Boojoyful

Regard-consider or think of in a specific way; have relationship to or connection with; concern. There are a couple situations in the Bible with regard  to prayer. When Hannah, a woman distraught with grief brought on from infertility, was caught pouring her heart out to the Lord in prayer Eli came upon her thinking she was drunk.  I love her reply to how he was regarding her. " But Hannah answered, 'No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk nether wine more strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord. Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation.' Then Eli answered, 'Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him.'" 1 Samuel 1:15-17 Open our eyes Lord to those we may be viewing with disregard, totally missing the condition of their heart. Solomon cries out to God to hear his prayers related to the tem

Reconcile-Restore friendly relations between; cause to coexist in harmony; settle; accept. Repair-fix or mend, make good. Reunion-the act or process of being brought together again. Summer brings reunions. Those time of "coming together" afford us the opportunity for reconciliation in relationships where previously a split has occurred or a cloud of discord has been hovering. Relationship, repair, and reconciliation bring much more refreshment into our lives than discord.  They allows both our blood pressure and stress level to lower. God's Word kept giving and giving and teaching and teaching as I dug into the concept of reconciliation using the phrase "be at peace" in a Biblegateway search. The Old Testament verses which surfaced related to the reinstatement of peace through killing.  Yikes.  "Everyone celebrated because Athaliah had been killed and Jerusalem was peaceful again." 2 Chronicles 23:21 The New Testament takes a twist.  

Reinstate-"restore someone or something to it's former position or condition." Summer schedules can be topsy turvy.  Much anticipated and needed vacations  can alter our routines. Maybe your Bible, a study guide/devotional book and your prayer journal, which sit by your quiet spot, don't get packed because of luggage limitations. With our smart phones we are only a click away from Bible Apps, praise music and some great podcasts or online studies.  Wherever we go, Jesus goes with us. Today's the day to reinstate a serious seeking of the Lord, to reinstate the desire to go deeper, to meditate on some verses, to learn more about God's purpose and promises for us.  For our Shiloh Women's Summer Study we are using Priscilla Shirer's 90 day devotional book... Awaken. It's a great way to reinstate scripture reading and journaling to our lives. "Everything in the Scriptures is God's Word. All of it is useful for teaching and helping

This grandson is residing on his wake board this summer! Reside- Be situated; a place of permanent residence; belong by right to a person  Hallelujah!  Good News! We have a place of permanent residency!  We will reside with the Most High God!  The best news of our lives resides in the birth of Mary's Son! Thank You, Jesus, for making a way. In the meantime... "Live under the protection of God Most High and stay in the shadow of God All-Powerful." Psalm 91:1

This happy child encountered an awful accident last week where he pulled a large  6 foot tall antique mirror upon himself and it broke.   The glass cut a large gash into his calf which the doctor was able to glue back together, but it could have been so much worse. We are thankful. Resist-withstand the action or effect of. We were having a "round table" discussion with some grandsons after a fabulous day at Chick Fil A's Winshape camp.  We were talking about how good kind words feel when washed over someone, but how the damage of unkind words is magnified and can linger forever. We have a reward system in our home that when we receive an unsolicited compliment about one of our children from someone we give that child a dollar.  One of our grandsons had racked up three compliments in one day by some of our friends who had encountered him, while he's here for the summer.  The next day I overheard him speaking unkindly about a sibling, so a new rule has be

Our beloved QB passing the football with his dad in our yard. He's so much more than an NFL QB to God! Realize-"become fully aware of something as a fact, understand clearly." Our church worship leader and our daughter blessed the Monday women's study by leading us in a song called "I Shall Not Want." The combination of harp and voice brought chill bumps and a definitely decline in blood pressure. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8WgHGOak1c This song comes from Psalm 23... " The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake." When I awakened the next morning I whispered to God...."I shall not want today Lord."  Next came the realization, the understanding, of why I can say that...I shall not want because of all that Jesus has done and continues to do for me.  Who could wan

We've been rescued, redeemed, restored and reserved a spot! ()oo the joy that comes thinking about that reserved spot! Repent-"feel or express sincere regret or remorse about one's wrongdoing or sin."  "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Matthew 3:2 " And Peter said to them, 'Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Acts 2:38  She/He Reads Truth did a study on Revelation recently.  Whitney Capps captivated my thoughts with these words.   "In the first garden, when sin entered the world, perfection was broken, marred and spoiled. A seemingly unbridgeable chasm was created between what God had intended and what humanity would now experience. Perfection was made imperfect. The  devastating effect of our rebellion was all-encompassing, wrecking ourselves, our relationships, and creation.  Nothing was left untouched.

Who doesn't love a snowmen at 8AM Respect-"a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something, elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements." Last week, our grands attended a Chick Fil A Winshape camp and me oh my do I have respect for this company and their desire to do all things well and honor the Lord. Two hundred and seventy children have been encouraged and blessed to have the love of our Lord Jesus Christ lavished upon them through this program.  They've come home telling me that God is good and God is love. Eighteen prayed to receive Christ as their Lord and Savior at camp that week. It has been a pleasure to meet some of the counselors.  What respect I have for these young people who have dedicated their summer to serve the Lord in this fashion.  Our daughter shared that Chick Fil A also has marriage camps.  Besides cooking up a top notched chicken sandwich this company is committed to serving the Lord in many ways.  Pray for Ch

Review-"A formal assessment or examination of something with the possibility or intention of instituting change if necessary." How good a goal is that for Christ like living! Paul was such a great teacher. Here he is reviewing his "Final Instructions" to the Thessalonians. "My friends, we ask you to be thoughtful of your leaders who work hard and tell you how to live for the Lord.  Show them great respect and love because of their work.   Try to get along with each other.  My friends, we beg you to warn anyone who isn't living right.   Encourage anyone who feels left out, help all who are weak, and be patient with everyone. Don't be hateful to people, just because they are hateful to you. Rather, be good to each other and to everyone else. Always be joyful and never stop praying. Whatever happens, keep thanking God because of Jesus Christ. This is what God want you to do. 1 Thessalonians 5:12-18   I am posting this in our kitchen

I have to react by faith, not by sight, on this laptop. React-"respond or behave in a particular way." What brings about your glorious, hallelujah dancing reactions? What gets your goat and causes less than glorious reactions to surface? How do you react to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, which are out of your comfort zone? God created us to be such emotional people.  How I wish I'd learned sooner to surrender to the Spirit's guidance, so that my reactions brought God glory. Paul and David are such standout examples of learning to live by the Spirit. They pass along these words to us. "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. " Galatians 5:16 " But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."  Galatians 5:22-23 "For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set th

Release-"allow or enable to escape from confinement; remove restrictions or obligations." Release the chains that are binding you, be set free. When we ask God to show us where we are harboring and being hung up by unforgiveness its often a surprise what is lying deep down in our hearts. Priscilla Shirer wrote: "Unforgiveness keeps us relegated to the artificial boundaries created by yesterday's disappointments.  God wants you released from the self-imposed bondage.  His Word exhorts each of us to tear up the ongoing record of other's wrongdoing, same as He did with us when He 'erased the certificate of debt, with its obligations,  that was against us and opposed to us...nailing it to the cross.' Forgiveness is certainly a miracle." "Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors."   Matthew 6:12

Reunite-come together or cause to come together again after a period of separation or disunity. Our children live all over the country. Utah, Minnesota, Louisiana, Florida, Tennessee and two in parts of Virginia.  Coming together is difficult.  These bearded brothers were able to catch a quick "so good to see you" in Salt Lake City this month.  When these siblings reunite it is as if they've never been apart. Summer can be a great time to reunite with people from your past.  Our daughter has some high school friends, she hasn't seen in twenty years coming this weekend. We can lose touch with the Lord.  Drifting away from quiet times, regular church worship with the Body of Christ, structured Bible Study, surrendering to the Holy Spirit.  Let's ask God to place someone on our hearts that needs to be drawn back into fellowship with the Lord and pray for that person.  Maybe we need to simply say "Look up!" " The heavens keep telling

  Each summer as the grands return they reacquaint themselves with Shiloh's summer activities. Reacquaint-"become familiar with again." I thought an good summer activity and "re" word would be reacquainting ourselves with the names of God.   " The name of the Lord is a strong  tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe." Proverbs 18:10 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5-6gwssX0Y Choose one or two names and definitions to write down and meditate upon.

Some of my Aquacise buddies donning bathing caps! There are days we feel like we could use a little resuscitation. Resuscitate-"make active or vigorous again." Just through speaking a command Jesus brought Lazarus back to life!  The Old Testament prophet Elijah was involved in some resuscitating expeditions.  In 1 Kings 17:17-24 Elijah was staying in the home of a widow during a severe drought.  Her son became ill and died and she thought it was the result of Elijah staying there.  Elijah took him to his room and cried out to the Lord, "Lord my God, let this boys' life return to him!"  And He did! In Shunem, Elijah often stayed in the home of a couple.  One day their young son died and the wife set out to find Elijah, carrying the body of her son.  Elijah had his servant take the boy back to the home and Elijah stretched his body over the boy's body to warm it and prayed to the Lord.  The boy came back to life. Elijah's successor, Elisha, i

Resurrect-"restore to life." "Jesus said to her (Martha), 'I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believed in me, though he die, yet shall he live. '" John 11:25 While we will never experience, here on earth, what Mary and Martha did in a in the flesh relationship with Jesus; those of us who call him Lord have access to him now and will be with him in Heaven. "She said to him, 'Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into  the world .'" John 11:27 These sisters are about to see their brother, Lazarus, come forth from his tomb! To be resurrected right here on earth! While there will be immense rejoicing when we get to heaven and receive resurrected bodies, right here on earth we see lives resurrected by Jesus when people who are dead in their sins, give their life to Jesus and experience new life through Christ. Chris Tomlin's song-"Resurrection Power" https://www.youtub

These two young men (college and pro football players) are constantly being watched. They profess Jesus as Lord and desire to live in the public eye in a way that  exhibits the  reverence and respect they have for their faith. A tough calling in the world in which they walk. Reverent-"feeling or showing deep and solemn respect" Respect-"a feeling of deep admiration for someone." “To be reverent means living with constant, conscious awareness that we are in the presence of an awesome, holy God….Be reverent by staying aware of God, realizing He's here. Be reverent in behavior, worship, lifestyle, what we read, listen to and  how we entertain ourselves. In where we go, who we admire. In what we wear, what we love, what we say and don't say.” Nancy Leigh DeMoss Wolgemuth It's a high calling that does not come naturally, but one which comes due to the deep admiration and appreciation we have for Jesus' sacrifice for us.  A calling only po

Refreshment-the giving of fresh mental or physical energy. Refresh- to give new strength or energy. When King David was on the run from his own son, Absalom, who wanted to kill him and take his throne he was able to pen these words. " I sleep and wake up refreshed because you, Lord, protect me."   Psalm 3:5 That's HUGE! Think about the various stages of your life where sleeplessness has been a perpetrator.  College years, motherhood, nursing, planning a wedding, menopause, and then senior life.  Can't say I've experienced the literal "being hunted down" episode.  Our daughter's husband travels for work, so she single handedly handles the night time duty and interruptions that come with raising three little ones.  She said the other morning she awakened elated as she realized she had slept through an entire night!  Then she entered one child's room to find he'd wet the bunk beds, while another proceeded to throw up.

Respite -a short period of relief from something difficult or unpleasant. We've all been there. Burnt out. Burdened beyond belief. While God's mercies are new every morning, sometimes we need to position ourselves to experience them. Do you have a respite slotted on your calendar? " Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied."   Jude 1:2 " Relax, everything's going to be all right; rest, everything's coming together; open your hearts, love is on the way! "  Jude 1:2 (MSG)

Relinquish-"voluntarily cease to keep or claim; give up. Jesus said: " If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28 What are you lugging around that God wants you to let go of ?  There's the action, the necessary effort on our part. We have to chose to let it go, let it go, let it go. "Cast your cares on the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall." Psalm 55:22 Our granddaughter is a patient fisher woman. In May, she wanted to go from a little rod and catching blue gill, to a large casting rod, hoping for a bass.  The casting process took some effort.  Likewise, casting our cares on the Lord requires an intentional relinquishing action. What is one burden, one worry you are willing to toss God's way and trust his mighty hand to handle? "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that He will lift you up in due time; cast all yo

Remember-"be able to bring to one's mind an awareness of someone or something that has been known, seen or experienced in the past" Whew!  Remembering what Jesus did for us on the cross is a show stopper that causes gratitude to spew out! Remember what it is God has called you..."I am a child of God." Enjoy this song by Hillsong https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKw6uqtGFfo Reading the book of John is one of the best ways to grasp the Jesus story.  He reminds us here in chapter 1 what a privilege it is to be chosen to be a child of God. "He came into his own world, but his own nation did not welcome him. Yet some people accepted him and put their faith in him. So he gave them the right to be the children of God. They were not God's children by nature or because of any human desires. God himself was the one who made them his children. "  John 1:11-13 In chapter three Jesus is trying to explain to Nicodemus how you can be bo

This past winter were were blessed to have a couple nights at a beach in Florida. Unfortunately, my husband came down with the flu and spent the time in bed. I sat out alone by a pool and the Lord poured out a whole study called..."The Rest Stop" based on words with the "re" prefix. Re- The Latin meaning is again or again and again to indicate repetition or meaning back or backward  to indicate withdrawal or backward motion. So, here's hoping this month of June's devotionals takes you to many "Rest Stops" where you can hear from the Lord again and again. Each weekday I will try to post an "re" word as we remember again and again the Lord is faithful. A beautiful, young, Liberty University, nursing student is helping me one day a week this summer. She is truly a gift from God.  We sat in the kitchen chatting Thursday night and I asked her how I could pray for her.  She longs to treasure this college stage of her life, the purpo