Boojoyful

  I am very blessed to have the privilege of teaching this grandson every few weeks in Sunday School. This particular week the children wore kings' crowns as we discussed that earthly kings/leaders come and go, but Jesus is the King of Kings forever! We made pipe cleaner glasses as a reminder to seek the Lord and study his Word. We did a coloring sheet on hope and discussed that we HAVE hope, a secure confidence, because of what Jesus has done for us. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. 1 Timothy 4:10 Check out what gotquestions.org says about hope. "The Bible has quite a lot to say about hope. Biblical hope has as its foundation faith in God. The word  hope  in English often conveys doubt. For instance, “I hope it will not rain tomorrow.” In addition, the word  hope  is often followed by the word  so . This is the answer that some may give when asked if they thi

The moon outside our bedroom window.  We live on Moonriver Lane!  December 14th I embarked on a weight loss program using an app called Noom. I just realized I didn't know what it stands for so I googled and found it is moon spelled backwards. The  founder choose this because "the moon is always there for your as a quiet guide when you are lost." I've lost 15 pounds and can get into my clothes again and feel much better.  This program is a psychological approach to why we eat the way we do. You get daily tips and 3-4 minute studies to help you understand your habits and learn about foods.  I am enjoying the daily encouragement and accountability. Likewise, I stay in daily Bible  studies to keep my walk with the Lord on track. The tips that come from God's Word and organized Bible Study are beneficial.  A quote in my Bible Study Fellowship notebook says,  "Wholehearted commitment to God involves eradicating damaging compromises from daily life." Just as

I made these cute snowman candy bars using a pair of mittens for a hat. They were the prizes for a game at our church Snow Carnival last Friday night.   Maybe you didn't have a parent who prayed for you daily and especially for the godly mate God desired/desires for you, but you can certainly change that and commit to pray that for your children/grandchildren/or children who need your prayers. The Song "Prayed For You"  Matt Stell https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fbb4gHfnAqI

This sweet one cooked dinner for my birthday and then my husband took this photo. I said to our daughter "You look really young!"  She said, "That's a good thing!"  LOL  Guess that was better than saying "I look really old!" Here are the final 11 prayers from Colossians.   21) Please help me choose to have a heart of love, which is the perfect bond of unity. (3:14) 22) I pray that Your peace will rule in my heart. (3:15) 23) I pray that Your Word will dwell richly within me. (3:16) 24) Help me, as a wife, to give honor an respect to my husband. (3:18) 25) Help me, as a husband and father, to grow in love and understanding for my wife and children. (3:19,21) 26) I pray that my children will be obedient to us as parents in all things because this pleases You. (3:20) 27) In whatever I do, show me how to perform my work happily for You, rather than for people. (3:23) 28) Help me to devote myself to prayer, keeping alert in it, with an attitude of thanksgiv

This was an exciting power of prayer experiment I did with some of our grands.  You take a white plate (solid or paper) and arrange Skittles around the edge. We used this as a pattern exercise for our 4 year old grandson. It can just be a random arrangement of the candies and will work as well.  Then you take very hot water and slowly pour it onto the center of plate and the colors begin to blend into a beautiful piece of art. The prayer lesson is that this is an example of how beautiful it is when a variety of people come together in prayer! Here are the next 10 prayers from the Book of Colossians.  11) Create in me good discipline and stability of faith in You.  (2:5) 12) Cause me to be firmly established in You, with a heart of gratitude.  (2:7) 13) Thank You, Lord, that through Your Son I have been made complete. (2:10) 14) Teach me to keep seeking the things above, where Christ is seated at Your right hand. (3:1) 15) Help me to focus my thoughts on Your purposes and not on worldly

I've been side tracked and hanging out in Colossians the past couple days, so I'm going to take you with me! The Book of Colossians was written by Paul, but there are references to contributions by Timothy. Paul's wrote to warn the Colossian believers of doctrinal error and spur them on to continued growth in Christ.  Paul, a Jew, was concerned about the issue of Jewish legalism and Old Testament law being a stumbling block to the concept of salvation by grace apart from works.  It's hard for our minds to accept this free gift! My guess is my path is about to cross with someone with whom I will need to "know how to give an answer".  Gotquestions.org presents this practical application. " Although Paul addresses many areas, the basic application for us today is the total and complete sufficiency of Christ in our lives, both for our salvation and our sanctification. We must know and understand the gospel so as not to be led astray by subtle forms of legalis

Hallelujah! The white bird if back!!! (I owe you a photo when I have time to get the shot!)  Last Wednesday morning, to my delight, he came cruising down the cove for his winter return.  Familiarity brings warmth to our hearts. It's a symbol of God's steadfastness. The sight of that bird, like  spring time flowers bursting forth from the ground, gave me pause to give thanks to God for the signs that He is in control.  I think back to 2020 and how "the germ" reeked havoc on our daily routines, but friends it did nothing to the rising and setting of the sun, or the soaring of the birds and scampering of the squirrels! I can't remember where I found the message below, but it spoke to my heart and I copied it. "Gratitude the Essential Guardian of the Soul   T hankfulness is an essential guardian of the soul, and therefore we should guard ourselves with gratitude. Evidently we are fair game for the devil when we don't abound with thanksgiving.  Unless the song

Joyful cousins! Paige Brown's current study on The Book of James and had me digging deeply related to counting it all joy. I always look for the  action verbs  and try to evaluate if I’m living out those actions. In her lecture she referred to these actions, as believers we are to take. Avoid Complacency-" James feared complacency more than persecution." Count it all joy  knowing the pain and suffering won’t be wasted and God will bring something beautiful from it. Ask God  “If” you lack wisdom. (We all lack  wisdom!) Receive"  the answers God gives! Wisdom only comes because we RECEIVE." Boasting- she mentions wealth and $, but I’ve been convicted it can be other things…a healthy marriage, chidden, grandchildren. They are all gifts from God, not something in which we should boast.  Now we can boast about Jesus and how he transforms our lives. Remaining-" We live by what we love. The shape of our lives is determined by the joys of our hearts." Where is

 One of my besties gave me this amaryllis for Christmas knowing it would show off for my birthday. Do you ever think about the way flowers burst forth with the joy of the Lord? “Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land.”  Song of Songs 2:12 The Song "King of Kings Forever" Kari Jobe https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A14b6-jOo-c

  No matter what your neighborhood looks like, your neighbors will be blessed by your prayers. Bless Every Home Lord, may my neighbors experience your perfect love. "Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear.  If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced His perfect love."  1 John 4:18 Our church participates in a prayer ministry called "Bless Every Home".  You join this website, adding your address and it sends you the names and addresses of your neighbors to prayer for. You sign up for the number of households you want to pray for and the number of days a week you want an email prayer, like the one above, to pray for the specific names they send you that day.  If you have to use a church feel free to use Franklin Heights.org  You can also add your own desired addresses to the list. This is such a simple way to be a blessing to your neighbors! https://blesseveryhome.com The Song "Blessing O

Everyone needs a Pop in their lives! "For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face,   that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ,   in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge .     I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments.     For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ."  Colossians 2:1-5 Our pastor shared a sermon on this passage last Sunday that was excellent. He shared how Paul had a deep struggle for the people of this church and knew they were facing a dangerous situation of being deceived.  He described it like the way parents agonizing over our children and the decisions they are making. He listed four things

  This photo was taken of our daughter's two oldest sons seven years ago.   The verse, Job 31:1, is posted on a scripture sign on our basketball court. I promised myself  never to stare with desire  at a young woman. Is that wisdom being taught to the young men you know? Do the young women under your influence know the importance of dressing modestly to aid the young men around them in avoiding this temptation? Lately, my mind has drifted back to a hot pants  outfit I had in my teens that I purchased in Miami, Florida.  Fortunately, there are no photographs of me in this red two piece outfit, where my midriff showed and a gold chain attached a v-neck neckline and a chan adorned the shorts at my naval. AWFUL.  One of the things that disturbs me most is how my parents let me go out of the house in this outfit.  Now as I recall it, I only wore it out once on a date in Miami. Maybe my father threw it out. I'm stopping to pray right now that we all, of every age, view others from th

  The door of The Ark. How amazing is the way The Ark Encounter has lit this door to the ark with a cross! I really like front doors! To me they are a symbol of welcoming. If we ever build a house, which probably will not happen, these are the front doors I would like to have. It is probably a pain to clean those panes though and a lot of work to repaint when you want to change the door color. Others may see doors as barriers, protection or security.  As a pastor and pastor's wife we visit hospitals and there are secure areas where you must be buzzed in. You can't just enter.  It's discouraging when you approach a business and find the doors locked. Jesus calls himself "the door" in John 10:9... “ I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.”  I love the freedom this verse represents!  Safety in our coming and going. Going to commentaries I saw that most reference this verse in regards to shepherds who took turns

  A couple weeks ago, I was praying for a “word” from the Lord for 2023.  Last year He gave me the word  valuable  and laid upon my heart the importance of seeing everyone God has created through his eyes and how  valuable  they are to him.  There was a specific emphasis to verbalize to others the  value  of children and senior citizens, because our culture doesn’t value them. This year the word that came was  categories.   And then, for Shiloh to have a soup kitchen this year where people affected by what living life in these categories looks like can come and have a souper super, fellowship with one another and receive prayer. Today the Spirit led me to start my first  category  and look up prayers for people on the spectrum. The specificity of these prayers has helped me appreciate these individuals and those who love and work with them to a deeper level. The prayers I found online were for children, but they certainly are for adults as well.  Last year I met a man, whom I’d heard o

  So much joy in these two sweet cousins.  Our youngest two grannddaughters ages 2 and 3. Good gifts from God who came to visit!  "Good is God" Francesca Battistelli https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbXjgwDHNpQ

Some of our grands donning my father's WWII Army Cap Our 14 year old grandson ready to "move out" on his new mini bike. Our service men and women and local first responders are ready to move into action in a moments notice.  There is no negotiation with their superiors, they just go! Yet, when God, our ultimate superior, calls upon us with an assignment we waiver, wander and sometimes pull a Jonah going the opposite direction.  A deeper life void is that we seldom position ourselves to receive those orders.  Why is listening prayer so uncomfortable?  Hmm, because we know we are submitting to someone else's control of our lives.  When was the last time you prayed for an hour? It takes discipline of the mind and our time to position ourselves for listening prayer for even 10 minutes.  Why do we struggle to be alone with the One who loves us the most and knows us the best? "Contact with others in society is not what causes the soul to grow most vigorously.   In fact

I don't know that I've ever prayed over someone who did not appreciate it.  When you ask the Holy Spirit to direct your prayers He makes them spot on. Tucking our 5 year old grandson in New Year's Eve, I prayed a very personalized prayer over him and he looked at me afterwards and said,   “That was good.”  I could just gobble him up. This was the prayer. God, I want to thank You for how you have made this child  What a wonderful day it was when you thought of making him.  You said, “I will have this one come into the world on January 28th.  I’m going to give him blonde hair, strong eye brows, eyes that twinkle, a really cute nose and ears, lips that make a beautiful smile and strong teeth. He will have strong arms that can throw a football and a baseball and hands and fingers that can grip tightly to the handle bars on a bike.  His legs will be super strong for running, jumping, and pedal, pedal, pedaling on his bike.  His feet will be perfect to fit on the pedals and also