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Morning Devotional...



Know Your Shepherd!

by George Whitten, Editor of Worthy Devotions.


Isaiah 40:11 He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm (z'roah in Hebrew), And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young.
John 10:10-11 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.

In Israel, we often see goats and sheep roaming the countryside. Driving through rural Israel often involves suddenly stopping to allow a herd of sheep or goats to cross the road. But interestingly, I have never seen "sheep kill" on the side of the road in all the years that I've lived in Israel. It's because sheep don't roam without a shepherd!
The Lord is gathering His lambs with His arm, and carrying them to His bosom. This is not a distant relationship but one of loving care and intimacy with His sheep. He said, "I know my sheep and my sheep know me." [John 10:14]. Then He continued, "..and I lay down my life for the sheep."
The most vulnerable time for defenseless animals is at night when they need to sleep. The sheepfold is where they are gathered by the shepherd each night; a stone compound, with rocks stacked high enough to keep out predators, but without a door. Yeshua (Jesus) declared Himself to be the "door of the sheep" [John 10:7-9] because, as a Good Shepherd, He lies where a door would typically be so that nothing could go in or out, without passing by the Shepherd!
As evil seems to be rearing its ugly head in every facet of life these days, and greater darkness seems to be looming on the horizon, we need to truly realize the powerful and complete protection that our Good Shepherd provides. Nothing can get to us unless it goes through Him! When the Lord laid down His life for us He also gave us a fortress of protection and safety which is impossible to break.
Knowing of the dark days we would be facing Yeshua afforded us a profound sense of safety in Himself so that we absolutely need not walk in fear. Promising never to leave nor forsake us till the end of the age He gave us the security of intimacy with Himself, in and through every trial or danger. We need never doubt...that we can trust Him.

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This dog took exception to me taking pictures of "his" sheep. The sheep were not upset at his barking they knew him, just as we the sheep know our Shepherd's voice.

My first post in "Thoughts for the Week" so I hope I'm using it right.

It's my first full week back to work after a California vacation. We were there from 8/1-8/13 and had a great time. During the vacation our grand daughter celebrated her 1st birthday and we piggybacked on our son's in-laws yearly Lake Tahoe trip. Our second year to do that. We'll probably make it a yearly thing Lord willing.

While there and experiencing all the beauty this earth has to offer I kept being reminded of Psalm 19:1-6

The heavens declare the glory of God,
    and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
Day to day pours out speech,
    and night to night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words,
    whose voice is not heard.
Their voice goes out through all the earth,
    and their words to the end of the world.
In them he has set a tent for the sun,
    which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
    and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
    and its circuit to the end of them,
    and there is nothing hidden from its heat.

If there's such beauty on Earth I can't wait for Heaven and I can't imagine what beauty is there.

Wondershots, I'm glad to see you here in "Thoughts for the Week".  How wonderful to be able to celebrate the first birthday of a grandchild, and then to be able to enjoy the beauty of Lake Tahoe.

Welcome, Wondershots!  So happy to have you join us here.  And your California trip sounds lovely, combined with celebrating that first birthday and enjoying the beauties of nature, how blessed you are!  And aren't those grandchildren special?   ;)  I think everyone here will agree on that!

We have been to the gym for an hour's workout, and when we got home, our carpenter and his crew were here and are working!  YES!!

It's Monday again, with all the errands that seem to come along with a new week.  I wish you all a wonderful day, and weather like ours is at the moment.  Nice and cool!

Hi everyone. We have just had light rain today.  Yesterday as we were getting ready to leave Stacey's apartment it started raining hard.  It poured on us all the way up I-85 to the point it was hard to see the cars in front of us.  Then we ran out of it and into it again and when we got back to our area it hadn't rained at all.  We found Stacey very depressed and she said it had really hit her this last week.  She usually chatters on when we are with her and yesterday it was hard to carry on a conversation as she was so quiet.  Good news is that she is to be fitted with her temp artificial limb on Thursday and they will start her standing.  However, it still will be awhile before they want her to walk as a little more healing is needed.  I had an appointment with my heart doctor this morning and he had requested  that Pat attend as well.  We got through at the doctor's office and got to Athens on time for my appointment.  Perhaps I will write a little more about my doctor visit tomorrow but have limited time tonight.

Wondershots, welcome to CP.  It is nice to see another man join in the conversation.  You will soon feel you know us and we look forward to learning about anything you care to share regarding your family and yourself. 

I am just stopping in to say hello and to tell Janet that I enjoyed her story.  So glad that Beth has finally had the chair problem resolved.  To some it might seem like a little thing, but to Beth that must mean the difference between comfort and pain.

Life must be very difficult for Stacey and I will continue to pray for her Larry.  She is very fortunate to have such caring parents.  I hope that your doctor visit went well.   How nice that another male has started to post and keep you company.  I personally really miss Al's posting. 

We are enjoying lovely weather here on the island.  A little rain, a little sun, sometimes both on the same day.  Has started to feel a little like fall already and becomes chilly at night.  But then my 80 yrs. have definitely caught up and now really feel any kind of change. :(

The kids had bought tickets for me to see Sarah Brightman in Oct. (actually it was for March but she cancelled) but now Amanda is going to be at her course that night and so we decided to cancel. Probably for the best.  I have a problem with falling asleep early these days....pre-sleep and can't really rewind a live concert.  I do love her singing but not too happy with all the changes to her concerts.  Much to New Age and World for my own taste.  She is going to train to fly to the moon with the Russians in a couple of years, and now her music seems to reflect that in a big way.  Oh well, things do change.......

Where is Etta Sue?  People keep asking and no one gives an answer!  I always love seeing her posts and especially the Graphics.....Do hope that she is well.

Not much to talk about so will go and do my dusting.  God Bless and stay safe. :)

Liz

Hey Larry:   Thanks for your daily remarks

Liz:   Hello as well.

Janet & wondershots      Hello
Judy:   How is the weather up north.

We have had another gorgeous day.

Welcome to this   forum Wondershots so nice to have you join us here.

Liz so good to see you too.

I am taking full advantage of the ten days off with ow work. I've been doing things I enjoy., I made a batch of Blackberry jelly, some potato salad and a cake today. yesterday i baked two oaves of bread one  was honey Banana Whole Wheat. yesterday I created 2 new images too.

Hi everyone.  More rain overnight and good possibility of more today as it is overcast and muggy outside.  I am going to drop Pat off at the church at 10 am as she is joining with a few ladies to put together cloth dolls (Beanie Babies I think they are called) for the Christmas Boxes for Samaritan's Purse and our own local homeless ministry where there are usually children involved.  I will go on to Kaiser for another blood test and then will find something to eat before heading out to Athens for my treatment.  I did see my cardiologist  yesterday and can't say what he told Pat and I surprised either of us.  He feels the symptoms I now exhibit, i.e. tiredness, etc. as the result of the continued heart failure with the heart becoming weaker and weaker.  We talked about my wishes at the end in terms of life support and whether I wanted the defibrillator part of the pacemaker turned off (which I don't) since he said it is a pretty scary thing for the spouse to observe.  I tell you this not for sympathy but to explain why I am having to discontinue many of the activities I have enjoyed over the years and often don't feel very well.  He discontinued a couple of my blood pressure medicines and cut the dosage back on another medication and is a bit concerned about my sodium level, which is too low but goes along with the heart failure.  I fully intend to be around for quite awhile so this isn't something that is likely to happen anytime soon as I fully intend to be around a long time yet.  I know I need to review again the documentation I have prepared on our affairs but know that Pat is aware of everything.  Enough of a downer for today.  I fully intend to enjoy each day as much as possible and to stay in today and not worry a whit about tomorrow.  I will just take life on life's terms.

Judy, thanks for the devotional thoughts for this week.  Your photo of the sheep is appropriate to the devotional.

Liz, I agree with you in missing Al's friendly postings.  I bet you would have loved the Sarah Brightman concert and sorry to read you had to cancel.  Guess it was just not met to be. 

Marilyn, you can come and use our kitchen anytime.  :)  It sounds like you all will be eating well.     

Larry I am sorry to hear this prognosis, rest assured you are in our Father's hands and He will keep you safe.  Know also you and Pat are prayed for.

We have beautiful weather here, and after a walk out front of our place I am see lots of deer scat.  Problem is out dogs are getting in to it. So a change of route is in order I will be taking the road back into the bush.That way I will have better control of what they get in to.

Kim is counting the days till she goes home.  It is time, I have loved having her here.

John has headed to the midwest USA again there will be a short trip added on to the end and then he will be home.  I am so looking forward to retirement.

Have a great day folks.

I meant to tell you, many here will remember Lee Kirkwood.  His nephew Ron has suffered and aortic abdominal anurism which blew, he lost a gallon and a half of blood. After extensive surgery his kidneys and adrenal glands have shut down, and his body can't take the dialysis.  This morning I got the report that the family needs to be prepared he has little chance of living. He is a born again Christian, Pray for peace for the family and those that don't know Christ will come to believe in Him.  Pray that God will be glorified.

From Chris Saunders...


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Hi all, and thanks for the welcome. Also, feel free to call me Jim instead of my screen name. That handle has been around awhile. LOL

I appreciate the thoughts and words shared here. I'm sure as time goes on I'll get to know each of you better. Today I've been thinking alot about my grandmother. She's 93 and recently she's had a downturn in her health. The timing is interesting as I got to visit her in June while I was in St. Louis on business. She lives in a nursing home in southern Illinois. When I visited we were able to take her out to eat and I was able to talk with her, hold her hand, and kiss her cheek. She was lucid and very much engaged in our conversation. It was a special time that I'm so thankful I took advantage of. A few weeks later things deteriorated and she went to the hospital. Mostly because she wasn't able to swallow or keep things down and started to quickly lose weight. Eventually they put in a feeding tube, took her off all but pain medication, and sent her back to the nursing home under hospice care. My dad got to spend several days with her last week and he said that she's simply ready for God to take her home. She's a godly woman and I know she's looking forward to that day.

Please pray for comfort and a peaceful passing. We know it's coming and are prepared. I know she is. It's been 30 years since my grandfather passed away. They're both a huge part of who I am and I'm blessed to have known them and had them as influencers on my life.

As for things around here today? It's Houston in August, and it's hot. God Bless.

Larry, I'm sure you know we always want to hear encouragement from your doctor.  But we all also know that you are in the loving hands of God, who is always in control.  Thank you for keeping us up to date about your health and know that you and Pat are in our prayers.

Pat, what a beautiful photo and scripture from Chris Saunders.  Thank you for sharing it with us.

Jim, how wonderful that you had the opportunity to spend time with your grandmother.  I'm sure it meant a lot to her, too.  Although I'm "only" 81, I am always so pleased when my grandsons make that little extra effort to be with me, even for a very short visit.  I know you are grateful for the time with her and I know it is a comfort to you to know as these last hours approach that she is ready to go home to Jesus.

Larry & Janet: The both of you have not been ashamed to put your struggles down
                        for us to read and learn from, you give me strength to know that my
                        hurts and disappointments are so small.

Marilyn:   Send a loaf of bread my way.

Jeanne Lee:  You are just a spring chicken.

I was out early this morning getting my hair done along with the little visit. On my way home I noticed that some of the trees are changing color.

Hello everyone,Sad news here today. Larry I am praying for you,  Judy I am praying for Lee's nephew and the family. Jim I am praying for your grandmother.

Jeanne I  echo Ruth's statement that you are just a spring chicken.  I often think about my relationship with my children, and when I don't hear from them or see them it bothers me that something could happen to me and they wouldn't know anything was wrong  because they don't stay in contact often enough. For example, I hadn't heard from Gilbert for a few weeks, he was busy as was I. I called on Sunday, he answered and said I'll call you right back. I am still waiting. so He got a text from me today with only two words "Still waiting".

Lee's nephew has passed away.  John's cousin in Holland buried his dad today.  Sad day is right Marilyn.

It is so hot here today, I prefer the heat to the cold so no complaints from me.

Have a great day folks.

 :)  Well here I am again.  It is so hard to here about all the health problems within the families on C.P.  We will remember them.  Noreen is still having problems with her right knee and she cannot bend it very much which is so frustrating to both of us.  She is supposed to start physio this week but we are still waiting to here for the times she is supposed to go. :thumbsup:

We did have a good time at the cottage that we went to and so did our kids and grand kid's.  Our weather has been wonderful since we came home and we have enjoyed it a lot. :coffee:

Larry and Pat.  I am so sorry to here what is going on with you and also your daughter so we will also continue to lift you up in prayer. :)

Judy B.  It sounds like you have had a wonderful time with your grand daughter and it is very important for us to be able to spent that time with them.  We have so much fun with ours. :thumbsup:

Well as per usual it is very late and I have to get up for my volunteer  in the morning so good morning to all or good night.   God's richest blessings to all others here.

Jim.   Welcome to you and it is awesome to have you on C.P. keep coming often.  All our Love.   Gordon and Noreen. :) :cp: :welcome: :rocker: :bananadance: :pine:

Gord, as always it's good to hear from you, but not good that Noreen's knee is not quite right yet.  Prayers continue.

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Excellent reminder, Pat.   :thumbsup:

Thanks Pat! Alistair Begg's program is one I have favorited.

Glenn, he's one of my favorites of all time. 

Glad you enjoyed it too!

Hi everyone.  I was admitted to the hospital this afternoon following my eecp treatment.  I  will have a right side special heart cath where they can get various measurements.   It is an add-on to the schedule so could be anytime they can get me in.  I spent probably 90 minutes with the Kaiser cardiologist and he explained things and answered all my questions.  If the tests indicate what they think they will find I will begin a process using a drug that hopefully will help me feel better and this involve having a 24 hour a day IV for the rest of my life.  It uses a little pump that infuses the medicine.  It will not extend my life but should help me feel better as I have been getting weaker and so tired.

I have read the postings but am tired and they just brought me a sandwich and fruit juice, which will be it for food until after the procedure tomorrow.  Don't worry about me as I know I am in God's hands.  However your prayers are appreciated.  I will have time to write more tomorrow.

Larry, I'm so sorry you've wound up in the hospital again, but thank you for keeping us advised about what's going on.  I'm praying that the next procedure will give you more comfort and strength.

Oh Larry please know that I am praying for you as you undergo these tests and procedures.

Larry, Paul and I just prayed for you here in Winchester.

I'm so sorry you are experiencing this set back.  Take care my dear Brother in the Lord.

 :)Larry.  So sorry to here about your problems and we will pray for you.  God's richest blessings to you.   Gordon and Noreen. :) :cp: :pine:

Larry, I need you to know that I have not stopped praying for you, as well as for Pat and Stacey.  My prayers are continuing for you.  I know you are safe in the arms of our Father ... and not concerned ... but we love you here, and pray for whatever will make you more comfortable and give you added strength. You are important to us, you know.   <3

I have opened a page in Prayer and Praise to post our well wishes and prayer for Larry.  Lets leave messages of encouragement to him Here (http://www.christianphotographers.com/community/index.php?topic=12742.new#new)

Thanks Judy for opening a special place for Larry.  I hope that all will post messages of encouragement in there for Larry and Pat.

I was so shocked last evening after learning the news posted by Larry that I decided to call Pat who I know to be a "night owl" like me.  We've spoken in the past late at night.  So I phoned the number I had for "Larry's house" and there wasn't any answer so I left a message just for Pat.  I then hung up.

About 5 minutes later, the phone rang here in Winchester.  Paul saw the caller I.D. that it was "Larry Hanna" and I think he said something like, "Oh, it's Pat" and he gave me the phone.  I answered and there was our dear Larry saying, "Pat, did you just phone me?"  Can you imagine how I felt to hear his voice in the hospital in that special unit and he was supposed to be sleeping?  How embarrassing that was for me to make such a "faux pas"!!!  But...  it was so good to have a wee chat with our dear brother and let him know personally that Paul and I had just prayed for him. 

Pat, it must indeed have been a shock to hear from Larry under the circumstances.  But surely a blessing to be able to talk to him.

Gord:    I have an issue with my knee for far to many months but there has been improvement as well.  I have been to a
Specialist, and was told nothing not even therapy, A chiropractor had suggested it was
Patellofemoral syndrome (Chondromalacia)  it also has other names as well, in this process I have found not all chiropractors treat the same nor do therapists, the one I went to first said what he thought the condition was and has done very little for knee although he has been good for my lower back , the other a friend referral studied knees at school and he really made changes but no ultra sound as perhaps he is not qualified , the last one is using ultra sound again it was an add on to his Charo. education, all this to say phone around and see if a Chiro. in your area is trained in knee  health not just the spine. The last 2 Charo's I mentioned were referrals from 2 different friends. The chairo's I went to did want to see the X-Rays as well as the mri report.  By the way the spec. did not say it was the above name nor any name for that matter. I do have another spec. appointment in 3 wks.

Marilyn:  It seems that some adult children do not feel the need to be in touch but I have also found from time to time, that is when we need to be most in prayer because no communication
does not mean all is ok.


The road in life has hills and valleys and along the way we get lots of bumps.

We have been away and now checking on everyone here. 

Larry:  Hugs to you and Pat.  Will keep you in prayers. 

Just checking to see if there's any word on Larry...

Ruth, how goes the knitting?  I bet it's looking great!  I love that pattern you chose.

We just got home about 4:30 from the hospital.  I had the right side heart test to check pressures and other measures.  Fortunately, they came back not as bad as the doctors felt might be the case and so it wasn't indicated to use the drug they had felt might help but required 24/7 infusion via an IV that I would have had to use for the rest of my life.  The procedure was done through my neck in the cath lab and wasn't hard at all and only took about 45 minutes.  The doctors have decided to take me off Lasix as they feel I have become dehydrated and a certain amount of pressure is needed. All of this came up very quickly and a bed became available yesterday and I was able to get into the cath lab at little after 9 this morning.  Tomorrow I can resume my normal routine and restart my EECP treatments (11 more to go).  So I am very thankful to God and to you all for your prayers as they were answered.  I still have a very weak heart but it hadn't reached the state the doctor felt it might be.  I hope the medication change will help restore a little more energy and not being so tired.  It has been a beautiful day here, the first for quite a few days, but just now got an weather alert that our county has a severe thunderstorm warning for the next 45 minutes.  We have a very large county so it may not impact us. 

I know you all understand that one doesn't get more than a couple of hours of sleep in the hospital so am weary tonight and will  make only a few comments today.

Happy Birthday Carol. 

Thank you all for the many prayers and obviously God was listening.  Judy, thanks for the special discussion and I will certainly check it out. 

Happy Birthday, Carol.

Welcome Home here Larry.  I know God heard our prayers.

 :)  Hi Judy B.  Thanks for that beautiful picture that you put in here a few days ago with all the sheep.   It made me think of back home.

How are things going up there hope all is well please say hi to John and you look after yourself.  God bless Sis.

                                                                           Gordon. :) :cp: 

Hi again - I came back to check on Larry and for any updates.  Nice news.

Oh, thanks for the B-day greeting.  Don found a special deal online for a B & B in La Veta, Colorado which is nestled in a nice green valley surrounded by mountains.  A very old place where we were very comfortable except for a few things - such as, the train comes through at night with a toot toot and a big rumble rumble.  Several trains.  Also, for two days the housekeeping didn't show but that is alright as we are easy.  Really did want a cappuccino or at least a hot cocoa though and that machine was broken.  Loved the little town & everyone was friendly.  They have to drive about 15 miles to another town for almost everything and then about an hour to big stores so I can certainly see how that can limit things.  Totally quiet in town otherwise.  Back home here and we just had a flash flood warning and hailstorm. 

Ruth:  I do hope they can find a solution to your knee problem. 

Talked with daughter.  Her husband will have an interview next week, the company person is coming here so that is a good sign.  They need something to turn around soon.  She is exhausted and both Don and I have not slept really well whenever we start to "think (worry)" about her and the family. 

Where is Etta Sue?  Did I miss something?   

Praise the Lord Larry, I am so glad all our prayers for you have been answered.

I  just noticed today that my knees do not hurt anymore and haven't for a long time. I stopped taking the Celerex  last Sunday and thought  they would be hurting anytime now. Well since I have now lost 30 lbs, I and stopped the medication has resulted in the pain free knees. Hallelujah and Thank you Jesus!! I am down to just taking 1 allergy pill and the 1 very low dose of Pravastatin and my Spireva. However my lungs are clearing up now it has been 10 years since I quit smoking and  Craig (Keith's DR son) tells me that  by 15 years the lungs rejuvenate  to where they were before one ever started to smoke. I no longer have any symptoms of the COPD and I am going to ask my Dr to give me another Pulmonary Function test to see if I can get off that medicate too. God has been so good to me.

Today is a cooler day for us, rather nice and refreshing.  I picked up a lot of plants that were dying from a friend who couldn't care for them.  With a few I am at a loss how to revive them, others are useless to even try. Some I am trying to re-root others I have cut down and to see if they can start again.  There is one that looks like a stick, however there appears to be buds sticking out on the sides so water and see what happens.  I have one that is common just wish I knew the name. This is what it looks (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Starr_070906-9017_Sansevieria_trifasciata.jpg) like.

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John will be home late this weekend.  He has headed to New Jersey, not one of his favourite places.  So that will mean Monday off, I can handle that!

Must get going I want to finish the mowing and check the chokecherries and elderberries!  If they are ready for picking I will be making jelly and syrup!

During my residence at Coleshill, Warwickshire, England, I became acquainted with W. W. Walford, the blind preacher, a man of obscure birth and connections and no education, but of strong mind and most retentive memory.

In the pulpit he never failed to select a lesson well adapted to his subject, giving chapter and verse with unerring precision and scarcely ever misplacing a word in his repetition of the Psalms, every part of the New Testament, the prophecies, and some of the histories, so as to have the reputation of "knowing the whole Bible by heart."

He actually sat in the chimney corner, employing his mind in composing a sermon or two for Sabbath delivery, and his hands in cutting, shaping and polishing bones for shoe horns and other little useful implements. At intervals he attempted poetry.

On one occasion, paying him a visit, he repeated two or three pieces which he had composed, and having no friend at home to commit them to paper, he had laid them up in the storehouse within.

"How will this do?" asked he, as he repeated the following lines, with a complacent smile touched with some light lines of fear lest he subject himself to criticism. I rapidly copied the lines with my pencil, as he uttered them, and sent them for insertion in the Observer, if you should think them worthy of preservation.

Music: William B. Bradbury, Golden Chain (New York: 1861)



   

As we travel through our day, we pray.  Snippets of prayer for guidance, prayer for folks that are having problems, as well as that "sweet hour" when we pray for all the answers we receive and those who still need answers.

There are many families who have fractured relationships within them.  This is heart breaking to those within the families, and bitterness sets in and hearts harden.  There are so many family fractures in my circle of friends. We as a community need to pray for these folks.

Hi everyone.  Just eating a bite of lunch before hitting the road back to Athens.  I slept hard last night but still am very tired.  Laying on the EECP table for an hour will be welcome and then I will come home and rest.  I may have mentioned this but I get a new HP Officejet printer as have had it fooling with my other two printers in my office.  My laser printer still works but pulls too much electricity and causes the computer to shut down and could harm the computer.  The other printer there is something wrong with the black ink slot and it is not the cartridge as have tried several different one.

I haven't mentioned it before as didn't know what to say.  My daughter-in-law is in the hospital in North Augusta and has apparently suffered epileptic gran Mal seizures.  When my son got her to the doctor she didn't know his name, her name, where she was and could speak only in 3 words sequences.  They have started her on Lithium and my son said she had recognized him for a brief time.  They were doing an MRI at the time we talked to him last evening.  I know you will all be praying for her, Sheila, and for my son, Scott, as he said this has been the 2nd hardest thing he has ever encountered.  The loss of his baby to SIDs was the other time and that was many years ago but he has never gotten over it.  I know you will all pray for them. 

That is enough bad news for one day.  I have enjoyed the postings since I posted last yesterday evening.  Marilyn, nice to see your good news health-wise, sorry to read that your B&B wasn't totally satisfactory Carol, and to read the other postings as well.  Judy, you are so right about the fractured families and within our circle of friends as well as our power-keg world.

Larry:  We were fine with the B & B but just could not recommend it as others may like more attention to the little things.  We slept better at home last night.  So sorry to read about your DIL having a seizure.  Praying for your son and his wife as well as prayers continue for you, Pat and Stacey. 

It is very wet in the ravine and we did check on the water level last night after heavy rains that came at different times.  Flooding in the burnt areas and also hail deep enough in several areas to where they had to bring out snow plows or tow trucks to free cars. 

Don is scraping window sills today and repainting as he didn't want to hire anyone.  These homes are repainted every six years now but the sills get a lot of sun damage.  I had better go to keep an eye on him. 

 :)   Good evening to all.  Well I just got of the phone with Larry and he sounds good but very very tired and it was so good to talk to him.

We must pray for his daughter  Stacey as she needs our prayers.

I have a young man who is from my  old church and his name is Troy Woodworth and he is very sick and is still in I.C.U.  he has had two anurisins and also a blood clot in his leg and has no feeling in his left leg he is only 47 years old so please pray for him.

Noreen had her first physio today and the therapist told her that she does have some movement in the bending of the knee which is good :thumbsup:   We thank you all for all your prayers and    your support May the Lord richly bless all.  Gordon and Noreen. :) :cp:

Good morning everyone, we have a beautiful day here, I am back from taking the dogs for a walk.  The deer signs are everywhere here.  Even on the road where we have been walking with the dogs I am seeing skat.  Hunting season is a little over a month away and they will disappear till the hunters go home. This is the main winter food for many of our neighbors. 

We are taking Autumn back to our friends in Redbridge, it has been fun having her here however it is time for her to go home.

A friend on Facebook shared this today.  ""I would rather live my life as if there is a God, and die to find out there isn't, Than to live my life as if there isn't, and die to find out there is." (Author unknown)"

There was a woman to whom God had permitted many visitations of sorrow and affliction. Coming to her home one day, I found her much discouraged. She unburdened her heart, concluding with the question, "Brother Hoffman, what shall I do?" I quoted from the word, then added, "You cannot do better than to take all of your sorrows to Jesus. You must tell Jesus."

For a moment she seemed lost in meditation. Then her eyes lighted as she exclaimed, "Yes, I must tell Jesus." As I left her home I had a vision of that joy-illuminated face?and I heard all along my pathway the echo, "I must tell Jesus. I must tell Jesus."

Hoffman wrote these words after reaching home.



 
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 :) Judy B.  That is a great old song a nd the words are so true.   Thanks for putting that in here. :thumbsup:

We have a beautiful day here and the Sky's are blue and no clouds and this has been a great week for the weather.  Noreen went to her physio yesterday and she had a very hard time trying to do what they want her to do but the staff are so understanding and tell her that if you cannot do it that"s o.k. so we are very happy with this new place that she is going to. well I will go for now. :)

God bless for all on C.P.  AND HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY IN THE HOUSE OF THE  LORD  TOMORROW.

                                           Gordon and Noreen. :cp: :rocker:

Hi everyone.  This has been a very busy day.  I went to coffee and shortly after we left to drive about an hour to go to the memorial service of our good friend, Bob, who died a few days ago from cancer.  It was a very nice service.  After the service we paid our respects to his wife and then headed back and stopped at the airport restaurant for a good lunch and then to the theater to see Les Miserables.  The play was wonderful as it was a professional cast and a fine orchestra supporting them.  We just got home a little bit ago.  Needless to say both Pat and I are tired but this has been a good day for me as haven't been breathless or felt so tired as the last couple of weeks.  It couldn't have come on a better day.  For some reason I don't seem to see a digest for yesterday.  It was also a beautiful day here.  Yesterday our daughter-in-law did return home from the hospital and is talking again so the medication must be working.  Hope everyone has had a good day.

Gord, enjoyed talking with you and so sorry to hear of the terrible events that have affected the young man Troy. 

 :)  Larry.  Thanks for your comment's re; Troy. and I just got an email and he still is a very sick young man and is far from being out of the woods as they say.  Please continue to pray for him  and thanks to all who have done so.  Gordon. :)

Hi Everyone. Well finally home and had a great supper. So thought I would just say hi to everyone and wish you all Gods blessings. Been a long week. started out going to Wisconsin, then picking up in Illinois and then back to Guelph where our yard is. from there i was put on what they call a hot load to Massachusetts and then down to Rhode Island to pick up a back-haul and home again for a total of 3000 miles this week. Think I will take a couple of days off now. Got a great welcome home from Judy and also from the dogs. They are always happy to see me return. on my way through Montreal this morning while heading home there were a couple of young lads on an overpass throwing plastic bottles full of water at the vehicles below. they fired one at me to but as i saw it coming I was able to move to the right and miss the bottle. It never ceases to amaze me what some think is fun. I bottle of water like that could have enough momentum if it hits the right way to break a windshield. But anyway safely made it home and now back into my reno's. I'm coming to the feeling that I really don't have time to go to work.

Honey I can't wait till you retire......

Just a quick post as I'm very, very tired from the long journey home.  But I wanted to let Judy know her plant's name.  It's called "Mother-in-law's Tongue"!!!

Great to see your post, Larry.


I'll see if I can find a photo for you, Judy.

I found lots of them, Judy.


https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&gs_rn=25&gs_ri=psy-ab&tok=dkM7PbFs6K_r39m8hKgRCw&cp=11&gs_id=1x&xhr=t&q=plant+mother+in+law+tongue&bav=on.2,or.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.51156542,d.b2I&biw=1777&bih=861&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=qVwZUur0N4qz2QX9-YGwBQ

Is it also known as Delphinium?  Seems my mother had lots of these in the house as I was growing up.  They are very hardy, and easy to care for.

Thanks Pat I appreciate the info.  I need a much bigger pot for it than I have available, I suspect it is root bound.

I went to my friend's home and returned their dog, boy she was happy to be home.  We had a lovely visit and headed home about 4.  When we passed another friends home I saw she had beans for sale, She gave me 3 quarts, and I will be going back for more.  They are huge and very tender.  When we got home Kim helped me pull some carrots and beets from our garden and had garden fresh veggies with our meal.  Can't beat garden fresh!

As you can see John is home, and we are having a quiet evening just sitting talking and checking the computers out.  Church comes early tomorrow so I am off to bed.

See y'all tomorrow. Night

Delphinium is (at least here in Canada) a perennial that is in the garden.  Different colours and tall.

https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&gs_rn=25&gs_ri=psy-ab&tok=L8nhjZ0Aj-YlaJNMqzhykw&cp=8&gs_id=y&xhr=t&q=delphinium&bav=on.2,or.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.51156542,d.b2I&biw=1777&bih=861&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=040ZUsLTEur12wX0toHwDA


The name "Mother-in-Law's Tongue" comes from the strong, sharp and pointed aspect of these plants!  LOL

Hi, friends,

I've been kind of hiding out the last few days. Will try to have a more positive outlook henceforth. :)

Love to all,
Ruth Ann

Good early morning to y'all. 

I'm sorry I've been away so long. I think a bit of depression had settled in for a stay, but the clouds seem to have lifted once again.

I've been dealing with some health problems, but a visit to a specialist seems to have helped considerably. Another specialist visit (for a different issue) comes up tomorrow.

Judy, possibly you may want to lock the previous week's discussion. I mistakenly posted in it this morning.

Well, much love and continuing better health to all.

Ruth Ann

Hi everyone. Thanks again for your prayers for me and my intestinal problems. I'm still working out my new meals schedule and eating much smaller portions which has the good effect of the loss of about 15 lbs. I need to still lose at least 20 more to get to where I need to be and then stay there which has always been my problem.

(https://www.christianphotographers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fpahalbach.photography-cafe.com%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2Fuserpics%2FPat_-_Sun_Valley_-_Idaho_2011a.jpg&hash=7bb06a779f399a20b20f4c7f20774cc6c0b56a37)

I read all the posts and will be praying for the many requests for prayer. Typing is not my specialty and thus I don't post very often. I do enjoy the photo challenges and as I was looking for a landscape photo to include, I came across a nice photo of Pat "my Canadian rose" involved in her favorite hobby. I'll try to include it here in my post. We made a short visit in Idaho to Sun Valley, which is quite a ski resort, on our trip to the West 2 summers ago where I took this picture.. 

From here we went on to Wyoming and I just included one of my Teton Mountains pictures in the landscape challenge.

Greetings to all,        Paul


Prayer—Battle in "The Secret Place"
Jesus did not say, "Dream about your Father who is in the secret place," but He said, "... pray to your Father who is in the secret place ..." Prayer is an effort of the will. After we have entered our secret place and shut the door, the most difficult thing to do is to pray. We cannot seem to get our minds into good working order, and the first thing we have to fight is wandering thoughts. The great battle in private prayer is overcoming this problem of our idle and wandering thinking. We have to learn to discipline our minds and concentrate on willful, deliberate prayer.                 Oswald Chambers

Great to see a post from you Paul.  It's always good to hear from you, regardless of your typing ability.   :thumbsup:

Thank you for that photo of Pat, whom we all love, and for your entry in the challenge.    :)

Hi everyone. The sun is shining and it is going to be another warm day.  The grass has really greened up from the yellow tint it has day once we got a couple of days of sunshine on it.  I wrote late yesterday afternoon so not much to say this morning.  I have done some cleanup in my office this morning and took out the two printers that I can no longer use and conveniently positioned my new HP printer where it will be easy for both Pat and I to use.  I really like the wireless feature of it.  I updated my medical sheet that I carry with me for the medicine changes and new history of things that have been done as I carry it in my billfold all the time and Pat has a copy.  We are planning on going to church this morning and hopefully out to lunch.  I am a bit more short of breath in doing something but still don't feel that exhaustion that sometimes puts me down.  Yesterday was really a nice day in terms of feeling better than I have for the last two weeks. 

John, 3,000 miles in one week seems so exhausting and know you are glad to be home.  I hope the young guys throwing water bottles off the overpass were caught as they could cause serious harm or even an accident resulting in injuries or death.  You perhaps heard of the three young men who beat and killed an 80+ year old man in Oklahoma just because they were bored.  What is our world coming to. 

Pat, glad you are home safely and even though you were surprised to reach me on the phone thinking you were calling Pat I enjoyed talking with you as I always do. 

Jane, my mother also had some the Delphiniums or Mother-in-Law's Tongue growing as I was growing up.  She loved plants, whether indoors or outdoors. 

Judy, it has been a long time since I have had many freshly picked garden veggies to eat.  However, a friend gave us some cucumbers and a pepper and some good tomatoes.

Ruth Ann, glad to see the depression has lifted for you and it is good to see your postings.  With health problems it seems if it isn't one thing it's another. 

Paul, nice to see your post and know you are feeling better.  It is difficult but doable when we set our mind to it.  The staying at a reduced weight always seems to be the problem for most people.  Nice picture of Pat.   

I got really behind in here while my computer was  in the "hospital!"  It is running much better now, and I sure appreciate my grandson for taking care of it for me.

I went to Guymon, Oklahoma on Friday and Saturday for a women's conference.  Guest speaker was Billye Brim!  WOW.  That lady has such a depth of knowledge of God's word!  What a blessing to get to hear her in person.  My friend Pat and I went over together (it's only 60 miles) and stayed in a really lovely B & B.  It was a little more costly than a motel, but she had never stayed in one and wanted to, so we did.  Altogether a wonderful and inspirational time.

Beth told me that the DON had come in and measured her for the new chair they are to get for her, and asked her what color she would like.  She said blue or green.  Her birthday is this Wednesday, and we will just have a few friends join us at the Pizza Hut for supper.  They will have a cake for her at the home at lunch time, so I will go in and eat with her then, as well.  I got a call last night that one of her college friends, same age as Beth, passed away a week ago.  The friend who called said she wanted to let Beth know, but until she looked through Mary Ann's address book, she didn't have a number to call.  I gather that Mary Ann (who was morbidly obese) had cancer, heart problems and other ailments.  Sad to die so young.

Larry, I hope you know how special you are to all of us here.  I feel like you are a special friend I've known for years, though we haven't met face to face yet.  You are an inspiration and encouragement to me, with your optimistic and positive attitude.  May God continue to bless you, and grant you much longer to stay here on earth.  We know heaven will be so much better, but we sure do enjoy having you around, so stay as long as you can, and still enjoy life.  Love you, dear brother.  (((hugs)))

I have to go make some deviled eggs to go with a meal we are having with our small group tonight, for the start of a new series of meetings.  We will be studying Francis Chan's book Multiply.

I have read all the postings but if I try to respond to each one, this will get much too long, and I might inadvertantly skip someone, which I wouldn't like to do.  Just know I love you all!

Special note to Ruth Ann--you are much loved, highly esteemed and greatly favored.  You are one of the King's favorite daughters!  (Love you!)

I have another story to write up, if I have time this afternoon.......

The new pastor's name was announced - I think he is originally from Oklahoma now serving in the Chicago area - Shane Farmer.  I looked at the chcc.org website and checked out his message - if you like, go to it and look for his message on having a disabled son.  Fantastic message.  The congregation votes on him in September. 

Al:  So glad that you read the messages in here.  It is just great that your son visits often.  Are you doing any ministry at your new home?  Just living the way you do is a ministry in itself.  Hugs to you. 

It took me two days with Don's help and we have emptied all the cabinets, sorted stuff to keep, stuff to donate or store in the basement and will begin the staining project tomorrow morning.  Bathroom cabinet under the sink too so the house is in an uproar but this needs to be done.  Taking trips up and down stairs has been the hardest part of all of this idea. 

Janet:  Yes, anyone Beth's age dying is much too young.  I have had three classmates die in the last month. 

Now that our oldest grandson is in Canada, we are anxious to hear how he is doing - just turning 18 and staying with a family he doesn't know - we are thrilled that the teams have chaplains and the players go to a service each week. 

Time to close up this topic for this week.

I've opened a new one HERE (http://www.christianphotographers.com/community/index.php?topic=12750.0)

see you there!