Boojoyful

July 1 The sweltering 111 degree temperatures Friday kept us inside.  Filling up the baby pool would bring no relief, so we resorted to the kitchen sink, while I baked cookies.  The pictures below show the simple joy that came from the new found texture of an egg shell and the sprayer on the kitchen sink. An inquisitive spirit found a way to turn an egg shell into a cup. Jesus brings this same kind of joy when we feast upon his Word and allow the amazing free gift of his love to penetrate our hearts. It is impossible to grasp that kind of sacrificial love and not smile. Psalm 13:5 But I trust in   your   unfailing   love ; my heart rejoices in   your   salvation. Psalm 36:5 Your love,  Lord , reaches to the heavens,  your faithfulness   to the skies.

June 30 June has come and gone, but left us with two precious new lives to love on.  Yes, we are heavy on the boys at our house, but our world needs some godly men...so train 'em up young parents, train 'em up! Kip  Carrington These two little cousins are catching their z's now, while they can. They will meet for the first time in August! I think they look a lot alike! Psalm 119:73-74          Your hands made me   and formed me;      give me understanding to learn your commands.    May those who fear you rejoice   when they see me; for I have put my hope in your word. Thank You Father, for these new lives.  May they grow to love you more and more each day.

June 29 You know you are in the South when it is 104 degrees outside, you drag your sweaty self into Kroger for watermelon, lemonade, popsicles and ice cream and out in front of the store is a large HOT grill with a man cooking ribs.  A table is set up beside it with sauces, a bone bowl and wet paper towels and lovely ladies in designer clothes and diamonds dangling are gnawing down on those ribs and then getting in their BMWs and Mercedes and driving off!  How I wish I'd had my camera. Somewhere in those gals lives someone had spoken affirmation into them giving them a confidence to stand outside Kroger with BBQ sauce on their lips and a rib clutched between two hands. Ending out this affirmation adventure, I will leave the u,v,w,x,y, and z words to you.  The realty of the difference this process of speaking affirming words over others was confirmed yesterday to me by a young freshman in college who had no idea I even write a blog.  This girl is studying dressmaking in Califor

June 29 Affirmation has flowed out of all of our mouths to someone concerning their great talent!  A musician, an artist, an athlete maybe who has left us in awe by their skill. As a parent of seven children, I made a conscious decision early on to encourage each of our children in their areas of talent.  Some of them might say I did this to a fault and they felt labeled by that affirmation.  This is our harpist, animals love this adventurous child, this one is naturally honorable, this is our writer, this is our artist, this is our gifted athlete who makes everyone smile, this one has a personality that can charm the world, etc.  Early on I did a spiritual gifts inventory with each of them, trying to desire their spiritual gifts after they had come to the Lord.  I am sad to say, I can't even remember the results of those tests, but from the way they have lived their lives and walked with the Lord their gifts are easy to identify. Talents and spiritual gifts are

June 27 One of my very favorite verses is: Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a   steadfast   spirit within me .  Psalm 51:10 It is such an encouragement to keep on keeping on towards the finish line of heaven. Pregnant women are a great example of steadfast women.  This morning I received a text around 4:30 AM from one of our sons that he and his wife were heading to the hospital in hopes of their baby coming today.  This sweet daughter in law has been steadfast in her faith and her positive attitude through a tough pregnancy due to varicose veins.  Check out her blog: http://bandjandrews.blogspot.com Pray for her steadfastness through labor and for good health for her and our newest grandchild...oh yes and a steadfast attitude of love and patience for our son as he goes through labor the first time!  :) Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in  the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not  in  vain in the Lord.

Bridging Gaps June 26 There are many categories in which we hold individuals in high esteem and greatly respect them for the role they play in society. We can encourage the single mom whom we respect for the sacrifices she makes being on her own for her children.  In obedience to God's Word, we can respect our parents for loving us unconditionally.  I have great respect for educators, who step into often low paying and even dangerous positions to bring hope and a future to children. God cares most about our respect for Him. God's eye is on those who respect him, the  ones who are looking for his love.  He's ready to come to their rescue in bad times; in lean times he keeps body and soul together.    Psalm 33:18-19 While it is easy to have overwhelming respect for God, we are called to a more difficult task (which honestly, I wanted to skip over in this entry). 1 Peter 2:13-17 Make the Master proud of you by being good citizens.  Respect  the authorities

June 25 Yes, I realize I skipped "N" this weekend.  Actually, the 101 Words of Affirmation did not have an "N" word.  Maybe, like me, the writer grew up learning that part of the alphabet a bit differently.  Instead of singing L, M, N, O, P. I thought is was one big letter in the middle.  Go ole, "Elemintoepea". Certainly, a couple simple "N" affirmations could be... "You are so nice!   You are a wonderful nurturer. Investigate the Queen of Sheba's words of affirmation utilized as she came to check out Solomon. It is a wonderful story in 1 Kings Chapter 10. 1 Kings 10:6-9 She said to the king, "It's all true! Your reputation for accomplishment and wisdom that reached all the way to my country is confirmed. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it for myself; they didn't exaggerate! Such wisdom and elegance—far more than I could ever have imagined. Lucky the men and women who work for you, getting to

June 23-24 Are the clouds ruining your tan or giving your skin a needed break?  Is the fact the restaurant ran out of your favorite dessert disturbing or a blessing keeping those unneeded calories off?  I am learning to be optimistic and see God is up to good in all situations.  Early on in my current baby sitting gig I came down with vertigo, which has slowed me down when it comes to lifting the boys.  Tipping my head down or up is nauseating, so I've asked for more help than I normally would.  Finally, I praised God for the vertigo realizing it was most likely salvaging my back and equipping me for the duration of this lengthy gig due to our daughter's C-section. I believe with all my heart God is god over all and uses all things (painful as they may be) to work together for our good according to His calculations.  Our optimistic attitudes through these times of trial can be motivating to those around us. How much fun, since I've been hanging out with a pregna

June 22 "Loving " is a fabulous attribute, while not on the list of 101 Affirming Words.  Visiting the pediatrician's office with two of our grandsons, the one year old went up to every child in the " well" waiting room and placed his hand on them in an act of loving affirmation.  A three year old boy looked at his mother and inquired "Touch the baby?"  At first she said no, but I gave the go ahead and said he would love a hug.  All the hearts in that doctor's office melted as these two little blondes embraced! God really tapped into an amazing sense when he created touch.  So many long for it.  Last week I saw a great clip online (I think it was from the Today's show or Good Morning America).  A young college gentleman had himself videoed randomly going up to strangers and holding their hand.  The reactions were pretty funny. One of my more embarrassing moments was a hand holding encounter at a prayer time in Sunday School

June 21 "Be joyful always" (1 Thessalonians 5:16) seems like an impossibility when measured with the world's requirements for joyfulness.  A friend who has been an African missionary says what he loves most about his years in Uganda is the joy radiated from these people who have nothing when it comes to materialism.  Their love for the Lord is a sufficient source for their joy. In John Piper's book, Don't Waste Your Life  he writes "There was a time love felt like this-when I could not conceive of any joy greater than the honor of my name.  When I was so absorbed in me that is was inconceivable for joy to rise by my admiring rather than my being admired.....But now (thanks to your mighty grace!) I see it is an imitation." He goes on to write about the inversion of sin and how it robbed our souls of the one joy God had designed to satisfy us for eternity.  " In my presence there is fullness of joy; at my right hand are pleasures forevermore.  De

H is for Helpful Harrison! June 20 I am on a baby sitting gig at our daughter's home. Her second son arrived 2 weeks early by c-section.  The first little fellow was only 13 months old at that time, so she has her hands full.  Her church small group has been so helpful by coordinating meals 3 days a week for two months.  Sometimes the simplest act can be the move that makes a day doable! When we don't have the relationships established to bring about a bounty such as this we can turn to the Lord to be our comfort, for He is an ever present help! God is our refuge and strength, an   ever - present   help   in trouble.  Psalm 46:1 Today let's offer our "I" affirmation and adoration to the Lord. For there is no One who can out do him in the category of mercy and love...He is immensely incredible. It wasn't so long ago that you were mired in that old stagnant life of sin. You let the world, which doesn't know the first thing about living, tel

"F" is for flowers. "G" is for Grandchildren June 19 Let's affirm the friendly and the gracious . " Friendly" who comes to mind when you read this word....Mr. Rogers, Captain Kangaroo, The Wiggles?  Think ahead to where your week will take you and who is one of the friendliest people you can anticipate crossing your path?  If you go to Chick Fil A you are guaranteed to receive a friendly greeting.  On a notecard, I am going to write...."Your friendly smile has blessed my day. Thanks!"...and give it to the person I encounter who does just that. One definition of gracious  is "pleasantly kind, benevolent and courteous". The LORD is compassionate and   gracious , slow to anger, abounding in love. Psalm 103:8 Whose bounce will get a boost when we tell them..."You live out Psalm 103:8.  A person who is compassionate, gracious, slow to anger and abounding in love!

"E" is for elephant. June 18 How  exquisite your love, O God! How eager we are to run under your wings, To eat our fill at the banquet you spread as you fill our tankards with Eden spring water. You're a fountain of cascading  light, and you open our eyes to light. Psalm 36:7-9 How often do we stop to consider the unexplainable love of God?  There is nothing of greater worth in our lives. 1 John 3:1-3 states: What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it—we're called children of God! That's who we really are. But that's also why the world doesn't recognize us or take us seriously, because it has no idea who he is or what he's up to. But friends, that's exactly who we are: children of God. And that's only the beginning. Who knows how we'll end up! What we know is that when Christ is openly revealed, we'll see him—and in seeing him, become like him. All of us who look forward to his Coming stay ready, with

  "D" is for doggone cute! June 16-17 "D" is also for disciplined.  What a great word of affirmation for those who keep the faith. Lift the spirits of a fellow believer this weekend by letting them know you've noticed how they keep on keeping on with Christ. The road to life is a   disciplined   life; ignore correction and you're lost for good. Proverbs 10:17 For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how  disciplined  you are and how firm your faith in Christ is. Colossians 2:5

"C" is for cake. June 15 ...wives: Be good wives to your husbands, responsive to their needs. There are husbands who, indifferent as they are to any words about God, will be captivated by your life of holy beauty. What matters is not your outer appearance—the styling of your hair, the jewelry you wear, the cut of your clothes—but your inner disposition. Cultivate inner beauty, the gentle, gracious kind that God delights in.  1 Peter 3:1-4 Who comes to mind when you think of a woman whose inner beauty captivates her husband.  Turn today's passage into an affirming prayer for this individual. Father, today I come to you lifting up the life of ______________and praising You for the example of a godly wife she is to many.  Her inner beauty captivates not only her husband, who adores her, but it is attractive to all who come around her.  Thank You for her life and how You use her "style" in such a subtle way to draw others to a life in Christ.  May her exa

 "B" is for ball or.... "B" is for babies. June 14 "B" is also for being blessed! The beatitudes behold words of affirmation to anyone being tested! What a great passage in The Message translation to print off and keep in your pocket to pass on at a prime time when someone is about served out and possibly discouraged.  Bestowing these "blessing" reminders upon them will lift them up! Matthew 5  You're Blessed   1-2   When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said:   3 "You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.   4 "You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.   5 "

June 13 Our daughter's oldest son turned 14 months old yesterday and he isn't quite sure about the latest addition to their home.  The first three days his tactic was to ignore this new little bundle.  By day five, reality was sinking in that possibly this little squeaker wasn't leaving and an attitude of obstinance and defiance began to emerge. I decided to invoke a process of pouring words of affirmation over this big brother to help him acclimate to his new role and not become overwhelmed.  Googling "Words of Affirmation" a list came up, compiled by Michael Dorausch, of 101 Words. As time allows this month, I will plug these words into Bible Gateway and see what scriptures align with these "feel good" words.  Try complimenting others this week who exhibit these traits. (Or even if they don't allow them to try them on for size to make them feel good about themselves!) "A" is for "alligator" or words of Affirmation like