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Morning Devotional...


"He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and foraketh them shall have mercy."   Proverbs 28: 13

Repentance

A person can cover his sin in many ways. One thing that seems to be common to all people is to make up excuses as to why we are committing them. Excuses for sin come in a myriad of different formats. Some of them are that we blame our circumstances. We can suggest that we just can't help ourselves; that for one reason or another it is impossible for us to stop sinning. We can suggest that everybody does these things, and because everyone is doing it, why is it so bad if we join in. And there are many more excuses that we create for ourselves. All these excuses are aimed at covering sin, but God does not want us to cover our sin; he wants us to face up to what is happening and confess it.

It is very humbling to confess that we have done something wrong and that we are entirely responsible for our wrong doing. There seems to be something within everybody that would seek to justify their poor behaviour. This is where the excuses are brought into play. However, we need to bring ourselves low and crouch at the foot of the cross, so to speak, and confess that we have sinned and that we are solely responsible for that sin. Every form of self-justification needs to be stript away and the bare facts about our behaviour should be faced up to.

It is a wonderful thing that when we do humble ourselves in this way, we find that the God who we so feared, is a God of love and mercy. While we are making excuses for ourselves we are frightened that if we admit to our errors the Almighty God will bring great judgement upon our lives, but in actual fact that does not happen. As we admit to our faults and failings and accept that we are responsible for them, what actually happenings is that God shows us the great judgement that the Lord Jesus Christ endured on our behalf. God does not smite us, but He shows us the Saviour. He does not merely turn a blind eye to our sin as some people would foolishly suggest, but rather he shows us the enormity of it and that it has brought a dreadful judgement, but then he also shows us that the judgement of our sin has been born by the Lord Jesus Christ.

If you are troubled by conviction of sin and if you are being reminded by God the Holy Spirit that you have fallen short of the life that God requires of you, remember that the God who is convicting you is the same God who is trying to bring you into the glory of a christian life. Even while you are under conviction of sin, trust entirely in a loving God. Be honest about your shortcomings and then cling onto the cross of Calvary. You cannot justify yourself, but the work that was accomplished on the cross can bring you justification.

                                                                     ~Anthony Patrick~

• See further studies by Anthony HERE
  
  
  
  Taken from April 21,2003
  
  
  
  

Hi everyone.  Been a busy day.  Went to coffee for a short time this morning then hurried home to get Pat and Stacey and head to Atlanta. 

They had an early morning wreck on the Interstate that backed up that traffic for hours.  Fortunately, I know another way to go that moves the traffic with traffic lights and a lot of other people also know the route.  However, we got her home by 10 am and I was able to get back to my cardiologist appointment at 10:30. 

I then had my Monday's men luncheon at 1 pm.  We ate at Chili's today and had a very good lunch.  When I got home Pat and I both took a nice nap.  I am through running for the day but Pat has a quilting guild meeting this evening.

Shortly after I got home it started thundering and we have had a little bit of rain.  Sure hope it has cooled things off as it has been hot today.

Janet, it sounds like you did very well at the fair.  Congrats.

Judy, thanks for the new devotional thought and hymn for this week.

How often do we do little things that offend and figure they are little....yet in God's eyes there is no little!

Tonight I'm mighty grateful. Really scary, tornado causing storms came through our area while our little church's vacation Bible school was going on. Many thanks to our Lord that although lots of tornado sirens were blaring, words on loud speakers throughout the city "a tornado has been spotted in your area! take cover immediately" were being repeated over and over, weather coverage cut in to all the network programs, etc., as far as I've heard, no loss of life, although some narrow escapes and of course, property damage.

I prepared to move into our stairwell, which is secured against fire and storm, and did move to an interior section of my apartment after turning off computer, etc.

I've thought over and over about the entire 8th chapter of Romans for the last two weeks. Just think - nothing can separate us from the love of our Lord.

May God's blessings be with all who come to read and/or participate.

Ruth Ann

I will never forget the horrible tornado that went through Nashville a number of years ago.  We were traveling NE and the tornado was SW.  We could see what was happening, and John kept his boot into it.  It really was quite the ride and the devastation was really bad, so much damage and loss of life.  Ruth Ann I am glad there was no loss of life.

We have a cooler day ...at least this morning.  I am going out to finish the mowing job.

Hi everyone.  Not many postings since I posted yesterda.

Right after I got home yesterday the thunder and lightning started and continued for several hours.  We ended up getting about 1/2 inch of rain in the evening.  We are suppose to have more of the same today.  There were no tornado warnings.  I heard this morning that there were 6,000 lightning strikes in our area last night.

Ruth Ann, glad you didn't have to seek shelter in your stair well.  At least you have somewhere to go.  In our house, the only place to go is a closet next to the stairwell and we have quickly emptied it and got into it a couple of times in the years we have lived here.  There was damage last night in the area but not where I live.

I have a quiet day planned.  In a few minutes I will go to a meeting and then stay in the rest of the day. 

Larry ~ If you haven't tried Chili's Bottomless Chips and Salsa, do so the next time you are there.  Their chips are made right there and are so thin and crunchy!  

I didn't do much yesterday but was busy all day.  I did make 7 new images for the projector system at church and uploaded them there last evening.  That's about it!  

Today is SAMS at Logan's Steak House for lunch.  Then this evening is Beef and Boards.  Here's what the web says about 'Church Basement Ladies':  Church Basement Ladies, a celebration of the church basement kitchen and the women who work there, features four distinct characters and their relationships as they organize the food and the problems of a rural Minnesota church.

From the elderly matriarch of the kitchen to the young bride-to-be learning the proper order of things, the book and music give us a touching, funny look at their lives as we see them handle a record breaking Christmas dinner, the funeral of a dear friend, a Hawaiian Easter Fundraiser, and a steaming hot July wedding.

They stave off potential disasters, share and debate recipes, instruct the young, and keep the Pastor on due course while thoroughly enjoying, (and tolerating) each other.

Funny and down to earth, audiences will recognize these ladies as they begin to see the year unfold from below the House of God. This is most certainly true!  So I am expecting to laugh a lot!!

That's it...other than trying to keep cool!

Etta Sue:  I have the book on Church Basement Ladies and actually went to the play in Minneapolis.  No good Lutheran church would have been built without a basement with a full kitchen & even now they would put in a shower & big bath area just in case a family or someone needed a place to sleep.  The play was so funny & certainly something I could relate to in my family. 

Sun tea is brewing outdoors and I made a cheesecake with a blackberry sauce for the topping - tonight for quilting group (we meet twice monthly).  Don is going down the block to play Cribbage with a friend. 

We had a heavy burden lifted yesterday concerning tests on one son - so I slept well last night.  Still, this son will have to be tested more often and it is there in the back of your mind.  At least for this day, we all feel better.  thanks be!

I really love the taste of sun tea, and it's so simple and easy to make. The wonderful sunshine that our Lord has provided is certainly a blessing.

Y'all have a good afternoon.

Ruth Ann

I don't think I posted yesterday, did I?  Oh, well..........And I don't even have the reason of not having intrnet at home.  Poor Pat, so sorry about that, and hope you get it soon.

That sounds like a really fun play, Etta Sue!  Wish I were there with you. 

Carol, how are you?  And Don?

Larry, glad you had a slower day.  I have been really moving, but am about run down now.

Humana called me the other day and told me that instead of paying $15 per month for each of my prescriptions (I only take two) that they could send them to me at no cost, through the mail.  They sent me the form, I took it to my Dr. this morning, so that will be a saving!  Nice!    I also went for blood work, want to find out if the high dosage of Niacin is lowering my cholesterol.  Boy, was that office busy!!  Everybody in town wants to see Dr. Plumlee one last time before he leaves.

Tomorrow I drive to Leoti to judge at their fair, so will be going to bed early.

Hi everyone, Not a whole lot to talk about from here this evening. We had salad with sliced chicken for supper and Crystal lite pink lemonade. Took the dogs for their walks this afternoon. I did  a lot of creating in PSP today, vacuumed part of the house, and went to the Fitness center. That was my day.

God is Good

Hi, friends, I'm back from my little excursion a few miles outta town to have dinner with 7 of my friends. Yummy meal, better company, and then I took my friend by the store to get a new battery for her watch.

Now, I'm home, enjoying my peaceful apartment and thanking God for each of you.

Ruth Ann

Tonight I found out that Jeanne Lee is in Hospital.  I was speaking to her daughter, Alice. She told me that her Mom had abdominal pain, which precipitated the visit.  Her appendix was removed, and she is recuperating.  She will be remaining in hospital till she is able to care for herself.    I don't know what hospital she is in though.  That is something I will have to find out.

Let's all pray for our Jeanne.  She's a very sick lady. 

Will do, Pat. At least, she is covered with our prayers, and has the Comforter right there with her as she battles this illness.

Love to all,
Ruth Ann

Praying for our Jeanne. 

Janet:  Thanks - we are fine - not perfect but fine.  Isn't that a blessing in itself?  I am so glad to read that you are doing well.  Do hope that Beth will be alright in spirits after John leaves. 

My quilting group gave me lots of advice on how to plan my next quilt.  They are prize winning quilters and I feel so blessed to have met them and to be part of their group - this quilt is for the hockey grandson.  And, we have met the dearest friends who live just up the block. 

Definately, Pat, prayers going out to Jeanne

My cousin's wife woke up  last week with abdominal pain and was taken to hospital for appendix to be removed. She is on the mend now , too, resting comfortably.

Ruth Ann, thanks for saying about the sun tea--I have a strong desire to make some this weekend...So hot and humid in Jersey
with wickend thunderstorms.

Not as bad as you , though, I am glad for all who had shelter on those stormy days.

So sorry to hear that Jeanne is in the hospital.  But we need to thank God that she was able to go to the hospital.  She was very sick but now she is on the mend.  Thank you, God.  And thank you, Judy, for making the calls to find out where Jeanne is and what happened to Jeanne.

The play was very good.  One lady stole the show.  Middle-aged, menopause age, crazy antics.  Funny.  Great show.  I didn't realize there was a book.  May have to make a trip to the library. 

Today it is suppose to rain but so far the sky is blue with puffy clouds and bright sunshine.  This year has been so hot for us and so humid!  The grass and all the crops in the fields are growing so fast and so green!  Outstanding year for crops other than all the rain that drowned out some parts.  Good year. 

Not much happening here today.  I have a Blackberry Cobbler in the oven.  I plan to rip out a crocheted dishcloth and make it smaller.  Too big to wring out!  Then if I have time, I need to start a Baby Afghan for the Youth Minister's baby girl due in October.  Their home will be two feet bigger then!!

Thank you Judy I knew I could depend on you to  fine out what happened to Jeanne.

Hi everyone.  We had about a record number of men at coffee this morning with nine men there.  After coffee I took my friend home and then went to the bank and finally to the barbershop for a haircut.  I look a little more presentable now.  

Our choir starts again this evening for another 11 month period.  I am no longer processing with the choir but join them as they approach the choir loft.  Singing and processing was leaving me breathless.  I am finding singing to be very tiring but am not ready to give up singing in the choir as I love doing it.  The choir director told me to sit down if I felt the need and have done that a couple of times.  I am hoping that after this last stent that perhaps I will be a little stronger and my voice will also be stronger as am beginning to have trouble reaching the higher notes.  Have any of you experienced the feeling that your voice was freezing up when trying to sing higher notes?

I will also be praying for Jeanne.  Sure glad that Judy was able to track down where she is and to know that she will be alright after a period of recovery.

Etta Sue, that play sounds like it would be delightful.  I remember many dinners in the basement of our church with the ladies all working back in the kitchen.  It is also a custom where I grew up for the church ladies to prepare a meal and serve it for the family at the time of a funeral.  Our church has a nice kitchen but the meals are not prepared by the church ladies as they hire a cook or have them catered.  Guess it is a sign of the times.

Carol, sounds like your son got good results.  We talked to our son yesterday and he is fighting another kidney stone.  He has had several of these and know they are very painful.

Ruth Ann, we haven't made sun tea for a long time.  I agree with you that it is delicious.

Janet, I have a friend who uses Humana and he has had similar experience with them.  Over a year that adds up to a pretty penny.  

Hi Marilyn  and Joyce.  

 Uplifting JeanneLee in prayer. Get well soon lady, we miss ya!

Good morning, Larry.  My son battles kidney stones , too, but someone told him about drinking lemon in water every morning and for some reason that seems to be working.  So far, so good.

I'm sorry that I forget to tell you Carol that I am thinking and prayers for your son..Also for starting the talk on sun tea; the cheesecake with blueberry sauce sounds "wickedly delicious"--

If its not to much trouble can you jot down how you make it.

Marilyn, I was making a shoping list for Shop Rite and I see their barbecue chicken is on sale; so I will definately save some for a salad tomorrow with the left over chicken..Did you peek in my fridge and see the pink lemonade just waiting to be dranked?

Judy, I too wish to thank you for getting the info on Jeanne.  I thank our God that she is on the good road to recovery.

You are all welcome. She is a dear friend.

Yes Judy she sure is, There are things that she does behind the scenes that enrich other peoples lives. I am one of those who has received blessings just from  knowing her. I hope we find out what hospital she is in and if we can send ecards to website for that hospital. Or Call her and let her know we love her.

Surely is great when homefolks rally round when one of us is not well, isn't it. Still praying for Jeanne and for a full recovery.

Ruth Ann

I don't know yet where she is, which hospital, so perhaps we can open a topic here for get well wishes.  What do you think?

Lets sing this in dedication to Jeanne...