Boojoyful

Happy Birthday to you new Mr. Two! You don't need any help with your strawberry picking. There are a lot of people who need help right now and there are a lot of people helping. My husband and his men's Bible Study had just started a study called "Goliath Must Fall".  I think they are changing it to Covid-19 must fall! The videos are being offered for free online by Christain Books beginning May 12th.  https://www.christianbook.com/page/promotion/online-bible-studies/goliath-must-fall-louie-giglio-online-bible-study/gmf-sign-up?fbclid=IwAR0ZiyerjLHufhJbNT6rikEnv5A2gS-ZjQtK8EwL7G2nn7O8iXqykJb7QYk If you google "Goliath Must Fall" you may also find a Vimeo link to get the videos. Author of this study, Louie Giglio, says when we are in a battle we tend to lock our eyes on the size of the problem (like the Israelites did with Goliath). When we do this our mouth praises the problem, because what our eyes see directs what our mouth says.  We nee

Yesterday, Deke picked up his father's ashes. We look forward to a time this summer we can honor the passing of both of his parents. Rarely do I tell names and tales together on this devotional site. I do this today with all honor and respect and hopefully a testimony that encourages each of you to finish strong. Life is cyclical and subject to outside influences, as we are all currently experiencing, that can lead us to a variety of behaviors. Last week, we learned of two heart wrenching suicide situations, which have deeply affected the family and friends of the deceased in staggering ways. Those choosing suicide are obviously so distraught that they have no idea the unraveling of lives they leave for loved ones who are trying to sort this action out. There is so much left unsaid. My father in law was an intriguing character.  A World War II vet who rarely spoke of his war experiences until his 80's.  Being shot and receiving a purple heart was news to me.  Som

Our youngest grandchild is plum tuckered out.  That is one good dog. This photo sums up how a lot of us are feeling these days. The Bible Study Fellowship lesson I am currently working on had me studying in James 4 over the weekend and in that chapter you find  the topic of  humility .  “ God opposes the proud, but gives grace to  the  humble. ” James 4:6 Today's Biblegateway verse shows us how Christ came and exemplified humility for us.  "...and think the same way that Christ Jesus thought: Christ was truly God.  But he did not try to remain equal with God.  Instead he gave up everything and became a slave, when he became like one of us.  Christ was humble. He obeyed God and even died on a cross." Philippians 2:5-8 CEV Digging deeper on the topic, I came across  this   article   by  Billy Graham. Such godly wisdom for us to take into our hearts and share.  So many great teaching points. This would make for some great family discussions.  How

Our front door and deck door both open into our kitchen. Fifteen years ago when a builder was remodeling the house he said, "I really don't think you want people to just walk in your front door and see your kitchen.  We should put a wall up and have an entrance foyer.  I declined the suggestion and said, "I"m not a wall up sort of gal.  It's going to be a really pretty kitchen and I won't even have to stop stirring a pot, I can just say, "Come on in y'all!" Who are your come in the kitchen door friends? When my sister lived nearby I always came in her kitchen door.  Actually, I don't think I went in the front door of either home she lived in while in VA. The same thing with my niece, it's either through her garage door, or to the back yard patio door.  With our daughter in VA, it's right through her garage into the kitchen we go. Thinking back to when our children were young, everyone came in our kitchen door!  In 25 years a

Help is on the Way  Micheal W Smith https://www.facebook.com/michaelwsmithofficial/videos/234772211049726/ This one is good at making me laugh. Recently, she was here visiting with her three boys for a week. We were unloading the dishwasher and filling it up again.  She chuckled and confessed, "I was thinking, What would mom do without me here to help and get everything done?...meals, dishes, picking up, vacuuming, grocery shopping, changing all the beds, laundry, loading up for boat rides, putting bikes on the car for bike rides...Then I realized...if we weren't all here there wouldn't be all this to do."  LOL Yup, the pace is a lot slower with just two old people at home, but there is a whole lot of love and laughter that comes with having our peeps around.

Requesting that your birthday cake look like Arches National Park in Utah is not normal! But it was doable. The Forrest Gump quote coming to mind the other day, took me back to some of the fabulous quotes from that movie. "You have to do the best with what God gave you." "Miracles happen everyday. Some people don't think so, but they do." "You've got to put the past behind you before you move on." "God can hear my prayers, so I pray." "If you don't like my family and friends, I do not want to hear anything about it. They may mean nothing to you, but they mean everything to me." (Oh, I could expand on this one.) "What's normal, anyways?" Forrest Gump A friend sent me a link to a sermon by a pastor from Elevation Church in Charlotte.  The title was "Looking Forward to Normal".  This goes right along with the feeling I was experience about not hearing about people turning to God.

"Lord, I need YOU!  Why do so many feel that they don't?" That was the conversation starter with a girlfriend this week. When 911 occurred the church doors were open and we saw people coming in and literally falling to their knees crying out to God. With COVID-19 we can't do that. Working for hospice I was by many a bedside where family members were calling out to God and surrendering their lives to Him.  With COVID-19 we can't do that. A year ago a church member's parents' home was destroyed by a tornado.  The community came forth and gathered around, hugging, praying, thanking God that these lives were spared. They worked side by side to clean up the mess and rebuild. Some people who had fallen away from God began going back to church.  With COVID-19 we can't do that. We are not able to gather and position ourselves to hear people crying out to God in the accustomed way.  This godly girlfriend mentioned above gently pointed me to the f

Taking time to discuss life with children carries dual opportunities. While it affords us the privilege of influencing a young mind, it challenges us to attest and verify what our beliefs actually are. Last week, I was blessed by some deep discussions with a couple of grandsons. One of those ended with the satisfying resolve that it's a good thing we can't figure God out.  That makes Him the kind of God we want to have!  God's Word tells us we are limited in that we are only able to think with human minds. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. "  Isaiah 55:9 One of our conversations was about what the Bible says concerning why God created us.  It doesn't say it was for us to have a great time here on earth. It says we were created for His glory and to praise Him. The discussion set me on a "dig deeper" course and an excellent sermon by John Piper on why we pr

Dodging devil darts! Having some blog issues. If you receive Boojoyful by email you may have to hit subscribe again and enter your email. Let me know if you have a problem. I am thankful I could spend Easter with these two dear friends. I enjoy the television show, The Voice.  Currently, the song writer, James Taylor, is on the show as a master coach.  Thirty three years ago, my brother  who was thirteen years older than me, drown.  James Taylor was his favorite singer. The song that always comes to mind when I think of that singer-song writer is You've Got a Friend . The first time I heard those lyrics, after accepting Christ as my Savior, I knew having Jesus as my friend fit this bill.   "When you're down and troubled and you need a helping hand and  nothing, oh nothing is going right.   Just closer your eyes and think of me and soon I will be there.  To brighten up even your darkest night.  You just call out my name and, you know,  where

We stayed far away from others on our walk. So much has changed for so many people.  The demand for social distancing has certainly attempted to put "a hurt" on the institution of the church by keeping us out of our buildings.  Covid-19 may keep us out of our church buildings, but it can't take Jesus out of our hearts and it can't keep us from preaching the Word. "Those who were scattered went about preaching the word. "  Acts 8:4  God can take what is meant for harm and use it for good.  Persecution was an open door to spread the gospel. A few weeks ago our pastor proclaimed over our Internet service... "We are not practicing relational distancing. Our church is not on pause, we are still on mission!" He went on to say: " God is shaking the world with a tiny micron to get out attention." "At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, 'yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the

The trails at Shiloh are open. The scriptures signs draw me near to God. "...not neglecting meeting together..." We were created for relationship. The world is focused on the need of a vaccine. God knows we need repentant hearts. Walk a path that leads you into the Presence of Jesus today. What are you tuning into during this "Stay at Home" demand? A couple weeks ago I was turning on the TV for the daily Task Force report. God used my father in law's slow passage from this earth and then a week's visit from our daughter and grandsons afterwards to help me unplug. It was a much needed reprieve.  Although, both of those distractions took me away from not only the world's new, but from a concentrated alone time with the Lord. As rough as the seas were here on Smith Mt Lake last evening, just a short time on the water helped restore my soul.  With camera in hand and the even light beginning to settle in, God's creation, c

12:15AM April 11th on a cold windy night, my father-in-law passed from this earth into heaven. Twelve hours later we watched three of his great grandsons search Shiloh for Easter eggs on a bright sunny 75 degree afternoon. With Easter only a day away it was a sweet reminder of the joy of our salvation and the hope of the resurrection of our bodies yet to come. " Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. " Psalm 51:12 Not sure who wrote these three paragraphs below, but on down trodden days they are excellent reminders. Refresh my joy** — God, I need you to remind me again of the lengths in which you have gone to save my sinful soul. Remind me again of the holy wrath I deserve, so that I can rejoice again in the precious mercy that has saved me. Cause this joy to overpower the dullness I feel right now. Restore my allegiance** — God, my heart is dull because my loyalties are wrong. I long for ease and comfort and for

Watching Franklin Graham preach on Easter morning, while doctors walked in and out of hospital tents in Central Park, was pretty surreal.  Then seeing Micheal W. Smith take off his mask to sing, added an eerie realization that they were sitting in the middle of the battle field of this world wide pandemic to bring the gospel to as many as would hear.  The fact it was televised during prime time Easter morning made it such a God thing.  A great reminder that God is with us at this time and up to good. It's all about Jesus. There are moments in life we never forget, this was one of those for me.  Today's Promise Coloring Page "Remember, I am with you, and I will protect you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land.  For I will not leave you until I have done what I promised you ."  Genesis 28:15

These two..nuff said. On my phone is an app titled: " 31 Things to pray for your children ."  They are excellent things to pray for ourselves as well.  Number 24 flashed at me today. "Pray that they would be secure and content in God's plan for the world and where they fit into it."   Suggested reading is Ephesians 1 Goodness!  If we could walk the streets right now and poll people, I doubt many would say they are secure and content right now with God's plan to allow Covid-19 to infest the world? As believers we should be able to call upon the Spirit to fill us up and say we have peace in the Lord. In Ephesians 1:15-18 Paul prays this prayer over believers " I have heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God’s people.   So I never stop being grateful for you, as I mention you in my prayers.    I ask the glorious Father and God of our Lord Jesus Christ to give you his Spirit. The Spirit will make you wise and l

My 96 year old father-in-law has left this earth for heaven. Caregiving, that mothering instinct, comes naturally to me.  To not be allowed to care physically for my father-in-law in the last month of his life was terrible. Currently, only immediate family, a spouse or child is allowed into to Virginia nursing homes to be with an actively dying person. Since my father in law's room was on the back of the building, where no one could see, the staff allowed me to stand at his opened window that last week of his life in support of my husband as he watched his father slowly slip away.  The final night was unbelievable as we look back upon it.  Picture this: Temperatures in the thirties and strong winds blowing; me shivering as I tromped in the dark through bushes wearing pink UGG boots, a turtle neck and a fuzzy vest; stepping over tree roots and black plastic above ground drainage pipes I was counting windows to get to the right room of this nursing home facility.  Looking in