Christian Photographers Community

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Prior to the fall Adam had enjoyed perfect communion with God. The first sin having been committed changed the history of mankind forever. Thousands of years later we can blame Adam for leaving us such an inheritance but we cannot blame him for everything. Adam sinned and so do we.

How often have we heard an angry parent calling out to their wayward child? The child having done something wrong instinctively tries to hide from the punishment that will surely be heading their way.

The Bible being God's Word is fresh and new each day. God speaks to His own. He calls His own by name. Today is no different. Can you hear Him calling you today? Where art thou?

No one can answer that question but ourselves. Are we near the Lord or are we walking at a distance? If we are near then there is no need for Him to call, is there?

Communion and fellowship with our God is what daily life is all about. There is nothing sweeter to the child of God than to be 'on terms' with their Maker. God Himself has made the provision for us, enabling such intimacy.

We however can go astray and often do, trying to take control of our lives without the need of God's help. Only when we are brought to the point of failure do we realise our folly.

God and His word are to be enjoyed by us. We please God by being obedient to His revealed will for us. Sometimes, having gone astray He will bring us back into the fold either by gentle persuasion or by a 'hammer blow!'

Yesterday was one such hammer blow for me. Once again my back has gone and I am suffering from a prolapsed disc. Things were going quite well for me, then this! The pain is beyond words and when it happened, it nearly took my breath away!

My heart sank with disappointment and frustration as I know only too well that it is not a quick fix. I have been awake all night and though it seems a little easier just now, one wrong movement and I'll be scraping the ceiling again!

I have had plenty time to meditate. I was not walking as closely to the Lord as I should have been. A little health and strength and I think that I can do it all! Once more I am wrong, I need Him always.

The child of God cannot live a happy and contented life if we go our own way. Life without God is miserable. Everything that we do fails. Our lives become a continual uphill struggle with no peace and certainly no rest.

It is not long before we exhaust ourselves. It is usually at this point that most of us repent and make our way back to God, head bowed in shame and dragging our feet along our path.

Some however go beyond even exhaustion. Pride has such a grip that they cannot and will not accept that they have indeed gone astray. They will use any means possible in order to justify their actions. Blaming others is a favourite!

In order for us to enjoy communion with God we must be able to answer this question today. Where art thou? Are we happy with the condition of our soul? Are we walking closely with our God? Are we on 'Best Friend' terms?

Have things gone astray recently? Are we missing out on blessings? Is sin lying at our door? Are we yearning for better days? Are we feasting on 'Delectable Mountain?' Where art thou?

You may this day remain a stranger to grace and to God. God is calling you through these same words. Where art thou? How do you answer? In this village alone we have witnessed many deaths over the summer months, each one asks the question, where art thou?

What does God have to do in order that you will turn from your evil ways? What is it going to take before you repent? You know full well that you are going to meet with God face to face. How many more times will you put it off until another day? How many more days do you have?

I cannot answer these questions for you my friend but I can plead with you to be reconciled with God before it is too late. God in His mercy and love barred Adam from having access to the tree of life. He has provided a better way for you and for me. He has provided His own lamb.

His name is Jesus and He died for sinners like you and me. Jesus died on the cross at Calvary for sinners. Did He die for you? Did your sins nail Him to that tree? Was His blood shed for you? As you look up at the cross is it nothing to you as you pass by? Will you have this Man to reign over you? Will you accept God's way of salvation?

Where art thou?

Are you turning your back upon this offer and walking away, stopping your ears from hearing this question? It is addressed to you my friend. Will you stop, turn and face the Truth.

Confess your sins and follow Jesus? May today be the day when you are finally able to say, one thing I know, whereas I was blind, now I see.

LOL

Your brother in Christ

Iain

Good morning everyone it is 10.30 AM in the morning
here. Yesterday you are late. Before i want to go on
bed and then i see that you are on  line. Then i have first writen how my weekend was very bad. You can reed that  today i also have pain i have called my doctor but i say to me this afternoon i must go to my
chiropractor and i must tell her what is happened this
weekend. But i wish that my own chiropracter was back from holidays he is better.
Jenny i hope you have a good day i am thinking on you
you know.
Ruth Ann how are you how is your blood pressure
have you taken rest this weekend?
Mieka i have pictures of the beach are you there living
how nice
I hope that you all have a good day i look this evening
what you all have writen
Have a nice day all
Iain your words this morning are very good.
God bless you all          
RIA

Good Morning all,

I received an email not too long ago that said if we do not listen, God will send a "brick wall" so that we slow down.  

It sounds like Iain, Ria and I have hit that wall (back pain)...  Ok I hear you God!  I am slowing....

Love to all, Francy

Well yeaterday prooved to be interesting.  WE woke up oin the morning with no water.  This is a normal part of life for me so I "didn't fret the small stuff."  Doug came over a replaced the umpellar, and pressure gage.  we then had more pressure that ever in this old farm house of ours.  I just woke up to find the pump had been running forever and again no water.  Called Doug to have him say he must have set the pressure too high.  As his car has quit This means 2 trips into the Bay.  To pick him up and return him.  Oh well we need water.

We are indeed into the beginning of autumn.  Hot days and cold, cold nights.  Right now it is only 9 degrees C.
which puts the temp at 48 degrees F. Burrrr but that makes good sleeping weather.  I don't complain about how hot it gets in the summer.  I really dislike the winter and do complain so I feel the goodness of God in the summer with the heat.  So many people complain with the heat complain with the cold and then complain in the spring and autumn because it is raining or muddy or whatever.  

Have a good day all I will be on again later.

Love to all JudyB

Good morning to all......
What a lovely the day the Lord has given to us....I am so thankful to the Lord for the things we have in this country.
when our power went out it really made us stop and think about the soft life we have.

and how much we tend to take for granted....I am very thankful for the wakeup call an will try to slow down on how much we misuse the things we have.

good message Iaian and thankyou very much...Pat did call me last night and she said they are now on the road and heading home....they had a wonderful time...but cannot wait to return home.....I pray that they have a safe and quick trip......

well I am going camping this week and we are leaving this aft. at noon and will be gone for six days....so you all have a great and blessed week and God bless.....
Paulette.

Good morning, friends,

It's been a very quiet weekend for me. I attended worship yesterday morning, and thoroughly enjoyed the pastor's sermon concerning the Lords Supper.

Also, I think I told y'all that my brother and his wife had an opportunity to participate for 6 weeks in the missions program in Russia. Well, he CALLED me from Russia yesterday!

What a lovely surprise, what a wonderful brother, and how great to hear his voice from such a great distance "clear as a bell."

Jane, I haven't been commenting, but am reading and praying for Pastor Bev - and actually for all the prayer requests.

Y'all have a good day today. I've just asked for strength and the ability to cope at work today, and alrady feel strengthened.

Ruth Ann

Hi everyone.  It is good to see so many posting.  

Iain, so sorry to hear of your severe back pain and sure hope you are finding some relief.  It is obvious that it didn't reduce the powerfulness of your devotional this morning.  

Paulette, glad you heard from Pat and today should be the 2nd of their 5 days on the road.  Hope you have a great camping experience this week.  We will miss your postings but happy that you all can do this as a family.

Ruth Ann, isn't it amazing that we can talk to people in other parts of the world and it sounds like they are next door.  (With communication tools so available it seems we still have difficulty in truly communicating at times.)  Did your brother just get to Russia or has he been there for awhile?

Judyb, I well remember my Dad dealing with the pump that supplied water to his farm house.  It seemed like it quit consistently when they had company or when it was the coldest or hottest day of the year.  I know that is something he and Mother didn't miss when they moved to town.  It sounds like you take these things well in stride.  

Francy Lou, I can relate to the "brick wall."  

Ria, sounds like you had a long weekend in pain and, as with Iain, do hope you find relief today.  I have never had back problems beyond occasionally bending over wrong and feeling the back slip but that is over in a few days.  I feel very fortunate and that God has blessed me with not having constant pain.   Neither do I suffer from arthritis.

I will check back later.  Have several things I am working on today for our church webpage,

In looking at the hymns Pat has available for us I thought this one fit with the devotional this morning.

Good Morning. How great it is to come in here each day and read the wonderful devotionals that Iain posts for us.  They alway make me reflect on my life and search my heart to see if the is sin in my life, then comfess it to my father in Heaven and receive His forgiveness.

I will be praying for Iain and Ria, with their back pain, and for Papa John with his, as well as all the prayer requests.

i have a few errands to run today, delivering paperwork to a couple of places. So I shouldn't be  on the computer too long this morning.

I will return later.

Good morning, all. It is 9 am here in central Illinois.It's going to be a very sunny, warm day, but the humidity is gone! I like that alot! Iain, I am so sorry to hear about your back, but your message, as usual, was wonderful! Ria, so glad to see you today! And, hi to Francy and Judy B, too.May I ask you to pray for a lady I know? Her name is Sue, and she refuses to believe that there is a God! She feels, if there was a God, he wouldn't let awful things happen. I have tried to explain to her, but, now, I have to give it up to the Lord; she won't listen to me anymore! I feel sorry for her, too, I love the Lord so much, and I just can't imagine my life without Him! Thank you all so much! My system was goofed up yesterday; and I couldn't get here. I was really happy this morning to see that everything was okay again. I hope God blesses you all today.Iain, you are particularly on my mind, and in my prayers.
Love in Him,
Cami

4.p.m.

Hello everyone.

I just tried to post up but lost it...and now I can't remember what I put .  If at first you don't succeed,try, try, try again! THATS ME.....JENNY!

I do hope and pray you will soon feel some relief Iain.  I know a slipped disk can be horrendous.  I recall my sister lying on a board for weeks on end...Suffice that you are so near to our Lord and we are blessed by your ministry at this time.  Thank-you for your special effort today dear brother.

Ruth Ann and Ria....Rest in the Lord, Wait patiently for Him...seems to be the order of the day for you both.

Marilyn, I do pray for you and hope all continues to improve for you.  It is your time....."If it tarry wait for it.  It will surely come. It will not deceive or disappoint. It will not be behindhand on  it's appointed day". Habakkuk 2:3.

Cami methinks the lady doth protest too much re Sue.  This is how the Holy Spirit convicts....HE IS WORKING ONLY WAIT....

Paulette and Larry ,Hello again!

Judy, I too dread the Winter.  I suffer an intensity to cold. I used not  to like the heat but I praise God for it now.        
                 
Like you I love the Autumn.  I feel a sort of comfort as these evenings draw in and I enjoy the changing colours in the trees and leaves......"Season of Mists and Mellow fruitfulness".... per John Keats.  My favourite poet.

Chris is sleeping a little after the stressful last few days.  He's taking very strong anti-biotics now so I continue to pray for a healing in ALL  areas for him. I am taking things easy today as I feel the need of a slowing down, for awhile.

I send Love and Blessings in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ to all,

Jenny.

Thank you Iain for your precious devotional.  So many of us look forward to it each morning.  

I'm so sorry that you are again experiencing severe pain.  God does also promise that when he permits trials, he also provides comfort.  Sometimes it is so hard to focus on that promise.  All we can do is be faithful and leave the rest in God's hands.  

Must go now.  Will remember all in my prayers this morning.  God Bless, Liz.

Iain your devotional has been an inspiration this morning.

This morning I turned on the computer to rec. the e-mail but the hydro outage of the last few days has delayed the e-mails from coming through. I will wait until later this evening when office usage is reduced.

I am now going to do my laundry and instead of the dryer use my clothes line which is what I do in the good weather anyway.


Ruth

Larry.

Oh just a quick one...
Thanks for the Hymn.  It was under discussion on  the radio this morning, here in eEngland on Woman's Hour. re Women Hymn writers.  There's a confirmation for you.

I use that verse many times in my own life when I feel can't take  another step....."Nearer to Thee My God, nearer to Thee.  Of whom can I be afraid? He is near.

Jenny

Prayer for safe travels for Pat and all on this trip and healings for all who are having back problems or any other health problems.

Yesterday, we wandered around a city celebration called WestFest - it is sponsored by Budweiser - a huge plant here but beer was served way out of the booth and entertaining areas so that was nice.  Anyway, I just wanted to comment on something that bothered me - all of the tents with something to sell have to pay a price to get into the fair.  There was a sign across one that proclaimed something about There is No God - and run by atheists.  I cannot imagine people actually spending money on having something set up just to argue.  Have you ever heard of such a crazy thing?  It just made me feel very sad.  Carol

[size=10]I'M BACK[/size]

Didya miss me?  Huh, Huh, didya?  well, didya?  

Kinda busy at work at the moment, so I will post more later.  Just wnated to let ya'll know I'm back (if you knew I was gone).

AUGUSTFEST ROCKED!  (Details forthcoming).

love
kamrat

We did notice you were gone, Karmat!  The bandwidth was less!  And you a schoolteacher, and you spell that word "didya."  It's "didjuh."

Al you are a total hoot!  If we are being technical it's "did you"! ! !

Yes Karmat we missed you.

Looks like a lot of the regulars are not here.  Well wait till September.  We will increase in numbers and we will have everyone back from holidays.

The grass is mowed. The kids are getting ready to start school, I was planning on starting today but with the heat decided to postpone a week and as a friend said get ready to start after VBS.

I'll be back later this evening.  The girls are wanting to swim so off we go.

Bye all
Love JudyB

Karma, of course we missed you as we do all of the CP'ers who are away at the moment.  Always a joyful time to see the postings upon their return.

I just read a message on SeniorNet from Pat Scott and I feel confident she wouldn't mind my sharing it with you.  So here it is:

QuoteHi Everyone...

Here I am at a Radio Shack in Brandon, Manitoba, having just bought a new battery charger for my camera as I left mine plugged in in the Hotel.

Beverly or Chape, or anyone still there, can you ask at the Lost and Found to see if they got mine in room 3101? PLEASE?

Tell them to send it to Judy and Norm McKenna's address.

Thanks so much.

We're going to try to get to the east side of Winnipeg tonight before we stop.

See you later.

Do hope the hotel found Pat's  battery charger.

Carol, that is indeed sad.  

Hi to Elizabeth, Jenny and Al.

Good afternoon. I have just returned from an interview for a Home Health Aide. I got the job, however it is only 54.5 hours a month. well anyway it is a start at what I want to do and the lady is great. Her friend just moved up here from Lucerne Valley, and worked at the Wolf Sanctuary there. What a small world.!! Actually her friend is the other caregiver who lives with her. and we are splitting 109 hours per month. They both have Native American blood and we had a real great conversation about  the wolves. I know the owner of that Wolf Sanctuary. If you allo remember I had a photo posted on the other CP of me and Apache Moon (one of her wolves.) His photo is also on my web site.

Larry, my brother and his wife left to go to Russia to relieve some missionaries who needed to come to the States for 6 weeks. They'll be returning (if I remember right) on the 31st of this month.

He says it's been one of the most memorable periods in their lives.

Ruth Ann

Karma and Al------nope!  It is "didja!"  And Didja miss me, too?  

We got home this afternoon, and it's good to be home again.  I have been trying to catch up on all the postings on CP since I left home.

Blessings to all of you and I wish you a restful, pain free night's sleep tonight!  See you tomorrow!

Marilyn:  Such a small world anymore - sorry that the amount of time to work is shorter than you want.  Perhaps something else part-time will come available.

Pat S:  Oh, it is so hard to think of everything when you leave for a trip and to forget something at a hotel.  I lost our entire itinerary of our Minnesota trip with phone numbers, addresses and maps, all the best information - I lost it the first night at a motel.  It took hours for Don to duplicate all the information and he was a bit peeved at me which made me just as annoyed with him.  An angel came and told us to "Grow up!" and we worked things out the very same day.  You must be talking all the way back home with all the stories of the Bash.  Safe trip!

Karmat:  Well, I am so glad that you are baaaaacccccckkkkk.  Missed you.  

Carol

Now you all have me confused...  I can't remember the "correct" spelling of didya, didyuh, didja...  

This is a full work week for me again - 8:00 to 5:00, 1/2 hour for lunch.  But it's the last one for this year and one day's already finished.  

The last two nights it appears a neighborhood cat who is left out at night has tried to get into our house - the evidence being holes torn in our window screen!    Our Princess has a "kitty condo" right in front of the window and she often sleep right there, just at sill height.  It looks as though she must growl and hiss when this nocturnal one comes to our front porch and he/she thinks it would be a good idea to have a real catfight.  I've sealed off the holes with some clear tape until we can repair it properly and tonight I've smeared Vicks on the outside frame.  

We also have a very determined tiny spider.  It's no more than about the size of the head of a pin and every day it spins a new web on a table lamp next to my chair.  After supper I sat down and mentioned to Gene that it finally seemed to have given up since there was no web there - even passed my hand in the area under the shade to be certain.  Then about twenty minutes later I looked and there was a beautiful gossamer web that is at least 12 to 14 inches in diameter with the spider just sitting in the very center, waiting for a meal.  Now that's what I call determination!  

Hmmm.  I was going to add to my previous post but decided it's long enough and I'd better start again.  

I forgot to say that I don't enjoy Iain's devotional in the morning.  I enjoy it immensely every evening.  (Scared ya, didn't I? )  I'm praying for the back pain relief for all of our sufferers - been there, done that and it's no fun!

I've left more darn stuff in motel rooms...  Once a lovely pants suit that was saved for me when I called and asked about it.  Then when Gene and I were traveling with the Legion I left my favorite nightgown (well, OK, Gene's favorite) and a collection of music tapes - never did get those back because we'd been in six different motels in six days before we realized they were missing.

But that was nothing.  On that same tour, the New York State Legion Commander put his money belt under his pillow and left the next day without it.  Fortunately, he was able to get it back intact.

WELCOME
GISELE

WE ARE SO GLAD TO HAVE YOU JOIN US HERE. COME ON IN AND TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF. WHERE YOU LIVE, YOUR FAMILY AND ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO TELL US.

I had to smile at the postings today.  I enjoy the fun we have here.  

Where are you Mika?  How bout telling us about your day?

Pat is not the forgetful one in the family I take that dubious honour.  I am constantly forgetting where I have put my keys, wallet, bank card, and anything else that I touch!   Pat usually is so very methodical.  They must have left in a hurry to get on the road.

I agree with Jeanne Lee about Iain's devotional.  It gives me food to chew on in bed and before sleep.  Thank you Iain.

Well night all
Love Judy