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Morning Devotional...


Our Compass Through the Storm
By Michael Youssef, Ph.D.

With all the modern-day weather instruments, meteorologists can predict where a hurricane is likely to strike. Over the years, those living in areas with a high probability of being struck by a tropical storm or a hurricane have learned to be prepared.

In the same way, we must learn how to face the storms of life. God's Word is our best source of instruction. In it we learn that appreciation, reverence, and obedience are three principles that lead to victory in times of trial.

One thing we quickly discover is that life contains a variety of storms; some are furious and some are subtle. One of the more deadly storms, deception, can blow into our lives without warning. The greatest protection against this formidable storm is to cling to the Truth of God's Word.

Have you made a commitment to study the Bible each day? Do you apply it to the problems, crises, fears, and decisions you face? When you do, you will quickly discover that you are able to face the difficulties of today and the uncertainties of the future with a sense of strong assurance - all because you are grounded in God's Word.

Charles Spurgeon said, "When a home is ruled according to the Word of God, angels might be asked to stay a night with us, and they would not find themselves out of their element."

The Bible is our compass through the difficulties of life. Its text originated in God's mind and was communicated by the Holy Spirit to men who were God's messengers (2 Timothy 3:16). Make a habit of spending time reading and applying His Word to every area of your life. When you do, you will find hope, encouragement, and strength to face the storms of life.

Prayer: Lord, thank You that through You, there is peace in the storm. May Your Word be my compass through every difficulty I face. I trust in You. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

"He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, 'Quiet! Be still!' Then the wind died down and it was completely calm" (Mark 4:39).

Thanks for the message, Jeanne Lee.  We are all constantly being tossed about by life's storms, and it is indeed comforting to cling to God's Word to get us through them!

May each of you have a blessed week!

It is well,
Ken

We got a call yesterday afternoon saying Darrel's brother Don passed away.  We don't know what arrangements are pending; Don always said NO FUNERAL SERVICE--take me straight to the crematorium!  So unless they let us know something today, we will go ahead with our plans and leave for Ecuador in the morning.  Don never would allow any of us to talk to him about the Lord, in fact, he would become almost violent if we tried.  So I fear that his eternal destiny is one none of us would want to think about.  I do pray that sometime in the period before his death, he turned his heart to the Lord.  God knows, and maybe we aren't supposed to, I don't know.  If they don't call again pretty soon, I will call and inquire what their plans are.  Darrel is upset, but is internalizing it.  While we drive, I will attempt to draw him out and help him come to terms with his emotions.  He and Don used to be quite close.

I will try to come back and post at least one more time before we leave.  Love you all!

Well, well, well......  Look who showed up! 

I am finally able to get here and check up on y'all  I'm still hanging out in Joy's hospital room, here at Stanford Medical Center in Palo  Alto, California, nearly a month after arriving!!  Joy is doing better every day, although still unable to have anything by mouth more than 100cc per every 8 hours.  She first went into the hospital (in Sonora) Dec. 12th, and was transfered (by ambulance) here on the 19th.  Her 7hr surgery was the 23rd. 

There are so many instances for which we can praise God, and claim a Miracle, along the way, that I think she, or someone, will have to write a book. 

Bottom line:  God arranged for her to be in one of the top hospitals, with the most well known surgeon who has done more than 1000 of these  procedures (whipple) and has taught it to the few other surgeons who do it. He says the leak should be dried up be tomorrow, and the drains (3of them) can be removed and the hole plugged.   Then they will see how she processes food before releasing her to go home.

This has been a long time away from homa, but I wouldn't be anywhere else.  I am so incredibly grateful that Joy is a survivor of the same thing that her sister died with, 15 years ago. Pancreatic cancer.  Joy's  cancer was removed, along with half the stomach, half the pancreas, the gall bladder, and the duodenum.  As she says: some people pay a lot of money for a tummy tuck or lap band or such! 

I trust this is not TMI for you... I noticed Janet asked for an up date.   

I'm grateful for your patience with me...  I am using my grandson's iPad and it is really a challenge.  The computer in the lounge won't let me get to CP, and is not always available for anything else either.

I will be back as soon as I can.... Probably when I am at Joy's  in a few days.

Jane thanks for the update it is so good to see you posting.

Absolutely NOT TMI, Jane!  Thanks for bringing us up to speed on Joy--and you.  We  trust things will continue going well and she will soon be able to go home!  What a joyful day that will be!

Well, I feel better now concerning leaving tomorrow.  I talked to Don's son Deryk this afternoon.  He said Don will be cremated tomorrow, and that he is planning a military rites service for him, but it wouldn't be for probably a couple of weeks.  I told him that if they are waiting a while, I would really appreciate it if they wait until we get home, so we can come.  He was delighted that we want to come and said, "Of course we will wait for you!  I can hardly wait to see Uncle Darrel and give him a big hug!"  Darrel's sister was greatly relieved about it, too.  I know Darrel is feeling much more peaceful about it now, as am I.

My daughter Diane and her daughter Abby are on their way home from Dallas.  Diane has been very sick for several days, and I am so glad she will be home tonight, and be able to see a doctor close to home.  She had to go to Urgent Care there in Dallas.  Lots happening these past few days.

I hope everybody stays well and safe and may God watch over all of us!

Love,
Janet

Jane:  A month for Joy to be in the hospital - that has to be such a long month for both of you.  So good to read that she is recovering! 

We sure do like the Saturday night service at church - it has a smaller choir and is so much easier to hear with the smaller but very substantial crowd.  This week, the service ended before sunset.  I just got off the phone with two cousins who are here in the winter and one of the wives is not well but all tests show nothing. 

Here, Don rented a heavy pressure washer and he did the work on the back patio and garage floor plus the driveway.  It has to be returned early tomorrow morning.  I hope we never do that again.  We have three of our children arriving for visits in the next month on separate weekends.  Just so happy they are coming - two have work related visits so their fares are paid. 

Larry:  Safe move for you and Pat!  thinking of you for days and now the big move is tomorrow.

Janet:  Your plate is full of family issues - hugs to you.   

 :)  Thank you Jeanne Lee  for the devotional it is so unreal how the Lord work's and that this devotional I know says a lot and sure does speak to me. God sure does know when and what to put on the computer at the right time. :thumbsup:

It is great to read all the other post's and to catch up on all that is going on in your lives.  :coffee Have a wonderful week and may the Lord richly bless you all.  Love in Christ.  Gordon and Noreen. 0:-) :cp:

Janet, I am so sorry to hear about Darrel's brother.  It is sad to lose someone we love, but so much more so when we cannot know that we will meet them again before the Throne. 

Hi, friends,

Thank you for the updates. My goodness, so much  :lol:o process.

I am grateful that y'all keep in touch.

Jane, I continue to pray with our CP group for Joy's welfare and for the entire family. Marilyn, that taco flavored meatloaf is a good idea. Ken, it's good to hear from you. Jeanne, thank you for the devotional. Carol, I hope your husband doesn't suffer ill effects from using that heavy duty pressure washer. Janet, best wishes for a great trip. I'm thankful y'all will be able to be at the military rites service for your hubby's brother. Gord, so nice to hear from y'all again. I understand the pain that comes to a knee that needs surgery. I'm dealing with that myself. I just need to determine a time that will be good to have my second knee replaced.

A friend had surgery on Thursday, took a turn for the worse and went into acute renal failure, and subsequently into pneumonia. She's mighty young for these problems (just 54 in age), so I trust, if it's the Lord's will, that she will recover. She has people worldwide who are praying for her.

Well, I must go, and I leave praying for our Lord's blessings on each of you.

Ruth Ann

We've had all kinds of weather the last few days.  Some snow, some freezing rain, some rain back to freezing rain and very cold temperatures and wind.  Oh well, January is sliding by, then February and before we know it March will be here and then we can look for the beginning of spring.   :D

Sad about Darrell's brother, Janet.  Hope you have a wonderful time in Ecuador!

Well, after a long time of trying to sort through "STUFF", we got to the point last week of being able to have a gas furnace installed!  And what a wonderful addition it is in this house!  I'm so pleased.

Life has been rather hectic with sickness and this "extra-curricular" work that I've been feeling a bit "low" and must shake myself out of this now.

So happy to see your post as well, Jane and hearing the news of Joy.

 :) Hi Ruth Ann.  thank YOU FOR THE ENCOURAGEMENT RO Noreen's PAIN.  she IS GIVING IT ALL TO THE Lord AND HE IS GIVING BOTH OF US GREAT STRENGTH DAILY.  AND NOREEN IS ALSO BEING PRAYED FOR ALL OVER THE WORLD TOO.  I am so grateful for all of you on C.P. that do pray for Noreen and that this infection will be gone when the surgeon goes in the next time. :thumbsup:   May you all have a wonderful week.   God's richest blessing's.   Gordon and Noreen. :) :cp:

Sharing from our Jane re Joy...


"Does it ever end?   Once again Joy's tube removal has been postponed.  She is becoming discouraged. 
As of January 13th, Joy was advised they were postponing her tube removal. It was postponed to Jan 15, then to Jan 16 but once again postponed until Monday, Jan 19. Then we found out that because it was MLK day the doctors weren't available until Tuesday. Then while talking to a nurse at the nurse station Joy found out from a doctor who was sitting there that the chief of Intervention Radiology who was to do the procedure tomorrow, is taking another day off (Tuesday) and other complications are putting the procedure back to Friday! Release would then be as late as a week from then, That would be Jan 31 making our friendly, fun filled Stanford Med Center stay at about 7 weeks.
I'm sure there are lessons to be learned here, but it is most difficult to be patient.  As Joy says: "It's out of our control..."  patience is one virtue that is hard to come by when you're lying in a hospital bed, miles from home and friends and all that is familiar.  My heart hurts for my girl ... this is not something any of us could have imagined just a couple months ago."

Thanks for bringing that to us, Pat.   :'(  Our dear Jane and her daughter really need our prayers.   

Hi, friends,

I'm so sorry to learn of the frustrations and heartaches Jane and Joy and the family are undergoing. May our Lord be with them all. He knows the needs and He cares.

It's good to hear from you, Pat. I can imagine that your home is getting lots warmer with the new furnace installation. :)

Jeanne, we had almost unheard of warmth for this time of year (in the 60s the last 3 days), but the temps are "normalizing" the forecasters say. I can report that the temperature was considerably cooler this afternoon. My sister in law and I went in to a store, stayed about an hour, and we were surprised at the difference in the temp when we went back to the car.

Gord, it's so nice to hear from you again. Yes, we will continue to pray for your wife.

Well, I must go for the day. May our Lord be with us all, as only He knows what we need most.

Love to all,
Ruth Ann

Yes, Ruth Ann, it's lovely!  Never had such great warmth in all the years we've lived in this house (going into 30 years!). 
I'm so enjoying it. 

Hi everyone, just a quick stop by tonight to say the move is over and we survived.  We had a great moving company and everything came through fine.  Our son is taking two weeks of vacation and will help us get settled.

 <3

Wow! 

Wonderful news, Larry!  Going to miss your lovely home--especially that nice room over the garage!

Good news Larry!

Thanks for Jane's update Pat,  Difficult time for all concerned.  Glad you are warm.

Was shopping today, and came home frozen.  -18 C or - 4 F .  I have not been able to warm up at all this evening,  I believe a hot shower is on the agenda.

Have a good night folks

I posted a couple of pictures for you to see here (http://www.christianphotographers.com/community/index.php?topic=13236.new#new) I hope you enjoy!

Shortly after my first husband died, a friend and her teenage daughter "took refuge" with me for about a week.  I had electric baseboard heat with individual controls in each room.  I came home from work one day and the heat hit me in the face like a ton of bricks.  Every thermostat had been turned up to 85.  The teenager was watching TV wearing only a tank top and a pair of short-shorts.  I asked her how come the heat was turned up so high and her answer was "I was cold".  My reply to her, as I went from room to room turning down the heat - "WELL, PUT ON SOME CLOTHES!"

Good example of youthful common sense deficit disorder, Jeanne Lee!

A good way to say it, Ken.   :thumbsup:

HAHAHA!!!  I can imagine that scenario, Jeanne.

I'm so nice and warm now.  It's absolutely amazing!

Up until now, I've used my little oil-filled heater beside my chair in my room to keep my coffee warm and it was a handy place to have it.  Now, that heater is icy cold so yesterday I went to Amazon and bought a cheap coffee warmer and it arrives tomorrow.  Getting a wee round table/stand too to put it on.  Then I'll be all set!

Judy, those photos are lovely!

Hope everyone clicks on the link!

Hi, friends, I've been especially quiet today.  Experience tells me tomorrow's going to be a much better day.

Y'all have a good one.

Ruth Ann

Another update from Jane...


"One tube removed this morning, and the leak glued, two other tubes repositioned and remain until it is certain the glue is holding.  She had to lie flat for several hours, and is on "Strict NPO" .... NOTHING by mouth until at least tomorrow.   The word is that she may start on "food" tomorrow .... that will be juice, to start, and build up on that.   Looks like progress at last .... maybe get to go home "in 2-3 days" according to (one of) her doctors.

This has been one very long and distressing month ... and it's not over yet.   I do so appreciate your prayers and concern.  One of these daze I will be coming home again.  Of course, that will only be when Bryan decides to take me.  "

I really feel for Jane, She can KNOW beyond a shadow of a doubt that we are praying.

Jeanne I had layers on and was wrapped up in a comforter before my shower....It didn't help the comforter or the shower, and John had the wood fire going full blast!

Today was a lovely day.  We had to go out and I "asked"  Rambo if he would like to go with us, a "Let's Go"  question...Well Zeke answered as well.  All 3 dogs into the car and away we went.  Great time for all and Zeke was quietly sitting in the back. until I left the Explorer.....he got concerned at that.  Us and our fur kids!

Have a good night folks!

Judy, I know about not being able to get warm. My house is kept at the same temperature all day and is comfortable until  near sunset every day.  Then, even though the house temperature hasn't changed there are a couple of hours when the only way I can get warm is to snuggle on the couch with a comforter up to my chin.  Of course that usually means a nap.   :D 

I can't imagine what Jane and Joy (and the rest of the family) are going through.  They are all in my prayers all the time. 

Hi, friends,

Well, I deal with being cold natured, so if a cool wisp of air comes my way, I'm grabbing for something warm. :)

May our Lord bless us today is my prayer.

Ruth Ann

It sure seems strange not to have Larry opening things up here.  I'm sure he and Pat have their hands full getting unpacked and settled in to the new house.

Ruth Ann, my "normal" body temperature is 97.7 so I usually feel the cold more than folks around me.  I look strange, I guess, when I wear slacks and long sleeves and others are in shorts and short sleeves, but I've learned over the years to adjust to my own needs rather than how it looks.   ;)

Hi everyone.  I haven't had time to read anything but just wanted to let you all know that all is well.  We have been extremely busy and I will write more about that when I have time to do so.  I should have Internet in the house by Saturday night.

Great to hear from you Larry.

Thanks for updating us, Larry.   :thumbsup:

I came in here rather distressed over such little things - handymen who don't call and/or don't show and have forgotten our appointments.  It seems as though almost a full month has been wasted - waiting.  Must be that I am to slow down - read The Word as there is nothing I can do about it anyway.  Shame faced here this day just reading all of the REAL PROBLEMS that so many are dealing with - my impatience is nothing compared to their grievances. 

So, we are awaiting the arrival tomorrow of oldest son and wife as they were given tickets, car and hotel to watch the Pro Bowl near the city of Phoenix.  They will stay overnight with us on a really quick visit and Sun noon head to their hotel - about a 2 hour drive.  We are thrilled that they are coming for a visit.  I have all the fat-free, sugar-free things for them to eat - they are lean & healthy.  Will hide my chocolate cookies.  They do like a sweet once in a while. 

How wonderful that Larry's son is taking time off to help in the move.

Jane:  Words can't begin to explain how much I wish you and Joy peace in your hearts as you walk this long long trial. 

Hi Pat!  Are you staying warm? 

Hi, friends,

I'm saying the same things, Carol, let's help pray for those with huge problems, and leave our little things to the Lord.

Larry and Pat, it's good to hear from y'all.

I understand, Jeanne. I dress for my comfort, too.

I need things like bread and fruit and miscellaneous things, but will work with what I have on hand, rather than go out today. We have a cold rain falling that is supposed to turn into snow.

Well, y'all have a good rest of the day.

Ruth Ann

It's me again.  I am laying down as my heart is telling me it needs to rest and has done enough for today.  I had to go to the Comcast store in Augusta to return the gateway I had been using as the equipment couldn't be used in SC.  While there I was finally able to get a new account set-up and the installer will be here tomorrow afternoon so should have good internet again.

We have much to be grateful for with this move including not being sick this week..  The weather was perfect and warm when we moved out on Monday and also when we moved in Tuesday and also yesterday when the Dish TV service was installed.  Today it is raining.  We finally went to Wal-Mart for groceries.

Our house in Georgia was put on the market on Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday we before noon we had an offer.  We had a second offer yesterday morning which we turned down after another counter offer, which we accepted and should close at the end of next month.

I think we have been able to keep all the balls in the air but both Pat and I ready for a quieter life after this week. Our son has been a great help to us and will help get the rest of the boxes unloaded.

Jane, sure glad that Joy will soon be home to continue her recovery.  You have obviously been a tremendous blessing to her by being with her all these weeks. 

Pat, so glad you got your new furnace and are now warm.

Hope Janet and Darrel are enjoying their trip.

Hi everyone on a beautiful Sunday morning here in South Carolina.  I am sitting here in my new office enjoying a cup of hot tea.  We did get the Comcast internet installed in the house yesterday afternoon late but will wait for our son to help me set up the home network.  He and our DIL were here yesterday to continue to help unpack but he picked up a heavy box and brought on an angina attack and had to stop for the day.  He was feeling better last evening.  I am feeling back to normal.  So we will be taking things more carefully and avoiding as much lifting as possible.  I think I have two more small boxes for my office that are still in the garage. 

Today we are going to try to find a new recliner for Pat.  She had the one she had been using taken to her sewing room. We also need to get a computer desk for her. 

Hopefully by next week we will be ready to start visiting some of the churches in our area.  Our next door neighbor has already invited us to attend her Methodist church and so that will probably be the first church we attend. 

I see it has been very quite since I posted here last.  Hope all is going well for each of you.

The days fly by and here we are at the end of another week.  Time to move to our new week HERE (http://www.christianphotographers.com/community/index.php?topic=13237.0)