Christian Photographers Community

• Please sign our Guest Book! [/size]

---

Morning Devotional...


There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.                         Proverbs 18:24

Many people in the world today are lonely and would love to have a friend.

A real friend would never betray your confidence; would be loving and kind. The best friend to have is the Lord Jesus. He will never fail or disappoint you and He is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.

Those who have put their faith in Him know these words to be true.

If you have not received Him as your Friend, may you do so today.
                                                                --John M. Clegg


[/color]

Well, I guess I'm one of the first to be blessed by that wonderful devotional! Thanks again and again, Pat.
I am working in the morning and thought I'd get my post in tonight.
Wanted to wish you all a God filled day.
With the topic being "friends" I was reminded of a Christmas card I sent out a few years back when I was still a single mom. I didn't have money for gifts, so I had prayed for God to show me what gift I could give to those who had been so important in the lives of my son James and myself.
He gave me this poem.
I hope you don't mind my sharing it.

I was wallowing in self-pity
over things that couldn't be
I can't buy any presents;
I don't even have a tree.
Can't put up any lights this year,
electric bill's too high
I was feeling so frustrated,
it made me want to cry

But I so want contentment.
The kind that Paul guy had,
I decided to count blessings
and let go of feeling bad.
I started with my favorite list,
the one that never ends.
I got a box of Christmas cards
and started counting friends.

Each card I wrote held memories
of all God's brought me through
And all the friends that prayed with me,
cause that's what real friends do
Each name held special meaning
and helped me realize
That God has formed a family,
right here before my eyes!

And best of all the wondrous things
that I've seen my God do,
Was to place within that family
a special friend like you
So with joyful heart I'm thanking you
for answering His call
For through you, God gave James and I
the Greatest Gift of all

Through you He speaks encouraging words
Through you He heals our pain
Through you He gives the strength we need
to face the world again
Through you we feel His love for us,
Through you He shows He cares
Through you we see His faithfulness
and know He's really here

And isn't it just like Him to master such a plan
With Christ in us, He then begins
to touch the heart of man
He gives to us each other
and tells us what to do:
"Love thy Neighbor As Thyself",
so simple, yet so true
And soon we come to realize
how blessed we are to be
For we'll remain a family for all eternity
And when this world is nevermore
and Jesus comes again
We know that we'll forever be
in the company of friends

[size=20]God Bless You and Yours. [/size]

Pat - I'm so glad that your Best Friend is also mine.

Jerry - Praying for a speedy recovery

Shinenlite - You truly have a gift for verse lass. A word fitly spoken is as apples of gold in baskets of silver.

Larry - Thanks for thinking about me with the link to Apples of Gold. I visited your church website but could not find the links!

Ursula - I'm not sure what your part of the world looks like but I'd like to try and help with your searching for 'Contrast.' I was struck last week while clambering over a rocky outcrop. Right in the middle of this granite looking boulder was a clump of purple heather. It had rooted in the tiniest of cracks, yet was thriving. Is this any help?

I'm off now to our Highland Games. I'll take my camera with me.

Sonya - I think the next topic for  our photo contest should be 'Tartan and Tourists!!' I'd have a chance then.

'Come see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?'

John 4:29

I love the poetry in these words. No other translation comes near to affecting my soul like this one does. The joy of the new birth is beyond words. Old things have passed away behold all things have become new, even our language.

I wonder what kind of thoughts were going through this woman's mind as she got out of her bed that particular morning?

Would she have been like many today, rushing to get things done having little or no time for prayer or reading. Perhaps some burden lay heavy upon her, a burden that no one knew about but herself. Did she think in her heart as many of us do, all these things are against me!

Did she dread the morning light and the start of another new day? Was a particular sin gnawing away at her conscience, depriving her of peace? Well things were about to change, and if this woman lived to lay her head on her pillow that same night she would have nothing but praise in her heart for the wondrous workings of God in her life that day.

'He must needs go through Samaria.'

It had been planned from all eternity that our Lord should meet face to face with this woman at this particular well, in this town, and at that exact time! Nothing in heaven above nor on the earth beneath could have prevented this meeting. The same can be said of Marilyn, Al and Marbeth for this meeting was planned in eternity.

Perhaps you have been waiting many days, months or even many years for such a meeting with the Lord. Are you still a stranger to grace and to God? Are you living without Christ and without hope in this world? Or are you a child of God awaiting a renewing and revival in your soul?

Daily we are ask ourselves, where is the blessedness I knew when first I saw the Lord? Our prayer is 'restore unto me the joys of thy salvation.'

Whatever our condition, that you and I will meet face to face with this same Jesus. His timing is always perfect. How will we see Him? By faith! Will we recognise Him? Be sure of it.

Today may be the day when salvation comes to our homes. Would to God we would here our loved crying today, 'Come see a man who told me all things that ever I did; is not this the Christ?'

We may think He delays in His dealings with us. Not so my friend. Let patience have her perfect work. Do not get in the way of a work of grace in the soul. Allow God free reign to do business with our souls, and the blessings shall descend upon us as surely as the dew that fell on Hermon.

The fool doth in his heart conclude that there is no God! You my friend are not a fool. You know full well that there is a God and that one day soon you must meet Him face to face, either as Saviour or as Judge. What will it be? Dare you put your salvation off for one more hour? Can you honestly promise yourself one more breath?

Believe me my friend I have had the feeling recently that my next breath would be my last, and I can assure you that it is not a pleasant feeling, even although I am a Christian and my salvation sure. I am prepared to meet my God.

Are you truly satisfied with your life today? Do you have everything that you need or are you yearning still for material gain? If and when you get what you long for, what then?

Perhaps there is a great dissatisfaction and a restlessness in your life at present? Things are not going wrong, it's just that something is missing! There is a drought in your soul and nothing but drinking the Living Waters will quench that thirst.

I tell you my friend, I am praying for you as I write this. Try as you may, nothing can satisfy the longing soul but Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

Both Christ and this woman had come to Jacob's well on a mission. Only one mission was accomplished. We are told that the woman returned to her city leaving her water pot behind. She had met face to face with Jesus and she left that well a new person.

The joy of sins forgiven, the vision of an eternity with Christ fills the soul with rapture. She could not wait to tell all around her what she had seen and heard. Her faithful witness bore much fruit.

All who know the Lord as their Messiah have a message of Good News to proclaim. Are you faint in your witness? Are you content to leave speaking about Christ to others? Do you view it as a task for Pastors and Elders but not for you?

Remember my friend you also have to give an account on the last day, and that will include your witnessing to others. Are you ashamed to have Christ as your Saviour? If not, then prove it!

Be encouraged by the words written in this same chapter. 'Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.' Drink deeply today and satisfy your thirst, then tell others that they need not perish in a lost eternity!

Whatever your situation, I pray this day that you will be able to sing a new song.  'Come see a man who told me all things that ever I did; is not this the Christ?'
I love you, but Christ loves you even more!

LOL

Your brother in Christ

Iain

IF I SAY, 'I WILL FORGET MY COMPLAINT, I WILL CHANGE MY EXPRESSION, AND SMILE.'  JOB 9:27  NIV
I read this this morning. It seems changing my expression and smiling is an act of the will.

We have a BarBeQue this evening. The weather so far is not so-operating, it is cloudy and wet, not quite raining but sure thinking of it.  Well he created the weather, and we will have a good time worshipping and praising His Name.

I have a big day ahead, so not likely be back till late tonight.  HAve a good day all.

Love JudyB

Good morning everyone.

Pat-thanks so much for that devotion, and for your continued prayers.  I hope youre mouth feels better soon.  I'm praying for you.

Shinenlite-what a beautiful gift of expression you have!  I'm sure you warmed the hearts of all you sent that gift to that Christmas season.  I hope you'll share more of your poems with us.

Judy-I hope you have a good time with your family today.  I'll pray for your safety.

Iain-I go to the Highland games around here, but I'm sure they're nothing by comparison.  Looking forward to seeing your pictures!

I'm sorry if I've forgotten anyone else, I don't have the greatest memory.  God bless you all, and have a wonderful day.  Jen.

Yesterday, I helped my friend who is recovering from her surgery and found her just exhausted.  When she recuperates, she will be moving to North Carolina to live with a daughter.  She is not a believer BUT - when I told her that my husband and I have been praying for her health, she said that she knows the prayers are working.  

Marilyn:  I think that I understand your defination of a worshipful church - where you can feel comfortable and at peace while praying -when I enter the pew, I close my eyes and pray a prayer of thankfulness for so many things.  The list of worrisome things is always long enough - and I do remind myself that it is out of my control anyway.  Music - I love the beat of the younger music and still want to hear the old tunes too but not the dreadful stuff that can be dredged up from the old Lutheran books.  A good music director won't bring that back too often and our main church does pay a music director for which we are very thankful to have at service.  

Etta Sue:  Hugs for Jerry and you for helping him through this.  Carry a water bottle!

Pat S:  It is  too easy to neglect your own health when you are helping someone else.  Highland dances, I am afraid that I wouldn't be able to kick that high - would it be called a Lowland dance then?

Karmat:  Ahhhhh, sleeping babes - they are the most beautiful sights on earth!!!!

Ursula:  Nice to see you!  Prayers for your neighbors on the loss of their son.  

Carol

I can't stay but will give you an update on Jerry.

His daughter from near Dayton came last evening and we took Jerry to the ER.  Heat exhaustion....and was giving him fluids IV.  Waited on some results of blood tests.  Blood tests showed muscle weakness due to the heat.  Big word...something like rhabdemyotoloalisis.  Try saying that 3 times real fast.   ::)So they are going to keep him a day or two.  I got home in bed at 2:30am.  His daughter had to drive back to Dayton so she could go to work a half day today.  

I just tried to call Jerry and no one answered but that could be because the nurse didn't put the phone close enough for him to answer the phone...I hope.

Also, I talked to Jane.  She called me around 3:30pm yesterday but I couldn't leave Jerry to go meet her.  Maybe if Jerry is doing okay and they plan on keeping him tonight, then I will be a relative of Jane's and go to the reunion this afternoon.  She told me her sister's name (the name the motel room is registered under) but I can't remember her last name so I can talk to Jane at the motel....  I think it is Karen something but I guess I just had other things on my mind.  

Okay, keep on praying for Jerry.  The doctor said when he gets his fluids replenished...dehydration...he will be back to normal...gosh, I thought there would be an improvement.    It may take him a couple of weeks to get his strength back.  I am thanking God it wasn't his heart....God is good!

Also got a call from Italy this morning.  Jerry's son, Jerry Lee and wife is in Italy.  Jerry Lee is in the Army.  Nerman is due to have their first baby NOW!!!  It was so good to talk to Jerry Lee and especially to tell him about his dad.  God is good.

Love all you guys....you truly don't know what all of you mean to Jerry and I.

Thanks Etta Sue for the update.  I'm so glad that you took him to the ER.  We'll all be praying for a speedy recovery for him.

You and Jerry are both special to us too.

Good morning!!!  It's another beautiful day here in Ottawa, not too hot, not too cold, beautiful scattered white clouds in the sky, just nice.

Pat: you asked yesterday whether I'd thought of anything for "Trends".  The only ideas I got for that are: beanie babies (I'm suggesting that to my 9 year old, she's a member at DPChallenge also), flappers, beaded purses and hats, the fitness craze, and the hippie look.  No pictures yet.

I did come up with an idea for contrast that I kinda like!  I'm not saying what it is though  

OK - I'll be out a lot today, downtown.  Take care all.

Ursula

Hi everyone.  It is an overcast day here in Georgia and we are expecting rain this evening.  Fortunately the Braves baseball team game is early this afternoon so it shouldn't be rained out.  I had a nice surprise this morning at the local cafe (where I have coffee with my retired friends) when my son walked in.  I was shocked to see him but he had come over to pick up some shelving that I am no longer using.  He was going by so just stopped to say hi.  It was good to see him as I hadn't seen him for a couple of weeks.  

Certainly glad to hear that Jerry went to the ER to see a doctor and that they are going to get him rehydrated so he can get back to normal.  I miss seeing his postings here.

I spoke with my sister last evening and my brother-in-law is now at Fort Knox as his unit is being taken out of active duty.  He will be home a week from today.  He has also gotten his notice of mandatory retirement from the National Guard in November, when he turns 60.  I know he will be so glad to get home and know my sister will be so happy to have him back home.

Carol, it was very nice of you to go and help your friend.  It sounds like she really appreciated your presence and your help.  You were showing her the love of Christ in your actions and words.  Hopefully she will come to know the Lord as her personal Savior.

Good Morning everyone: Pat  the devotional is especially close to my heart this morning, Jesus was my ONLY friend for so long, and That song is another of my favorites. I sang at home alone so many times I can't count them.

Iain your devotional is also very close to my heart. It is ME! When I met Jesus, I mean really MET HIM  I had  had 5 husbands and was living with a man who was at hat time incarcerated. When that man was released I was a new person and a the old things has passed away.

He didn't want what I had and we came to a parting of the ways, now 5 years later he too has met Jesus and his old man is passed away.

Carol, you are so right,  I forgot to add that feeling of peace  that passes all understanding and the love of God that seems to permeate a worshipping church.

Etta Sue you give Jerry a big hug from me and tell him I am so glad he is doing better. It is good that he is in the hospital and that you took him there. It must have been difficult for you to have him in such condition, God answered your prayers though as he alsways does. Now you go have a good time being Jane's relative.  


Now I will go read the other threads here and be babk later.

Marilyn

Glad to see you Denise!!

Vivien and Richard arrived - about an hour later than they had anticipated.  We made some sandwiches, chatted a while and they left for a wedding.  They never come empty-handed.  This time they brought two 5 pound bags of Dunkin Donuts coffee beans and 6 or 7 trout.  Now I have to find some way to grind those beans.  

By the time they left it was kind of late to get to the picnic, so we decided to pass on that this time, and now Gene is across the road cutting a lawn.  He'd better get plenty of use out of the riding mower - we just paid $160 for brakes on it.  

Well I have been gone for awhile because my laptop gave up the ghost.  The hinge on one side had broken a long time ago but now the other side broke and the screen is barely holding on in the middle.  I have to put it on a table and then push it against the wall for the screen to stay up.

So I broke down and bought a new computer.  This laptop is a Sharp, with 40 gig hard drive, 512 mg of Ram, with an internal wireless set up, Pentium 4, Windows XP and I don't know what all.  I am going to have to learn some new things because it doesn't exactly work like my old computer.

Good to see you all today.  I really didn't get to read all the posts but I know they were good.

--- Papa John              <)))><<

 

Oh, dear, Papa John!  What an expense!  

But what a computer!  Sounds as if it's loaded!

Great to see you here today!

I have been doing a few little thing today, watered the lawn, unpacked a few boxes, made a few phone calls around the country, been over to visit the g-kids. I still need to vaccum. B
But most importantly I am sitting here with my tea, spending this time with my good friends and listening to worship music. "Holy Ground" is playing on my computer and I am singing along.

We decided to check again on my recuperating friend and brought her bread and a French pastry - so practical then watered her outdoor plants.  She is better today.

Larry:  We are going to be seeing our entire family tomorrow and it always is such a thrill to see them - I could live next door to any of them but it is impossible now and would not be fair to their spouses.  So, I understand your great joy at an extra moment with your son so unexpected yesterday.  For some odd reason, people always want to tell me their deepest thoughts and I stood in 100 plus heat listening to my neighbor tell me that he didn't want to offend me but he is an Atheist - and all his reasons for this - religion has started so many wars, etc. etc.  This is when I wish that I could say so much more and witness - I am so inept.  

Marilyn:  I need to work on having a more enthusiatic praise session such like yours when I go to church - tonight.  Are you close to Silverton, Oregon?

P.John:  It sounds like a nice new 'puter!  I hope that you are staying cool and not too hot this summer.  

Ursula:  I read the prayers section and see that you are in limbo now - everyone is giving you such good advice.  I think it is wonderful that your husband is such a good pastor.  

Carol

Carol: I am about 100 miles south of the Oregon border with CA. on the coast.

Papa John a new laptop huh? My aren't we amongst the blessed to be able to afford that.

I wonder when Janet will be back from her trip to Colorado Springs and if it was all she expected it to be.  I went to Anaheim to see Benny Hinn. That was really something. We stayed for both of the Friday services. The line were something to behold.

Hello friends.
Here for just a note again, seems like I have too much on my mind to think.  I did stop by and looked at a couple of your photographs.  Good to see Marilyn, Marbeth and Al.  
I will try to get back again.
Love, Janice

WELCOME HOME

JANET!!!

[/color][/glow]

Great to see you Janice!  I hope that each day you are getting stronger and stronger.

I'm home!!!  Didja miss me?  Huh?  Huh?  Didja, Huh?  Well, I missed you, anyway!

Beth and I had a wonderful trip to Colorado Springs with dear friends we do not see nearly often enough, so the visiting and fellowship with them was great, and the meeting!!!!  WOW!!!!  The atmosphere of praise and worship, the presence of the Lord in that place was just awesome!  I have such great respect for Benny Hinn, he is such a great yet humble servant of God.  And he has a sense of humor, too!  (Very necessary when working with people!)

There were three services--Thursday evening, Friday Morning and Friday night.  Each was packed out!  I have no idea how many thousand people that World Arena can hold, but it was something to behold!  So many people worshipping almighty God------very encouraging!

Beth did receive the start of her healing and we believe it will be progressive.  The pain left her back, and she is walking better.  Praise the Lord!

Marilyn just signed in and I want to chat with her a minute, so see you later!

I'm happy for you and Beth, Janet.  
And YES, I missed you very much!

Well, I ended up working a full 8.5 hours today. So, I think I'm ready to rest this evening.

I truly appreciate the persons who post here and their friendship and Christian love and prayers and the faith that they exhibit.

May God bless each person who reads in this discussion.

Ruth Ann

Great to see you Ruth Ann...  Bet you're tired.  

[ulr=http://christianphotographers.com/yabbse/index.php?board=2;action=display;threadid=912]Click Here[/url] to go to tomorrow's thread.