Christian Photographers Community

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

• I would like to thank again our friend Judith from Dayton, Ohio who very kindly composed our lovely scripture to go with today's devotional. 

Morning Devotional...



WALKING IN THE OLD PATHS
Jeremiah 6:16
By the late Jack Scott


A Fact of History


They anointed and wrapped His broken, bruised and mutilated body with loving hands. Surely their hearts were rent within. Can we doubt that tears flowed like rivers of water down their cheeks until they could cry no more? The One they loved and followed was dead. The One they thought would establish again the throne of His ancestor, David, lay embalmed in oriental manner, in a cold, dark cave. Perhaps they looked on as the authorities sealed the tomb and posted a Roman guard to keep watch. Their saddened minds had forgotten His promise "But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee" (Matthew 26:32).

There are still unbelievers who try desperately to explain away what happened. They have developed some very stupid and unbelievable theories in a vain attempt to disprove the great fact that death could not hold Him in its icy grip. In triumph He burst the bars of death.

Ed Harlow, in his book "Basic Bible Doctrines" reminds us that the resurrection of Christ is the best documented fact of ancient history. It is not my purpose in this short article to give all of the evidences of proof but consider this: If the Lord did not rise again, then His disciples have perpetrated one of the greatest hoaxes of all time. But that does not make sense at all because they had nothing to gain if it were not true, and very much to lose. But preach the resurrection they did at great personal cost. For preaching the truth of the resurrection they were imprisoned, flogged, stoned, crucified, thrown to lions, and burned to death. No, they peddled no hoax, no imaginative myth, but the glorious reality that Jesus Christ is the Lord of Life and victor over death.

As he contemplated the great fact of the resurrection, Robert Lowry was moved to write the following lovely hymn:



Have you ever taken time to contemplate the significance of the resurrection and the great truths we are to learn from it?

First, it is the apex of the doctrine of the Deity of Christ. It is the grand proof of His Divine origin. None but One who is God could raise Himself up from the grave. Jesus had told the Jews that He had that power and now it had occurred.

"Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father" (John 10:17-18).

Jesus by His resurrection proved beyond doubt that His claims to equality with God were founded on the firm foundation of the rock of eternal Truth. There can be no serious doubt about it. He is the Son of God. We read in Romans 1:4 "...and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead."

This is the very keystone of our Faith.

Secondly, the resurrection is the believer's assurance of the completeness of Christ's saving work on the cross. If God the Father had not been fully satisfied with the atonement made for my sins, Christ would not have risen from the dead. The tomb would still be sealed. Unlike some other religions we do not worship a dead prophet, but a living Saviour who has triumphed over sin and death.

Paul reminds us in Romans 4:23-25, "Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification."

Are you trusting in the crucified, living, ascended and coming Saviour? Only He can take away the guilt of sin and give peace to the troubled conscience.

A third thing that we can learn from the resurrection of Christ is that we too shall live again. "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." (I Cor. 15:22)

For the one who is united by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ this is a blessed future to ponder. One day "...the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout and with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds of the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words." (I Thess. 5:22). Surely all who have been saved by grace echo the words of John as he brings the Revelation to a close, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus!"

But what of those who reject Christ? We are reminded of the words of the blessed Son of God Himself, "Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth, those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation" (John 5:28,29).

If you, dear reader, are one of those who face the resurrection of condemnation, I would urge you to flee from the wrath to come. Flee away to Jesus. He has graciously said, "Him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out." (John 6:37. He died for sinners such as you and me and His resurrection brings blest assurance to all who believe on Him.

---

Jack Scott loved his Lord! He passed away on January 10, 2001 after a lengthy illness.
He is missed greatly by his family.

Thank you Pat for another of Jack's wonderful studies.  And once again we are blessed that it has been beautifully enhanced by Judith's graphic presentations.

And once again, I have to apologize for missing Canada's Thanksgiving.  I'm glad to know, Pat, that you were able to enjoy time with your family and some special sharing of the earth's harvest.   

Hi everyone on a chilly morning for us here in South Carolina.  It was 58 this morning with a high of 72 predicted for the next couple of days with clear skies.  So this week is starting out great. 

I did get to Sunday School and Church but we decided to eat somethings we had here rather than to bring something in.  I listened to some of Don's radio program and then turned on the TV and watched Georgia beat South Carolina in the make up game that had been cancelled on Saturday due to the storm.  I then watched the Atlanta Falcons game as they beat Denver without too much difficulty.  Pat had another good day yesterday, which is so encouraging.  While she is not without pain she at least is not crying out in pain when she moves a certain way. 

Pat, a belated Happy Canadian Thanksgiving and so glad you could enjoy it with your daughter and her husband and at your grand daughter's home.  Also, thanks for getting us started on a new week with a new sharing from Jack's writings and the graphics you shared. 

Jeanne, you are not alone in missing that yesterday was the Canadian Thanksgiving.

This morning is going to be busy as have a 9:30 appointment with the podiatrist and when that is over will try to get a haircut.  I plan on attending my Monday noon meeting and then later this afternoon Pat resumes her chiropractic treatments.   

Thank you, Pat for using my Scripture photos. Thank you, Jeanne! Hope you are feeling better.

Lots going on here since I was in last--always a good thing!

Happy belated Thanksgiving, Pat!  Glad you had food and fellowship with part of your family!

Larry, so glad to read that Pat's improvement seems to be lasting!

I was up too late last night watching the debate.     No comment on that, as I have no desire to get into conflict or disagreement on our special site here. 

I am missing Carol!  Hope they are having a good cruise in Europe!

Lovely graphics again, Judith.

We have had a house guest for five days, one of the reasons I have been missing for a few days.  I always enjoy Mary, though, so it is a good thing; I am not complaining.

I had a blood draw on Friday and have a doctor's app't today at 12:45.  Strange time to have an appointment!  Their choice, not mine. 

I need to order something for my painting buddy, Dee.  She tries everything she thinks might help her feel better.

Thanks for sharing another of Jack's writings, Pat!

Thank you very much, Janet. 

   Hi to all.  Well we do have beautiful blue skies. but it is satarting to cool of.   Thank you Pat for the great devotional.

Judith.  Thank you for the beautiful picture that you add.

I have been busy working a bit last week I did two round trips to our Capital City area.  Ottawa.  Just like the old days driving my bus at Greyhound.

Larry good to here that things are going well and I do hope and pray that Pat will keep getting stronger.

May the Lord be with you all this week.

Good afternoon, friends,

I'm happily at work on a data project. It had been several months since I heard from my former boss, and I wondered if he had fully retired.

Pat, thank you for the devotionals. I'm certainly enjoying them and do hope your pain will lessen.

Yes, Larry, my son seems to be better.

Judith, I, too, am enjoying your contributions to our site. Your photos with captions lift my spirits.

It's great to hear from Jeanne, that you're back, and from Janet, to learn that your busy life is continuing.

Ken, you've become a great contributor to this site, and I enjoy your posts, as well as those from Gordon.

Y'all have a wonderful afternoon with our Lord.

Ruth Ann

Gord Brown, Thank you very much. I appreciate your compliment.

   Thanks for all your comment's  We  have had a wonderful day today up here in Canada as our Thanksgiving was celebrated.  God is so good and he gives us so much.  We had all of ourr kid's here today and then there kid's to which is such a blessing.
We are so grateful that our families are so close and we do not have to travel far to see them.

May the  Lord be close to you all.   Love in Christ.   Gordon and Noreen.

Hi Gord!

Nice to see you here.

Hi everyone on a beautiful, cool and crisp  Tuesday morning.  This will be a laid back day with no need to rush to accomplish anything.  I may make a short trip to Walmart to pick up a prescription for Pat and get a couple of items but other than that plan on staying home.  I need to fix some coleslaw and perhaps a macaroni salad, neither of which is difficult to do.  Most of the morning chores are done except to water the flowers and Pat has had her breakfast.  I know that Pat is feeling a lot better as yesterday she did the washing and helped clean up the kitchen following supper last evening. 

Judith, what a colorful graphic and so appropriate for this time of the year.

It seems that all of you have been pretty busy.  I think Ruth Ann said just what I would say so will not repeat her well written posting. 

Thanks, Larry. We remembered Canadian Thanksgiving ourselves yesterday. Miss living there, but only want to be where The Lord wants us to be. Now we are asking for wisdom as to where He would have Alan (us) to minister after this school year is over. Alan needs an answer by the end of January.

For clarification,



Alan is first a preacher. The Lord called him to preach in 1968 from His Word; John 4:37, 38. Simultaneously with pastoring churches, he taught for many years in a Christian school; upper grades in algebra, trigonometry, calculus and physics. Right now he is solely teaching the maths at a Christian school with a very heavy load of 6 classes!

He has not had an opportunity to preach and misses that very much. As he reads God's Word, he seeks direction from there and spends time on his bike as his prayer closet. So with finding direction in God's Word and praying and as circumstances unfold, God will give perfect peace at the right time and onward we go. That is how we have done it for 47 years. The Lord hasn't failed us yet and we believe He won't start now. As we wait on The Lord, we are at peace that at the right time, He will give Alan clear direction according to His will. 

Just wanted to explain. Hope it wasn't "boring." 

Chillier here in Dayton, but loving it! Autumn is my favorite time of year.

Everyone have a great day!

Larry, I am so glad to read that Pat is improving. I know she has been ever so grateful for the great support you've been giving her - and what a great job you,ve done, and you're an inspiration especially to me that when we need to do something, with the Lord's strength we can accomplish just about anything!

Judith, thank you so much for that photo and bio of Alan and the testimony you both have of the Lord's leading.  Keep us informed, please.  It is grand to get to know the members of our Christian Photographers site.

Good morning, friends,

I've been working on the data project and have sent it for review. So, now I have time to come to our wonderful home.

Thank you, Pat, for your kindness in setting up this site for us. I do so much appreciate it.

For all the administrators, may God bless you as you labor.

For all those who come here to read, pray, request prayer, and share your daily activities, may we receive added strength as we read and participate.

Y'all have a wonderful day.

Ruth Ann

Will do, Jeanne.  {give updates on our situation}

And Ruth Anne, may you have a wonderful day as well.

Happy Tuesday, everyone!  Today is my sweet husband's 79th birthday, and I am so thankful to God that we are both still here, together!  When I think about that awful car wreck in May 2015, I realize how God protects us.  How good  and how great our God is!!

Darrel is gone to the Dr.--not the best way to spend part of his birthday, but it shouldn't take long.  I went yesterday, just a checkup, and my cholesterol was down almost 50 points in six months!!      I cannot (will not) take the statins for that; and only taking Niacin--and it's working!!  Other than that, my potassium is a little low (result of taking water pill) so he prescribed that for me.  I have bursitis in my hip, so Kristi (at the gym) helped me with stretches to help that.  So I'm good to go for at least another six months, I guess.  And...isn't that just fascinating??  Sorry.

Today, if Darrel doesn't have something he wants to do, I plan on working on a painting.  I have two started!

Darrel just called from the Dr's office to tell me he has some kind of cyst that needs to be surgically removed.  Darn!  But God is in control and He will take care of us through this bump as well.

Well, now I need to be about some other things.  I will return to address each of you next time.  Hope you all have a very blessed day, with His love and mine.

Janet, I might not exactly call your reports "fascinating" - but then again I guess they are.  We need them because we need to know how you and Darrel are, as well as Beth and John.  So please keep it coming!!! 

And of course prayers for Darrel's cyst removal are mounting upward!

When are you going to take some pictures of your paintings so we can post them here to admire?

Thanks for the nice devotional and graphic, Pat. I enjoyed the others' comments also. 

We still have 6 weeks to go before our "official" Thanksgiving Day here in the U.S.
Although I have only read a few chapters so far, I am finding an e-book I purchased from the Google Play Store for 99¢ (for use on my Galaxy Tab S2 android tablet) quite inspirational and encouraging. It is titled "The Bruised Reed" by Richard Sibbes, one of the old Puritans.

Happy one day belated, Thanksgiving to all of you Canadians! 

Thank you, Jeanne.  I try not to bore you all with too many daily details.  And I would love to have you post some photos of my paintings here--if and when I can remember how to get them from phone to computer.     It's been too long!  I did paint this afternoon, and got one about three-quarters done.  It's on a canvas, 20" X 8".  Never saw one that size before.  It's for our exchange we do each year, where we bring a surface, then draw for them, and the one who gets our surface paints it and brings it back.  That is coming up in November, so I had to get busy!

Darrel came home with a surgeon's appointment in Garden City and a throat specialist one in Hutchinson.  Looks as if we will be busy!  Happy birthday, Darrel. 

We went out to eat tonight for Darrel's birthday and there was one of his classmates, Larry, and his wife, celebrating Larry's birthday, too.  So we all moved to a larger table and visited while we ate.  And as we were leaving, a lady from church came in and began singing happy birthday--it is her birthday, too! 

Time for this gal to go to bed!  I have been awake since 4 this morning.

Janet, I can't speak for anyone else, of course, but I can never find your daily activities boring.   

If you are taking pictures of your paintings with the current smart phone, you can simply email them directly to me.  Want to give one a try?

Be sure of prayers for Darrel with this next trial.  What are the dates for the appointments?

Hi everyone.  Once again it is a beautiful, cool and crisp morning in my part of the world.  The painters are busy on the outside of the new house next door and know they appreciate the cooler weather.  There is no chance of rain in our forecast for today.  There are only two things on the schedule for today.  The first is Pat's chiropractic appointment at 4 pm and then I will meet Scott at the church for the Wednesday night dinner (Italian menu) and then we look forward to his spending a couple of hours with us afterwards.

Yesterday was a most enjoyable and laid back day.  We decided to go out for a late lunch and early dinner, which we did.  Prior to that I had the best afternoon nap I have had in a long time.  It was a very laid back day. 

Judith, I sure enjoyed and appreciate you sharing a little of your background as you have partnered with Alan in his ministry over this 47 years.  God's will be done in your lives as I hope it is being done in mine.  What you said certainly wasn't boring.  I was surprised that you are in Dayton as had just assumed you were living in Canada. 

Jeanne, I believe if we are met to do something the Lord will supply the way and the will to do it.  I agree with you in wanting to see more of Janet's painting and your idea of taking a picture with her iPhone and just emailing it from the Photos app is a very good one as that is certainly an easy way to do it. 

Jim D, nice to see your posting and thanks for the info on the book you are enjoying.  I have just started a book our minister highly recommended called "Simply Christian" by N. T. Wright.

Ruth Ann, your posting is a good reminder that we need to thank and be thankful for Pat in giving us this site and for Jeanne and all of the contributors to it.  It doesn't just happen on its own. 

Janet, a belated Happy Birthday to Darrel.  So sorry for him that some new health problems have arisen that are going to require more surgery.  Congratulations on your cholesterol readings.  I used to take Niacin but was taken off of it a number of years ago.  I do take a statin daily and it has kept my numbers down.  I expect your serving at the dinner the other night aggravated your bursitis but sure glad the stretches help.

Good morning everyone. I think the reason that mirror is so expensive is because of the electronics  within, ( the blinker and the heat.)

I took Freckles to my hospice class yesterday, She is so well behaved and I am training her to be my Service Dog and she did great, she never moved from her spot unless I said it was OK. I don't let anyone just come to pet her they had to ask first and she didn;'t go up to anyone unless I told her to "go say hello", that is something we arew working on because she has always tended to go up to everyone.  In public places if I am sitting she is to lay at my feet. If I am standing she is to sit at my side. If I seem to be upset she is to jump into my lad and distract me. I don't know if I ever mentioned that I have PTSD it is a side effect  of previous domestic abuse, (a long time ago.)

Good evening, friends,

I've been very quiet today. Hopefully will feel much better tomorrow.

Thank you to all who have posted today.

Much love to all,
Ruth Ann

I have news to share re Jeanne.  I'm waitiing to find out from her if I can share her email but I will say that she's in the hospital again.

Please pray for her.

Hi everyone on a 56 degree morning with no chance of rain today. Nothing unexpected occurred yesterday so it was another pretty restful day. Today will be my typical Thursday with the exception that I will not pickup my friend for coffee. There is a special meeting at his retirement home that he will attend today so can't go to coffee. I am going for my social time with my friends and then to the Church for the Wisdom group. Pat has her final chiropractic appointment for this week late this afternoon. I plan on getting some cooking done today, hopefully before I go to coffee.

Marilyn, Freckles is obviously a very smart and trainable dog but sure you are a very good and patient teacher.  I don't recall your ever mentioning the PTSD before.

Ruth Ann, I hope today finds you feeling better.

Pat, thanks for letting us know about Jeanne. That is not the type of news we want to hear about our friends. Do hope this will not be a long stay for her.

Just a reminder to me today that God great, powerful and does understand everything, and everything is in His control. What a wonderful God we serve!

Judith, another time my reaction is AMEN! 

Your photo of the beautiful field of flowers is so pleasing, and the scripture expresses the feelings I have, especially these last days and weeks.  Thank you so much for your photo/scripture ministry!   

Jeanne, you are most welcome and it is my great privilege to serve The King of kings and Lord of lords; my precious Saviour, Jesus Christ. I am not a
"bold-go-out-on-the-street-witness," but I do love sharing God's Word with others along with using His Word with the photos of His creation
He has allowed me the ability to do. NO camera, really, can fully capture the wonders of His created world and all therein, but we can
snap some pretty wonderful photos with these great cameras today.

I truly appreciate your sweet compliment!

Happy that you have your phone and/or your laptop with you in the hospital, Jeanne. 

Praying for you.

Larry I never mentions the PTSD before  because I was very private about all the years of Domestic abuse and didn't want anyone to feel sorry for me, or think very bad of me. It is something I have had to deal with  on my own. Jesus has helped me more than I can say, after I got saved and came to know Jesus in 1998 it was a hard road. living alone with just my dogs and dealing with the PTSD, I didn't want to answer my phone because I was afraid it would be my abuser. And He wasn't the only abuser it started with my first marriage in 1956. I seem to pick abusers every time ( Alcholics or Druggies) for quite a few years. I really got a lot better  better when I moved to McKinleyville in 2003 where I was far far away from anyone who could hurt me. Every now and then I have nightmares taking me back to those awful times. Or I see someone who resembles one of the abusers or hear a certain phrase.  That is one of the many reasons that I can't stand Trump. i get anxious just at the sight of him  I do watch the debates but with Freckles on my lap holding tightly to her and snuggling my face into her fur. I will not vote for either of the two top candidates, for myself they are both evil. That is just me and my own inner feelings that I can't put aside I have to live with that for the rest of my life. I am so blessed to even be alive as I have been so close to death at the hands of another so many times.

Marilyn, it has been a blessing as I have watched your transition from when I first"met" you when you were living in the desert.

Thank you Jeanne, I have been so blessed by being a member of CP and knowing the people here. I met Al Moak here CP then in person the day after I moved to McKinleyville from the desert. We had many conversations over the years on the phone and visiting back and forth. I visited his church and  they visited mine. This family her on CP became my family as well. Meeting Jane and Nita, Pat and Paul, Al and Marbeth has blessed me so very much.

We made a trip to Liberal today.  The last big update on my iPhone caused the pairing between it and my hearing aids to fail, and I couldn't get it back.  Also, Darrel needed to go to the VA about a prescription they got wrong, and we wanted to get the car washed.  We did all that, plus taking our son in law to lunch.  But he really took us to lunch, as he paid for it, as Darrel's birthday gift!    We also stopped in Hugoton to see daughter Diane for a little while, so it was a good day.

So sorry to read that our Jeanne is back in the hospital.  Praying you will be out and back with us soon, Jeanne.  And I will send you some photos of my paintings! 

I'm off to bed now!

Hi everyone on another clear and beautiful 66 degree morning here in South Carolina.  I basically have my normal morning chores done for today and as soon as Pat gets up I will fix her some scrambled eggs and the strawberries she likes as well as her coffee. 

The calendar is clear for today.  However I plan to put together a couple of casseroles that we will freeze to take to the church bazaar next Wednesday.  Pat has a recipe for a Tator Tot recipe that is good.  I will have to brown a couple of pounds of hamburger with two chopped onions and then layer the other ingredients which involves frozen vegetables, cream of mushroom soup and cheddar cheese.  At the first of the week we will fix a cake to take also.  Yesterday after Pat's chiropractic appointment I fixed a meatloaf and acorn squash to go with the coleslaw I had made yesterday morning and we had it for dinner. 

Judith those are beautiful flowers in your graphic and a wonderful verse from Psalms to go with it. 

Jeanne, it was encouraging yesterday to see your posting and to see you were feeling well enough to do it.  Hope you will soon be back home and feeling better.  You are in my prayers.

Thanks, Larry.

Hi, friends,

I went out in the drizzling rain to pick up some groceries. By the time I returned to the parking lot, it had actually begun to rain, so I'm praising God that I was close enough to the doors that I didn't get soaked by the rain.

I'm so sorry to learn of the PTSD, Marilyn, and to learn of Jeanne's continuing health issues.

May our Lord bless us all as we serve Him today.

Love to all,
Ruth Ann

Busy day, but I got little accomplished.  I'm on a hunt for something, and realizing that a good, general cleaning is needed, including getting rid of a lot of stuff--again!  The church is having a bazaar soon, so I will start putting things into boxes for that.  Other things will go to our new second hand store Restored by Grace.  And I'm quite sure there will still be too much stuff around here! 

Talk to you all tomorrow!

Hi everyone on an overcast Saturday morning with mild temperature here in South Carolina.  I awoke at 4:30 this morning and wasn't able to go back to sleep.  About 6 I picked up my phone and started reading the email and then the postings here and in the Seniors and Friends and other discussions that I follow.  Pat got up early this morning and have fixed her a breakfast of scrambled eggs with ham, cheese green onions and peppers.  This was a large breakfast. 

This evening we are planning on going to Pizza Hut for our main meal of the day. Pat likes the chicken wings and I will probably have a pizza or pasta dish.  I plan on having an easy day today as yesterday turned out to be very busy.  We did get the casserole dish made and it is in the freezer until Wednesday morning when I will take it to the church.  I plan on watching college football this afternoon and taking a nap.  Not an exciting day but one I am ready for. 

Ruth Ann, glad you were able to escape getting soaked in the rain.  We could sure use some rain over here now as this ground dries out very quickly. 

Janet, it is shocking how quick things accumulate in a home.  Hope you found what you were hunting for. 

Hope today finds you feeling better Jeanne and that those who visit here today will be blessed and have a very good day.  I sure intend to do so. 

 :)Well Good afternoon.  I am so glad I came on to C. P. and was able to see the different thing's that are going on in the lives of our group here on C. P..   
jANNENE:  i AM SO SORRY TO SEE THAT YOU ARE BACK IN HOSPITAL BUT HOPE THAT YOU ARE FEELING A BIT STRONGER TODAY.  wILL BE PRAYING FOR YOU.

Marilyn;  I am so sorry to here of your many trials that you have had through out your life and when the Lord is in your life now he will direct you what to do and it is so wonderful that your family here at C. P.  will be praying for you.  I know that when Noreen and I have needed  your prayers you all did it for us and we were so thankful.  o have faith that the Lord will always be there.

Judith:  Where were you from when you were in Canada?  THEreason that I ask is your husband looks familiar..  If you wish give me your phone number and I will give you a call.

Larry:  Hi to you and Pat.  It sound's like you are becoming a good cook. I know what it was like when Noreen was sick and could not do any cooking.  Hope that you are feeling good and that Pat is getting stronger.  God's richest blessing's to you.

To all others at C. P.   Can you all pray for my son Dan as he has to have an other surgery on the 25th. of October on his left eye and right now he cannot see  anything out of it.  He is not a Christian but does no the way but I pray that a miracle could happen it is in the afternoon.  Thank you all.  May the Lord richly bless you.  Gordon and Noreen.

Hi everyone on a beautiful Sunday morning.  We didn't see the sun yesterday as it remained cloudy all day.  Yesterday was pretty much a lost day for me as was feeling so weary that I spend most of the day laying down.  I do feel more normal this morning (whatever normal is).  I was glad that I really hadn't planned on accomplishing much as it wouldn't have gotten done.

Last evening we did go to Pizza Hut as we had planned and took our absentee ballots with us to get someone to witness our signature.  Just as we were getting out of the car a good friend from church pulled up beside us and I asked her if she would witness our signature, which she willingly did.  We also had time to sit and visit a bit before her carryout order was ready. I will drop the ballots at the post office this morning and that will be accomplished for this election cycle. 

Pat's breakfast is ready for her as nothing to cook this morning other than to heat the sausage muffins and push the buttons on the coffee maker.  I have watered my flowers and am ready for church. I will definitely bring something home for our main meal today and then spend the rest of the day as a day of rest while watching some football and listening to Don's wonderful radio show. 

Gord, good to read your posting.  You know what is involved when your wife isn't able to do much due to pain.  I am just glad that I have been able to step in and do the cooking and few other chores needed around here.  Pat is doing better and actually basically did the laundry yesterday.  She is beginning to do a few things in the kitchen although just can't stand for very long.  It sounds like your life is pretty busy with working, family and your church responsibilities.  Are you still singing in the choir?

OK, here are some answers.

With my fourth trip to the hospital since July 1, more tests were taken - CT scan, EKG, echo cardiogram and all sorts of blood work.

I have, as we already were aware, emphysema/COPD.  This time, swollen lymph nodes in the lungs were discovered and a  biopsy was done.  The findings were non-hodgkins lymphoma, indolent type.  This is a very slow cancer, for which the oncologist is treating by...OBSERVATION and only at 2 month intervals, no chemo, radiation, surgery.  He told me it is more likely that I'll die of something else.  I told him I'm not afraid of dying, I know where I'm going then.  It's only the path to get there that I was concerned about and I'm sure the Lord has those plans all set.    So that's the situation.   I intend to continue as I've been doing here. 

I have definitely experienced the loving hand of our wonderful God, and have the wonderful support of prayers from you and other.  This last visit to the hospital found me in a room with a lovely born-again lady and when she left the next room mate was also a Christian lady.  What blessings those two ladies were.

So, thank you for the prayers and please continue.   

You've got it, Jeanne!  Prayers for you continue!

Larry, sorry you have had a couple of "down" days.  I understand that, as I seem to be having them more often.  And no, I never did find the journal of our trip to Israel I was hunting!  I am to teach a Bible study class, and what they want is for me to share what I have learned in our travels to other countries/cultures, about what they believe about God and how they worship.  I learned so much while in Israel, and really wanted the journal to help me remember it all.  I think I can just concentrate and make notes and get most of it covered, but I still want my journal--for me!    But God is faithful, He knows my every need and HE knows where that journal is hiding!! 

We went to Dodge City last night to the dinner theater and saw Sherlock Holmes' Last Adventure.  I'm sure it is a lot better than we were able to get out of it.  While we heard plenty loud enough, none of the six in our party could understand the dialog well.  I caught maybe one-third of it.  So that was a disappointment.  Of course we got home late, and then had trouble sleeping.  It was 3:00 AM before i got into a sound sleep.  So I'm draggy today. 

Abby texted me that she was home, so we went over and had lunch with her and parents after church.  Abby had to leave by 1:00 to get back to school for something at 6:00.  But it was great to see her!

Gord, good to read your post.  You seem to be staying busy!

Maybe I can take just a short nap and still sleep tonight.  I might try that, anyway.

Thank you Gord, Larry, Jeanne, and Ruthann for your thoughts and comments on my situation. Prayers are always welcome. God is in control, He knows my past  and future (the end) from the beginning. He made me strong enough to withstand the enemy and kept me alive for such a time as this. I've never been happier with life in general. He has blessed me with wonderful people and prayer warriors as well as teachers in my life.

We are safe and sound here  although there was a lot of lightening and thunder that scared our animals. We did get some sun yesterday long enough for me to take one walk with Freckles. I had been taking her out 4 times a day.

I finally used up that approx. 40 lbs of apples my friend gve me..  Apple Butter, Apple sauce and A couple of Apple pies later they are gone.

Hospice classes are going well. This Tuesday  is very busy for me, A Therapy dog visit in the morning, Hospice class at 1. Library at 3:30 for the children to read to the dogs. Just being home for lunch  and back again in time to fix supper.

Hi everyone on this sunny Sunday afternoon.  This has been a good day.  When I called Pat after church to see what she would like for lunch she said she had put the small roast in the oven and would add some canned potatoes and peel some carrots to go with the remaining coleslaw.  So I didn't need to stop and bring something home to eat.  I then had a nice afternoon nap as I was tuned into Don's program and then we had out big meal for the day.  I have been watching football and working (playing) on the computer.

Jeanne, it sounds like you had a good diagnosis even if it wasn't what you wanted to hear.  I understand the watchful waiting as have been doing that with the prostate cancer and just put it out of my mind and get on with my life.  Sure glad you are home and hope you will get the help you need.  You can be sure I will continue to pray for you.  God does take care of us.

Janet, too bad you couldn't hear all of the dialog from the play. Hope you find your notebook on your trip but I bet you will be able to give a fine speech whether you do or not.  You and Darrel have been to a lot of different countries.  Nice you were able to see Abby, even if it was a short visit. I do hope you have had a nice nap and will also be able to sleep better tonight. 

Marilyn, glad you didn't have any bad impact from that storm in the NW.  Certainly glad that you are now having a happy life now.  I can't even imagine what you have gone through in your past but glad that it is in the past.  Are you tired of apples? 

Today's "Thoughts for the Week" is the first in Jack's series of the Shepherd's Psalm (Psalm 23). 

We'd be so interested in hearing your thoughts as each day we go through this wonderful Psalm.

Here's a link to this week's "Thoughts for the Week".   CLICK HERE