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Devotional


GOD'S NAME is His Nature -- His attributes, the various qualities that go to make Him what He is. When we ask for it to be hallowed, we ask that all which obscures it should be swept away as mists before the dawn. We thank God for all that is known of His wonderful Being, for the message of Nature, for revelation given to seers and prophets, for the Word who came from Him, and for the Holy Spirit who reveals Him.

But there are still vast unexplored tracks in God's Being of which we know nothing, and there are myriads that know still less than we do. By their sinful ignorance and superstition, men have misunderstood and misrepresented the character of God; therefore we need to pray that in this world, and in all other worlds, His glorious personality should be understood, appreciated, and loved.

When we pray "Hallowed be thy Name" it is to remind ourselves of the greatness and glory of God our Father. Before you utter petitions for yourself, be still! Compel the intruding crowd of daily needs and desires to remain outside the fence which surrounds the mountain foot. Go up to meet with God, desiring to look at the needs of the world and of your own little life, as subordinate to your own great desire that God should be loved, honoured, and obeyed. Put God's interests above your own. Enthrone Him in thought and petition.

In a world that neither knew nor hallowed God's Name, Jesus set Himself to reveal and unfold all its wonderful depths. Let us try every day to know more of that Name, and to make it known. It is through ignorance of God that men turn from Him. They have distorted views, obtained from the lives and words of professedly religious people which are often a sad travesty and misrepresentation of God. If only men really knew God, surely the love with which He has loved them would enter and fill their hearts.

It is said that the passion of the French soldiers for Napoleon was so great, that even when mortally wounded they would raise themselves as he came riding past on his charger, and cry: "Long live the Emperor!" It is when we have become wholly absorbed in bringing glory to God in the highest, that we shall know peace in our hearts, and become the channels of goodwill to men, as men of good-will, i.e., the doers of God's Will.


Heavenly Father, unveil to me, I humbly ask, the sweet mystery and beauty of Thy Name--Abba Father. AMEN.

Charles H. Spurgeon


 
 

I love that first statement.  "God's name is his nature"  This is so true.

Off to get ready got church.  Be back later.

Hi everyone on a beautiful Sunday morning.  I made a quick trip to McDonald's to get us something for breakfast.  We will attend Sunday School and church this morning.  Today is children's day at the service.  After church we will go out to eat lunch and then have a restful afternoon. 

Jane, thanks for the devotional thoughts for this week. 

Thank you, Jane, for this week's devotional.  One sentence really caught me -"Put God's interests above your own. "  Makes one stop and think.

Jane:   Thanks for the beautiful devotions this week!  We spent all of Sunday morning having a technician at the house (only time available for days) and missed church. It was an internet problem as well as t.v. - such a mess but he did find the problem - having been without both for 3 days.  Coming home - we had a really sweet visit with our friend who is having more pain and feel so blessed whenever we can see that couple.  Met a new girlfriend of a son who lives nearby - very nice & we had a good visit.

Chatted with our daughter and we are putting together a graduation meal in a couple of weeks.  My women on Wednesday bible study is still on for two more weeks  - so much to catch up on.  There is a newly remodeled web site for the church and it is not as good as the former one - and late on announcements so I have to do some calling. 

Than k you, Jane, for the food for thought.  Really good!  And please know your sweet Joy is remaining in my prayers.

Larry, Kristi is sometimes lovingly called "Jillian"  (from The Biggest Loser), but we all love her!  Nobody makes any of us come, and she really cares about each of us, and tries her best to help us get the results we desire.  I admire Kristi so much, even though I am sore more often than not after a workout!  ;)  :)

We are really getting a lot of Word this weekend!  Went to My Father's House in Hugoton last night to hear a special speaker, listened to three sermons on TV this morning; went to Oasis at 9:30, and then over to New Life Church at 10:30 for two sessions with their special speaker who is teaching on the End Times; and will go hear the final session tonight!  I hope I can remember all I learned/am learning!

Darrel is feeling so much better, and I am so thankful for that!   :)

Pat, sorry about the interruption in your services.  Hope to see you back online SOON!

I came back to say hello to Carol!  Hello!  You do stay busy!

Hi everyone.  Another beautiful day and we are looking forward to meeting our very good friends, Doris and Eddie, for lunch in Madison, Georgia at the truck stop around 11:30.  We did attend church yesterday but just got something and brought home to eat. 

About 2 pm we had a call from our DIL saying our son was in the ER and was terribly dehydrated.  We immediately went there after getting her something to eat.  She drove him and she not suppose to be driving due to the seizure problem.  We had a few stern words for her about doing that rather than contacting us and around 6 pm I took her home in her car and brought it to our house so she wouldn't be tempted to drive.  I just heard from her this morning and he was feeling a bit better but still having problems and the nurse felt he would be there another night.  He thinks he got food poisoning from something he had gotten from Sonic as has been very sick since about Wednesday.  We will be home from Madison by 3 pm and will then take her back to the hospital for awhile.  So it will be a very busy day. 

Janet, it sounds like you were well churched yesterday.  Several years ago I did an Internet  Bible study on the Last Days and it was very interesting.  Sure glad that Darrel is feeling better. 

Carol, glad you Internet problems were solved.  It sounds like your busy life has quickly resumed.  I bet it was good to walk back into your home after being away for awhile.

We still have internet problems despite all the work from Comcast - they gave us another box for t.v. and it isn't booting up.   Our daughter's house has been without anything working for four days and they  both work out of the house so they have had to sit at coffee houses, etc. 

The new pastor has been making big changes and I am hearing the grumbling from seniors.  I had to call the office to check on what is happening this week - because we don't have a bulletin from being away and the new website has no monthly calendar on it.  So - I told the receptionist to "put the calendar back" pleasantly I do hope - what a strange thing to drop.  We all print it out at our homes and then know the current meetings.  (have been church secretary for three pastors). 

Chicken soup is simmering - we donated a trunk full of stuff this morning so it is all catch up. 

Larry:  I hope your son is feeling better soon. 

Janet:  You do know "there's no place like home".   :) 

This morning I  skipped the gym, had a podiatrist appointment at 9 so took Freckles with me. After leaving there we went to the Mall to do some meet and greet with strangers to she how well she will behave.  The could pet her, pick up her feet to look at them,etc,  we rode the elevator up and down a few times to see how  she would behave there. I just walked up to complete strangers and told them I was training her to be a Therapy dog and would them mind  petting her  and  picking up her paws.  She did very well and would sit so nice for them to pet her even without me telling her what to do.

The next thing I want to do is take her to the park where all the geese are and other distractions  to see how she will react to that. All this in preparation for her Canine Good Citizenship Certification test I am taking her to next week. after that she can become a Therapy dog after I pay for her vest and mine and get the documentation to take her into hospitals, nursing homes and rehab places.

Ugh, am I ever tired tonight!  Went to the gym, and doing the final exercise, I had a mishap and banged my head on the wall, hard!  Nearly knocked me out!  But no real harm done, not even a knot on my head.  I guess it's too hard for that!  Darrel has been working on cleaning out the back garage, so I helped him with that, then he brought the pickup up to this garage and we loaded it with empty boxes and other junk to burn.  Anyway, I'm sore all over, and going to bed early!   ;)

Guess I will go soak in the hot tub a while first, see if that helps the soreness.  See you all tomorrow.

Marilyn, where did you get Freckles?  What kind of dog is she?

Carol, glad you're back home, and you're right!  No place like home!

Janet I got Freckles last fall from the Executive Director  where I was working at the time, S/nipped Spay and Neuter  Clinic.  She is an Australian Shepard, Queensland Heeler mix.6 yrs old 34 lbs.

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Hi everyone.  Today appears it will be a carbon copy of yesterday, which was really nice.  We did meet our friends in Madison for lunch and had a very nice visit with them.  Later in the afternoon we picked our our DIL and went to the hospital to spend sometime with him.  We found him looking much better but still hadn't been able to eat anything and still having to make very frequent trips to the bathroom.  His nurse came in and told us that his test results are looking good.  Hopefully he will be up to going home today.  Our DIL has medical appointments Wednesday thru Friday and if our son isn't up to driving and taking her we will do so. The hospital he is in doesn't have the long corridors so was able to walk to his room yesterday and back without problems and the parking situation is very good.   

Today the yard people are in our neighborhood and the grass is needing to be cut. Depending on the situation with our son I plan on going to coffee downtown with my new friends from church at 10 am.  I also am taking the PT Cruiser in to have it checked out and just called and they will check it out this morning.  The garage is right across the street from where I will have coffee.

Thank you all for your expressions of concern regarding our son. 

Carol, the electronics are great when they work but really a pain when they don't and we have come to rely upon them.  I don't think that Comcast has really trained their techs very well, at least that has been my experience.

Marilyn, have you told us that you were training your new dog to be a Therapy dog.  That sounds like a wonderful idea. 

Janet, hope the hot tub helped the soreness last night and you are feeling OK this morning.  It sounds like you were pretty hard on yourself yesterday. 

Good morning!

Marilyn, thanks for the info about the dog.  Like Larry, I didn't recall your telling us you were training a dog for therapy purposes. Aren't they usually tained at a much younger age?  Maybe you really CAN teach an old dog new tricks!   ;)  (Not that 6 is really old--only 42 in people years!  :)

Larry, I do hope your son will get to return home today.  It's good you are there to help them, and they you, when either needs help.  God's idea of family is the best!  And I've been meaning to ask you, do you still hear from your Nigerian grandson?

I seem to have no lasting effects from my conk on the head at the gym.  Yesterday was a difficult and rather painful day, and I didn't sleep well last night, but I'm up and ready to go again this morning!  God is so faithful to give us the strength and energy to do what He has for us to do each day.  What a mighty God we serve!

Darrel has an app't at the VA in Liberal today, so we will be heading that way after exercise and my breakfast.  (He has to fast until after his blood draw.)

AND--we are getting wonderful, welcome,much needed RAIN!!  :)  :)  :)  :thumbsup:  It rained off and on all night and is still raining!!  Thank you, God!

I wish you all a healthy and blessed Tuesday!

Janet:  We will have a week of much needed rain here as well.  Everything is green this year.  Take care of that head bump. 

Larry:  that is good news on your son's tests.  I sure he is grateful that you and Pat are living there and keeping an eye on your DIL.  That has to be a

Off to coffee with two or three friends.

Janet and Larry no I didn't mention it before. You can teach an old dog new tricks. I taught Happy how to shake with both of his paws  when he was 11 yrs old. Freckles  already knew basic commands when I got her, But I  work her every time I take her for a walk, I downloaded and printed out all the AKC requirements for the Canine Good Citizen ship test a few months ago and just got around to  doing the new  commands. She is a very smart dog. Most of both her breeds are typically  very smart and quick to learn new things. Some things seem to come naturally to the herding breeds. The Furry friends organization only hold the testing a couple of times a year.  Tomorrow I will take Freckles to the Farmers market opening day where she will be walking through crowds of people.

Then I will bathe her, trim her nails, and groom her so she will pass inspection before the testing takes place.

I forgot to mention that I've also taught her hand signals which she picked up right away. So I can command her silently as well as verbally.

That's wonderful, Marilyn.  I admire you and what you're doing.  I know I'd never have the patience - or actually I guess the dog would be smarter and would teach ME new tricks.  :)

Hi, friends,

I've been busy doing things to help others this week, so now is my first time on line.

How, busy it has been in here!

It's so great to hear all the good news. Y'all keep up the good work(s). :)

Love to all,
Ruth Ann

It rained almost all day today!   :cheer: :excited:  We went to Liberal, where Darrel got a good report from the VA nurse, then we got groceries.  We stopped in Hugoton at Yardmaster (Daughter's store,) and picked up tomato and pepper plants and some flowers.  That's the first time in a very long while that I've been out in the rain off and on all day, and it was just wonderful!  But at Manhattan, where KU is located, they got three inches in a short time and have flooding!  Our gauge shows one welcome inch, and it came slowly, so it will be such a blessing!  Thank You, God!

Jeanne, I don't think I would have the patience, or the knowledge to train a dog for therapy, but am so glad Marilyn is doing that.  She and Freckles will be a blessing to many, I'm sure.

Ruth Ann, you are always blessing those around you!  May you be rewarded a hundred fold!

Carol, I didn't even get a knot on my head.  I was surprised at that!

Hi everyone.  It is going to be a hot day, getting up to 87 degrees this afternoon. Sometime ago we noticed that a little bird had built a nest on the corner of our porch and then a couple of days ago I saw half of a tiny blue egg shell on the porch floor.  This morning as I look out my office window I see the mother feeding the little one. 

I had a very busy but enjoyable day yesterday, except for the meal at the truck stop where I met five of my men friend's for lunch in Madison.  This week is the first time I have had bad meals at that truck stop and have eaten there numerous times.  They must have a new "cook".  On the way over I stopped at COSTCO to fill up my car with gas.  When I came back I wanted to get some apples so stopped again and refilled the car with gas and was getting the apples when they called to say Pat's sewing machine was ready.  I was close by so went and picked it up.  Today I plan on a quiet day unless I need to take my DIL for another medical appointment. 

In looking back I see I apparently didn't hit the post button when I wrote on this board each day as don't see a post from me since Tuesday.  I will try to be more careful. 

Hi Folks. just thought I would take a minute to post here as it has been some time. Been quite busy here lately and am just making preparations to deliver another School Bus Driver Improvement Course tomorrow in New Liskeard, a town about 2 1?2 hours north of where we live. Well spring is finally here and the temperatures have been up for the last week. We had to cut our grass for the first time this week. This time of year we need to cut twice a week until about July and then it slows to once a week for the rest of the summer. Hope all is well with everyone out there. going to run for now as still lots to do. trying to get my spring cleanup done early this year. Also going to try and get the old tractor running again today so I can haul some stone and gravel for our driveway. Be back later Blessings everyone.

Sipping  :coffee: - the children have asked us to have a potluck here tomorrow - yah, you betcha!  I will work around their schedules anytime. 

Wishing someone would speak to our good friend who has a dog that pulls her when she walks and barks at anything -  not healthy for her.  She has walking problems

It is green here, thank heaven!  The last several years have been fire hazards - but the water is coming so fast that flooding has happened.

JohnB:  That sounds like a long drive to teach the class - so important to keep the children safe.  Good wishes on your old tractor - I used to drive a John Deere on my uncle's farm but was afraid going horizontal
on  a hill so he had to take over for me while a younger cousin could take the tractor anywhere.  City girl spending time in a little village and on a farm - good memories. 

Hi, friends,

I'm glad I could get in tonight. Earlier it was difficult.

I spent a good part of the day resting my aching back, but the spasms ceased and I'm so very thankful.

I've had a good remainder of the day, and am about ready to think about taking late medications and settling into the bedroom area.

About spending time on the farm, I, too, was a city girl, but I enjoyed spending the quiet summers with my grandparents on their tiny little "farmlet" while a child. Those are precious memories.

Y'all have a wonderful evening

Love to all,
Ruth Ann

Hi everyone.  I don't see a cloud in the sky.  I guess I need to learn how to use my watering system for the yard as things are getting a bit dry.  It is set on an automatic timer and zoned so shouldn't use too much water. 

After staying in all day yesterday, we did venture out to Pizza Hut for dinner last night as Pat didn't feel up to cooking.  We had the two pasta dishes   a tomato and sausage and cheese.  We found both to be very good and it is a nice change from pizza.

Today I have some errands I want to do this morning, but nothing too strenuous. 

John, nice to see your post.  I know from having grown up on a farm that there is always lots of things needing attention so know you have been very busy.  Hope your course goes well today.

Carol, your friend probably wouldn't heed the words of caution about walking the big dog.  Your family get together sounds like fun.  Our son is coming over early tomorrow to see his mother as he has to work again tomorrow.  Things are looking up for him on his job as he is going to be able to get 38 or 39 hours a week in as one of the shift leaders has transferred to the old store he managed for two or three years.  Our weather doesn't seem to come in moderation with either too much at one time or very little.  Hope your area stays good and safe from both. 

Ruth Ann, I have only suffered back spasms a couple of times in my life and not for long periods but Pat sure has had plenty of them.  Hope you are feeling better today. I probably would have enjoyed the farm life much more had I been able to come and visit for a week or two but it lost its luster for me as it was a 365 day a year job morning and night with dairy cattle.  However, I well know that it taught me many valuable lessons.  One of these was to make my living with my head and not my back.   

Good Saturday morning to all of you!

I was here to read yesterday, thought I would post later, but didn't.  :-[  Sorry.

I should tell you how my challenge at the gym ended, since I have talked too much about it in here!  I didn't quite make my goal, which was to lose 6 pounds.  I did lose four!  Well, really, I lost six, because I gained two pounds on the N.O. trip, and lost those, too.  Anyway, I know I did the very best I could, and it was hard, but I'm satisfied with the outcome.  :)

We are getting more rain!  :D  We are under a severe weather watch until 2 PM, heavy rains, high winds and possible baseball sized hail!!  But I talked to my Father about it, and He promised to allow no plague to come nigh my dwelling!  So I will watch and see the deliverance He provides for us!   :)  I'm so sad for those who are getting battered by tornadoes, hail and other destruction.  Is this part of the shaking predicted in God's Word?  I believe it is the beginning, as the weather all over the world is deviating from what it's been for years and years.

I was raised on a farm, too, and am intimately acquainted with milking cows!  Yes, we worked hard, and every day, and like Larry, I am thankful for the life lessons learned during my formative years.  I would never  want to milk cows again, but am thankful for having been able o help my Dad out by the work I did.   Carol, I learned to drive the Ford tractor, but never worked in the fields on it.  I could drive it down the road and around the home place, and remember enjoying that experience!  The most hated jobs I had to do as a kid were cleaning the chicken house--oh, those awful mites!--and hoeing sticker weeds out of the yard and orchard.  Good old days I'm glad are in the past!  ;)

There is a free fajita luncheon today for all the mothers, followed by a free movie, Mom's Day Out.  I may go to lunch but not the movie, as we plan to go to Liberal to Abby's and Chelsea's dance recital.  This will be Chelsea's very first one.  She is our g-g-granddaughter, and just turned five on May 1.  She has loved to dance since she could walk, but this is her first time to take "real" dance classes!

Looks like N. Carolina is about to get battered!  I pray for protection for them! Poor Oklahoma got hit and is bracing for more!   >:(

John, good to see a post from you!  Hope your class goes great!

Beth wanted me to get her a Subway sandwich for her supper yesterday.  She asks for a footlong, then eats half and saves the other half for another meal.  So I made her happy.  ;)

I'm trying to decide if I should bring my flowers back inside until this weather threat passes.  Or would that be like praying for rain but not bringing your umbrella?

I wish you all a wonderful day!

I haven't had a Subway sandwich in months and love them. When I was working a the  spay clinic there was one across the street I would stop there every Wednesday and bring one home.

I stayed with my Grandparents  quite often for the whole summer, They had rabbits, chicken and  lived in a Grape orchard. I rode on the tractor with my Uncle, and would go catch tadpoles in the irrigation ditch down the road with my friend. We would go traipsing through the vineyards  looking for  places to fish or swim.

Not much going on here yet today. Will be going on our weekly Walmart run soon and stopping at Bio-Mart to pick up my new inhaler, the only one my Part D Insurance will cover. 

Time to start a new week.  Find us HERE (http://www.christianphotographers.com/community/index.php?topic=13302.msg189001#msg189001)