Christian Photographers Community

A lovely Christian woman bought a photograph from me on Saturday with this text on it. I asked why she chose this particular text. She replied, 'because I keep needing to be reminded to stop and give time to God.' I said, 'perhaps then we should all have a photograph with this text on it hanging on our walls!'

In many ways I seem to have been forced into solitude and quietness through various health problems. Learning to be still has taken a great deal of effort especially since I have fought against it every step of the way.

Whenever I 'feel good' my life seems to go into overdrive and I try and cram as much into a day as I possibly can. I enjoy it. I love being busy. Today, once more I am frustrated as being laid aside.

I need to spend more time alone with my Saviour. For all my running about I had little to show for it regarding spiritual fruit. Some folk are better pupils than others and I regret that I needed such action in my life before submitting to His Will. He rules and overrules everything.

There is a submission to God's Will that generates peace beyond the description of any words. There is no safer place for the Christian to be than at the feet of Jesus. It is one thing however to sit at His feet and it is another thing to listen to what He is saying.

'Be still!'

I need to take these two words not just as a statement but as a command from God. If I do not find a way to be still then God will find a way for me. He is a jealous God and He seeks our attention and affection. He longs to love us in a more intimate way be we just do not seem to have the time to spare. There are just not enough hours in the day.

How many of us make resolutions at New Year with the intention of becoming better people? How long do our resolutions last? I do not know of any Christian brother or sister who does not want to live a better life than they are living at present. How are we to go about living this better life?

God's Word says, 'Be still!'

When was the last time that we experienced real peace in our souls? Do we see His hand in the little things in life? Are we a people who look for great things and is left disappointed? Blind to the daily benefits bestowed upon us, taking things for granted while expecting miracles!

How often is it the case that one look at ourselves will leave our souls paralysed? We are good for nothing. How many of us for instance, when it comes to take our place at the Lord's Table do we shudder at the thought?

We are not good enough to sit there. Our lives are a mess and anything but what a Christian life should be like. Listen my friend the Lord's Table is for sinners not for saints. It's for you and I.

Be there!

His blood has bought your place at that table. Do not disappoint Him. He that honours me, I will honour.
Is it at all possible for us to take time apart from the crowds, apart from our family and friends for half an hour today in order to sit at the feet of Jesus?

It does not really matter when we do this as our souls will benefit no matter what time of day or night.
We are never disappointed when seeking our Saviour in earnest. He is always there, waiting for us with open arms and a listening ear.

Tell Him all your problems, share your heartache with Him, pour our your heart and soul then sit and wait and listen.

Be still and know that I am God.

One final thought before I close. The longer we sit in silence in the morning watch the more we tend to get done in a day!

LOL

Your brother in Christ

Iain

9.a.m.

Thankyou Iain.  My love and prayers go out to you again today for blessing.

I too know the feeling of "being laid aside", yet I have been thinking how farmers used to lay-aside land for awhile for the nutriments to replenish the earth.  Isn't that just what God does with us.  

The woman with an issue of blood touched the hem of Jesus' garment and He felt power draining from Him. We too become weary and worn in His service.  There are times when we need to become "still" or in some instances to go away to quiet places and pray.  

It is meaningful to realise that even dear Iain living in such a peaceful atmosphere can also become stressed out........It is time for him to become a "Mary" to sit at Jesus' knee and listen intently........let the "Marthas" busy themselves in the kitchen, he has the better part.

Iain, I am having to LEARN to be a Mary.  I don't like it.  Yet He has many blessings in store for me.  I praise Him and look forward in anticipation for what He is going to do next....Always A New Thing.

Iain "because of my imprisonment many of the Christians here seem to have lost their fear of chains! Somehow my patience has encouraged them." Phil 1:14.


"I am the Gate.  My purpose is to give eternal life .......ABUNDANTLY" John 10:10.

Miracles abound dear ones.  

                     BE EXPECTANT.


Love and prayers in Jesus' Name.

Jenny.

Iain..

My last post didn't fully express my sincere regret that you are suffering so badly in the Physical..........Forgive if I offended you.  I know that this will turn out to God's glory...."All things work together for good" dear Brother.

Jenny

Good morning your all 11.00AM
I thank you for your words Iain this morning.
Jenny i also have read what you are writing good Jenny you talk about Mary i am Ria (but my full name
is Maria(mary) Martha two sisters and from booth sisters i have something)
Yesterday i have had a little traetment from the chiropracter she did no much. First she would talk with my own chiropracter. He is coming back the coming
weekend. I became despondent
Be happy Larry that you are not know what it is to have all days pain in the back.
Larry what i nice song was there yesterday on the site
NEARES MY GOD TO THEE. i was listening always again.
We also also have that song in Holland. Also the song in the garden. That is also a nice song.
But is dark this morning in Holland.
The sun is not shining I hope we get rain we may no more sprinkle water in our garden for the flowers.
When the dry is holding on ourgovernment will take measures. Then we may not use to much energy and water. We have very low water in the rivers the big ships can not sail with low water. And the water is low.
And the chips are transport a lot in Holland on the rivers. This is never happened in Holland we always
get enough water in Holland.
It is of the climat in Europe is changing.
I wish you all a very good day i hope you can understand everything i use my dictionary.
God bless you all and He is with you. Love Ria

and now i am readdy with writing now it is beginning to rain i hope we have the hole day and night we have rain. I  pray God for that  Bye Ria

i am back  

Isaid it is raining i hope the day and night it will be
raining but now the sun is shinining 1.12pm
But i hope we get more rain  Ria

Good morning, friends,

I'm a bit late to work, but needed to stop here for my spiritual nourishment first.

Y'all have a good day.

Ruth Ann

Hi everyone.  It was very foggy this morning as I went out to talk my early morning walk but now the sun has burned the fog away.  Ria, sorry to read your last message that the rain had stopped as it sounds as if you really need the rain overthere.  In our newspapers we are reading that as many as 5,000 people may have died from the heat in France alone.  What a siege you are having in Europe.  

Iain, I think we all find it difficult to stay stay and let God have his way with us.  A very fine devotional this morning.  Hope you are feeling better today.

I am going to be brief this morning as have a busy day, at least for me.  I have been asked to attend the staff meeting at the church this morning as I am now maintaining the webpage for our church.  Then this afternoon I will spend time at Calvin Cove adult day-care center to lead in singing and to play the piano.  Always enjoy it but it takes a lot of energy.  

Hope everyone has a wonderful day and will see you all later.

In looking over the hymns Pat has prepared for us to enjoy, I thought this one expresses thoughts that should help us "be still" and be drawn nearer to God.











 

Good morning!  This is the "invisible one" again, wishing you all a wonderful day.

Even if no one noticed I was away, or that I am back, it doesn't matter---Jesus always knows where I am!  (And I love you all, anyway!)

When I went to the pool this morning, the water was down to 76 degrees, so I didn't swim!  Br-r-r-r!  I hope they get that heater fixed soon!

We had a good weekend with my brother Don and his wife, Carol.  We enjoyed browsing in the Pioneer Village, which has the most wonderful collections of things depicting the progress of our country, from horses and buggies to the space age.  I thought how much Jerry would love to see all those cars and motorcycles!  How is Jerry, does anyone know?

I am catching up on laundry and other stuff today, Darrel is out doing trouble calls and installations.

Iain, you really hit me between the eyes today, too.  I am one who always feels guilty if not doing something all the time, and find it hard to just "be still and know......"  Thanks, I needed that!  I pray you are feeling better today.

Larry, hope you have a good day, and have plenty of energy to complete your tasks.  God bless you!

Ria, I do hope your back is better today, and that you will soon get copious rains in Holland.  It is so sad to see everything drying up and turning brown.  It is very dry here in Kansas, too, but we were blessed with showers last night, at least in this little spot I call home.

Janet: I want to start this morning in welcoming you back  home, I missed you sister. Did you take lots of photos for us to see? I have seen some pictures of Pioneer Village once on Rod Parsley's program awhile back.

Iain, Those precious moments with Jesus are sometimes so overwhelming in the quiet hours of the early morning. That is when I spend my time with Him. He has told me to "Be still" on many occassions when I am doing all the talking and not taking the time to listen quietly. I too was reminded  of Mary and Martha.

Iain and Ria, I am praying for you both to be freed from your back pain. I  have been there, laid up for 3 weeks at a time, with only my youngest son to help me when he got home from school. Visiting my Chiropractor every day sometimes twice in one day. I was even wearing a "Tenz unit" which supplied electric shocks to my back for pain relief.

Jenny How is Christopher today?

It is very wet here this morning from the fog  I can almost  "see" the moisture coming down.

Today I am staying at home until it is time for class  tonight.

Please remember by patient Gloria in prayer, she has a broken left arm from when she fell  having a stroke 8 weeks ago., She has recovered from the stroke very well. She is also diabetic and I'm not sure what else yet. She is Native American, I'm not sure that she knows Jesus yet, although I did see a Jesus video on top of the TV. So pray for her salvation for now too.

Good morning!!

Janet, I must be honest.  I did  not miss your postings.  BUT, that is because I have been gone too.  I do seem to recall that I was missing them at some point last week or the week before.  (I really am too young to have all my days run together like this  )

I am getting ready to post some pics from August Fest (the youth event Bernard played at).  It was awesome.  As of Saturday night, 96 decisions (salvation, deeper committment, accepting a calling) had been made.  I've not gotten the numbers from Sunday night, yet.  Even if it had just been one, there would be much rejoicing.  Satan was not a happy camper this weekend in Franklin, NC, because there were some kids and adults lifting up Jesus.

So, i hope all is well with you, and I will try to be in more this evening!

Don't forget to show us shots of stuff related to school.  It can be ANYTHING!!  <karma goes to look for that picture of the pieceof chalk>  

Good morning y'all!  

IAIN~I so appreciate your devotional thoughts each morning.  I know ... I seldom comment, but be assured I do read and meditate a lot!  

JANET~ I missed you  I always look for you when I come to CP.  Just cuz.  

The same goes for the rest of you "regulars" ... if you're being quiet or away it causes me to wonder what you're up to, y'know?  

LARRY~You are doing a wonderful job of keeping this place together...and the songs you choose are always "right on"!  This is my constant prayer ... to be drawn ever nearer to my precious Lord.

I have already spent an hour outside ... pulling weeds and watering ... and then had my time in the Word and prayer.  Now I need to get into the shower and clean up for the rest of the day.  Guess I'll start the laundry after that.  I was alerted to a place where I might get help with obtaining fire wood for the winter, so I called yesterday and left a message (somehow these people are never in their office when I call  )  I will try to stay off the computer today in case someone wants to return my call.

Y'all have a great day in the Lord ... a joyous, full of surprises, God-blessed day.  

Love in Him, Jane

Marilyn i thank you for praying for my pain i still have pain. I think i get electroshocks in my back teh nest week i also have that had for a view years and iit was helping me.
You are talking about Mary and Martha now my full name is Maria (Mary you say) Martha but all the people call me Ria.
But i always say from booth sisters i have something
God Bless you Marilyn

Karma, what wonderful news!  The harvest truly is ready, isn't it?

I'm not very happy just now.    I took 197 photos this last few days, and I can't figure out how to get them from Darrel's computer to mine, so I can work with them.  They are good, too!  Lots of Pioneer Village and the Pioneer Farming Days thing we attended.  I had to put the software for my HP camera on Darrel's computer, because it won't work with XP which mine has.  I can look at them on his, but not on mine.  Curtis made a way to do it, but I can't figure out the correct "path."  So I guess they will just sit there, all alone.

Where is our Mieka?  I miss her!

Overlook It
By Tim Hudson
Sheila and I just celebrated our thirtieth wedding anniversary. Somebody asked her, what was our secret? She answered, "On my wedding day, I decided to make a list of ten of Tim's faults which, for the sake of our marriage, I would always overlook. I figured I could live with at least ten!"

When she was asked which faults she had listed, Sheila replied, "I never did get around to listing them. Instead, every time he does something that makes me mad, I simply say to myself, 'Lucky for him, it's one of the ten!'"

This sounds like a great plan to me!

JANET~ I agree!  

We have been singing a song at our church lately that (kinda) goes with the one Larry posted this morning.  It has become the one our Pastor Bev most often requests.  What a prayer!

Janet, I did miss you but knew you were away so didn't comment.  Glad to see you back.    I have sent you an IM about your photo problem.

Jane, what is the name of the hymn you posted the words for, is it "What A Prayer!"  I thought I might see if I could find a midi for it or see if Pat already has it available.

Ria, sorry to read that the back pain has not lessened.  Know it has been a long day for you (and probably Iain as well).

Karma, wow, what a weekend.  It must truly have been a time of wonderful Christian activity.

Marilyn, your weather reports are certainly different than we were hearing from the desert.  Are you adjusting to the change in climate?

I had a good meeting with the church staff this morning on our church webpage.  We talked of a number of things we can do to improve it and add to it.  Then Pat and I went to lunch across the street and then back to the church for Calvin Cove.  There was a large group there today and they seemed to enjoy the singing.

See you all tomorrow.  I think I will post another hymn for us to enjoy this evening.

With the turmoil in our world today and the bombing and loss of life, I thought these words are very appropriate.





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LARRY~ I don't know the name of this song.   I just thought it would be a great prayer for each of us, as we go through our "passage."   Maybe Jesus Draw Me Ever Nearer   We just have it on transparency and sing it from the overhead.    I will call my pastor Ron later this evening (when he's home from work) and ask him.  

Jane, you were right that the prayer in that song is one we can all relate to.  

Our pastor's mother, who had been in a nursing home and suffering for several years from advanced alzheimer's died last Saturday at 95 years of age.  For the last cople of years she didn't even recognize her son or any of his family.  So sad.  

There's a celebration memorial service at church tomorrow, with the pastor himself leading!   I asked today for time off to attend and the boss told me of course - in fact he's going, too.  I fully expect the church will be full.  This was a lovely lady whom we all knew and loved so I'm sure there'll be a lot of tears shed and a lot of remembering.  

JEANNE~It is always sad when we lose a loved one...no matter their age.  I believe there is "an appointed time" but the ones left behind are sorrowful.  The church will most likely be filled to capacity, and more, tomorrow ... Take care.


LARRY~ I just called Pastor Ron and he says "that's the name of it"  Jesus Draw Me Ever Nearer ... I hope you can find a midi for it.  I don't know who wrote it.  I think it's fairly new, but I could be very wrong, too!  

Hello Folks

What a day North Bay is having.  The Liberal Caucus is meeting in North Bay as well as the full Senate and rest of the House of Commons.  Somewhat different to the US system of government.  Well the Pastors of North Bay have met in First Baptist to pray God Keep Our Land, a line out of our national anthem.  We were Joined by David Mainse of 100 Huntley Street.  They were packed out as they prayed about the family and the issues of same sex marriage.  I was listening on the radio to the prayer upholding our Prime Minister and the rest of the government.  They went on to pray for all the country and the families.  What a powerful time that was.

You know so often we criticize out leaders, and forget to pray for them.  This is day three of four for these pastors and people to pray for our leaders.

I challenge everyone here to pray for Canada and their own country in these perilous times.

Love to all Judy B

Iain:
Thank you for reminding us that we need to be quiet and wait for God and also wait for his perfect timing.  I too am a person who likes to get a lot accomplished and run around and try to do a lot on my own.  I need to be quiet before the Lord and let Him talk to me.  One of my favourite verses is "I will quiet you with my love" and "In quietness and confidence shall be your strength" Is. 30:15    Ruthie

Dear Ian & Ria, I know first hand how hard it is to deal with pain and the feelings of frustration that come and go.  Have fought Arthritis in my upper and lower spine since my late 20's and always have discomfort....Can't take the medications due to bleeding, etc. so had to find other methods to deal.  

I walk everywhere unless the inflamation is too bad.  Don't own a car and built up strength thro' studying nutrition and carrying groceries, parcels, etc. to build endurance.  Hurts!  For years couldn't work due to the headaches, etc.  Now can golf and carpet bowl and walk for long distances.  No pain....no gain!  It is a constant battle, but one that I continue to win.  Now must watch my daughter (40's) struggle to just walk, due to the car accident.  She has such courage and determination.  

A dear couple gave me a wall hanging 'Be Still and Know That I am God' and I have looked at it each day for the past 30 years.  I have found that the stronger my faith, the more I trust in tomorrow.  Tomorrow will not fail you unless you choose to throw it away!  There is a wonderful power coming from God.  There will always be a tomorrow and God is creating it.
God is in control and Christians have the brightest hope....Liz.

I am just home from class and thought I would check in here before I go to bed and see how y-all are doing. Ruthie good to see you back.

Come on in and make yourself at home. Have a cup of coffee or tea, your choice. Tell us about yourself .