Christian Photographers Community

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Morning Devotional...

LIP SURGERY


"'Woe to me!' I cried. 'I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips.' Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, 'See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.'" (Isaiah 6:5-7).

           

And I know of no greater sin of mine than my lips. My unholy thoughts, though many, are my private sins that affect only me. My unholy deeds, though heinous, are few and far between.

But my words are many and their damage is public. In a few short sentences, I can cut a baggage handler at the airport down to size for dropping my wheelchair. In a string of vexings and hammerings, I can skewer my husband's plans for the weekend. In a twisted maze of flatterings, I can manipulate any unsuspecting soul.

Oh, what a burden. To possess such an instrument is more than I can bear at times. But while the reality of my sinful lips depresses me, God corrects me with one important observation: "See, this has touched your lips."

For Isaiah, it was the burning coal used by God to drive home His point that outside intervention is needed. Through painful imagery of cauterized lips, Isaiah learned an important lesson. His lips were impure, but God touched them and declared them clean.

But that is not the end of it. God desired to use those lips. When asked, "Whom shall I send?" Isaiah had the righteous audacity to say, "Here am I. Send me."

Lord, purify my words by Your presence in my life. Remove the dross of selfishness and pride from these lips. Make them sing and speak of You all my days.

Blessings,

Joni and Friends
www.joniandfriends.org

   Dear friend's and family at C.P.  I am again sorry that I have not been here on C.P. as we have had a very hard past three week's.        But God is always there for us and gives us the strength that we need.    

I will start with that we found out that our middle son Danny could be blind within a month due to type 1 diabetes and it is very serious he is getting a second opinion but not till he will have had two laser app. and they are very uncomfortable. 

Then Noreen's right knee started to give her trouble one week today and it had a lot of pain so the surgeon wanted us to come and see him and the only way he will know what is going on is when he does surgery tomorrow the 21st of Oct. and it is possible that it may still have infection again so this may prolong putting the new knee in for at least three to four months.   So we will ask you all to continue to pray for Noreen and my son Danny and also myself.  Thank you all for your continued love through prayer. I will check my emails next Friday as I am staying up in Toronto till then.

May the Lord be with you all and give you many blessing's this coming week and also many opportunities to be a witness for him.  All our love in Christ's name.  Gordon and Noreen.

Gord, I was happy to see a message from you, and then not happy to read it.  I pray it will be the Lord's will to heal Danny's eyes and Noreen's knee and that He will give His strength and peace to all of you.

Thank you Pat, for this week's devotional.  We must allways be careful that our words do not hurt, sometimes without realizing the effect they can have.

Hi everyone on a cool but sunny Georgia morning.  Pat and I plan on going out to eat when she gets back from her massage appointment and then the day is clear until this evening when I have a meeting.  We had a delightful time at the receptions at church and then at the Senior Center later in the day. 

Janet, thanks for the info on the Rubart Station engines.  I do hope you got to be with your family yesterday. 

Ruth Ann, nice you could have dinner with your daughter to celebrate her birthday.  Our son's birthday is Friday but don't think we will be getting together this week.  I am getting a card and gift off to him this morning along with a card and gift for your oldest great grandson, who is turning 12 tomorrow.

Pat, a fine devotional for this week.  I remember something I heard and have never forgotten from many years ago along these same line.  That is: "If you cannot speak well of a man, you can at least remain silent". 

Gord, you sure were up late or up early when you posted in the middle of the night.  So sorry to hear of the not good news regarding Danny's eyes and Noreen's knee.  Diabetes is such a terrible disease.  Sure hope there is no infection again in Noreen's knee.

Jeanne, is it pretty chilly up your way now?  I expect the leaves are really beautiful.   

Thank you Pat, for the wonderful devotional.  Certainly gives me something to ponder, and pray about.

I love the hymn, How Deep the Father's Love For Us. A beautiful tune to have running through my head as I do the tasks ahead of me today..

I will definitely be lifting Noreen and Danny up in prayer.  The Lord hears our prayers...no matter what they are about.

Speaking of that, one of the reasons I come here, other than to connect with other Christians, is for prayer.  A few weeks back I posted in Prayer and Praise re a knee injury I suffered, and which is still causing pain and discomfort, preventing me from returning to work.  My dear friend Judy, and her lovely sister Pat, both responded, but no one else has.  I understand that people have their own lives, their own cares and concerns, but I ask with a sincere heart that those who can...will lift me up in prayer in the coming weeks.

In Christian love,
Bonnie

Good to hear from you, Gord but not good news of Noreen.

Will be praying for you.  I go to the eye specialist tomorrow.

Pat, that was a great devotional!
Happy Birthday, Ed!

Bonnie I got ya covered with prayer.

Quote from: BonnieA on October 20, 2014, 11:55:06 AM
Thank you Pat, for the wonderful devotional.  Certainly gives me something to ponder, and pray about.

I love the hymn, How Deep the Father's Love For Us. A beautiful tune to have running through my head as I do the tasks ahead of me today..

I will definitely be lifting Noreen and Danny up in prayer.  The Lord hears our prayers...no matter what they are about.

Speaking of that, one of the reasons I come here, other than to connect with other Christians, is for prayer.  A few weeks back I posted in Prayer and Praise re a knee injury I suffered, and which is still causing pain and discomfort, preventing me from returning to work.  My dear friend Judy, and her lovely sister Pat, both responded, but no one else has.  I understand that people have their own lives, their own cares and concerns, but I ask with a sincere heart that those who can...will lift me up in prayer in the coming weeks.

In Christian love,
Bonnie

Hi Bonnie,

As I posted on FB, I will be praying for you.  It's horrible to have all this pain.  Been there too.

It's so good to see you in here today, Bonnie.  We'll have to meet for coffee soon.  I have to be in Kitchener tomorrow to see the eye surgeon and then I'm involved in physio as well on Wed. for my hips and legs! 

I guess we're falling apart!  LOL

Prayers for Bonnie, Gord, Noreen, their son, and Pat! 

  Ed!  MMMMM!  Good Cake!  Thanks! 

We went to Garden City and got a number of things today.  But when we got home, we had a message on the phone saying the photos we took for our Visas we "not acceptable" and we need to get them done professionally.  And of course, they want them in a tearing hurry!  If we had known, we could have gotten them done today!

It has been another really beautiful day here, and I am so thankful!

Thank you Marilyn, Janet and Pat, for the continued prayers. 

Pat, I went for physio today, as I have been 2X weekly since the injury on Sept 24th.  Today was the first time that my physiotherapist had me doing exercises in the weight room/exercise room.  She also showed me some flexing exercises I can do on the stairs at home.  I am hoping, and praying, that these exercises will hasten the healing..and that I will be able to go back to work soon, if it is God's Will. 

Yes, Pat, we should get together for coffee.  I haven't seen you since that time I helped you have a shower after your arm surgery...  I am free on Wednesday and Friday this week.  Free tomorrow too, but I am hoping to get laundry done and gather up my recycling, and also clothes for donation.

Marilyn,  I am still thinking of your loss of your sweet, beautiful pup, Happy..and continue to lift you in prayer. 

Bonnie, where are you going to Physio?

I'm going to South City across the road from Zehr's.

Hi everyone.  Once again it is a cool morning but will get to the low 70s this afternoon.  My schedule is light today.  I need to get three burned out light bulbs in my Hyundai replaced before I get ticketed.  I also have a meeting at 11 this morning.  The rest of the day is clear.  Pat and I went to our favorite Mexican restaurant yesterday for lunch and it was very good, as usual. 

Bonnie, I have found that people are often praying for the needs of others, including myself, but just fail to mention it in a posting.  I do hope you will soon find relief for your knee pain. and that the physio soon shows great results.  I know doing the exercises from therapy really helped my wife.   

Happy Birthday, Ed. 

Pat, sure hope the physio helps your hips and legs.  I know you have suffered a lot.  Are you having eye surgery? 

Janet, I am sure that is just what you want to do, i.e., go to a professional photographer.  I guess you trip is coming up before very long. 

Have you seen all the entries in our latest mini challenge  THE TURNING OF A LEAF ?  We're voting through tomorrow, so if you haven't been there lately, have a look and give us your choices.   

When I got up early this morning, the sky was bright and clear; and then when we left the house at 8:00 to go exercise, the fog was so thick we could barely see!  But it is gone now, and we should be able to see the partial lunar eclipse around 7 this evening.

I did a bunch of errands today, the last of which was getting my hair cut and styled.  Because if I have to pay someone to take my photo, I at least want to look good! 

Our date with the kids has been changed from Thursday evening to Saturday evening.  That's okay, I just want some time with them!  Abby, too!

Bonnie and Pat, I really pray your therapy yields good and lasting results.  Our health is our greatest treasure!

Boy, am I ever sleepy!  Guess I will go do something a little more active to wake myself up!

Our capital city (for Canada) has been attacked.  Here is a link for you to check out the aftermath.  Please pray for our countries that we remain strong in our commitment to stop these terrorists.  I have been glued to the news just as I was for 9/11.

My goodness!  In the video, it sounds as if hundred of rounds were being fired!  So it's a miracle there weren't more fatalities!  It breaks my heart for service members to be killed in such a senseless, horrible way.  God bless Canada, our friends, our neighbors, our brothers and sisters in Christ.  We love you!

Let's wish Paul a very Happy Birthday albeit a day late.

I had big laser surgery on my eye yesterday in the hospital in Kitchener and Paul drove up to Guelph from Virginia in order to take me for my appointment but I was determined to take Paul out for supper for his birthday and so this is a photo of us both after the Swiss Chalet ladies brought him a huge sundae and sang happy birthday to him.  Sorry I'm not better looking but this was just about 3 1/2 hours after my surgery.

Yes, Judy, I'm glued to the TV as well.  Thanks for the phone call.

It made me think about September 11, 2001 early in the morning and I was not an early riser that day and was still in my bed and it was Judy calling me saying that the Twin Towers had an airplane crash into them and "Turn on the TV!!!!" she yelled (which I did). 

I got my TV on just in time to view the second plane on the horrible day.

And today she phoned me along with Ruthie to "Turn on the TV!!!"

It's been on our TV, too, with special reports breaking into regular programming.   

Pat, I hope your eye surgery was totally successful. 

Dear Pat, you ALWAYS look good to me!  Hope your surgery brings the very best results possible!

]And....drum roll....HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PAUL!

Get another spoon, quick!  I want a bite, too!

Hi everyone.  It is late in the afternoon so will make this short today.  It was a morning spent at church, with a special Stewardship meeting rather than our normal Bible study.  This was to accommodate we seniors who do not like to get out at night and a few younger folks also attended.  We had a big spread of food and drink provided so after the meeting we stayed at the church and visited rather than going to Dunkin' Donuts.  Pat and I were both tired when we came home and took long naps.  I expect she will want to bring in something for dinner tonight or go out to eat.

Judy, Pat and Ruthie and other Canadian friends so sorry that your country has now experienced the impact of terrorists and heard them say a couple of soldiers had been run down with a car (one killed) a couple of days earlier.  These events change a country forever, at least it sure did here in the USA.

Paul, happy birthday.  Was glad to see you let Pat have a least one spoonful of that delicious looking ice cream sundae.  Sure glad Paul was there to drive you for your laser surgery.  Know you are glad to have that behind you.

Happy Birthday, Paul

Sorry I'm so late with these birthday wishes for Paul.  A lot of my time today has been spent in preparing for a visit from my daughter and following the sad events in Canada.  My emotions are going back and forth between happiness anticipating Alice's arrival and terrible sadness over the Canadian troubles.

My prayers to all and on the latest list is Noreen, also son of Gord and Noreen, Pat, Bonnie and everyone.  Happy Birthday to Paul .... you and Pat look just as young as you were visiting a few years ago.  Must be LOVE!

We are working every day on this little house and trying to find an electrician for some important work - Don can do the little things in electricity but we have to have an inspection for other work.  Replanted some cacti - that is plural for cactus now that I am learning the Arizona language.  They are sticky but did not draw blood this time.  Today was spent just masking tape in one room, and planting outdoors early in the am.  I went to a computer class for genealogy - missed one class because of visitors dropping by so this one was a big help. 

Update on our friend who has been in a coma more than two weeks.  She has West Nile Virus - now opens her eyes and tracks people.  She had a tracheotomy this week.  Don is going to visit her husband on Sat while I go to the Univ of Arizona for an all-day class.  We sit outdoors every night and look at the stars.   What a magnificent heaven we have and if we would just dim the lights, we could see so much.  Soon time to pack and drive home for the holidays.  A girl from Canada is coming to visit our daughter's family - she and grandson met last year and keep in touch. 

Sad news for all in Ottawa. 

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Thanks for all the birthday wishes as I've now gotten one year less young.

I recall thinking back about 25 years ago or so, and how people around 80 seemed so weak and feeble. Now I'm just 2 years off eighty and my two sons still don't beat me at golf or ping pong yet so I guess I must be doing something right. I have managed to stay off any medications so far and and don't even think about the undertaker! I am getting to think much more about the "Upper Taker" and enjoy sharing the reality of my faith in Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior. My favorite Bible passage to share is John chapter 3 and verses 1 to 21 and what it means to be born again. What a challenge!!!

Thanks again for all the Birthday wishes and may God's blessing be upon you!

Paul