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Morning Devotional...

"The Benefit of Trials"
Alistair Begg

The tested genuineness of your faith.
1 Peter 1:7



Untested faith may be true faith, but it is sure to be small faith, and it is likely to remain little as long as it is without trials. Faith never prospers so well as when all things are against her: Tempests are her trainers, and bolts of lightning are her illuminators.

When a calm reigns on the sea, spread the sails as you will, the ship does not move to its harbor; for on a slumbering ocean the keel sleeps too.

Let the winds rush and howl, and let the waters lift themselves, though the vessel may rock and her deck may be washed with waves and her mast may creak under the pressure of the full and swelling sail, it is then that she makes headway toward her desired haven.

No flowers are as lovely a blue as those that grow at the foot of the frozen glacier; no stars gleam as brightly as those that glisten in the midnight sky; no water tastes as sweet as that which springs up in the desert sand; and no faith is so precious as that which lives and triumphs in adversity.

Tested faith brings experience. You could not have believed your own weakness if you had not been compelled to pass through the rivers; and you would never have known God's strength if you had not been supported in the flood.

Faith increases in quality, assurance, and intensity the more it is exercised with tribulation. Faith is precious, and its trial is precious too.

Do not let this, however, discourage those who are young in faith. You will have trials enough without seeking them: The full portion will be measured out to you in due course.

Meanwhile, if you cannot yet claim the result of long experience, thank God for what grace you have; praise Him for that degree of holy confidence you have now attained: Walk according to that rule, and you will still have more and more of the blessing of God, until your faith will remove mountains and conquer impossibilities.

Pat, thank you for that inspiring, thought-provoking devotional.  The sermon this morning at church was on praising God, and dedicating ourselves and all we own to the service of our Lord. I had missed 3 Sundays because of this ligament problem, so being able to go was truly like a thirsty person finally getting to drink cool water once again!

May our Lord bless and keep y'all in the circle of His embracing love,

Ruth Ann

Hi everyone.  It is a lovely sunny and reasonably warm morning here in Georgia.  We had eleven guys at coffee this morning and lingered a little longer than normal as all were enjoying the conversations.  We had a nice day yesterday except our lunch at Appleby's wasn't the greatest.  They served my salad and the one for the lady across from me without dressing.  We eventually got dressing but it took quite a while.  It took almost two hours after church before we got home.  Just normal activities on the schedule for today.

Carol, Pat makes a dressing for the broccoli/cauliflower salad with 1/3 cup Miracle Whip or mayonnaise, 1/3 cup Splenda or sugar and two tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar. She also puts in bacon and green onions.  Of course the bigger the salad may require more dressing.     It is a lot of work to cut up the vegetables but is really good.

Janet, they had brought up a good many Christmas Child Shoeboxes to the front of the church and had the children's time related to them.  It is a wonderful project.  Last year I filled a box but took it with me to the store to be sure what I bought fit and that the box would be full.  It was a lot of work and this year neither Pat nor I felt up doing the shopping for made contribution to the Fund to help with the postage costs.  It seems everyday we hear of new outrages in our schools and have to wonder where is the common sense?  Nice that your youth pastor is going to share in the joy of his marriage with the reception at your church.  I see that Denver gave the Kansas City Chiefs there first loss of the season.

Pat, thanks for the devotional. My Pat commented this morning as just how strong do we need to be with the continued test of the adversities.  I always keep in mind that God will not give us more than we can endure and we gain strength from each new adversity if we put our trust in God. 

Ruth Ann, we have been having a series of sermons at our church on "when is enough".  Yesterday was on the subject of time and that all things are possible in God's time.  Glad you were able to make it to church yesterday. 

Thanks for the good thoughts for the week, Pat.  And I hope every one of your weeks is off to a great start!

OUCH.  I have no idea why, but I can barely get around today.  My lower back is really hurting.  So I went to the gym and did a lot of stretching (after I warmed up on the treadmill.)  Maybe I slept in a wrong position, I don't know.  I haven't done any heavy lifting or anything like that.  I am confident this will pass quickly.

Larry, as you have shown us, a giving, generous heart can always find ways to help even if the body isn't up to doing a lot.  Bless you---and Pat, too.

I guess I will go see if Darrel is at the Sr. Center--he went to his financial adviser and the bank hours ago and hasn't come home.   

See you later!

Ho hydro no heat no water no lights.  We have candles, birds that can't have candles lit around them.  No way to heat up food....unless the little camp heaters work.

The earliest we will have power is 11 tonight that will be 24 hours since it went out.

Yikes, Judy!  How do you use computer with no power?  That's a long time to be dark, cold and hungry.  Hope they hurry and get it back on!

My back is feeling better, and I am thankful. 


If you have one eye on yesterday and one eye on tomorrow, you're going to be cockeyed today.

What a race since leaving Guelph on Saturday morning!  Arrived in Winchester late at night.  Church in the morning yesterday.  Then we left for Tappihannock, Virginia to stay in a motel for the night in order to go and see Lorraine and Rolf (Paul's brother) for the day today.  I had a belated  birthday gift for Lorraine and one of my photos taken from their living room window for the both of them.  We had it printed on canvas and it's 30 in. x 20 in. and they love it.  We've just got in the door.  Tomorrow Paul has an appointment in the D.C. area so I will rest!

Hi everyone.  It looks like it wil be another sunny and nice day.  Yesterday was just right getting ot 70 degrees with a nice light wind.  In about 45 minutes I am meeting a friend for breakfast and then will come home and get Pat to the church around 10 am where the butterbean baby doll makers are meeting to sew and create more little dolls for Christmas.  I will go on to my Tuesday morning meeting and then Pat and I may go over to Home Depot to get a refund on the range we purchased several days ago since it will not now be available until sometime in February.  We may look for another one before getting the refund.  If we do that we will probably eat lunch out and that will be a full day.

Janet, sure hope today finds you with a much improved back and see it was feeling better late yesterday.. 

Judy, is this due to a snow storm or some other problem with your utilities.  Hope your birds survive this.   

Pat, sometimes I think you sort of live on a treadmill as you are so busy and travel so much.  Hope you can rest up today.  The canvas gift sounds lovely. 

   Usually, I do this every morning and a bit of the stationary bike in the basement too.  Mornings are turning cold here and we have one medium nice day today before weather comes in from the mountains - which look beautiful snow-capped. 

Janet: Dry mustard is in the spice section.  For mom's egg salad, there is no recipe.  Just boil about 8 eggs, peel them later (I like to crack them and put them into ice water so the shell separates easier).  Chop in a bowl, add mayo to moisten, (Hellmans or Best) salt/pepper to taste and dry mustard a little at a time.  Chill.  Sorry about the Chief's - there were some nice on your team too.  Broncos did make a few flubs too but it turned out well for everyone here. 

Pat:  Glad you had a safe trip and at least have one day to rest. 

Larry:  Thanks for the dressing recipe. 

Thank  you for the Benefit of Trials message.  As I look back on some serious trials, there is always something good coming out it in the end so that is my focus.  Sure there will be more trials and tests of everyday living but the message is clear to always give thanks.

OK well we stayed in town most of the day yesterday, and I used Tim Horton's WIFI to get online, for the time i was online last night.  I bought a little  camp stove so I could heat up some stew I had left over, and water for a cup of tea.  We were in bed by 7.....unheard of for me, and about 8:30 the hydro came on.  John got up and lit the furnace and started the water.  About 45 minutes later he went back and put laundry in the dryer and stuffed the furnace.  Beauty....we were warm.  I couldn't sleep got up to the get Tylenol and back to bed.  Hydro was still working at 1:30 the last time I looked at the clock.  This morning we woke up to no hydro again.....I called the 1 800 number and they estimated noon we would have power back.  We'll see.  Again I am at Timmies.

Wow, Judy, you're both definitely dealing with trials right now.

I'm to meet with the foot doctor Thursday afternoon about treatment for my torn ligament.

At any rate, got some trash disposed of, and am now waiting to talk with my children on Skype.

Y'all have a good day.

Ruth Ann

Judy, by now I hope you have your hydro back and are all comfy cozy at home.  We lost power yesterday, but it was only for an hour.  If it had continued we would have had some major problems since that means no heat and no water. 

Yes they were accurate about the time, I stayed in town warm at Tim Horton's and by the time I got home The power was on.

Here are some pictures of our normally placid lake!

That's an angry looking lake, Judy.  Glad everything's back to normal.

That is an angry lake picture.  It looks like it could take out the dock.  Glad you (Judy) have your power once again. 

Not much if anything accomplished today except - we had visits with two of the children and I will drop anything to have some time with them.  Daughter was in between meetings so we drove to Golden to meet for coffee.  Oldest son offered to put some stripes along our side doors of the car to help keep the doors from being dented by errant shopping carts or swinging wide car doors.  You know the rascals who are out there. 

Hi everyone.  I am late getting here again today.  This was Bible study morning and then we went to the donut shop until noon.  We then went to the cafe next door and had the slowest service in terms of getting our food than we have ever experienced.  We have eaten there many times and never had this experience.  It was just a combination of them being very busy, taking an order over the phone where the people didn't know what they wanted.  I felt sorry for the waitress as she was most apologetic.  We learned of the problem when I asked her if there was a problem in the kitchen and she explained the situation.  A couple of the ladies were due back at the church for crafts and Pat needed to bring me home before going for her Wednesday afternoon massage appointment.  It is chilly and windy today but the sun is shining.  Staying home the rest of the day.  We did go look at ranges yesterday but ultimately ended up deciding to await delivery in February of the one we purchased a couple of weeks ago. 

Carol, I can think of no better way to spend time than visiting with our children. 

Judy, glad you found a warm place to stay until you once again had hydro. 

Hi, friends, I ventured out to eat my favorite meal - grilled fish. Yummy.

Now, it's time to see what's happening with my friends here at CP.

Much love to each of you,
Ruth Ann

Our three sons came for dinner and brought one dog and one puppy.  They are here measuring and talking about how they will put the backsplash tile in the kitchen and under the counter lights - all to be done when we are out of the house.  I love the new puppy, a German Shepherd.  No, we are not getting a dog.  Coyotes live too close - no way. 

We had some sad news this morning that our friend of 38 years had passed last night.   The distance to drive to Minnesota is just too far for this time of the year - there will be another memorial scheduled in the summer at their cabin at the lake so we will make an effort to get to that family gathering.  Boy, this will be a void in Don's life. 

Ruth Ann:  Glad you had a favorite meal out. 

Hi everyone.  I wrote late yesterday and have nothing to add to that message other than I finally had a call from Lenova, after another followup this morning by email and voice mail and they are in the process of sending the new computer and after it is delivered they will send a return label to send the replaced computer back.  So maybe by this time next week we will finally have the replacement.  Neither Pat nor I have any plans for today.  It looks like it is going to be a bleak and drizzly day here in Georgia and fairly chilly. 

Ruth Ann, you can eat my grilled fish anytime.  There are only a few fish that I care for.  I grew up in the midwest so seafood was not a major food source in our family. 

Carol, I send condolences to you all on the loss of your good friend.  It is always hard to give up an old friend but fear that is one of the consequences of us growing older since our friends do as well.  I have many friends, both in my coffee and other groups, and among our church family. 

Hi Everyone...

I'll say "Good Morning" while it's still morning! 

Paul and I are sitting here talking about this little trip to the south.  It will be nice to see the ocean/gulf water once again.  That's one thing I sure miss about my time living in Northern Ireland where we were close to the seashore.

Good morning! (Almost noon.)  Has anyone missed me?  I received the illustrations the friend did for the children's book I am about to publish, put the flash drive in my computer....it loaded....and loaded...and loaded.....then a screen popped up saying I needed a driver, and recommended something.  When I clicked on it, it froze my whole computer!!  I couldn't even shut it down!     Boy, was I frustrated.  So it's been in the computer hospital for treatment until about two hours ago.  I really missed it.  I missed all of you, too, but now have read all your posts from the days I was offline, and will return later!

Good to see you back, Janet.  These computers are great - when they work right!

Our coldest night so far.  It was 5 degrees at my house at 5:00 a.m.  Most definitely an extra blanket night and oh, so hard to get out of my nice warm cocoon. 

That's sad, Janet.  Sorry you had trouble. 

Glad you are ok now though.

After so much time of being over average temperatures, we have been shocked with real drop in temperatures.  This was the morning for having four other neighbors over for breakfast and they all made it even though they drove a half block to stay off the slick cement.  Always so much fun. 

Larry:  that is good about your computer being replaced.  It is only fair for them to do so but really nice to have it happen.  Years ago, we lost a lot of money on a computer being sold from Texas - it did not work.  We sent it back and they never refunded the money and neither of us had the time or cash to drive there and make a small claim at court.  It always irritated me that people could be so mean. 

Janet:  Uff da!  That is a Scandinavian saying of oh, my goodness.  Sorry about the freezing of the 'puter.  I have been having off and on problems with Yahoo mail and it won't bring up my inbox.  I think techies are ruining it and need to leave it alone.   

Pat:  So, you are dreaming of going south and looking at the water.  That sounds like a super idea. 

Hi everyone.  It is a chilly and foggy morning here in Georgia but is to get up to 64 degrees this afternoon.  We had some good news yesterday that my niece, who had broken her neck in two places, is now home.  She didn't have to go to rehab as originally thought.  I took my car to the dealer yesterday morning and got the oil changed and a recall taken care of.  It only took about an hour.  Today is ROMEO's and we are going to Chili's.  Pat will be attending a meeting and then having lunch with friends and I will pick her up after we both finish eating.  I need to stop at Walmart for a new watch battery.  I keep looking at my watch and it has been the same time for several days now. 

Pat, we are looking forward to your visit next week.  It is a pleasant Thanksgiving event for us. 

Janet, I wondered where you have been.  Glad you got your computer fixed and hope your new book is still intact. 

Jeanne, now that is really cold.  I would have to turn my electric blanket up on high if it got that cold here, which is very seldom does.

Carol, it sounds like winter is arriving out your way.  While it has taken awhile on the new computer I am very happy with the Lenovo guarantee and their willingness to end up with a satisfied customer.  Sad that you had a bad experience with that computer.  The most I have ever lost by buying on line was $50 for a college text book.  I hear so many talk of the problems with Yahoo mail.  They must really have a mess on their hands.  Gmail makes occasional changes but they have never messed up the mail account.

Here I am!  Whew!  This is quite a change in the weather.  We have temps of 18 degrees, wind chill of 5, so pretty chilly out there.  Plus, it is snowing, have four inches on the ground and it's still coming down.  Darrel had an appointment for his heart check-up in Garden City.  We got ready and started out, and found they haven't even bladed the roads yet (highway) so we went to McDonald's and ate a breakfast buttito and came back home.  No sense taking chances when the app't isn't a have-to thing.  So he called and rescheduled the appointment.  We had planned to go look at a hot tub (Darrel says "Therapy Pool"  ) and have quite a long list for Walmart, things we can't buy in our small town; but nothing that cannot wait.  I called KDOT and they said the roads are open but extremely hazardous.  We don't need that, better to be safe, snug and warm at home!

Son-in-law Jeff is in their community theater play tonight in Hugoton, so I really hope we can get to that!

Larry, thanks--and yes, the book is intact!  Praise God.  I submitted the manuscript yesterday afternoon and they have promised expedited publishing for it.  Got the illustrations, looked them over and send Sandra back a long list of corrections she needs to make on them.  So "Wheelie and Runt" looks like a go!    The tech said probably what happened was that Windows decided to install some updates while I was working, so froze the computer.     Wish they had to pay the repair bill!

Now, how can I best use this day at home?  Bet I can/will think of something!

Good Morning from the cold but sunny Oregon coast. We had a nice fire in the fireplace this morning but Keith doesn't like for me to feed the fire when he is not here for safety reasons. that's OK with me though.

This is our night to go out to the mall for Mexican dinner with our friends. We always split a macho burrito. Tomorrow is the Ducks vs the Sun Devils football game, I hope the Ducks win. They are playing in AZ.

We will be having Thanksgiving by ourselves again this year.

The DUCKS, Marilyn??  Somehow, that mascot name sounds more slow and waddly than quick and tough!    Must be hard to catch or throw a football with a wing!    Funny, the names teams choose.  One nearby town here has the Goldbugs.  Of course, other teams want to STOMP the bugs!  Ha.  You and Keith are welcome to come have Thanksgiving here with us! 

It looks like our snow has stopped.  So we will likely be able to get to Hugoton tonight.   

We just had half a baked potato with chili on top for lunch.  My daughter Diane is cooking the meal for the dinner play tonight, pulled pork and other good things.  She is a wonderful cook!

Where were you 50 years ago today?  I was in Colorado, helping cut Christmas trees, drag them to the trailer and load them.  When we stopped for lunch, we heard about Kennedy's assassination.  People seem to always remember where they were when such things happen.

I had a lovely phone conversation a while ago with granddaughter Abby.  Love it--and her!

Confucius says: Man who run in front of car get tired.
Man who run behind car get exhausted. 

Hi, friends,

This is a wish I felt better day. So, won't stay on long. Just enough to let y'all know the results of the CAT scan on my right ankle. It seems I ruptured a tendon and also broke a bone in the ankle. So, now I'm wearing a tightly laced ankle brace inside of the big black boot to the knee.

About the weather, seems it's going to get really cold over the weekend. Lately, our lows have been in the 30s, and high Sunday is predicted to be only 37. Brrrrr!

It's so good to come and catch up on the talk here.  Y'all have a good rest of the day.

Ruth Ann

Ruth Ann:  I am so sorry that you have to go through another healing process.  May this time go quickly and also may you have a lot of help from all your friends. 

Janet:  Better to be safe and off the roads when they mention the word hazardous .  I am a big believer in that - it is usually the other person who cannot stop a vehicle. 

Larry:  Great that you are getting your money's worth on the new computer.  Will you ask Pat how she might make a large label for the back of a quilt.  It has to have the names of 8 or 9 who have contributed blocks for my quilt top I just made.  It has been a group project as it is the tradition of these gals who have been together for years and I only met them about 3 or 4 years ago.  I have thought of printing names on fabric sheet for the computer?  What does Pat think about that idea?  Thank you.