Boojoyful

July 31 Heads up! God provides for all of our needs. Last week I was walking early in the morning with a friend. The husband of another friend drove by in his truck and stopped.  With fishing poles hanging out the back he hollered, "You wanta fish?"  I looked at my girlfriend and thought...well, that isn't exactly what we'd planned but I guess we could.  Turning back to this fellow I said, "Sure, we will go fish." He said, "No. Look in the back of the truck bed.  Do you want that fish?"  "Oh!" I exclaimed. "I'm not sure I could walk all the way to my car carrying it."  Actually, it was still flopping around.  Kindly, he drive the fish to our house, where our daughter answered the door and found a man holding a BIG fish. LOL. The night before I had been too tired to go to the grocery store, but the last thing I'd said before bed was..."I'd sure like to have some fish for dinner tomorrow night."  My

July 30 Today I'm heading off to have a hole cut in my forehead to remove a carcinoma.  The doctor's office told me to be prepared to stay all day, because the type of procedure they are doing allows them to study the tissue after the first extraction and then go back in for more tissue should there be any cancer cells remaining.  I've put right much thought into what to wear.  The first assumption is that the office will be cold to keep germs away. Next I want to be comfortable and then finally, if blood drips on me I don't want the clothing to be any item that I would be concerned over that fact. How much thought are you putting into today's attire?  We should invest as much time on our internal appearance as our outer. The Adrian Rogers' study on the Armor of God was excellent!  He describes the articles of armor in this fashion: The Belt of Truth- Our Integrity The Breastplate of Righteousness- Our Purity The Shoes of Peace- Our Tranquility These

July 29 The summer protection solutions. ..Off and sunscreen! I'm embarking on a journey into Ephesians 6:10-20 with a group of friends tonight.  We will study God's protective armor, which is available to us as we battle through life in the spiritual realm.  Lots of good nuggets should surface to pass along to you the next few days.  If you have a chance tune into a Youtube sermon of Dr. Adrian Rogers on this topic. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNK7RToBVXI Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  S

July 27-28 With lead lids drooping and my head ready to hit the pillow, I began to pray, "Lord, where are you? I don't sense your presence."  "I've gone nowhere, my child. It is you who have been slip sliding away from me," God replied in his fatherly tone which silently traipsed across my mind.. Come near to God and he will come near to you.   James 4:8 What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them  the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him?   Deuteronomy 4:7 Sometimes God speaks to us when we least expect it.  Other times our lives our such a clutter and flurry of activity we allow little opportunity for Him to be heard.  The weekend is here.  Your pace may be quickening or possibly puttering down. Which ever we face, God is still around and ready to converse if we set the stage for Him to speak. We are here Lord.  We love and adore You.  We need You. We want to hear from You today!

July 26 While bathing our 1 and 2 year old grandsons together the other night, the two year old dumped a pitcher of water right on top of his little brother's head.  Immediately, I turned to him and said in a stern voice, "That was NOT nice."  He looked up at me, obviously shocked by my tone and said.... "Be happy!" Totally flustered by that response, I took his advice and in a much "happier" tone, explained how his antics were not enjoyable to his little brother. I highly recommend the "Be happy" quote when someone is getting on your case!  It makes one evaluate both his words and his tone. Discipline in love is necessary though. Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the Lord your God disciplines you. Deuteronomy 8:5

July 25 This past week I studied a series of devotionals  by Lloyd John Ogilvie in his book Quiet Moments with God. The Seventh Beatitude entry spoke a truth into my life, which I wish I'd been praying all my life.  I hope  this writing blesses you and therefore those who encounter you in your daily living! I plan to turn this into a daily prayer for myself! Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called Sons of God.  Matthew 5:9   Blessed Father, I praise You for the peace that came through Christ and the blood he shed on the cross.  Your Son came to bring peace and has called me to be a peacemaker.  Today in my relationship with You, Father, I want to express my family likeness by manifesting the fruit of the Spirit of peace, and will accept my calling to be a peacemaker. I pray that I will not sow discord, fan the flames of misunderstanding between people, take sides in petty conflicts, or participate in gossip.  Rather, I seek to be a peacemaker

July 24 Just rip my heart out and stomp on it.  These two are journeying to Bellingham, WA where our son has a teacher assistantship and will work on a masters.  It is SOOOOO far away.  This is the son we almost lost in a terrible accident ten years ago.  Moses is actually his dog, but ended up here at Shiloh.  Their parting was gut wrenching.  That bulldog knew it was their final farewell, as he is nearing the end of his earthly years. Farewell is defined in Webster's as meaning to get along well.   Ha, fare thee well!  These two will get along well, even after a ten day road trip to their new home. Scripturally speaking these two verses speak to how we should say farewell. All these are the tribes of Israel, the twelve tribes. And this is what their father said to them as he blessed them,  blessing each one with his own special farewell blessing.   Genesis 49:28 When our time was up, they escorted us out of the city to the docks. Everyone came along-men,

July 23 Life is a great adventure!  Last week we pulled out an old Peter Pan costume I had made for our youngest son, who is almost 25!  The fun began! Watching our grandson take our bulldog, Moses, for a walk around Shiloh in that costume thrilled my heart. I wonder what thrills God's heart as he watches us on this earthly adventure called life?  Probably, it's the things we do for others and the times we sit and simply praise the Lord and tell him how much we love him. Take time today, during life's adventure, to weave in some moments that thrill God's heart. Good friend, take to heart what I'm telling you; collect my counsels and guard them with your life.  Tune your ears to the world of Wisdom; set your heart on a life of Understanding.  That's right-if you make Insight your priority, and won't take no for an answer, Searching for it like a prospector panning for gold, like an adventurer on a treasure hunt, Believe me, before you know

July 22 These two wee ones are with us for ten days. Being only 13 months apart, they are on the same schedule which helps.  (I think?)  The one year old used to love to go to bed, but now no matter what the tactic, the tears come at the sight of the crib.  Both boys listen to a wonder CD I purchased from Revive Our Hearts called Hidden in My Heart.  The lyrics are scripture put to music.  This little toddler was tuning out the tunes, so I decided to sing my own scripture over him and it WORKS!  Well, it at least cuts the crying until the moment he hits the crib and by then he's so droopy eyed the tears aren't worth the effort. We sang God is love, Angels watching over  you, Be still and know you are loved, Don't be anxious or worry, God made the sun, the stars, the moon and you, God knows every hair on your head, etc. On a less spiritual side, but one my husband says he is not the least bit apologetic for, as it has proven in our household to lift anyone's spi

July 20-21 One of our grandsons and I dug through an old collection of hats I have and had a hat party the other day!  He became a soldier, Indian chief, Santa, Mexican dancer, conductor, chauffeur, cowboy and just plain silly in some hats.  As executives of our own lives, we wear many hats in our daily routines and decision making. Nutritionists, launderers, pilots, fashion designers, maintenance workers, professors, etc. God can wear any hat we need him to in our lives.  He is the Great Physician, Provider, Listening Ear, a Comforter, a Mighty Warrior and Defender, our Father capable of mothering us, a Counselor-who is the source of all wisdom, our joy, and a fabulous Designer. The realization of this truth evolves as the relationship we have established with Him through Christ deepens due to our lingering in his presence. There was a quote (not sure of the origin) "To know me is to love me."  That holds true with Jesus, What hat is it you are needing God t

July 19 A young lady was visiting our home recently and when I was not able to come into a room the moment she called me, she put a pout on her face.  The facial distortion immediately dampened my spirits. Later when I could stop and talk to her, I explained the power our facial expressions have. A smile can change a person's day. Whether the glimmer comes from someone you live with everyday, a total stranger, a newborn babe or the person behind a counter, it has the power to put a spark in your step.  And here's the real zinger...it's absolutely FREE! A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.   Proverbs 17:22 Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul?  Why are you crying the blues?  Fix my eyes on God-soon I'll be praising again.  He puts a smile on my face. He's my God.   Psalm 42:5 MSG

Help me Jesus!  I wrote this devotional late the other night and obviously forgot to post it the next day, going on to writing July 18th's message and posting it on the 17th.  Sorry, I'm in grandparenting mode.  . July 17 The grandchildren are here for a couple weeks, so if I waiver a day or two know I am most likely still alive, but possibly lacking in the ability to write!  I know I need this Jesus time, so I am trusting the Spirit to equip me for both tasks. Still hanging with Joshua, after The One in a Million study I was encouraged by this message in The Women of Faith Bible referring to chapter 3:1-17 in the book of Joshua. I don't think there is one of us who doesn't want to know... How do I discover God's will for my life? God has a plan. He himself will led the Israelites.  The waters of the Jordan parted, but only when the priests walked forward by faith, and their feet touched the water's edge. Have you ever sensed God leading you into

My husband and grandson were tossed into the water yesterday, when a boat came too close to our floating dock and he was standing on the edge dipping our grandson's feet into the water. He was dressed in his grass cutting attire.  Even has his shoes on! Fortunately, two of us were right there to help. July 18 Continuing in the Women of Faith Study in Joshua, I read. You have three primary resources for knowing God's will. How are you utilizing these means of guidance? The Bible-  Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.   Psalm 119:105 The Holy Spirit- But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.   John 14:26 The Mind of Christ- The person with the Spirit makes judgements about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgements, for, "Who has know the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?" But we have the mind

June 16 Monday night ended our study called One in a Million, but I wanted more meat, so I headed directly to the book of Joshua in my Women of Faith Bible and picked up some nuggets I want to share for a few days. This commentary says the key passage for the book of Joshua is found in verse 24:15 Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living, But for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.   Sunday night I completed reading a novel called "The Land of the Blue Burqas". I had read this book when it came out a couple years ago, but wanted to read it again after a neighbor shared how if had changed her life.  The first time I read it with a hunger to understand the lives of Afghan women more. This time I read with a passion to see how the author shared Christ in a Muslim country.  Powerful, powerful. The Joshua verse, on whom will we serve, co

July 15 One of the best parts of summer is that my husband, who is the head of a small Christian school, does not have to leave for work at 6:45 in the morning and we have the time to walk and pray together. He has a delightful sense of humor and the time together is always a blessing. Last week he was educating me on some remedies for ridding your yard of mosquitoes.  Online, one suggestion was to have a cage of bats you can release to eat the mosquitoes. Another suggested solution was to have an outdoor fan, which runs at least 10mph...mosquitoes do not care for a breeze. Maybe we will just stick with spraying Off on those encountering issues. Our yard has become inhabited by some voles and the list of solutions to rid a yard of those critters has been extensive. My husband returned from the hardware store with a battery operated stake, which goes in the ground and sends off vibrations these rodents don't welcome.  We live on 5 acres though, so my feeling is they will jus

July 13-14 Dear friends are visiting us with their three children this weekend. Friends of theirs, from long ago, are also vacationing here on the lake this week and came by with six children.  Both these families love the Lord and were anxious to catch up on how God is guiding them through life! When I came across this verse it thrilled my heart, as I thought of friends we love dearly and some we don't get to see very often, yet it is such a privilege to pray for them. Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God.  Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer. I find myself praying for you with a glad heart. I am so pleased that you have continued on in this with us, believing and proclaiming God's  Message, from the day you heard it right up to the present.  There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appe

July 12 Years ago my in laws' home was robbed while they were outside doing yard work. Yesterday, I listened online while a reporter described how a man was distracted by a neighbor who asked to swim NAKED in his pool. Unfortunately, he hung around and watched her swim while her husband robbed the house! In the report the homeowner elaborates that after she finished swimming he invited her to church! Oh, my! http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/10/nude-swimmer-distracted-man-burglary_n_3574394.html?1373479735&icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl3%7Csec1_lnk3%26pLid%3D342428 Life is full of distractions...maybe not all that creative, but Satan is a clever devil!  Thursday, my plan was to slip away with Jesus around 9AM and dig deep into Bible Study. I thought, I'll answer one more email before I head off.  Then I was drawn into a Groupon site. I'd never investigated Groupon and an hour later.....busted and distracted! But Martha was distracted with all her preparati

July 11 The tiniest thing God teaches me excites me! In the One in a Million study I'm a part of right now we are focusing on Joshua's obedience. Shirer writes in regards to Exodus 17:8-13, "Joshua didn't dispute the calling, try to renegotiate, or even attempt to trade his post for another.  Willingly he accepted the role God planned for him, even when it may have seemed less pleasant or even less spiritual than those tasks assigned Aaron and Hur." She challenges those in this study, "Will we accept our posts?...Often we become so consumed with envy over what God asks someone else to do that we fail to get around to what God asks of us." Meditating on this lesson brought about an "ah ha" moment for me.  It took me back to the UVA hospital bedside of our son, following a tragic automobile accident.  He didn't want us to ruin a Young Life camp experience for our two youngest sons, by telling them of the life threatening situation the

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her. Ephesians 5:25 July 10 This series of photos, which I caught of a young couple who are about to embark on a tubing adventure, speaks clearly towards how to be a godly husband. In the first shot the husband is preparing his wife for the adventure being certain she has the right protection.  The second photo shows her apprehension, but that is quickly calmed as you see his precious smile and the confidence he is pouring into her, in the third picture.  They are about to head into unknown waters together, but the thrill and growth comes in that they are doing this together! Isn't marriage like a wild tube ride. There are rough waters and we even get tossed off at times, but we climb back in, facing life together, encouraging one another along the way and then lift our hands, with a thumbs up and shout of victory when we make it through another day as man and wife.

July 9 This past weekend we hosted a young adult event at the request of some of the 20-30 year old age group at our church.  They wanted to camp on our property and we were faced with the dilemma as whether to tell them about all the black bear sightings in our neighbor the past two weeks. As they arrived, one couple asked permission to attach hammocks to our trees.  I shuddered at the thought of them being nibbled upon in the middle of the night!  At that point, I felt it was important to be honest about the furry visitor to the neighborhood.  We'd also had torrential rains the whole week and the hour since they had arrived received an addition inch and a half.  There ended up only being nine of them spending the night, so they camped inside! Dilemma resolved. The dilemma of mankind's sinfulness began a long time ago in a garden.  God resolved that issue in a major way! You know the story of how Adam landed us in the dilemma we're in-first sin, then death, and

July 8 My sister gave me these adorable towels with the grandchildren's names embroidered on them.  Now when they visit they have a personalized towel!  In between visits they decorate my laundry room as a reminder to pray for these precious ones. It's been interesting watching our own children wade through the options when naming their own children.  Names evoke emotion and memories. The name of the Lord is a strong tower;  the righteous run into it and they are safe. Proverbs 18:10 The name Jesus  conjures up a variety of reactions when spoken to people.  What descriptive words or adjectives are awakened in your being when you say His name.   Sacrificial, powerful, loving, compassionate, miracle making... Savior, Babe in a manger, God in the flesh, the One who walks on water and turns water into wine... Lover of my soul... Today, do these five things with the name of Jesus... Sing it in a song lyric. Speak it in a love address to Him. Speak it to

July 7 In a final salute to the Fourth of July week, one of our sons sent this picture of himself flying high! I guess with God all things are possible!!!!

July 6 A potluck party normally leaves guests feeling satisfied or stuffed.  We experienced such a filling on the Fourth of July. Through everyone participating and bringing a dish, we had food in abundance. It is God's intent that we come to know Christ and thus receive the filling of the Holy Spirit and life lived to abundance! How sad it would be to be invited to the banquet table (or pot luck) and never taste of the abundance which awaits us.  We have each been created, birthed into this earthy existence and issued an invitation into abundant living through relationship with Christ, but most people never fill up on God's goodness. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;  I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.   John 10:10 Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,  to those who through  the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours:  Grace and peace be yours in abun

July 5 Like the Beach Boys' song...it is "Fun, Fun, Fun" around here this time of year.  Vacations should be a time of recreation, rejuvenation, restoration and refreshment.  God's Word is full of refreshment. Just plug the word refresh into Biblegateway and be encouraged. Reliable friends who do what they say are like cool drinks in sweltering heat-refreshing!  Proverbs 25:13 Just as lotions and fragrance give sensual delight, a sweet friendship refreshes the soul. Proverbs 27:9 Our women's Bible study is growing closer and closer in relationship each week.  Monday nights are truly a time of refreshment.  Priscilla Shirer closed out her study in the 5th week challenging us with these two questions. "What kind of influencers are in your life?"  (Are the individuals who draw you close to the Lord and his Word?) Then the clincher..."What kind of influencer are you?" I love a glass of lemonade on a hot summer

July 4 God-devotion makes a country strong; God-avoidance leaves people weak.  Proverbs 14:34 MSG Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people.    Proverbs 14:34 NIV  On this day, when we stop to thank God that we live in America, the land of the free and home of the brave, there is a bit of a heaviness for me when I reflect where we are as a nation.  There are two views which can be taken from the Christian camp...one being that we are doomed and under God's wrath.  Another which takes the viewpoint "All things are possible with God and we should pray for repentance and revival in our land."  Some days the first seems much easier than the later. Oh, me of little faith. Michael Youssef is an Atlanta pastor, who is from Egypt. (We should be in prayer for that nation.) Today he posted a message of "hope," which I have posted below.  In all of our celebratory actions today, may prayer for our nation be on our agenda!

July 3 The rain, rain, rain came down, down, down and all the vacationers had to ...simply sit inside and rest! What is normally the busiest week in our lake resort community has been a wash  so far.  Once again we face a wet soggy day today.  Nary a tuber or skier took to the cove yesterday. Our houseguest has kept her eye glued to the weather channel app on her phone watching for the green/yellow glob to move away from our area, so we can make a dash to the dock.  My husband graciously made a grocery run yesterday and found the aisles packed...probably every grandparent was escaping the chaos of their home and looking for refuge at Kroger! There will be battle stories told the remainder of the summer related to how people survived this wet week.  Knowing how God works, it's easy to see how this weather pattern has forced families inside together to strengthen relationships and communicate, slow the rapid pace which can consume a day of lake activities, save on bo