Joy vs. Happiness and Share the Shelter Link-up

If you have no joy, there's a leak in your Christianity somewhere.

                                                                                ~Billy Sunday

My mother's mantra is, "Sometimes you have to make your own sunshine." Things don't always go our way. We may not like the doctor's diagnosis. People say unkind -- and sometimes untrue -- words.  Life just isn't always fun.  

Solomon tried to bring happiness to himself by: 

Drinking wine
Seeking wisdom
Making himself famous
Building homes
Planting vineyards
Digging water pools
Buying servants
Gathering flocks and herds
Acquiring gold, silver and treasures 
Hiring musicians to sing and to play instruments.
                                                         Pursuing pleasure in many women

But at the end of all Solomon's searching he said, "Then I took a good look at everything I’d done, looked at all the sweat and hard work. But when I looked, I saw nothing but smoke. Smoke and spitting into the wind. There was nothing to any of it. Nothing"(Ecclesiastes 2:11).  

What was Solomon doing in all his searching?  He was looking for happiness that depends on circumstances, not true joy that comes from inside. Joy embraces the promises of God, it focuses on the blessings from God. Most of all, joy encompasses our confidence in God.

Joy in sheltering then is instrumental.  Because if we're having a bad day, our joy still reaches out to others.  Happiness says, "If I'm not happy, I don't care if anyone else is." 

This week, as we shelter, let's shelter from the place in our heart where joy is "in-spite-of." You'll be surprised what happens when your joy is engaged in your sheltering. When you give the fruit, the fruit returns. It will come back, "pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap." 

Like my mother, shelter with joy and make your own sunshine.  Warm yourself in God's blessings, promises and the confidence you have in Him. Your fruit trees will be full of the joy of the Spirit.

Share the Shelter

Share the Shelter is open to everyone. I love variety so link your craft and recipes ideas we can use for sheltering. Link your posts that encourage us in our walk with God. We're a family here at the Sheltering Tree so make sure you visit the link before yours. Feel free to leave a prayer request in the comments if you or someone you love needs prayer.

The Fruit of Love                                              Linked to:

Winsome Wednesday

Whole Hearted Home

Ballets of the Mind

A friend is one who joyfully sings with you when you are on the mountaintop and silently walks with you through the valley. ~William Ward

My mind is dancing. Honestly, I can feel the twirls, pirouettes and battlements. Stretching up, down, and the constant movement of joining moves and changing positions. While I'm thankful for the softness of the ballet slippers -- I guess it could be tap dancing in there -- I wish I could get my mind to rest. 

The writer of Romans told us there are times we should rejoice with our friends, but follows up with the admonition to cry with them, too. I like the rejoicing part, but this has been a week of heart tears.

Yesterday I had a friend sobbing on my shoulder after a frightening altercation with a family member. Another friend lost her granddaughter and two great granddaughters in a car accident. One of my dearest friends lost valuable ministry possessions in a burglary and another lost her vehicle in an accident. A friend was hurt by a continuance of hateful words and a 9-year-old was diagnosed with diabetes. 

Up, down, the dance continued, hand in hand with the nagging headache that been hiding in the shadows for nearly two weeks. Then the words Joseph Scriven wrote in the 1800s came to me.

What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! 

What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer! 

O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, 
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

Scriven was engaged to be married when his fiance died in a drowning accident. Then he fell in love the second time, but again his heart was shattered when his fiance fell ill and died before their wedding. During this time his mother was dying.  Joseph wrote the words to "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" to comfort her. 

I'm sure he didn't know that over 100 years later they would remind me I didn't need to carry my friends' burdens alone. I have a Friend who will carry them for me -- and not just carry burdens, but restore my peace!  

In the restoration I find blessings -- the kinds which give me a chance to rejoice with friends:

The "no radiation needed" report

A new kitchen

A Nana's week of cuddling

An answer to a family prayer

Provision for a trip to Africa

A new college with needed career track

The ballerina dances on; the headaches' applause is still evident. I still hurt for my friends, but I'm not forfeiting my peace. I'm honored to help bear burdens for my friends, but blessed to have a Friend in Jesus.

 

Dining with Jesus and Share the Shelter Linkup

God has everything you need there-joy, forgiveness, restoration, peace, healing- whatever you need, it's waiting for you at God's banquet table if you'll pull up your chair and take the place He has prepared for you. ~Joel Osteen 

Two sweet boys pulled up to my table tonight.  Tuesdays are long with Emily having a night class and RB staying at the university to work on his own class and catch up on office details. I solved that tonight by borrowing some company.



Instead of using my china and crystal, I catered to the soldiers in little boys and we ate off camouflage plates with matching napkins. This banquet was presented with Ethan and Landon in mind.  Grandmommas are allowed to do that, you know, so don't judge the menu.  

It didn't take them long to come to the table when I called and it reminded me of when I hear the call from Jesus to "Come and Dine."  I haven't heard this old song for a long time, but it made me smile.  





Jesus has a table spread
Where the saints of God are fed
He invites His chosen people:
"Come and dine."
With his manna he does feed
And supplieth every need
Oh, it's good to sup with Jesus all the time.

Chorus:

"Come and dine," the Master calls,"Come and dine."
You can eat at Jesus' table anytime.
He who fed the multitude,
Changed the water into wine
To the hungry calleth now, "Come and dine." (Charles B. Widmeye)


Like Grandmommas, God spreads out our favorite meals -- not just combat rations. Prime Rib of the Word, Fruit of the Spirit smoothies, veggie instruction to help us grow and a chocolate dessert just to remind us how much He loves us. It's  manna good for only one day, encouraging a daily meal appointment with Him.  

A special treat for my RB

When I hear God's invitation -- sometimes a whisper when my heart is waiting for His call but sometimes louder when the responsibilities of life muffle the sound and it's harder to hear -- I run to His table. And there I am satisfied with water from the ever-springing well; with the bread of life, so rich and free.

"When your words showed up, I ate them— swallowed them whole. What a feast! What delight I took in being yours" (Jeremiah 15:16).

Share the Shelter

Share the Shelter is open to everyone. I love variety so link your craft and recipes ideas we can use for sheltering. Link your posts that encourage us in our walk with God. We're a family here at the Sheltering Tree so make sure you visit the link before yours. Feel free to leave a prayer request in the comments if you or someone you love needs prayer.

Linked to:

WholeHearted Home
Covered in Grace

Jordan's Smile and Share the Shelter Link Up

Parents of kids with special needs don’t see a disability when they look at their kids. Instead, they see the most precious and wonderful blessing of their lives. They see their child. ~Eliana Tardi  

Immediately after Jordan was just born, the doctors said he wouldn't live to be a toddler. Then they changed the prognosis to "not past toddler years...school years...teenager." But at 19, Jordan is defying the odds. His parents, partnering with God, have given him not just life, but abundant life.  

Dwight and Becky, although not his birth parents, have cared for him since birth. Second mile caring -- clean and soft hair and skin, Downy fresh clothes, and love in abundance. From his sisters to their children, the whole family delights in Jordan.

Jordan was my children's church when he was school age.  He loved music. Blindness kept him from seeing the instruments, but oh how he loved shaking the tambourines. I'd involve him any way I could. If the boys were wearing hats, Jordan wore a hat. If the boys could choose a prize, Kent, a boy with a tender heart, chose a prize for Jordan, too. He has the most beautiful smile and I loved seeing him happy.  

Today I was able to see Jordan where he's been for over a month. He was admitted because of issues with his g-tube. He then encountered problems with his breathing and ended up on a vent.  Today, although the vent is still in, they have it turned off and he is breathing around it. It was such a joy to see that smile again, however fleeting it was.  

Jordan's life has touched so many. Of course, some too busy and preoccupied to allow him to teach them compassion, joy and determination. For those of us who have chosen to listen, Jordan has taught us joy in simple things, to accept others and to love with abandon.  


I'm praying Jordan will fight this new battle so he can do his favorite activity--go camping. I want him to feel the breeze on his hand, sleep in the tiny camper with his parents and feel those slimy, scaly fish he loves. Will you pray with me? (Just before posting this Becky sent me a text: "He got the vent off.  Praise the Lord!"  I'm praising Him, too!

I took Becky a magazine and a bag of snacks. I'd love to hear your ideas of a practical way to shelter a mother staying at the hospital night after night.

Share the Shelter

Share the Shelter is open to everyone. I love variety so link your craft and recipes ideas we can use for sheltering. Link your posts that encourage us in our walk with God. We're a family here at the Sheltering Tree so make sure you visit the link before yours. Feel free to leave a prayer request in the comments if you or someone you love needs prayer.

I'm linking to Hope in Every Season.

Share the Shelter and Giveaway

The reason why many fail in battle is because they wait until the hour of battle. The reason why others succeed is because they have gained their victory on their knees long before the battle came. Anticipate your battles; fight them on your knees before temptation comes, and you will always have victory. R. A. Torey

Those of you who know Abby from Little Birdie Blessings know what a sweetheart she is.  Abby is a pastor's wife from Maine and loves vintage graphics with scriptures and hymns.  Her blog is a papercrafter's dream filled with free vintage printables.  

I was delighted to win a vintage postcard bundle from her last giveaway.  Abby had everything packaged so special and even tucked in some verses in a tiny glassine envelope. I decided I like to win!

Although I love Abby's gift, there's another prize I'm working on winning. Instead of leaving comment love on a blog, I must run a race. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 9:26-27, "I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No sloppy living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself."

Paul's words could have come from my mouth: "I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back (Philippians 3:12-14).

Off and running and not turning back.  I'm running for the prize. My eye has caught the bright reflection from the crown of righteousness. God the Father welcomes me to the race, Jesus paid the entrance fee and the Holy Spirit keeps my eyes on the goal.  

I'm not the first one to receive the prize.  I won't be the last.  But "I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back."

Share the Shelter and Giveaway

Share the Shelter is open to everyone. I love variety so link your craft and recipes ideas we can use for sheltering.  Link your posts that encourage us in our walk with God.  We're a family here at the Sheltering Tree so make sure you visit the link before yours.  

Since I won, I want you to win, too. There's a $25.00 Amazon gift certificate for those of you who leave a comment.  Those who link up get an extra entry.

Linked to:

Homemaking Linkup

God's Angels and Sharing the Shelter

Angels descending, bring from above,

Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

~Fanny J. Crosby

God's Angels

I don't think you ever forget the moment you sell your first book.  All the ones afterward pale in comparison.  In 1995 I sent "God's Angels" to one publishing company and found a rejection letter in my mailbox.  I sent it out again and the owner of the publishing company called. My heart was pounding and I could hardly concentrate on his words.  I did get the gist of it, though -- "we want your book and would you write three more to make a series?" 

Not only was I excited about the sell, but I was excited about getting the book's message to children around the world. The book was born out of a Vacation Bible School program I had written -- An Angel for Me.  It seemed like every magazine I picked up and many books I read were about angels. God was left out, while the angel received all the glory for miracles, protection or provision. 

The source of Truth, God's Word, tells us that the angels only move at the command of God. Praise the Lord, you angels, you mighty ones who carry out his plans, listening for each of his commands. Yes, praise the Lord, you armies of angels who serve him and do his will (Psalm 103:20-21).

This week when I found an angel wing shell on the beach, I was reminded of God's faithfulness and His love for me. When an angel is looking out for me, it's because of God's deep love.  The angels only move as God commands. They protect (Daniel in the lions den), minister (Jesus after His confrontation with Satan), and show us mercy through God's plan (Peter released from jail).

With those tiny wings, washed up on the pure white sands of the Gulf shore, God reminded me once again that He loves and cares for me.  He cares enough to remind me He's commanding angels to protect, minister, offer mercy, and guide. Today I feel the breeze from the wings of an angel.  I feel its breath in my face as he whispers, "Yes, God." I feel the angel's encouraging hand on my back, urging me forward in mercy and into God's continued plan for my life. 

The cool breeze whips around me, but the sun is warm on my bowed head as I thank God. With Fanny Crosby, beloved songwriter, I sing, "Angels descending, bring from above, echoes of mercy, whispers of love."  In my heart I hear the rising crescendo of her chorus...

This is my story, this is my song,

Praising my Savior, all the day long.

This is my story, this is my song.

Praising my Savior, all the day long. 

(Fanny Crosby - 1820-1915)

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Sharing the Shelter

Link up your sheltering ideas -- a recipe, craft or sewing project, a blog post sure to encourage or teach, or another sheltering idea you'd like to share? Link up and enjoy the ideas. Use them to go shelter!

Share the Shelter and Simple Pleasures

The true way to live is to enjoy every moment as it passes, and surely it is in the everyday things around us that the beauty of life lies. ~Laura Ingles Wilder

Louisa May Alcott said, "We gather simple pleasures like daises by the bay."  What is a simple pleasure?  It's a tiny, inexpensive thing that brings a satisfying joy.


A simple pleasure is:

Blueberry tea in your favorite cup
The inspiration of a new tablet
Starbucks gift cards
Rice bags
Strawberries on top of your favorite cereal

I am beginning to learn that it is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all. ~Laura Ingalls Wilder
 
It's tempting to think of big things as the true treasures--like the elegance of the resort instead of the pewter ice bucket.  I want to remember the moments--the simple pleasures of this week and next.

Hugs from four grands
The promise of 12 sleeps in the {warm} south
Mile after mile with my favorite person
Orange juice at the Florida welcome center
Keeping in touch with the girls.
78 degree temperature
Facebook chats with my sister
A book too captivating to put down
Sunshine, sunshine, sunshine
Pink soap at the rest area
Brainstorming a new project
Reading to RB while he drives
Heart-shaped flower bed bursting with color 
Birds singing

As the years pass, I am coming more and more to understand that it is the common everyday blessings of our common everyday lives for which we should be particularly grateful. They are the things that fill our lives with comfort and our hearts with gladness -- just the pure air to breathe and the strength to breathe it; just warmth and shelter and home folks; just plain food that gives us nourishment; the bright sunshine on a cold day; and a cool breeze when the day is warm. ~Laura Ingles Wilder

The psalmist David said, "Thou has put gladness in my heart" (Psalm 4:7). These simple pleasures are gifts God has planted in my heart.  I'm treasuring them, and my heart runs over with gladness.

What simple pleasure is God planting in your heart?

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Share the Shelter

Deidra from The Middle won Joy Busters.

Link up your sheltering ideas -- a recipe, craft or sewing project, a blog post sure to encourage or teach, or another sheltering idea you'd like to share? Link up and enjoy the ideas. Use them to go shelter!

The Sheltering Sun and Sharing the Shelter

Concentrate on counting your blessings and you'll have little time to count anything else. ~Woodrow Kroll

Shortly after the noon hour Pacific Time, I stepped out of Baggage Claim and into sunlight.  Not the-sun-is-shining-but-the-wind-is-blowing-and-I'm-cold sort of sun.  No, the kind that hits-you-in the-face-and-warms-your-winter-bones kind of sun. I stood still in the sunshine, waiting for my sister-in-law, and my heart just did a happy dance, right there on the sidewalk.  

My Heavenly Father, who hung the Sun in the Galaxy, filled me full of grace-filled blessings today -- kindnesses I don't deserve… But, He poured them over me like the rain I left in Indiana this morning.

  

1.  Aisle seats.

2. Close gates.  Loved that one!

3.  Sun!  Need I say more?

4.  Lunch in the sun.

5.  Lobster tacos at World Market.

6.  Watching the sun set over the beach.

7.  Dearest-of-all sister-in-loves.

8.  Did I mention the sun?

God is always good, and gives me daily blessings.  But sometimes He just fills a sunshine basket full of grace and the rays beam joy inside of me.  He shelters so perfectly!

Share the Shelter

Link up your sheltering ideas -- a recipe, craft or sewing project, a blog post sure to encourage or teach, or another sheltering idea you'd like to share?  Link up and enjoy the ideas.  Use them to go shelter!

 .

Sharing the Shelter: Shelter a Soldier

I am a soldier in the army of my God.

The Lord Jesus Christ is my Commanding Officer.

The Holy Bible is my code of conduct.

Faith, prayer and the Word are my weapons of warfare.

B.J.Morbitzer

He's the baby brother of the one Emily loves. First, special because of who he belongs to, but before long, just special for himself. When Nathaniel's around our table we have a laugh a minute. He's just funny. Add his humor to Emily's, and it's like Solomon proclaimed--the best kind of medicine.

Sunday was the last time he'll sit around our table for a while. Monday he leaves for boot camp. In Emily's words, "We are gonna miss him like crazy, but we sure are crazy proud of him."

I don't have trouble picturing Nathaniel as a soldier in the USA army. But he's also a soldier in God's army.  Being a soldier in the United States Army will require him to put on the armor of God daily. For along with the enemies of our country, Nathaniel will be battling the enemies of our God.  He'll need:

The Helmet of Salvation to protect his mind.  
The Breastplate of Righteous to protect his heart.
The Girdle of Truth for power and strength against temptation.
His feet shod with the gospel to share Jesus with others.
The Shield of Faith to protect what he believes. 
The Sword of the Spirit to gain wisdom and guidance each day.

And Nathaniel will need us to faithfully pray that he will not defect from the army of God -- that he'll strive to be the best he can be, not only in the US Army, but also in God's Army.

We're proud, yes.  Proud that God will use him to keep our country safe. And proud that God will use him in His army.  That by standing for truth, keeping himself pure, and daily learning from God's word, he will come back from boot camp a stronger soldier than when he left. And that's my prayer.

Share the Shelter Linkup #10

I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD. Samuel 1:27–28

Photo by Kayla

Our home is all about babies these days.  Emily's friend, Katie, is eagerly waiting for the birth of her sweet Camden. Many of you will remember that Katie and her sister, Kayla, have been Emily's best friends since she was eight years old. It's an exciting time for Katie and Auntie Kayla so, of course, it is for Emily, too.

And you know they say, "When a child is born, so is a grandma." Since the soon-to-be-grandma just "happens" to be a dear friend of mine, I'm eagerly awaiting her permanent Nana status.

Photo by Kayla

We had another brand new baby dedicated to God Sunday. Barely a week old, Haley snuggled in her grandfather's arms as he prayed a prayer of dedication. Four generations stood before the altar.  Four generations who love God, live for Him and are teaching their children to love their God, too.

I believe those of us who are grandparents have a responsibility to the young parents who are raising their children in our world today. A responsibility to pray, to encourage, to offer the practical help of a supper casserole, a few hours of child care or a thinking-of-you card.  

It's sheltering time!

Photo by Kayla

Sharing the Shelter

Link up your sheltering ideas -- a recipe, craft or sewing project, a blog post sure to encourage or teach, or another sheltering idea you’d like to share? Link up and enjoy the ideas. Use them to go shelter.

Sharing the Shelter #9 and Giveaway

God had an only Son and He made Him a missionary.

 ~ David Livingstone ~

My nephew, Jordan, and his wife are missionaries to the Hunkpapa  
Sioux on Standing Rock Sioux Reservation in north central South Dakota. One of the highlights of our Christmas season was having them stop by on their way home to Ohio and Pennsylvania. Melanie fixed a delicious lunch and their three children were able to run and play while we visited a bit. 

A missionary is defined as "one who is sent on a mission, especially one sent to do religious or charitable work in a territory or foreign country." Oswald Chambers defines a missionary as "someone sent by Jesus Christ just as He was sent by God."   

According to Chambers' definition my daughter is a missionary in her own home. As a writer, I am a missionary whose words are sent out to be read by others. My pastor is a missionary, sent by God to open the Word to his congregation. Missionaries--all of us. I want to be faithful to the sending.

Sharing the Shelter and Giveaway

The giveaway is open to everyone--just leave a message.

Those who link to Sharing the Shelter have an extra entry.

Giveaway

The Farmer Said "Yes!" by Janene Dubbeld

A true missionary story based on the life of Don and Twana Hawk.

Illustrated by the farmer's granddaughter, Twana Joy Johnson

Included is a Go-along-with-the-story CD

Do you have a recipe, craft or sewing project, a blog post sure to encourage us, or other sheltering idea you’d like to share? Link up and enjoy the ideas. I like keeping the rules simple:

• Grab my button or leave a text link-back 
• Visit the two blogs before yours 
• Shelter someone