Boojoyful

A shared photo from one of our sons atop MacAfee Knob in Catawba, VA A week later another son went with his wife and son. As I was praying for a friend whose mother is actively dying, the Lord kept impressing on my heart the word    journey.    Her mom has almost completed the incredibly earthly journey to eternity with Jesus. I suggested she speak these verses over her mom, believing, even though unresponsive, her mother's spirit can hear these words from the Lord. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.   Philippians 3:20 We are here for only a moment, visitors and strangers in the land as our ancestors were before us. Our days on earth are like a passing shadow, gone so soon without a trace.  1 Chronicles 29:15 James teaches how many people brag as though they will live on earth forever, but for those of us who know God’s promises we believe our earthly time is just a mist that will disa...

We are coming off a wonderful time with these grandsons at what we call "Camo Camp." Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.  And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4 Can you remember times in your life where you felt as if you were in a doctoral level course titled "The Testing of Your Faith"?  My prayers have been going out to the families of the victims of the recent flooding in Texas that claimed so many lives.  How do you stand steadfast in your faith after seeing so many lives literally swept away? In 2003 our son was in a horrible car wreck resulting in a broken neck.  He didn't want us to tell his younger siblings and ruin their time at a Young Life camp.  We said, "If one person comes to know Christ from the sharing of our faith related to this accident, then that is a life saved ...

A Shiloh Scripture Sign A recent sermon series at our church was on "Living With Hope in a Broken World."  One week, three key points on how to do that were: (1) Life a Holy Life  (2) Life With Fear of God  (3) Love One Another Earnestly With a Pure heart. One of my favorite young mothers at church texted after the sermon and said, "Could I come speak to you about the sermon?"  She came the next day and said, "I want to live a life that is holy, but how do you do that?" Before she and I looked into God's Word in  1 Peter 1:13-24 where  Peter packs a purposeful punch on this topic I said, "Think about this. Daily we wash dirty dishes and clothes, we wipe out messy sinks and potties, we squish spiders found in the corners, pick up after ourselves and others, pull up weeds in the yard and clean up debris that has blown in the yard. Physical clean up is none stop.   Likewise, being Spirit controlled isn't just a daily choice, it's a moment by ...

From the Mountains to the Oceans... Our granddaughter at a surfing camp in Hatteras Island, NC Do young couples go steady anymore?  I haven't heard the last few generations use that term. Our oldest granddaughter is a passionate surfer. She's been blessed to surf in Hawaii, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico and the east coast. Steadying yourself must be an important surfing skill. What throws you for a loop?  What interrupts your awareness of God being near? One Sunday morning at 7AM I received two disturbing voicemails from a women in our community. Over the years we've come to realize she is most likely Bipolar. The calls definitely threw a snag in my Sunday morning as I texted my husband, already at church, to alert our security team.  Instead of greeting church members with joy and getting lost in the beauty of our time of worship, instead my eyes were roaming throughout 500 people wondering if a disturbance was just around the corner.  I was unsteady for sure. Sarah Young...

Remember my post "I Needed to Hear That"  with this prayer by Stormie Omartian for a husband to pray for his wife? "Lord, as much as I love my wife, I know You love her more.  I realize that I cannot meet her every need and expectation, but You can.  Help Boo to increase her knowledge of You today.   May she turn to You first for everything  as You become her constant companion.  Give her discernment and revelation and enable her to hear Your voice instructing her to stay focused on You, no matter how great the storm is around her, so that she never strays off the path You have for her.  I pray You would keep me aware of when she needs a fresh filling of Your Spirit so that I will be prompted to pray for her.  In Jesus' name. "   John 4:14 Well, it came to mind and I called out to God for about 4 miles and then I picked up the phone and unloaded my sobs on my husband.  Living a life, trusting the Lord and turning to Him is a pr...

Our daughter, a professional harpist, playing for a sweet friend nearing her final destination. Oh, the places the Lord takes this brain of mine. The house was abuzz with family for the 4th and the dishwasher was getting a workout.  I've come to learn over the years that loading the dishes, especially cups/glasses from the back helps the process a bit throughout the day.   That thought led to me thinking the same thing about loading airplane passengers. And that thought led me to think of the flight attendant announcements when they say, "If this is your final destination ..." This thinking process occurred at the end of the day where a long time friend had texted to say this about her mother, who had battled Stage 4 ovarian cancer for 2 years. "Mom is joyful and fighting as always, but her body isn't cooperating. We are moving her to palliative care later today. Keep praying." My husband, her pastor, headed straight to the hospital.  He adores this woman an...