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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.... :o

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 (http://www.christianphotographers.com/community/index.php?topic=6335.new#new) 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  :hbirthday:...

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   (https://www.christianphotographers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs83.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj308%2Fpapajohntn%2Fth_OldPJ.gif&hash=a97a7cc14c72b838f2020627a76367ea5040dec0)

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.   :clobber:  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  :ticked:

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.

Good Morning Everyone. So good to be here this morning it is beautiful outside, and I feel great once again. I sure sucumned to the enemy yesterday, he really beat me up for nothing. He had me for most of the the day in my little pity party  BUT then Jesus took over and I did quite well at  Singspiration lst night. I got several compliments and a couple of "Wow's I didn't know you could sing" which really surprised me. It has been over 4 years since I did a solo and never with so much confidence as I had last night. Thank you Jesus.

I hope everyone is felling well and is very blessed today. I am praying for your needs. I pray blessings upon each and everyone of you.

TTYL

Good afternoon.  I got up this morning at 5:30am.  Today was Barb's surgery on her eye and Ivalou and I went with Kaye Don.  Barb wasn't even put completely under...talked all during surgery and could hear what the nurses and surgeon was saying.  Not to be negative but truthful, Barb will milk this for all she can.  She is already saying how bad her eye hurts and that she thinks she is getting dizzy and the ice on my eye hurts too bad to put ice on it and I'm hungry but I feel if I eat, I will get sick.  Yep, she is milking!  Ivalou and I left Kaye Don to take care of her and we went to eat lunch in Lapel.  But we told him if he needs us for anything to call us.  Before any of you bash me, remember Barb suffers from depression, thrives for attention and has all these illnesses that are real to her but when tested they show no signs of why she complains.  Her pain tolerance is zilch.  Nada.  Zero!!  But this thing on her eyelid was real....I would have had it taken off a year ago...but then people couldn't say, 'Barb, what's wrong with your eye?'

Now I feel I want to get caught up online and then take a nap.  I haven't gotten up at 5:30am since I retired in '93!! 

Marilyn, glad your singing went well.

Larry, I am another who always felt I had to be a super achiever and never make a mistake.  I think I was trying to compensate for feeling I wasn't loved by my Mom.  I'm lots better now, but still have those times once in a while.

Etta Sue, I understand completely about Barb.  We have a family member who can only talk about me me me me me---thinks the universe revolves around her, I think.  Sheesh, it gets so tiresome.

I have been running all day, now have around 20 letters to get ready to mail, and we have an important Reliv meeting tonight.  So I'd better get back at it!

See you nice folks in ten days!  :)

Hi everyone.

I see we had a pretty quiet day here yesterday.  Everyone must have been busy.  I don't have too much scheduled for today.  I will pick up my neighbor to take to the senior center for our normal Friday men's coffee.  I had thought I would be picking up our daughter to take her to the chiropractor but Pat remembered that he wasn't going to be there today and tomorrow so guess that won't be happening.  As far as I know I will have the rest of the day at home.

Marilyn, glad to hear your solo went so well and I am not surprised.  After having spoken to you on the phone one time I could tell you have a lovely voice.  Glad you are feeling better.  We all have down days but just don't want to stay there.

Etta Sue, glad the procedure went well for your SIL.  I am sure that it becomes very tiresome to be around someone who is always complaining, especially if there is no real reason for it.  When I was growing up one of my father's cousins had the same type of reputation and it was not pleasant to be around her.

Janet, we will be missing you for the next 10 days.  However, that should give you time for some good change of pace resting of your arm and shoulder.

Hi to all who stop by today.

Hi Everyone.  I know it's the end of the week but, being new here, I'm just wandering around trying to get my bearings.

This is a wonderful community and I truly am glad I found this site.

I loved the commentary on surrender.  And, I love that word!  Too often I think we use the word submit when the word we should use is surrender.  Submit almost seems like an act we do by force and surrender seems more of an action we do lovingly and obediently. 

Anyway, I hope all of you have a blessed weekend.

Blessings, Writegirl (aka Francine)

Hi y'all.  Running again.  Ivalou just called and she asked me if I wanted to go to K Mart.  We have only two K Marts within 20 miles of us so we are gong to Anderson.  Like I tell people...if you don't want me to go with you, then don't ask!  I have no idea what I will get but I am sure I will get something. 

Francine ~ So glad you found us here.  We are a friendly bunch....really we are!!  Lets us know about you and yours!  By the way, Ivalou is my sister who lives next door.  Kaye Don is our brother and he lives next door to my sister...with his wife, Barb.  Ivalou and I are both widows since 1991.  Her husband passed away the day my husband was buried.  So we are great friends.  I am so blessed to have a sister that is my best friend. 

Good Morning it is raining here, not much but there is moisture coming from the heavens.

Etta Sue I forgot to  acknowledge you yesterday. I have a cousin that gets "sick" in her own mind with every conceivable illness that she heard about. She used to lay on the couch all day with all her medicine lined up on the coffee table. I don't know if she is still that way or not. I think the Doctor was giving her sugar pills (Placebos).

Hi Francine I see you found your way here. Good word on submit vs surrender.

Today I work until 6 PM 2 different jobs.  The one where I am covering someone else's vacation will be over next Friday. My current patient wants to go to his grandson's football game tonight. I hope he is up to being in the wheel chair for that long. I know he is sure tired of being in that hospital bed for the last 6 weeks.

I see we have another new poster in Francine's intro.  I hope he joins us here.

My neighbor across the street is coming over to let my dogs out about ½ through my work day. This is the same gentleman that put my garage tent up twice and helps anyone who asks. Yesterday when I was thanking him he said "Glad to do it, I'm here to serve" What a great attitude.

TTYL

http://www.christianphotographers.com/community/index.php?topic=6334.0 (http://www.christianphotographers.com/community/index.php?topic=6334.0)

Check out Colin's new poem! It is awesome!
Praying for all here in cp; things crazy here at home!
Take care and have a God filled and blessed day!

><>Jeannine

Well this IS the 'other' new poster. 
I'm just muttering minor curses 'cos I've just gt back from the harvest festival at my four year old grandson's special school and I forgot to take my camera !!!
Fifty-odd kids with special needs brings tears to your eyes - and they were all having such fun !

Hi everyone ...
I'm just passing through this morning, but wanted to stop a moment to welcome our new comers: Francine and the Wordsculptor.  It's great to see you've found our little group.  Please, as Etta Sue said, Let us get to know you and yours... We are excited to see some of your photography, too.  (sorry, ws that you forgot your camera   :-\ )

Today my son-in-law is having a pacemaker implanted.  He will be in the hospital overnight and I am sure he and Joy will be greatly relieved to have him home again and feeling better.  It has been a long summer for them.  They came to California in April with the intention of "only a couple months' work" on their house and then a return to Mexico.  Things and stuff happen and even the best laid plans often get side tracked.

Indeed, Jeannine, that is a great poem from Colin.  BTW ... where is he?   Be assured I am praying for your family, along with all the other needs among us.   <3

I still have not heard from my doctor re: the test results from last week.   
I called yesterday and could only leave a message for them to call me -- the usual phone tag y'know. 

Well, I gotta get to gettin' ... Y'all take care and I'll be back.

Jane, it was a great relief for us when Cornelia got her pacemaker.  Before then her heart just wasn't functioning right.  She still needs oxygen but not all the time.

Good to see Francine and Wordsculptor.  Welcome to CP.

We will leave tomorrow to go to Pigeon Forge for a week.  Our Grandson, David, will go with us and drive.  He will have his own private room.  David's mother has home schooled all three of her children and David is 17 and the last one.  He is doing his home school at our house.  I help him some and his mother who is working this year comes by to check his work every day.

I'm not sure I will be able to get on line but I will try.  Hope everyone is doing all right.  Al, let us know how you are doing.

Papa John

Welcome to the newcomers. 
Today has been cold cold cold but should not complain because it is much better than the so very hot days of summer.
It seems that we all have friends or family that get on our nerves, we must learn to endure or avoid, easier said than done sometimes.

Marilyn:  Glad that your solo went well
Janet: Glad that you are home long enough to say hello to all of us.

Papa John, Larry  & Al it is always good to see you here.

I must be on my way    Ruth

Just thought I'd say Good Morning on this drizzly autumn English morning.  Glad we've got 'Sonlight' even when there's no sunlight !

Hi everyone.  A special welcome to Francine and Wordsculpter.  Wordsculpter, are you a writer?

We have a most glorious day here in Georgia with very low humidity.  Yesterday, the State put a ban on all outside watering in the  61 counties of North Georgia, which includes the Atlanta area.  There is concern that some areas may run out of water totally because of the severe drought the State is having.  Since I didn't water anything outside I won't be affected.  They are also asking that people conserve in their in-home usage of water. 

PapaJohn, glad to see that you all are getting to go to Pigeon Forge again as know you enjoy it.  It is great that your grandson can go along to drive for you and help out.  He sounds like a very outstanding young man.

Ruth, it is only 60 degrees here this morning and I had to pull out a sweater.  However, I enjoy the fall days.

Jane, it is great that we have pacemakers to help regulate the heart.  I have had mine, which includes a defibulator for two years now and fortunately it hasn't been needed.  I have mind not for rhytmn problems but in case of sudden cardiac arrest, which becomes more likely the weaker the heart becomes year by year.  I hope your SIL will be restored to his normal active life.

Jeannine, good to see your posting.  I can't even imagine what you must experience on a daily basis.

Marilyn, working two jobs in one day is a lot.  It sounds like you have a great neighbor.

Etta Sue, we seldom shop at K-Mart, although we have one in our vicinity. 

We have a meeting to attend today and then plan on watching football this afternoon, although the Georgia/Mississippi game is not going to be on TV.  The Georgia Tech game is and there are several other games that are of interest.

Great to see you all here this morning.  Looks like no rain here today, though we've been told a storm is coming Sunday.  Once it gets here and moves on, then it'll get to all of you in one to 4 days - so get ready.
Echoing Larry's question - Wordsculptor - are you a writer?  I have been a writer/editor/pastor for 45 years now.  My words still need lots of "sculpting" though.

Not sure if 'writer' is appropriate chaps - I claim to be a poet.

Good Morning.  It is a bright, sunny morning in Indiana.  Lovely day.  A little nippy to start out but is to get in the high 70's today. 

I bought a house coat at K Mart and then we went to WalMart and I got two pair of dress pants.  When I got home, I noticed the house coat was 30% off so I got a bargain!!

Not much planned but I feel I should mow the yard today.  I won't be home until late afternoon tomorrow and besides, I don't like mowing on Sunday.  To you newcomers...in the summer the highlight of my life is mowing!!  I have .86 acre to mow and that takes me 1¼ hours on my riding mower and if I weed eat, then it is more.  But I get the problems of the world solved while mowing.   :idiot:

By the way - I forgot to answer Papa John.  Actually, I'm doing a little better the last two days, so things aren't quite as critical as they were - thanks be to our Father.  Still need prayer, though (don't we all, don't we always).
It's a beautiful day out there right now - the early sun is reflecting off of the beautiful cedar trees just beyond the neighbor's place.  There's just no tree so beautiful as the cedar (in my estimation).  Praise God for His wonderful creation!
Also - Wordsculptor - interesting that you write poetry.  We have a few here who do so, and it's great to read now and then.  So jump right in here and give us some of your poetry if it seems good to you - we'd love to read it.  By the way, do you have another name?

This is such a warm and friendly place and I love hearing about the weather in various places.

I live in the high desert of Arizona ... very near Tombstone.  We're having some wonderful fall weather ... breezy with a high predicted of only 80 degrees ... which is wonderful.

Today I'm photographing a quincenara for a friend's daughter.  I'm doing it more as a favor.  Photographed one wedding and that was enough to let me know it was NOT something I really enjoyed. 

I hope to share some of my photos next week.  As I said in my intro, I love photography.  I'll photograph just about anything.  I've got some great shots of Sir Henry, our hedgehog that shared our back yard with us when we were in Germany.  Then there's snails and birds and little critters.  But my favorite is landscapes and architecture.

Hope all have a blessed day.

Francine (aka writegirl)

QuoteAlso - Wordsculptor - interesting that you write poetry.  We have a few here who do so, and it's great to read now and then.  So jump right in here and give us some of your poetry if it seems good to you - we'd love to read it.  By the way, do you have another name?

The name is Keith.  My blog carries alot of my poetry/photo combinations.
Writegirl's photo's of landscapes are a joy to look forward to.

Good Morning, I have been busy this morning getting  the carpet ready to shampoo, I got out the sshapmooer and lo and behold I hdon't have the hose that vacuums the water and dirt back up. So no shampooing today. i am disappointed. It has taken me a long time to get myslef prepared for a few hours os  doing the carpet. Drat and Double ***@@@###*&*&*>Drat!!!
So now The house is all nice a clean except for the carpet.

The dogs haven't had a walk for two days so I think I should go do that this mronign and maybe again this afternoon. I am also going to the church toset up for the potluck tomorrow after church.

It is 49°

Catch all y-all later.

G'morning ...  :)

My daughter, Joy, called from the hospital this morning to say John's procedure didn't go as well as hoped.  He had terrible chest pains -- and not at the incision -- he is to stay another day or so until they can find the cause.  She says he down plays the intensity of the pain so they aren't really taking him seriously.  The comment was made that he just has a lot of stress in his life ... well, don't we all? There is a notation on his door to "report ALL pain" but he doesn't because he doesn't want to be seen as a complainer!!  At one point, she said, he was in such pain he couldn't even speak to tell the nurse a number (level of intensity) she kept saying "Give me a number..."  and he finally gasped "Four"  well, according to Joy that was not the right number but she doesn't want to be the bossy wife and override him.   :-\ 

To make matters worse, the man in the next bed, who also got a pacemaker yesterday, didn't sleep all lnight because he had so much energy and is raring to go home!  That doesn't make John feel any better, for sure.   :clobber:

I trust things will get better for him and that the medical staff will take his pain seriously and investigate more thoroughly.  They certainly don't want to be accused of misdiagnosing a patient! 

Good Morning everyone.  We have had a idellic week and it looks like it is to continue.  It has been sunny and warm everyday.  I don't know when the last time we saw people walking around in just shirt sleeves!

Kassie left last night to tent it with air cadets in Barrie.  The temp was to go down to +6*C overnight.  They were told that they were not to bring sleeping bags as they were to be supplied by the armed services.  I am told that they are -40*C sleeping bags.  They should be warm with that.

About 6 weeks ago I took John's chainsaw in to be serviced.  I left my name and phone number.  In 2 weeks I hadn't heard They had lost it.  still no news in 4 weeks so John went in and  gave an ultimatum, and walked out.  This is now 6 weeks later and Heather, went in and told them that they have insurance to cover this type of loss and she expected it to be replaced with a new chainsaw.  She walked in on Saturday, and walked out with a new chainsaw.  What an ordeal after 6 weeks we finally have satisfaction.

We have the grands here again this weekend.  They are such a joy to have.

Marilyn with 4 dogs we have got rid of all the carpets in the house.  Under the carpetting was beautiful hardwood floors.  We have yet to sand and polyurathane them, but they are beeautiful maple floors

Wordsculptor, give us a sampling of your poetry!

Francine, looking forward to your photos!  

Al I agree with you agout our wonderful creation.  I can almost hear him saying "It is Good!"  Glad you are doing better.  Still praying.

ES You know that I love mowing.  It is a time of solitude, and I can pray uninturrupted for about 3.5 hours.  It is a special time for me, and I don't like anyone taking over the mowing chored.  Unfortunately with my arm and back have curtailled this time.  Praise God the meds seem to be working.

Janet you are a busy lady!

I know I have missed some posts, know I am praying, even though I am not mowing.  

Jane What a time your daughter is having.  I am praying.
God BlessJudyB

A certain person here emailed me to look at a picture of a beautiful misty scene and thought perhaps I might compose a poem about it which I duly did the next day. This certain person has signed in here at least three times since and has not commented one way or the other. Humph! :ticked:
Hi everyone else...been reading and keeping up to date with you all. I have been really busy. I videoed a three hour long concert for a friend of mine and have been busy editing...burning and getting copies done! It has taken me three weeks hard graft to get this done. Jeannine and I do post our videos on to Godtube...dont like that title.....and they are doing quite well. Over 5000 visits inside about 50 days or so.

I like the title Wordsculptor....I am more of a hagger as they would say here in N. Ireland...which really means I am a bit of a butcher with the words! I shall now retire in a huff into a dark corner somewhere until a certain person goes and looks at the fog...she know what I mean and who she is.  :clobber:

Wordsculptor/Keith - Thanks for the info.  Went and looked at your blogspot, read somw of your work there.  Very interesting, to say the least.  I particularly love poetry with photos or sketches.  My wife did a sketch of a lighthouse up in Oregon a few years ago, and I stood right there while she was sketching and wrote a poem.  Here it is.

I Care

On barren rock, the lighthouse stood,
The sea, the rain, the wind withstood.
But now it makes no mournful sound
To tell the sailors rocks abound.

No lighthouse keep is living there.
The lights are gone, the moorage bare -
Just barnacles, and nests of birds,
And lonliness too great for words.

The sea cares not for works of men:
The waves will pound, and pound again.
The rain will beat, the wind will blow,
Windows will break, and rot will grow.

The day will come when nought is there.
The sea will win, and who will care?
But I have cared - this view will last,
To help you know what then is past.

Alan R. Moak

As you can see, I'm one of those old-fashioned proponents of rhyme.  I do like unrhymed work, too, though, and I've done a few of what i call "word symphonies."  Your poetry moves me - thank you!

Thank you Al for sharing your poem. It is so beautiful.

We left this morning about 10:00 and drove over to Pigeon Forge where we will stay until next Saturday.

In past years the only way I could get on line here was by slow telephone but when I opened my laptop today I found fast wireless connection.

I have enjoyed the various posts and poetry.

Papa John   (https://www.christianphotographers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs83.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj308%2Fpapajohntn%2Fth_OldPJ.gif&hash=a97a7cc14c72b838f2020627a76367ea5040dec0)

I posted earlier, and it looks like my post went POOF!!

Anyway I will be praying for each need.  God bless everyone and enjoy His presence tomorrow in His House.

JudyB

Hi everyone.  Another beautiful day here in Geogia.  II was just listening to the weather and they said some areas got down into the high 40s during the night.  It is currently 56 degrees in Atlanta so is probably close to that here where I live.

Jane, certainly wasn't happy to hear of the pain your SIL is experiencing after his procedure.  I was fortunate and didn't experience anything like that and didn't even have to spend the night in the hospital.  I always hated that pain rating system because who knows where the line is between a 4 and 5 or a 7 and 8.  However, I am sure the staff doesn't want him to understate the pain level he is experiencing.  Hope he will feel much better today.  I hope he is honest with his doctor and doesn't downplay his situaiton.

Judy, persistence pays off.  Glad you got the new saw.  I wonder how you lose a chainsaw? 

PapaJohn, I think they have wi-fi most places now, especially those places that serve the public.  Laptops are so common now and people expect to be able to use them when they travel. Payiing $1 a day seems a very reasonable price for a short period of time. 

Marilyn, sorry you can't find your hose for the shampoo machine. 

Al, glad to read you are doing a little better.  Thanks for sharing your poem.

Colin, you are certainly busy.  I have never done any editing.  Good to see you posting.

Francine, what is a quincenara?  It sounds like you live in a very interesting part of Arizona.

Etta Sue, you won't have to be mowing too many more weeks this year.  Even with our drought situation our yards are still green.  However, they are not growing very much.

Keith, as was mentioned we have several poets here on CP and they occasionally share their poetry.  If you look back for a few months you will find a lot of poetry that Colin shared with us. 

Just finishing up my breakfast and am ready for church.  Not much else planned for today but expect we will eat lunch out.  Pat made such a big breakfast for me this morning that I am now sure I will be hungry by lunch time.

Good Morning everyone. It is 43° here and I am a little cold. Here at my desk it is 63°. We are having a potluck after church today. I am taking a Stouffer's Vegetarian Lasagna and Macaroni Salad. We asked everyone to bring enough for their family and 4 more of a main dish, desert and salad. There will be some who can't bring anything so we want to have enough for them too. Yesterday Willa and I went over and set the tables with table cloths and the salt and pepper shakers. We put out the paper plates and plastic forks etc. We will not be doing any clean up after and every one is to take home their own dishes. Most of the time they leave us with  the dishes and cleanup and it is always the same people who do the clean up, Me and Willa and a couple of others.

It is supposed to rain again today, so I don't know if the dogs will get their walks when I get home form church or not. It all depends on the weather.

I hope everyone has a very blessed day.

Good afternoon.  I went to church and went to two services and listened to two ministers.  Then I had lunch at Taco Bell.  After that I went to Nancy and Walter's to work with him with Aphasia software.  Last Wednesday, he did really good.  Today...not so good.  I think he was tired.  I couldn't get him to concentrate or slow down.  I think he likes to scroll and click and not pay attention to what he is scrolling and clicking on!  I will try another Sunday and if I don't see progress, I will tell Nancy.  They belong to Kiwanis and some of those people work with Walter, too. 

Then I got home and I am doing a load of laundry.  I am tired but don't want to take a nap.  I want to sleep good tonight. 

Hello all.  It's  been rainy here too.  I love the rain, and the anticipation of all the Fall colors dotting the landscapes, and blowing past my window, but today.......well, to me it is cold!  I can't seem to get warm.  I have layered clothing and my fuzzy socks (love my fuzzy socks)on, but my feet are still cold.  I think I'll have to go sit by the stove awhile.

Hello to Wordsculpter and Writegirl.  It's always nice to see new people coming in.  I don't post much, but enjoy reading what others are doing and thinking. 

Jane, that's too bad about John.  I pray he is just a slow healer, and things are better now.  I remember when Ron was in the hospital, lots of times in the hospital for surgeries and whatnot, he was already ready to tell them where his pain was.  "9!"  I know he did have a low pain threshold, but it also made them question his rating ability. :)  I guess only the one in pain can accurately judge their own pain.   Maybe Joy should give John a kick (sweetly of course) when she knows he is hurting more than he is saying.

Well, I shall soon have my house to myself again.....for however long it happens.  My sister will be moving on Friday.  We have both looked forward to this for about a month now. :)  I enjoyed being with her for awhile, but we realize we are so different, and though we love each other, we need our own space. 

I'm not sure how long I'll have mine.  My almost 18 year old grand daughter is expecting a baby in February, and is living with her dad who smokes in the house, and is making no move to smoke away from her.  I've hinted to her that she could stay here for awhile to get away from that.   And now she has developed worsening asthma, plus has a yucky cold.  She's stayed with me the last two nights, going home during the day.  We'll see.   I really wanted my house to myself, but more than that, I gave this to be God's house and He is the head of this house.  Whatever He wants is what I want.  I trust Him and He knows what I need and all about everything else. :) I know He loves Angel more than I ever could.  It blesses me no end to know that my Father is looking out for my interests, and I don't have to worry about anything else.

Hi, Etta Sue.  What is Aphasia software?

THIS JUST IN:

I just now received this email update from my daughter. You get it just as I did (minus the first line with the name of the hospital and her opinion of same!)

  Well we have finally been graced with a one minute - maybe - visit by the cardiologist.....after the pace maker tech came in to do an equipment check - diagnostic...cool machine....he was a great kid from the maker of the pace maker....redundant ...he did his check and left the room with his print out.....came back in and checked something else and left the room with his print out and his machine and said the doctor will be in after he reads the printouts.....we rolled our eyes.....because several other types of test results have not been discussed with the doctor what makes us feel he might take the time to read these......well, because this is an Outside guy who represents the manufacturer of the pace maker...etc..........anyway...bingo....in steps the doctor, not looking at me or our wonderful friends who were visiting......only at the patient and says "well I guess the tech told you what was going on so"........we stopped him there and said that the tech told us the doctor would go over it with us that he was prohibited.......Dr says "one of the leads......was loose".....and sparking......and poking......just like we guessed.....from the moment John was conscious after the surgery.......no one was listening..........but that is behind us.... "and we have to re connect it" the Dr was out just after saying just those few words....gone.....I had a question but by the time I turned around to ask it, the only person there was the tech.....so I asked how it was loose....what caused that......he said that it was not put in very well.....so...they disarmed the one lead and will have to re do the surgery .... but we don't know when.  NOW you have been updated.   Thank you for prayers.....because I was prevented from yelling at the doctor since we had company and he was gone in a flash.  I feel better now.
John feels better now....but his heart hurts....not sharp pain like when he was being poked...and shocked....but a dull pain....probably from the damage....bruised.....We will have to file a complaint and we will consider switching our insurance...... He will be there another night or two.....  

Good grief Jane what an ordeal for John and Joy, too.

The potluck was great. I brought home over half of the lasagna There was plenty of food. I brought a plate of main dishes, a plate of salads, and a plate of desserts for Bill across the street

Raining here and I am loving it. We sure needed the rain. Am keeping the dogs inside.  I have to do some shopping tomorrow as it is the 1st and one of my checks will be in my account by the morning and I need a few things for the month.

I have been im'ing with Savannah, what fun that is.

L8er

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