Boojoyful

  Chris Tomlin and the story behind   "Whom Shall I Fear" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nykPjrAyoJ0 "Whom Shall I Fear"  Chris Tomlin and Ed Cash https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOkImV2cJDg

Joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5 For years I have signed my emails and written correspondence referencing 1 Thessalonians 5:16 "Be Joyful Always".  Lately, I've started adding "Because of what Jesus has done." There is so much heartache in the world. In our own strength it would be impossible to be happy always.  Happiness is circumstantial and conditional, while joy, like faith, is based on what has been done for us though Christ. For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime; Weeping may last for the night, But a shout of joy  comes  in the morning.   A long time friend, who has been like a mother to me, had surgery yesterday to remove a cancerous organ.  During the surgery they realized the cancer is stage 4 and has spread.  When she came by last week to share with me about the impending surgery she said, "I have peace whatever the outcome." This woman knows her Savior lives and her faith has carried her through many a trial th

            Our Utah son posted this photo and message on Instagram.                                                                                        Stop being bitter and angry and mad at others.                                                                                                                  Don't yell at one another or curse each other or ever be rude.   Ephesians 4:31 June 9th I posted a devotional titled "Honeycomb". It explained how when I hear the grands grumbling or saying unkind words I simply say, "Honeycomb" and remind them that kind words are like honey to the soul.  Well, it came back upon me recently! After going for a pedicure where the tech was a real "downer" I was explaining, in detail, to the family in the house what had happened and finished with an exclamation "I am never going back there."  With that one of our grandsons said, "Honeycomb!"  And he was correct. While I didn't say anythi

  On one side of the acreage at Shiloh is what some might call a swimming hole. It's a shallow area with a beach and very secluded.  The grands have always loved to have a "swim in your underwear" party in the early evening hours.  Memories they will keep forever.  Looking back, the photos I shot of them caught the moments of contemplating the jump, going for it, and then only a splash remaining. This sequence reminded me of how quickly life goes by. The Bible foretells of another quick moment. It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed.  1 Corinthians 15:52   We should be contemplating whether we have decided to follow Jesus. Next, get going with him every day for all the living he has for us to do on this earth, before we take the final splash into eternity in our heavenly home. The Song "I Have Dec

Thanking my husband for being an example of a hard worker.  Our grandson is imitating his behavior when it comes to cutting the yard. I have my biological family, my church family, my Boojoyful.blogspot family and my Kroger grocery store family.  People laugh at me for knowing the names of many Kroger workers but I figure I spend time there every week and I truly value the people willing to work there, so I should get to know them.  The head of the deli and bakery are coming to visit church next month! My husband teases me and says on my tombstone he is going to put..."She was personable." I just think a smile and a hello can change a person's day. We don't know what heartache is held in others' lives. A couple Sunday nights ago we were heading home from youth group at church and I was exhausted, but knew we needed a store stop for we had none of my husband's essentials...coffee, orange juice, milk, cereal and Homestead Creamery ice cream. Graciously, he offer

Maybe you are saying, "Enough of this old age stuff Boo."  I just can help but pass on these nuggets I'm learning from the various stories of older women in Aging With Grace.  It fills me with hope and with a vibrant perspective on aging. Susan Hunt writes, "I sometime hear Christians, especially older people say, 'I'm okay under the circumstances' or 'I'm hanging in there.' I am not minimizing their sorrow and suffering, but under  and hanging  are not the destiny of God's people."  She then shares this statement from Martyn Lloyd-Jones, a British protestant minister born in 1899.  (Popular British children's author Sally Lloyd-Jones is not related to Martyn.) "If we only understood what the Christian really is and the position in which he is placed, if only we realized the privilege and the possibilities of that position, and above everything else, the glorious destiny  of everyone who is truly a Christian, then our entire

  Littles can change their mourning to dancing quickly. Jesus does that for us!  Thank You, Jesus. God is able  to turn your mourning into dancing, to clothe you once again with gladness.  ( Psalm 30:12) The Song "Wouldn't Change a Thing" Steph Alessi Muina   (This is going to make you want to dance.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZfCkczBKc0

Feeling stuck? With Jesus we are overcomers.   Life's aging process, physically and emotionally,  can bring on the grumbles.  I don't want to be a grumbler, I want to exude grace. Let the gift of undeserved grace and the understanding that come from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ help you keep on growing. Praise Jesus now and forever! Amen. 2 Peter 3:18 Most of you know my life verse for years has been 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18  Be joyful always, pray without ceasing and in all things give thanks. Sometimes people will say, "How can you give thanks for murder, for the rages of disease or the many cruel unkindnesses that are done to us?"  God's Word does not say be thankful FOR all things, but IN all things, because of who He is and what Christ has done to make us overcomers . You, oh Lord, have made me glad. Psalm 92:4 The love of Christ controls us. 2 Corinthians 5:14 It's all about Jesus! One of the authors of Aging with Grace  shares that our primary callin

 A favorite sleeping spot for the grands in this big house has always been right beside our bed on a mattress on the floor. I love this picture of my husband sharing a bedtime "tale" with our grandson. ...gain some wisdom from those  who have lived a long time. Proverbs 12:12 More wisdom on aging from author Susan Hunt "The world tells us aging is our enemy and we should fight it...Let's be real - aging doesn't feel very friendly. Change is disorienting, because we settle into our roles and responsibilities and they become our identity and purpose. And now we face almost daily changes of diminishing physical abilities and energy. We need something bigger and better to make sense of it all...The gospel is big enough, good enough, and powerful enough to make every moment of every season of life significant and glorious." Cling to that friends and remember the explanation Jesus gave to Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9 My grace is sufficient for you , for my power is

  Three of our five granddaughters going in for a snug here at Shiloh. You have to be sort of old to have grandchildren. The older the grands get, the older you do as well!  For the past several months God continues to work on me in regards to what is valuable to Him.  Certainly every person he has created old or young is of great value, but our society does not value, nor honor the elderly.  I've had the blessing of two afternoons alone at Shiloh and have enjoyed a mini retreat with Jesus, while reading an excellent book called Aging with Grace , by Sharon W. Betters (age 73)  and Susan Hunt (age 81). I hope to be able to share more this week. In the foreword Sharon, a pastor's wife, shares a story of one of the first churches where they served. She was only 21 at time time. She tells of "five elderly women" who loved and encouraged her. She says, " They were life-givers. "  Then she tells of "a couple other elderly women who scared me with their sharp

Spotting a blue heron is an enjoyable past time for our family on the lake.  Sometimes these big birds sit right on the lake edge of our property or even standing proudly on our dock.  My husband was the one to spot this one in an old dead tree.  We began saying to our granddaughter, "Do you see it? Do you see the big bird?" It is incredible how God created animals to know where to go to camouflage themselves for protection.  (Remember the bird making its nest on the same color rocks a few days ago?) We have a few blue salamanders who sun on our front steps. As soon as I step out the door they turn gray and blend into the Trex stairs. Here's my thought. Do we do the same thing?  In order to protect ourselves from societies lashes against Christians do we allow ourselves to blend in?  Are we silent not speaking up for Jesus and what He has done for us when maybe we are being called to share our hope?  Let's not forget our call to be set apart  for God's purpose and

These two are moving in August with their 3 sons to Smith Mt Lake, VA They will live right around the corner from us in a golf community! These three have made a big splash moving from Maryland to Roanoke! What a joy to get to see grandchildren every week. I don't think it ever crossed our minds that any of our six children would move back to Moneta, but we are rejoicing over these newest moves. The final three ABC's to pray for our children and grandchildren related to their faith are reasons for us to rejoice as well. Unfailing - Trust in God’s unfailing love.  I trust your love,  and I feel like celebrating  because you rescued me.  Psalm 13:5 Victory - Experience victory through the Lord Jesus Christ  Thank God for letting our Lord Jesus Christ give us the victory!   1 Corinthians 15:57 Worship - Worship in spirit and truth. But a time is coming, and it is already here! Even now the true worshipers are being led by the Spirit to worship the Father according to the

  These peeps know they are part of the Andrews family and loved by Mama Boo, Papa and God. This Saturday's Song is  "Who You Say I Am"  by Hillsong.   145,058,066 have listened to this particular video of this song on YouTube. That tells me a lot of people are longing to know who we are in Christ. The Song "Who You Say I Am"  - Hillsong https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKw6uqtGFfo

  As I watched nine of our grands engaged in a 4th of July vacation here at Smith Mt Lake, I found myself saying "They are going gangbusters ."   Looking up the definition of gangbusters I came across two distinctively different possibilities.  One, a noun, was related to actually breaking up criminal groups. (Not my intention for these children.) The other, an adjective, can mean  outstandingly excellent or successful .  Very appropriate for the interaction that took place between these cousins. We read about a group of gangbusters who gathered with Jesus. The disciples. They fit both categories.  They were spreading the gospel, which breaks up sin,  and they did it exceedingly wel l over their lifetimes and benefitted from a successful brotherhood. And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Pet

Nine of the twelve grands gathered together at Shiloh this summer. God's Word commands us to weekly experience Sabbath rest.   It also instructs us to gather together in prayer and Bible Study. I've participated in a women's study this summer and it has been so life giving.  One woman shared recently that her husband's brother was a pastor and he knows what those families endure physically and emotionally, so they pray for us regularly. The women in this study embarked on a project this summer to encourage others.  One part of the project had us bestowing gifts on a group of people.  There was a woman who could not come pick up her gift at the given time where we were distributing them and two weeks later I was ambushed in a public setting with "Where is my gift! It has been two weeks and no one has given it to me."  I went and picked up her gift to give her and there wasn't even a thank you. Not using the woman's name, I shared with the group how take

  Do you see it?  This bird built her nest on the gravel in an island in our church parking lot. She blended in perfectly. Sunday after Sunday 400-500 people would pass by and watch her sitting on the nest. Her babies hatched during the week sometime. It was a wise choice for this bird to build on the rock! Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  Matthew 7:24 The Songs Wise Man Built ( Kids' choice) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAjEjxX-DhA Christ the Rock  By Kim Walker-Smith (Soothing) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCuOW6bdfMU

  Living in a resort community that is highly marketed as a great place to retire has changed the make up of Smith Mt Lake.  Spending summers here as a child we were mostly locals or people who lived within an hour away and came to camp overnight, maybe spend a week's summer vacation in a trailer or some were fortunate enough to have a little cabin over a boat house and stay the summer. You bought your fruits and vegetables at stands along the road and put your money in a mason jar.  There was a little country store for necessities and the morning paper and most of the camp grounds had gas, milk, bread, juice, popcorn and ice cream!  (Probably beer too.) It was the best way to spend a southern summer. Recently we were invited by a member of a sister church to a BBQ in Union Hall, where I'd spent my summers.  I didn't know one person who would be there, but was hoping to find someone from "the olden days".  Not so at all. The first four people I met were from Massa

Love this creative, compassionate 10 year old.  May this Saturday find you preparing your hearts for this Sunday! The Video  "I Look to You." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gP2IzErAQPs

  Here’s a neat "Jesus moment" from Moneta.   Exiting the Dollar General, the fellow in the car next to mine asked if I had jumper cables. I said, "I don’t, but I do have something that will help. Let me pray over you, it always works.”  He was a little rough looking and had a screaming baby and wife in the car. He wasn’t impressed with my prayer action.  I said, “Wait! My husband should be coming home this way soon. I’ll call him." Unfortunately, my husband explained he did not have jumper cables with him.  I looked at the next car that pulled into the parking lot. The woman got out of the car wearing a “Faith” T shirt.  I asked her husband, “Do you have jumper cables?” He did!  Then I flustered him by saying, “Where do you go to church?” He looked bewildered, but said, “CrossPointe!”  Can’t wait to follow up with him. Rain started to pour down and I had to pick up two of our grands, so I had to rush off leaving this man to be the help this stranded family needed.

This grandson found a giant fresh water mussel in our cove. Below is the continuance of the ABC's of things we pray for our children and grandchildren related to their faith. Redeemer  Remember that their Redeemer lives. Yet as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives  And at the last, He will take His stand on the earth.     Job 19:25 Strength Trust in the Lord and find strength in Him.  The  Lord  is my strength and my shield;   in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;  my heart exults,  and with my song I give thanks to him.  Psalm 28:7 Truth  Find freedom in the truth of the gospel. Jesus said to him,  “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.   John 14:6 The Song "My Redeemer Lives" Nicole C Mullen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wC6RXAJpPjo

  We are having fun with this shark inflatable this summer. Are you sitting by the sea shore this summer or maybe a lake? While that might not be the best time to tell the story of Jonah to your children or your grands, it's a good lesson to pack away for another day. It's an excellent example of the times we think we know better than God. And the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.   Jonah 1:17   If you need an adult refresher version check out this link. https://www.gotquestions.org/life-Jonah.html God has a valuable lesson to teach Jonah about the Lord's mercy and forgiveness, which extends beyond Jonah and Israel to all people who repent and believe. Like Jonah, there are times when we think there are people who do not deserve this gift from God, so when he calls us to a tough place like Nineveh, we turn the other way defying God. You know the song lyric , "Trust and Obey for there

Thanks to an amazing gift from a son and daughter in law, this is how we travel around Shiloh now!   What's filling you up this summer? Friends, family, or maybe good food? Sitting in the waiting room of a car mechanic's shop waiting for an oil change for my car, I thought I recognized a woman who was chatting with another man in the waiting room. Keeping my head down I poured myself into some church work that I had brought along for the wait.  As the woman stood up to leave she turned towards me, I looked up and said, "I'm Boo Andrews, I feel like we've met at some point." We finally put the pieces together and began to chat. She shared that her husband now had dementia and also was headed to Duke the next day for a surgical procedure. I opened PrayerMate and put in her prayer needs.   The next morning I was praying for a scripture to send her as she journeyed to NC. May the God of hope fill you  with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of th

Our church is currently in a long sermon series on Revelation. The teaching and preaching is captivating, while the thought provoking topic to which only God knows the answer can be tough to swallow at times.   Personally, because I'm a sissie and don't like cruelty or controversy,  I prefer a pre-tribulation rapture account and believe scripture supports this belief. For details check out  https://www.gotquestions.org/pretribulationism.html In eschatology, it is important to remember that almost all Christians agree on these three things: 1) there is coming a time of great tribulation such as the world has never seen, 2) after the Tribulation, Christ will return to establish His kingdom on earth, and, 3) there will be a Rapture—a translation from mortality to immortality—for believers ( John 14:1-3 ; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 ; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 ). The question is when does the Rapture occur in relation to the Tribulation and the Second Coming of Christ? Through the years