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Morning Devotional...



Troubled by Trouble?

When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet.
Mark 13:7

Recommended Reading
Mark 13:5-13


The newspapers are filled with troubling stories—frightening pandemics and deadly viruses; radical extremists swallowing vast chunks of the Middle East; biblical standards collapsing in a culture that no longer fears the Lord. But remember, these things are predicted in advance. Notice that Jesus didn't say "If you hear...," but "When you hear...." Trouble will come, yet our Lord told us not to be troubled by trouble.


The Psalms teach us the same lesson. Ponder these verses: "In the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion.... This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.... God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.... Trouble and anguish have overtaken me, yet Your commandments are my delights... Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me."  (Psalm 27:5; 34:6; 46:1; 119:143; 138:7).

It's not if but when. Yet God's answer to trouble is trust; our answer to fear is faith.


From "Today's Turning Point" by Dr. Davd Jeremiah

Hi, Friends,

Jeanne, I enjoyed that devotional.  And, I trust that someone will put a link to this forum from the one that was active last week.

I got to go to church, then had a leisurely afternoon with lunch with 2 separate sets of friends, then a talk with one of my sons on the phone. Now, I'm resting a bit.

Y'all have a good rest of the day.

Ruth Ann

Ruth Ann, I am sure I did put a link in last week's topic, but it seems the cyber gremlins have been at work and it disappeared.  Thank you for bringing it to my attention and I'll take care of it right away.

Thanks, so much, for the devotional thoughts for this week, Jeanne ... I really appreciate all that goes into keeping this site running and everything you and the other administrators do .....

I must let y'all know that my daughter, Joy, called me this afternoon.  She sounded so GREAT and said she is feeling good.  She still has limited energy, and some pain left from her surgery, but is doing very well otherwise.  She had her first appointment with the oncologist, and was told her pancreatic cancer was stage 3a ... he said "well, that's better than 3b, isn't it?"  The next appointment is Wednesday, when he will discuss the "very mild" chemo treatment she will need.     She, and I, believe there is nothing to "fight" because the Whipple took care of all the cancer.  This will just be sort of a "mop up" of any lingering cells. 

She says she eats well ... 1/2 a sandwich at a time, but often .... raw food is difficult, and causes pain, so salad is a chore, but I reminded her the Nutritionist said that when she saw her in the hospital.  It's really anything goes, just low fat.

A little side note: when the doctor came into the room, he shook hands with John and then Joy hopped up on the table ... he was surprised because he had expected that John was the patient.  Joy looks so well and healthy, and John looked like he needed a doctor!    

We are praising the Lord for His merciful goodness and enduring love ... Some of Joy's friends have checked out Cancer Centers of America, and given her all the info she'll need to go there for a second opinion.  Joy was searching the internet for articles on beating pancreatic cancer, and the recommended diets and treatments offered .... she got so depressed and stressed that she was getting sick, and told John he could do the reading because she just could not go through that .... She has decided to believe there is no need to go any further than where she is now ... she'll see what this oncologist has to say on Wednesday, and take his advice, but probably will not look for a second opinion.  We BELIEVE that she is cancer free and on her way to a full and healthy future! 

Hi everyone on a foggy Monday morning here in South Carolina.  However, it is suppose to get up to 73 degrees this afternoon, which will be much appreciated.  I hope to get  driver's license today and perhaps the blood tests and x-rays that Pat and I need to have soon shortly.  I want to attend a meeting at noon today if the schedule works out.  We went to church yesterday morning and heard a powerful message.  We then went out for lunch and later in the afternoon did more work on Pat's sewing room, getting it much more organized and her sewing machine put back into it's cabinet. 

Jeanne, thanks for that very timely Devotional thought for this week.  There are certainly plenty of troubles all over the world and in our own country. 

Ruth Ann, sounds like you had a very enjoyable Sunday. 

Jane, what great news regarding your daughter feeling so much better and sure the doctors don't want to take any chances they didn't get all of the cancer so doing the chemo treatments. 

Jane, thanks for that wonderful update on Joy's condition.  I'll just continue keeping her in God's hand.   

Sitting in our motel room here in Kissimmee, Florida and it was so good to read the devotional this week.  This is a great place.  It's a very, very old Howard Johnson with three floors and we like to have the top floor with no noise above us.  The swimming pool is amazing.  They keep it at 82 decrees 24 hours a day!  There are many Canadians here--one couple from my city of Guelph and their friends from Orangeville (where Ian lives). 

We leave here tomorrow headed to Beverly and Chapin Pratt's home in The Villages for one night and then on out to Pensacola, Florida to stay with Paul's son and family for a week.  Hopefully we'll be meeting up with Larry and Pat as well on this little trip.

We've had two great visits with Paul's elder brother and his wife up north of Orlando.

Again, Jeanne, thanks for the great devotional.

Good to see you posting here, Pat, and glad you're getting a break from this year's "super" winter while you hook up with friends and family.   

Hi, friends,

It was a good day most of the day, until I got on the internet. Then, problems appeared. It seems after running some tests,  the computer needs a tuneup.

Y'all have a good day.

Ruth Ann

hello everyone, Jeanne great devotional today very timely considering the circumstances going on in the world today.

Jane Thanks for the update on Joy.

Pat nice to hear from you as well.

Not much new here today. Keith's cataract surgery is next week. Bebe is doing well she gets her sutures out on Wednesday.

As for me, all is well, I skipped the gym today because I went to the foot doctor and off to the farm store to purchase dog food.

Hi everyone on a very cloudy but not cold day.  Yesterday it got to 76 degrees but today will be in the low 60s.  No complaints about that.  We are to have some periods of rain today and tonight.  We finally had success and were able to get our driver's licenses.  So I think we should be through with the DMV for quite a long time.  They are good for 5 years and we just had to take an eye test.  Later we went to a meeting and got on the wrong road coming back so saw some of the country around here.  It was a beautiful day so was enjoyable to drive the extra miles and see the countryside.  We did stop and have a late lunch at KFC.  I have no particular plans for today.  I got up and got cleaned up for the day but then laid back down and read my email and the message boards postings. 

Pat, for about 20 years we had a timeshare at Kissimmee that was just outside the Disney property.  We went there the Saturday after Thanksgiving each year and the weather was usually great.  Glad you are enjoying your Florida vacation and we are certainly looking forward to having you visit us in a few days. 

Marilyn, is Keith dreading the cataract surgery or just looking forward to seeing better (perhaps a bit of both)?

Larry I think Keith was a little apprehensive at first  and that's why he kept putting off going to the eye Dr. but now he is looking forward to seeing much better and getting it over with. I believe his main concern was how much it was going to cost him since the only coverage he has is Medicare. he doesn't believe in insurance, says  why pay something every month that doesn't get used.  He even dropped the house insurance a couple of years ago. I keep after him to take out at least life insurance and tell him that someday he will wish he had health insurance, but I'm talking to a stone wall..

Don's cousins arrive tomorrow and all is ready here.  We are going in circles dealing with a bank but that is the usual happening unfortunately.  Bureaucracy is as bad as the government - well, it is all the rules set by the gov. anyway.  We just got in the door and now have to turn around in 20 minutes for "one more thing". 

Larry:  congrats on getting your licenses. 

Pat:  enjoy that pool as often as you can.  Have a safe trip and a wonderful visit with Larry and Pat. 

Ruth Ann:  I had to buy a new power cable after finally figuring out it wasn't fully charging and sometimes not charging at all.  Good wishes on your tech problem. 

What does Kissimmee mean?   

Hi everyone.  More clouds this morning but we are headed up to 80 this afternoon.  We had a pretty laid back day yesterday.  We did make a fast trip to Walmart to return a couple of items and to pick up a few things.  We then went to the local library and got new library cards and Pat and I each checked out a few items.  I dealt with a few more business items yesterday.  I received notice that there is a manufacturing problem with one of the leads in pacemaker and so will have to follow up on that today.  The last time I had it checked the tech mentioned something had shown up as not being just right but didn't feel it was a problem, but guess it may be.  The only plans we have so far for today are to attend a Wednesday night dinner at the church we attended Sunday and this starts at 5:30.  They have some classes afterwards but will have to make that decision as to whether to attend or not when the time comes.  With Daylight Savings starting soon we should be able to do the class and still get home before dark.

Marilyn, I would be a pauper today had I not had health insurance with all the expensive health problems we have had over the years.  I hope Keith's health holds out and he won't regret his decision. 

Carol, sorry to hear you are having problems with a bank.  I think I mentioned that my bank put a 14 day hold on the proceeds from the sale of our home in Georgia.  I was sure glad I wasn't depending on that to apply to my new home.  More government regulations prevent me from reinvesting those proceeds back into the investment account I took my down payment until March 9 if it is to be done electronically.  However, I could mail in a check.  That just makes no sense to me.  Your needing "just one more thing" sounds like the DMV.  I am sure Kissimmee is an Indian name but from what I found the origin is uncertain. 

I forgot to thaw some ground beef last night so it is slowly thawing on the stove's low heat.  Also, the new charger (made in China) for my iPod does not work.  Such a hassle these days. 

But..... the sky is just beautiful today with white fluffy clouds to accent the surrounding mountains.  It is cool but we can sit outdoors with jackets on for a while - later when cousins arrive.  Grateful to be here and so grateful friends and  family want to visit. 

Hi, friends,

Today was a recovery day fr me Tomorrow will be better, of that I'm sure.

Y'all, thanks for posting. It really makes life better to hear from my friends.

Love to all,
Ruth Ann

Hi everyone on another cloudy but warm 69 degree morning .  There is rain forecast periodically this morning and afternoon.  Our goal today is to get blood tests done and Pat's x-ray.  We are fasting this morning so will go as soon as we can.  Our son is coming over this morning to help with a few more projects.  Our DIL had dental work done last week and ended up with an infection but is now feeling better.  Yesterday evening we went to the evening meal at the Methodist church we have visited and then attended a Bible study conducted by the minister.  We enjoyed both very much and had an opportunity to meet the people at our dining table.  The people here are very friendly.  It was in the low 80's here yesterday and I sat out on my front porch and read a book for an hour or so and then my neighbor from across the street came over and we visited for awhile.  Very enjoyable.

Ruth Ann, sure hope today is better for you. 

Carol, I have had similar experiences with buying things that just won't work.  I had one thing I had to return to China, not a good thing to have to do, but the refund was more than the postage so went through the hassle.  Now I am careful to see things I buy off the internet come from American shippers in case they don't work. 

Hi, folks,

I'm back. I've been dealing with catching up on several websites since I was off the computer for a while.

Today, I read a really thought provoking quote in the Guideposts - it dealt with what if we awoke this morning with only the things we were thankful for yesterday. I've thought a lot about that today.

Essentially we are snowed in today. We got a couple of inches of ice/sleet, and then 3 inches of snow on top. In Kentucky, during a portion of the day, I-24 was closed from border to border because of the terrible weather up there.

Y'all have a good rest of the day.

Ruth Ann

Hi everyone on a cloudy but nice morning here in South Carolina.  Yesterday afternoon we had a brief period of very heavy rains and severe winds. It cooled off last night and is to only get to 50 degrees this afternoon but no rain in the forecast.  Yesterday as we drove to get the blood tests we saw that spring is starting here as we saw a couple of blooming trees in bloom and a batch of daffodils or jonquils and that the grass several places was very green and some of the trees are starting to bud.   Our son was over last evening and got Pat's big white hand quilted quilt up on the wall.  It is a tough job and there is a little bit more to do today if he can get back over here.  I would like to finish getting the pictures hung or put away as getting tired of seeing them waiting to be taken care of. 

Ruth Ann, I saw on the news the terrible mess they had in Kentucky closing I-24 and the 30 mile backup of cars.  That was a thought provoking quote you told us about. 

We're home--again!  Both of us are SO happy to be home  We left a week ago Sunday, and drove for two days on icy and snow-packed highways   It was a stressful time, as Darrel's brother left a $5 Million estate, and two greedy kids (not kids, really) who want it, want the house, and do not care what happens to their mother.  Julie was so happy to have our support and Darrel's financial advice.  But Don left things in such a manner that there was little Darrel could do to help.  So it's a mess, and likely to be fighting for years.  Sigh......  So sad, to have all that money, and not handle your affairs in a better way at the end.

Beth stayed well and was happy to see me again!  I need to go get her some Mexican food for supper, as she gets so tired of the institutional food, and the revolving menus at the care home.

I got to see my little GGdaughter Chelsea for a while today while her mom was at the chiropractor's.    She is a delight.

I missed all of you while we were away, glad to read your posts again.

Pat, have a wonderful time and soak up the sun!  I hope it is warm there; it sure wasn't in South Texas!

TTYL!

Hi, friends,

It's a day for better traffic flow and less ice and snow here in Nashville. It's hard to believe you have springtime already, Larry.

Janet, good to see you here, too. I'm saddened to learn there will be problems in Darrel's brother's family.

For all you who come to browse and not comment, know that God loves each one of us, and I love you, too!

Ruth Ann

Hi everyone.  I awoke to a bright sunshine filled day.  It did get down to 33 degrees last night but will warm up during the day.  We went to our Credit Union here and acquired a safe deposit box.  Another item off the check list.   We did go to Bed, Bath and Beyond so Pat could return a towel she had purchased and get some different color towels.  She really dislikes the color our spare bathroom is painted.  We plan on making a quick trip to COSTCO this morning to get a couple of new lamps for our spare bedroom.  I would like to finish putting up pictures on the walls today.  I am sure you are all getting tired of hearing me mention it and I am getting tired of having to do it. 

Janet, glad you are home again.  It is certainly sad when money causes such rifts in a family.  Is Darrel's brother's wife not the mother of the children?  I am a firm believer that children do not inherit until both the parents are gone.  They didn't help earn the money.  It is sad that a will couldn't have been made to avoid all of this disharmony.  Glad Beth got along fine while you were away.  I sure can understand her appreciating having some non-institutional food.  Even a few days in the hospital and one gets very tired of the food.  The last time I was in the hospital in Atlanta they had one menu and it apparently never changed.  UGH! 

Ruth Ann, I tell you the green grass and the flowering tree and the yellow flowers sure looked good.  Maybe the ice and snow will melt away up in your area today. 

John is busy making 2 inch wooden buttons for a friend's knitted project.  They are made of what up here is called Ironwood, other areas this is known as Black Elm.  We have a lot of this wood on our property. 

I have a chore I want to complete here and will be starting shortly then to start a knitted dress for my grand daughter.

Have a great day everyone and God bless.

I have been up since 4:00.  Darrel had a night sweat or a fever, and woke up wringing wet, so he got up.  I was concerned about him, so I got up, too.  He seems to be feeling better now.  I had a good time with the Lord, then called my sister Shirley and we had a good talk and got caught up on each other's lives.  Then I went to the Senior Center because they are having a garage sale today and had fresh cinnamon rolls, and I wanted one!  I picked up several items besides that ( ) so now I need to gather up at least an equal number of items to donate.  I don't want a house so stuffed with STUFF that it is a junk yard.  Now I am doing laundry and other household tasks.  Good Saturday! 

I really look forward to going to church tomorrow, even though we have to "Spring forward!"  The week just doesn't go as well when I miss church.

Larry--Yes, Julie is the mother of the kids.  Her daughter was nine when she married Don, then Deryk was born to them.  He did adopt the girl, too. (Julie was about 29 and he 25 years older when they married.  He said she was a little OLD for him!)  His finances have always been so convoluted that nobody but him could understand what he was doing.  He put EVERYTHING into an irrevokable trust, and Darrel was a trustee on that, along with Don and a niece who is an attorney.  Then he made a NEW trust with himself as sole trustee.  Shortly before his death, his lawyer called and told us they were attempting to get a vote of the trust committee to appoint a new trustee(s) before Don Died, but they didn't get it done in time.  Then the lawyer took it upon himself to appoint Julie and both the kids as co-trustees without even a vote!  He then sent a paper for Darrel to sign saying he was voting for that change.  Darrel did not and will not sign it!  It is just causing more problems.  I'm sorry--TMI.  It's just on my mind a lot, as I am concerned for Julie.  He had a will, in which he left Julie absolutely NOTHING!  He never treated her like a wife should be treated, not ever.  The will is worthless, because everything is in the trust.  Time will tell, I guess, but Julie is going to have to be really tough to keep those two from squandering it all!

This situation just shows so clearly the things money cannot buy:  happiness, health (not even one more day of life!) peace of mind, harmonious family relationships, respect, love.  Money, when not used according to the Word of God, can become a curse!  Okay, Janet is off her soapbox now.   

We have a lovely and warm day today, and the sunshine is so welcome!  Makes me want to go out for a walk!  Maybe I will do just that after while!    Who wants to go with me?  We can share about the goodness of the Lord while we walk!

I have some houseplants that really need to be pruned back.  I think I will do that today, too.  I already worked on those in the sunroom/library.

Blessings on each of you today!

Janet

It would be hard to forget, Marilyn.    Everywhere I turn there's a reminder - here, S&F in several topics, the TV news programs....  But thanks for the message.   

   Spring forward ...  Fall back ...
   

No clock changes in Arizona!   

I am sure that this is boring and repetitive as well - cousins (Dons) just left and wouldn't you know, one of my cousins & wife will be coming for a visit but at least I have two weeks this time.  We met all our neighbors outside a few hours ago as one neighbor next to us was taken away in an ambulance so everyone mentioned all our visitors.  Then, I had to say that some came in by airplane so they did not see all.  Feeling a bit off - Don is taking a serious nap and I am washing bedding. 

Judy:  There is an Ironwood in this state (Arizona) and I wonder if it is the same as what you mentioned. 

Janet:  How greedy can they get?  well, I was shocked and disappointed years ago with the same thing happening but just decided later to give thanks for our life and we did manage by ourselves and with the help of Lord.  It is amazing how some close relatives believe they should inherit every thing.

Every year, a brother calls and tells me he is coming for a visit and every single year his wife makes him cancel.  Once again.     She is afraid of anything different  - a snowy road, you name it.   

Hi everyone on a beautiful Sunday morning here in the south.  We are expecting 73 degrees by 5 pm today.  I will go to church in a few minutes but Pat is not going today.  She wasn't feeling very good yesterday and wants to take it easy today.  We were not successful in getting the lamps at COSTCO as they had sold out but Pat got some food items that will make some quick and delicious dinners for us.  I did reset the clocks this morning but did not forget about the time adjustment. 

Carol, your brother's wife sounds a lot like our former neighbor's wife who would not let her husband out of her site.  She was concerned about him and also afraid to be left alone.  It takes all types of people to make an interesting world.  Enjoy your two week hiatus from company and perhaps get a little relaxation in for yourselves. 

Carol Ironwood here looks like The White Elm that has not been destroyed by disease.  It is very slow growing.  John made some really beautiful buttons out of it, and used an oil to bring out the grain.  I will consider getting him to make some for the sweater I have yarn for.  The ones he made were 2 inch, I will need one inch.....a little more tricky,

The temperature is going up here, the South River is showing signs of thawing.  This coming week we are to be in the plus temperatures.  We have to get out and get out trails made into the bush to the maple trees.  I expect this coming weekend and March break we will be into the maple syrup.  It has taken us 19 years to have John home long enough to actually do this!  It will be a crazy time!  When the sap runs.....so do we!

Wonderful message on discipleship at church today.  We are all to be making disciples of those around us not just the clergy! 

Got to run