Christian Photographers Community

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Morning Devotional...



"For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh."
Gal 5:17


Wrestle, and fight, and pray; In every believer's heart there is a constant struggle between the old nature and the new. The old nature is very active, and loses no opportunity of plying all the weapons of its deadly armoury against newborn grace; while on the other hand, the new nature is ever on the watch to resist and destroy its enemy.

Grace within us will employ prayer, and faith, and hope, and love, to cast out the evil; it takes unto it the "whole armour of God," and wrestles earnestly. These two opposing natures will never cease to struggle so long as we are in this world. The battle of "Christian" with "Apollyon" lasted three hours, but the battle of Christian with himself lasted all the way from the Wicket Gate in the river Jordan.

The enemy is so securely entrenched within us that he can never be driven out while we are in this body: but although we are closely beset, and often in sore conflict, we have an Almighty helper, even Jesus, the Captain of our salvation, who is ever with us, and who assures us that we shall eventually come off more than conquerors through him. With such assistance the new-born nature is more than a match for its foes.

Are you fighting with the adversary to-day? Are Satan, the world, and the flesh, all against you? Be not discouraged nor dismayed. Fight on! For God himself is with you; Jehovah Nissi is your banner, and Jehovah Rophi is the healer of your wounds. Fear not, you shall overcome, for who can defeat Omnipotence? Fight on, "looking unto Jesus"; and though long and stern be the conflict, sweet will be the victory, and glorious the promised reward.

Thanks for this week's devotional, Jane.  Well worth studying what Charles Spurgeon has to say.

What a great devotional this week.

Thanks Jane!

Thank you Jane for the great devotional. In my opinion we all fight Satan every day. We must remember that Jesus has redeemed us from our sins, but that doesn't mean that we don't sin every day in some way be it in thought or deed. I know that I am a sinner saved by grace I thank Jesus every day for my salvation and for what He did for me.

Thanks for the encouraging devotional. Spurgeon is always good to read.

Thank you Jane for this beautiful posting. It is always good to be fully aware of the deception that the devil plays on us. It is also equally important to know that we are weak and constantly need strength to fight the devil's temptation. I rely on God's Word for answers. The Holy Bible is my shield and I carry it with me wherever I go. It gives me a sense of security and a feeling that God's hand is just within my reach.

To illustrate what the apostle Paul said in his letter to the Ephesians, I shot this photo in my room at a resort in Varadero, Cuba in 2012.

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What a great post, Mario! 

Thanks for that!

Hi everyone.  Another lovely day here in Georgia.  I am just back from coffee at McDonald's and have our men's lunch at 1 pm and then a meeting to attend this evening.  Monday's are one of my busiest days a week and I am always glad when it is behind me for the week.  I am getting where I do not like being out at night, even though it isn't very far and it is easy driving.  Pat has a massage appointment this morning.

In our service yesterday for Pentecost our minister used red balloons in his children's sermon to demonstrate the filing of the Holy Spirit.  He then followed up with a sermon based on Acts building on his illustration used with the children.  It was very good.  Unfortunately, I forgot to wear my red tie.  I can't seem to remember anything anymore.  UGH!  In years past we have also had the Scripture read by different language speakers at the same time. 

Jane, thanks for the devotional thoughts for the week form Charles Spurgeon. 

Jim and Mario, nice to see your postings here.  Hope we will see more of you. 

It's me again.  I just read the following and was so touched I wanted to share it with my friends.  You may have read it before but it worth another read, at least it was for me. 

This will really touch your heart!  This is a true story and it will give you the chills.  This is a beautiful and touching story of love and perseverance. Well worth the read.

At the prodding of my friends I am writing this story. My  name is Mildred Honor and I am a former elementary school music          teacher from Des Moines , Iowa ..   

I have always supplemented my income by teaching piano lessons - something I have done for over 30 years. During those years I found that children have many levels of musical ability, and even though I have never had the pleasure of having a prodigy, I have taught some very talented students. However, I have also had my share of what I call 'musically challenged' pupils - one such being being Robby..

Robby was 11 years old when his mother (a single mom)  dropped him off for his first piano lesson. I prefer that students          (especially boys) begin at an earlier age, which I explained to Robby. But Robby said that it had always been his mother's  dream to          hear him play the piano, so I took him as a student. Well, Robby began his piano lessons and from the beginning I thought it was a          hopeless endeavor. As much as Robby tried, he lacked the sense of tone and basic rhythm needed to excel.  But he dutifully reviewed his scales and some elementary piano pieces that I require all my students to learn.  Over the months he tried and tried while I          listened and cringed and tried to encourage him.

At the end of each weekly lesson he would always say 'My mom's going to hear me play someday'.  But to me, it seemed hopeless, he just did not have any inborn  ability. I only knew his mother from a distance as she dropped Robby off or  waited in her aged car to pick him up. She always waved and smiled,  but never dropped in.

Then one day Robby stopped coming for his lessons. I thought about calling him, but assumed that because of his lack of  ability he had decided to pursue something else. I was also glad that  he had stopped coming - he was a bad advertisement for my teaching!

Several weeks later I mailed a flyer recital to the students'   homes. To my surprise, Robby (who had received a flyer) asked me if he   could be in the recital. I told him that the recital was for current  pupils and that because he had dropped out, he really did not qualify.


He told me that his mother had been sick and unable  to take him to his piano lessons, but that he had been practicing. Please Miss Honor, I've just got to play' he insisted. I don't know what led me to allow him to play in the recital - perhaps it was his insistence or maybe something inside of me saying that it would be all right.


The night of the recital came and the high school gymnasium was packed with parents, relatives and friends. I put Robby last in the program, just before I was to come up and thank all the students and play a finishing piece. I thought that any damage he  might do would come at the end of the program and I could always  salvage his poor performance through my 'curtain closer'. Well, the recital went off without a hitch, the students had been practicing and it showed. Then Robby came up on the stage. His clothes were wrinkled and his hair looked as though he had run an egg beater through it.  'Why wasn't he dressed up like the other students?'  I thought. 'Why didn't his mother at least make him comb his hair for this special night?'

Robby pulled out the piano bench, and I was surprised when he announced that he had chosen to play Mozart's Concerto No.
21 in C Major. I was not prepared for what I heard next. His fingers were light on the keys, they even danced nimbly on the ivories. He went from pianissimo to fortissimo, from allegro to virtuoso; his suspended chords that Mozart demands were magnificent!

Never had I heard Mozart played so well by anyone his age.


After six and a half minutes he ended in a grand crescendo, and everyone was on their feet in wild applause!  Overcome and in tears, I ran up onstage and put my arms around Robby in joy. I have never heard you play like that Robby, how did you do it?


Through the microphone Robby explained:   'Well, Miss Honor .... remember I told you that my mom was sick? Well,  she actually had cancer and passed away this morning. And well ......  she was born deaf, so tonight was the first time she had ever heard me play, and I wanted to make it special." There wasn't a dry eye in the house that evening. As the people from Social Services led Robby  from the stage to be placed in to foster care, I noticed that even  their eyes were red and puffy. I thought to myself then how much richer my life had been for taking Robby as my pupil.

No, I have never had a prodigy, but that night I became a prodigy ....... of Robby.  He was the teacher and I was the pupil, for he had taught me the meaning of perseverance and love and believing in yourself, and may be even taking a chance on someone and you didn't know why. Robby was killed years later in the senseless bombing of the Alfred P. Murray Federal Building in Oklahoma  City in April, 1995.
 
So many seemingly trivial interactions between two people present us with a choice. Do we act with compassion or do we pass up that opportunity and leave the world a bit colder in the process?
 
If God didn't have a purpose for us, we wouldn't be here!

That's wonderful, Larry.  Very touching.  Thanks for sharing it with us. 

Hello, friends!  I'm back home again, after another week's absence.  I got three paintings completed in four days and enjoyed the class and seeing my painting friends so much!  Then home to unload and unpack, re-pack for the weekend, and Darrel and I were up early and on the road to Pratt by 7 AM  to attend the Miss Teen Kansas and Miss Kansas pageant.  Our Abby looked so beautiful and her talent ,En Pointe Ballet number was very good (yep, in Grandma and Papa's eyes anyway.)   She didn't win this time, but of course she's a winner to us!  And I'm sure she will go again next year and try again.

I had an eye appointment this morning first thing.  This is my month and year to renew my driver's license, and I knew I couldn't pass the eye test as given at the testing site.  I failed it eight years ago, and went crying to my optometrist.  He told me to bring the paper to him and let him test me, so I did, that year and then four years ago.  Well--this time he is really concerned about my sight, as I have been also, for some time now.  He said there has been a marked decline in the past six months.  But I see a big difference in my vision from morning to afternoon, so he had me come back at 2:00, and I did better.  He will call me tonight or in the morning to tell me what he has decided.  The scariest thing is that I am seeing double at times, and I know that if it gets worse I will have to give up my driving privileges.  That would really curtail my lifestyle, but I will do what I must, when that time comes.  Of course I will appreciate prayers about this matter.  I am believing for God to heal my eyes so I may continue serving Him and enjoying a full life.  I'm not borrowing trouble--I am confident that it will be all right.

Next big thing on our agenda is hosting family reunion next month.  We want to have it while John is here, so are planning it for July 12 and 13.  Lots of work to do to get ready for that!

Sorry to talk so much about me---I did read all your good and interesting posts, and the devotional as well---thanks, Jane!  And I will talk about other stuff next time!  (I promise.)

Thanks for sharing that moving story, Larry. It was my first time to read it and I was so touched!!

Janet, you are one of the busiest people I've ever known.  Do you ever stop to take a breath?   

Mario, it's good to see you taking part in this topic.  I hope we'll be seeing you here more often.    

Larry, I really enjoyed reading that story again, so thanks for posting it.  I remember a similar one about a boy whose Dad was blind and always wanted to see his boy play football.  Inspiring and touching stories.

After a cool, windy and rainy day yesterday, the weather is lovely today.  We got started in the garage, and I asked Darrel to hand me something--I was upstairs, he was down; I meant for him to hand it to me on the landing, but he came up three steps to give it to me, then fell as he went back down.  He hurt his shoulder, and is now lying down.  I think (hope) it is just bruised, but he thinks he may need X-rays.  What can they do except wrap it up?  I don't know.....

It has been raining over a wide area from Texas to Oklahoma, to Kansas and Nebraska, and I am really hoping the terrible drought is broken.  Please, god!

I don't have much to say, and I have already said it, so---bye!

Larry:  What a heart warming story.
Janet:  you are a wonderful lady and I sure trust that your eyes will improve.
Jeanne, Mario, & Pat good to see you here.

We have been away ourselves as we had got a phone call to tell us that Mel's first cousin had suddenly passed on. It was a 3 1/2 hr drive one way to Bancroft then the same home at the end of the day. On our way home we saw 3 deer and a wild turkey standing at the side of the road, we have animal whistles mounted on the veh. and judging by the look of the animals we are sure that is what kept the wild life out of harms way.

Just welcomed my 16th great grandchild ...

Congratulations Jane

Hi, friends,

My struggles in getting here come from trying to stay awake at night long enough to read and comment.

I've really enjoyed your comments, making note of Jane's grandchildren, Marilyn's class, Larry getting work done on their computers, Janet's art class and Darryl's fall, Carol and Ruth and Mario's comments, and others who may have skipped my memory. It's so good to be awake this evening long enough to catch up.

May our Lord bless each of you richly,

Ruth Ann

Jane, what a sweetie!  And 16 great grandchildren?  Wow!  I'm waiting for my first two (twin boys) in another couple of months! 

Hi everyone.  We have a cloudy and cool morning here in Georgia.  I was gone all morning with Bible study after coffee and then a time of fellowship with friends at Dunkin Donut.  I will be taking it easy the rest of the day.  I feel a lot better today than I did yesterday as not so exhausted. 

Janet, sorry to hear of Darrel's fall off the ladder. 

Ruth, a seven hour drive is a long day on top of a funeral. Sure glad the animals left you all alone on your trip. 

Jane, cute great grandchild.  That is a lot of great grands.  Do you have an difficulty in remembering all of the names?  I think I would.  You have been richly blessed. 

Ruth Ann, glad you were able to stay awake long enough to post.  You must have been overdoing during the day. 

Jeanne, how neat to be getting twin great grandchildren. 

Jane, what a darling baby!  I have three great-grands, and do not expect to ever have 16 of them!  As Larry said, you are blessed.

Thanks for the kind words, Ruth, they are appreciated.

About my eyes--after three trips to the eye doctor's, I did get my drivers' license renewed.  Whew!  So I'm good for another four years, if all goes well.

Darrel is feeling better today, still sore, but moving around more easily.  If he feels up to it, we will go to Garden City tomorrow for some things we need.

What do you folks think of the hundreds of illegal kids being dumped into our country?  What is going on?  Who is responsible for this outrage?  And what can we do about it?  Poor kids; I feel they are just pawns in some crazy scheme being perpetrated on the American taxpayers.

I'm so glad GOD is in control!

Thanks, folks ... Jeanne I only gave birth to 3 daughters ... they, in turn, produced 5 girls and 3 boys ... 8 grandkids.   All the rest have been the product of those 8. 

Larry, it isn't difficult remembering their names because I think of them in association with their parents:
Grandson Tim has 3 boys; Dave has 4 boys and a girl; Tricia has a boy and a girl; Laura has a boy; Candice (the mother of this newborn) has 2 girls and a boy; Becky has a girl, and Jessica has a boy. 

Tim's oldest just graduated from high school .... hopefully it will be a while before the great, great grands  begin showing up.   

Hi everyone.  It looks like we will have a nice day.  We had two or three brief showers last evening, which were welcome.  This is the morning I get to go back to the dentist and have the two new permanent crowns put in.  I also will make a stop at Walmart for a few items and probably eat a good lunch out.

Pat has a full afternoon planned with two of her friends.  They are visiting two new quilt shops, one which is about and hour away from here.  I think they plan to meet for lunch and then hit the quilt stores.  She will be beat by evening so we decided last night to have a good lunch and then just a sandwich for dinner this evening. 

Janet, glad you were able to get your driver's license and it sounds like it was quite an ordeal for you.  Glad to read Darrel was feeling better yesterday. 

Janet, I feel we cannot be the caregivers or all of the troubled people in the world.  I feel for the children and parents who are so desperate to protect their children.  However, we are a country living on borrowed time as we are broke.  I don't want to be political here but do have some thoughts about what is going on and they aren't pretty.  Like you I am God is in control and this is part of his plan for us.

Jane, I would have to use a system to remember all of those names.  When we had our own children we could never have anticipated where this life would take any of us with blessings and also problems to strengthen us. 

Jane I use the same system to remember all the names of my grands and greats.

Today we began a series on God Loves Women, very interesting  scripture references. I am really enjoying the class. Today we had 8 in attendance. doubled from last week, I must be doing something right. I could say more about it but won't get into the details.

We had a crazy day yesterday at the clinic, it is kitten season so we had 3 pregnant females 4 lactating females as well as  about a dozen kittens to have surgery.  Oh boy what a day the total surgeries was 39. with 6 being dogs. I was so tired when I got off work I stopped at Subway to buy a sub for supper. Didn't even read any of my email last night, just  kind of vegged out in front of the TV for a couple of hours before going to bed.

We just got home from Garden City, got the van unloaded and everything put away.  Darrel was moaning and groaning and very tired. 

We purchased a mop bucket with a "squeezer" on it, so that should make the job of mopping the garage easier.  I am not looking forward to that!

I learned since my last posting that 'someone' (?) is putting out ads in the central American countries about sending their kids here, that they will be well provided for, get an education, have great entertainment, etc.  So the parents are trusting the smugglers and paying huge prices to have them bring the kids here.  Many are molested or raped along the way; some are sold into sex slavery.  It's a horrible situation, and there are already thousands of unaccompanied minors here!  They estimate by next year, the count will be over 100,000!  We CANNOT take care of all of them!  As Larry said, we are already broke!  Lord, I pray for wisdom for those in positions to do something about this outrage!  I really believe this is another sign of the end times.

I must get busy again tomorrow on cleaning in the garage, time is getting short!  We have only one month from today till the reunion!

We ate at Applebee's today, and I had one of their new strawberry-avocado salads.  It was delish!  Darrel had fish and cole slaw, with cocktail sauce instead of tartar sauce.

We discovered today that the hail broke a small window out of our 5th wheel trailer, also busted the cover over the bathroom fan, and blew the tag holder and tag clean away!  We looked for but didn't find it!  We have this year's sticker to go on the tag, but now have no tag!  Wonder what they will charge for another tag?  Hmmm...

See you fine folks in the morning, probably!

Hi, there, friends,

I'm sort of breezing through, since someone has given me an assignment.

Y'all have a wonderful day with our Lord.

Ruth Ann

What a lovely great grandchild, Jane!

So precious!!!

Hi everyone.  Expecting a very quiet day today as have nothing on the schedule except to go to coffee at the Senior Center.  Pat had a good time yesterday going out to lunch with two of her friends and then they visited two different quilt shops.  She finally found the backing material she wanted for the two identical quilts she is making as spread for our adjustable beds.  She came home exhausted after about a 5 hour jaunt.  She had a good nights sleep and feels much better this morning.  We have the chance for some scattered showers and a temp in the low 80's today.

Marilyn, it sounds like you all were overwhelmed at the clinic.  Do people just walk in without appointments?  Hope you got a good nights sleep.  It sounds like the word must have been spread about your Bible study class to have the attendance doubled in just one week.

Janet, I heard the same information about the children being sent to this country.  If we don't enforce our own laws what can we expect.  There is also concern about diseases being brought into the country with these children.  And now our military efforts in Iraq seem to be in peril of being for naught.  Cleaning your garage sounds like a not very pleasant chore.  Didn't you have this reunion at your place last year or the year before?

Ruth Ann, hope the work on your assignment goes well.

Larry people have to have appointments but some people will bring in more cats than they were scheduled for and that makes for a very busy day.