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Morning Devotional...


The Value of Little Things
Matthew 10:38 - 42

For evangelists like Billy Graham, ministry consists of preaching the gospel to millions of people at large, preplanned events.  However a great majority of the work God does through His people is on a much smaller scale. Notice Jesus' words in Matthew 10:42, even a cup of cold water to a little one will be rewarded by God.

Acts of service, such as giving a cup of water to a child, speak to humility of heart and willingness that truly honour God.  It is the person who is willing to set up folding chairs, take food to the homeless, or simply listen to a hurting friend whom God uses in a profound way.

Perhaps those activities seem insignificant compared to preaching a revival or building a mission church.  However, they are the backbone of a healthy ministry where the love of God is displayed in authentic ways.

Lest you think your small offerings are lost, Brother Lawrence admonishes, "We ought not to be weary of doing little things for the love of God, who regards not the greatness of the work, but the love with which it is performed." 

So make the most of every opportunity to do the little things that make such a big difference.  You will certainly not lose your reward.

Lord help me make the most of every opportunity, I want to do little things in a big way.

Taken from the daily devotional by Charles Stanley Pathways to His Presence.

Hi everyone.  This has been a strange morning. At 6am Pat's phone rang.  It was Stacey calling from the hospital asking us to come and get her back to her apartment.  She had fallen and bumped her head on the bathtub and called 911. The doctor checked her out and felt she was ok.  She naked for transport to take her back to her apartment but either the hospital or Humana said she wasn't eligible so she called us.  We got her back to her apartment and used the transport chair to get her from the car and up to her apartment.  We were with her about an hour but she was tired and ready for us to leave and we got home around 10:15.  I am laying down as was too tired to sit at my desktop.  So we are not attending church today.  She will go and help with sewing the butter bean dolls some of the church ladies are making for charity.

Thanks for the lovely devotional, Judy.  Little things are all this person can do now, so it had real meaning for me.  Love the Thanksgiving Greeting .....Happy Thanksgiving to all us Canadians.

Our weather is constantly changing and has turned quite chilly and damp.  So Fall has certainly arrived and brought beautiful colours to offset the chill.  I am so grateful to have a warm, snug home, with people who care.....

Wendy is cooking a turkey today and the aroma is making me hungry.  She takes dinner over to two different friends who are alone now....So hopefully that will make their day brighter.  I do so miss going to church but that is not going to happen any time soon.

It was great reading Pastor Al's post the other day.  Like Carol, I always found his messages inspiring and helpful.  My life is also pretty much the same old same old every week.  I like to play card games on the computer and iPad, but my vision is not great, so that is also somewhat limited.  Lots of the folks get angry when loosing and leave before the games are over....so that is sort of annoying!

Glad that you folks are all still posting and enjoy reading about your days.  My family also has a lot of health problems, so lots to relate with in your posts.
Marilyn, I like your new picture.  Larry, you also inspire us.  I am still practising the motto:  Dream like you will live forever, Live like you may die today!

God Bless.

Liz

Hi everyone.  It is still dark outside as I write this morning.  I was laying down using my iPad when I posted yesterday and didn't get up until around 4 pm as was just beat.  I did have a good nights sleep so feel better today.  Monday is sort of my busy day as have the men's luncheon and then a meeting Monday evening.  We did see the play on Saturday and, in all honesty, it was not the type of play we would prefer to see although done well.  I think it would appeal to a younger crowd.  Next up will be a Christmas Canteen and really looking forward to that. 

Liz, good to see your posting and certainly kind of Wendy to share your Thanksgiving meal with two others.  By the way, I forgot to wish all of my Canadian friends a very Happy Thanksgiving.  I like your motto a lot.

Good afternoon my friends on this most beautiful sun filled day.

Larry:  We know all to well about those early morning phone calls it sure shakes you up. 

Liz:  Enjoy your turkey when it is cooked, we had ham yesterday and today we will be dining with a friend in a restaurant as both Mel & I have colds, with his wife in the hospital we are avoiding close contact.

Mel was out gathering up the fallen leaves and I am going to be doing laundry.

Hi everyone.  Today's big activity is to take Pat to Kaiser for a Colonoscopy.  The worst is over in the prep but she is still dreading the procedure.  Yesterday was a very busy day as had the furnace man here to do the annual furnace check, the painter came to start some painting we are having done on our gutters, trim and doors.  These are the only surfaces not covered in vinyl on the house and the painter assures me they will need to be painted only once and then it should last for the life of the house.  He is applying two coats of very high quality paint.  I did attend our men's Monday luncheon but we probably will not go back.  It is an Asian buffet and there is a better one just down the street.  I was tired by evening and stayed home from my meeting.  My sister also called while I was resting and we talked for over 30 minutes.  It had been quite a while since we had talked on the phone. 

Ruth, it looks like it was you and I here yesterday.  I know Janet is gone and think maybe Judy is as well.  I know folks come here as they are able or have time in their schedules so won't worry about the situation.  We sure would love to see new folks join in our discussions as we are anything but a closed group. 

Larry: Is it you and I again today?

          I went to Aunties this afternoon as she needed a couple of items then following that I took her for a little drive to see the fall colors.

Now that I am home I have a hubby that is cooking dinner being retired he is looking for things to do. I am not complaining though.

Friendly Thanksgiving picture at the top today.

The cabin is sold.  It was an iffy day as buyers wanted to drive to the mountains and the pass was snowing & slick but they made it in time to sign.  Now someone else can do the work - thank goodness. 

Bible study tomorrow and we are still discussing hospitality as in how we should treat everyone, even our enemies. Our monthly Book group is about 7 men who changed the world & I chose Dietrich Bonhoeffer mainly because I just read the large book on his life and do hope to not have forgotten too much. 

Larry:  We just went through that emptying kitchen and then the moving furniture in the basement for carpet - kitchen was for staining cabinets.  It is exhausting.  Ask your cleaning gal if she can come at both ends of those jobs for help. 

Ruth Ann:  Your requests are in my prayers. 

Marilyn:  We haven't had any emails yet with questions but will be careful.  Same to you, be friendly but cautious. 

Liz:  Very profound words on how to live. 

today, we loaded our donations for Sal. Army and picked up a neighbor who added her boxes as well.  There are some bare spaces in the storage room - yea!  Then, we actually went to a movie, "Gravity".  The pictures from outer space are stunning as well as all the special effects.  There were only ten people in the entire theater and a young man came and sat next to me - well, next to my coat and purse.  I moved my purse!  This is the third time in my life that such a weird thing has happened.  Makes me nervous & kinda mad that someone has to come and sit right there when there are tons of seats.  It is a family joke because of it happening previously so now there is another story to tell everyone.   

Ruth:  Nice that your hubby cooks dinner.  Mine will make an egg breakfast twice a week and it tastes so good. 

Good morning/almost afternoon.
No appointments so it will be catch up on housework. I feel that my knee is on the getting well list and such a difference, I have the desire to do some of those long undone jobs.

Mel is out with his riding tractor gathering leaves my the colors are beautiful.

Hi everyone.  I have been gone all morning at Bible study and then to Dunkin' Donut.  Pat did not go today.  I left there and went to Home Depot to look at shower fixtures as the plumber is suppose to be here in the morning early.  However, there are so many different brands I didn't know what we had I didn't get anything.  I also made a quick tour through the appliances to look at the ranges they have and the brands.  It was after noon before I got home and sure am ready for a rest this afternoon.  Fortunately, Pat had fixed my lunch, which I really appreciated.

Ruth, I bet your Aunt really appreciated the tour and your assistance in getting the items she needed.  My wife would love to have me cook until she tasted what I fixed so it probably will never happen.  Don't get carried away with the undone jobs and set yourself back in your recovery.

Carol, I sure understand your relief in having the papers signed and money in hand from the cabin.  I think all sellers probably share the little concern in the back of their minds that it might not occur.  Your book club study sounds interesting.  When we replace the flooring in the kitchen all we will need to do is remove a few items from the bottom of the pantry so won't be anything we can't handle.  Pat has changed her mind on the other rooms and will just have our carpeting cleaned.  It really is in good shape.  Needless to say I am relieved.  Years ago Pat and I went to the movies and she placed her purse on the floor.  When we left she discovered that the cash was missing from her billfold.  So one can't be too careful. 

Hi, friends,

This has been a really busy week. Helping someone pack up to move is difficult, isn't it.

I'm just too tired to talk much, but will try to do better soon.

Love to all,
Ruth Ann

Bible study this morning, Costco later and Safeway and then the produce store.  Enough.  Son came for visit & always brings his dog, Loki.  Loki is well trained in that he wants his treat here and then he is more likely to ignore me - now he has begun whining until he gets his treat.  What an actor. 

Larry:  It sounds reasonable what you and Pat have decided on for projects.  Everything turns into more work than first intended so I wish you well.  Plan on naps.   

   Hi to all.  Gordon here.   I know that it is very early in the day but I am going to sleep very soon I have read the posts and they are very interesting and there are a lot of people away.

Noreen and I have been very busy with her physio app. and helping to look after the grand children when needed.  I will try to come back very soon.  I am tired and have to go now . May the Lord be with you all and give you all a wonderful weekend and God's richest blessings on you all.

Please continue to pray for both of us for strength.  Thank you.  Love in Christ's Name.   Gordon and Noreen.

JudyB:  Did they catch the crazy shooters in your neighborhood? Good luck with finding the right yarn for your new sweater.  Did you ever make the pattern I sent?  My second one is of better yarn and ready to assemble the rectangles now.  I call it the forever sweater because it has taken me forever to knit.

Halloween has never been a favorite time to me and it just reminds me that dad died on that night - not a nice memory.  Mom died the following month on Thanksgiving so it is just that time of the year to endure. 

Hi Gord!  It sure seems as though Noreen has been in physical therapy a long time - I keep you in my prayers.  There is a list a mile long these days.  Our grandson has been in Summerland, B.C. and recuperating for a few weeks but now back to playing hockey.  Anyway, he will celebrate Thanksgiving twice this year - there and once again when he sees his parents.  Not bad!  I could go for that idea. 

is ready.  It is frosty outside but doesn't look slick. 

Ruth Ann:  Yes, packing to move is such a chore.  It sounds like you have been very helpful - take care. 

Hi everyone on a damp and dreary morning here in Georgia.  The plumber was just here and fixed a little problem with our shower control and installed new parts in the guest room commode.  It was an expensive morning.  It has been a long time since we have needed a plumber.  This is the big activity for today unless we decide to go look at some more stoves or flooring.  The computer tech was here yesterday and installed the new parts but wasn't able to get the software loaded and so we have to send the computer to the Lenovo Depot in Texas.  They are sending the packaging materials and paying the costs but it means it will be 10 days or so before we can get it back.  The tech was quite an interesting person and I didn't think he was ever going to leave.   

Ruth Ann, it sounds like you may be overdoing as packing things for a move is hard work.  Please take care of yourself first.  Hope you rested well last evening.

Carol, it sounds like Loki has you well trained regarding the treats.  I didn't get a nap yesterday but laid down for an hour and then the computer tech called when he was close by.  I went to bed at 8 pm as was exhausted. After eleven hours of rest and sleep I feel good this morning.  It sounds like your knitting project is quite complex. 

Gord, you sure stay up late.  Hope the physio treatments are helping a lot.  I know you enjoy the time with your grandchildren even though I know it can be tiring being around such energy. 

Hi, friends, I'm waiting for my ride. Son and I need to do some projects together today.

The fall when I was helping someone move really left me sore and bruised. But, I think I'm ok. At least neither the skin nor bones were broken. Thank God. But one knee (of course the one with replacement) looks very swollen and is stiff. Ouch!

Y'all have a good day.

Ruth Ann

Hello:

I have been to 2 different doctors and got good reports. The one does want that I have a knee replacement but I am still thinking or should I say not convinced it is the right thing to do.

Got a phone call from a person wanting that we know the Dr's report, it was a good report but the humor was very sick you do not say it was a vet when in fact it was a spec. The suggestion has been that down the road a knee replacement would be in order would a vet do that?

Dessert tonight will be apple crisp along with leftovers from the weekend.

Hi everyone on a beautiful sunny day here in Georgia.  It was 54 degrees this morning but suppose to get to 72 this afternoon.  After coffee at the senior center I took the car to Kaufman Tire to have some maintenance done on it.  I had talked with them yesterday and they said I should be able to get the work done by 10:30 as Pat needs the car later this morning.  However, they were slammed with work this morning so didn't stay and will take it back probably next Tuesday morning as I can go earlier than today.  I expect to be home the rest of the day and just be working here on my computer this morning and then resting this afternoon.  Pat and I did go to our favorite Mexican Restaurant last evening and it was good. 

Ruth Ann, a fall is never good at our age.  Glad you didn't break anything and hopefully your knee is OK.  Sorry you are sore and bruised. 

Ruth, hard to beat good reports from doctors.  You may be like my wife was in that she would only do the knee and hip replacements when she had tolerated the pain as long as she could.  She is glad she had both done and now wonders why she waited so long.  The recovery isn't pleasant but the results are usually very good.  That was dark humor about the vet doing the knee replacement.

I'm stopping by for a moment to ask for y'all to say a prayer or send good thoughts my way as I see an attorney in about an hour to get some issues settled regarding this place in California.  The management of this mobile home park is trying to be officious and make problems, but I truly believe it is purely for spite and not within the law.  That is what the attorney will need to decide.  I am pretty frustrated with having to spend so much time here in California and most of it is waiting for people to "get back" to me!  Looks like this could all have been taken care of the first couple days that I was here ... over a month ago  I need to get home to Oregon sometime this year!

Praying for you Jane. 

Larry it is 66° here right now at 1:27pm, it is beautiful and warm in the sun.

I went to Coquille this morning and took Happy for his vet appointment.

I pray, Father, that You'll emabl Jane to return to Oregon very  soon.  O Lord, move things along as only You can. By Jesus Christ our Lord.

Thanks for your prayers.  The attorney is writing a letter to the park mgr. Hopefully, as we both believe, she is just blowing off steam and will not follow through on her threats .... also, it seems she has no legal right to stand on.  We'll see ....

Hi everyone.  We woke up to a misty, light rainy morning.  Our painter called yesterday afternoon saying he would be here this morning but it looks like those plans will be delayed.  Yesterday afternoon I went grocery shopping with Pat at our local Kroger's and rode the cart and was able to help her have to do as much walking as I could go to the far side of the store.  It worked very well.  I plan on attending a meeting this morning and then will watch the Georgia/Vanderbilt football game that starts at noon and take it easy the rest of the day. 

Jane, it does seem you have been in California a really long time.  Too bad the mobile home park management is making your life difficult.  Hope the lawyer's letter will spur action you will be back in Oregon soon.

Marilyn, I think your weather was like ours yesterday. 

Al, always good to see your posting.  Hope things are going well for you. 

Jane:  So sorry that you have to go through the trials keeping you in California. 

We had neighbors over for dinner last night and they had planned for Sunday night but things changed for them as they are leaving for Wyoming this morning so - we put things together a little faster.  Later, in reading my email, good friends are absorbing very serious medical feedback from Mayo Clinic in Minnesota which isn't easy - chemo will be on his schedule.  Now we know two friends going through that process.   

   Good evening to you all.    I am just about t0o go to watch the hockey game with my oldest son. at his place..   We have had a very over cast day and then it started to rain and has been raining all the rest of the day.

It has been a very busy day as it started at around 7-00 a.m. so I could go to the men's breakfast at our church and there was 32 men came and then we have a person today give his personal testimony and it was very stirring and in sum parts hard to think that a person can get them selves so mixed up in the things that Satan wants.  But praise the the Lord he has won and this young man is already walking a wonderful path with him.

Then after that I went to the Mission that I volunteer at and set up for the 12-00 noon Lunch which is served to the people
  that do not have very much. It is such a blessing to be able to be a part of this kind of work.  God is so good how he puts us in the right place in our lives and we are able to work for the Glory of the Lord to serve others.  Praise his wonderful name.

Well you all have a wonderful day in the house of the Lord and continue to be a witness to those that we come in contact with.  Please continue to pray for  Noreen as she is still having a very hard time with her leg and the physio are trying there hardest to help her but the pain keeps on coming and we are a bit worried that there is something still wrong inside her  knee.  We will be talking to the surgeon this coming week so thanks for the continued prayer. and God's richest blessings to you all.  Love in Christ.  Gordon and Noreen.

Hi everyone.  It looks like it will be a beautiful day after a rainy and dreary day yesterday.  The painter wasn't able to come yesterday as it never dried so hopefully he will be able to come tomorrow.  The only things on the schedule for today is to attend church and then have lunch out if Pat feels up to it.  I did watch the Georgia/Vanderbilt football game yesterday and unfortunately Georgia lost and it looks like it will be a long season ahead as they have lost so many of their best players to injury.

Carol, it seems that more and more friends have serious medical problems to deal with.  Guess it usually has something with age.

Gord, nice you could enjoy the hockey game with your oldest son.  Your breakfast speaker shows that each of us have a life story with good and bad.  Nice of you to help with the Mission meals.  Sorry that Noreen still suffers so with her knee. 

Jeanne where are you, Haven't seen you here for a few days.??

We had no early service this morning since this is a big day for a big change in pastors and there is a ceremony that is now over - there is no way we could attend and understand a word of what is being said with the huge attendance expected today.  However, things will be back to normal and bible study is still on Wed for me plus this week the new pastor will speak.  Several of us "older" ones have remarked that he speaks too fast so we need to drop a hint with our message in the box.  Not kidding. 

Don made biscuits and gravy to bring to a neighbor today.  We are searching for lighting strips online for under the kitchen cabinet as eldest son said he would like to put in those for us.  Since his work takes him out of the country or even back and forth to Hawaii often, we will let him do that at his leisure.  Youngest son volunteered another project.  We must be looking more and more infirm or something - all this volunteering.  Well, the children do remember how Don especially helped my parents (his parents were gone when we married).  Glad to see that they are aware of our slowing down activities. 

Larry:  Sorry about your favorite football team and this season.  Re the injuries - it is so sad.

Too many things to do and not enough time to do! 

Marilyn, I'm here!  I didn't realize I haven't kept up posting, but I'm here.    

Seems like Fall has decided to take over.  The colors are mostly on the ground now, not in the trees, and the furnace has been doing its thing the last couple of days.   

I haven't felt to well last night and most of today, but it has finally passed and I feel somewhat better. i went back to bed twice and finally took a nap the second time. We did a Walmart run this morning and then took the dogs over to where I work to have their nails trimmed. Once a month on the third Sunday it is vaccination and nail trimming day.

Please pray for my friend Melissa she is going through a tough time and is very depressed.