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Morning Devotional...




READ: Romans 5:20-21

But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:  That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord


That sin abounds we know full well.  But do we believe that "grace abounds more exceedingly" and enables us to reign over sin?

These words of the Holy Spirit are almost beyond our grasp.  Let us continually take them to God that He Himself through His Holy Spirit may make them to live in our hearts.  By them, we shall attain to a firm and joyous faith.

With such a God, with such abounding grace--much more abundant than the easily besetting sin--with such a Lord Jesus to give grace and cause grace to reign--thank God, I may believe that life abundant is for me!


From God's Best Secrets by Andrew Murray

Since this week is Remembrance Day/Veterans Day on Wednesday, how be we include in this week's "Thoughts" any photos and/or graphics and/or poems or stories about our family history or about those who are currently in our military serving our countries.

I hope that you all click on the video above.


On November 11, 1999 Terry Kelly was in a Shoppers Drug Mart store in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. At 10:55 AM an announcement came over the store's PA asking customers who would still be on the premises at 11:00 AM to give two minutes of silence in respect to the veterans who have sacrificed so much for us.

Terry was impressed with the store's leadership role in adopting the Legion's "two minutes of silence" initiative. He felt that the store's contribution of educating the public to the importance of remembering was commendable.

When eleven o'clock arrived on that day, an announcement was again made asking for the "two minutes of silence" to commence. All customers, with the exception of a man who was accompanied by his young child, showed their respect.

Terry's anger towards the father for trying to engage the store's clerk in conversation and for setting a bad example for his child was later channeled into a beautiful piece of work called, "A Pittance of Time". Terry later recorded "A Pittance of Time" and included it on his full-length music CD, "The Power of the Dream".

The Revealing was fun yesterday.  There was only one lady that had an idea who had their name.  Then we had snacks. 

I got back home and realized that I had forgotten to bring Ivalou's gift to her.  So I called the hostess and she said that Marge had Ivalou's gift.  Linda and the cutest little redheaded little 10 month old baby girl was still here.  We talked awhile while Linda was getting things together to go home.  Marge came and brought Ivalou's gift and visited with all of us.  Linda and Cailyn left.  And Marge, Ivalou and I continued visiting.  Marge left.

Then around 9pm, I started feeling funny.  I got sick to my stomach.  I think there was something at the Revealing that didn't agree with me.  I finally told Ivalou that I wanted to go to bed...that maybe I wouldn't be sick after I got to sleep.  That worked.

Now today, I can't eat anything because I am having a blood draw at 9:15.  Jane is coming to stay with Ivalou but also Physical Therapy is coming some time this morning and Speech Therapy is to be here around 11:30am.   

Then Marge is coming this evening so I can go to Photo Guild. 

Busy week...I have something every day...even termite inspection of my home and my furnace being cleaned.  Next week, I don't have anything to do!!

During World War II our town of about 4000, like other towns and cities all across the U.S., displayed an "Honor Roll" with the names of all the men and women who were serving in the Armed Forces. 

Memories from World War II

Until Dad enlisted in the Navy he was a "Block Warden" - the supervisor of a neighborhood group of "Air Raid Wardens", men who patrolled during air raid drills to be sure everyone was off the streets and that there was no light showing from any building.  We all had heavy black drapes to cover our windows so no light could escape.

Mom was a certified Red Cross Nurse's Aid and, together with our only doctor, during the air raid drills operated the Civil Defense Disaster Center, where any injuries from an enemy attack would be taken and cared for.

Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts collected the jars of grease fats that had been saved by housewives, flattened tin cans, and bundled newspapers and took them to what today would be a "recycling center".  In winter we collected these things on sleds and in summer we used wagons, calling on every house in our allotted area.

Maybe it is the cause of the shooting at Ft. Hood, but it seems to me that there is more attention being paid to this Memorial - Remembrance Day. 

Gord:  I certainly hope that you don't have to endure surgery for your carpal tunnel diagnosis.  Sorry for the pain you are enduring - may it go away. 

I had my physical today and all went well so that is a gift - next month is a bone density test and mammogram and I still have not shrunk from 5'6" so do expect the bones to be well too.  There were some wearing masks in the waiting room - yikes.  This afternoon is teeth cleaning for both of us and tonight is a concert where grandson plays a trumpet solo. 

Hello from a wet, soggy, Vancouver Island.  Oh well, it is that time of the year.....

Read and enjoyed all the posts.  Nice to learn that Sarah is okay.  I was thinking about her and wondering.  Have said a prayer for all having problems.

Your life does sound peaceful, Marilyn.  Mine is mostly boring these days.  I did go for an overnight with my friend from Parksville a few weeks ago.  We went to Victoria as a friend from Calgary was there with her husband for a short holiday.  Had a nice time.  B left her hubbie home with the dogs.....  Went to a concert and a nice art show.  Even had good weather, only a little rain the first day.   So that made a nice break. 

The kids are away for a short break and are in Whistler.  Something about some bargain price and they are both exhausted.  Wendy is getting more ill all the time and must go for a series of tests when they return.  I spend most of my time worrying about her.  Not that it helps anything.

Read this prayer recently and really like it.  Had to read it a few times to get the full impact of what it is saying.  Guess it is Anglican.  We Baptists tend to be less formal, which is rather sad.


Who can free himself from his meanness and limitations,
If You do not lift him to yourself, my God, in purity of love?
How will a person
brought to birth and nurtured in a world of small horizons,
rise up to you, Lord.
If You do not raise him by your hand which made him?
so I shall rejoice;
You will not delay, if I do not fail to hope.

                         

At any rate, it made me feel better.

Pleasant Day and God Bless.

Liz

Hello, all.  We are having a gloomy and cool day today, but the sun'll come out tomorrow, as the song says. 

Paul Baloche is on the 700 Club right now.  I love the praise songs he writes.  He says he writes the songs for his local church and is always surprised when he hears them on the radio.

Liz, good to see your post, and I'm glad you had a nice little break.  I know you do worry about Wendy, but all our worrying doesn't help our daughters.  If we could only learn that hard lesson of giving them to the Lord and leaving them in His care, then we wouldn't feel the burden is on us.  I do empathize with you, you know I have Beth!

Carol, always good to read your posts too.  Hope all your medical appts. and tests bring good reports.  And I'm praying the Senate makes better decisions than the House did.  Oh, my, who would have ever thought our country would be in such a mess.  I'm sure glad God is still in charge, otherwise I would really be worried!  I know.....don't worry, PRAY!!

Pat, hello!  I sure hope those shoulders of yours are much better by now.  We miss you when you can't be with us.

I am going to a community concert tonight in Garden City.  A friend gave me a ticket as she cannot go.  It is to be a very good pianist, so I'm sure I will enjoy it.

Hello everyone. I spoke to Gilbert and Sarah yesterday , they tell me that Forest is recovering from the H1N1 virus. He was one very sick boy. Sarah's parents had it a couple of weeks ago and that is where we have Thanksgiving and Christmas. Gilbert, Sarah and Savannah have not had the flu yet and I am supposed to stay there when I go down for the holiday. I told Gilbert that if they are sick I can't stay there. I have a doctor appointment tomorrow and I will ask about the vaccine, whether or not I should have it since I am asthmatic.

Keith is still making up his mind whether or not he is going to go down with me, his 3 sons and DIL will be in town for the holiday and will be coming here one of the days, so if he goes we have to come back on Friday at the latest to pick up the dogs from the kennel.

Carol I pray you will get good results from all your tests. Tomorrow when  go I will get the results of my Bone density test.

Janet Thank you for all the things you have been sending me. I sure di laugh at the Mexican Lion.

Hi everyone.  I am a little later getting here today as have had a very busy day today.  Right after coffee I went to Kaiser to have a blood draw for my routine PSA check.  I then stopped at the tire place to have my tires checked as knew one of them was low on air.  Then I went to Walmart, then stopped at the bank and finally stopped at the barber for a haircut.  I came home for a few minutes and then left for my Monday Men's luncheon.  We had a good turnout today and enjoyed the time together.  However, the place we ate was very busy and it took a long time to get our orders.  I then came home and rested for an hour.

It has been cloudy here all day and we are under another flood watch for all of Northern Georgia because of the tropical storm coming in off the gulf. 

Pat, thanks for the devotional.  I was not in the military but have the greatest respect for those who have served to protect our country and allow us to have the freedoms I have enjoyed throughout my life. 

Marilyn, glad your grandson is getting over the flu.  Hope you won't have to cancel your plans.

Liz, I agree with the comments made by Janet concerning the matter of worrying about our grown children.  Our worry does nothing to help them even though we would willingly bear the pain if we could prevent them having to do so.   

Carol, glad that all went well with your physical today. 

Jeanne, thanks for sharing the information on your remembrances from the war when you were young.

Etta Sue, sure glad you didn't have residual illness today. 

Gord, hope you get a good report from your doctor today.  So sorry to hear of the back spasms your wife is experiencing.

Hi, friends, It's bedtime already, and I still need to find the music for my tomorrow morning solo at devotions. I believe I'll just wish you a great evening, sit near my bookcase filled with Christian songbooks and enjoy browsing through the indexes for a few moments. I believe I know exactly which book it's in, but "believing and KNOWING are 2 entirely different things," my parents used to say.

G'nite, friends, and rest in peace with our Loving Heavenly Father.

Hi everyone.  I see that Ruth Ann is the only one posting here since I posted late yesterday afternoon. 

We are getting the rains from the tropical storm.  It started raining during the night and is suppose to continue today.  It is dark and gloomy outside. 

I have somewhere I need to go this morning but then can stay inside the rest of the day.  There were not many people at McDonald's this morning.  However, we had 5 men at our table.

Our sunny 70 degree weather seems to be just a memory.  The forecast is for clouds and upper 50's for the rest of the week. 

Good morning.  It is still morning in Indiana! 

I got my blood work done yesterday morning and was sooo hungry.  I went to a small restaurant near the doctor's office and it was closed.,  So I went to Noblesville and ate at Bob Evan's.  Then to Marsh's to get a few items that Ivalou needed. 

Ivalou had Physical Therapy and Speech Therapy yesterday while I was gone. 

Then last evening Marge came and stayed with Ivalou while I went to Photo Guild.  We had almost a hundred photos to view.  What talent in our Guild.  I didn't get home until around 9:30pm. 

This morning Ivalou has had her shower and I went home and showered at my house.  Then came back to Ivalou's and had to go back home to let in the man to inspect my house for termites.  Years ago Mom had termites in the house so I get it inspected every year.  All was fine.  He goes in my crawl space and I ask him to let me know if there is anything there that needs my attention.  Last year he found a water pipe with a drip.  This year he found two dead mice!  That's good! 

I have made a pot of chili and Betty is coming around 2:30pm to be with Ivalou while I play Euchre today. 

Everything is happening this week for me.  Next week I just have a doctor's appointment!

Hello everyone! 

I know I haven't been in here for a while to chat.  If you've been wondering about me, I've had a lot of physical problems that have kept me from so many activities.  Well, I have an update. 

If you want all the details, please go to my Vision Blog
to read full details of the update on my eyes.  God's healing my eyes!  (and more)  Praise Him!  Praise Him!  Praise Him!  Thank you so much, to all of you who've been faithful to pray for me. 

You all have a great day!  blessings, Kathleen

Kathleen, Praise the Lord, indeed.  He is SO good.

The concert last night was really good.  That young man from Lithuania was far and away the best pianist I have ever heard!  He was a child prodigy, has been playing the piano since the age of four.  He played selections from all the classic composers, but spoke between, using humor in a unique way.  He also played the harmonica, drum, and cymbals with one hand, while playing piano with the other.  His fingers moved so fast they wer just a blur when playing some of the pieces.  His name is Rudolf Budginas, in case he is near you sometime I sure recommend you go hear him.

Oh, my, am I ever sore!  I think I overdid the exercise--no, I'm sure I did.  Ow! Ow! Ow!

Liz, I know you understand that what I said was said with love.  And Larry and I both understand how hard it is to leave our much-loved daughters in His care.  Yes, we do all we can to help, but their lives are ultimately in His hands, just as are ours.  

I am heartbroken about the terrible terrorist massacre at Ft. Hood.  I do hope they deal out justice to that Muslim, and that right quickly.  It is just horrible that all the signs were there and nobody did anything about it, now so many soldiers and one policewoman have lost their lives or been wounded, and all their families are suffering.

I have several things I need to do yet today, and time is passing, so.........

I came back to ask Ruth Ann what song she sang??  Wish I could have been there!

Wow!  Janet, God did  a wonder in that young fellow!  May He be praised!

Hi everyone.  Still a few minutes before leaving for coffee.  We had rain here the last two nights and all day yesterday.  I just heard on the news that at the airport they have had 4.5 inches and more is possible, although I think it has stopped for today. 

This is going to be a pretty busy day.  I have a man coming at 9 am to give me an estimate of having vinyl siding to match my house put on my storage shed.  I have also called the furnace/AC man to come and check out the furnace for the season as we didn't do that last year.  I also will call the insurance company to see about having an adjuster look at my roof for hail damage.  Several houses in the neighborhood are having new roofs put on for that reason, including my next door neighbor. 

We are going to try to get to Bible study at the church this morning as have missed for several weeks.  They are studying the Psalms.  Tonight is choir practice.  This is as full a day as I care for. 

Shuttermom, so glad to read of your vision improvement.  God is good and does take care of us.

Janet, I would love to see that young man play the piano.  I will write down his name and see if I can find any video of him playing. 

Etta Sue, so glad you are able to continue with some of your activities while caring for Ivalou.

Jeanne, we had all the lights on in the rooms where we were yesterday as it was so gloomy here.  However, that doesn't last too long down here.  We had an electrical outage for about an hour last evening.  We heard a loud pop so a transformer must have blown out.  We were glad when they came back on. 

Let's remember our Veteran's today.  Our town is having a special event this evening at the park.  Sure hope the weather clears up by then.  The high school band is performing.

Thanks for that, Jeanne.  I love and respect our veterans so much.

Yesterday at the Senior Center, the teacher of the special education class brought several of her students to help serve the meal. (She does that about once a week.)  After we had eaten, they asked all the veterans to come to the front, where the kids presented them with a star that stood up and a heart with flag design that the kids had made of paper.  They had written "Thank you for your service" on the back and signed their names.  Nice gesture.

My sister Shirley has just completed writing a book about World War II.  She got interested in it by visiting with an elderly lady who had been in the Land Army Girls in England during that time, then went on to do extensive research and studying many books about the war time.  She said she was really ashamed of how little she really knew (she was very young at that time, of course, and so little was taught us in school, even before the textbooks were "revised".)  Anyway, she is sending the script to me to edit, and I can't wait to read it.

My dad was too young for WW I and too old for WW II, so I was never around veterans much until I married.  My first husband was a Korean war veteran, and Darrel served almost 8 years in the army.  Now our grandson Curtis is in the Air Force, and my sister's grandson is a Marine.  So my interest continues on a more personal level.  God bless all who serve with honor in our military!

Larry, that's a good idea to check online for any videos of Rudolf Budginas.  I will do that as well.  He is truly gifted by God, as Al said.

Time to go to the gym and see what, if anything, I can do about this soreness.  Goodness!  I can move a little better today, but still very sore.

See you later.

Quote from: Jeanne Lee on November 11, 2009, 07:56:05 AM

I love this!  Thanks to all of our brave citizens that have served and are serving and sacrificing for our freedom and this great country of the United States of America!

Yes, Jeanne ... Thanks so much for that beautiful display. 

Janet, my dad served in WWI  and I remember when we got into WWII  (I was young, then, of course  ).  I've been "involved" with a few of our military troops.... First boyfriend, and later, first husband were Air Force ... second husband was Army ... Tom is retired Air Force ... and then there was my brother, who was Coast Guard.  All but Tom are deceased now, and Tom is in the California Veteran's Home.  I also have two grandsons who served in the Army in Iraq, so yup, I'm involved with our veterans, and have the utmost respect and gratitude for all they represent.   

What uplifting news, Kathleen!  Just don't wear your eyes out seeing now!! 

I was sore yesterday but it wasn't from exercising...it was from being sick!  Now tomorrow I will probably be sore from exercising. 

Euchre was fun.  I had to drive home in the dark.  Forgot about the time change and it getting dark so early! 

I have been doing laundry at my house...so far 3 trips over and back and one more on the way.  I thought Linda was coming this morning but she didn't show up.  So it is come and go all day. 

Barb called and wanted to know if we wanted Chinese for dinner.  Yes.  We wanted it last week when they called and said they were doing something else and couldn't get it.  Still hungry for Chinese! Ha!

We are waiting on the call from the PT guy.  He is to be here this afternoon.  Then Ivalou is done for the day. 

Seems like a hurry up and wait situation all the time.

Forgot it was Veteran's Day until I wondered why the mailman wasn't here yet!

I am at Dougs, and have caught up on the "Thoughts" news.  I am continuing to pray for each and every one of you.  I am not going to mention names, because I will for sure forget someone.

Kass has finally got over the flu.  She is well and feeling much better.

Today was our Remembrance Day Parade.  I was waiting in Memorial Gardens for the parade to arrive.  All the cadets marched in, but no Kassie!!  Where in the world did she get to?  Can you imagine my surprise when she marched in carrying the flag!  She did a great job.  The wreath part of the ceremonies went on for ever....but I do understand the reasoning.  Each branch of cadets did a recitation.  All did so well.

I must go, have a lot to accomplish befor Doug kicks me off!  LOL

Something I meant to comment on.  The Band that was playing for the ceremonies today, played all hymns. It was interesting, only someone who knows hymns would have noticed that point, I quietly sang along with them.  The interesting point to me was there were more hymns played by a secular band than there are in most "Christian" churches!

Glad to see things are getting back to normal Judy. We have missed you and are glad you are back posting.

Praise God that Kassie is feeling better.

Don

Hi from the very warm Rocky Mountains.  Saturday, we will dip about 30 degrees from today's temperature. 

Liz:  Nice to see you! 

Janet:  How is Beth?  I think of her often.

Hi to JudyB:  How fun for you to see Kassie with the flag.  Lump in my heart just reading about it. 

I have to stop in at the doctor's office tomorrow because there is a young lady in the office who doesn't understand two things.  1:  I want a copy of my tests that she told me came back good. 
2:  She cannot understand mail order prescription and she does not understand that I need it for the next year until my next physical. 

Other than that - I had another wonderful time at bible study this morning and another good visit this afternoon with a stitching arts group that meets here monthly.  Last night, I went to a new group that has invited me (members are dwindling so I know they need to add more people) - they are national experts in quilting and knitting.  I am overwhelmed & will pick up a lot of interesting tips from these gals. 

Hi, friends, well, it's 31 minutes until church board meeting. Guess who's on the way out the door.

Janet, 2 songs (It is Well With My Soul) and (What God Hath Promised).

In both instances, I invited those who knew tthe songs to sing along, and it was so nice to hear their strong voices.

G'nite, friends!