Boojoyful

I snatched this photo from Liz Curtis Higgs' email,  which came this week  about Mary Magdalene at the tomb. Check out  Lizcurtishiggs.com

March 31 Two of our great nieces came to spend the day yesterday and were a delight to our two grandsons, who were visiting.  There is something enchanting about a series of photos I shot yesterday.  At first I figured it was my deep, deep love for these little ones that has me enthralled with these shoots.  As I looked back through them today, while I've been reflecting on Christ, I realized it is the thrill of discovery in their young lives that was bring such joy.  Whether is was a plastic egg, a daffodil, sticking their toes in the lake to see how cold it was or throwing a stick in to see if it would sink, they loved the process. Today is all about Jesus and his incredible miracle of resurrection, which has freed us from death! Think back to the day you discovered who He really is and what that really means. There is not a day that has to go by lacking the thrill of discovery when Jesus is in our lives. When we slip away with "The Way" he shows us new wonders!

March 30  I assumed I would wake up this morning and the Lord would give me an Easter message, but life is full of uncertainties. Our youngest son called to say that "Nannie" his wife's grandmother, who is the biggest University of Florida Gator fan God ever made, flew out to Texas to cheer her Gators on in the tournament.  They were hopeful Florida would make it to the Final Four and the whole family would celebrate in Atlanta next weekend, where our son and daughter in law live. The game was off to a tense start with the "Cinderella" team giving those Gators a few tussles early on. But Florida got it together and pulled off a victory.  Nannie's brother and his family were with her.  After the game she was having difficulty breathing, so they asked for a wheelchair.  Then the EMT's called an ambulance.  She died on the way to the hospital. The tears are dripping down my face again, as they have all morning, as I think of the void the passing

An Addition to March 29 As you read today's blog, you will see that I choose a picture of "symbol" for Christ's sacrifice. The reason, I don't like to see images of Jesus' suffering. Right after I posted today's devo, I read a James MacDonald devotional on why Christ had to suffer.  Then I went to Facebook where my niece had posted this picture...below her entry another friend had posted the second picture telling about a race in which she hopes to run.  The three went perfectly together.  I hope these photos speak to you as well.

John the Baptist announced, “Behold the Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world.” The Lamb of God died on the same day as the Passover lambs were being slain on Mount Moriah, the very limestone ridge where long ago God had told Abraham, “God will provide Himself a lamb.” Jesus said,  “Abraham saw My day, and was glad.”  (John 8:56) By Adrian Rogers March 29 I've always struggled with the term Good Friday.   It's just so hard to grasp why God chose this sacrificing of his Son, as the way for atonement of our sins.  If He was looking for a way to "stop us in our tracks" and make us value the sacrifice, He got my attention.  I'd have appreciated a prettier picture, but SIN isn't a pretty picture, is it? ... having made peace through the blood of His cross.” - Colossians 1:20 Adrian Rogers wrote: "How can a cross bring peace if Jesus is the One hanging there? At the cross, wickedness was not appeased. Wickedness was confronted

March 28 Don't you love how you can read the same passage over and over and learn an entirely new lesson? This week as I was dabbling in the Easter passages I came to this one. Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well , for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.    John 12:9-11 What struck me was how the chief priests were not able to rejoice in the miracles of Jesus.  They were so threatened by Jesus' victories, that instead of coming alongside him and learning from him, they wanted to kill him.  And in this case, kill Lazarus as well.  Our world is still like this.  In the business and political world, the world of academia, and the social sports arenas....people long for the lime light for themselves and will go to great lengths to extinguish what they see

March 27 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.    Isaiah 53:5 Have you ever had a relationship strained because someone didn't see sin as sin?  Possibly they didn't even want to hear the word sin.  There's many a church in America that never unleashes that word from the pulpit in fear of offending a financial contributor. More often, than not, the offended party is either dealing with that sin or cares very deeply about someone who is dabbling or maybe even deep in it. Having this discussion with a girlfriend last week she expressed that when we venture into that sort of thought process we are "cheapening the sacrifice which Christ made for our sins." Watching the previews, for what I assume is the finale, to the mini series,  The Bible, on the history channel Sunday night I had to close my eyes as they whipped Jesus. Each lash

Praise the Lord, my soul.  Lord my God, you are very great; you are clothes with splendor and majesty! Psalm 104:1 March 26 Quite often I awaken with my spirit singing the song, Majesty.   Majesty, worship His Majesty. To the Lord be all glory, honor and praise. The other morning I awakened singing that song and then I realized my dreams had been full of tears and torment related to churches. In my dream, pastors and pastors wives, had been hurt deeply by their congregations or life's snares forcing them to leave the churches they at some point had been called to serve.  In one part of the dream, my husband and I left a church in tears due to hurt feelings related to changing light bulbs.  (I need Daniel to help interpret that one!) Contemplating parts of the dream and what could have caused it, I realized we had run into a pastor last week in the grocery store whom we hadn't seen in years.  He told us about another pastor in our area who had been ousted from

March 25 A snowstorm the end of March in Virginia on Palm Sunday, who would have thunk? My sweet, sweet, husband braved the elements to go out and build a surprise snowman for his grandsons!  The frisbee hat is my favorite part!  We commented on how we wondered what these two little fellows from Nashville thought all those enormous white flakes were falling from the sky.  Then to peek out in the yard and see this fellow looking up at them!  Oh, the wonder.  We even have a baby snowman in the freezer! Even the big kids, who were visiting, found joy in the unexpected surprise. Mama Boo donned an old "snowman" sweater (which made the grands laugh and the older ones gwake) in hopes of a day stuck inside with those she loves. God is an amazing heavenly Father! He has sweet surprises for us day after day!   When we behold Him in heaven we will be surprised beyond belief! Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, acco

March 23-24 I just need to stop and sing God's praises.  The other day I was feeding our 9 1/2 month old grandson his lunch and questioned our daughter, out of concern, about the fact this little fellow had no teeth.  I told her I didn't want him to grow up to be a "mush mouth". She said they'd seen the pediatrician last week and he told her he saw no sign of teeth coming in any time soon, but not to worry.  Well, I wasn't going to worry...I was going to PRAY.  Jesus and I had a toothy little chat and I asked him to tkae a message  to God's throne for me.  I am not kidding you...the very next morning I was holding this little fellow and letting him gnaw on my chin.  It hurt!  I looked in his mouth and there were two big teeth upstairs, and low and behold, two little fellows downstairs as well.  In one night this babe cut 4 teeth!!!!  God cares about the sparrow and every little detail in our lives...yup...right down to our toothies! Don't know

 I love these contemplative photos of one of our grandsons and Moses. March 21-22 The matter of the word  mind  is still with me. Don't  mind  if I do. I'm racking my  mind.  My  mind  wanders. My  mind  is playing tricks on me. These phrases keep ringing in my... MIND! Many of life's problems dwell within the mental torment we allow our minds to take us through. The "what ifs" of life that we conjure up can quickly take us down.  The greatest solution lies in the advice we can find in Philippians 4:6-8.  Allow your mind to dwell on these verses today. First, I've posted them in the NIV, then in The Message translation. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your  minds  in Christ Jesus.  Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is rig

 It's The Very Hungry Caterpillar  Wait...it's Mama Boo! March 20 Day after day the word  mind  came to mind!  Battling pain from a recent back injury I couldn't quite get God's drift with where He was taking me in regards to  mind.    I rambled through possibilities: Mind  your mother.   Mind   your manners.   Mind  your own business.   Mind  your "p"s and "q"s. Could it be: C hange your mind ? Unlike the referral to God in Numbers 23:19. God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? With the back pain pressing upon me was I to have  mind  over matter? Sunday was approaching. Maybe I was to  bear in mind  that the Lord has given us a Sabbath. Ex.16:19 What was  on my mind ? Was it the things of the world or things related to God's way? Fix these words of mine in your hearts and  minds .   Deuteronomy 11:18 My mind c

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you.   We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience. Colossians 1:9-11 March 19 A fun spring activity is planting wheat or rye grass inside for a splash of color and the anticipation of spring.  My husband wishes grass would grow as quickly in our yard, as it does in our kitchen!  New growth is exciting, whether it is the trees bursting forth with new leaves or a toddler learning to take a step, it is a joy to anticipate. Do we get as elated over our spiritual growth? It is thrilling how many people have tuned into the history channel the past few

March 18 A quick Happy Birthday shout to my hubby and son who share a double hitter birthday! This morning I opened a Godtube email and had tears dripping down my cheeks as I watched a grandfather/granddaughter singing audition on Britain's Got Talent.  The precious duo gets "X"ed by the infamously cruel judge, Simon.  He says they are like 7 sugars in your coffee...too sweet.  Well, I took offense (which is probably what the audience was supposed to do).  Society often applauds the ugly, seductive and off color performances, but I was up for "super sweet" and "pro-generational". The love and support of a grandparent is a precious treasure and likewise the attentiveness of a grandchild to a widowed grandparent, as in this case, is a gift to hold. http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=0F999FNU&utm_source=GodTube%20Must-See%20-%20Mobile&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=03/18/2013 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should le

March 16-17 My husband and I were lunching with a dear friend last week and as our eyes panned the menu our friend uttered, "Should I be good or should I be bad?  I'd really like a good juicy burger." What an honest statement revealing the choices we are faced with everyday. Take just our senses which are related to our heads... Am I going to taste something I know isn't good for me? Am I going to use my tongue to talk about something or someone which isn't edifying ? Are my eyes going to look in a direction I know isn't pleasing to the Lord? Will I allow my ears to listen to unpleasantries or that which leads to temptation? Isn't it grand how God prepared in advance the teachings on all the topics we would be faced with. Romans Chapter 7: 19-25 addresses this issue of doing what we know we should not. I decide to do good, but I don’t really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are,

March 15 I love to cook and particularly to bake.  For a recipe to be successful you must follow the directions and use the appropriate ingredients.  Peter wants desperately for others to come to know Christ personally and writes out what he hopes is a helpful recipe to bring that relationship to fruition. A dash of this and a dollop of that! For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; amd to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.  For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.   2 Peter 1:5-8 The Message Translations lays it out this way. Don’t Put It Off 3-4  Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimatel

March 14 Nancy Leigh DeMoss is teaching on the Song of Solomon this month. When I turned the radio on last week the first thing I heard was "She was an eager believer." She explains that... The mark of a lover of Jesus is someone who wants to see spiritual fruit and is willing to go out and work for that to happen.  I care about the endeavors of my beloved (Jesus).  DeMoss poses the question: Are we burdened to the point of tears for the salvation of others? Who will we pass by today, who may pass away without knowing Jesus?

March 13 Now I know Easter is all about Jesus and the resurrection, but I've had these happy bunnies for years and I always put them out in spring as a reminder we are to be fruitful and multiple and share the joy of Jesus wherever we go.  The mama bunny really makes me laugh as she looks on enjoying the antics of her little ones.  Do something today to make another person laugh, for the Bible commands us time and again to live cheerfully. The people and their leaders were glad to do it and cheerfully brought their money until the chest was full.   2 Chronicles 24:10 Worry weighs us down; a cheerful word picks us up.  Proverbs 12:25     A cheerful heart brings a smile to your face; a sad heart makes it hard to get through the day.   Proverbs 15:13   A miserable heart means a miserable life' a cheerful heart fills the day with song. Proverbs 15:15 A cheerful disposition is good for you health; gloom and doom leave you bone-tired.   Proverbs 17:22 Don't bu

March 12 Having a degree in Education and being married to a Head of School the word examination  conjures up the process of academic evaluation related to the mind. Being in a resent Bible study with friends with numerous health concerns, requiring blood work and scans the word takes on a medical twist concerning the body.  Placing the word examination  in the realm of eternal value we use it to search our inner most being...the heart and soul of OUR matter. Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.  Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you-unless, or course, you fail the test?   2 Corinthians 13:5 The Message Translation states 2 Corinthians 13:5-9 this way: Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith.  Don't drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular checkups.  You need firsthand evidence, not mere hearsay, that Jesus Christ is in you.  Test it out. If you fail the test, do something about it.  

March 11 The Twelve apostles followed Christ because he called them.  There are three women mentioned in the eighth chapter of Luke, who followed Christ out of "sheer love and gratitude" (a Liz Curtis Higgs quote).  Maybe they were the original "groupies". After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God.  The T welve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod's household: Susanna: and many others.  These women were helping to support them out of their own means.   Luke 8:1-3 If you were asked to complete this sentence the sentence below, how would you respond? I am a follower of Christ because _______________________________. I asked several friends to complete that sentence and told them I would anonymously post their answers.   I am

March 9-10 The disciples followed Jesus, Ruth followed Naomi and our grandson followed 75 pound Moses right up the driveway to our neighbor's house one day last week! Moses was taking our grandson on a walk about. We have so many opportunities to follow.   For some it is following their heart, a political agenda, a strict diet, a personal trainer, a sports team or TV show. The best advice, which is found in scripture is to follow Jesus, but it requires self-sacrifice. Then Jesus went to work on his disciples.  Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it.  Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all.  Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself your true self.  What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself?  What could you ever trade your soul for?    Matthew 16:24-16 The MSG Send me your light and your faithful care, let

The sleds came out of the garage and were waiting for action. Plastic eggs were placed on the deck and garden trowels waited to be used to dig the eggs out from the 3-6 inches of snow forecasted. A trip to Walmart landed us the last pair of pink pom pom snow boots for our granddaughter... and flashing red light "Car" snowboots for our grandson.... ...but the snow was scarce.  We were so disappointed. We drank hot chocolate with marshmellows anyway and hiked in the woods in the new boots. Papa even pulled the grands in a sled through the grass. March 8  The weather may disappoint us, even friends and family disappoint us, but God never disappoints for He allows all things for our good. To You they cried out and were delivered; In You they trusted and were not disappointed. Psalm 22:5 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith in

Sometimes we wander off and look in the wrong direction  and we need a nudge to head back home. March 7 Atten  hut is actually the Army cadence shout of Atten tion .  God has my attention .  Once again, my back pain if off the charts and movement of any kind is difficult.  Crying out to the Lord this morning, he reminded me of my tendency to put my service to others, before my service to HIM.  I found myself requesting healing to be able to do more with the grandchildren; entertain one of our sons, who is having a birthday and coming with his wife this weekend; make my husband's upcoming spring break relaxing (not spent waiting on me); and gear up for more baby sitting and upcoming birthday celebrations of our grandchildren.  Nowhere in the mix was I asking God what his plans were for me or asking for healing so I could be more effective for him.  The Holy Spirit had been stuffed back on his shelf in my heart and I've been in "me mode". Thirteen years