Good Sunday morning, Everyfriend. There's Eggs Benedict to go with your coffee or tea.  Have a blessed Sunday.







Pastoral Visit

After the birth of their child, an Episcopal priest, wearing his clerical collar, visited his wife in the hospital. He greeted her with a hug and a kiss, and gave her another hug and kiss when he left.

Later, the wife's roommate commented: "Your pastor is sure friendlier than mine."



Unity & the Body
(by Chris Long)

In John 17:20-26, in some of His last words spoken before His crucifixion, Jesus offered up these words as part of His prayers to the Father:

“I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.

    The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me. Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.

    “O righteous Father, although the world has not known You, yet I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me; and I have made Your name known to them, and will make it known, so that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.” (NASB)

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The above was my Bible reading this morning. Every time I read this part of Scripture, I honestly get sad. You might wonder why. Well, Jesus shares and shows us so much of His heart in His prayer recorded for us in John 17. In the passage above, we see Jesus' heart for His followers to be One in Him, and that as we are One in Him, we thus will be One with one another. And that's what makes me sad! Because unfortunately, the Body of Christ has largely seemed to have done the exact opposite. Many parts of the Body have done just what Paul talked about in 1 Corinthians 12:21 and in essence (even if just in attitude) said to the other parts of the Body: "I don't need you."

Note that Jesus not only showed us His desire for unity, but He also told us why (twice!). He said it was "so that the world may believe that You sent Me." and "so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me." In other words, part of it was/is to be a witness to the unbelieving world that this Christianity thing - this Jesus - is REAL! And note that LOVE is a central part of that.

I don't know where your church experiences have taken you. Many people have been largely in one church or denominational setting their whole life, which is fine if that's where you've been led to be. I guess I've had kind of a unique journey in that I've been around a bit. I have attended regularly either as my home church or for extra Bible studies or merely visited for an occasion or two, churches of the following persuasions: Lutheran (LCMS), Lutheran (ELCA), Lutheran (Wisconsin), Lutheran (other), Presbyterian (PCUSA), Catholic, Episcopal, Baptist, non-denominational (loosely affiliated with Rick Warren's church), Calvary Chapel, Vineyard, other non-denominational, Foursquare, Pentecostal, and more. Plus I have watched/listened to loads of Bible studies and messages from those parts of the body as well as others. Fairly diverse. Having been in some of those circles for extended lengths of time, I can tell you that there is something that I have found across-the-board to be true.

Each "camp" while perhaps (and "perhaps" is a big IF here) recognizing there is a greater Body of Christ, implicitly by their actions (and often sadly by their words as well), tends to ACT as if they are the ONLY part of the Body of Christ - in other words they believe that THEY have the special revelation and everyone else is misguided (or "unbalanced") at best, and "of the devil" at worst. And note that this goes across the entire spectrum. In the Lutheran church, I witnessed and experienced first-hand the negative attitudes (some even just subtle) against other parts of the Body such as Calvary Chapel. I heard people talk about them and with a clear air of that certain things they did and said might be of the devil or that they were just too much "fluff" or whatever. But you know what I found in Calvary Chapel circles? I found the same type of attitudes and actions spoken of others - the names were different, the things that were supposedly wrong were different, but the attitudes were the same. And guess what I found in Vineyard circles? Or Baptist? Well you get the picture...I'm currently attending some specific teaching classes at a Pentecostal type church. You do know that just uttering the word "Pentecostal" around what we would categorize as "more conservative" parts of the Body of Christ translates to "of the devil" right? But while many of the more "conservative" churches might have a problem with the Pentecostal, guess what I found in the Pentecostal? You got it! Some of the exact same attitudes towards the more "conservative" churches.

It seems "religion" knows no bounds and cuts all ways. It's human nature of course. We all want to think that where we are/have chosen to "set up camp", regardless of persuasion, is the RIGHT way and that everyone else must be off. To be honest, it really comes down to pride. There are many people that in their hearts have put the denomination/church they attend in a much more important role in their heart then it should be. Instead of recognizing that all of us are frail humans saved by grace that are all just learning and growing in a process, and that none of us have it "all down", we gravitate in our flesh towards prideful arrogance (oh we might not say it in words, but in our hearts such attitudes can be deep and extensive). Us human beings are always going to extremes, as very rarely do you find balance - even among those who claim "balance" as their "trademark." In our flesh we set up camp and say in essence (though usually not this clearly - but it's in our heart): "WE are the RIGHT way and have all the revelation!"




“Be weird.  Be random.  Be who you are.  Because you never know who would love the person you hide.”

~ Author Unknown

Good morning Joan

Kelly

Good morning everyone..

Another day that I couldn't sleep in . Yesterday I did get a lot accomplished, laundry on the line before 7 and back in and folded by 11. Took ashes and garbage to the dump then raked the front lawn of pine cones and needles, may take them to the dump today...we shall see.  I have my quilt started just two more strips to put together and then I can put it all together. Will just have to see how the day goes 

Jane,I also had the doors open to let the fresh air through and today is also to be another fine day with rain following on Monday.

Joan, thank you for breakfast.

Good morning Kelly 
Enjoy your day everyone..

Ohhh..forgot to say love the graphics Phyllis....can almost taste that!!!

Good morning everyone.
stars are plenty here still dark and no rain in sight.
Have a great day everyone.

Lloyd

Good morning Lloyd..

Enjoy your day of rest.

I meant to have replied to those who informed me that MS is more of a young persons disease than an old age disease, yes, so true, but, not the form that I have....Primary Progressive, I am in the 15% category which affects us older folks....

Good Sunday morning, I have yet to sort out a church for myself as the churches nearest to me are part of a circuit or have a Sunday service on a specific Sunday of the month only......but it sure is next on my agenda.....

Joan, I like today's " thought of the day " yes, no good trying to be someone else....as they say, " take me as you find me...." 

Wishing Everyfriends an enjoyable and trouble-free day...

Good Morning Everyfriend!  I'm just marking my place for later.  It will soon be time to feed the doggies and myself and get ready for church.  I'll be back later to see what you've all bee up to.  Enjoy your day!

Thanks Amy we are going to great grand sons birthday partiey afternoon. Grand deaughter is a good cook.
her mother tought her well,as Nancy did her.

Lloyd

Good morning Amy

Have a good day.

Kelly

Lloyd, have fun at the birthday party!!! Sounds like a full tummy will be coming home with you!!!

Just heard the loons calling on the lake!!! Love that sound .

Thank you Kelly, you as well.

Good morning, Kelly.

Amy--Good morning.  You certainly are a busy bee between your outside work and inside doings.

Good morning, Lloyd.  Enjoy the birthday party.

Vanilla/Jackie--Good morning.  I hope you are able to locate a church that you want to attend.  I am glad you like the "Thought for Today".

Good morning, Janie.  We'll see you again after church. 

I was posting and Peter called on skype so I stopped and talked then fenished I see a couple of my girls dropped in,good morning Jane & Jackie Have a great day. No rain here yet . the weather gusser put us off untill tomorow nighr they say .

Lloyd

Hi Jackie
Is the MS for the older generation more progressive than those who have MS at a much younger age.

Have you applied for a Blue Badge', which I think might be called Disability parking badges in America.

Kelly

and Kelley sliped is as well top of the day to you.

Lloyd

Good morning Lloyd

Kelly

You beat me to posting Lloyd



Kelly

kelly
I am slow to think and worse about rembering, Peter told me you live on a Island nere him a few min ago and I already forgot what one and where  exact location. I have had so many accedents I am phisacl and some what mential handy capped. we were talking about the green house I am bulding. I told him I am putting raised beds in it as I get down on the ground and hardly cant get back up,have to role over and get best leg under me  but up in air and up on hands then other leg up and evently stand up after a miniut or two my brain tells my feet to move.(serusly)

Lloyd

Hi Lloyd
You do very well.

I live on the Isle of Man, it is about 75 miles to the east of Ireland and 75 miles from to the west of Liverpool.

Kelly

Thanks  ?with salt water all around ,where do you get fresh water? do you have and use skype.

Lloyd 

Kelly, yes, there are no relapses or remissions just steadily get worse.....No blue badge as yet as I gave my car up although I can if I wish drive Rs car as I still have my licence, albeit an every three year check with my Doctor that I am ok to drive, then they issue the licence to cover the next three years, but R is a more confident driver than I am and can get from A to B with no memory trouble...

Hi everyone.  It is a beautiful and sunny Sunday morning.  However, I noticed in the weather reports that it is considerably warmer in Missouri and Iowa than we are here in the South.  However, we will warm up this afternoon.  I had a good nights sleep and our plans for today are primarily to go to Sunday School and Church and probably get something to eat before coming home.  I didn't accomplish anything special yesterday.  I have an HP printer that I have used remanufactured ink in for a long time.  Yesterday I had to change a couple of the cartridges and the printer locks up with the message about not being an HP cartridge.  So I put in two additional new ones with the same result.  The HP ink cartridges are about $60 for a set.  I am thinking seriously of getting a laser printer for black and white printing and guess I will have to bite the bullet and get a set of the expensive ink for color printing.  The other alternative is to just get a new combination printer. 

Carol, sounds like a good idea to break up your break back to your Colorado home and not drive late.

Janet, grandpas find it hard to say no to their grandchildren, especially sweet grand daughters.  Glad you finally have gotten a decent amount of rain. So sorry for Beth now battling another disease.  Apparently the doctors all of these years haven't looked beyond the Neurofibromatosis.  Beth and you all will be in my prayers.  No wonder you are worn down and have low resistance.  Maybe the cold is a way to get you to slow down and get the needed rest. Great news on your EKG.

Joan, Wow, that graphic by Phyllis is my kind of graphic.  I did take a brief nap yesterday afternoon but was still tired the rest of the day. I feel much more rested this morning.

deAngel, your porch sounds wonderful and very useful.  It sounds like you have a nice neighbor to help you out.  You should do the things that give you enjoyment in life like having the golf channel.

JaneS, need an explanation of the "chair in the tree" as can't even picture that in my mind.  I bet your customers at Walmart will be glad to see you back at the register.   

Good morning everyone. Was worn out when I got home last night. Too much for me going out 2 days in a row. I checked my email and headed to bed.  Fell asleep fast and woke after 8 this morning. I got to see my great grandson and he is a tease already at 8 months old. He does not like being held so I did not even try, I would have dropped him for sure. Enjoyed the meal they cooked, son cooked chicken on the grill, DIL did the veggies but grandson did the potatoes on the grill. Family of cooks. Excuse me for not commenting on yesterday's posts.

KELLY  thanks will  have to save that with the others. Oie Vie.

SUN  I wish you the best with the hand surgery. I know what it feel like to have even 1 hand out of commission.

SHIRLEY  thank you. Hope you had a good time in Mo.

PHYLLIS  I would love your sundae later today but it would be sinful for breakfast wouldn't it?

JOAN  love the graphic you picked.  I will enjoy your breakfast this morning. Good chuckle. Hope she set the roommate right. Food For Thought is just that and should make everyone think. I like your quote today. Thank you fo all today's goodies.

AMY  you were too tired to sleep from all you did.

LLOYD god morning.

JACKIE  I agree with you about today's quote. What you see is what I am, nothing else.

LARRY  good morning. 53° here now.

A soggy Good Morning,

Heavy rain is moving ever so slowly across Oklahoma.  Good to have the moisture - not so good that some areas may have bad flooding.

It's been a very busy week of enjoyable activities with different groups of friends.   I won't mind staying in today.

Hope Everyfriend Everywhere has a lovely day.

Good morning, Larry.  Those printer cartridges are so expensive.  A person could almost buy a new printer for the same cost.

Linda and Ed sold their house and are packing things this weekend,  No food in the house so they came here for breakfast.

Callie--Enjoy your staying in day.

Good Morning Everyone,
from the Sunny and warmer,  Rocky
Coast of Maine.   

Lovely weather today and sun shinning
in my  windows,  really brightens up
my life.   

All of a sudden my printer wasn't
working with my Wifi...  So used my
AVG PC Tuneup and discovered that
a driver was faulty.   Tuneup went out
and found me a working one,  and
voila ... Wifi is now communicating
with my peripherals ...   Yeah!   

Love it when I can solve a problem! 

Have  a good day everyone! 
Beautiful time of the year.  Enjoy it!
Sandy
 

Phyllis, what a neat graphic ! I can almost see the ice cream melting and the Chocolate running down. YUM !

I'm up, showered, and enjoying that first cup of coffee. Will go down for Church at 10 a.m., then the day is mine. Our speaker today will be the daughter of the founder of World Vision.

My cell phone rang at 6 a.m. and forgetting it was still plugged in I pulled it over to my bed and upset my bed table lamp, a note pad, and a few other items, with the lamp shade landing on my face…..no harm done, nothing broken, but about the wildest wake up call I have ever received.  Another lesson learned…unplug cell before use.

Bis, where are Linda and Ed moving to ? I hope they will still be near enough to your home. Having an adult child nearby is so consoling. Just the thought is enough. Any help we receive when needed is a big bonus.

Time to make my bed and get dressed for Church…see you all later.

Good morning, Sandy.  GREAT that you got the driver and fixed your WiFi so that your printer works.

June--Good Morning.  Linda and Ed will stay right in this area.  They are going to rent and look around--then will decide whether they want to build or buy a home already constructed.  They sold because with Audrey and Grant now out on their own, that 7,000 sq. ft. house is just way too big for their needs.