have you met Tiffany before?  Glad to read that Beth wanted to play Bingo.

Carol, I loved to see the citrus fruit on the trees when we visited Arizona and also in Florida. 

Ruth Ann, sorry to see you lost your posting but it happens too us all on occasion. 

I'm sitting here with color on my hair, waiting for time to go wash it out.  Since my hairdresser (Pat) moved back to Texas, I'm having to fend for myself, at least part of the time.  I have tried two other hairdressers but haven't liked the way they did my hair.  I know, big problems---not!  I am so blessed in uncountable ways!  This is only a minor distraction!

Larry, a "do nothing day" as Etta Sue always called them, sounds like a real treat to me!  It seems there are things on our calendar almost every day!  Yes, I met Tiffany last summer when she came with Mark to our family reunion.  She's a sweet girl, and a Christian.  Her Dad was the head IT man for Joyce Meyer Ministries, and he is an Assemblies of God pastor.  Jeff has met the whole family, when he went to Marks's graduation.  He liked all of them.    Mark says he is not ready to marry, but they seem to enjoy each other's company, and they are NOT living together, so we just pray they will follow the Lord's leading.

John called yesterday to ask if I had received his itinerary for his trip out here to visit Beth in December.  I had, but he has been having computer problems, so wanted to make sure!  I am so glad he is coming, he is such a blessing in Beth's life.

It's a beautiful day in this neighborhood!  I surely hope Saturday the 15th will be like this.  That's the day I am doing a 5K run/walk, the Turkey Trot.  I've never done anything like this before, but am confident I can handle it with no problems.  Kristi is toughening me up!

Time to go wash this smelly color off and see if I did a good job or not! 

Yesterday was a long day starting at 5:00am and finally ending at 2:am that night.  Talk tired!

We are still having rain, and there is more snow in the forecast!  At least you don't have to shovel rain.

Have a great day folks!

Judy, you're right - at least you don't have to shovel rain.   

Janet, I know John is a blessing to Beth, but I'm sure Beth is also a blessing to John.   

Yes, Jeanne, she is--and he often tells her-and us- that!  Bless his heart.

Hi everyone.  It is a very cool but very sunny Fall day here in Georgia.  The staff at McDonald's was excited this morning as they had set a new record by serving 141 cars in the drive thru in 60 minutes.  My calendar is completely free for today so am looking forward to a nice quiet rest of the day. 

My DIL is elated this week to finally have the feeding tube removed as it has been probably a year that she has had to deal with it.  Now she just has to continue eating and keep her weight up. 

Janet, you sound like Pat in having a difficult time finding a hairdresser she likes to cut her hair.  I remember in the past when she would have it styled she would come home and recomb it.  Anymore she only goes for the haircuts.  Glad to read that John is planning another trip to see Beth next month. 

Judy,  that was a very long day and don't think I could do that anymore but also know we usually find the strength to do what we have to do. 

I'm a redhead today!        And I have a lunch date!  He will be surprised!  Grandson Curtis is coming to eat lunch with me.  I sure enjoy keeping in touch with my grandkids, but it gets harder every year, it seems.

It's another beautiful Fall day here in my corner of Kansas,  cool and brisk, but warming up.  According to the forecast, we better enjoy it, as it's predicted to turn sharply colder on Tuesday

This machine is playing tricks on me!  Just lost a whole paragraph!   

I will need a nap later as had a mostly sleepless night, so was glad this was the day Kristi had all of us do stretches.  I didn't feel I had the energy for a full workout.

We are still trying to get insurance on our house!   

Hi everyone.  It is going to be another chilly morning but getting up to 62 this afternoon and no rain in the forecast for the next several days.  After coffee I may go to a meeting this morning as have missed my other meetings this week.  I will watch the Georgia football game this afternoon and that will be about it for today. 

Janet, did you go from a blonde to a redhead?  My DIL and granddaughter have both used red coloring in their hair but the last pictures of my granddaughter I saw she had beautiful black hair.  Glad you had a lighter day at the gym.  I bet you enjoyed that lunch date.