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Morning Devotional...






BIBLE MEDITATION:

"My voice shalt Thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto Thee, and will look up." Psalm 5:3



DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Christianity is a love relationship. You cannot love someone that you do not know. And you cannot know someone that you don't spend quality time with.

To know Jesus is to love Him.
To love Him is to trust Him.
To trust Him is to obey Him.
To obey Him is to be blessed.

It begins with a quality, daily communication with the Lord. Why is it best to spend time with the Lord in the morning? Because you are getting ready to go on a road trip through life. You don't take the trip and then read the map, do you?



ACTION POINT:

How are you starting your mornings? With a cup of coffee and the paper? Or with the pure milk of the Word and the light of His presence?

(Adrian Rogers)

Good reminder for everyone, Jeanne.  I feel sad when I think how many years passed with all my "good intentions" and I wasn't being faithful in spending quality time DAILY in the Word and prayer.  Getting up two hours earlier and spending time in the Word and communication with the Father and journaling is the most beneficial thing I've ever done in my life!  Two hours fly by and sometimes even that long isn't enough!  God is so good--and always faithful!

I had a wonderful day yesterday with my good friend Pat.  We went to the fashion show where I modeled some clothes, then had the privilege of purchasing any clothes I wanted for 40% off!   :)  :thumbsup:  AND.......Drumroll........I now can wear a size SIX in pants, and they fit perfectly!  Boy, was I surprised by that!  And, happy, of course!  Darrel said he wasn't at all surprised---which was another surprise to me!

Time to leave for church now.  To be continued.

Congratulation Janet on the size 6 pants, I can get into an 8 now which surprised me.

We have a very overcast day and truly I think the rain drops will arrive anytime soon. Then I think it will continue until Monday followed by the friend called snow.
Last night our hydro was out for about 4 hrs. Those of us that have sump pumps ,it could be a concern fortunately it was we were fine.

Our son has been here all afternoon spending time with Mom & Dad. 

We will be going out for dinner as this is 51st wedding anniversary.

Thank you, Jeanne, for the good reminder.  We all need a bit of a prod in the right direction, from time to time!

Larry, thanks for the link to the info about Heart Bleed bug ... I am happy to say that I am not effected by it, as none of the sites I frequent are involved.  My bank even posted a notice that they are not effected, so I'm okay.

Janet and Marilyn, I have never, ever, fit into a 6 or an 8.  :o Good for you! :thumbsup:

Congratulations Ruth!  Nice that Doug was over!

It has rained here off and on all night and all day today. We are under flood warnings however so far we are ok.  They have the dam wide open and that is keeping the water level down on our creek.

Wonderful message in church today.  About the colt that Jesus instructed the disciples to get.  I will say more about that later.

Have a great day folks!

Hi everyone.  Just waiting until time to go pick up my friend so we can go to coffee at McDonald's this morning.  At 1 pm our Monday Men's Lunch Group is meeting at Golden Corral for lunch and then a meeting tonight.  So it will be a busy day.  It is going to be warm today with rain starting tonight and into tomorrow and then tomorrow night we are suppose to get to 32 degrees-UGH!

Our son and DIL called last evening and we had a nice talk.  My DIL is sounding much better and says she is feeling much better.

Ruth, glad you didn't have problems with your sump pump not being able to work.  Always a nice time to spend time with our children.  A belated Happy Anniversary greeting.  Hope you enjoyed a good dinner out. 

Jane, glad the info on the Heart Bleed bug was helpful.  I haven't seen anything posted at our bank sites yet.

Judy, sure hope you had no flooding but it sure sounds wet up your way with the melting snow and now the rain. 

I just got this from a friend.  I've read it before, but it blessed me to read it again!

Paul Harvey used to tell this story every year around Easter

God's Grace

I wonder how many people will delete this without reading it because of the title. It is a shame but this message is very true. Hope you are all as blessed as I was by this story.


There once was a man named George Thomas, pastor in a small New England town. One Easter Sunday morning he came to the Church carrying a rusty, bent, old bird cage, and set it by the pulpit. Eyebrows were raised and, as if in response, Pastor Thomas began to speak....

"I was walking through town yesterday when I saw a young boy coming toward me swinging this bird cage. On the bottom of the cage were three little wild birds, shivering with cold and fright. I stopped the lad and asked, 'What do you have there, son?'

"Just some old birds," came the reply.

"What are you going to do with them?" I asked.

"Take 'em home and have fun with 'em," he answered. "I'm gonna tease 'em and pull out their feathers to make 'em fight. I'm gonna have a real good time."

"But you'll get tired of those birds sooner or later. What willyou do then?"

"Oh, I got some cats," said the little boy. "They like birds. I'll take 'em to them."

The pastor was silent for a moment. "How much do you want for those birds, son?"

"Huh?? !!! Why, you don't want them birds, mister. They're just plain old field birds. They don't sing. They ain't even pretty!"

"How much?" the pastor asked again.

The boy sized up the pastor as if he were crazy and said, "$10?"

The pastor reached in his pocket and took out a ten dollar bill. He placed it in the boy's hand. In a flash, the boy was gone. The pastor picked up the cage and gently carried it to the end of the alley where there was a tree and a grassy spot. Setting the cagedown, he opened the door, and by softly tapping the bars persuaded the birds out, setting them free. Well, that explained the empty bird cage on the pulpit, and then the pastor began to tell this story:


One day Satan and Jesus were having a conversation.

Satan had just come from the Garden of Eden, and he was gloating and boasting. "Yes, sir, I just caught a world full of people down there. Set me a trap, used bait I knew they couldn't resist. Got 'em all!"

"What are you going to do with them?" Jesus asked.

Satan replied, "Oh, I'm gonna have fun! I'm gonna teach them how to marry and divorce each other, how to hate and abuse each other, how to drink and smoke and curse. I'm gonna teach them how to invent guns and bombs and kill each other. I'm really gonna have fun!"

"And what will you do when you are done with them?" Jesus asked.

"Oh, I'll kill 'em," Satan glared proudly.

"How much do you want for them?" Jesus asked.

"Oh, you don't want those people. They ain't no good. Why, you'll take them and they'll just hate you. They'll spit on you, curse you and kill you. You don't want those people!!"


"How much? He asked again.

Satan looked at Jesus and sneered, "All your blood, tears and your life."

Jesus said, "DONE!" Then He paid the price.
The pastor picked up the cage and walked from the pulpit.
I pray, for everyone who sends this on, whether to their entire address book or just a few, that God will bless them in a special way. And for those that just deleted it...and I KNOW there will be a few ... WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?
I thank God every day for my blessed life. I'm not rich, don't live in a mansion and don't have the nicest of material things, but, I have a roof over my head, clothes on my back, food on my table, a family that loves me and lifelong friends to get me through. I'd say I have a lot to be thankful for.
Have you counted your blessings today?_


YOU DO KNOW THAT GOD LOVE YOU?  BE ASSURED THAT HE DOES, WHETHER OR NOT YOU BELIEVE IN HIM.  HE BELIEVES IN YOU! 

( I love and believe you in you, too!)


I will be back later to chat a bit.

Thank you Janet, I shared that on FaceBook.

Hi, friends,

I see my post from yesterday didn't make it in the door.

Oh, well.

Thanks for the devotional - I like to be able to go back and read them several times during the week. I appreciate all who spend their time in thought and prayer to bring us these devotionals.

I've been a busy person last night and today. My apartment needs more love before my son returns from overseas for a short visit.

Y'all have a good day.

Ruth Ann

Janet, thanks for posting that story.  I've read it several times before but it always manages to make me "sit up and pay attention" every time.

It's been a typical busy Monday, so I didn't make it back earlier.  I did go spend some time with Beth, though, and that's important.  She's so good not to complain and it would be easy to start to neglect her, and I never want to do that.  God bless her.

Darrel's arm was a little red at the needle site yesterday morning and the nurse wanted to remove the IV and install another one, but he didn't want her to.  So she agreed to wait and see how it looked today.  I prayed over that arm first thing this morning before dropping him off at the hospital while I went to the gym, and when she checked it, it looked just fine!  Our God is faithful, He answers our prayers!  Darrel was feverish again yesterday afternoon, but has felt better all day today.  I believe he will start doing some walking to increase his strength and stamina, maybe tomorrow.

Son-in-law Jeff's rendition of Watch the Lamb on Sunday was so annointed!  Powerful!  And Curtis had gotten a video which went along with the song, and they showed it as he sang.  Then some members did a skit of the crucifixion.  Pastor Pam preached a powerful message on the Blood of Jesus---a wonderful service altogether!   :-[ Uh...did I tell you this yesterday?  If so, sorry.  :-X

We had a beautiful, wet snow last night, maybe four inches.  And it's almost all gone already!  That's the kind I love, and the moisture is such a blessing on this parched area.  God is good!  All the time!

See you good folks tomorrow!

Hi everyone.  It was a rainy afternoon yesterday and during the night but things are suppose to clear off and be sunny by afternoon.  Unfortunately, our county has been issued a freeze warning. I will have to leave in about 45 minutes to go to the dentist for a cleaning. This is not my favorite thing to do.  I will attend a meeting later this morning and then this afternoon a friend is coming over to replace some electrical receptacles that have worn out and the plugs don't fit firmly.  Pat has a doctor's appointment at eleven.  That will be plenty for today.

Janet, thanks for sharing that story and I don't remember ever reading it before.  It is powerful. Glad Darrel didn't have to have the IV pulled and another one inserted.  How many more days does he need the medicine? 

Ruth Ann, I bet you are excited in getting to see your son.   

We had snow last night, and it is still snowing.  At least this will slow down the run off into the creek here.

Have a great day folks

Quote from: JudyB on April 15, 2014, 11:05:01 AM
We had snow last night, and it is still snowing.  At least this will slow down the run off into the creek here.

Have a great day folks

Yep!  We did as well, Judy!  :(     How sad when we felt "spring in the air" to see everything white!!

This too shall pass.

We don't have snow yet, but it's promised (threatened?) for overnight.  The temperature has started dropping and may go down below freezing again for the next two or three nights.  Sigh!  Not unusual, though, for April in these parts.

Here in the Land of Oz, temps were 87* on Saturday and it snowed on Sunday night!  Temps dropped to below freezing, and did so again last night.  Come on, Spring!  Everyone is ready for you!

Larry, Darrel got his last IV infusion this morning and they removed the needle.  He's really glad to be free of it!

I had a tough night, awake every hour, almost on the hour, and not much sleep between.  I gave up and got up at 4:00, now am about to fall asleep on my keyboard.  The gal is here to clean, so I'm trying to stay awake, but I may not be successful!

Thought this lovely photo of Chris Saunders was appropriate with Easter coming up this weekend...


(https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t1.0-9/s640x640/10004051_10152404287842238_626219413550544151_n.jpg)

We woke up to a blanket of snow this morning and yes it has been snowing all day.

John and I are both under the weather this week.  Got the running around yesterday, thank goodness I don't have to go out today, and grateful for a husband who shares everything!  LOL!

We still have snow, thankfully the cold has slowed down the runoff from the bush and at least so far our road is ok.  I checked yesterday and the water level was down half of the day before.

I am so looking forward to the 30th.  I will be heading to Guelph to pick up John, and clear out his truck for the last time.  Then home to the new chapter in our lives.  We are intending to travel to visit family we haven't seen since his Mothers funeral, so will be away a lot on weekends.  so looking forward to this!

Have a great day folks!

That will be a BIG day, Judy!  Wow!   

Our snow has been melting this morning so that's good.

Hi everyone.  Just back from coffee, Bible study and then going to a couple of stores to look at new TV's for our living room.  We do have a pretty sunny day after a night where it down to freezing for a couple of hours.

Judy, glad to John has set his retirement in a couple of weeks.  I am sure you will keep him busy!  After all that is a wife's duty.  :)

Has something happened to your TV Larry? 

Oh, Judy, happy days indeed.  I remember how I felt when Gene retired and wouldn't have to travel back and forth to Lake Placid all the time.  Enjoy!  :thumbsup:

As is often the case, Kansas weather cannot decide what it wants to do!  Sunny this morning, and warm, now overcast and quite a bit cooler.

I just got the PDF of the final changes to my children's book, must make sure everything is correct, then sign the final approval form, and it's ready to go to print!  So I'd better do it now!  Packing awaits!

Hi, friends,

With my son visiting for a while, I probably will be in and out.

We broke a weather record here a couple of nights ago - we had traces of snow - first time in history on that date. :)

Y'all keep the fire goin' and the latch string out, 'n I'll see y'all bye 'n bye.

Love to all,
Ruth Ann

Nice to read all the friendly posts in here.  We are cleaning and packing and ready to head home by Friday.  One cousin is on his way to Minnesota after a visit with a cardiologist here this morning - he had a blood clot in a leg and is driving a 5th. wheeler now so they are calling back twice per day.  It sure is hard to not be well and be far from home. 

the song going through my head right now is "Sweet bye and bye".  We wanted to leave for home two weeks ago so I can't get home fast enough.  Snowing in the mountains but Friday should be clearing.  I remember wearing heavy winter coats for many Easter Sundays when our family lived in Minnesota.  Only the most hardy made it to sunrise service outdoors.   

Hi everyone.  It was another chilly night but is to warm up to 60 degrees this afternoon.  I expect to stay home all day today.  The tech is coming to check out our air conditioning this morning so we will be ready for warmer weather.

Pat, our TV still works but the picture is becoming very grainy and on some of the older programs the quality is really bad.  So we have decided to replace it. 

Janet, good that you can complete your editing and give final approval on your book before you leave on your trip. 

Ruth Ann, have a great visit with your son.  We will try to " keep the fire goin' and the latch string out".

Carol, were you able to sell your condo and find what you wanted in further south?  Have a good trip home tomorrow.  It sure seems like you haven't been down there very long but I know time flies. 

It's kind of chilly here but compared to the other day, it's warm!  It's 12 celcius (I think around 45 F).  I had errands to do today but with my hips causing me problems, its so difficult getting in and out of the car.  With Easter weekend and Friday this coming Monday a holdiday here, I couldn't get a doctor appointment so I wait till next week to try to get in.

Thanks Larry for the info on your TV.  I sort of liked it when I was there.  Is this something that happens in these new fangled flat TVs?  The picture gets grainy?  I have only a 19 inch one on my dresser in the bedroom and it's still good.

Hi, just peeking in the door for a moment.

What a great time we've had with lots and lots of talking.

I'm cooking dinner for the 2 sons who are in Nashville today. We get to try something new - my son brought a package of black rice, which he says is delicious. So, I get to learn "a new trick" in cooking today. :)

Y'all have a good day.

Ruth Ann

Ruth Ann, I know about white rice, brown rice, and Puerto Rican style red rice, but I've never heard of black rice.  Do let us know how it turns out. 

Have you tried sticky rice yet?  It is delicious the way they do it in Thailand!

Pat, when the weather warms up, how about coming down to Kansas for a long visit?  We would dearly love to have you!

When I got up at 4:30 this morning, it was raining softly, and I just sat "listening to the rhythm of the falling rain" and praising God for the moisture!  He is so good!  We got very little, maybe a couple tenths, but how very welcome it is!

Enjoy the time with those sons, Ruth Ann!

I did get the book finalized yesterday, so that's another thing to cross off my list!  The time to leave is quickly approaching!

Hi there, Larry!

I had Zeke to the vet today.  I was concerned because he has been showing signs of diabetes.  The initial urine test showed an elevated glucose level.  The next step will be in 2 weeks and that will be a fasting blood test.  I am not liking the sound of the $$$ signs rolling!

It is a nice day here, we had the township out twice today checking our road.  It is nice to know that they are staying on top of the runoff.

Have a great day folks!

Judy, that's just awful to think of the new puppy having diabetes!  I can't even think of it and yes, the $$$ will be many if this is the case.  :(  :(

Ruthie goes through this with Jolson her cat.

Hi Pat!  It is always nice to see your cheery picture! 

Yes, we are in the midst of selling the condo and it went really fast but.... the buyer has been slow in getting a loan although she wants it - lender are known for being slow too so this is a waiting game. 

Our for a little meal tonight with good friends and we promise to visit each other but we will miss them and they will miss us as well.  She has beginning Parkinson's Disease and has slowed  down considerably.  She does well though and they travel to the mid-west to visit with family and will come to see us as well so that is a good thing. 

Missing my family - we will get going home early tomorrow. 

 





   

Hi everyone.  It is an overcast morning with rain on its way from the south that we will likely have with us until in the morning.  Tonight some high winds are also predicted.  This is going to be a good day to stay inside, which is what we plan on doing today.  We had good news yesterday from our DIL in that the latest blood test showed the infection she has been fighting is gone.  She was to have another IV this morning and tomorrow morning of the antibiotic and then they will remove the PIC line. She has also gained two pounds.  Hopefully they can remove the feeding tube before long.  Nothing exciting on the schedule for today and will just work here at my desk on some projects. 

Pat, the old TV is not a flat screen and is a projector type TV not a flat screen LCD.  Sorry to read that your hips are making it difficult for you to get in and out of your car.  Hope you can get a doctor's appointment soon. 

Ruth Ann, like Jeanne, I have never heard of black rice either.

Janet, glad you got your book finalized. 

Judy, my son and dil have had one and perhaps two dogs with diabetes and I have a friend who has or had a cat with it.  It is not fun to deal with.  Vets are getting very expensive anymore. 

Carol, glad to hear you have a good buyer for your condo.  Modern communications make it possible for real estate transactions to occur from long distance.  I know your family is going to be happy to see you back home again. 

Judy, that is one of the hymns I have always belted out - regardless of the fact that my voice should be put on "mute"!  I feel so sorry for the wonderful, musically gifted lady who always sat in front of me!   :(

I'm holding my breath that my TV keeps working just like it has for about 12 years.  With only "basic" coverage it doesn't seem reasonable to invest in a new flat screen.

Thanks, Judy!!  That is my all-time favorite Easter song!  And like Jeanne, I sing it with all my might, and probably more volume than I should! It just doesn't seem like Easter when we don't sing that one at church!  (And they haven't, here, for several years. ) :(

Larry, I forgot about calling you during my busy and hectic day, and now it's time to go to the care home.  They are having Good Friday services, and I need to go early to see if Beth has John's sister's phone number.  We are very worried about John because he hasn't called Beth in over a week!  He usually calls her EVERY DAY!  I emailed him, and I tried his cell number already.

Talk to you good folks later!

Jesus Paid it All

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEon3Jb83xE

Hi everyone.  We really had a rainy day yesterday, not a hard rain but steady.  It is still forecast for today but less of a chance.  I have a quiet day planned.  I will go to coffee shortly and then plan on attending a meeting this morning and that should be it.  Pat has an MRI at 10:30 this morning but said she didn't need me to drive her. I did finish the first step of preparing the music for Calvin Cove and now just need to convert them to audio files so they will play on any player.  I have the sheets with the words completed. 

Jeanne, I would agree with you on the TV and what we have is fine for me but Pat watches it a lot and she will enjoy a better quality picture.  We have to find some way to dispose of what we have, which is really big, before getting another one. 

Judy, the "Christ Arose" has always been one of my favorite hymns as well.  I wouldn't be surprised if we don't sing it tomorrow at church or in the following few weeks. 

Janet, think not a thing about not calling as this is something that can be done at any time when you are not stressed with many things to do.  It is worrisome that you cannot contact John.  Does he have any family you might be able to contact?  I am sure Beth is really on pins and needles. 

How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory
Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished
I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vmY2ztb5xc

Beautiful, Judy.  Thanks.

Larry, I wasn't criticizing your decision to replace your TV.  I was merely expressing my concerns about my own TV set and gratitude that I don't see any deterioration in the picture.  (Of course it may have faded some, but so gradually I don't notice it.   :)  )

Another one for the season.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FekKpKgq86k&app=desktop

Hello everyone!  As a child I always found Good Friday a very difficult and disturbing concept.  I thought, "What could possibly be good about crucifying my Lord?"  As the years went on, I gained a better understanding, but perhaps if someone had shown me the BC comic strip below, my child's mind may have grasped the concept earlier!  A friend recently sent this to me, and I just wanted to share it with you.  Hope you all have a blessed weekend.

He Lives!

(https://www.christianphotographers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-7Zsx-AezZHM%2FU02gmN436wI%2FAAAAAAAAHvs%2FyorrTZqzbx4%2Fs1600%2Fgood-friday-cartoon-bc.png&hash=8d78963eb0b8fd30a3a95731f82ad1ef7903e138)

I met to share this link when I posted earlier as feel it is well worth the time to view it:
http://www.andiesisle.com/anirishblessing.html

Judy, thanks for the YouTube links.  Very nice.

Jeanne, I didn't see your comments on the TV situation in any way a criticism.  I certainly understood what you were saying.  I know that none of us would intentionally criticism one another. 

Ken, thanks for sharing that cartoon. 

My wife had a call a couple of hours ago that our DIL is back in the hospital.  They were removing the PIC line at the doctor's office when she had another seizure.  It had been a while since she had a seizure, as far as I know.  Please include her in your prayers today.  This has been a seemingly never ending nightmare for her and for my son but I know this is a part of God's plan for her life.   

Larry, your son and daughter-in-law are certainly going through trials.  I'm so sorry about this latest development.

Ken, thank you for that BC cartoon.  A great concept.

Oh, how blessed I am today!  I decided to take a little break from packing, doing laundry, and starting to prepare a meal for tomorrow, and I came here to find gorgeous, uplifting music along with gorgeous photography which exalts our Lord and Savior!  Thank you Judy and Larry for sharing those.  I love it!  And I also love the BC comic strip---thanks, Ken, for sharing that!  That really puts the truth into simple terms!

Larry, I'm so sorry about your D-I-L's latest setback, but am praying it is a minor glitch and won't cause undue harm or stress.  We do not yet understand why some seem to have far more than their share of burdens and problems, but it is comforting to know our Father has everything under control.

Larry, I went to the Care Home yesterday to see if Beth had John's sister's phone number in her address book.  She did; I called Vicky and she said John is fine and she couldn't understand, either.  She said "I know my brother looks forward to calling Beth EVERY SINGLE DAY, and I will call him right now and ask what's going on!"  She called me back in just a few minutes to tell me John would be calling me, which he did.  Seems he was getting offended because a certain gal who works at the home acted as if he was being a pest when he calls Beth, and he was quite angry.  I tried to settle him down, and also told him that I know she isn't working this weekend. wasn't working yesterday, either, and asked him if he would please call Beth in about an hour as I knew she was in the dining room for supper right then.  He assured me he would.  I haven't heard from Beth today to know for sure, but John is a man of his word, so I'm confident he did call.

The Good Friday service at the home was very nice, and we DID get to sing He Arose, which really made me happy!  Than last night I attended the service at my sister Jeanie's church, which was also very meaningful.   I'm just getting blessed from every direction!

We are having a small, quiet dinner tomorrow, just Darrel, Beth and me.  Our plan is to take her to church, then back to the home, come home and get the food and share it with her at the home.  That way we can include our friend Maxine, as none of her family will be with her.

May each of you be blessed in a special way and gain new insights into what Jesus did for us as we celebrate his resurrection tomorrow!

Happy Resurrection Day to all y'all. Just stopping by for a moment, to tell you I am sorry that I don't stop in more often. I don't have much to say. I created 3 new graphics today that are al to large to post here.  Tomorrow we are having a breakfast at church before the service. I am  making my version of Quiche Lorraine. I am making it crust-less, using Turkey sausage instead of bacon, and ½ and ½ instead of whipping cream. I've never made it from a recipe before but want it to come out perfect for  church.

Time to start a new week here! (http://www.christianphotographers.com/community/index.php?topic=12973.0)