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Morning Devotional...



   


"I have finished the work which You have given Me to do" (John 17:4).

True surrender is not simply surrender of our external life but surrender of our will—and once that is done, surrender is complete. The greatest crisis we ever face is the surrender of our will. Yet God never forces a person's will into surrender, and He never begs. He patiently waits until that person willingly yields to Him. And once that battle has been fought, it never needs to be fought again.

Surrender for Deliverance.
"Come to Me ... and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). It is only after we have begun to experience what salvation really means that we surrender our will to Jesus for rest. Whatever is causing us a sense of uncertainty is actually a call to our will—"Come to Me." And it is a voluntary coming.

Surrender for Devotion.
"If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself ..." (Matthew 16:24). The surrender here is of my self to Jesus, with His rest at the heart of my being. He says, "If you want to be My disciple, you must give up your right to yourself to Me." And once this is done, the remainder of your life will exhibit nothing but the evidence of this surrender, and you never need to be concerned again with what the future may hold for you. Whatever your circumstances may be, Jesus is totally sufficient (see 2 Corinthians 12:9 and Philippians 4:19).

Surrender for Death.
"... another will gird you ..." (John 21:18; also see verse 19). Have you learned what it means to be girded for death? Beware of some surrender that you make to God in an ecstatic moment in your life, because you are apt to take it back again. True surrender is a matter of being "united together [with Jesus] in the likeness of His death" (Romans 6:5) until nothing ever appeals to you that did not appeal to Him.

And after you surrender—then what?
Your (my) entire life should be characterized by an eagerness to maintain unbroken fellowship and oneness with God.








 

Good morning, everyone!  I hope all is well with all of you; I haven't had time to read and catch up.

I read some really sad news this morning.  I don't share this to bring anyone "down", but because I feel that brothers and sisters in Christ should pray for each other in time of need.  Those of you who know the name John Piper may or may not "like" his teachings, I don't know, but let's pray in love for these Christians who are hurting...

http://www.desiringgod.org/Blog/829/

I will be praying.

Nards ~ How sad to lose a baby before you know the baby.  I am praying. 

What a wonderful fall day here in Indiana.  We are having a little nip in the air even though it is a bright sunshining day.  It is already 76° so now it is feeling like summer. 

Need to go talk with Ivalou and see if she would like to go take a mini-trip for a couple of days and nights!  Need to get out and go somewhere before the thick, white rain starts falling....

Good Morning I am back from recycling  and shopping for salad stuff at Safeway.

Nards it is so sad for that family to lose their baby. I have prayed for the comforter to surround them in the coming days.

Not much new here yet today. I am going to mow for sure today and use the weed eater. That is the only plan I have for today, then I have a chocolate meeting tonight.

I have cooked the dogs  special food for the week and this time I added small can of spaghetti sauce to change the flavor a bit.TTYL

Hi everyone.  Happy Birthday Liz.  I hope you have a very enjoyable day.

We are meeting friends in about 45 minutes to have the baby-back ribs at our favorite restaurant.  On Monday nights they have a 2 for 1 special and it is a delightful meal.  You can get them with or without the bar-b-que sauce or get the sauce on the side.  These friends may come back and play games for a little while but not certain about that as we didn't plan anything.

I also went out to lunch with a friend and we shared a chef salad, which was good.  He is attending Weight Watchers and I wanted to eat light since we were going out this evening.

Nards, I read the link.  That was indeed a sad event for any family.  Having lost a grandson at 7 months I feel relate to the feelings of the grandfather and know the deep sadness that rests in a person's heart.  A strong faith is certainly helpful in such times.

Liz, that was a nice thing for your daughter to do with the neighbor.  Glad you are feeling better.

Marilyn, you have lucky dogs to get home cooked food.

Etta Sue, hope you and Ivalou find a nice little trip to make before the snow falls. 

Pat, that is a wonderful devotional for the week.  Thanks.

Judy, glad you are feeling a little better.  It sounds like Kassie is a quick learner.

PapaJohn, certainly glad that was a happy outcome at your service yesterday.  It was hot here in the Atlanta area yesterday, as well, but not quite as hot today.

Janet, I hope you don't wear out your luggage.  Wow!  Congrats on the new great grandchild--that is always an exciting time and it is nice that your grandson wanted you to be there.

This brings a smile to me.  Hope you enjoy it.



FORREST GUMP GOES TO HEAVEN


The day finally arrived. Forrest Gump dies and goes to Heaven. He is  at the Pearly Gates, met by St. Peter himself. However, the gates are  closed, and Forrest approaches the gatekeeper!

St. Peter said, "Well, Forrest, it is certainly good to see you. We have heard a lot about you. I must tell you, though, that the place is filling up fast, and we have been administering an entrance examination

for everyone. The test is short, but you have to pass it before you can get into Heaven."   

Forrest responds, "It sure is good to be here, St. Peter, sir. But nobody ever told me about any entrance exam. I sure hope that the test ain't too hard. Life was a big enough test as it was."

St. Peter continued, "Yes, I know, Forrest, but the test is only three questions.

First:  What two days of the week begin with the letter T?

Second: How many seconds are there in a year?

Third: What is God's first name?"

Forrest leaves to think the questions over. He returns the next day and sees St. Peter, who waves him up, and says, "Now that you have had a chance to think the questions over, tell me your answers."

Forrest replied, "Well, the first one -- which two days in the week begin with the letter "T"? Shucks, that one is easy. That would be Today and Tomorrow."   

The Saint's eyes opened wide and he exclaimed, "Forrest, that is not what I was thinking, but you do have a point, and I guess I did not specify, so I will give you credit for that answer. How about the next one?"

St. Peter asked, "How many seconds in a year?"

"Now that one is harder," replied Forrest, "but I thunk and thunk about that, and I guess the only answer can be twelve."

Astounded, St. Peter said, "Twelve? Twelve? Forrest, how in Heaven's name could you come up with twelve seconds in a year?"

Forrest replied, "Shucks, there's got to be twelve: January 2nd, February 2nd, March 2nd... " 

"Hold it," interrupts St. Peter. "I see where you are going with this, and I see your point, though that was not quite what I had in mind. but I will have to give you credit for that one, too. Let us go on with the third and
final question. Can you tell me God's first name"?

"Sure," Forrest replied, "it's Andy."

"Andy?" exclaimed an exasperated and frustrated St Peter. "Ok, I can understand how you came up with your answers to my first two questions, but just how in the world did you come up with the name Andy as the first name of God?"

"Shucks, that was the easiest one of all," Forrest replied. "I learnt from the song,  "ANDY WALKS WITH ME, ANDY TALKS WITH ME, ANDY TELLS ME I AM HIS OWN."

St. Peter opened the Pearly Gates, and said: "Run Forrest, run."

Yesterday afternoon Sue, myself and Auntie went to the local fair in Bolton, we noticed a lot of changes but we did have an enjoyable time.  We ate corn on the cob, french fries, hot dogs and canned pop I guess one would say we had full tummies.

Then after we went to our own homes Mel & I joined a cousin for dinner at the Wish bone restaurant.   

Now it is back to work for another week.

Ruth

Larry that is sure to get a chuuckle from folks.

Was given anti-inflamatory pills for the backand arm.  Hope they work.

The weather here in the north has been wonderful. 

Well Night all.  Love JudyB

Hi everyone.  Just a quick checkin this morning since I got here late yesterday.  Pat has gone to a quilting guild meeting and since we are down to one car a the moment I am staying home this morning.  We hope the car will be ready this afternoon. 

Judy, glad you got a chuckle from the Forrest Gump funny.  Hope the anti-inflamatory brings you relief.

Not much on the schedule for the day.  I plan on attending a meeting this evening.  Hope everyone has anice day.

Hi everybody.  I'd appreciate prayer for a special need I have at the moment.  If the need were to go unmet for even a few days I might very likely be a candidate for a bit of special and daily homecare.  There's a potential solution, but it's a difficult one.  Please pray I'll accomplish it.

Al i am praying for your special need. Is this the same problem you told me about?

I have posted another new recipe Mango with Lime Syrup and Coconut it is from the Mediterrasian Cook book website.

A yo-yo day so far.  Ivalou and I decided to start our little trip tomorrow morning.  There is a farm at Fair Oaks, Indiana, that we would like to visit and then go on up north to Amish towns and visit.  So I put some places in my GPS and looked at my Indiana AAA Tour Book to see what all we might be interested in seeing and motels to stay in.  I was lookiing forward to be getting away a few days.  Then Ivalou called me.  Barb, our SIL, is having a cyst removed from her eyelid Thursday.  We both feel we should be there to support her and be with Kaye Don.  So now our mini-trip is postponed until the middle of October or the last of October!  Now I will be seeing the four walls for a few more weeks.

I went with Kitty for her to get some new shoes yesterday.  She has bad feet...from being a ballerina in her younger years.  She ended up getting two pairs of shoes.  I thank God that I have good feet and can wear cheap shoes!!  Never have spent that much money for any item that I put on my body!! Well, dental work but that doesn't count!!

Then Kitty and I stopped for a Diet Coke.  She is always fun to be with.  It seems we are opposites but we are great friends.  Never a lull in conversation! 

OK Al you are being prayed for. 

Last night was small group.  If  I never believed in God answering prayer, I would now.  We as a group have seen so many answers to prayer, and some of the issues were hard for one person to believe God would actually "do" anything, He did and they believe.  God is so good.  If anyone doubts prayer, believe me God does answer. 

I have a grand who is having a meltdown because of a spelling test.  I will be back later.

Thanks Marilyn and Larry for the Birthday wishes.  That is a beautiful piece of Art Work, Marilyn.  You are very talented.

Amanda drove Wendy & I into Victoria and treated me to lunch for my 75th.  Then we went shopping for some things that were needed.  I went to a store that gives me 10% off on clothes when it is my birthday.  Got a nice cardigan sweater and two tops.  We took Amanda to a shoe store and finally found a pair that were good for her feet and that she liked.  So that was a good thing!  A very nice day.  I may try for 80 now.....

Have prayed for you Al and hope things get better.  God does answer our prayers, not always with a 'yes', but he certainly does know what is best.  I guess that you and I are both on that slippery slope now.....hang on tight

Things to do, so have a Pleasant Day/Evening and God Bless.

Liz

Sorry for being so late getting here today ... no excuse.   

Al, I am praying for your situation.  We know that our Father will help you to do what you need to do and that He will bring all things into alignment with His perfect will.  Slippery slope or not ... hang in there!   

Belated birthday wishes for Liz too  ...

Today is the anniversary of my daughter Jean's birthday.  She would have been 54.  Hard to believe it's been nearly 8 years since she died.

Whenever I hear of an infant's death I always remember what David said.  His son was very ill and he prayed and fasted and really  carried on.  But the infant died.  David then stopped his fasting etc.  His servants couldn't understand.

2 Samuel 12:21-23  His servants asked him, "Why are you acting this way? While the child was alive, you fasted and wept, but now that the child is dead, you get up and eat!"
22 He answered, "While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, 'Who knows? The LORD may be gracious to me and let the child live.' 23 But now that he is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me."

Al, we are concerned about your health problem and we pray things will go well with you.

Larry I had heard the Gump story but it still makes us smile.

Pat, thanks for the devotional.  That's what it's all about, being able to surrender it all to our Saviour.  But  when we have surrendered all to Jesus we must have love in our hearts.

1 Corinthians 13:3  "If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing."

Papa John  

We have had a very hot and steamy day without the hot breeze we would have really felt bad.  Praise the Lord it is now raining and hard by times yes thunder and lightening as well.

Al I am praying for the Lords guidance in the matter.

Time to shut down

Ruth

Thanks all you prayer warriors!  If I could lose about 20 pounds it would help immensely - pray that I'll be able to accomplish that.  It's been impossible in the past.

Hi everyone.  Today is Bible Study day with the pastor this morning and then choir this evening.  We got our car back after the repair yesterday and sure hope the problem has been fixed.  Only time will tell. 

Al, I will certainly be praying for you as it sounds like you are facing quite a hurdle. 

Etta Sue, sorry that your trip had to be postponed.  Is the cyst removal a big thing?  I am sure you will find something to keep you busy.

Ruth, please send some of that rain down our way.  We sure need it.

Hi PapaJohn.  Samuel had a good lesson to share with us. 

Jane, I hope you were able to concentrate on the happy things related to Jean's life as know she was in your thoughts a lot yesterday.

Liz, I would say you need to hang around a long time to get the wear out of tha new sweater and other clothes you got yesterday.  It is nice you ladies had a pleasant day out.

Judy, a meltdown by your student doesn't sound like a good thing.    I think if we keep an open mind we see many miracles that the Lord performs for us.  We just need to be willing to seek His will for our lives.

Marilyn, you certainly eat some exotic things.  I am not a very adventuresome eater.

Time to leave for coffee and the busy morning.

Larry I like to try new things to eat but don't want to get too exotic. I want to know what is in the food that I eat. I also want to make sure I eat healthy food.

Not much new here this morning, I was up at 4AM, I had to take care of something on the computer and couldn't get on the website to take care of it, now I am going to have to call them.

Later.

It will be cold like this little kitty before we know it!  I, myself, would like to welcome Spring next! 

Not much time.  Remember Walter and Nancy?  The couple I drove to Grand Rapids and to Indiana University for therapy?  Nancy called me yesterday and she has an extensive doctor appointment today so I am going down to sit with Walter.  I haven't seen either of them for about 5 months!  It will be nice to get re-acquainted.

Be back this evening. 

I know there are a lot of prayer requests and I am praying for those in need.  God Bless everyone!!

Today I am having some self esteem issues that are pretty challenging to me at this time. I have had a sore throat for two weeks and was due to sing at church tonight. I don't feel like singing or even going to church, I just want to stay at home and hide from everyone.

I have to put on a smile and go to work and not let anyone know how I am really feeling, I am not looking for any sympathy  here just your prayers. We have a bad mold Problem in our church building, and I am allergic to mold. The sore throat doesn't usually last this long.

Also I have been asking to sing since I came here 4 years ago now I get the opportunity and I have a sore throat and this self esteem issue. I know that the others singing tonight are so much more talented than I.

I always thought that a Singspiration was supposed to be fun but with all the planning and practice that went into this one It doesn't seem like much fun to me.

Gotta go now I might be back later.

Liz, From me a belated birthday as well.  I am glad you got some new things, That is always a treat.  75 my how time flies!  I will bet it seems like yesterday that you celebrated as a child!

Marilyn I empathse with you.  Times like this I get into Phillipiqns and start reading.  I call it the Joy book.  May The Joy of the Lord be your strength. 

ES it is good that you can be there for your friends. 

Al I understand about the difficulties loosing weight.  Many of us here do.  One thing I have experienced is that  the more exercise you do the greater the calorie burned and the more weight you loose.  With bad legs walking may be out.  What about water exercise in a swimming pool?  Even if all you do is walk around the edge of the pool?  I am continuing to pray for you.

Larry a meltdown is as difficult for a parent as it is for the child.  Heather told me the whole episode eas because he was afraid to say that he didn't know how to do a math question.  When I spoke to him he said that he felt stupid that he didn't know.  Poor kid, I understand that feeling.  I talked it out with him and when he said good-bye it was "Thanks Gramma" 

Larry I would love to be in a choir again.  Due to stress my voice has changed and I cannot sing anymore.  BUT within my spirit I sing loudly and clearly.  Thank goodness God hears and understands.

Ruth we had lightning late last night but no rain.  We left the school room windows open but I didn't  get up to close them so thankfully There was no rain.  If you remember the front room, that is the room I use as a school room. 

Papa John I love how you write and explain scripture.  Thank you

I must go.  The girls are about ready for the next subject.

Love to all and God bless

I'm back Wow where is everyone?

I am going to sing tonight. I talked to my Pastor, he prayed with me and this attack of the devil  is gone. Hallelujah.

TTYL

The extreme heat of yesterday has gone one of the good things that happened thougth was the lingering green tomatoes have started to ripen. 

Marilyn: Let us know how you sang. I am sure that all will be fine. Perhaps you taped it so we could listen here.

This was coffee day at Tim Hortons this morning  6 of us gathered for about 30 minutes then on our way to do the daily tasks.

Loosing weight becomes a big battle as we get older  exercise and commitment seem to be the all time solution.

Ruth

Thanks, Judy.  Yes, it is hard to believe that so many years have sped passed.  I keep trying to think old, so far it isn't happening.  Someone at the barbecue mentioned that he thought I resemble Angela Lansbury.  I laughed and said maybe 40 yrs. ago....she is now Dame Angela and very elegant and sophisticated.  Then there is me......   Come to think of it, she is several yrs. older....so it might have really been an insult!!

The kids got their new infra red sauna today and it is damaged and has to go back.     Seems like there is always something to shake up my geriatric sensibilities.  Came home from the bus after being in town, (Wendy drove me to the bus as she had an early  appt.) and saw where someone had burned rubber all down the road, swerved and almost hit SIL's lovely van.  Huge delivery unit, old and in terrible shape.  He had stopped to use his phone, then went on down into the new development, turned around and sped away down our st. again.  The speeding trucks have gotten so bad that people are now going to stand outside and take their ID, then if when warned, next will be tickets from the cops.  They refuse to stop, and children and pets are at risk. I am talking about small trucks the workers are using. This used to be such a lovely, quiet place.....

I am sorry you are having so many health problems Al.  Will keep you in prayer.  Weight problems are not part of my life.  Have always been thin and must work at eating, even tho' not really fond of food.  Otherwise, pounds seem to disappear.  Especially not fond of it now as my tummy doesn't care much for most things.....

Loved that joke the other day, Larry.  That was a good movie.  Anyone watching Dancing With The Stars?  I am beginning to wonder at the way those judges give marks.  Starting to be a little like Figure Skating? 

Hope your singing goes well, Marilyn.  I used to sing in a choir years ago, now can't even sound good squawking along with the CD player.  Had an operation on my throat yrs. ago and that didn't help the cause any!  Glad you are feeling better and more confident...prayer sure does help things.

Spent hours yest. fixing the program for my digital camera.  Seems it wouldn't work, downloaded a new one from the internet, they no longer had the old one....etc.  Had to change a few things around to make that work.  Exp.7 kept wanting to time out....life sure isn't simple!  They have to keep changing things to accom. the new tech. and my computer is five yrs. old and getting grumpy like it's owner 

Pleasant Day/Evening and God Bless.

Liz

I'm home again---for two days!    Today was really full with Dr. appts for Beth, chiropractor and therapy for me, haircut and style, cutting Darrel's hair, doing laundry, etc.  I do have my suitcase about half packed (yes, again!) and hope and plan to be ready to zip it up tomorrow.  We leave early Friday for Pennsylvania for 10 day trip.

After lots of hours at the hospital, I can now tell you I am officially a GREAT-GRANDMOTHER!!  Little Alexis Brianna Crawford finally arrived about 10:28 MDT yesterday.  She weighed 7 lbs. 13 oz. and is 20 inches long.  Of COURSE she is beautiful! and has a full head of dark hair.  She was so alert, just looking around at everything and everybody, not fussing, and stayed awake for three hours before taking her first nap!  Curtis seemed completely captivated by his tiny new daughter, and of course the new grandparents and Aunt Abby along with GGM Janet are, too.

I got home around 1 this morning, slept soundly until about 7, then hit the ground running again.  I hope to sleep as well tonight.  It was wonderful that Curtis and Toni wanted me there to share that very special time in their lives, and I loved being there.  None of Toni's family were there........sad.  I got to help (a little) and be right there when little Alexis entered the world--what a miracle!

I have read all the posts, will be praying for you, Al.

Belated good wishes to you, Liz, on your 75th.  The block party sounded so nice.  I did that once out here.

Etta Sue, wish we could meet with you on this trip.  Hope we can do that before too long.

Judy, hope you get relief from that arm pain; I know first hand it is NOT fun.

Hi, Pat!

Papa John, glad the little girl was safe all the time.

Nards, sorry about the couple losing their much-wanted baby girl.  I can only imagine their pain, even after seeing our little girl born.  There were some complications, and her heart rate slowed, sure caused us a lot of concern.

Ruth, good to see you posting again, hope all is well with your family.

I MUST get myself to bed, I am very sleep deprived as it is.  I will stop in again tomorrow before we leave on Friday.

Hi everyone.  I have a few minutes before leaving for coffee this morning so will go head and post.  Not much new here to write about.  We did have a good choir practice last night and I always enjoy singing.  We are now working on our Christmas music, singing through one piece of the Cantata each week.  We also began a new piece that we haven't sung before and it is very nice.

Janet, glad to see you are home safely and that all is well with the new great grandbaby.  I can't remember whether I mentioned the other day that we learned last week that our step-grandson, who came to do the housecleaning for us, told us he is to be a new papa.  So we may finally have a great-grandchild that we will be able to see fairly often.  Hope you got another 7 hours of good sleep last night. 

LIz, it is a shame when a beautiful neighborhood has to be ruined so that a few more houses can be built.  In a lot of neighborhoods  around here they have installed speed bumps or speed humps to slow the traffic down.  Too back the new sauna was damaged as sure your daughter and family were anticipating its use soon.

Ruth, those gatherings a the coffee shop are very enjoyable.  I have lots of experience with that as we do that on a daily basis six days a week.

Marilyn, I was glad to see that you were going to be able to sing at your church.  I have no desire to sing solo anymore as it puts too much stress on me.  Hope you are feeling better today. 

JudyB, l hope your grandson will soon realize that it is all right to not know the answer or to make a mistake as long as he has done his best.  The desire for perfection can be a vicious thing that follows us throughout our lives.  I had a lot of that problem as a child and young adult and actually throughout my work career.  I could easily accept that in others but usually beat myself up a bit.  I think I have done a lot to overcome that now.

Etta Sue, I bet Walter and Nancy were glad to see you yesterday. 

PapaJohn, it looks like you are getting rain and it has missed us entirely.