Christian Photographers Community

• Prayer and Praise     Thanks for visiting this area of our site to share prayer requests and items for praise!

Morning Devotional...


Mercy for the Believer
Alistair Begg

Have mercy on me, O God.
Psalms 51:1

When one of God's choice servants, William Carey, was suffering from a dangerous illness, the inquiry was made, "If this sickness should prove fatal, what passage would you select as the text for your funeral sermon?" He replied, "Oh, I feel that such a poor sinful creature is unworthy to have anything said about him; but if a funeral sermon must be preached, let it be from the words, 'Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.'" In the same spirit of humility he directed in his will that the following inscription and nothing more should be cut on his gravestone:

WILLIAM CAREY, BORN AUGUST 17th, 1761:
DIED-
"A wretched, poor, and helpless worm
On Your kind arms I fall."

Only on the footing of free grace can the most experienced and most honored of the saints approach their God. The best of men are conscious above all others that they are men at best. Empty boats float high, but heavily laden vessels are low in the water; mere professors can boast, but true children of God cry for mercy upon their unprofitableness. We need the Lord to have mercy upon our good works, our prayers, our preaching, our offerings, and our living sacrifices. The blood was not only sprinkled on the doorposts of Israel's houses, but upon the sanctuary, the mercy-seat, and the altar, because as sin intrudes upon our holiest things, the blood of Jesus is needed to purify them from defilement. If mercy is needed to be exercised toward our duties, what will be said of our sins? How sweet the remembrance that inexhaustible mercy is waiting to be gracious to us, restore our backslidings, and make our broken bones rejoice!

Thank you, Pat, for this devotional.  The last sentence really says it all "in a nutshell", doesn't it?

Thank you, Pat for this morning devotional. Almost daily I realize how far short I fall from achieving all I thought to achieve during the day. No matter what I have accomplished, I know it is by grace any of my activities made any difference in the Kingdom. Indeed I do fall so short, but by His grace I get back up and do as I can to draw closer to Him and move forward knowing it is by His grace I stand and walk. By the knowledge of His love for me I am able to go on.

Hi everyone on an early Monday morning with thundershowers predicted at different times of the day and night.  I awoke early and decided to get up and get my day started.  The Comcast tech was here late yesterday afternoon and after various things it was determined that the little wireless adapter I have in Pat's computer just isn't adequate.  So think I will buy a better one and see if that solves the problem.  If it doesn't then we will get a new laptop for her to use upstairs. We did attend Sunday School and church yesterday.  It is the first time for Sunday School in quite a few years and it was a struggle for Pat to get ready that early as she is not a morning person.  So it remains to be seen how often we will make it to Sunday School.  I have several chores on my list to accomplish today so will be away for a few hours at midday. 

Ruth Ann, so nice that you live on a quiet floor.  The first apartment that Stacey lived in was anything but quiet as a lot of younger people coming and going all times of the day and night.  When she moved to the last apartment it was quiet and she really enjoyed it. 

Pat, a wonderful devotional for this week. 

Jeanne, I agree with your comment on the devotional.  It is God's mercy and not things that we do that is the saving grace since none of us could make it on our own.  We need Jesus being there for us and that we have a strong belief that Jesus is there for us.  Our sermon at church yesterday related to belief and disbelief with the illustration of the doubt that Thomas had before he saw Jesus.  It is comforting to know that God doesn't expect us to be perfect or anywhere near perfect because we all fail and we can't make it on our own. 

DavidB, thanks for sharing your thoughts and it is good to see you posting. 

   Hi to all.  I am sorry that I have not been on  C.P. as I could not get onto the posting as I have a new computer and just many other things going on with Noreen and many many hospital visits so this is still going on so we still need your prayers as she still does not have her new knee and also she had two cataract's and they are almost finished having both surgeries.   So we value your prayer's

Larry.  Good to see that you are all settled in your househope that your feeling good.

Well there is much more that I could say but I have to go for now and will try to stay in touch

God's richest blessing's to all.  Gordon and Noreen.

From Alistair...

"When we turn to the Bible, consider it carefully, believe it thoroughly, and practice it diligently." -Alistair Begg http://tfl.to/1yog6bd

Hi, friends,

So many questions we have can be answered by searching God's word for His directions.

Thank you, Pat, for that good devotional.

Hey, David, thank you for being with us today. I look forward to hearing more from you.

Hi, Larry. Sometimes our old computers just can't keep up any more, as I think I'm about to find out. Mine is nearing 9 years old, and has held up very well thus far, but I'm certainly noticing slowing down of its functions.

Well, y'all have a wonderful day with our Lord.

Ruth Ann

Hi everyone on another cloudy morning here in South Carolina.  We had a pretty good rain shower last evening and perhaps some more during the night.  We may get some additional rain today but to be up in the low 80's this afternoon. 

Yesterday was a very busy day and today will also be relatively so.  We have doctor's appointments this morning then need to return the gateway to Comcast and get a receipt and go back to the Credit Union for some paperwork.  I also need to get a haircut as the barbershops I found were closed yesterday. Our son was over yesterday afternoon to help some things. 

We finally got Pats desktop computer online after I bought a dual wireless adapter.  The last couple of days we have been having some problems with our new TV and I was going to take it back yesterday but found Walmart will not take any electronic device back that was purchased more than 15 days earlier. 

Gord, good to see your postings.  What kind of computer did you get?  Sorry that Norene's knee problem continues and continues.  How are the grandchildren and are you all still baby sitting with them a lot?

Pat, I liked that graphic and the wording on it. 

Ruth Ann, I assume you have done periodic fragmentation on your hard disk as sometimes this helps speed things up. However, a nine year old computer has given good service. 

Bonnie: Strep throat is not to be dismissed easily - take care. 

Janet: Beth is not forgotten in CP. 

Larry:  So many changes and losses in our lives that it is hard to keep up with the friends and family news anymore.  It will be worth the drive to visit my cousin who will be staying in Minnesota next year as Don has a high school reunion in Duluth so we can cover the entire state. 

Don is exercising this morning on the available machines and I am nudging my laptop along.  So many updates a person can barely keep up. 

We are bone tired from company.  Love them coming and we have wonderful visits wishing we had more stamina.  Not to be anymore. 

  Welcome to the newest posters! 

Hi, friends,

It's been a relatively quiet day here in Nashville.

The apartment and I have become friends, so I've primarily been staying in. Tomorrow will be busy with taking my friend back to the doctor.

Yes, Larry, I have my defrag set to work very regularly, and each time I check, there's 0% needing defragmenting. I wonder - it used to be that the registry would get very long and needed to be compacted, but I'm afraid of messing with that.

Y'all have a great day.

Ruth Ann

Hi everyone.  We had some early morning rain but is now just overcast.  Yesterday was a very busy day and I finally got a haircut, as did Pat.  Our doctor appointments went well and his only suggestion to me was to wear TED hoses to help keep the fluid accumulation in my legs more in check.  I have some from hospital visits so put on a pair this morning and must admit they do feel good on my legs.  Today Pat has another doctor's appointment and I need to pick up a dry cleaning item.  This evening is the Wednesday night dinner and Bible study at the church.  It was 85 degrees here yesterday but only to get to 77 today so will be a bit milder.

Carol, it sounds like you both are looking forward to your trip to Minnesota. 

Ruth Ann, I felt certain you did the defrags as know that you are not a novice when it comes to computers. 

Hello everyone from the west cost. It is a sound but cool day here in Oregon, I can't wait for the weather to get warmer, however, it never gets  very warm here. We will go to Sunriver up in the High Desert in the middle of June and hopefully it will be shirt sleeve weather at least there. You just never know what the weather will be from one minute to the next here in Oregon.

Pat I was going though my files of photos the other day and came across the  ones we took that day in Florence.  I ofter think of the good times we had that day and the  stop at BJ"S Ice Cream. I've been back there since with Keith and made him stop to buy me an ice cream.

Keith's office still hasn't had a buyer, and the work hasn't been  coming in either, $$ is getting pretty tight as he has to pay all the household and office bills out of his Social Security. He had his cataract surgery last month and now the bills are coming in for that. he doesn't have a supplemental insurance only medicare, yesterday in the mail he received the forms to apply for the Oregon health Plan (Medicaid) He didn't request the forms I think maybe the hospital  did. It would be nice if he could get that.

   Good day to all.  Well it is a beautiful day here and blue skies and a little over 60 F. Tomorrow I take Noreen to get her second eye done for cataract surgery and that is between 10.00 a. m. and sometime after 12-30 noon then we have to hang around to see the doctor at her office later that day.  so please pray for the doctor and staff that all goes well.

Larry.  The type of computer we got is a Hewlett Packard and so far so good very fast.  I also have to wear those special socking's and they are great and I am very thankful that my doctor said that I need them.  Hope that all is well

Pat.  Thank you for putting the beautiful picture  and the quote from Alistair Begg Noreen and I listen to him on W.D.C.X radio station.  Hope that this finds you well.  Tried to call you last week but no answer or message machine.. All our love to you and Paul.  Gordon and Noreen.

May the Lord richly bless you all this coming weekend and give you a wonderful day in the house of the Lord. 

Hi Everyone...

I just received a message from our Jane asking me to put a message in about her daughter which I've done.


Please click here and let's all continue to pray

Hi Marilyn...

Did you ever put those photos on here?  I think there's a topic but not sure.  I'll look!  I loved that little place.  Great choice by Peter (Paul's brother) to meet there.



Edit:  http://www.christianphotographers.com/community/index.php?topic=11394.msg165976#msg165976

Pat in looking at to see pictures It is funny  that I didn't know then how big I was. But after losing 45 lbs  I Really look heavy in the pics.

Boy!  I got behind in here, by 4 days!  It's been quite a week for me.

Marilyn, I didn't recognize you at first in the photos, had to do a "double take!"

Darrel canceled the surgery he was scheduled to have today.  And the "mass" is GONE!!!  Our God is so wonderful!  He still doesn't want to go on the bus trip, as his back still hurts (not from the lump, though.) But he wants me to go ahead, so I guess I will.  We leave early Saturday, be back on the 26th.

I haven't been sleeping well, and am really tired; also very sore because of heavy workouts at the gym.  I think I will back off a bit tomorrow and Friday, as I don't want to be so sore when leaving for New Orleans!  I regret that I won't get to see Abby all dressed up to go to her first Prom, but will ask Diane to take pictures for me.  I drove down to see the boys and their dates, and those were fun times.

I don't remember now what I wanted to say, so that means it's time to stop! 

Hi everyone on another cloudy morning with it being much cooler at 56 degrees this morning and only into the mid-60's this afternoon.  Last night at the Wednesday night dinner at church I meet the man I had been told would know about the retired men's coffee group.  He told me it meets everyday between 10 and 11 am and that I would be welcome to join the group.  So guess what I am going to do this morning.    I also need to stop by the cleaners.  Then this evening I plan on attending the homeowner's meeting, which is being held at the fire station about 1/2 mile from here.  I should be able to meet more of my neighbors there. 

Marilyn, I don't think I would enjoy much living where it never got very warm as beiing chilly and  cold I don't enjoy.  Sorry to learn that Keith hasn't been able to sell his business yet.

Gord, hope all goes well today for Noreen and know she will be glad to have the cataract surgery done.  Hope she will be seeing much better and clearer.  I have had a couple Hewlett-Packard computers and they were very good.  The ted hose really do make the legs feel better and I noticed my legs were not solid last night as they usually are when I retire.   

Janet, glad Darrel no longer needed the surgery.  A long bus trip with an aching back to start with wouldn't be a very enjoyable thing to endure.  Hope you will have a good time. 

Good morning, Larry and all who come in later!

We had terrible wind last night, which blew away the best chance we had for rain in quite a while.        It seems to be pretty quiet this morning, though.

I am almost ready to leave for N.O.  Still a few little things to do.  I will go spend time with Beth and read her more of the book 'And He Healed Them All' before time for my appointment at 11:00

Darrel is feeling better each day, and I'm praying he will be really well by the time I get home!  God is so good!

I wish you all a God-blessed day!

We had a small tornado touch down in the parking lot of the university of Oregon in Eugene, it flipped over two cars,this happened  Tuesday. It is a rare occasion  that ere are any tornadoes in Oregon,

We dropped the extended cable and are back on baic cable, so the TV isn't on very much anymore and I do miss Fox news.

WE have an appointment in Toronto tomorrow and it will be about a 5 hour drive, then on to Heather's for her birthday, another 3+ hours (battling rush hour traffic).  At Heather's after dinner we will switch drivers and I will drive Pat home another 1.5 hour drive, and spend the night with her.  Back home on Saturday to pick up the dogs, and rest after our marathon day! 

Keep us in your prayers as we travel.

On Monday Heather is into a week of 7 exams in 5 days.  Heavy load, and then into the placement for Personal Care Worker. 

Have a great weekend folks!

Our last for this year company left and now everything is back in place - all linens washed and put into dust-free bags.  That is done, and we took this day to paint baseboards.  Ugh - tough on knees so the foam pad helped a lot.  We did fall asleep this afternoon - I nodded off in my chair.  My laptop mouse did not work at all and we went out and bought a new one for me, - just returned to the house and wouldn't you know - the old one started to work again. 

Our granddaughter is graduating from high school and does not have to take final exams - because she has almost 100 on everything.   We had a nice SKYPE chat a few minutes ago. 

Larry:  I think I have those socks because of an incident when it was super hot and we drove for two days with my feet swollen - it sounds like a good idea to take precautions.  Now we are getting ready to get home - it snowed yesterday and the mountains had up to 3 feet or more. 

Janet:  Wonderful news for you and Darrel.  Enjoy NO.  Are you taking a cruise or going there to eat?  The food is fabulous. 

Gord:  I saw a little note from you regarding Noreen - keeping you in prayer.  Do you have a springtime yet? 

JudyB:  Best to your Heather on her exams and future employment. 

There are some frightening happenings to Christians around the world now and all of them from all their home countries are in my prayers. 

  Good evening to all.   Well today went well for Noreen and the doctor seems very happy with the surgery.  First of all I want to thank you all for your prayers for today and of course tomorrow that is the 17th. she See's the surgeon re: her knee. so we still need prayer for that.  The doctor's name is Dr. John Cameron and he is a wonderful man.

CAROL.  We are starting to see some green grass and also some crocuses and all the other early flowers coming up.

Judy and John.  I hope that your trip went well and give my love to Pat.

All our love to you at C.P.    God's richest blessing's to you all.    Gordon and Noreen.

Hi everyone.  It is chilly here today and overcast.  I enjoyed the new coffee group.  There were just 4 of us there and it took me about 30 minutes before I spotted the group and asked if they were the Methodist Men.  I asked if I could join them and the answer was yes.  Last evening I went to my first Home Owner's Association Meeting and found it interesting.  Not much on the schedule today so will take things as they come.  Have several tasks to do here at my desk.

Janet, enjoy your trip.  Maybe you will come home to find Darrel much improved as you say.

Marilyn, we missed Fox news when Dish and Fox News were in contract negotiations. 

Judy, don't envy you all that driving but know you will enjoy seeing Heather for her birthday and having Pat along for company on part of the trip.

Carol, know you are relieved to see the last guests leave and can now finish up your work there before heading home.  It sounds like you have a very brilliant student in your family.  Christians are indeed facing very terrible times in many countries and the attacks on Christians in American is well underway.  At the HOA meeting last night one lady raised her concern that the small banners being displayed at our Village entrace on the gazebo (a different one each month) might have some religious significance.  She complained about the one shown in December having a poinsettia on it and that was a Christian symbol.  I thought it was also a flower. 

Gord, thinking of you all today and hope the surgeon will be able to finally resolve the knee problem for Noreen.   

Good morning!  I've been up since 4:00, as Darrel was having a hard time breathing and got up.  I was concerned about him, so then I couldn't sleep either.  He has a lot of congestion and it's really hard for him to breathe. so we are going to see the Dr. here in a few minutes.  Now I am concerned about leaving.....

Ellen just called to tell me she has our proofs online at her website so I can see them and think about which ones we might like while I'm gone.  (IF I go!)

Carol, you and Don work too hard!!  Try to take it a little easier, will you?

Larry, glad you spotted your group and that you enjoyed the time with them.  We need to do more social things, I think.

Judy, have a safe and enjoyable trip and give that Pat a hug for me!  Congrats to Heather! 

Well, better get going, so we can sit and wait at the Dr's office!  Now, that wasn't a positive thought, was it?  I believe he will be seen in a timely manner and that Dr. Rosin will be able to help him!

Jeanne, are you all right now?  I have been watching for a good report from you!


See you later!

Sorry about Darrel.  Praying for the both of you, Janet. 

See you later, Judy.  I have the Chocolate Eclair Cake done and ready to take to London!  Mmmm....  Fattening!!!

Hi Everyone else! 

Marilyn, tornadoes and not nice!  Such a lot of damage in such a short time.

Glad you got into a nice coffee group, Larry!

Janet, it will be at least another week before I know anything.  But don't worry, as soon as I know, it will be posted here.   

Hi, friends,

I'll be going out in a few moments to get mail for my son, and then to eat my favorite grilled fish meal. Rounding out the afternoon, I'll stop by the grocery, then head home for the evening.

I've enjoyed reading of your joys, tasks, surgeries, medical visits. For me, all I can say is this is a wonderful community of believers, and I thank each of you for being here.

Love to all,
Ruth Ann

Hi everyone.  We had a very rainy night and expect more today although it is suppose to get up to 78 degrees this afternoon.  I had a nice quiet day at home yesterday.  I may go to the coffee group this morning as expect this also to be a quiet day. 

Janet, sure hope the visit to the doctor provided Darrel with some relief from the breathing problem and that you won't have to cancel your trip. 

Pat, that sounds like a really delicious cake. 

Ruth Ann, hope the fish was to your taste.

Jeanne, always good to see a post from you.

Hi everyone on another rainy overcast morning with more rain in the forecast throughout the day.  I got out early this morning and went to McDonald's to get some breakfast burritos for us.  They make a quick Sunday breakfast and they are quite good.  We will go to Sunday School and Church this morning and probably out to lunch and then have a quiet rest of the day.