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Morning Devotional...


Be the Good Soil

But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
Matthew 13:23

Recommended Reading
1 Corinthians 3:5-8

If you are a vegetable gardener, you have had the puzzling experience of different plants of the same variety producing different qualities of fruit when planted in the same soil. Perhaps a large rock is blocking the growth of the roots. Or perhaps a poisonous chemical substance was accidentally spilled on the ground. Lots of things can render soil unsuitable for seed.

Jesus identified the soil of the heart as the primary variable in spiritual growth (Matthew 13:1-23). If the soil is rocky or filled with weeds and brambles, the seed of the Word of God cannot spring up and bear fruit. But if the soil is "good," then we "hear and understand" it and bring forth an abundant crop of spiritual fruit. And whose job is it to make sure the soil of the heart is "good," prepared to receive kingdom teaching? It is every Christian's responsibility to prepare his or her heart -- to be the good soil.

Whenever you are about to receive the Word -- before Bible study or a sermon -- ask God to give you a heart of good soil.



"As seed is made for soil and soil for seed, so the heart is made for God's truth and God's truth for the heart."
Richard Glover



From "Today's Turning Point" by David Jeremiah

Hi everyone.  Yesterday I bought Pat a Lenova desktop computer.  It has 6 mgs of memory and one terabyte of storage, which is an overkill but it sure is fast.  It does have Windows 8 but I have a mirror image of her old hard drive, which is Windows 7,  using Carbonite and sure hope it works as they say it will. I just finished removing her old computer and hooking up the new one in her office as I had been working on it here in my office.  Now am waiting on hold for Carbonite to give me some help in the steps I need to take to get the mirror image on the new computer.  I did not go to church this morning as this is our "send" Sunday with a brief service early and then the congregation fanning out in the community to perform various service jobs.  Pat went and after the service she and other ladies are continuing to work on the butterbean dolls they are making for the Christmas Boxes and for local charity.  I did make a brief visit to my good friend yesterday at the hospital.  I had no sooner got there than they came to take him for another test.  He did say the cardiologist thinks he will need a pacemaker and there is also indications many of his problems may relate to Parkinson's, which he has known about for sometime.  They are doing all kinds of tests on him.  I will check with him or his wife later today. 

Janet, rather startling to read you came home from Russia as didn't know you were out of the country.    Of course, I know that is a town near you all.  I hate to share my food with flies.  I understand why you have a "fan club" and you deserve it. It is nice to know that people appreciate what you do even though you would likely continue to do it without the praise. 

Ruth, your day today sounds delightful.  It has been several years since we took a train ride and that was at the Royal Gorge in Colorado.  It was a nice supper ride and very enjoyable. 

Pat, sounds like a very nice evening at your church.  So sorry to read you are fighting that terrible infection. 

Good Morning, Jeanne and thanks for the new devotional thoughts for this week.  Good morning Marilyn.

Still waiting for Carbonite and have been on hold now for 23 minutes but won't give up. 

The train ride is called the South Simcoe Steam Train. It runs from Tottenham to just a little north of Beeton. While on the train your are given a short History lesson.  The engine reverses up the track then returns forward on its return trip, the whistle sounds at every crossing, from start to finish it takes about 1 hour in the summer it runs 4 times a day then after thanksgiving a change of passe, it does a Halloween run and then in December the Christmas run.   If you book in advance they have a special car for small parties.   Lots of fun. Pat check google to find out more. If you and Paul go we would join you .

Following that we had lunch at a lovely restaurant in town.

Thanks for keeping Peter in your prayers. Auntie sure misses him.

Janet my computer froze up as I was typing a response to you and I thought it didn't post either so i just closed the window and forgot about it  until I saw it today. Yikes!!! What I was trying to say is :  "I would be interested in seeing your questions, but can't guarantee that I would answer all of them, My life has been a chaotic mess at times". I supposed I could leave all of that part out right??

I have posted my Sensa Success story in my blog and on Facebook if anyone cares to read it and make any comments Just click on the l.ittle wprld under my profile picture and you will go right to my blog..

Hi everyone.  It is going to be a warm day here, up to 90 degrees, with a slight possibility of a pop-up shower later in the day.  I hope I didn't confuse anyone yesterday as I forgot to change the header on my post from Saturday to Sunday.  The saga of the computer continues as I had to return the desktop to Office Depot yesterday.. I got it all setup in Pat's office and went to open the CD/DVD drawer and nothing happened.  So I boxed it up and took it back and am suppose to get a replacement today that they getting from another store.  It is the same model but hopefully everything will work this time.  Today is my last treatment and I sure won't miss those trips to Athens each weekday.  Other than my meeting tonight that will be my day.  Pat just left to go to our local Kaiser to get her hip x-rayed and have a test done but should be back by 11:30, when I have to leave.  I did visit with my friend, Rod, yesterday afternoon for 15-20 minutes.  He had been able to get 6 hours of sleep on Saturday night.  They are definitely going to put in a pacemaker and he is still waiting to see the doctor regarding the Parkinson's or whatever else the problem is. 

Ruth, sounds like a lovely trip on the train. 

Marilyn, I think several of us are getting page not found or similar messages when we hit the post button but then find our message has posted.  If your computer froze up that is a different matter.  It is frustrating when it does that.  I am really getting worn out dealing with computer problems.  I got a virus on my laptop but think I got it removed, at least it seemed to be last night.  Before every few minutes Malwarebyes would inform me a virus had been detected and then would clean it but it was set up in the "Tasks" to reload itself over and over.  It apparently was carried by the Adobe Flash player software.  I think I will stay away from that. 

Not many postings today.  Hope everyone has a pleasant day. 

Well we have had a saga of a computer as well here as well.  John's truck is totally computerized, so if something happens he sees it on the dash.  On Monday the tail lights quit on the tractor. Everything seemed to work after 3.5 hours of work. Tuesday the tail lights quit again, 5 hours in the dealership. They changed all corroded connections and the main power connection on the truck.  All was well everything worked.  Last night on his way to the border the tail lights quit again.  Now this is getting frustrating.  I suggested that it might be a computer glitch......It happens here on CP so why not his truck!  Well they decided to reprogram the computer.  I also suggested that he get copies of the work orders in case it happens again and DOT or the police catch the problem, he can show he is being pro active about getting things fixed.  HE has the work orders it has been about 3 hours today that he has been down, I hope the reprogramming will fix things up.  11.5 hours and that is straight down time.  We are hoping he will be paid the hourly rate for this.

Larry John is heading to South Georgia, however it is doubtful that he will now have time to stop.  Thankfully he left early enough to get to the drop off on time, and still within the legal parameters.

We had an amazing time at church yesterday, Pastor John made it interactive, (Small congregation). He was speaking on one word, Go.  Based on the verses in Matthew 28:19-20  Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.  HE asked us for reasons why we didn't "Go"  Considering that is a command, why didn't we just "go".  We came up with many reasons, fear, inadequacy, lack of holiness in our own lives, and on went the list.  It led me to wonder how many of the "reasons" are actually just poor excuses, all of which we can overcome if we truly want to be his servants.

We have a cool day here today, 61* and now cloudy.  I will be lighting the furnace soon.

Have a great day everyone!

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Wow!  Monday again already!  The weeks spin by so quickly!

We spent all day yesterday in Hugoton, as Chip Brim was speaking in both services at My Father's House.  He is a former baseball coach, so positive and fun to listen to, and really inspires you to do and be better!  "I am well on my way to becoming who I already am!"  He had us repeat that a couple times.  It is imperative we know WHO we are in Christ Jesus before we can fulfill the call  on our lives.  He  will be speaking there again tonight.

Beth has an appointment this afternoon to get a neurofibroma removed from her back that has gotten torn loose and keeps bleeding.  I wil meet her at the doctor's office.  Not sure how we can get her in a position so we can see her back. 

The guys are about to finish putting the rock on the new addition to the front of our house.  It really looks nice!    It will make it look more like a house and less like a farm shed. 

Marilyn, I always tell folks they can skip any question they prefer not to answer.  As Larry stated, these stories become valuable to our families, especially when we aren't around any more.  Congrats on your weight loss.  I have Sensa, but can't seem to remember to use it!

I have an item to frame that I have procrastinated on for too long, think I will go "Just do it!"

Larry, I hope your computer problems are sorted out quickly.  I know how they frustrate me, and you do not need the aggravation!

Judy, hope John's truck problems are now in the past!

Hope you all have a great week!

Did my duty and just phoned 2 senator's offices and one congressman.  I was able to talk with humans and just gave name & address then asked them Not to vote for War in Syria.  We are not even out of Afghanistan.  That is about as political as I will get today.  Meanwhile, in a cleaning mode here for tomorrow's company - well, I just try to keep up anymore and it is a daily chore but so thankful that I can still do this stuff.

The new pastor came yesterday and he is a terrific speaker.  He does speak faster (is quite young) and Don missed some words and so did I.  He is fitting in right away - I don't know when they actually move here from Chicago.  The message is to listen and say more YES than NO to messages from above. 

Two of the boys stopped by for a visit and we always love to see them.  We had dinner with our other son and he volunteered to do some tile work in the kitchen so that is just so nice to hear. 

Janet:  He sounds like an inspirational speaker - the coach.  Bless Beth!  ---- take a picture of the front of your house and show us what is happening. 

Ruth:  Train trips are so neat.  We would take them more but so many have been cancelled around here. 

Today really feels like early fall with the temperature only at 68 here at my house.  Bright sun and brisk breeze - another of those ideal laundry drying days.  I even got a blanket washed and on the line.  A couple more need washing so I may get to those tomorrow if this weather continues.

The furnace is running,and the house has warmed up.  Still cold outside though.

I made a batch of peach butter, like apple butter only using peaches.  About 4 quarts of peaches.  I used the crock pot and the pot was full.  Today I finally had it reduced enough to jar.......2 small canning jars!  Tastes good though!

Ruth Nice to chat today!

Have a great day folks.

Judy, you reduced a full crockpot of peach butter down to two pints?? My goodness!  I love peach and apricot jams, and buy the kind with no sugar added.  I think they may be sweetened with pear juice.

I met Beth at the dermatologist's office, and she snipped off the neuro with scissors and put a band-aid on it.  No stitches.  It was about a half inch long and as big as a soda straw, and engorged with blood.  Glad that's over!

Darrel just told me he isn't going to church with me tonight.  I am disappointed. 

Carol, like you, I have been letting my government people know I am NOT in favor of a military strike on Syria.  Both sides there are our enemies.

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Janet I can just imagine how many apples I will need for apple butter!!! I will want more than 2 pints!

Today is a lazy day for me, the uneasiness from last night took its toll.  There was a car parked just by our driveway when  I got home from church and their explanation just didn't wash.  Then the way they took off after I got home just left me wondering.  Their explanation was they were bird watching!  Right!

I have upped my walking, to twice a day. The second walk is short, but that will increase as i get into it. 

JudyB:  That would make me alert too. 

Janet:  How is Beth doing after her treatment today? 

Be prepared - Fall is instantly here and I mean it happened all at once.  A wind, hail, rain and flood warning came and hail did hit and damage areas in the metro.  We are suddenly cool after the last two weeks of being above average for at least 10 degrees daily.  Changed into long pants and now wearing a sweater.  More serious weather is expected. Janet:  it is headed your direction.

We have an offer on our cabin owned jointly with one son.  Prayerfully, this can be resolved in the next two days.  Two families made one offer. 

Cooling just in time as tomorrow I will bake a walnut coil for the quilt group.  Some like coffee and most like iced tea and almost everyone likes heaps of ice cream.   

That's  great breakdown of the promises of the 23rd Psalm, Pat.  Thanks for sharing.   

The next two blankets won't get washed today - or for a couple more days.  It's raining.  And there may be some thunderstorms on the way, along with a last (I hope) blast of hot and humid.   

Pat:  Reading your note on Psalm 23 three - that is also a good way to begin the morning. 

It is just getting light and I can tell that the temperature is much cooler this morning so long warm pants are the order for my walk.  The best part of this weather cooling is that fire danger abates and we hope we have seen the last of it for this year. Sipping  and now we have discovered a sugar-free chocolate creamer - yum. 

We had flu shots yesterday and were told that it is good to get the shot early because they are already seeing a lot of sick people. 

My post last night took a really long time but it did access the site.  Have a good day everyone.     

Just came back to check as my post did not go through for some time.  A newly charged battery is now in the wireless mouse.  The thing is - the battery in the mouse never stops running so that battery has to be changed often. 

Jeanne:   I like to wash pillows and blankets when it is hot & sunny too. 

Another sunny morning and sure to be warm day.  I picked up the replacement computer for Pat yesterday afternoon and unboxed it and set it up this morning.  I contacted Carbonite and they walked me through the first steps and we are in the process of creating a recovery CD before the mirror image can be restored.  When that is completed I will call them back and they will take control of my computer and do the mirror image restore to put it back as Windows 7 with all the programs and files Pat had on the other computer.  This seems to be a slow process.  I don't know whether I will go anywhere today or just stay home and do some things that need doing and rest.  I was happy to complete my 35 treatments and trips back and forth to Athens. 

Judy, I hope John gets paid for his downtime and it certainly isn't his fault that the equipment fails.  Computers are great but sure can be a problem on equipment such as cars and truck and refrigerators and microwaves.  Hope John has a nice trip to South Georgia. 

Janet, glad the procedure went well for Beth and no stitches required.  Your new front to your home sounds nice and I hope we can see some pictures when it is done.  Your home sounds very interesting as you have described it in the past.   I hope today will put an end to the computer problems here for awhile.  Pat enjoys the computer in her office and it gets her out of the easy chair where her laptop is located. 

Carol, I also need to contact my Senators and Congressman.  I think both of my senators have already indicated they do not support war in Syria but haven't checked on the position of my congressman.  Pat has trouble picking up all of the words from our Associate Pastor as she talks fast and the pitch of her voice is hard for Pat to hear.  Your weather can sure change quickly.  I have to have another blood test tomorrow and plan on getting my flu shot then.  I filled out the paper when I saw the cardiologist last week but ran out of time and can get it locally at the Kaiser facility. 

Jeanne, sounds like you are getting your blankets ready for winter. 

Larry John is confident that he will be paid for the down time.  I was talking to him last night just briefly.

We have a dull rainy day here today, however it was dry enough to take the dogs for a walk.  I saw a pair of deer tracks that were quite large right at the driveway!  I wish I knew how to make a plaster cast of what I see on a regular bases out on the road into the bush. 

I have 2 baskets of nectarines that I will make into Jam today, apparently you don't need pectin for nectarine Jam as the skins are left intact, and that becomes the pectin.  This will prove interesting, and I will use splenda instead of sugar.  I also have 2 baskets of pears to make pear jam.

Have a great day

I am confessing "The Lord blesses his beloved with sweet sleep".  Please, Lord, let it be so!

It was hard to get up and head right to the gym, but I want to be in the 8:00 class, as they do more advanced exercises.  Kristi told Darrel not to come today or tomorrow, because exercise can skew you blood tests, and his pre-op appointment is Thursday.  I was awake from 1 until 4:30, got tired of trying to get back to sleep, so got up and read for an hour.  Then I did sleep until 7:45.  Kristi is compiling a cookbook of healthy, skinny recipes for us, and today was 'taste test Tuesday' so we sampled skinny zucchini bread.  It was good!  She will have a new thing each week for us to try and then we get to decide what we think should go into the cookbook.  She is wonderful; always trying to do better and better things with and for us.  God bless Kristi.

Judy, I used to do so much canning.  I made hundreds and hundreds of jars of pickles, jellies, preserves, canned so many tomatoes and other stuff from the garden; even canned chickens one year that someone gave us.  But the last time I made jelly, I discovered that Darrel and I alone just don't eat much jams or jellies.  I think all but one jar of that grape jelly is still sitting in the pantry.  So we buy what little we need, and prefer the ones with no added sugar, but no artificial sweeteners, either.

Larry, hope you get the computer all fixed up soon.  This one is much faster since Curtis reformatted it, but I am getting a lot of those pesky pop-ups.  It is really good to know that you have completed all of your treatments.

Carol, I will go see about Beth today.  But if she were having problems, they would notify me immediately.  Glad you got an offer on the cabin.  And we will welcome cooler weather, but not ready for a freeze yet!

Hello to Jeanne and Pat.     And others who check in later.

The news footage out of Syria is certainly disturbing.  It is prophesied in the Bible that Damascus will be totally destroyed and be a heap of rubble, never to be lived in again.  Is this the prelude to that?  I feel we are watching the end times prophesies being played out before our eyes.  But we as Christians have nothing to fear, praise God.  We must keep our eyes on Him and pray, pray, pray!

I want to go out and take another photo of the front of the house.  They will start putting the siding on above the rock today.  Lon is finishing the texturing inside right now. 

Good afternoon, friends,

I've been doing lots of nothing today. 

Hope to see my son in a few minutes.This is the trucker son. So, it will be good to have a brief visit before he leaves back out for the road.

It was raining so hard when we talked that he remarked, "It's a build-an-ark kind of rain, Mom."

Y'all have a wonderful rest of the day.

Ruth Ann

Good afternoon:   
Perhaps it is a wheather thing that slows the computers down as it was slow here as well.

We had to go out earlier and boy is it hot I am glad to be back home.
On our way home we stopped at a roadside stand to purchase corn on the cob, $5.00 for a bakers dozen. What we do not have will go into the freezer.

Like Janet I do very little preserves, I once did more but have no need to now.

We enjoy jams and preserves, I pass on to family what we don't use.

It has been a hot day here as well I am hoping to take a hike up to the falls again this week.  I want to get some spearmint, and that may prove to be a challenge.

It will soon be time for another walk with the dogs!

Those nectarines sure sound good!  Send me some!

Give me your address and I will AL!

 :)Good evening to all.  Well it is good to read all the post's and here all the news.   Noreen is coming along and going to physio 3 times a week for now but that will not last as O.H.I.P. Will not continue to pay for it.  We do hope that she will continue to get more use of her knee and be able to bend it a lot more. she was up to 110% before the fall but is only at 60% and this has been very slow.  The physio has told her it could be a long time due to the amount of damage that the tare did so we asking for all people to continue to pray for Noreen and that she will do her exercises at home as well as at physio.

We have had a very hot and humid day and it is supposed to stay warm for the next few days so we will not complain.  Again we want to thank you  all for the continued prayer for both of us.   All our Love to you and God's richest blessings.   Gordon and Noreen.

Good Morning everyone.  Today is a day of remembering.  Everyone over 14 remembers where they were as the devastation occurred.  To know there is so much evil in the world today. Still we can know that God is in control, He is Sovereign, and when we have trust in Him we can know that we will be with Him in Eternity.

Deuteronomy 33:27   The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee;...........

We have gone out on our walk today and this time a little further.  I will make it to the Big Rock before winter hits.  That is about 3 miles round trip.  Today my legs are aching  That will pass right now water is my best friend.

IT is to be 77*F today, overcast and quite dull.  The leaves on the Aspen trees are turning to a lovely golden.  Can't wait to get some autumn pictures.

Have a great day everyone.