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Morning Devotional...

Visions of Christmas: Seeing Red

Return to your rest, O my soul, for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.
Psalm 116:7

Recommended Reading
Matthew 11:28-30

Studying U.S. death data from 1979-2004, a team of researchers at the University of California at San Diego found that Americans are more likely to die over the holidays -- including fatal events on Christmas Day and New Year's Day -- than at any other time of the year.¹ That should be enough to encourage anyone to slow down and enjoy a stress-free Christmas this year!

Today is December 1 -- you have several weeks to prepare for a peaceful and safe celebratory season. Indeed, preparation is the key to preventing stress all year long. You're off to a good start, reading your daily devotions in Turning Points. In addition, ask the Lord to help you reflect Him this Christmas. God is not stressed or in a hurry; God's face doesn't turn red because of traffic and shoppers and the cost of gifts. So we shouldn't be stressed or turn red either. The fruit of the Spirit is "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23). Stay filled with the Spirit this Christmas and there will be no room left for stress (Ephesians 5:18; 1 John 1:9).

Let the only red you see this Christmas be on the decorations, not in the mirror!

¹ news.nationalpost.com/2010/12/20/christmas-the-deadliest-day-of-the-year-study (accessed 8-1-13).


From Today's Turning Point by Dr. David Jeremiah

Hi everyone. It looks like it will be another beautiful day here in Georgia.  We will go out to church and then to lunch and spend the rest of the day quietly resting here at home.  This morning I used my iPad to read my email, do some daily readings, and then read all the message boards I read each day before I got out of bed.  I was awake and Pat was sleeping so well I didn't want to wake her and I didn't mind the extra rest.  I got up and filled my medicine boxes for the next two weeks, something I really don't enjoy.  The Georgia/Georgia Tech football game was very exciting at the end and I was in a state of disbelief that Georgia was able to come back and win the game in the last seconds of the game.  The Alabama/Auburn game was also a nail biter to the very end with Alabama losing, which was their only loss of the season.

Jeanne, thanks for the new devotional thoughts for today. 

Janet, enjoyed the story you shared.

Well, phooey.  I lost my post again.  Was saying our power was out during the night, back on this morning, but not the well.  So we had to make calls to get power restored, making us almost late to church.  But all is well now, and it is a gorgeous day, so we always have things for which to be thankful.

I plan to take it easy today, as am trying to outrun a cold, taking Vitamin C and Zinc.  It's been several days already, but I am determined to WIN! 

We plan to go to the reception for our worship leader/youth pastor and his new bride this evening.

Jeanne, good Thoughts for the Week!  Thanks.

Janet can't you start the well yourself?  Thankfully we can.  It just means turning a lever by the storage tank for us.

John and I are both sick with a nasty cold.  I was talking to Pat and she has the cold as well.

John has Yuletide Fireplace on the TV, all Christmas Carols, some secular and some celebrating Christ's birth.  So calming.

   Okay, if I keep losing every post I attempt.......GRRRR.  Not going to retype that one!

Winds are scheduled to arrive tonight and soon the temperature drops - seriously drops.  Don is in the garage putting mud flaps on the car right now.  I have such a full week of appointments that I am doing the laundry and cleaning a closet (sorry, mama!).

JudyB:  thanks for the music -

A special prayer goes out to all who drive trucks and bring our goodies in safe and sound. 

Marilyn:  Congratulations on your weight loss.

Janet:  Another nice story.  Bundle up for you are about to cool down.  From your fellow weather forecaster west of you. 

Do any of you gals ever turn your head when someone in the store says, "mom"?  I still do.  The other day, a couple was walking right behind me & she said "hello" and I turned and said hello back to her then noticed she was answering a cell phone. 

Jeanne:  Nice message on what we concentrate on over the holidays.  It is always amazing to see the crazy lines for sales & the anger out there. 

Hi, friends,

I've really enjoyed reading the remainder of last week's posts and stories and music, and thoroughly enjoyed reading the devotional and the posts thus far today.

The service at church was a good one, and one I'll remember. And, I came home with a tiny little advent calendar, and 2 advent devotional books.

Y'all just don't know how much it means to come here and join the conversation.

Much love to all,
Ruth Ann

Thank you for the comments on my weight loss. I am very pleased with my loss, I feel so much better and I like the way my clothes are fitting me now .

It has been a quiet day in the Riley house, light rain now more rain and cold expected by tonight.  Carol I think we are getting the cold front first before it comes your way.  Keith chopped a lot of the wood our neighbor gave us from the dead tree he cut down on his property line. He has already stacked most of it under the back deck, but it is still wet, so we won't be able to use it this year.

It was so nice to see a post from Brother Al. But it made me sad that he had to spend the holiday alone since his son went to NY to see the parade.

Judy I hope you, John and pat get over your colds real soon.

Janet, Type your post on a word document. Then copy and paste it on here. You won't loose it that way!

Carol, your Broncos beat our Chiefs again.    It really doesn't bother me a whole lot, after all, it IS only a game.  (Try telling that to a die-hard football fanatic!)  Yes, the cold is heading our way, are you ready for it?

We got the new hot tub yesterday, and I think sitting in it and breathing the steam helps me.  I am fighting off a cold, been at it several days now.  But I WIN!!  Thank you, God.

I just stopped by to see if there was anything new happening here, be back tomorrow!  I am waiting for some info from Pat so I can go ahead with our Bios, and I apologize for the long wait.  Pat has to put the photos in, so if you have sent me your questions, and haven't sent Pat your photos, please send those to her.  We want to see your story featured!!

Judy....too much trouble!

Hi everyone. It is a damp but not too cold morning here in Georgia.  After coffee I had some errands to run, which I did.  Today our men's luncheon group is going to another new place for us and tonight is my Monday night meeting.  That should be it for today.  I know I will be ready for a nap this afternoon as woke up at 3:30 am and was never able to go back to sleep.  We had a nice service at church yesterday and it was Communion Sunday as well as the first Sunday in Advent.  After church 5 of us went to the new buffet and had a very nice lunch without having to wait or deal with a loud noise level. 

Sorry to read of the colds striking our folks here.  I don't have a cold but either allergies or my sinuses are really acting up.   

I have the story emailed to the paper, as corrected or changed by Don.  Now I have to take his photo to the paper to go with the story.

I think I feel better today but am going to take it easy, as I still feel weak and break into a sweat at the slightest effort.    I don't do "sick" well at all!!

I'm off to the newspaper, see you later!

Good Afternon this cold damp day.

Janet: Thanks for posting your story I liked it very much.
           I have not sent any pictures to Pat either. I had better tie a string around my finger to remember.

Judy: What day is the Trucker TV on. and what time of day.

Larry: Hello

Marilyn: You look beautiful.

And to the others I have missed,  hello.

We left early this morning for an appointment and while there as was suggested it was like meeting at the coffee shop.
Now home to do what needs to be done.
I was talking with our daughter and she has a cold and our son is getting over one it seems  the virus is flying around.

A friend of mine is doing her Christmas cards hint hint I must do mine before it gets to late.

Trucker TV CTV2 11:30 Saturday am.

Back from the doctor.  Off the Lipitor, on antibiotics and 4 sinus meds.  I let it go to far this time.  Feel like going to bed and sleeping.

I have an outfit done for Mel's baby, I ran out of one of the yarns, and wasn't happy with the alternative.  Went in to WalMart and voila they finally had the right yarn in stock......Now to tear down and build back up. 

Fog today and possible freezing rain or snow.  Not a good day all round.

Here is an updated picture of Zeke!!!

Great picture, Judy.   

Hi, friends,

It was good to hear from each of you.  I, too, am dealing with a cold. Oh, well, it could be lots worse.

Yesterday was a good day with lots done. So, today I've been quiet. That also gives me time to be thoughtful.

Y'all have a good day.

Ruth Ann

Love the picture of Zeke. He is one beautiful Rottie.

Hi everyone.  It is another dreary morning but not rainy so far.  We had light rain all day yesterday and then some heavy rain during the night.  It looks like we may have some more rain tonight with some fog.  It is to get up to 60 degrees today.  I will go to a meeting the morning and then mid-afternoon friends are coming over to play some cards and share supper with us.  It should be a fun afternoon.

Ruth, I no longer send out Christmas cards but try to write a short email with a Christmas graphic as most of our friends have email and it doesn't take me hours and hours as it used to when I sent cards. 

Judy, Zeke is a nice looking dog. 

It seems that colds are stacking our ranks these last few days.  Sure hope you all are feeling better today.

It looks like we'll have a couple more warmer than average days before the temperature takes another dip.   So far no immediate expectations for snow in this area.  That's good and it's bad.  Here in the foothills I'm perfectly happy with no snow, but I am always aware that it's necessary in the nearby mountains to prevent a spring and summer drought. 

  This is such a  week packed full of appointments.  Today is the dentist for both of us. Yes, it is colder this morning than yesterday morning.  Right around freezing and the wind is coming.  Yesterday, thank heaven, I had a phone call reminding me of the book club that is my church friends.  I belong to two groups and the other one I call my secular book club.  I do have friends in that one also.  I had not marked the calendar and thank goodnes it wasn't scheduled for my house.  Everyone brings a salad.  to the church club & we discussed "7 men" by Eric Metaxas.  I had Deitrich Bonhoeffer.  Good thing is I have read much on him previously so it was almost easy to talk about that man of faith. 

Judy:  Nothing sweeter than a puppy. 

Janet:  One son had to send out for a part on his hot tub - over $400 and he can do the work himself.  He would have taken it apart but apparently it was installed before the house & much too heavy to take out from the back yard.  It seems normal size to me.  Enjoy. 

Today I'm praising God that I feel so much better!  I had a really good night's sleep, which always helps, and the cold symptoms seem to be on their way out.  Praise God for His healing power!

I want to start wrapping gifts today.  Darrel is going to Liberal for another treatment, but I think I should just stay home.  If I keep doing a little bit every day, it will all get done, and without a big hassle at the last minute.  At least, that's my plan!

I got John's itinerary yesterday.  He is to arrive on Dec. 20 and leave on January 7.  They are routing him through Dallas this time, instead of Denver.  Should be better.

I have been up for hours, spent time with the Lord, cooked a nice breakfast, ate, cleaned up the dishes, then Darrel and I sat in the hot tub for a while.  Nice to not have to rush off anywhere!

Our friends are those who know their own faults well enough to forgive us ours.~
                                                                                                             Moulton Farnham

Good afternoon, friends,

I'm in from a long day of taking someone to two doctors and then a pharmacy. So, a bit tired, although all I did all day long was drive - wait - drive - wait - drive - then wait some more.

It really looks like the skies would like to snow, but the temps just aren't down that low yet. The forecast is for mixed precip this weekend.

It's so good to have conversations with my children. What a blessing they are.

Now, I think all of them are trying to determine where to have our big Bice Christmas gathering. I smiled and answered the text message letting them all know my calendar is ready and waiting for an entry - just let me know when and where.

It's about time to hear from the rest of the clan, so I'd better go my way and wait to hear from them.

Love to all,
Ruth Ann

Hi everyone.  Another dreary but warmer day here today.  Still no evidence of the sun appearing.  We had a nice time playing Canasta (Hand and Foot) with our friends yesterday afternoon and sharing dinner with them.  This morning I went to Bible Study but Pat did not go.  Looking forward to resting this afternoon and a quiet evening. 

Please be praying for John.  He is in a tough position with one person at his job.  HE is ready to walk.....Pray that God direct his path and tongue.

Judy, so sorry to read that John has conflict with someone at his work.  Our jobs are hard enough without these conflicts.  I will be keeping him in my thoughts and prayers.

 Judy: Jobs and conflict always seems to happen and somehow we must find a way to work through the situation and come out smiling. John will do just that I am sure.

Like so many in the south we also have a dull and dreary day.
I went to my twice weekly appointment this morning and now I have spent  most of the afternoon trying to get a cross stitch project finished. When finished it will get ironed and put in a drawer for someone else to find.

Janet: I would like to sit in the hot tub with you.

Mel has just arrived home and I think we will be going out as there is something at an auction that he would like to check out.

I had also thought that this post was lost but I kept going back on the arrow button and voila here it is .

John went to the boss and told him what was going on, at that time he gave in his resignation.  The boss asked him to reconsider, and went to the offending dispatcher and had the dispatch reversed.  Any more interference from this dispatcher and there will be severe repercussions for him.  Now for John to reconsider.......that is in the air as there is another job lined up.  HE was raised with the theory that you don't throw away a pair of shoes till you have a new pair to put on.  Thank you for praying, and I ask that you continue.

Okay!  I finally have a treat for you!  Go to Members Bios and read all about someone we all love!  Sorry it took so long, had technical problems, but Pat got it fixed!  Thanks, Pat, and feel better!   

Hi everyone.  It is a bit early but Pat just got up and I decided to read the message boards on my iPad before getting up as want to work on computers this morning as just looked at the tracking page and Pat's new monitor is to be delivered today.  Yesterday she decided that I should take the new computer and she will have my desktop.  It is a Windows 7 computer as is her laptop and both of mine will then be Wndows 8.  Yesterday turned out tobe warm (73 degrees) and we saw a bit of the sun.  I think we will have rain today.  This afternoon we are going to visit our friends who recently moved into a cottage at a retirement home.  That will be it for today.

Ruth, do I read in what you said about someone else finding your cross stitch work that it was done because you enjoy doing it, which is a fine reason?

Judy, glad John didn't let the dispatcher run him away from his job.  It sounds like the boss doesn't want to lose him.