Boojoyful

April 30 "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." Luke 22:31-21 I seldom use a sifter anymore. The one I have was my grandmother's and has a crank handle that causes the metal blade to spread against the wire bottom pressing the flour through making it FINE! Yes, Sir, we need to see our pressing times as God's way of making us fine ! Let's Pray : Shine Jesus, shine...(are those song lyrics)? You are the God of glory and we thank You that we like Peter can find comfort in knowing You are with us so we will not fail in persevering through the tough times. Keep refining us Lord, so we will be so fine in Your sight. Help us to feel Your love and see the benefits in the process. In Jesus' Name, Amen

April 29 Too funny, to wake up thinking about toucans! Ecclesiastes chapter 4:9-12 came right to mind! Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Let's Pray : Jesus, You are the strength to our cord! Place on our hearts the person who needs us to come along side them today to make a team of two! Keep us willing to entwine our lives with the needs of others. In Your name we pray, Amen

April 28 Peculiar was one of our sixth grade spelling words last week. It showed up again in church on Sunday as the pastor reminded us we are called a peculiar people, but very special to the Lord. Hmm, is that a back handed compliment like the date, whom when asked about the person he/she went out with, says...."They have a nice personality?" Some of Webster's definitions:distinctive, special, odd, curious, eccentric; different from the usual or normal. We are so special to the Lord! Look what God's Word says in the Amplified translation. Deuteronomy 14:2 For you are a holy people [set apart] to the Lord your God; and the Lord has chosen you to be a peculiar people to Himself, above all the nations on the earth . Deuteronomy 26:18 And the Lord has declared this day that you are His peculiar people as He promised you, and you are to keep all His commandments; Titus 2:14 Who gave Himself on our behalf that He might redeem us (purchase our freedom) from all iniquity a

April 27 The morning was just too beautiful not to be out and about. I am actually sitting outside typing right now, choking a bit on pollen, but that is the cost of spring busting loose! I hiked up out 1/2 mile long driveway and encountered the woodland animals of Shiloh. First, a white tailed deer bolted across in front of me. Moments later a bushy tailed squirrel. Quite the contrast. Heading back down the road the Bunny of Shiloh shot out from my neighbor's driveway into the woods across the road. His photo would be such a hit on the blog, but he runs like a rabbit and would be tough to capture through the lens. With bunny thoughts in my head, I got a chuckle as the next creature came creeping across my path on the steps to our home...a slug. Ah, a fish just jumped, celebrating the fact the ESPN Bass Brawl is over! Today we will encounter deer, squirrel, rabbit, slug and yes, even fishy personalities...all created and all loved by God. Some may seem strange to us...the intrigui

April 25-26 Our Lake Kroger has been undergoing an expansion this past year. It has been and still is a mess. Each week you have no idea what would be on which aisle and which department will be under renovation. There has been no sushi for a month! My grocery list was lengthy yesterday and it actually took me an hour and twenty minutes to get in and out of the store. The ESPN Bass Brawl and incredibly hot temperatures predicted had the weekenders pouring in to shop. When I arrived at the check out counter and began placing my items on the conveyor belt I realized the bag boy had Downs Syndrome. My heart thrilled at the character of Kroger for hiring this young man. Wanting to make his job easier I began unloading my items in a very orderly fashion...all the heavy things first, all the refrigerated items together, the bag salads together, the frozen foods together and of course chips, ice cream cones, and breads for last. The check out girl and I got a bit chatty and before I knew it m

April 23 Here come the bass boats; 100 of them entered in the ESPN Blueridge Bass Brawl ! The start was at 7AM this morning and their big engines can be heard all over the Lake. They really like our cove! Now this is a sport, where you have to learn to wait upon the Lord....I mean fish! Warren Wiersbe, in his book Be Encouraged , takes a look at Paul's life in 2 Corinthians where Paul has learned to wait upon the Lord. "Paul did not make his plans carelessly or haphazardly; he sought the leading of the Lord. Sometimes he was not sure what God wanted him to do, but he knew how to wait on the Lord. His motives were sincere; he was seeking to please the Lord and not men. Paul was sure that God was leading him. The circumstances were not comfortable, and Paul could not explain the detours and disappointments, but he was sure that God was in control and working everything together for good. If God be for us, who can be against us?...Nay, in all these things we are more than conquer

April 22 If I threw out the word supplication for possible definitions to my students, a dinner club , would probably be among the guesses. Webster's defines supplication this way:to ask humbly and earnestly of; to pray to God. Synonym...BEG!!!! This very popular verse: Philippians 4:6, encourages us: Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. So what is the difference between prayer and supplication? According to Wikipedia: Supplication is a particular type of prayer, one that is asking for something. It has the connotation of being a humble request. Prayer itself can be many things other than requests. It can be for simply telling God how you feel - happy or sad, and for thanking Him for any one of the good things He does or provides for us. It is a way of becoming close to Him, and a time of listening for what He would say to us . WOW, great job Wikipedia! Our prayer lives may need a little spi

April 21 Before my eyelids opened I began to pray: "Good morning Lord, what is up for today? For that matter, what is today? The reply..."Two'sday, for I am with you!" What a blessing to know we are never alone. Of all the gifts we have received most likely "salvation" ranks way up there, but the Holy Spirit should be nipping at salvation's heels. What a helper! 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 1 John 2:20, 27 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him. Romans 5:5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God

April 20 God has blessed me with a brilliant earthly father, who is very innovative. He will turn 89 next week, but is as sharp as ever. Several years ago he was a big help with our home addition. One amazing suggestion he gave us was to place light switches by the headboard of our bed. From experience, he knew middle of the night bathroom runs would be coming and a night light would be handy. Additionally. my husband's side has a switch which turns on the gas fireplace, while on my side the second switch controls the ceiling fans. How did my Daddy know that would be the perfect solution for hot flashes? Our heavenly Father is full new solutions. His mercies are new every morning and He can work all things together for good for those of us who are called according to His purposes . A dear friend emailed that she and her husband were traveling on the highway and had some struggles facing them. On the back of the truck in front of them was a bumper sticker which read: Delivering New

April 16 Yesterday, I came home from a full day of work and sat down to attempt more school work only to fall asleep reading a young adult novel. I awakened alone in my living room around 6PM and my thought was: "What am I doing here?" For so many years my life's purpose was raising children. There always was someone to feed, tote around, or even move to college! Waking up to a quiet house and no demands (ok, my husband did want dinner, but even offered to fix it himself) I had this feeling my purpose was complete and there was nothing more. Somewhere in that deep sleep I forgot we are trying to train up 20 young students at The Academy and praying God will send us 100 more! My God is faithful and He spoke to me this morning, putting me in my place shall we say, through both that still small whisper in my ear and several devotionals reminding me we are here to serve Him. Simple reminders! From John Oglivie: Help me to see every task today as an opportunity to serve You. M

April 18-19 The two year road saga continues as we have had heavy equipment and mud along our new road for the past three weeks. The ever unhappy neighbor, decided he didn't like the fact that the cable lines, which were laid years ago on the original road, were buried on his property, so he waited until our road was complete to complain and have the company come and dig up our new road and lay them there. This week I came home one day to find four trucks and heavy equipment blocking my path home as men worked and the hateful neighbor was out orchestrating everything. My blood pressure began to climb and then... the whisper of God. "My child, why does this man's possible path to Hell not grieve you more than his shenanigans. He is precious to me and My desire is that not one should perish." Ugh, my only response was lame, but honest... "Because I am human and he and his wife are hateful and thorns in my side?" Then came the verses...like a doctor's order

April 17th The other day I was email praying for someone and typed.. Jesus is on the Job . He really, really is. I am part of a Moms In Touch group for mothers of college and adult children. We meet once a week for one hour of PRAYER. The leader organizes a scriptural prayer sheet and has verses for us to read and one for us to insert the names of our children. It is very powerful. Yesterday, she arrived and had forgotten the sheet. She was full of regret and felt like she had let us down. She said, "Let's just pray and see where the Holy Spirit leads." As we prayed it was impressed upon my heart that we should go out to our scripture trails and God would provide the verses to pray over our children. He did and it was powerful! One of my children had called yesterday morning and was lacking joy. I'd been praying all afternoon for joy for her. She called after dinner and was bubbling over! I was shocked at how quickly God had restored her joy. Sorry, Lord. I do know wi

April 15 The clocked ticked to 1:50AM, I could not sleep. It is now 2:56AM and I am up listening to the Lord. We have to have lows to appreciate highs. My "Jasper Day" was so incredible, my "Dart Day" yesterday was down right gross. Walking out the door I found that half of the tulips I had planted last fall at our front steps had been decapitated...the not so dear, deer. Before getting into the car to head for school I surrounded the remaining five tulips with trash cans. Now that was a lovely site at our front steps. What did I plan to do, ask people to look in between the cans and admire the tulips? The day continued with a great inconvenience that still has not been sorted out, a pouring rain and no umbrella, a huge disappointment for one of our children and heartfelt concern for some others. Then, oh yes, at some point we turned on the news. I think I sighed my normal response these days... "Come, Jesus Come The first thirty minutes of my sleeplessness fou

April 14 What a word! We long to be loved and to be needed. Peace, rest, happiness are longings of our hearts. To know God's will, be pleasing in His sight and see the Lord rank up high on my list of longings. Paul often longed for his fellow disciples in Christ. Romans 1:11 I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you. I just wrote an email to my summer Bible Study group and it was filled with the longing to be together with them once again. 2 Timothy 1:4 Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. There really are no secret longings before the Lord. Psalm 38:9 All my longings lie open before you, O Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you. When the road got rough David was quick to express his honest longings. Psalm 61:4 I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings. Psalm 119:40 How I long for your precepts! Preserve my life in your righteousness. And the hope of heaven creates

April 13 Walking into Lifeway headquarters in Nashville, TN, Saturday, I was browsing the shelves for some books on the twelve disciples to use next year at The Academy where I teach. I had the sensation that someone was behind me looking at books on the other shelf, but I never looked up to see who it was. I just scoured away at book titles. Shortly thereafter the soft spoken voice of a tall, gorgeous, young, Afro-American man asked, "What do you think of this title?" It was Andrew Murray's book Indwelling Spirit . I explained he had been a fabulous pastor and writer, but I had not read that particular book, but personally loved being indwelt by the Holy Spirit! The sweet, sincere spirit of this young man was captivating. I asked him if he was a believer and he said yes, for a long, long time. We headed back to the Bible Study area and I inquired if he was familiar with the teachings of Henry Blackaby and I shared some personal experiences and growth in my life from Expe

April 9-12 A friend, who is going through a very tough time wrote last night that she was having "stupid thoughts," but had nipped them in the bud. These revolved around harming herself. Praise the Lord, she has learned to distinguish the differences in the voices of the enemy and God and knows that looking up to the Lord brings benefits and puts a squash on the detrimental thoughts trying to infiltrate our minds. We all have days we want to bail out on life. Jesus was wishing He had another way back home to heaven instead of the route awaiting Him from the Garden of Gethsemane to the cross. My heart thrills to think of all the believers around the world who will be singing Alleluia on Sunday as we celebrate our risen Lord. May you have the Happiest of Easter celebrations and see others come to Christ. In Jesus' Name, Amen I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. Ps. 121:1-2

April 7-8 Today/Yesterday, we had a "let's just do it moment". We hopped in our car and drove to Chapel Hill to meet one of our sons who, along with his father, is a UNC graduate who wanted to cheer on the 2009 National Basketball Champs... the Tarheels...as they arrived back to campus from Detroit. It was a sweet time to share with our son and thousands of other Carolina faithful fans. Ah, if we would be so quick to follow the Lord when He instructs us to "just do it". The first scholarship senior to be asked to speak was so overwhelmed by the setting of a packed Dean Smith Center, which was full of a cheering crowd ranging from newborns to those in their eighties, that all he could say was "I have no words." I am preparing to do a John MacArthur study of the twelve disciples and my guess is they had plenty of times as they accompanied Jesus that they felt like they had "no words" to describe what they were experiencing. It makes me think of

April 7 Somewhere on the road Monday I saw a sign that flashed the word hardwork . That phrase flashed back across my mind as UNC proved victorious in the NCAA basketball finals an hour ago. Several of their players could have taken the hike off to the pros last year, but they stuck it out for their senior year and their hard work and perseverance paid off. Their joy and probably relief was reflected in the tears they shed after the buzzer sounded. I think that is the way we will feel when we reach heaven. We've all taken some hits and hard knocks along the way as believers. Digging into the Word for answers, training ourselves and our children in His ways and working out in the prayer process requires dedication and perseverance. When we cut the net (the strings of life) and head into heaven, I believe the tears will flow for joy. Ellington said after the game that he could not explain how amazing winning the championship felt. It was one of those things you have to experience to

April 6 Over the weekend, out of the blue, my husband said, "Early to bed, early to rise ain't done a darn thing for me!" (Meaning it hasn't made him healthy, wealthy or wise.) It is so interesting all the things people will try to improve life, yet they avoid Jesus the very giver of life. This morning I started a book called "Be Encouraged" by Warren Wiersbe based on 2 Corinthians. Wiersbe writes, "What was Paul's secret of victory when he was experiencing pressures and trials? His secret was God. When you find yourself discouraged and ready to quit, get your attention off of yourself and focus it on God." Here is a fun thought! Going to Jesus is like going to the cookie jar! It brings comfort! Let's Pray : Lord, yesterday in church we sang Hallelujah, what a Savior, whatever's in front of me I'm gonna sing hallelujah! May "hallelujah" be the cry of our hearts this Easter week and may we be filled with joy that overflows

April 4-5 Opening my eyelids, early this morning, the Lord had painted the sky a soft hue of pink. It was so soothing, I fell back to sleep! An hour later I was awakened by the brilliant white light of the sun cresting over the tree tops. The sky had been totally transformed. Transformation is possible for each of us this weekend. (No, I don't mean for us to head off for plastic surgery, I am speaking of spiritual transformation. Let's read how Paul encourages us in this way.) Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your act of spiritual worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is- his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2 Let's Pray : Lord, by whom all creation has been formed, transform us today. As we feed upon your Word, may we beco

April 3 Around 6AM my husband walked through the room and said, "TGIF." My first thought when I had awakened was "It's Friday, but Sunday, yes, Palm Sunday, is a coming!" Last night we attended an Easter Pageant depicting the birth, life, death and resurrection of Christ at Halesford Baptist Church here in Moneta. What a story! You go from the Hoorahs of his miracles; to the heartache of the crucifixion; to the hallelujahs of realizing He is risen and alive today! What a week we have ahead of us as we celebrate the most holy of weeks in our lives as believers. Google: Bird Loves Ray Charles - Video and watch this video. This is how we, who have life in Christ, should be feeling! Let's Pray : Hallelujah, what a Savior! Wonderful Counselor, Mighty King, Radiant Redeemer! Father, You have seen us through another week and we are one step closer to heaven. May we all be in a place of worship Sunday. Help us to think outside of our box and invite someone else to e

April 2 Listening to the news is just plain mind-boggling. An America where the President can fire CEO's, demand people to volunteer and place people in public office who have gotten away with not paying their taxes, I don't' get it? Clicking away from the new sites, after participating in a poll where 50% of the people thought an IPOD was a good gift choice for Obama to give the Queen of England, I realized my head was bowed in prayer. I must have prayed "What is going on Father?" for the response I heard was ... "You don't need to know child." "What you do need to know is that I will never leave you or forsake you and I want you to love me with all your heart and all your soul and all your strength. Oh, yea and love your neighbor as yourself. Also remember, I am coming back." My students were practicing writing friendly letters yesterday. My heart thrilled as I proofed the letter of one young man to his mother. He had drawn a cross on the