July 20


Philippians 3:14
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.


Stan lived to please people. He served his church, his job, and his family with total devotion. He was continually asking what he could do for others. There was nothing Stan would not do in order to please someone else. Stan had never worried about his weight until one Sunday when the pastor read that his body was the Lord's temple. From that day forward, Stan worked to make it a fit and healthy temple. Not only was God pleased at Stan's desire to improve himself, but He was also pleased by the example Stan set for others.
Today's thought: I can actually glorify God just by losing weight!

July 20, 2005

Living Stones


Read:
2 Corinthians 3:1-6


You are an epistle of Christ, . . . written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart. —2 Corinthians 3:3


Bible In One Year: Isaiah 40-42

I've seen a number of recent reports about efforts to remove monuments with the Ten Commandments from public places in the US. It's regrettable, for the monuments celebrate righteousness, and "righteousness exalts a nation" (Proverbs 14:34). I believe that removing these reminders is a reflection of our crumbling moral foundations.

There is one enduring monument to righteousness, however, that cannot be removed: the truth of Christ, written on human hearts by the Spirit of God (2 Corinthians 3:3).

Those who have the law of God written on their hearts love the Lord with all their mind, soul, and strength. They demonstrate this love to the world by showing honor to their parents, faithfulness in their marriage, and integrity in their work. They respect human life and treat all men and women with dignity and honor. They don't speak evil of anyone, no matter how much evil has been done to them. They are content with God and what He has given them, and they want nothing more. These are the outward signs that God's law is alive, written on our hearts "by the Spirit of the living God" (v.3).

You and I are living monuments to His grace. We must stand tall. The world is watching. —David Roper


You're writing a "gospel," a chapter each day,
By the deeds that you do, by the words that you say;
Men read what you write, whether faithless or true,
Say, what is the "gospel" according to you? —Gilbert

God's laws engraved on our hearts can never be removed from the public arena.

Hope this can get through on here - it is from Our Daily Bread Devotionals

Am not sure how to get this completely up on here - there are a number of pages with this and it is worth the read / study. Anyone interested in reading this article or ones similar let me know - maybe there is some way it can be put up here for the group to read.


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How do you “walk in the Spirit”? How do you “let Christ live His life through you”? How do you become strong and mature now that you have become a Christian? These are questions that our staff has kept in mind as they put this booklet together. It is our prayer that it will give you a better understanding of what the Bible has to say about the greatest privilege in all the world—the privilege of living the Christian life.

Martin R. De Haan II, president of RBC Ministries

You all are such an encouragement to me!!! Thank you!!! Well, I had an interview today, and it went really well, so much so that I already have my second of 3 on Friday!!! So it looks promising! It's hard not to get my hopes up about it though. There is so much going on, and it's hard to calm down and focus on one thing at a time.

My Hubby and I went and looked at a few apartments today, but so far nothing in our price range....we're going out again tomorrow to search again....hopefully we can find something, so we can start packing and have some idea of what we are going to do.

Thanks to you all for your support, encouragement and prayers!

Gary said you wanted pictures of the dogs. Here are some that he took today in our newly-mowed backyard. As you can see, the grass is coming back to life.



That's Rylee lying in the wet grass.

July 21


Colossians 4:2
Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.


Jane couldn't belive how much harder it was to diet now that Dottie had moved away. The strength and support of having someone to diet with had been immense. Just having someone to talk to had helped a lot. Now there was no one close by to say, 'No!' The only thing that was saving Jane was her reliance on God. When-ever she found herself tempted and wishing for Dottie's support, she closed her eyes and talked to God. His presence assured Jane, and she was able to withstand temptation. It was good to have God as close as a prayer. For that she was eternally grateful.
Today's thought: Help in time of temptation is just one prayer away!

July 21, 2005

His Way


Read:
Matthew 26:36-46


O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will. —Matthew 26:39


Bible In One Year: Isaiah 43-45

A question about the title of a hymn took me back to a wonderful old song I grew up singing in church called "Let Him Have His Way With Thee." The chorus says: "His power can make you what you ought to be; His blood can cleanse your heart and make you free; His love can fill your soul, and you will see 'twas best for Him to have His way with thee."

Even when we know that God's way is best for us, we may still struggle to obey Him. When Christ our Savior faced the horrible reality of bearing our sins on the cross, He agonized in prayer, saying, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will" (Matthew 26:39). Jesus, who lived to do His Father's will, struggled and prayed, then willingly obeyed. And He can help us as we grapple with the difficult choices in our lives.

C. S. Lewis wrote: "There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, 'Thy will be done,' and those to whom God says, in the end, 'Thy will be done.'" If we continually choose our own way, He will eventually allow us to suffer the consequences.

It's best to surrender to God now. If we do, we'll have the assurance that His way is best for us. —David McCasland


Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Thou art the Potter, I am the clay;
Mould me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still. —Pollard

There is victory in surrender when the conqueror is Christ.

GOOD MORNING CHICKIES AND GARY!

It's been busy as usual in our little zoo here in southwestern IL! It hit 100 degrees with 1,000 percent humidity yesterday and more of the same everyday until Sunday! Woo hoo!! Thank our good Lord for AC, right?

SPROUT: Thanks for the scripture readings. They are very uplifting to me.

MARGIE: Hi!! Nice to meet you!

GARY: Your dogs are GORGEOUS! We have three and I am a dog FANATIC!

We pick Abbi up and bible camp tomorrow! We received a letter from her yesterday and she is having a blast! I know she probably won't even want to come home except for the non-air conditioned cabins -

Well, everyone have a wonderful day today!

HI GALS

All right~~ What's up? I get back on and you all leave? Heck, even SUE and MYISHA left the country! Prayers to you both in your travels. TEEL we are still waiting to hear from you~~still on vacation I suppose. SAMI and SHERRY must be busy with their kids...prayers.

MKAY Where are you girl? Hope all is well.

MARGIE Glad to see you checking in.

LORI It is hot here too, yesterday 100...dry though.Have a safe trip picking up Abbi.

SPROUT Thanks for the devotions.

MICHELE Party time this week-end?

GRAPHIC GODDESS Big plans for the week-end with Joe?

WILMA Enjoy the in-laws.


Well, we were going to go see THE BAD NEWS BEARS today...not sure now, the reviews we read said it stinks...I know it wii be raunchier than the first one...which I loved...but unfortunately that is the way of the world. I guess we shall see, if it gets too hot here we may go anyway.

I took Ron and my friend's son to go-carts yesterday...I watched

We went to church for dinner last night...very good...I guess they do it every month...different menu...mostly old folks...older than me It was a little pricy for a family...$12 a plate...under 8 free though. We had crusted salmon, london broil, bread, and 2 salads...one tomatoes, several kinds and onion and a cucmber salad...very tasty. All you could eat..plus desert...Now I stayed away from the deserts ..."What's that ANG?"..."No! I will not tell them that I had two big helpings of EVERYTHING!!"...not gonna do it

Well not much going on here...our BIGGIE event of the day so far has been Starbucks and the laundry mat!!

See ya-- Have a great week-end ladies!!

Hi Gary, wish my big events were Starbucks and the laundry mat! I want out of here already. Have a coworker on vacation starting today and so i'm swamped and out of my comfort zone.

No party for me this weekend. Had a date scheduled for Sat. after work, but he cancelled. But i am getting together with my friend Eric.

Hi Michele!

I don't envy you girl - I used to work at a high -pressure job - I had to answer phones and do word processing for SEVENTY MEN! EGAD!! Of course I wasn't the only support person, but most days it felt like it - sigh -
I will be praying for your sanity!

I applied for a job at Aldi Foods yesterday. I have a feeling they probably thought I was too old and too fat, but you never know. There were a lot of people applying and they said that if we get a call on Monday, they will need to do a second interview. If not, no go. We shall see -

Take Care!

July 22


1 Corinthians 9:4
Have we not power to eat and to drink?


Kevin blamed the diets. Kevin blamed his friends. Kevin blamed a bad childhood, glands, communists, and a government plot. Kevin blamed everyone but Kevin. Kevin tried and Kevin failed, but he never learned to take responsibility for his obesity. We can never hope to get anywhere unless we are willing to take ownership of our own problems. God has given us freedom of choice. We have the ability to abuse that privilege if we so desire. It is our choice, however, and we control our own destiny. Dieting is nothing more than learning to tame a freedom that has degenerated into gluttony. God will help us tame that beast.
Today's thought: I'm in control of my life; my stomach isn't.