Boojoyful

March 31 E -everlasting A -affliction S -Satisfied, Sacrificial, Savior The satisfaction of Jesus is a new thought for me. Jesus willingly surrendered to His Father's plan and became the "solution," the sacrifice for our sin. He grasped that his purpose in life was to be the Savior, but I don't know that I have ever associated the word satisfied with His phrase: "It is finished." For me "It is finished" has always been more of a relief phrase! There is much joy in recognizing the comment in terms of being a statement of satisfaction for carrying out a plan to completion for our heavenly Father. When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied . Isaiah 53:11a

March 30 Today's Easter letter is "A". I wanted "arise," but that really isn't quite where we are in the remembrance of Holy Week. On Bible Gateway today is Isaiah 53:3-4 in the NIV version and the "A" word that jumped out at me was "afflicted." A-Afflict : to distress so severely as to cause persistent suffering or anguish. While I really prefer to look at the pretty side of things...like Jesus' victory when he arises, to know Christ is to comprehend his suffering which was done for us. Look closely at The Message version of this passage and ask God to show you something you have never seen before about Christ. Get to know Him more and more, take a second look! Isaiah 53:2-6(The Message) The servant grew up before God—a scrawny seedling, a scrubby plant in a parched field. There was nothing attractive about him, nothing to cause us to take a second look. He was looked down on and passed over, a man who suffered, who knew pain firstha...

March 29 Monday Did you wave your palm branches high yesterday? I've been praying this morning on how I can honor the Lord this week in remembrance of what He did for me. Biblegateway's verse today points to our Savior: God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.- 2 Corinthians 5:21 The word Easter is in the forefront of my mind, but not in the Bible. So I am asking God to give me a word and verse for each letter in Easter to focus on these next six days. E - EVERLASTING Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made. Psalm 145:13 Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth. Genesis 9:16 I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life. John 6:47

March 27-28 Being blessed by a visit from our grandson this weekend my heart was stirred for the Lord as I watched this little fellow's desires when he became hungry. Very similar to Moses, our bulldog, he let it be known when he wanted to be fed! My thought was this...how often do we let the Lord know we are starving for his Word? He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD . Deuteronomy 8:3

March 26 Feeling a little disconnected from the Lord, because of so much going on at our home, I couldn’t hear the Lord today. All day yesterday I kept hearing Him say, “Do not look to the left or right but straight ahead or you will miss what I have for you.” I prayed and decided to write the devotional on distractions. On Biblegateway I typed in distractions and check out what I found! Me oh my, I am feeling connected again! He is faithful! Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that's where life starts. Don't talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip. Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions. Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you. Look neither right nor left; leave evil in the dust. Proverbs 4:23

March 25 Talking to a dear friend from out of town the other day, I felt like a bearded sailor bellying up to a bar in a familiar seaport ready to pour out his heart to a trusty bartender and find approval and encouragement. Within hours I read a devotional relating to the fact that the only affirmation we need to seek is God's. Throughout the day I felt like a wobbling child learning to ride a two wheeler for the first time. God was keeping my mental thoughts on course by saying, "Stop looking to the left and right. If you concentrate on what is going on in those places, you will miss the mighty thing I am going to do...look straight ahead at me. Do not miss what I am up to! The only approval you should seek is mine." Whew, each time He shared that I would get discouraged knowing it was a much needed reprimanded. This early morning on Biblegateway I came across a load releaser in the verse for the day: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us ...

March 24 Here we go again. A word comes to mind and you ask...is that You Lord impressing this upon my heart? Fit . We hear it, but would that be the noun, verb, adjective form or maybe an acronym? Are we to get going and exercise? Is there an adaptation needed or a home repair waiting? Do we need to clean up so the house is fit for company? Will there be an occurrence in our path today that tempts us to throw a fit? Oh, here's a possibility...suppose we go shopping and find some items which fit! A wise move to make is to take that word to the Word and see how God speaks. F aith I n T raining Going back to the Budweiser commercial which said, "This Bud's for you," the Lord works in a similar way when we search His Word and will say..."This verse is for you." Draw close to Him, for He is close to you! Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him. Psalm 33:1 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your ...

March 23 There is a praise song called He is Able . He is able, more than able to accomplish what concerns me today. He is able, more than able to handle anything that comes my way. He is able, more than able to do much more than I could ever dream, He is able, more than able,to make me what He wants me to be. My husband was channel surfing the other day (taking a break from Fox News and the health care bill) and came across the refreshing distraction of the movie Swiss Family Robinson . While the four male members of the family were enjoying the exhilaration which adventure can bring, Mother was a bit more reticent to rejoice in their stranded predicament. Father showed Mother a tree which they were going to transform into their new home. All mother saw was danger. The comprehension that her husband and boys were able to build her a fabulous home in a tree did not exist. What are we facing today that has us doubting God's capability to handle it? Did a rejection notice just come ...

March 22 Ah, but this English language is confusing. Checking out the definitions for spirit you will come across everything from alcohol, angels, demons, the person of the Holy Spirit, an individual's soul which is separate from the body, right down to moods. Also, spirits of ammonia, the spirit of division, a free spirit, etc. Saturday, I was trying to remove some stains in our little laundry room. Clorox was my first weapon of choice and when that didn't work I tried a large amount of Whink. Before I realized what was happening my throat was burning and I was wheezing. Calling for my husband, he ushered me outside. We called the doctor and it took almost 24 hours for the side effects to leave. The doctor said, "Mix nothing with Clorox!" The invisible fumes consumed my body and changed me. The Holy Spirit has the power to do that in us as well! Lord, we give thanks to You for knowing all our needs and giving us a Helper. May we be quick to silence ourselves and seek...

March 20-21 Rummaging through a box of old phones, I was looking for a replacement phone. Amazingly, I found one with all the cords and even the instructional book for programming. The handset had a rechargeable battery. The instructions said to charge it for 17-20 hours before plugging it into the phone jack. I really had not expected to have to wait for it to work. Often, our lives need recharging and it is not a quick fix. We need to fast, pray, and sit a spell with Jesus. For it is during those recharging times his guidance appears. In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling. Exodus 15:13 For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end. Psalm 48:14 I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble. Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is...

March 19 Integrity and wisdom are qualities which are hard to find. While I am filled with passion and enthusiasm for Christ and what He did, I will never measure up to the integrity and wisdom of my husband. A teacher at one of the schools where he is head master, paid him a huge complement by telling me she would only work under a person who possessed the characteristics laid out in 1 Timothy 3 and she certainly saw those in him. While this guideline is written for overseers and church deacons it makes for an excellent measuring stick for anyone in a leadership position...even our elected officials? Be above reproach. The husband of one wife. Temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, sincere. Not given to drunkenness. Not quarrelsome. Not violent, but gentle. Not a lover of money. Must not be conceited. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. He must not be a recent convert. Must have a good reputation with ...

March 18 Today is a double birthday celebration in our household. One of our sons was born on my husband's 30th birthday. He was our fourth child in three years and it is a wonder he survived! In addition to the birthday camaraderie, these two both attended UNC and are die hard Tar Heels! It is amazing to think about God knitting each of these men together for specific purposes. For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb . Psalm 139:13 My husband's secretary had a son born on this day as well, but he was accidentally killed. I know her heart must be heavy as she ponders the what ifs of this day. Her son had a passion for the Lord and a deep desire to see his friends come to know Jesus. My prayers today are for all those parents who have lost a child or have a child who is spiritually lost.

March 17 Waiting for a connecting flight last week I watched a single dad and his four year old daughter try to gather their belongings for pre-flight boarding. He had his coffee in his hand, a briefcase, backpack of his own and a small suitcase for his daughter. While he had made it to the door to go outside to mount the steps of the puddle jumper we were taking, this little tyke was finishing up a page she was working on in an high tech automated book with a battery operated pen. He hollered, "Abbi, come on!" With the book in one hand and a snack and water bottle in the other, it was difficult to get out of that seat. Then her own backpack was heavy and laden with things. Finally, she drug everything to the doorway where her father was and said, "I can't do it!" A lady waiting in line to board offered to help, but the youngster would have nothing to do with her. They had to take time, readjust their load and finally holding her father's hand with a smile o...

March 16 The word was so clear. Dove, but the message has been slow in coming. Is it about chocolate, music awards,or Old Testament sacrifices???? Webster's defines dove: 1) any of numerous pigeons 2) a gentle woman or child 3) one who takes a conciliatory attitude and advocates negotiations and compromise; especially : an opponent of war. Still nothing was clicking. So off to Bible Gateway I went and there it was... Psalm 55:5-7 Fear and trembling have beset me; horror has overwhelmed me. I said, "Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest-I would flee far away and stay in the desert. Today I went to the Duke Cancer center with a dear friend who will approach her six year battle mark in April. Entering the facility I was immediately overwhelmed by the numbers of people waiting there to fight the fight of cancer. Oh, that each of these people could fly away from this dreadful disease. The waiting room swarmed with over fifty people. Name after name wa...

March 15 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:6-9 Ten years ago this month, I underwent surgery for a ruptured disc in my lower back. Unbeknownst to me or my doctor, the extreme pain I was left in a few days following the surgery was due to a spinal leak and then an active infection in my spine. The doctor explained that the surgery had just not been successful for me and left me in worse shape than before the procedure. Accepting that diagnosis I went forward believing G...

March 15 Relieved to be in bed last night, after a weekend of work which created sore muscles, I looked down and crawling across our comforter was a stink bug. Now the rumor is that if you kill these ugly creatures they give off an awful odor. Great survival tactic! We've eliminated hundred from our house, by gingerly catching them and throwing them out the door, but never killing them. God allows us to encounter some stinky stuff in our lives. While assuring us it will not kill us, He actually polishes up our act! 1 Peter 1:6-9 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and ...

March 14 Usually I shower in the morning, but yesterday we spent the day starting a huge clean up project on the scripture trails of Shiloh. Plum tuckered out and achy I stepped in underneath the welcome warmth and comfort of the shower. Then out of no where I was singing the words, Adonai and Elohim over and over. For a moment I thought..."Do I know Hebrew?" Fortunately, Moses (the bulldog) was the only one in ear shot. I couldn't wait to dig into what this was all about. Elohim speaks to the deity of God. God Creator and Judge. The name Adonai is translated Lord in the Bible. I found a wonderful article online. "It signifies ownership or mastership and indicates the truth that God is the owner of each member of the human family, and that He consequently claims the unrestricted obedience of all. Meaning: Lordship meant complete possession on the one hand and complete submission on the other. God is never a capricious or unjust Master and therefore does not ask what ...

March 12-13 I have absolutely no idea where I was writing wise yesterday. Both my husband and I thought I wrote the devo???? Here are some thoughts to consider about our whereabouts: "You can't lead anyone else further than you have gone yourself." Gene Mauch We are called to be in the world, but not of the world. (Can't find that word for word in the Word, but John deduces that for us.) But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Philippians 3:20-21 All I know is I want to be where the Lord wants me to be! Over and over this week he has put this verse in my face. May it bring comfort to you if possibly God is pushing you places you don't really want to go. Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not on your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowled...

March 11 Well, I am finally into the last phrase of "One Month to Live". The thirty day study has taken me 3 months. The last principle is titled "Leave Boldly". The writer states "My life, my time, is not my own. It belongs to Christ, and it's His name that will last; only when I live to influence others for Him will I leave an enduring legacy." The book has the powerful statement: You are not ready to live until you are ready to die. I was just visiting my father who will turn 90 on April 29th. When I arrived at his home and asked how he was, he replied, "I am good for 54 more days, then I want to go!" We can have peace and want to go because we: P-Possess E-eternity A-at C-Christ's E-expense. There is an old hymn which says: "The world is not my home." God created us with a homesickness for heaven. A place beyond our dreams. The hope of heaven creates a peace which passes understanding. Don't you just love God's Word ...

March 10 Walking along a south Florida beach seashells may have been difficult to find, but the Met Life Blimp could not be missed. Puttering along slowly I envisioned the people inside peering down upon the beach sites. Suddenly, the horrendous thunder of a helicopter blared overhead as the amazing flying machine zoomed up the beach. They too were probably looking down, but at a must faster pace. Trying to stay keenly aware of the messages God sends in moments I stopped to think about the different paces God calls us to take in life. Be still , and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10 Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. Psalm 27:14 When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Matthew 10:23 Flee from sexual immorality. 1 Corinthians 6:18 Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry. 1 Corinthians 10:14 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eag...

March 9 Walking along a beach yesterday I encounter a woman with a thick German accent. Cheerfully, I smiled and said, "Good morning." She replied pointed over at a man, whom I presume was her husband, "He's always looking for something." Walking on I prayed..."And if he doens't know the Lord, I hope he finds Jesus." My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you— I, whom you have redeemed. My tongue will tell of your righteous acts all day long. Psalm 71:23-24 Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. John 17:3

March 8 While to the world the phrase, digging deep to reach the top, would seem like an oxymoron, it makes perfect sense to the believer. This is very similar to the exercise concept of having to exhaust a muscle to make it stronger. Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:1-4 Allowing our trials to draw us closer to God, in turn drawers us closer to heaven which is the ultimate reward. Our first reaction is to mourn at the news of a death, but the peace that passes understanding comes when we realize that person is a believer and thus is seeing Jesus face to face. It just doesn't get better than that! Being covered up under the dark earth, allows a flower bulb the time to regenerate and bloom again. When bad news arrives in our lives it can have a suffocating effect, b...

March 6-7 Crying out to the Lord for understanding, I began to weep and became overcome with remorse and a personal encounter of how our Lord had to suffer for our sins. I've always closed my eyes not being able to bear to look at Christ on the cross in plays or movies. It was as if God was saying..."You will love me more by relating at this depth." Opening my eyes, the word "passion" stared me in the face. Actually, it was a book entitled A Passion for Flowers for those of you who are thinking it might be in any other context. Reminds me of one of the funniest stories to come out of the Andrews household. One of our sons and a high school friend were in our bedroom on the computer. When they got up to leave, the friend noticed a book on the bed stand. He blurted, "Oh, aren't your parents kinky, they have a book on massage." Our son looked at him and said, "That would be "The Message" it is the Bible" Glad he cleared that one u...

March 5 What is the word????? A noun: the quality of exciting amazed admiration. A verb: to feel curiosity or doubt. An adjective: wonder drug, boy wonder. We need not wonder if God's wonders are for real! We just need to open our eyes. He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted. Job 5:9 We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done. Psalm 78:4

March 4 I opened my Bible study for today blown away by where it took me. Over and over again God rocks my world with how He proves he knows every detail of my life. God is up to good and has the plan which is best for all the unknowns we are facing in our lives. His timing is perfect and He knows what is coming next and where He needs us to be.(Sometimes He has to push us to get us there.) From health issues, to jobs, to relationship crisis's He is capable of working all things together for HIS good and glory, which in turn is what we should want for our lives. One Month to Live states: "King David endured some terrifying times, especially early in his life. After God brought him through one especially harrowing episode, David wrote a song about it. As you prepare for and then endure your next earthquake, what can you do to cultivate the knee jerk reaction to pray first?" 2 Samuel 22:1-18 David sang to the LORD the words of this song when the LORD delivered him from the ...

March 3 Changing a classroom display, I removed a brown table cloth and replaced it with a pink one. One of my students said, "This is rather springy Mrs. Boo, and it's not spring yet?" My reply..."Ah, but I am ready for the hope of spring." Within a few hours the snow was pouring down outside making my spring display rather presumptuous. For me, the snow signals God's covering over us. A visible request to be still and know that He is God. He is the ultimate empathizer! Whatever we are facing today is no surprise to the Lord. Acknowledge He is there. Rejoice in the hope of Christ. Hold tightly to the life line of faith! Listen for God's commands. God will see you through. God never abandons us. He suffers right along with us and knows more than anyone what it means to lose a child, to be rejected by His people, to be betrayed by a friend. Kerry and Chris Shook Psalm 33:20 We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.

March 2 In my closet cleaning out the other day, I came across four thermometers. Deciding to do a random accuracy check, I eliminated one (since it was special...if you get my drift). Taking my temperature, all three recorded different results ranging from 97 to 98.2. So much for thermometers...I think I will stick to my mother's technique of the hand to the forehead. I remember my pediatrician asking over the phone once...how much fever does your child have? My response.."A handful." Thermometers have the same purpose, but can vary in their exact results. Churches are similar. Hopefully, all Christian churches are established on the Sovereignty of God's Word, and have the goal of teaching the ways of Christ,the need for repentance, the command to come together to worship Christ and encourage the body of believers towards obedience. The temperature or amount of the Holy Spirit which is present in those places varies..some are certainly colder than others! When the Ho...

March 1 Saturday was designated a clean up day at our home. My goal was to conquer our family room from top to bottom. First I needed to pack up the Valentine and Snowman decorations. (We certainly don't need any more snow!) Somehow I veered off track and ended up in our hallway closet, which houses medical supplies. Whew, how time flies...I found expiration dates all the way back to 1997. Also, there were several products related to removal..wart remover, an ear wax removal kit, Bore skin strips to remove blackheads, finger polish remover, Chigger rid, a link roller, and floss to remove gunk from in between your teeth. The standard pain relief meds were in there as well. Removal, removal, removal continued to echo in my mind. I began to think of the products or projects God uses to remove sin from my life. Asking Him to do a thorough inspection right there I had to smile as I looked on the shelf and saw a product called "Nuskin". (That comes in handy for harpist who pl...