HomeWaters

09/10/2024

I've been deeply engaged in helping launch Gloria Gates CARE the several months that I've missed a lot of days on social media.

I wanted to share an interview with our senior advisor, Dr. Zeev Neuwirth. He's one of America's thought leaders, healthcare executives, author, podcaster & speaker.

We are honored to have him at our side

814 Your Health Check: Dr. Zeev Neuwirth from Gloria Gates CARE talks about their innovative approach to health care

08/31/2024

Happy 50th Anniversary Pam Beaver

Exactly this time five decades ago I was sweating bullets in the narthex of Wesley United Methodist Church in Tyrone, PA awaiting marriage to the love of my life

So why was I so nervous?

We had been going steady for five years

Our love lasted four of those five years while we were separated by 600 miles 90% of the time

Our best man, Bob Purdy, said "Beave, what's going on? You are NEVER nervous"

At first, I could put my finger on it

Then it hit me, all five of my college roommates were my groomsmen & I suddenly realized that NONE of them had girlfriends (most of them would't marry until a decade or two later)

They were all heading to exotic destinations to yuk it up in their early 20s

I was buckling down

Shackled to the old ball & chain

Taking to housekeeping

Running a business

In an instant, I felt overwhelmed

Bodie lovingly talked me off the ledge

Comforted me with pray & Scripture

Rebuked Satan

Reminded me that I was embarking on life with my true soulmate

Even pointed out that I had out-kicked my coverage & could NEVER, ever find another PJ

Then just as quickly as the fear rose in my heart, a great sense of comfort, peace & joy overwhelmed me

A few short minutes later we were married

Since then I have to be the luckiest guy in the world

To have PJ physically at my side for 47 years was a dream come true

Today, I still miss her more than words can express

I've come to realize that I am more deeply in love with her today than I was 50 years ago...so much so that I'm having a very difficult time dating, even three years after PJ was called to heaven

Lots of folks tell me
-Stop comparing
-You'll never find another Pam
-Turn the page
-Blah, blah, blah

The simple fact is...I want my Pammie Jo

Several of my family members & closest friends point out
-God is in control
-He has the perfect woman being prepared for me
-Keep praying

I know they are right

Fortunately, the Lord has filled my life with wonderful family, friends & work colleagues

He's given me a great mission in Gloria Gates CARE

I have so much to be thankful for

Pj, Until we meet again, I promise to carry the baton. Luv, Joey

Here's the theme of our wedding, "If" by Bread https://youtu.be/5a_4fBH_7dk?si=Vc36SRxSKHRqDhtq

08/09/2024

SURPRISE

I love to surprise Pam Beaver.

For her 50th birthday, I conspired with our dear friends & neighbors Holly Greene White & Tim White to create a celebration bash

Problem was, how do we keep a party with more than 100 family & friends under wraps

First, we decided to hold it 10 days BEFORE her birthday

Second, we figured that Holly could tell Pam that the White's were sponsoring a neighborhood pig roast

Now for the hard part, how the heck do you prevent PJ from volunteering. We knew if Pam learned about it in advance, she would INSIST on helping decorating, set up, food prep, etc.

As I recall, I waited til the last minute & said, "Tim & Holly are having a luau at their place for their work crew & they asked us to drop in for a few minutes"

Regardless of the lie I told, Pam bought it (she actually trusted me most of the time)

However, when scores of cars came rolling past our front door on the way to the White's PJ said, "I had no idea that Tim's business had so many employees"

I lied again, "He has a TON of customers, you'll prolly know a bunch"

The best part of all is that we themed the party "Hawaii Five-0" for PJ's 50th

Actually, she won the top head majorette award 32 years earlier twirling blazing (live fire) batons to the theme of, Hawaii 5-0

Long story short, Troy Beaver, Josh & Bob Simpson dance in grass skirts w coconut shell bra tops to welcome PJ

It was a TOTAL hit. We partied like never before.

We didn't allow cloudburst to spoil our dancing. We all took off our shoes & turned Holly's backyard into a muddy mosh pit

Lord I miss that girl.

Funny, it's been pouring rain all Night.

Our backyard soooo soggy

I think I'll crank up the music & make a little mud to celebrate Pam's 70th

https://youtu.be/Rcvo4U33_L4?si=TbamQJH03JMFt0f8

PJ, I promise to carry the baton. Luv, Joey

08/05/2024

Shopping & the Great Commission

Pam Beaver loves shopping

- Clothes
- Jewelry
- Gifts
- Toys

And especially GROCERIES

You heard me right

PJ loves GROCERY SHOPPING....
..Almost every day

Why?

It's NOT about the groceries...it's because Pam LOVES people

And the grocery store is the platform to dispense that love

I, on the other hand, am ALWAYS in a big hurry...places to go & things to do....& the grocery store is an impediment to my 'mission du jour'

So much so that I'd avoid the grocery store like the plague

When Pam did coax me to go along, I'd declare..."I'm in a Hurry, PLEASE Don't Make Eye Contact with ANYONE"

That never worked. PJ just smiled and went about her 90-minute saunter spreading love & light.

Since she was called home, I try to only go grocery shopping once a month....& I load my cart up to the top...like yesterday

But a funny thing happened, I actually tried to make eye contact and interact with folks

The results were amazing...people actually responded

And, I received such a blessing (& pray that I spread a little love in the meantime)

Although I'm not ready to make it a daily goal (yet), I do have a new vision for wheeling my cart with the Great Commission in mind

One of PJ & my favorite songs by 4Him is "Center of the Mark" https://youtu.be/VsbQC3Zh-t4?si=smPLae40_nfdw-Mk

"To love God & love people, that's the center of the mark"

PJ, I promise to carry the baton. Luv, Joey

08/04/2024

Encourage One Another

Several weeks ago, I was invited to a Caribbean party at the wonderful home of Lori Demko-Morrissey & Kelly Morrissey

In the hours leading up to the event it poured rain & I thought, "No one will really miss me since I didn't think I would know many folks anyway"

I had pretty much resigned myself to skip the gig when I saw this pic of me clowning around with Pam Beaver

The look on her face is priceless. No matter how many goofy things I did, she ALWAYS encouraged me (well, almost always)

Suddenly I heard PJ's sweet voice say, "Donny Beaver, you NEED to go". So I did

As the evening progressed I met so many super folks & thought "PJ would have loved this"

Just about the time I was thinking about heading home I met a beautiful young lady

As she talked to the group I felt in my heart that I should know her

The PJ nudged me & said, "Ask her name," So I did

She said Jessica Pellegrino & I my heart jumped for joy

Pam told me what a fantastic gal Jess for years & years

Though I never met her, I felt like I knew her instantly

Jess told me how much Pam (& her best friend Tina Rieger Carlin) were always a huge encouragement & inspiration to her

For the next 90 minutes we laughed & cried about PJ & how much she improved our lives & so many others

This morning I opened PJ's Bible to Hebrews 3:13 "YOu MUST encourage each other every day, WHILE IT IS STILL CALLED TODAY"

PJ notes:

"Encouragement can change the power of the future of someone"

"THIS WEEK TAKE ACTION & ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER"

Whether she was throwing a birthday party for 3-year olds or loving on our friends in Honduras or sharing joy & comfort with nurses in a doctor's office or checkout folks at the grocery store, PJ was ALWAYS encouraging people (& she is still today through the lives she impacted)

I am eternally grateful for my 51 years with Pamela Jo & I promise to carry the baton, Luv Joey

Pam's theme song is "Speak Life" by TobyMac https://youtu.be/7rK6O0YtBRY?si=zzmVYvp5KDmdYmDm

08/03/2024

Alien Living

"Dear friends, I warn you as 'temporary residents and foreigners' to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls

Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors

Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, & they will give honor to God when he judges the world" 1 Peter 2:11-12

One of the many things I admire most about Pam Beaver is that she lived every day with her heart & mind focused on her homeland with God

Her notes in this passage demonstrate her deep understanding on how to represent the Good News

"1 Abstain from sinful living" (As Pam always reminded me, 'we may not be sinless on this side of Heaven, but we should sin LESS as we progress on our journey home')

"2 Aspire to good living" (Several times every week folks remind me of how PJ went out of her way to offer acts of kindness)

"Proper living makes the Gospel more attractive" (The look on PJ's face in this photo from 3 years ago...just 1 month before she was called home...says it all. She radiated God's love & grace)

PJ concludes, "You are being WATCHED."

She knew with all her being that we only have a short time to make a big (& eternal) impact.

And that her actions far outweighed her words

One of the lessons that the Holy Spirit continues to teach me is to not get too "entangled in the ways of the world that wage war with my soul"

PJ, thanks for this reminder I promise to carry the baton Luv Joey

I love Tauren Wells "Citizen of Heaven" please listen https://youtu.be/GwirdlbkUD8?si=rWACdAnhxwWRNxkC

07/25/2024

SERVE 1 Peter 4:10-11

"God has given each of you some special abilities; be sure to use them to help each other, passing on to others God’s many kinds of blessings

Are you called to preach? Then preach as though God himself were speaking through you

Are you called to help others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies so that God will be glorified through Jesus Christ—to him be glory and power forever and ever"

Pam Beaver notes

"We are designed to receive & give"

"Make a decision (commitment) to serve one another"

"You have a gift (v10)"

"There is NO win in comparison"

"Use your gifts to serve others"

"God wants what you have"

"Using your gift glorifies God "

"God uses ordinary people to accomplish His extraordinary purpose"

"His ability with your availability can overcome any impossibility"

"Discover your SHAPE"
- Spiritual gifts
- Heart
- Abilities
- Personality
- Experience

"Deploy: JUMP into service"

It's interesting that Peter's admonition was preceded by a warning that "the end of the world is coming soon"

If ever there was a time to take his warning to heart, it's NOW

Want to overcome a difficult situation? SERVE

Need to fix a problem? SERVE

Want to get out of hot water? SERVE

As PJ wrote "JUMP into service"

I discovered this song, "It pays to serve Jesus" https://youtu.be/JB65DQST6aM?si=kUICBby9g-SjhzJp

PJ, I promise to carry the baton. Luv, Jesus

07/24/2024

Persevere: When Life Hurts

So, you think you have it rough?

How would you like to be the prophet, Jeremiah?

Miah, spent 50+ years warning Judah that God was going to wreak havoc on His people for their idolatry & apostasy

Jer suffered terribly for being God's herald

For decades he was mocked, beaten & imprisoned...
..but he persevered through it all

Pam Beaver's notes in chapter 20 say

"How to go on when you want to give up"

"A tested faith is a trusted faith"

"Life hurts when there is:

1 Disappointment

2 Despair

3 Disloyalty"

"When life hurts, I can trust....

1 God's Word

2 God's presence

3 God's purpose"

PJ notes Jer's conclusion in verse 13

"Sing to the Lord. Praise the Lord. For though I was poor & needy, He rescued me from my oppressors"

She writes,

"WHEN YOU ARE DOWN, LOOK UP & TRUST IN GOD"

In all candor, I feel like I've had a little taste of Jeremiah's hurts lately (no beatings or imprisonment)...but more than my normal share of disappointments

I really needed today's lesson

How about you?

Reminds me of one of our favorite songs by Selah, "Press On" https://youtu.be/AKJ6dmKV0Gc?si=CucUwLprxOkQU_da

PJ, I promise to carry the baton. Luv, Joey

07/09/2024

The Prescription for Peace

What kind of worrier are you? Do you....

-Fear
-Fret
-Fume
-Agonize
-Brood
-Doubt
-Fuss
-Carp
-Distress

All of these are symptoms of worry

Last week I was brooding over not having enough hours in the day to finish my 'to do' list

Yesterday I was fussing over the details of a very complex deal

This morning I am agonizing over personnel decisions

Then, the Holy Spirit said "Look up" & I saw these sun-drenched clouds

I began to quiet my heart & turned to today's passage

"Let everyone see that you are unselfish & considerate in all you do

Remember that the Lord is coming soon

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, & don’t forget to thank him for his answers

If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand

His peace WILL keep your thoughts & your hearts quiet & at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus" Phil 4:5-7

Pam Beaver notes

"When we worry, our hearts & minds are divided"

True that. I feel like I'm being pulled in so many directions

God says, "Don't worry about ANYTHING"...
-Nothing
-Nada
-Diddly
-Squat
-Zero
-Zilch
-Zip

OK, I get it...but what do I do instead of worry

Paul sez,

-Pray about EVERYTHING

-Tell God what you need

-Thank Him for all He has done

-Then you will experience God's peace that exceeds ANYTHING we can understand

-His peace WILL guard your hearts & minds

PJ concludes "Pray until peace comes"

So, I'm dumping everything at Jesus' feet

That's what He wants me to do

How 'bout you?

Love Lauren Daigle's Trust in You https://youtu.be/n_aVFVveJNs?si=9HoaSBp50mp6fP1K

07/08/2024

Peace of the Christian Life: The Presence of Christ

Paul's letter to the Philippians is chock full of examples of how Jesus emptied himself so that we might be filled with His Holy Spirit

Today we start the final chapter with the theme "Peace"

"Dear brother Christians, I love you & long to see you, for you are my joy & my reward for my work. My beloved friends, stay true to the Lord

And now I want to plead with those two dear women, Euodias & Syntyche. Please, please, with the Lord’s help, quarrel no more—be friends again

And I ask you, my true teammate, to help these women, for they worked side by side with me in telling the Good News to others; & they worked with Clement, too, & the rest of my fellow workers whose names are written in the Book of Life

Always be full of joy in the Lord; I say it again, rejoice" 4:1-4

As you recall, Paul is writing while shackled in a dank Roman prison

In spite of his circumstances (or because of them), he is constantly encouraging & instructing his friends in Philippi

He starts with practical, concrete advice

Paul encourages them to "stay true to the Lord". I Greek 'true' might be better translated 'loyal at all costs'

Paul sprinkles in a little motivation for them to stay loyal to Jesus because they are his 'joy & the crown that he will receive for his work'

The Philippians, knowing how hard Paul had labored for his crown, would not want to tarnish his life's work

But Paul's work is not done

He immediately dives into practical problem solving by encouraging a couple gals to "settle their disagreement"

To make sure they set things right, Paul enlists others in the church to help them get the train back on the track & tells them

"Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say Rejoice"

PJ's notes simply say:

"Confidence in the midst of turbulence" (in other words, Paul was certain that these folks could pull it together...even in his absence. In fact he was celebrating in advance)

Do you have a relationship that's a little threadbare right now?

Can you hear the Holy Spirit admonishing you to settle the disagreement?

If you do, you will be able to rejoice.

I love "Forgiveness" by TobyMac https://youtu.be/xfkhqpl81NA?si=OTcOesZHKW1VLdRV

07/06/2024

Flawed yet Forgiven

I love the continuity of the Holy Scriptures

From the Original Testament to the New, one theme is abundantly evident

Humans are seriously flawed. God desires to wipe our slate clean

As we all know, King David screwed up (more than once)

- He took Uriah's wife, Bathsheba, while Uriah was fighting for Israel

- Dave tried to cover up his rotten act by inviting Uriah home from the battlefield (ostensibly to sleep with Bathsheba)

- When Uriah refused to take comfort in his wife's arms, Davey Boy ordered him back to the fiercest battle & told the general to "withdraw support"...in other words, David ordered Uriah's ex*****on

If ever a guy needed forgiveness, it was King Dave

Dave confesses his awful sins in Psalm 31

In Psalm 32:1-2, he celebrates his forgiveness

"What happiness for those whose guilt has been FORGIVEN

What joys when sins are COVERED over

What relief for those who have CONFESSES their sins and God has CLEARED their record"

St Paul recounted David's words with a New Testament twist in Romans 4:7-8

"King David spoke of this, describing the happiness of an undeserving sinner who is declared 'NOT GUILTY' by God

'Blessed and to be envied,' he said, 'are those whose sins are FORGIVEN and PUT OUT OF SIGHT

Yes, what joy there is for anyone whose SINS ARE NO LONGER COUNTED AGAINST HIM by the Lord'”

Don't you love the recurring theme

- We ALL sin (shucks, I sinned so many times yesterday I was on a super guilt trip last night & this morning)

- My notes in Pam's Bible say "Devil wants us focused on the stuff that harms us"

- Like Geraldine/Flip Wilson would say, 'The devil made me do it' Fact is, I simply did not stay close enough to Jesus the past few days & satan weaseled his way in

- God delights in hearing the confessions of "undeserving sinners" (yup, that's me...Pastor Ken calls it 'dirty dog sinner')

- Best of all, the VERY moment my confession goes from my lips to God's ear, He takes IMMEDIATE ACTION. He:

- COVERS our sins

- CLEARS our record

- DECLARES us not guilty

- FORGIVES us

- PUTS our sins out of sight (how far does God have to cast our sins to be out of His sight?)

- NO LONGER COUNTS our sins against us..DONE, FINISHED, ENDED, PERFECTED, TERMINATED, GONZO.

Pam Beaver's note says

HAPPINESS IS BEING FORGIVEN

Indeed

I love the newsboys (official) version of "amazing Love" https://youtu.be/M7cD9kAjrXg?si=a8T1a-dSelGA85IR

07/04/2024

Lists

We all make lists

What to do today lists

Grocery lists

Bucket lists

Wish lists

Honey-Do lists

I have sort of bizarre list-making "skills" that follow this logic:

- Scribble 'stream-of-consciousness' stuff on index cards or scraps of paper

- Consolidate the lists into relevant subjects

- Prioritize the consolidated lists

- Keep track of the items until they are complete

- Rinse & repeat

Fortunately, there's one list we don't need to worry about

Our Sin List

"The Lord says, but I, yes I, am the one who takes care of your sins—that’s what I do

I don’t keep a list of your sins". Isaiah 43:25

Gotta love it

- God "takes care" of our sins

- And he does NOT 'make a list"

Actually, King David says that God goes to even further lenghts

"As far as the east is from the west, so far has the Lord removed our sins from us" Psalms 103:12

Yes. Amen.

However, St Paul reminds us of one caveat

We have a role in the process

"Now change your mind & attitude to God & turn to him"

In other words, we MUST repent

If we do, the outcome is fabulous

"....so he can cleanse away your sins & send you wonderful times of refreshment from the presence of the Lord & send Jesus your Messiah back to you again"

I love this version of "East to West" by Ben Fuller Music & Casting Crowns https://youtu.be/ZYzilUrKK9E?si=WIJqIho8rOMDnRze

Pj, I promise to carry the baton. Luv, Joey