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Morning Devotional...





'As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.' John 9:4


Workers Used of God

In a close and final sense no one can do God's work. Nor does He turn His work over to others to do. He works in His people and through them, but always it is He who works.

Jesus said, "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working" (John 5:17); and Paul said, "It is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose" (Philippians 2:13).

This is not to teach that men should not work. One has but to run his eyes over the pages of the Bible casually to become convinced that God intends His people to work. He put the man in the Garden of Eden "to work it and take care of it" (Genesis 2:15). Our Lord was a carpenter and He chose active men for His first disciples. The book of Proverbs has some scathing things to say about the sluggard who loafs away his days in careless indolence only to have poverty come upon him at last like an armed man (Proverbs 6:11).

Satan smiles when after God has used a believer to do some of His work that believer directly or indirectly takes credit for it. If we ask the Lord to use us and He does, let's remember that it is He who is working through us.


Father, it amazes me that You would use someone as weak and imperfect as me to do Your work. When You do, may I not forget that the glory belongs to You.

From Devotions By Dr. Tozer

Thank you Don for this reminder.

I am all ready for church on race day in Indiana.  Truthfully, I had forgotten it was race day until I turned on my radio and instead of music it was the commentators at Speedway.  The race hasn't been the same since they changed something years ago.  You can't even pronounce the driver's names anymore and some don't even speak English!

It is overcast and a 20% chance of rain this afternoon.  I hope it holds off.  I don't like to mow on Sunday but it is 50% chance of rain tomorrow and I can't mow after that since I am going to Nashvlle, Indiana, Wednesday!

Hi everyone on a beautiful, sunny morning in Georgia.  It looks like a perfect holiday weekend, weather-wise, here in our area.  Happy to say that around 5 pm yesterday I began to feel like my normal self so hope things are back on track.  We will go to church this morning and out to lunch somewhere.  I have no idea of how many of our lunch group will be at church since this is a holiday weekend.  We have another guest minister this morning.  Stacey was feeling better yesterday and Pat also talked with hour DIL and things are OK over their way. 

Judy, glad you got better news on John's retirement.

Etta Sue, that sounds like a very nice re-charger for your phone.   Did you go to the HP website to look for drivers for your printer?  You have to be careful anymore that other sites pick up the free drivers and then try to sell them to people who are looking for them when they are usually free at the manufacturer's site.  I got notice that the website Flicr   .com is now giving a terabyte of free storage for photos and videos. There are some other alternatives also where you can access your photos on your phone from a cloud storage place on wi-fi or a data plan.  I use the Photo app available from Google and it works well. 

Pat and Jane, thanks for sharing that video.  I did add a caption suggestion. 

janet, glad you are home.  I am looking forward to hearing about your trip after you have a chance to rest up.  I can't imagine a 47 hour trip without sleep.   I am sure Beth was very happy to see you back.

Don, thanks for the devotional thoughts for this week. Work is so important. 

Good Sunday morning to y'all.   

Thanks, Don, for the devotional thoughts for this week.  I've always held to this belief ... too many times I've seen someone take credit for something God has done through them.  Just because He uses you once is no reason to "hang out your shingle" and claim you have such and such a gift or ministry!   My opinion, only. 

Larry, I have had many comments (and shares) on that video after I posted it on Face Book .... it really is touching a lot of lives this holiday.   

Good thoughts for this week, Don.  I find I have little (or no) patience with lazy people or those who just want to "live on the dole."  I like the verse that states, "If a man will not work, neither should he eat!"

We took Beth to church this morning.  Pastor was gone, so we had a video.  It was the last in the series The Blessed Life by Robert Morris.  Really good!

I don't think I am as jet lagged as I usually am after a long trip, but just now I am getting very sleepy.  I do want to write up a report on the trip.  I hesitate to post the whole thing on here (It will be long!) but will ask for those who wish to read it to ask me to email it to them.  That is, unless most of you are interested, in which case I will post it, and those not interested can scroll on by!

I'm happy to say we missed a lot of dirty weather while we were away.  They had one day of over 80 MPH winds!!  And we had a garage full of dirt to prove it.  We were told the wind blew almost every day we were away.  UGH.

I have tons of photos I would love to share.  I want to get someone to teach me how to do a power point presentation so I can share with a few groups.

One thing I loved was my very first hot air balloon ride.  It was awesome!!  We were in the Cappadocia region, and could see so many of the fantastic tufa formations below.  That probably needs more explanation, which I will do when I have pictures to show you.

More to follow, for sure!

                              I know the day is over half over but....

Welcome home, Janet!  I would love to read of your trip ... either email or posted here. 

I'm glad you got to experience the hot air balloon ride.  I took Tom on one for his birthday, one year.  We had a lot of fun ... over the Napa Valley in California.  They even had a small birthday cake and champagne when we landed!   

I have managed to accomplish all my chores goals for this weekend, so now I can continue to play on the computer.  I burned up (another) teakettle last night so had to get another one today.  I got a whistler this time, so maybe I can keep from destroying this one.     I've done a little grocery shopping, and taken the garbage to the dumpster .... now I will just relax for a spell. 

Funny thing about that teakettle  ... I smelled it burning, but figured it was my neighbor barbequing! 

Jane:   I do not burn kettles only pots with food (let them boil dry)

Janet : It is wonderful you are home safe and sound

Judy:  I have a friend that has been living without benefits all because her hubby's company went bankrupt.  He was a little on the lucky side 65 plus but because she is the one in need of coverage and at the time not even 55 and unable to work it has been rough but they are making it through.

Larry:  It is good that you do a daily entry. 

Now about me. I have gotten a little help from a new chiro. for my knee so sad when you get referrals from a friend and not the medical system.   I went to a baby shower on sat. Mom to be got a lot of needed gifts but but she got only 3 home made gifts mine and Sue's being 2 mine was a blanket which got many stand out praises and also Sue had knit a hoodie very beautiful as well.
For those of you that might be wondering my hair color is now back to normal.

Judy, you asked if we had more flooding. The lake is getting higher, but so far is okay. My husband is still cleaning up down at the lake ... it's a long job.
My sister was unable to have chemo again last week as her immune system is too low. We're praying that she will be able to have it this Thursday. God is in control and we know that we can rest in Him through this.
I've had a busy week again. Today one of the older women in our church called us this morning to say she wouldn't be able to come to church because she was so dizzy. I ended up going in and taking her to the hospital and have spent all day at the hospital with her. The Dr. thinks it's benign paroxysmal vertigo. But he wants to have a CT scan done so that they can rule out any stroke issues. She's never been in the hospital except when she had kids, so this is a trying experience for her.
Have a good week, everyone!

Betty:  Sorry about your sister not able to have her chemo.  Our good neighbor has been on chemo regimen for over a year now and there have been times just like your sister when they have delayed the chemo.  They know so much more about chemo treatments now - blessings to you and her. 

A hard working family is always interesting and I grew up in that scenario.  There is one family member who somehow skipped the work gene - unbelievable.  The message about work in the bible is really strong - I don't recall it being mentioned for many years in sermons.  After the tornado damage in OK and other areas, it was sad to read the comments from some politicians and others criticizing and blaming Christians for their tragedies of weather damage.  On the other hand, so uplifting to read the words of those who actually lived through the storm.  They prayed - and, oh did they pray hard.  Now they are already working.  What a concept!   

Good morning
and Welcome Back Janet  A hot air balloon ride sounds so peaceful and interesting. 

Well, I have been up for two hours.  We will start our drive today but Don apparently slept poorly last night so he is still snoozing.  We will just mosey on down the road today with plans to just take a much easier trip back to Minnesota this time.  More sightseeing.  I still remember the first trip we drove and Don asking me if I would like to actually stop and see a little Danish town off the road - it was so unlike our regular drives to ever stop and now we do pay more attention to what is on the side of the freeway. 

 

Hi everyone on another bright and sunny day here in Georgia.  We are going to get up to 84 degrees today.  We had a very laid back session at McDonald's this morning with 9 guys there.  We spent about 90 minutes there rather than our usual 60 minutes or so.  My men's lunch group is going to a bar-b-que place for lunch and then I have a meeting to attend this evening so it will be a normal day for me on Monday.  Hope you all enjoy the last day of the holiday weekend as we honor our service men and women.

Jane, thanks for the comment on the video.  It is certainly one that needs to be seen by our younger generation and it is good for all of us to be reminded of the sacrifices made by so many to protect our countries from tyranny.

Janet, I recommend you post it here so it can be shared by others.  Glad you are not so jet-lagged.   I have never had a hot air balloon ride but it sounds awesome and I see that Jane has also experienced one.   

Ruth, glad to hear that the chiropractor is helping you.  Stacey sees one twice a month and gets some feeling in her legs although it doesn't last long but gives her some relief as she has a messed up back.  Pat has used one many times in the past but not presently.  I think home-made gifts are particularly nice.

Carol, like you I grew up in a family that worked very hard and came away with a strong work ethic.  I was happy when my folks sold the farm and moved to town and could enjoy a less hectic life although they managed to stay busy.  I hadn't heard about the Christians being blamed for the tornado damage which is just ridiculous as it is that one political party is responsible, which I have heard.  Hope you can have a nice leisurely trip and have a great time in Minnesota.

Betty, now nice of you to take your friend to the hospital and stay with her.  I know she must really appreciate your thoughtfulness and help.   Hope your sister is able to have her treatment this week. 

good morning,  Welcome Home Janet.
Not much new here it is raining and I am going to work in spite of  a lot of back bain/hip pain. I am not going to the gym today, I don't think I can do much exercise.

Jane did you get a whistling tea kettle this time.

Janet~I forgot to mention...Glad you are home.  I would love to go on a hot air balloon ride but would like to ride over my house and the land where I know.  I don't know of any service that does home calls for hot air balloons!

Against my normal standards, I mowed my grass after eating out after church yesterday.  I am glad I did.  It rained last night and looks like rain any second today. 

And I managed to get a nap in after mowing! 

Not much news today other than now I don't have anything on my schedule to do today!  Tomorrow is my busy day...pool, pedicure, gel fill on nails, SAMS at Applebee's at noon, 'Meal on Us' at 5pm!  Then Wednesday I will leave around 1:30pm and go to Cornerstone Inn in Nashville with 11 other classmates!

Good afternoon from sunny southern Ontario.

I have been doing a little of this and that. I had been out talking with our new neighbor that is building a new home next to us. A very nice fellow that will do anything to help you.  Mel's little trailer needs some tender loving care along with some advise, the new neighbor has offered to help him with the work.  We cannot ask for anything better. 

About the work ethic our son does hot hesitate to tell someone even family to get a job and not be lazy.

I think that it is almost time for a cup of tea.   :tea:

Marilyn, you must not have read my post yesterday:

QuoteI burned up (another) teakettle last night so had to get another one today.  I got a whistler this time, so maybe I can keep from destroying this one.   

Etta Sue, when in the hot air balloon, it is very quiet.  We went over some homes, and could hear the conversations of people on the ground.  We told them we were "roof inspectors"    The reason is that you are riding on the wind rather than against the wind ... you don't even feel a breeze. Great fun, but Tom said afterwards he would rather have gone hang gliding or in a glider plane. (Geesh, never satisfied!   )

Well today has been long and hot.  We have out garden just about all planted.  Just potatoes to put in, There was Dentist appointments for both of us, that is an expense even if you have coverage.      Our coverage is 80%....Oh well, this needs to be done as well 

We have had sunny weather all weekend, today no breeze to blow the blackflies away.     Those pesky flies just about ate us up!.  We are looking forward to the dragonflies to come out, they have a feast with the mosquitoes and blackflies.   

John leaves in the morning, hopefully I will meet him on Friday to take a trip down  to Lake Erie.  I'm looking forward to that.  I will have my camera and have some play time!  However before I go I will have an assignment to hand in as well as a test to write.   One final assignment before the final exam, and woohoo I will be done!   

Kassie has given me her dog back.  It wasn't working out.    There is a bark contraption that John is going to pick up which is supposed to curb the barking.  Ppl do work full time with dogs, this should work out if given enough time   

Gotta go and get John's meals ready.

Jane I was reading  but also in a lot of pain will I was reading, So I guess I just missed it.

I just did a search on Google to find out what bird John and I were having great enjoyment watching...  It was a Western Meadowlark!

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Western_Meadowlark/id  It was amazingly fun to see their antics, as they frolicked in the field.

We had time to sit and enjoy burning the brush and watching the birds, Robins, hawks, and any others.

Good Morning everyone!  I am up earlier than usual, was to bed earlier than usual!

It is a beautiful day here, Looks like a light cloud cover, however warm.

John has gone so I am back cracking the books.  2 assignments to go and one test before the exam.... Back later.

I called Gord today, and he has had problems posting into Thoughts.  Pat he will need your help.

Here is a link to the problem they are dealing with.  They also have their daughter's child to care for on top of all this.

Hi everyone.  It is a beautiful, low humidity, pleasant temp morning but will warm up by this afternoon. The lawn people are here early this morning.  I may make a quick trip to the grocery store for a couple of items but think that will be it for today.  I did have an enjoyable lunch with three of my friends yesterday at the bar-b-que place.  This place will let us order the child's portion pork sandwich, which is just the right size for a couple of us.  The big sandwich is just too much to eat at one time.

Marilyn, does your back react to the rainy weather?  Hope you are feeling better today.

Etta Sue, what is a gel fill on your nails?  I have never heard of such a thing.  Hope your meal at Appleby's will be as enjoyable as ours was on Sunday.  I had the new Fiesta Salad.  Has it been a years since you went to Nashville with classmates or maybe I am remembering your outing with your church ladies. 

Ruth, sounds like you will have a very nice neighbor when he gets his new home built.

Jane, I have a friend who was going hang gliding this last weekend.  He had to take some lessons at a place up in the mountains suited for hang gliding.   

Judy, I found over the years that the dentist gets you either now or later.  Pat has an appointment at noon today with a new dentist.  It is a 90 minute appointment as expects to have some work done that is needed and may need a new crown.  I know you are glad to get your garden in for the season.  Now the work of maintaining it begins.  So sorry to read of Noreen's falling and the problem with her new knee. 

Hi Everyone...

It's a rainy day here today.  Yesterday it was a lovely day.  I cut half the lawn and Paul did the other half yesterday.  As I get older, I feel my lawn is getting larger!  HAHAHA! 

I'm so sorry to read of Noreen's fall.  That's not good at all.  Poor Noreen has had so many problems over the years. 

Good to have you home, Janet.  What you should do is open a topic in the Photos area and title it "Turkey" or something and then post your photos in that topic every so often. 

I forgot to say, Don, that the devotional this week is spot on!  Wonderful.  Thanks for it.  (I really like Dr. Tozer's writings).

Larry it could be the rain but this only happens to my back every few months. I do have arthritis but the Celebrex for the Arthritis isn't doing anything for my back the Aleve did do anything either. I just have to live with it until it goes away which it will.

I was very sad when I came home from work yesterday. One of the kitties passed away on the recovery bed which I an another lady were tending. The Doctor tried to revive her but couldn't, he did do a Necropsy to see why she died and it was pneumonia. So we were not at fault in any way.  But I sure prayed for that kitty while they were trying to revive her.

Sniffle, sniffle.  My daughter Alice has been here visiting since last Thursday and left to go home to North Carolina just before noon today.     We had such a wonderful visit.  She's going to stop over in New Jersey at my son Ken's for tonight and finish the drive tomorrow.  I've been alone here for 8 years and I love it, but this afternoon the house feels soooo empty!

I have had more news from Gord and I have updated the prayer request.

Marilyn it is sad to see a fur baby die.

Jeanne it was good that you had time with your daughter.  It is always sad to see our kids leave when they live far away.