Be Still

This picture of my niece, Lindsay, her sweet baby asleep on her chest, watching her husband David fish, just spoke peace to my heart. I wish you peace today.

Remembering

This ship, the General M.M. Patrick sailed from Calcutta, India, where my father and many other soldiers embarked, and docked in New York City on September 3, 1945. I was seven days shy of one year old. My father left for overseas in December, 1943 and I was born nine months and a few days later.

Today's post is dedicated to my father, who came to be known as Daddy Boyd in his latter years. He served his country that he loved so dearly in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. Besides helping build the Burma Road, he was also a courier, flying "The Hump" several times. After one trip that required throwing parachutes etc. overboard to get enough altitude to clear the Himalayas, he decided that once on precious American soil again, he would never again fly in an airplane. He kept his word. But he always liked to joke that he wasn't afraid of flying.......he was afraid of not flying.

Last night we watched the Memorial Day Concert from Washington D.C. I came to appreciate even more than ever all those who have fought for their country and especially those who gave the ultimate sacrifice of their lives. "Freedom is not free" can sound so trite at times but it is so true. Millions of Americans have laid down their lives so that we can live freely each day. It seems that most of us take for granted our daily lives of freedom, our ability to come and go so easily, to go from state to state without passports or official identification, something many countries require nowadays.

In honor of all those, I want to include some of the favorite verses of Taps. My dad loved Taps.

Day is done, gone the sun,
From the hills, from the lake,
From the sky,
All is well, safely rest,
God is nigh.

Go to sleep, peaceful sleep,
May the soldier or sailor,
God keep.
On the land or the deep,
Safe in sleep.

Love, good night, Must thou go,
When the day, And the night
Need thee so?
All is well. Speedeth all
To their rest.

Fades the light; And afar
Goeth day, And the stars
Shineth bright,
Fare thee well: Day has gone,
Night is on.

Thanks and praise, For our days,
'Neath the sun, Neath the stars,
'Neath the sky,
As we go, This we know,
God is nigh.


Nighty, night, Daddy Boyd, I'll see you in the morning!

a repost from past pages

Weekend Worship

Hoping your weekend worship of our precious Lord and Savior is heavenly. And here are some "heavenly hydrangeas" from my garden for you to enjoy.

Isn't it wonderful to know that God's Word will never pass away?!

May your weekend, sweet friend, be filled with the knowledge that every Word that comes from the mouth of God is eternal and in that knowledge we have infinite grace, mercy and wisdom to perform the mundane tasks of each day. And may all that we do be done for His glory alone.

The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.” Isaiah 40:8 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Col. 3:17

*textures used in this photograph are by Kim Klassen--

Linking to Spiritual Sundays today

When Your Heart Cries Out for More Faith

Last night my kids in Tulsa spent thirty minutes or so in a closet underneath the stairwell in their home riding out tremendous winds and strong thunderstorms that spawned several deadly tornadoes earlier in the day near Oklahoma City.

My daughter-in-law and I had texted back and forth several times and I had naturally prayed for them with a mother's heart. About 10 PM I got a text that basically read, "The worst of the storm is over, still enduring 80 to 90 mph winds. We're okay. Stevie is missing." Stevie is the family cat.

Well, please don't hate me but I am really not a "cat person." But because I love my grandchildren so and because I know how much they love that cat, I prayed for Stevie--that he would find a safe place to hide and make it back home after the storm was over.

This morning as I was typing out my prayer to God on the "Pray With Me" section of this blog, I received a text--right after I had typed the part about "Thank you for taking care of my Tulsa kids and their property last night" and really was not thinking of Stevie included in their property--I received a little ding and it was a text that said, "Stevie's home."

I immediately started shedding some tears and then as I realized Stevie came home right as I was typing the praise about the property being protected, I started to sob--because Stevie was home?? Well partly but mostly because there are some serious situations for which I am praying in my family right now and I felt like it was a validation of the scripture about the "birds of the air."

If God cares so much about the birds of the air, that He knows when one sparrow falls, how much more does He know and care about us?! If he cared so much as to bring Stevie home from that terrible storm, how much more does He care about all the other storms in our family--storms for which I was crying out to Him this morning after I read the scripture from 1 Samuel which says:

He (Samuel) cried out to the LORD on Israel’s behalf, and the LORD answered him. 1 Samuel 7:9b

Israel was in trouble and Samuel cried out to God and the Lord answered him.

Dear friend, there will always be storms. There will always be times when lives and property are taken that seem to make no sense to us. But I do believe that God wants us to cry out to Him in faith for the salvation and protection of our families. And when I see His hand at work, I want to be the first to declare it.

I also want to cry out to Him before the storms approach, before there is any indication of an unsettled atmosphere.

If there are winds from the enemy coming at you or your family today, I pray that you will take this simple verse from 1 Samuel and let it bring encouragement to your heart today that our prayers are not in vain. Let us cry out to God as Samuel did and expect Him to hear and answer our prayers.

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The Texture of Our Lives

Thanks to Elizabeth over at Just Following Jesus In My Real Life for making me aware of Kim Klassen's blog and her lovely textures that she is so gracious to give away. She also teaches online courses and I just signed up for one today.

I am hoping that I truly learn how to master Photoshop Elements and not let it master me.

First of all I am showing you the initial image of the photo I took and then the altered image. I realize it is a little heavy but that is the way I wanted it. It really reminds me of some of the old pictures I used to see in my grandmother's snapshot box.

I used three of Kim's textures and I flattened my image before I wrote them down but I am pretty sure they were "Yesteryear, stained paper and stained music paper." I used the stained music paper texture to give the impression that this old photo had been found between the pages of a worn and tattered old hymnal.

In the future I will keep better track of the steps I used to get the final image.

The church I discovered a few months ago and took pictures of then becomes the
church I attended as a child in the picture below.

Of course it is not really the church I attended as a child (that church has been torn down and replaced by a new more modern one) but it does bear a remarkable resemblance and brings back many memories.

I am including a very pretty and different version of "I'll Fly Away" to make the memory more vivid but if you really want to hear what our little church probably sounded like almost sixty years ago, go to the bottom of the page and click on the SCBC choir selection. I had to smile even though those off key voices sound like the very angels of heaven to me.



Hop on over and enjoy looking at Kim's beautiful photography and her altered images. Very cool!

Pomp and Lump

Kendall, our only grandson, graduated from high school on May 15, 2011. The ceremony was held at The Church at Rock Creek, Little Rock, Arkansas.

There were seventy-seven graduates due to the closing of Lutheran High School last year. Their senior class merged with his and produced over 3 million dollars in college scholarships. The united class presented the school with a sculpture of a lion and an eagle merged together as one--symbolizing the meshing of the two senior classes. I don't know why but I got a huge lump in my throat at that time.



The night before I had just celebrated (with 61 other classmates) the 50th anniversary of my high school graduation and maybe it was just thinking how hard it would have been to have changed from my high school after spending six years there--seeing the same faces every day for so many years--getting to know in such a personal way, those you spend all day, every day with for so many years!

Maybe it was the memory of getting to school early on those bitter cold winter mornings--our school was "open air" and huddling in the only warm place available--the girls' restroom--becoming enmeshed in people's lives, sharing giggly girl information, learning to love each other--in where else? the girls' bathroom--

A thousand memories raced through my brain as Kendall's class presented the sculpture and told how they had truly become one unit--how they had bonded so completely as ONE senior class--lump gets bigger!

Maybe I was so emotional because the memories from high school were so fresh and I knew that Kendall would bat an eyelash, turn around, and he would be at his 50th class reunion never knowing where the years went or how he got there.

It didn't help that just minutes earlier, a bagpiper in all the official garb playing a haunting version of Amazing Grace had led the faculty in all in their flowing robes, mortar boards, tassels and honorary vestments--only for them to be seated and him to proceed down a long, vast hall until the last strains of the bagpipe could be heard no more.  Go to bottom and click on Amazing Grace to hear bagpipes--

Or maybe it was the playing of a film clip from the last episode of Mash when the war is over, Hawkeye and BJ are saying their last farewells, sharing an emotional embrace, Hawkeye runs to the helicopter and BJ has left him a last "goodbye" that he views as the copter rises into the sky--

Or maybe it was the fact that our second born granddaughter was singing at the graduation--Katelyn who just yesterday was born and day before yesterday got her braces off and was singing with the junior class choir--a grown up woman's voice when she still should be just a little girl--Oh God, why all these emotions--they are supposed to grow up, aren't they? But why so quickly, Lord,--didn't my children just grow up? I thought it would slow down just a little.

I suddenly recall last week--reading the book Heaven Is For Real and suddenly know once again that this truly is just a vapor--but there will come a day when there will be no more goodbyes. Maybe Amazing Grace will be played in the background but it will be hard to hear over the voices of millions of angels who constantly shout and sing in loud voices, Holy, Holy, Holy--Lord God Almighty!

You don't get too old or big for your Boompa to give you a big hug!

Weekend Worship at Risen Son Missionary Baptist Church, Saline County, Arkansas

Came across this little church yesterday morning when I went looking for an old high school friend in Saline County, Arkansas.

It took me back to another era--that of my childhood. This church looks so much like the one I attended as a child except mine did not have the addition on the back and it was a different denomination.

I would love to see what this church looks like on the inside--what remnants of the past still remain intact, if any. The one thing I hope holds true is this:

The God Who was the God of our forefathers, our ancestors is the same God today. He does not change. With Him there is no shadow of turning, no lies to make right, no harsh words to try to retract, no hidden agendas or bad thoughts......only loyalty, faithfulness, love, mercy and grace of the highest order.

Have a wonderful weekend, my friend, as you and yours worship the great God of the universe through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Loving you,
Dianne

Oh, BTW, thought you might be interested to know these pictures were taken with my IPhone.

Uninhibited Personified!

Hope your day is as bright and happy as these pictures of my totally uninhibited granddaughter's antics. Remember when life was like this? Don't think it was ever like that for me in this earthly body but thank God in my spirit I can rejoice like this everyday. That is what God wants for us--no worries and to cast all of our care upon Him.

Loving You,
Dianne

Beautiful Ballerina

We've had a very busy last few days. The guys from Renewal Ranch traveled to Tulsa, OK to give their testimony at South Lakewood Baptist Church. We traveled with them and three of the guys stayed with our son and his wife and family along with me and Larry.

One of the treats of being in Tulsa this past weekend was getting to watch our 10 year old granddaughter dance in competition at Union Performing Arts Center. I took the above picture with my IPhone in the lobby. No pictures were allowed in the actual competition.

The service at South Lakewood was wonderful and God's presence was so sweet. James, Caleb, Michael and Charles gave their testimonies. The church provided a wonderful potluck luncheon for us and Michael Taylor's mom and dad, Kay and Bill Taylor, provided dinner for us at the new LaFortune Golf Course restaurant on Saturday night.

The guys in Kay and Bill Taylor's side yard--the tree trunk to the
left has a carved bear on the top.  He is wearing a RR cap.

We took the guys to Bass Pro Shop on Sunday afternoon and then back to the ranch.

It was a long weekend but I enjoyed Mother's Day so much--got to be with one of my sons and his family plus all eleven of my RR sons. What a great day it was. Thank you, Kyle, for the rose even if it was picked out of an off-limits flower bed.

Ashton, you did a great job and Noelle I always love being with you and your contagious laughter and fun.

Thank you, Dree, for an awesome meal on Friday night and Sunday morning and for housing three of the guys. I love you all.

His Whole Body

Larry and I were not a part of the Summit congregation 12 years ago--we lived in Tulsa then--but did go to the Summit last night and then swung by First Baptist on the way home since they were still meeting. It was almost over when we got there but we did get to hear a couple of great testimonies.

The following was taken from our church's website at www.thesummitchurch.org

"Last night was the answer to a 12-year prayer for many people. Twelve years ago The Summit Church began out of turmoil and conflict in a sister church in Little Rock. Although I have confidence that the start of The Summit was the absolute right thing to do in that situation and the years have indicated that by God's grace, there was a lot of pain in that moment.

Last night folks met at The Summit Church to pray-beginning the fifth week of unscheduled, spontaneous prayer.

But also, a group of people from The Summit were invited to their former church, First Baptist Church in Little Rock by their pastor and people. They are beginning "First Monday" prayer meetings and asked if we would share what God has been doing. The pastor asked me to share and after giving a report of God's activity in the city and at The Summit, we opened up the microphone. The first lady to share had lost her husband and business in the last few months. Not only did the "two churches" gather (there were roughly 75-125 people from each congregation, perhaps 200-250 total) but they joined in prayer and offering for this dear lady and $1500 was given immediately.

Several others shared, but then one sister from First Baptist stood to confess that she had been critical and a part of the problem that led to the division of the two churches. She had confessed this to the Lord and to their church but had not had opportunity to ask our forgiveness of The Summit and also of me (Bill). It was a beautiful moment of reconciliation which opened the door for multiple people to come and express their heart and receive forgiveness.

For my part (Bill), although I felt I had forgiven people for what happened during those days, I had not loved as Christ desires and sought the church's forgiveness for that. The love of God was "shed abroad in my heart by the Holy Spirit" (Romans 5:5) for them. Before the night was over there was love and grace poured out upon us all...a wonderful beginning of reconciliation and healing. As I left the parking lot 4 hours after I had entered I realized, "This chapter is closed and redeemed fully by the grace of God in my own heart."

I wonder, if God chooses to spread His work of revival and spiritual awakening around the city, if we would not see many such meetings occurring between churches? May God to whatever is necessary to purify and unify His Bride. "As far as it lies within you, be at peace with ALL men" is the admonition from Scripture (Romans 12:16). We are even to forgive and "love your enemies." Jesus said, "If you come to give your offering and realize that your brother has something against you, leave your offering and go be reconciled." (Matthew 5). This may be something they hold LEGITIMATELY or ILLEGITIMATELY against you. Regardless, it is always the humble believers job to see reconciliation and unity as far as possible."

May God heal His WHOLE BODY in the city!

We meet again at The Summit for prayer at 7 PM...praying for the whole church in this region!

And the River Flows

The river of God's mercies and grace is continuing to flow here in Little Rock.

Tonight we will be starting our fifth week of revival--I only remember one other moving of God's Spirit like this--when I was a young girl of about seven--A W.V. Grant revival in Malvern, Arkansas--we attended a tent revival every night for forty-two nights if my memory serves me correctly.

Other churches in our area (and actually all over the nation) are calling and emailing and asking us to pray that a similar revival will break out in their areas. Oh my friend, I pray for this--I would give anything for every church in America to experience the freedom and complete joy that God has chosen to bestow upon us--I don't understand it--I don't know why "us."

When I say all over the nation--week before last we had a young housewife who got up early one morning and drove from her home in North Carolina to be with us in service that night--there are hundreds of stories to be told--stories of amazement and awe!

I definitely believe God wants to do this all over the world--to pour out His Spirit upon all flesh--

If I had to put my finger on one key to revival, it would be obedience and prayer.

The putting away of pride in the form of admitting anger, resentment, bitterness, malice, envy, strife, greed, racism, -- and every time I would think that every sin possible to mankind had been dealt with--the next night God would choose to focus on a certain area of sin and bring it to light--expose the deeds of darkness--

It seems that God cannot wait to answer our prayers--we are seeing such mighty answers to prayer--and the Spirit of giving is almost unfathomable--to date--that we know of--over $25,000 and a Ford Explorer has been given to people in need--our people and others who just come in off the streets--or who drove from North Carolina--our people gave the young lady who drove from N.C. over $1000 to help with her return expenses home.

Please, please know that I am not bragging on our church or our people. I am bragging on God. This is the heart of God we are seeing--the heart of God reaching out to help those who are hurting--

Yesterday, we had a young lady come forward who said and I paraphrase--"I wish I was coming forward to rededicate my life or to be baptized but in truth I don't believe in God or prayer anymore--and then in tears asked us to pray that her faith would be restored."

If someone comes asking for prayer for any need, dozens of people gather eagerly around that person to pray--

Oh my precious friend, won't you fall on your face before God today and beseech God to bring His kind of revival to your state, to your city, your town, your church--and if you are already having a revival, I am so glad--we have seen several churches in our area starting to gather together and having similar outpourings of God's grace-- However He chooses to bless you or deal with us, that is what I desire!

All praise and honor and glory go to our Lord Jesus Christ--it is His sovereignty, His mercy, His grace whereby we are blessed like this and we pray this for you and yours.

Have a blessed and wonderful week,
Dianne

You can read more of the details here--