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Morning Devotional...


Saliva Is Nothing to Spit At



"But to you who fear My name the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings; and you shall go out and grow fat like stall?fed calves."
Malachi 4:2

Someday, instead of having to give a blood sample during your physical exam, the doctor might just ask you for a saliva sample. Saliva is an amazing fluid. Besides helping us moisten and digest food, saliva is able to speed healing and fight bacteria, fungi and viruses.

Saliva is chemically almost identical to the clear part of your blood. It even has, in lesser concentrations, the infectious organisms found in your blood. Let's say, for example that you suddenly find yourself in a stressful situation. The level of the hormone cortisol will increase in your blood in response to the stress. Within 20 minutes, that increase will be evident in your saliva.

This means that someday saliva tests may replace bl! ood samples. In the United States, saliva tests have been approved to diagnose AIDS, illegal drugs, periodontal disease, alcohol and premature labor. If the hormone estriol rises in a woman's blood before 36 weeks of gestation, doctors know that the woman may go into labor prematurely. Saliva testing is also used to check hormone levels in women who are having a difficult time conceiving a child. Other countries have approved a saliva test for hepatitis B.

Saliva's remarkable abilities are a witness to a loving Creator. He knew that we would sin and thus bring disease into the world. So He gave us saliva that, not only defends us against infection but also helps us heal. But the greatest love He has shown us is in sending His Son to give us spiritual healing.


Prayer: I thank You, Lord, for all Your good gifts, especially salvation. Amen.



Ref: Judy Foreman, The spitting image gains credibility, Star Tribune, September 12, 1999, p.E3

Pat - terrific devotional here.

Larry:  No - its not necessary just yet that we must have a passport in order to enter the States., BUT - both yours and our governments say that it will be necessary in 2006.

We were fortunate to be in and out of the office in 20 minutes.  I had made a slight error on the application., and was sent to one of the manager's offices.  She quickly initialed the document, and instead of sending me to the end of the line, she kindly said she would process it herself. 
I talked to a lady who was waiting her turn, and she had been waiting for over an hour. - and that was, just to get a number, to stand in ANOTHER LINE!

Passports are not cheap.....$90.00 for each of us, PLUS another $20.00 each for the passport photos.

Larry King's program was interesting, Marilyn.  His wife was one of the panelists.  The topic was on Migraine headaches., and Shawn - Larry's wife, was having a migraine as the program was airing.

I'm praying that EACH of you who are reading this, will have a good night's sleep tonight.

(...especially you, Pat... )

We are just home from Amarillo.  It was a long day, but we did manage to squeeze in all the appointments, and were on time for all of them.  Darrel will have a procedure done via lazer on his prostate in July; we will see what Beth's doctors have to say about her tests when they call.  She is going downhill again, really dragging her feet, walking seems to be becoming more difficult for her.  We had to go to a pharmacy to get one dose of medicine for them to inject in her, then she had blood tests 30 minutes later; then again in another 30 minutes.  This is to determine if she can get off the steroids now.  Anyway, that one little dose of medicine cost $98.85!    Man!

We stopped by to see Mark.  He is doing well, and will return to school tomorrow.  He asked me if I will go with him to Salina on May 6th for Senior day or something about the college.  I told him I will be happy to.  It will be fun to spend the day with him, and maybe I will get to see the other grandsons there as well.  I took a picture of him which I will post tomorrow, with his big hand. 

I read all the posts for today, but am really tired so won't mention names tonight.  But I shall return!

I heard something interesting today on the radio, and it showed me just how awesome God is and how He can work in the most bizarre of "circumstances" when we honestly seek to do what is right.

The clip was interviewing the lead singer of Mercy Me and he was telling of one experience he had.  He had been invited to do a radio interview live with a "shock jock" disc jockey.  In the past, apparently, this guy was quite the character and had no intention of doing anything but ridiculing Bart on a live show.  Bart was invited because the station had begun getting more requests for "I Can only Imagine" than many of the popular secular shows.  At the time of the interview, the dj had not heard the song, but listened to it during the interview.

Bart said that a few weeks later, he had gotten an email from this guy.  Basically it said that the song had really messed him up.  He had started wondering about God, and had even started going to church to find the answers to his questions.  (the story gets better)

After several more weeks had passed, Mercy Me got another email.  This DJ had gotten saved, and as a result was feeling convicted of his antics on the air.  He wanted to tone it down, but was afraid of losing his job.  Then, the FCC started a crackdown, adn the station came to him and told him to tone it down.

God's will will be done, when we let it.


Janet, hope Mark's hand is healing well.

To others -- have a great day!!

Faith

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"And he believed in the Lord; and He counted it to him for righteousness" (Genesis 15:6).

It may come as a surprise to some that both Old and New Testament believers are justified only by faith. In fact, four New Testament epistles base their arguments on justification by faith on two Old Testament passages, each quoted three times, but with each one emphasizing a different aspect.

In our text, we see that Abraham was declared righteous because of his faith (i.e., belief, same word). This verse is quoted in Romans 4:3 in the midst of a formal argument on the just nature of God and the fact that we are "justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:24). Here the emphasis is on counted. In Galatians 3:6, the word believed is emphasized, couched in the book dedicated to contrasting works and faith. "They which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham" (Galatians 3:9). The book of James was written to encourage believers to good works as evidence of their faith, and our text, quoted in James 2:23 emphasizes righteousness. "Faith without works is dead" (James 2:26).

The other Old Testament passage dealing with faith, which is also quoted three times in the New Testament reads, "The just shall live by his faith" (Habakkuk 2:4). When used in Romans 1:17 just prior to the description of the evil lifestyles of the wicked (vv.18-32), the emphasis seems to be on the word just. In Galatians 3:11, as noted above, the word faith is stressed. But in Hebrews 10:38 the author teaches that those who have been declared righteous by God live eternally by faith and will be able to cope with persecution (vv.34-37).

Thus, the Old Testament doctrine that we are saved by faith in the work of God to solve our sin problem applies to every area of our lives and being, including our past sin, our present holy life and work, and our future eternal life. JDM

Good Morning to all. Pat that was a very interesting and informative devotion on our Saliva today.  I want you to know that I read every word of allt he devotions that you post and do not just speed read them.

Thick fog here this morning and thunder storms excpected this afternoon. Me i8t is the usual Wednesday for me, both jobs then Bible study tonight, we are on lesson 6 of Drawing Near in the series by John Bevere

TTYL

Pat:  Well, your message this morning really awakened me quickly - Spit?  Thanks for bringing a new message to all of us.  You keep us on our toes!

karmat:  True divine intervention - loved the story!

Janet:  I posted a prayer for Mark's hand recovery.  Best to Darrel as well.

I am so busy with company coming again.  This month has been "awesome".  I give thanks for having such good friends and relatives that they are interested in stopping by to visit with us. 

Best to all -

Carol

Good morning!  Pat, that is neat that you posted the devotional about saliva today.  Our speaker last weekend at the retreat talked about that, because she had cancer just behind her ear, that invaded the salivary gland.  They had to remove the gland, and now she has to take frequent sips of water while speaking or eating.  We are truly fearfully and wonderfully made!  Praise God.

I have been to exercise and swim, now I'm home, dressed, have read the posts here---so I think it's time for breakfast! 

Thanks for praying for Mark, Darrel and Beth.  God is good!

Good morning to all of you beautiful people out there in CP land,


   This  is a wonderful devontioal Pat, Siliva is also now used to catch criminals because in US if you are a felon you must give you DNA to the goverment by a swab in the mouth, who can always keep it on file, crimes sre now being solved because of this from years ago.. God is SO good, He knew..

  Janet, I am pleased to hear you are home safe, You do so much traveling for your family, God Bless you..


   Judy, It sounds like alot of planning to get away,  You'll be happy once your on the way., passports have gone up haven't they?

  Marilyn, What a wonderful article on Faith , We all have a measure of faith, let us water it with God's word to help it grow..

  Karmat, What a great testomonie on Gods changing love..

  I have some news to share that I have been holding back , On April 4th 2005 I became a Reverend, so I can perform weddings and baptizims and funerals,  all but cirrcumcissions. so they say. I have been wanting to do this for so time, it has taken me a while to share the news because I had such problems with depression, I felt convicted and unsure.. I was unsure as to where God is leading me , but I read today the Christians are the roadmap to God and to Heaven, or at least we should be;  so I will go with that today.

God Bless all of you,

Best Regards, Alma

Marilyn was right - fog.  It's gotten thicker in the last hour, too.  Interesting about the saliva - God has made us such complex beings!  Larry - glad you're feeling some better.  What's the latest on your transplant procedure?  We need ya around here, so I pray you can get it done and done successfully - and soon.  God bless all with a productive and thanks-filled day!

I just had a little sparrow fly into my window and I saw it land on the ground upside down and then it quivered and flew away.  I instantly thought of how Our Heavenly Father has his eyes on even that wee bird.




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I just posted new photos HERE and HERE [/color]

I hope you will take a look at them.  One is Mark with his "big" hand. 

Hi, friends,

I'm only home for a moment to "let the dogs inspect the yard." Leslie is out of town this week.

It truly is good to hear your news, Alma. God will lead - I believe wholeheartedly in that song, "Where He Leads I'll Follow." I understand about depression - I deal with it, too, as does my son.

Y'all have a good day.

I'm headed back to work, now.

Ruth Ann

REJOICE ... IN THE LORD ALWAYS !![/color][/size]

Hello friends ... Well, I just wanted to stop in and say HELLO !! Do hope that all are well. Me I am great and so I got some wonderful news from the DOCTOR today and he told me that all my BLOOD WORK that I had this weekend came back PERFECT & I was able to GET RID of 1 OF MY DIABETIC MEDICINE and so that is wonderful news to me ... so MAYBE I can get rid of this weight !!  So, it's going to take me a lot of hard work & lots of prayers too.

Also got some other good news ... in about 7 DAYS I will FINALLY get to meet ETTA SUE if nothing happens to STOP US this time.  So, yes we will be getting some pictures for sure ... so stay tune !! I gotta go and get dinner started so take care & see you all again soon !!

Karen ~ Awesome news.  I know you were wanting a great report from the doctor...now you have it.  And yes, I am looking forward to seeing you next week, too. 

Janet ~ Your pictures are great. 

I saw Jerry today and I expect that this time next week he will be in a Nursing Home in Ohio.  Not up by Karen but east of me instead of northeast.  Lynn called the Social Worker today with some names of some Nursing Homes.  Now it is up to him to find out the vacancies and if the facilities have the ability for Jerry's needs.  He was awake some today but I do think he is giving up.  Not the same Jerry as last week even.  But God can do all so I am praying for him to give Jerry all he needs in God's will. 

I can't imagine, me, Etta Sue, sitting here at this computer and I am cold.  I am never cold.  Must get done and get in by the fireplace soon.

Will be back later tonight for the changing of the NEM's!

lipstickface

craigachastain

Great news, Karen.  I'm so happy for you and your health report.

Etta Sue, I'm so sorry about the news of Jerry.  Will the nursing home be still a choice for you to go and visit him?

Interesting devotional, thanks Pat.  Saliva must heal as cats and dogs seem to use that method for their wounds.  I do believe that God has provided everything needed for a good life....we all just keep missing the mark!

Neat story, Karmat.  Love reading things like that. 

This has been a lovely day on the island.  I had to go into town to help Wendy with food shopping, also to see my doctor and Wendy had a physio appt.  My doctor feels the increase in pain is due to the medication working on my bones.  Can't even pick up my slippers in the morning without getting down on knees and holding on to the bed .....  gets some better after an hour of heat.  Then able to walk around again.  Good thing, the cats get pretty demanding and want their breakfast.  This too will pass.....

Amanda learned that even with approval, she can not get into her College for one year.  Seems there is a 50+ student waiting list for her class in Visual Arts.  Then it was on to UVic.  Was told that the college applied for funding but was turned down by our wonderful gov.  So many students will fall thro' the cracks and drop out of a higher education.  Especially if they do not get the necessary support from their homes.  I think this is totally disgusting

Sorry about Beth, Janet.  Will continue to pray for her.  Pat is right about what to do with long sleepless hours at night.  It does provide lots of time to pray for others.  Thanks for the reminder, Pat.

Time to go.  Pleasant evening all and God Bless.

Liz

Hi everyone.  Another day is about over.  I didn't have choir this week so was able to stay home this evening.  I had to go back to Kaiser this morning for another blood test and then my friend Rod (who went with me this morning) and I went over to Fry's.  Pat wanted a headset to use with the phone and I bought another phone as well.  However, will be taking the phone back as haven't been successful in getting it programs and it is trying to dial all the time when it shouldn't be.

Alma, will you be ordained by a particular church or has that already happened.  What type of ministry are you seeking to do?  Congratulations on your accomplishment.

Janet, glad you had a safe trip back yesterday and were able to see Mark.  Certainly sorry to read that Beth isn't doing too well. 

Tbear, it sounds like you and Etta Sue have big plans for next week and I certainly hope you are able to get together this time.  I was also happy to read of your good medical report.

Al, I am progressing through the necessary testing and will have two tests at the hospital tomorrow, pulmonary tests at 9 am and then a nuclear medicine test at 3 pm that will last about 90 minutes and will give a more accurate reading the of ejection factor for my heart.  The only test I will then have left to do is another angiogram and the coordinator said she wouldn't ask for it for awhile.  So things are moving along.

Etta Sue will Jerry be located much closer to his daughter in Ohio?  Will you still be able to see him occasionally or will it be too far? 

Pat, thanks for the very interesting devotional thought for today.  I certainly learned something. 

Liz, sorry to read you are experiencing such pain.  Also sorry to read that Amanda won't be able to start her college next year.  Is that the only college she could attend?

Welcome to our new members.

Pat: Very interesting devotional.

So many folk with problems so I will just say that I will be remembering you all in prayer it seems that almost everyone this year has some kind of trauma. 

For me the week has just flown by last Monday I went back to the eye specialist and he told me that indeed I had an infection and silly me I did not ask the name of it,  two weeks ago he had given me drops and jel to use but this time he gave me a script to use in the day and the jel to use at night, even at that he said the infection had already started to clear up on its own.    Tuesday I did the laundry and then today I took the time to put hems on the material I had bought to make new tea towels - I am not one of the folk with a dishwasher so in the sink the dishes go to be washed and dried.

Like everyone else we have had our share of cold and wet days and nights but this afternoon it was a little warmer along with the sun.

My prayers for all
Ruth

Good evening all.

Etta, I'm sorry to hear that Jerry's not seeming to do too well.  I wish there was something I could do for him (and you).

WEll, I had intentions of replying to everyone, but now I've forgotten what i was going to say.  I blame sleep deprivation (several of you understand that, I am sure ). 

Good night!

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