Recent Posts
Good to have you back. Anytime you need me to cover for you, just let me know. I use the devotions from Dr. Stanley's In Touch Ministry as the springboard for my discussions.
Defragging. I need to be defragged today. I definitely hit the ground running, and forget to do my devotions, and I have all my meditation/devotionals right next to my rocking chair. I do read the In Touch Devotions I get in my Inbox, but not much else this week.
I would appreciate prayer this week. I have two hammertoes, and one is exceptionally inflamed and sore. I have medicine on it, and have it wrapped, hoping that it will settle down. I see the podiatrist on Tuesday, and know I will need surgery. I would like to put it off till March, after I go to Florida to visit my son, and see the Phillies in a Spring Training game. Please pray this thing settles down, because both my sneakers and my boots hurt right now, and every step I take is agony. My dog needs to be walked multiple times a day, and I can't walk far the way I feel right now.
Thanks for your faithfulness and willingness to get this forum back up and running.
Huggles,
Trish
P.S. Did you get my card yet?
Albert Schweitzer
Todays discussion is on defraging, those who are computer savy know periodically the computer has to be defragged to get all the scattered information back together. We too have to "regroup" sometimes, everyday life can scatter our plans and desires. We plan to take that 1/2 hr. for prayer but 50 other things come up that need immediate attention. Satan loves to use our distractability to keep us away from doing what we know we need to do. He would rather have us off on a wild goose chase than to concentrate on our Lord. It's so easy to get overwhelmed so instead of trying to run fast, stop dead in your tracks and MAKE time to spend with your Lord because He is there to handle all those other things if we will hand them to Him so we can concentrate on our Lord and Savior. That is the main thing He wants from us, our time and attention. God bless! Karen
Glad you are doing better.
Hugs,
Trish
Albert Schweitzer
Today's devotion by Dr. Stanley was too good to edit. I pasted it in full.
February 1
A Debt Paid in Full
Colossians 2:13-14
Mankind has a debt problem. In the physical world, our desire for a higher standard of living and more "stuff" has led to burdensome credit card balances and unwieldy mortgage payments. The weight of what we owe can cause restless nights and the feeling that we're trapped. We long for someone to rescue us from the mess we have made.
However, material indebtedness isn't our biggest problem. Our sin-debt is. All of us were born with a "flesh" nature that prompts us to rebel against the Lord. Our rebelliousness is an affront to His holy nature, incurring a debt that we owe to Him. Until this penalty is paid, we are under God's righteous judgment and remain spiritually separated from Him (Eph. 2:1-2). The trouble is, we are unable to pay what's due. No amount of good works, self-sacrifice, or religious devotion will lessen what we owe.
So God, in His great mercy, sent His Son to rescue us. Jesus Christ left heaven and all of its glory so He could come to earth to live and die for us (Phil. 2:6-7). Although the cost to our Savior was enormous, He willingly paid the price we owed. He took our sins upon Himself, bore them to the cross, and discharged our debt in full. Hallelujah!
When we receive Jesus as our Savior, His atoning work is credited to our account. We become children of God and co-heirs with Christ—we're changed from debtors to inheritors (1 Peter 1:3-4). Let the knowledge of His sacrifice on the cross permeate your thinking, attitude, and choices.
Albert Schweitzer
It's pretty much gone now but I did try to walk alot too. Well I'm feeling much better now so if you want I can take over the devotionals again will start Wed. If that works for you. Thanks so much for helping out! Oh Karen,
You poor thing. I totally remember the gas and pain issues. A little over a year after my RNY, I had to have hernia surgery, and went through it all over again. Can you take GasX? Ask your doctor, and be sure to get all your fluids in, and walk as much as you can.
If it is not safe to walk outside, put on some upbeat music and walk in place. I have Leslie Sansome's Walk Away the Pounds DVDs and they are excellent for being able to exercise at home, in a little space. All you do is walk in place at varying speeds, with some sidesteps, and leg lifts. She encourages people to word at their own pace.
Hugs,
Trish
Albert Schweitzer
By the way congrats on your 1 yr. coin you've fought a strong fight this year and deserve the recognition! Keep it up, you are an awesome lady!
January 4
A Passion to Serve God
Ephesians 2:8-10
Believers are citizens of a heavenly kingdom, so "Servant of Almighty God" is part of their identity. I know what you're probably thinking: I have a secular job or My life doesn't matter much. Friend, if you are determined to find ways to be useful for the kingdom, God will supply tasks of eternal value. Be sensitive to people in need. Share your faith with those who hurt. Whether through your vocation or in your community, make yourself available to individuals who need help. Tell others what God is doing in your life.
This is part of an In Touch devotion from the beginning of January. I thought this was good to share today. Whether you realize or not, every time you share something here, you are ministering and helping all of us who check in here. It may seem like nothing, but the kind words shared on this forum, or other similar venues, ministers to lonely people who may have no outside contact all day.
So, like the last sentence says, "Tell others what God is doiing in your life." I will start: I participated in a fundraiser for Special Olympics Pennsylvania by handing out shirts to people who were willing to plunge into the Delaware River in its annual Polar Plunge. About 1000 people came out for this fund raiser, with most of them jumping into the freezing water. I volunteer with Special Olympics regularly, because my nephew is an athlete, and my whole family is involved in fundraising and coaching.
That was on Saturday. Sunday, I went to my AA Anniversary meeting and got my one year coin, and shared in the festivities with about 15 other people who were celebrating various lengths of sobriety. As I look back to a year ago, I am truly blessed that God gave me the time I spent in the psych ward, and then rehab last year. I learned so much in rehab, and am so grateful that God has given me the strength and courage to do what I have to do to not drink.
So, what is God doing in your life lately?
Trish
Albert Schweitzer
Stacy B. · 8 replies · 1042 views
