Christian Photographers Community

• Prayer and Praise     Thanks for visiting this area of our site to share prayer requests and items for praise!

• See the last photos uploaded to our Gallery

---

Thank you for that thought-provoking devotional today, Etta Sue.

Etta Sue thank you for the devotional today.

Not much going on so far today. Watched the Ducks football game last night, USC broke their winning streak and beat the Ducks 38-35, we are disappointed that they lost.

AMEN

Carol, No at this point we haven't met betty....At least I don't think I have.  We are arranging to get together the next time she comes north!

How wonderful that y'all can get together, wish I were close enough to attend!

Thank you, Etta Sue, for such a great devotional reminding us that God expects us to display the virtues that our faith in Him impart to us.

This has been a challenging weekend, but I'm going to be back to normal tomorrow.

Today has certainly been a Sabbath - my day of rest.

May our Lord bless each of us and allow us to be able to serve Him through our love and service to others and to His beloveds around the world.

Ruth Ann

I have a funny cat.  Tom is an old boy, and has his places to sleep in the house.  He prefirs it outside, but comes in to get warm and to eat.

I also have birds.  Enough said?

I went into the living room to see where he was and he as calmly sitting on a chair mesmerized by my birds.  (Etta Sue Kitty TV!)  I brought the birds into the kitchen ready to take them upstairs and turn around to see him on the table watching the birds again...  Nothing threatening in his pose just watching TV!!! 

He has been shooed off and the next step is back outside!

We had a cat and a parakeet - long time ago.  The cat paid no attention to the bird...  most of the time.  But the bird learned how to escape from its cage - at night after the lights were off.  Every night just as we began to doze off we'd hear the most horrible screeching and run to find the cat was after the bird who was out of the cage.  Once we discovered how the bird was managing to open the cage, and corrected that, we again had peaceful nights. 

Good morning (evening to you!) from Trier, the oldest city in Germany, founded in the 900s.  I will soon leave for a walk into town, will stay there most of the day with friends met on the ship.  We could bus back to the ship for lunch, but we want to eat in town, more time to look around and take photos, shop if we want.

Darrel isn't going into town today, guess he will have a lazy day aboard the MS River Rhapsody.  It is very foggy outside, so probably chilly as well.  I dress in lots of layers!

Must run, but wish you all a peaceful, healthy and happy day!

Hi everyone.  I woke up early this morning as had gone to bed early last night.  I discovered when I went to bed that I had failed to take my morning medicine and think that may be why I was feeling so tired duriing the day yesterday.  We did have a nice church service and then Pat and I went to a local place for a quick lunch.  They had the neatest new Coca Cola dispensing machine that has a large variety of Coke brands and then the ability to add various flavoring to them such as vanilla, strawberry, orange, etc.  I tried a couple of the flavors but think I just prefer the original taste.  We became concerned yesterday when our daughter didn't call and we were not able to reach her by phone.  About five pm we called one of her ministers to see if she had been a church yesterday morning and she had not.  We were about ready to get in the car and drive to her apartment when the phone finally rang and it was her.  She said she was all right but hadn't felt very good yesterday and had slept through church time and was sleeping during the afternoon.  Needless to say we were greatly relieved.  Just my usual Monday activities today and this evening.  The housekeeprs and lawn people should be here this morning.

Marilyn, we had a rather dreary day here yesterday.  The sun did get out for a little while in the afternoon but not for long. 

Betty, the sermon by your minister sounds like it was very assuring and uplifting.

Carol, I think the newspapers are in the process of putting themselves out of business due to the lack of any objectivity.  We have a Panera bread place not far from us but have only been there a couple of times but enjoyed it.

Etta Sue, like you I have yet to attend a potluck and go away hungry.  It is always interesting the variety of dishes that folks bring.  Hope your blood test produces the results you want to hear.  I am waiting to hear from my doctor as some of my blood counts were either lower or higher than the norms.  He may not be concerned due to all of the medicines I take.  Thanks for the new devotional for this week.  We can never deceive God as this Bible story illustrates.

Ruth Ann, I am sure you are relived to have the weekend challenges past.  Glad you were able to rest yesterday.

Judy, I thought you were going to tell us your cat ate one of the birds.  I expect it is the sudden movements that birds make that attract the cat so much but also its natural hunting instinct.  Jeanne, it sounds like your experience was closer to the cat getting the bird for awhile.

Janet, hope you have a great time in Trier today with your new friends.  It sounds like Darrel is ready for a nice restful day enjoying what the ship has to offer. 



Carol,   

Thank you for all the comments on the devotion. 

It is interesting how stuffed and full I felt yesterday after the potluck lunch that I am hungry this morning!!  The thought of food last evening was terrible.  Now my stomach is growling and I can't eat...not until the nurse gets my blood.  Oh, how I hope I am only stuck once today! 

Then I plan to go to Bob Evans for breakfast and then to Office Depot for ink and big envelopes. 

Then Home, James!

I am back on board the ship, after enjoying six hours walking around the ancient city of Trier.  It is very interesting.  The weather is cold, crisp and beautiful, perfect for walking, but made stoping in a warm cafe for hot chocolate an especially nice treat.  The Christmas Markets are open, and remind me of state fairs at home, in that there are many booths selling things, and lots of them offering various foods.  We managed to try several new things and all tasted good!

I haven't seen Darrel since breakfast; guess I will go find him and see how his day went.

Larry, glad your daughter was all right.  That was pretty scary!

Janet, it sounds as though you are having a wonderful time.   And what great pictures you'll have to share with us.  If you need help posting them, let me know.

Larry, what a scare that must have been for you and Pat when you couldn't contact Stacey.  And what a relief to finally hear from her.

Looks like this will be a gray day but at least the ground is still bare.   

Etta Sue:  I am so glad that you did not have to spit out any food at the church harvest meal 

Larry:  Understand, that must have been so worrisome not to reach Stacey.  Glad that she is alright. 

Judy:  It sounds like you have an independent cat.  We had a husky/elkhound who just preferred to sleep in a snowbank instead of the house.

Another coffee pot bit the dust this morning.  We could have retired earlier if only our coffee pots would work longer.  This is only a few months.  A plastic thingy broke and it doesn't heat the water.  Junk. 

No bible study this Wednesday but I do have quilting on Tues night and nothing to work on.  Must find fresh cranberries at a decent price or the tradition will be broken. 

I am SO happy!!      I got another email from my conceptual editor; had to go back in and make some final changes to the manuscript, just finished that and got it sent.  When I came back to email, I have an email from my cover designer saying he met with the entire design team today and should have a cover design idea (or two or three) ready to send for my approval later today or tomorrow!  So it was totally worth it to lug this computer along.  But I intend to investigate the IPad before long.  The friend I walked with all day today has one along, and it's great!

I didn't get a nap, but progress on the book takes precedence any day over napping! 

I think my battery is low and I am using the adapter to charge a camera battery now, so better scoot!

Hi, friends,

It's already been a great day. Someone in my family needed a bit of advanced Excel assistance.  What joy comes from serving others and being able to share knowledge and skills!

Now, to sign off and read my Bible. Then work on this apartment.

It's rainy today and supposed to be a bad day with storms tomorrow.

Tomorrow night will be a highlight of the week -- some of you who have been here for a long time remember the elderly lady I love so much who had to move to Florida to be with her daughter after a bad stroke. Well, she's now 92 and although disabled, was strong enough to get with brothers and sisters in a small town not far from Nashville over the weekend. And, our seniors Bible study group moved the meeting to tomorrow, so that she and her daughter may attend.

It will be a great reunion with one of our church's great saints. Now, I need to decide when food(s) to take to the dinner. She likes "country cookin", so most likely I'll do some of those great pinto beans I make and maybe a meatball and potato dish.

Y'all have a blessed day with our Lord.

Love to all,
Ruth Ann

I don't often post others' writings here, but this devotional message today is too great to keep to myself:


Did you ever wonder why God demands our thanksgiving and praise? Why should such a great, loving, self-sufficient Being want so much for us to praise him? We are tiny, passing, ignorant creatures. What difference does it make if we praise him?
When we praise God and thank him sincerely, from our hearts, we recognize him for who he is. We see ourselves for who we are. Our relationship with him is put right again. Life itself is put right. Praise and thanksgiving are important not only for individuals but for families, churches, societies, and nations. To the extent that we sincerely thank, praise, and worship God, our relationship with him is restored. God is God, and we are his people.

We still get distracted, however. We forget. Our fears and desires lead us to focus in other directions. How can we correct that? Form this simple habit. Every time the Lord blesses you, even in some small way, immediately thank him. Every time you grow concerned about anything, immediately bring it to him.

Thanking God and trusting him will help make a right relationship with God a moment-by-moment reality.

Very nice message of immediately giving thanks. 

Dear Ruth Ann: A friend I have known for 61 years came for a ten day visit, last week, and I had such a blessed time!!  She is in constant communication with God and, as the message says, her immediate praise, Thanksgiving and requests spoke to me of how close she is to the heart of God. He is truly, her constant companion and friend. We ended each day in prayer and I know God answered many of the prayers that were made......

Seeing how she was in tune with God because of her prayer life and reading His word encouraged me to want to have the same relationship!!

Carol, As far as I know, Judy B and I have never met. I did spend my teenage years in an area close to hers, and my Dad still lives  there. It would be interesting to find out that we've possibly met somewhere before. Hopefully we'll be able to meet sometime.

I had a busy day at work, but really enjoyed it. I was able to spend time in a small school visiting the students in the classrooms from JK to Grade 3. They are so young, especially the JK students - and so trusting. I was glad the weather was good, as I have an hour's drive to get to that school.

Good morning!  At 7:30 this morning it was 12 degrees.  Brrrrr!  But the Lord has provided a comfortable home with a working furnace to keep me warm, so I'm thanking Him. 

Hi from Atlanta.  We had a very warm, perhaps record high day here yesterday and it seems to be warm again this morning.  I had a very enjoyable and sort of laid back day yesterday.  We did enjoy the new place we ate at yesterday for lunch with my men's group and will definitely go back.  It is owned by a former major minor league baseball pitcher and another man.  It is a sports place and has about 14 different large screen TV's where they can broadcast all of the games on at one time.  We were about the only group there at 1 pm yesterday and the owner sat down with us for a few minutes and told us about himself and his restaurant experience and his background.  The food was very good.  This evening we have our weekly choir practice rather than on our normal Wednesday so that the ladies/men are free on Wednesday evening if they are working on food preparations for Thanksgiving.

Janet, you must be a very strong person to be able to tolerate a 6 hour walk.  It sounds like you had a marvelous day.  Pat expressed her pleasure with her new Kindle Fire and is sitting watching a video on it as I write. When I came home from coffee this morning she was using it and said "this is really neat".  She is also reading a book on it.   She has to do one thing in the kitchen and then sit and rest for awhile before tackling something else.  It sounds like you book will soon be on the market. 

Carol, isn't it disgusting what cheap parts they use in things these days that don't last anytime, such as your coffee pot.  We aren't having Bible study this wekk either but will resume next week.  Have you bought any pecans lately.  They are now about $10 per pound in our area.


Ruth Ann, they are predicting some rain for us this evening but only a small chance for tomorrow.  I agree it is nice to be able to use your skills to help someone else.   So nice that you all are moving your bible study so your visiting friend can participate and see you all again.

Ruth, it sounds like you have a very spiritual friend.  Glad you could spend time with her at this time of the year.  Even in the midst of turmoil and illness there is always things to be grateful for.

Good morning.   

The blood draw went well yesterday.  The nurse said they used to put cheap sheets on the charts for people like me but now that they are paperless, they can't do that.  So I suggested that she write her cheat sheet on paper and let me carry it in my billfold.  So she wrote on the back of my medication list!  Now when I have a blood draw, I can show the person this and they know what to do!  And no, I didn't get anything for this suggestion!!

I ate at Bob Evans and then got supplies at Office Depot and home.  Great day!

Janet, I know you are excited about your book!  I sure didn't realize there was that much to publishing a book!  Glad I am not a writer but can't wait to read your book!!

Ruth Ann, our sermon was about thanking God.  What a great message your posted.

Carol, sounds like you got some lemons in your coffee pots!  Ivalou has one of those Kuerig coffeemakes and she doesn't like it.  Coffee is too strong and too expensive.  So she uses instant.  Now you know to use instant rather than a pot, the pot has to be bad!!

Today is SAMS and only Betty and I are going.  Ivalou doesn't feel well and Jane is cleaning today since she has appointments tomorrow.  They like for me to read things from the internet so I have a couple of items to read.

Today it is raining and gloomy.  A nice day to stay home and crochet!  But I will do that this afternoon!

It's so great to hear from each of you. You're really dear and close even though we're many miles from each other.

Today I'll be mixing up a meatloaf for the Bible study tonight and then will take a disabled young friend to his job. He's not allowed to drive because of seizures, so he's constantly needing to ask someone for help. And, it's so sweet to see that he has such a great attitude about this terrible disability.

Well, I need to get busy, So, may our Lord be with each of us and may we be challenged to draw closer to Him as we go about our daily duties.

Love to all,
Ruth Ann

When I discovered I had run out of bread I planned on going to get some.  Just bread, of course.  But you know how that goes.  I'd probably come home with another $50 worth of groceries.  Then I remembered that I have a lovely bread machine and plenty of ingredients.  So this afternoon my house will be smelling wonderful - and just for me, not to give as a gift as it usually is. 

I think I'll make a pot of soup to go with it.

  :Good day to all at C.P.   Well I had to go back and check to see when I last posted and where does the time go.  Since I was last on site there has been so much happen and I don't want to bore you with it all.  It seems that the weeks just fly by and you don't realize how fast that happens.

Hi to Betty as I have not had the pleasure of welcoming you to C.P. It is always good to have new people.

Well a very good friend of past away very suddenly on Nov. 12th. and it was pangcriatic cancer which took him very fast.  I was asked to speak and sing at the funeral which was a wonderful privelage as many members of the family do not know the Lord. Then I was able to be a V.O.L. at the men's Promise Keepers conference in Toronto Where in the two days there was over 8000 men gatered to here the great speakers and on Friday night at least 400 men came forward to accept Christ.  I was able to talk to 4 young men who are in a program at a place called Teen Challenge and that was a blessing just to be able to do that.   So God is so good to let me ba able to do things like that and to be a witness at a funeral.  Praise his name.

I must go as I have to take Noreen out to a bible prayer group for Christian Woman's group.  May the Lord be with you all this week and Janet have a wonderful holiday.   Gordon and Noreen

Jeanne I am giving all kinds of hints that I want a Bread Machine for Christmas. Not that i think I will really get one but I sure do want one. I've made two loaves of banana  Bread to give as gifts , they are in the freezer and I think I need to make 4 more before Christmas, we might even get to keep one. I made a Triple Chocolate Fudge cake this afternoon with Chocolate Fudge frosting.

We went to the Senior free movie this morning  it was Tower Heist and pretty funny, lots of good actors there was some language in reference to body parts but nothing real bad..

Marilyn, is one of those loaves of banana bread for me?   

Send me your address and I will mail one to you. Jeanne

See, it's this wonderful spirit of loving and caring that make each of you so dear to me.

Gord, may God bless you as you minister through Promisekeepers. This is a wonderful organization.

And, a friend of mine is now a Christian because of Teen Challenge. That's another organization that needs our support and prayers.

It was SO good to see my dear friend who now lives with her daughter in Florida. They came to our Bible study tonight while they were in town, and it was GREAT to see them both.

Time to rest - my eyelids are about to close.

'Nite, all,
Ruth Ann