Boojoyful

August 31 Checking out Fox News Tuesday morning, I was so impressed as anchor Martha MacCallum walked inside from reporting in rather blustery weather in Tampa.  Her co-anchor, Bill Hellum, stood up and held her chair for her.  My husband is the only other man I know of with such manners these days. Most women have no clue why he is standing up when they return to the room or a table. I took notice and this young man went up a notch in my book! People take notice of our actions, of our words, and of the places we are present.  I believe with all my heart we serve a God who notices too. God rules. On your toes, everybody! He rules from his angel throne— take   notice ! God looms majestic in Zion, He towers in splendor over all the big names. Great and terrible your beauty: let everyone praise you! Holy. Yes, holy.  Psalm 99:1-3

August 30 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your  heart   and with all your  soul  and with all your  mind .’  Matthew 22:37 Watching individuals' various ways of getting in the lake is quite entertaining.  Our sons all jump completely in with a BIG splash.  I take a more gradual approach and our grandson is very cautious as he does not like to get his head wet. Prod ding him, I find myself saying, "Get all the way in!" "I am God, huge and powerful.  I don't need you.  You need me.  Now, take every step with the keen awareness that you walk continually before My gaze. I want all of you-not one person behind closed doors and another in the open. I want your mind as well as you heart.  I want your soul as well as your spirit. If you want to do this thing with Me, get all the way in ."  Beth Moore The paragraph comes from Moore's study, Patriarchs.   God is making a request of Abram (meaning exalted father).  He has big pla

August 29 "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." - Romans 15:13 Sunday and Monday, I sensed a lull before the storm. Maybe it was all the  Isaac  news, but I don't think so.  Laying low those days, I took advantage of some beautiful weather and laid low listening to the Lord...on the dock.  :) "God if you would just show me what is ahead..." was a 2AM, unable to sleep, prayer request early Sunday morning.  "I will position people on your path to direct you." was the interesting reply I heard.  Driving  down our driveway (path) Sunday afternoon, a realtor rolled down the car window and asked permission for her clients, who are just beginning to think about lake property, to walk around the outside of Shiloh. Now our house is no longer on the market, but I thought back to what I had heard early and granted an...   "Absolutely!"  They'

August 28 Sunday afternoon was a mix of Summer and Fall...really a perfect day weather wise.  The morning began rather misty, but my husband and I attempted an early morning walk anyway.  The Lance Armstrong saga was our first topic of discussion.  My husband remarked, how unfortunate that everything he had worked for and earned was wiped away.  We discussed how sad it is for certain individuals' lives to be marked by a single purpose, which if stripped away can leave you feeling meaningless.  Not to mention a single focus, which could drive you to lie, partake of illegal acts or potentially harm your body. My next inquiry about an athlete was introduced by "Back in Our Day, do your remember..." Eventually, the conversation landed back in Old Testament days.  The days of Abraham, Issace and Jacob and the good and bad traits they passed on to their children.  The most important pass along , with life long ramifications, was the faith of these fathers. We have

August 27 This sweet, sweet Godtube pays tribute to a woman who is 103 years old and still singing praise to Jesus everyday. http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=WD7ZKPNX&utm_source=GodTube%20Must-See%20(PD)&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=08/27/2012 “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”   Isaiah 26:3 Sing your way through today! (After reading the A Simple Act of Kindness entry, a friend wrote and shared how she was the recipient of a random act.  I attached it to that entry.)

August 25-26 This Godtube video speaks for itself.  Let's see how many of these "acts" we have presented to us to bestow on others this weekend! http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=WD7GWPNX&utm_source=GodTube%20Today&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=08/24/2012 Acts of kindness are contagious.  A dear friend shared last night how she was shopping in a nearby town and the woman two people ahead of her in the check out lane was laden was three large bags.  What aroused deep sympathy in my friend was that this woman had a cast on her wrist.  My friend called out to her expressing her compassion (as this sweet soul had broken both of her wrists at the same time several years ago) and said if she would just wait for her to make her purchases she'd be happy to carry her shopping bags to her care for her.  Immediately, the next lady in line offered to let my friend go ahead of her.  Act Two of Kindness.  Then the check out lady suggested the casted woman go get her

August 24 Yesterday afternoon, my husband and I drove about three hours up the Shenandoah Valley to a beautiful farm, surrounded by mountains, to say farewell to our friend who is spending his last days on his son's farm. It was such a privilege to be able to hold his hand and talk with him about the reality of heaven, the excitement of seeing Jesus, but also his life well lived.  We shared a delicious meal with his whole family, on a beautiful brick patio, in one of the most peaceful settings I've ever experienced. As we prayed over him before we left, my husband quoted Proverbs 17:6      Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children. This verse was a vivid picture in this household. We were both holding back tears as we walked away knowing we would not see our friend this side of heaven again.  Our hearts ached for his wife, two sons, two daughter in laws and eight grandchildren who adore him.  As we stepped out the fro

August 23 Many times in my life I have had the thought, "Why does God even want to mess with us?"  He is a God who is all about relationship and in order to draw a lost world to himself he must interact with us and he does that in several creative ways.  One of the primary ways God builds relationships with people is through those who already have a relationship with God.  For those in relationship are called to fish for those who are lost. God promises that all who seek a relationship with him will see it come to fruition. Placing a word on my heart and having me take that word and reference it in scripture is a powerful way God draws me to himself. Praying this morning for our friend, who is presently close to seeing his early journey end, the word release  came to me. Entering the word into my computer I found such similarities in our friend's life and the life of Simeon, mentioned in Luke.  Good men, who prayed expectantly, filled with and led by the Holy Spirit,

August 22 Ya never know what the Lord is up to!  I like that about him.  He keeps life so exciting.  We have a young man, we claim as a grandson.  We've known him since birth and he is now a high school junior and quarterbacking for his school's football team.  He lives out of state, but we are able to listen to his games online.  Last year, I made a tradition of having a text waiting for him on his phone in the locker room after the game.  Planning on continuing the process this year, but I felt led to go a step further and really got a kick out of where the new plan took me last night. Thought it might be fun to share these with you each week.  I try not to use names and tales, so we will just call him QB. Week 1 QB, the Lord impressed upon my heart, during your game Friday night, to ask him to give me a word and a verse each week to encourage you.    This week, I keep going back to the word determined or determination. So I am: Praying for God to equip

The Mayo boys celebrated their infant baptism. August 21 Looking back over some journal notes I wanted to reflect on what had stood out the past few weeks. Reflection on various verses I had written: If I believe the point of life is to please God, and... If I believe nothing is too hard for God, and... If I believe when a man's ways please God, even his enemies will be at peace with him, and... If I believe I am  not to love the world of anything in the world... How will these beliefs change the way my life looks? Some thoughts: I will spend less time "doing" and more time listening to God. I will pray with a fervent expectancy, excited about what God is up to, come rain or shine, happy or sad, easy days or trying ones. I will place less emphasis on finding the perfect gift for people and more time in deep seeking prayer for them. I will let go of the emphasis on where I live and how the house is decorated and focus on offering hospitality without

 Mill Mt Star shot through the windshield.  Mill Mt Star shot hanging out the window. August 20 With my head and zoom lens hanging out the window on the interstate, my husband emphatically stated, "You are terribly distracting.  People are going to think that flash is a gun shot!"  (He was probably right.) A few more "shots" and I pulled the camera back in explaining I had really sensed the Lord impressing upon my heart to take the pics of our local "star" on the top of Mill Mountain. After eight hours on the highway, I was so comforted by the sight of the star and knowing I was coming home, I immediately thought of the way we will feel when we finally have our eternal home in sight. Wanting to get a shot of that star to share with you I acted a bit impulsively.  Thankfully, no one returned fire upon us. Take time today to think about five things you look forward to in your heavenly home. 1) No tears. No pain. 2) Seeing Jesus 3) God'

August 18-19 Walking through our bathroom I noticed several brilliant spots of spectrums of light on the floor.  The glass crystals on a nearby chandelier, combined with the sun's rays were painting rainbow splashes of color across the wooden floor boards. I grabbed my camera, set on automatic, and began to shoot, but when I looked at the pictures the colors could barely be seen.  Turning off the automatic mode and setting the camera on manuel made all the difference. Jesus being the Light of the World came to mind.  He doesn't automatically take residence in our hearts, we have to manually repent of our sins and purposely express our need for a Savior inviting Him in.  At that time, the Holy Spirit takes residence, but he does not automatically control our speech, thought or actions. We have to manually submit to his control. Here's to letting our light in Christ shine. Jesus once again addressed the m: "I am   the   world 's   Light . No one who foll

August 17 I was reading in Oswald Chambers’s devotional book “Daily Thoughts for Disciples” and the entry I was reading was full of “R” words like… Redemption, Relationship, Responsibility, Refuse, Read.   They triggered a prayer I wanted to pray for several men, who either don't know or are not walking with the Lord. God, we praise you for your plan of redemption.  You realized from the beginning, we would need to be released from our sins.  We cry out to you on behalf of some friends who don’t know You.  May today be the day they would realize or remember they need to be released from sin and restored to a right relationship with You Father.  May the young men we are speaking of read something that triggers their brains to realize the responsibility they carry in their role as "spiritual leader" in their homes.  When the temptations of the world rear their ugly heads help these people to run to You and refuse the entrapment.  Help these who are rambling through

 Harrison & Moses watching as Parks and Reese drive away. Three empty cribs. All the baby products packed away. No newborn snuggles for the next few days. August 16 The summer has been baby filled and I have loved every minute.  The last car pulled out this morning and once again I sobbed. When our three year old grandson left Sunday, I told him to remember he was taking a piece of my heart with him. He reached out of his carseat and touched where my heart is and said, "I will take a piece of your heart with me," and gave me a great big smile. This morning, while vacuuming, washing and changing sheets (including three baby beds) I talked with the Lord about why saying "good-bye" hurts so much. Then I realized I needed to stop doing chores and steal away with the Lord a bit.  Opening my laptop I noticed this video on God Tube and found such comfort in this song "Steady My Heart" by Kari Jobe. And I will run to You. Yo

August 15 Genesis 18:14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? Why don't we pray with positive expectancy? Why don't we start every prayer with "God with you all things are possible, so...." Studying about the LATE In LIFE child God sent to Sarah and Abraham, I was struck with a challenge. Begin a Genesis 18:14 prayer journal!  A journal for those things, which in forgetting who God is, I might contemplate never coming to fruition.  (No, winning the lottery is not on there.) There is a strict criterion I've attached.  The answering of each request must bring glory to God and beside the "heart's desire" will be written an applicable scripture verse. One entry: Many schools are starting back this week.  My husband is the Head of School at Christian Heritage Academy, a small Christian school in Rocky Mount, VA.  One of the Genesis 18:14 prayers I have recorded is for much needed financial gifts to be bestowed upon the school and for enrollment

August 14 One baby down and the other needed rocking, I did not want his cries to awaken his older brother, so I headed out to our screened porch.  "Lord, I had really hoped they would nap at the same time so I could do my Bible study," I confessed.  "My child, there are times it is simply nice to have you sit and be still and tell me I love you," I sensed the Lord reply. "Oh, I do love you," I was quick to express. Then I thought, if someone asked me, "What do you love about Jesus?" how would I reply. It was such a delightful exercise. He is always available. He longs to be with me and is even preparing a place in heaven for me. He knows everything about me and loves me still. He is quick to forgive. Then the lesson came.  "Remember, you are called to be like me.  Would your friends say these same things about you?" Are you available?  Do you offer hospitality? Do you long to be with them and enjoy preparing a place for

 These future Olympians gathered on the beam for a formal photo shoot.  Ladies first!  The parallel bars looked intimidating. This vault was out of this world! August 13 Proctor and Gamble won my vote for "best sentimental commercials" during the 2012 Olympics.  They focus on the faces of moms who made sacrifices financially, physically and emotionally to allow their children to follow their dreams. There were so many amazing Olympic moments the past two weeks.  I will have to say the Opening and Closing Ceremonies left me out in left field. I was happy to be "left out" of understanding what was going on. I think I have a new frown line from trying to figure it out. Over and over again I try to figure out what God is up to..and I KNOW BETTER.  There are things that are not for me to know and those which will be revealed later.  My spiritual "training" requires me trusting the Lord instead of trying to figure Him out. So I pray today I ca

August 11-12 Amen to Proverbs 17:2. When your heart is heavy, when the hurt is deep, when hope seems out of reach and gray skies cloud the day... bring along a dose of "cheerful heart" and the sun starts shining through and lifts your load.

August 10 Stopping for lunch in a fast food restaurant the other day we had a couple of our grandchildren in tow. My grandmother name is "Mama Boo", but one young man has shortened it and on occasion it comes out sounding like "My Boo".  The couple sitting next to us got a kick out of that as well as hearing the sweet little voice identify my husband as Papa.  The gentleman at the table said, "My grandfather name is Papa, but our youngest grandchild has decided to call me P.P."  Then he chuckled and said, "I don't care what he calls me.  I just love having him call to me." Jesus  is probably a tough name for beginning word formation.  The "b", "d", "p",  "m" and "n" vowels usually make the first cut.  God may be a tough one as well.  But when others see us calling upon the Lord, they learn how to "shout His name" with joy!  God has so many names.  He doesn't care so much wh

August 9 I was trying to describe to my daughter, the kind of love that is so deep that there is an obvious connection of the hearts.  Like the love some people have for a spouse, or a child, or even a dear, dear friend.  You know, the connection that fulfills Romans 12:15...when you hurt, I hurt. When you are full of joy, I am bursting forth too. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Romans 12:15 Then a few hours later I opened a Bible study, by Beth Moore called Patriarchs , and there in print was a very close description of what I was trying to express. "Our hardest tests involve our dearest loves.  The Hebrew word for love means "to love, desire to delight...Implies an ardent and vehement inclination of the mind and a tenderness of affection at the same time...a strong emotional attachment for and a desire to possess or be in the presence of the object of love." My prayer this day is for marriages to experience that kind of love, bu