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Self Control - 9/9/2006 11:06:02 AM
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peaceofGod
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Here’s more food for thought along the same theme as the last few posts.
Proverbs 16:32 (MsgB)
Moderation is better than muscle,
self-control better than political power.
Proverbs 16:32 (NIV)
Better a patient man than a warrior,
a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city.
Proverbs 16:32 (NRSV)
One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
and one whose temper is controlled than one who captures a city.
Proverbs 16:32 (NKJV)
He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
Proverbs 16 (NLT)32
It is better to be patient than powerful;
it is better to have self-control than to conquer a city.
Easier said than done, right? An enormous ongoing challenge.
But there’s hope. Miracles do happen.
1 Chronicles 28:20
Be strong and of good courage, and do the work; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD God...will be with you.
John 15:5
I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you're joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can't produce a thing.
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Ephesians 6:10
Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might.
_____________________________
Jn 14:27;Php 4:6-8 Peace
Link: Jim's Reflections
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Current Life Update - 9/12/2006 11:19:19 AM
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peaceofGod
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Mark 10:27 (MsgB)
Jesus was blunt: "No chance at all if you think you can pull it off by yourself. Every chance in the world if you let God do it."
We had a different kind of day yesterday. At Church, we had a guest speaker, Bishop Kingsley, who had started numerous Churches in Uganda. He is from Uganda. While he gave the sermon in his native language, his son interpreted the sermon into English for us.
After Church, Wilma & I took our Pastor and his wife out to lunch. At the end of the meal, the Pastor asked Wilma and me to think about whether I would like to be ordained a Church Elder. He, our Pastor, said that he has delayed asking me because of my poor health (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) but now, since my health is improving, he asked us to consider it. In our denomination an Elder is a minister in the local Congregation who is not the Pastor.
After praying and discussing the matter with Wilma, I decided to go for it.
To me, the situation reminds me of Peter stepping out of the boat to walk on water toward Jesus after Jesus bid him to come--also reminds me of Elijah after he was in the cave when God ministered to him, then he went forward in the strength of the Lord.
We pray that I do not over reach the strength that God gives but that He gives wisdom in that regard to stay within the energy level that He provides.
I'm considering this situation as an encouraging signal--as a gentle, guiding tap on the shoulder from the Good Shepherd's rod.
Mark 10:27 (MsgB)
Jesus was blunt: "No chance at all if you think you can pull it off by yourself. Every chance in the world if you let God do it."
_____________________________
Jn 14:27;Php 4:6-8 Peace
Link: Jim's Reflections
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In Sync - 9/14/2006 4:01:55 PM
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peaceofGod
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In Sync with the Body of Christ
Observing the Biblical direction, the flow and the pattern of Christianity and of sermons would seem to be a good way to confirm what the body of Jesus Christ is doing.
I believe that going with the flow of the Body of Jesus Christ is a big part of our Christian life.
In this physical world, life goes best when we are in sync with the laws of physics. Otherwise, life is a continual battle, a constant adversarial struggle because we are struggling against the creation instead of flowing with it.
Romans 1:20 (KJV)
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Nanoscience, the study of the molecular world, reveals the physical world around us is in flux, not rigid & hard. It is in movement and has flexibility to it within boundaries. We function best when we, too, are flexible within boundaries.
The same is true spiritually, is it not? Life is best when we are in sync with what Jesus is doing at the time. Of course, He leads us directly but does so most clearly when we are receptive to His lead. We can help clear our reception by actively noticing what He’s up to doing through His Church, through His servants, and through the members of His body. We can notice the similarities of action that we see. After all, the Body of Christ is one body and coordinated by Jesus Christ who is the head of the body. Of course, there are movements that are off on tangents and extremes but it is important for us to pay particular attention to the main stream of Christianity as it follows God’s Word, the Bible.
I believe that Christianity. Com is a good source which shows the current flow of the Body of Jesus Christ.
Just a thought.
Titus 2:1 (ASV) …But speak thou the things which befit the sound doctrine:
_____________________________
Jn 14:27;Php 4:6-8 Peace
Link: Jim's Reflections
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Worship When Suffering? - 9/22/2006 3:42:02 PM
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peaceofGod
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2 Cor. 12:10 (Msg Bible)
Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.
Have you ever worshipped our Lord when you were downcast, enduring persecution, or suffering in some other manner? How about at some time when you were exhausted from physical activity?
Somehow, I usually connect worship with joy, thankfulness, glee and/or a general feeling of well-being. People like you and me (professing Christians) can find it rather easy to worship during times of blessing and outward happiness. Right?
But I think that we can have enough faith in our Savior to worship Him in just about any circumstance, don’t you? Even when we are suffering.
Something to think about..
Acts 16 (NRSV)
22 The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates had them stripped of their clothing and ordered them to be beaten with rods.
23 After they had given them a severe flogging, they threw them into prison and ordered the jailer to keep them securely.
24 Following these instructions, he put them in the innermost cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.
25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.
_____________________________
Jn 14:27;Php 4:6-8 Peace
Link: Jim's Reflections
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Yesterday's Sermon - 9/25/2006 1:12:08 PM
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peaceofGod
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Mark 10:27
…for God all things are possible.
Yesterday’s sermon was something else. It might be hard for me to explain what happened with the sermon, even though I’m the one who gave it.
While sitting in the congregation during the Praise portion of the service with the sermon notes that I had prepared on the chair next to me, I thought about how dry and uninspiring this sermon is. I prayed for God’s intervention and that He would use the sermon to help the congregation.
The Praise Leader introduced me and I walked up to the lectern, looked over the congregation and began to speak.
Soon, faces in the congregation brightened and there were broad, joyful smiles coming back at me with nods of agreement. We were all on the same page—linked in an inexplicable way—feeding off of each other. I think they were about as much a part of the sermon as I was even though I was the one giving the sermon. Well….. I’d like to think that God was the one giving the sermon. In any case, He was there and was in it.
What I suspect happened was that the Holy Spirit in the members of the congregation touched the Holy Spirit in me making a positive link.
Our Lord came through again. He breathed life into that sermon, changing it from my sermon to His sermon.
Mark 10:27
…for God all things are possible.
< Message edited by peaceofGod -- 9/26/2006 8:47:26 AM >
_____________________________
Jn 14:27;Php 4:6-8 Peace
Link: Jim's Reflections
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Current Life Update - 9/28/2006 1:40:48 PM
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peaceofGod
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Here’s a quick update.
Mother has recovered from the bladder infection; Wilma’s team project at work is completed, freeing the team to begin another project; Betty & Bill (my sister and brother-in-law) are planning to be in town Sunday-Wednesday; and our Pastor contacted our Denomination Headquarters to request the necessary application form(s) to begin the process of making me a Minister.
Wilma is taking a couple of days off work next week so we can get together with Bill & Betty.
Let’s see …. What else? Maybe that’s all.
If I forgot something, let me know. Okay?
_____________________________
Jn 14:27;Php 4:6-8 Peace
Link: Jim's Reflections
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Cancer - 10/10/2006 2:51:07 PM
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peaceofGod
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My wife’s 94 year old father has just been diagnosed with cancer—inoperable. The prescribed painkillers may be easing the pain but not killing the pain and are messing with his personality. The doctors are talking radiation treatments, chemo treatments and hospice care. My wife’s Mother is having a rough time, to say the least, seeing him suffer. It really appears that he is dying.
My wife is trying to figure when the best time will be to take off work and get a flight from here (Texas) to there (Washington State). I probably will not be able to go with her because of caring for my 91 year old Mother.
As you might guess, the situation is fluid.
Your prayers will be appreciated.
_____________________________
Jn 14:27;Php 4:6-8 Peace
Link: Jim's Reflections
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Cureent Life Update - 10/21/2006 2:16:31 PM
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peaceofGod
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Thank you for your prayers.
Radiation treatment for my father-in-law’s cancer begins October 27. Actually, he is feeling much better now that he changed pain medication. My wife has plane reservations to go to Washington (the State) and visit her parents during the first week of November.
In the meantime, my mother’s bladder infection returned with a vengeance. I took her to the doctor’s office where the staff fitted her in their schedule, gave her two shots and has her on antibiotics again. Usually, I take her grocery shopping but she was unable to go this past week, so she gave me a grocery list so that I could shop for her.
We (my wife and I) are going to a wedding this afternoon.
Today, I finished the five page application for Elder Ordination and Initial Elder License and plan to give it my Pastor tomorrow. He, then, has a form to fill out and is to give the application with his recommendation to the denomination’s District Superintendent who in turn is to review it, do his thing with it and turn it in to the denomination’s Church Administration for their review and decision. My Pastor suggested that I apply for Assistant Pastor. We’ll see what happens.
Well, I guess that’s all for now.
_____________________________
Jn 14:27;Php 4:6-8 Peace
Link: Jim's Reflections
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RE: Cureent Life Update - 10/28/2006 5:11:34 PM
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peaceofGod
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Remember my mention of applying to be ordained an Elder in our church?
Our Pastor suggested that I apply for the job of assistant pastor.
He got the paper work together and gave me the Application for Elder Ordination and Initial Elder License of the Worldwide Church of God-USA—a five-page application containing four pages of essay questions having to do with my relationship with Jesus Christ, my background (including a criminal background check), beliefs, gifts, and views of the future of various facets of the church.
This past Sunday, I gave the completed application to my Pastor for him to review and to give his recommendations. He then was to give to the District Superintendent for review who was to send it to the denomination’s Church Administration Office.
This afternoon, I received a call from the District Superintendent. He asked me further questions which were not included in the application and we wound up talking for ….for ….well, I lost track of time…at least an hour....maybe two hours. To make an already long story short, he said he had signed the application and will send it to Church Administration. Then he prayed for my wife and me (over the phone) asking that our Lord use us in the service of our local congregation.
Thank you, thank you, and thank you for your prayers.
_____________________________
Jn 14:27;Php 4:6-8 Peace
Link: Jim's Reflections
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Biopsy - 11/6/2006 8:32:15 PM
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peaceofGod
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Mother’s bladder infection is no longer responding well to antibiotics, so her doctor sent her to an urologist who set her up for a C.A.T scan. The C.A.T scan was this past Friday morning. This morning, the doctor’s office called to tell me the scan showed a mass on mother’s bladder. Promptly, the doctor’s office set a biopsy to take place Thursday morning, November 9—the pre-op being tomorrow morning, November 7.
Last week was one of sleep depravation for me. The sleep loss started with driving my wife in the wee hours of a morning to the airport to go be with her parents for a while to help them deal with her dad’s cancer. Next was the appointment with the urologist. Then there was the early appointment for the C.A.T. scan after I had a rough night of nausea and sinus congestion (the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome making itself known). CFS does not seem to respond well to lack of sleep or to stress. Yet, I need to be strong to care for my mother. I have no back-up to replace me….but our Lord is always there.
Thankfully, mother seems to be taking this as well as can be expected—maybe better than would be expected. She told me that her life is in God’s hands. She asked me to contact her minister which I did. I also called my sister who lives in TN with the news.
Also, I’m telling you. A lot of support right? Yep. Especially support from our Lord who will be hearing prayers from numerous sources.
Thank you for your prayers on my mother’s behalf (and on my behalf for health, energy and strength to take care of her).
_____________________________
Jn 14:27;Php 4:6-8 Peace
Link: Jim's Reflections
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2 Surgeries - 11/14/2006 5:25:06 PM
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peaceofGod
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Mother has had two surgeries since my last post.
After the first surgery she seemed to be recovering for about a day, then got worse—became disoriented even said she didn’t know who she was and kept asking what’s going on but not responding to answers. Also, she was struggling to get out of the hospital bed and trying to pull out her catheter. Also, there was substantial blood in her catheter and her blood count dropped to the point that they gave her transfusions.
Anyway, to jump to the bottom line, she had her second surgery yesterday and is her old self again today. What a relief! We pray that her recovery continues. Actually, we believe that it will.
The surgeon was very concerned about the second surgery, telling us that it was high risk for someone of her age (91). But she looks and acts much better now that the whole tumor is out. The doctor predicted 2 days in ICU and about 10 days in the hospital. I hear that the doctor is arranging for a nice hospital room for her.
Now, as I write this, dollar signs are coming to mind. Mother has Medicare and health insurance but I don’t know what all they will cover—hopefully enough that we can afford the difference. Something to pray about.
Oh, but what a relief to see her being her old self again—even smiling.
Thank you for your prayers.
Oh, oh, wait a minute …. My cell phone is ringing………..
The phone call was from a friend who happened to be visiting mother just moments ago as she was being moved from the ICU back to the same floor where she had been before the second surgery.
She’s in the newest wing of the hospital on the floor for organ transplant patients. She did not have a transplant but is blessed with the best hospital room I’ve ever seen. It even has a couch that unfolds into a bed for visitors. Whew! What a room. It has a wide-screen TV for the patient and a smaller TV for the visitor who uses the couch. The area where the couch is can be curtained off from the main hospital room. Oh, yes, it even has a small refrigerator. It’s better than some motel rooms.
Again, thank you for your prayers. God has a way of going over and beyond our requests. Sometimes I suspect we don’t recognize the extent of His blessing because they are beyond our understanding.
 But sometimes, such as this time, He makes the blessings obvious! 
Thank you all so much for your prayers.
Thank You, Lord.
< Message edited by peaceofGod -- 11/14/2006 5:51:58 PM >
_____________________________
Jn 14:27;Php 4:6-8 Peace
Link: Jim's Reflections
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Update - 11/21/2006 3:33:16 PM
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peaceofGod
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From: Texas
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Matthew 11
28 "Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Here's a hastily written update.
Since my last post, mother had a light stroke while still in the hospital but is recovering from most of its effects.
Her doctor is taking steps toward having her transferred from the hospital to a rehabilitation establishment where she can have extensive physical therapy. As a matter of fact, a representative of that establishment is coming to her hospital room, possibly today, to asses her condition.
Your continued prayers are appreciated for her, for my wife's dad and for my wife & me. My health is slipping somewhat from the whole ordeal.
So far, Wilma (my wife) is holding up well but the situation with her dad and his cancer is ongoing. The oncologist found two additional but smaller spots on his spine. He just had a birthday and is now 95 years old.
Matthew 11
28 "Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
_____________________________
Jn 14:27;Php 4:6-8 Peace
Link: Jim's Reflections
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Praise Report - 12/2/2006 3:11:39 PM
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peaceofGod
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Mother's doctor visited her today while we were there with her at the hospital. He thinks the hospital staff will be taking out her catheter on Monday. He is so pleased with her recovery rate that he said her recovery is a miracle.
He does not believe that she will need to go to a lower level care facility but will be able to go home when she is discharged from this hospital. He suggested that someone stay with her for the first few days after she is home to make sure she is doing okay, then he said that she probably will be back to where she was before all this happened.
Wilma's dad is recovering some use of his arm as the radiation treatment is shrinking the tumor. Now, there are at least two more tumors to treat. His doctor said that as his pain from this treated tumor decreases, he will start feeling the pain of the other tumors.
The doctors believe that he has prostate cancer and they are treating him accordingly in addition to giving him the radiation treatments.
Thank you for your prayers. Your loving concern is awesome.
Our Savior is awesome.
< Message edited by peaceofGod -- 12/2/2006 7:02:16 PM >
_____________________________
Jn 14:27;Php 4:6-8 Peace
Link: Jim's Reflections
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Update - 12/14/2006 10:02:55 AM
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peaceofGod
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Here is a quick, concentrated update.
Wilma’s parents are continuing to battle health concerns. Her mom has Parkinson’s disease which seems to be progressing. Her dad has prostate cancer. Radiation treatments have shrunk one tumor and the oncologist plans to proceed with treatment of the other two smaller tumors.
My mother is improving and now is on the rehab floor of Baylor hospital receiving a barrage of rehab treatments, including occupational therapy, speech therapy and physical therapy. The therapies are all day long with a lunch break at noon. She’s anxious to get back home to her apartment. As you might remember, she had surgery on November 9 and again on November 13 to remove a tumor on her bladder.
Our Pastor plans to ordain me assistant pastor this Sunday.
As you might imagine, this past month or so has been a time span of walking by faith, not by sight.
Thank you for your prayers regarding all of the above.
< Message edited by peaceofGod -- 12/14/2006 3:15:22 PM >
_____________________________
Jn 14:27;Php 4:6-8 Peace
Link: Jim's Reflections
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No Laughter Allowed - 12/15/2006 11:02:57 AM
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peaceofGod
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No Laughter Allowed
How long has it been since you’ve been in a surgery waiting room? What was the atmosphere like? Solemn? Quiet?
Last month, I was in the waiting room on two different days—each time waiting while my 91 year old mother was having surgery.
An elderly volunteer made sure that we all had access to a pager for notification of the progress of our respective surgeries. Well, for the most part, the atmosphere was solemn and pensive but, as time dragged on, one group of friends and relatives started joking and laughing.
The volunteer at the desk (with some humor) said, “Hey! Don’t you know that there’s no laughing allowed in the surgery waiting room? You’re even eating popcorn!”
This comment got me to thinking. Sure! Why not laugh in such situations? Don’t we know that our Lord is in charge and that He will make sure that everything will be just fine in the long run? Why not find ways to enjoy the sanctuary that our older brother gives to us? Not easy! Not when the life of a loved one hangs in the balance.
But we live by faith, not by sight. Am I right?
2 Corinthians 5:7
…for we walk by faith, not by sight.
_____________________________
Jn 14:27;Php 4:6-8 Peace
Link: Jim's Reflections
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Quick Update - 12/21/2006 6:35:33 PM
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peaceofGod
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Quick Update.
Mother is home after spending one month and ten days in the hospital. She is happy to be back in her apartment and is improving rapidly.
We are taking turns spending time with her so that someone is with her 24 hours a day. Once we are certain that she will be able to do everything needed for herself, she will not need some one to stay in her apartment watching after her.
My ordination took place last week. A lot has been happening during these last two months.
What a blessing it is to have our Lord watching after us.
Philippians 4:6 Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
_____________________________
Jn 14:27;Php 4:6-8 Peace
Link: Jim's Reflections
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Over My Head - 1/1/2007 11:28:09 AM
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peaceofGod
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Mother has reached another stage in her recovery. She wants to be on her own again, live alone and be dependant on herself. She wants us to stop staying with her. Okay, she has been on her own since Thursday night and is doing quite well—much happier as well. I’m still checking on her every day but she is doing quite well so far.
What a miracle her recovery has been. A friend of hers has repeatedly commented that God has something in mind regarding her that we don’t know. She, at the age of 91, has expressed her readiness for death and has put her life in God’s hands, but He has not taken it.
We’ll see what happens.
Psalms 139:6
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is so high that I cannot attain it.
< Message edited by peaceofGod -- 1/1/2007 2:06:08 PM >
_____________________________
Jn 14:27;Php 4:6-8 Peace
Link: Jim's Reflections
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Current Conditions - 1/14/2007 9:40:31 AM
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peaceofGod
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We have icy conditions but the conditions are not as bad as some of you have north of here. Church is canceled today.
It seems that our road conditions are on the fringe of freezing over. Some parts of the freeway systems were slick early this morning, then became okay but are predicted to become slick again later today from freezing rain. Interesting. I stepped outside this morning and heard freezing rain hitting the trees.
Mother had stomach troubles Friday. The nurse called mother's doctor who called prescriptions for two medicines at the pharmacy. Because of mother's stomach troubles and because of her confusion over when to take the new medicines, I spent the night with her Friday night (slept on the sofa). She had a good night. Throughout yesterday, her stomach troubles seemed to be over and she seemed to be getting the medicine straight. Hopefully, she'll be okay while we all are "iced in" by the freezing rain.
Our daughter, son-in-law, their children, our son and his fiancee came over yesterday. Wilma's dad sent her some money to take everyone out to eat, so we went out yesterday and had a great time together.
Here's hoping that all of you who are having extreme weather are safe.
_____________________________
Jn 14:27;Php 4:6-8 Peace
Link: Jim's Reflections
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Pioneers - 1/23/2007 2:56:06 PM
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peaceofGod
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Fragmented Thoughts about Pioneering
Pioneering: Exploring the far off mountains; Following the river of unknown origin; Discovering what’s around the bend; Forging a path instead of following the ready-made trails; Building a congregation instead of looking for a ready-made congregation; Living by God’s Word instead of blindly following the traditions of men; and life’s changes, i.e., location change, age change, retirement, death of loved ones.
The pioneers in God’s Word (Adam, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, the prophets, the twelve apostles, etc.) were not perfect. They were not antiseptic. But they were effective.
As the actions of past pioneers have helped to form the lives of future generations, our actions will help form the lives of future generations.
Something to think about.
_____________________________
Jn 14:27;Php 4:6-8 Peace
Link: Jim's Reflections
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RE: Reflection/Expanding Universe - 2/7/2007 3:09:40 PM
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peaceofGod
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During the course of preparing a sermon, my attention was drawn to a particular advantage of corporate worship, you know, worshipping as part of a congregation.
When we are alone much of the time, it’s natural that our personal world shrinks unless we get out and about. But when we are with other people, worship with them and care about them, our world expands. When we worship with, pray with and visit with members of our home church to the point that we love them as spiritual sisters and brothers our world expands.
While isolation tends toward self absorption and narrow points of view, love tends toward expansion of our personal universe.
Well…..okay….I’m not talking rocket science here but maybe you know what I mean.
_____________________________
Jn 14:27;Php 4:6-8 Peace
Link: Jim's Reflections
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RE: Evolution of Reflections - 2/14/2007 5:21:38 PM
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peaceofGod
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As you may remember from the first entry of this Blog, I initially intended for it to be …well… here’s the way I stated my intentions in the first entry.
As a start, this blog is intended to be reflections on various Christian living topics, many of which I have used or am planning to use in sermons.
[However, after making several posts (the remainder of this post and several following posts), I'm changing direction. It looks as though a more interesting course would be of personal experiences as a member of a Denomination which totally reformed. What happened to our Denomination was so rare that a DVD titled Called To Be Free was made to make the general story available. Anyway, after the next several posts, the personal experiences will begin.]
Those of you who have been keeping up with this Blog may have noticed that I have blended the initial intention of this Blog with the updated intention. You may also have noticed that I’ve added personal current experiences to the Blog along the way. I wanted to edit the first entry to express a more accurate description of the Blog as it has evolved but was unable to do so.
I apologize to those of you who might be disappointed at my deviation from the original intended content of the Blog.
I would appreciate your comments by PM. Should I stay true to the original intended content as stated in the first entry, or is it okay with you if I continue to allow the content to evolve?
Thanks.
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Jn 14:27;Php 4:6-8 Peace
Link: Jim's Reflections
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Steady As She Goes - 2/28/2007 3:05:01 PM
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peaceofGod
Posts: 7746
Joined: 11/30/2005
From: Texas
Status: offline
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Thanks for the positive response to my previous entry.
Have you ever come to a point in your life where you seemed to be bombarded from every angle with different circumstances each of which required your attention...All at the same time? What I’m asking is this. Have you ever felt overwhelmed by life’s demands?
My wife, Wilma, and I are facing such a situation. Our case is mild compared to some but it is there. And I suspect that I | | |
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