Boojoyful

February 28 The last week of January,  I arrived home one evening to a voice message from a young friend.  Many of you have prayed for this young woman, whose baby had a brain tumor removed at 1 year of age. He is now two years old and his mommy was awaiting the arrival of their second baby when she called. The day before this call the family had moved into a new house, which they had been remodeling. The voice messaged was asking for prayer, because their beloved cat took off exploring the new neighborhood and was lost.  The weather was horrendous that night...torrential rains and very cold temperatures.  Their son adored this cat as you can tell from the pictures.  My heart was so sad for them. All I knew to do, beside pray, was to email a picture of the cat to people I knew in the same neighborhood in the city where I grew up. Twelve days later, I received an email from a friend who said Nelson, the cat, had been sighted, but the owner could not ...

February 27 What is the deal?  It happened again. I blinked and another month is gone. Faster and faster the days seem to fly by.  Oh, Lord, did I accomplish what you had purposed for each day of 2013 so far?  I doubt it. The tyranny of the urgent entraps us.  A click here and a text  there tricks us into believing we are truly connected to others, but the touch  of life has been trampled out.  The trumpet could sound today or another meteor fall from the sky. Who do we know that has never shared with us of their love and adoration for Jesus?  How often do we think about where those people could be in the blink of an eye? Listen to what 1 Corinthians 15:51-57 says in The Message: But let me tell you something wonderful, a mystery I'll probably never fully understand.  We're not all going to die-but we are going to be changed.  You hear a blast to end all blasts from a trumpet, and in the time that you look up and blink your eyes-it...

Celebrating basketball season. February 26 Being a UNC athlete and graduate, basketball season is very important to my husband.  The fast pace of basketball and the way a team can go hot or cold on a dime makes me nervous.  I have to keep reminding myself, "This is not of eternal value."  Instant replay allows calls to be evaluated immediately, not always reversed, but evaluated.  Twice during the game we were watching there appeared to be fouls called that just were not so.  The opposing team took to the line for their foul shots and both times the players missed those shots.  I said, 'Well, God worked that out didn't he!" Romans 12:17-19 lines up with those thoughts: Never pay back evil for evil.  Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honest clear through.  Don't quarrel with anyone.  Be at peace with everyone, just as much as possible.  Dear friends, never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God f...

We call this one "Chuckles" because he is always laughing. February 25 Chuckling over the sink, my husband expressed that my last request was definitely one of those southern statements that leaves you wondering.  My back had gone out and bending over was out of the question for me. He was graciously washing dishes when I said, "I'm gonna ask you if you will put that bundt pan in the drawer under the oven."  He chuckled and said, "When are you gonna  ask me?" We laughed and laughed...then I said that might be a good evangelism approach.....You could say... "I'm gonna tell you about Jesus!"  Get ready, prepare yourself, because one of these days I am going to be bold and just tell you! And we're here today bringing you good news: the Message that what God promised the fathers has come true for the children-for us!  He raised Jesus, exactly as described in the second Psalm: My Son! My very own Son! Today I celebrate yo...

February 23-24 If some asked you today who Jesus is, what would you say? If someone asked you why you love God's Word, how would you respond? Check out this 11 year old and the passion with which he preaches. http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=09CJCJNU&utm_source=GodTube%20Must-See%20-%20Mobile&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=02/23/2013 For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords,  the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes.   Deuteronomy 10:17 Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever. Psalm 136:3 God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords. 1 Timothy 6:15 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: King of kings and Lord of lords. Revelation 19:16

In the eleventh year in the month of Bul, the eighth month,  the temple was finished in all its details according to its specifications. He had spent seven years building it. 1 Kings 6:38 February 22 My husband and I are enjoying a study, by a local pastor, on 1 Kings.  This week we went to class but the pastor was absent, due to a death in the congregation.  Eleven of us prayed together and then waded into the Word of the Old Testament.  Chapter 6 is full of detailed instructions on how to build the temple. These elaborate architectural plans had been given to King David and then handed down to his son, Solomon, to carry out.  As we finished reading that chapter, one young woman inquired as to the necessity of recording all those details for us to read.  Our lay responses were varied...."God is a God of detail"...."We most remember the importance of obedience"...."If we were scholars we'd know that each detail has a deep meaning"... and the...

February 21 We all go through various "faith walk" stages. There are times we are very dry and wonder "Where in this world is God?"  There are other times that we can't soak in all the goodness we are learning fast enough. Praying this morning for God to direct my writing the word sponge  came to mind.  Heading to Biblegateway I searched "soak up" and actually found 7 scripture possibilities in The Message.  Hebrews 6:1-12 is the one which best reflected the book by John Ortberg, which I have nearly completed.   The Life You've Always Wanted.   6  1-3  So come on, let’s leave the preschool fingerpainting exercises on Christ and get on with the grand work of art. Grow up in Christ. The basic foundational truths are in place: turning your back on “salvation by self-help” and turning in trust toward God; baptismal instructions; laying on of hands; resurrection of the dead; eternal judgment. God helping us, we’ll stay true to all that. But ther...

How will we face today? Ho Hum, just another day Pooh Bear Praise the Lord! Let's get today going! February 20 Do not be foolish. Understand what the Lord wants you to do. Do not get drunk with wine. That leads to wild living. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit. Tell of your joy to each other by singing the Songs of David and church songs.  Sing in your heart to the Lord. Ephesians 5:17-19 Sometimes I just crack up laughing at the thoughts which come to my mind.  Monday morning was off to a rough start. My husband was out the door with his usual, before dawn departure, and I was awakened by our driveway sensor sounding the warning that someone was approaching Shiloh.  Staggering out of bed, I stepped in dog poop (we knew Moses had an upset tummy and he must have slipped out of the bedroom in the middle of the night to relieve himself).  Hopping on one clean foot, to the sink, I noticed an unmarked moving truck parked in our upper driveway....

February 19 He (Jesus) came back and found them sound asleep. He said to Peter, "Simon, you went to sleep on me?  Can't you stick it out with me a single hour?   Stay alert , be in prayer, so you don't enter the danger zone without even knowing it.  Don't be naive. Part of you is eager, ready for anything in God' but another part is as lazy as an old dog sleeping by the fire.    Mark 14:37-38 Here's what I (Solomon) want" Give me a God-listening heart so I can lead your people well, discerning the differenc e between good and evil.  For who on their own is capable of leading your glorious people?    1 Kings 3:9 We need to think with discernment in this world when it comes to the products we purchase, the personal relationships we choose, the politicians we vote for, the schools our children attend and the faith we practice. While I will not "dis" by name the stores in which I am about to refer, their practices are a good exampl...

Moses sitting in the mirror saying..."I'm a saint" You will understand after reading today's entry. February 18  You are no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.  Galatians 4:7 I laugh when my mind goes back to old songs from my childhood.  I have no clue when this song was popular, but the refrain was... " Mr. Big Stuff, who do you think you are?  Mr. Big Stuff." At social gatherings we are always breaking the ice by asking one another open ended questions such as.... "Where do you live?" "Where are you from?" "What line of work are you in?" If someone said, "Tell me a little bit about yourself?"   We could reply...I am a sinner saved by grace, looking forward to eternal life with Christ in heaven."  Then they would walk away. What if we got creative with our open ended inquiries, hoping the recipient would say.. "Right back at cha, nut." ...

February 16-17 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.     Acts 3:19 The Beth Moore James study, I've been doing with a group of women is probably the most convicting study I've ever done.  Every day the lesson reveals an area of my life that needs fine tuning.  James is the kind of friend who tells it like it is, because he is passionate for us to be what we were called to be. I shared with our group yesterday that I had been busy vacuuming up cheerios, oxy-cleaning spit up and snot off the shoulders of my clothes, tussling with crib mattresses to change them and packing away high chairs and baby toys and wishing I had a cleaning service there to help me.  (All the while pining for our grandsons who had left the day before.)  Why is it the idea of someone coming in and doing a deep cleaning on our homes is appealing, but allowing the Holy Spirit to convict and Christ's s...

 Driving through NC recently,  I became elated at the sight of a Carolina Blue hearse.  My husband was a 4 year football letterman at UNC and  deeply loves his alma mater and that unique shade of blue. I think a Carolina Blue hearse might be his second choice as a way to go out. First choice would be for his John Deere to take him to a spot here at Shiloh! February 15 God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us.  This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we're free of worry on Judgment Day-our standing in the world is identical with Christ's.  There is no room in love for fear.  Well-formed love banishes fear.  Since fear is crippling, a fearful life-fear of death, fear of judgment-is one not yet fully formed in love. 1 John 4:17-18 Our oldest grandson became very frustrated with me one day, when I was talking about how I look f...

Some of my Valentine Crafties this year!  Birds of a feather!  Knitted heart balls A fishy with a kissy. February 14 A father's love is a treasure...a treasure we do not ever have to be without for God is love and He is all about loving us.  Here is a video of a father giving his daughter away in marriage.  It is precious. Love well today dear friends! http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=092JJFNU&utm_source=GodTube%20Must-See%20-%20Mobile&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=02/14/2013 Also, check out the "Prayers for Our Children" page under our family picture and join us as a group of us pray daily for our children and grandchildren from the book Watchmen on the Walls

Around 10:00 the other night, my husband came back to our hotel room to find "our sweetie" in bed with me. He had a fever and had awakened crying.  He calls me "Ah-Boo".  Well, Ah-Boo couldn't stand to see him sick and sad, so she scooped up her sweetie and brought him to bed.  After about 30 minutes of squirming, his Papa popped him back into his crib! February 13 My mother called everyone Sweetie...she even named their sailboat "The Sweetie". I made a handmade Valentine for my sweetie one year and inside it said... I wanted you after our first date, because you were gorgeous. I wanted you during our engagement, because you were committed. I wanted you at the altar, because I thought God had picked the perfect companion for me. I still want you. I love you now, because your love and faithfulness are beyond anything I could ever imagine and we have truly become one. Such a powerful thought...nothing can stop me from loving y...

February 12 Back on track with our Valentine theme! 1 John chapter 4 has a wealth of information on love.  Peeking at verses 13-16  in The Message we read: This is how we know we're living steadily and deeply in him, and he in us: He's given us life from his life, from his very own Spirit. Also, we've seen for ourselves and continue to state openly that the Father sent his Son and Savior of the world.  Everyone who confesses that Jesus is God's Son participates continuously in an intimate, relationship with God.  We know it so well, we've embraced it heart and soul, this love that comes from God.  Have you been out looking for that perfect Valentine to send to your sweetie?  Have you noticed how all the cards make love appear pretty, frilly and "feel good"?  I love the little guys in these pictures above. I love them so much that last night I was up for a couple hours in the middle of the night with one of them, so his mom...

February 11 This site has been acting up all day and not allowing me to post. Sorry. I have no clue why it is typing up in "red". Must be for Valentine's week!. This past week's study from the James Gang was so powerful that I decided to turn the highlights into a prayer I wanted to share with you all. Father, may we quit playing games and get well.  May our faith be Holy Spirit driven, active and alive; filled with works that testify to how marvelous and wonderful You are. Keep us willing to learn and may your Word be our tool of discernment. Lord, each of us knows our lives testify that nothing is too hard for You to change.  Hear our prayers, as we continue to cry out for ourselves and others who are stuck in a rut of behavior for which we think there is no hope.  We pray for teachers and preachers to speak truth.  Have them trust in the Holy Spirit for their filling.  Keep our minds keen with discernment.  Have Your Spirit pr...

February 9-10 Valentine's Day week is upon us. Some people love it, others hate feeling they have no one with whom to share their love.  There is always someone for us to share love with.  Even our enemies. You have heard that it was said, "Love your neighbor and hate your enemy."  But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.  He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.   Matthew 5: 43-45 or The Message Version "You're familiar with the old written law, "Love your friend," and its unwritten companion, "Hate your enemy."  I'm challenging that. I'm telling you to love your enemies.  Let' them bring out the best in you, not the worst.  When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves.  This ...

February 8 My husband and I are attending a wonderful study of 1 Kings on Wednesday nights.  The pastor is very spirit filled and an hour and a half can just whiz by while dwelling in only one verse!  This week before we headed into Chapter 3:1, where King Solomon had arranged a marriage contract with Pharaoh, King of Egypt and married his daughter, the pastor wanted to give us some back ground on the differences in the lives of this father-son duo.  King David and then King Solomon were known for very different things during their reigns. David                                                   Solomon     soldier                                                 scholar battles           ...

February 7 As I shared previously, I am currently involved in a Beth Moore study on the book of James.  Sometimes you come across a powerful message that needs to be passed on. I want to share what I emailed to the ladies in the group. Week 4 Day 1 is titled Dead By Itself   In the same way faith, if it doesn’t have works, it dead by itself.   James 2:17 This is a powerful, powerful lesson today.  It is not meant to trip us up with controversies but spur us on to good works. I am printing this quote up and sticking it somewhere visible in the house.... FAITH IS MEANT TO DO SOME GOOD. Ephesians 2:8-10 is the verse which brought my husband to a saving knowledge of Christ at 28 years old.    He came to realize there was nothing he, himself, could do to be saved.  Jesus had done it all.              For it is by grace you have been saved through faith and this is not from yourself, it is the gift ...

February 6 The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.   Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deuteronomy 31:8 Have you ever been physically trapped and unable to find a way out?  More than once, I've been trapped in our shower by Moses, who likes to lie down against it while I shower.  The longest time was when this seventy five pounds of  English bulldog was on pain medication and fell asleep against the shower door. From inside I was unable to budge the door and he would not awaken.  Once that hot water is gone it can get cold in there!  :) The tragic story this past week of the five year old held hostage and trapped in an underground bunko was heart wrenching.  The news story of the Chilean miners trapped years ago, likewise had the world holding their breath and praying.  One of our sons was trapped in our Suburban after it flipped four times on the Interstate.  He was flo...

February 5 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one.  But each one is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desires.  Then when desire conceives, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is full grown, it gives birth to death. James 1:13-15 We arrived home from our small group Bible study Sunday night, a little after 7PM, and had missed the first touchdown of the Super Bowl. Numerous chores awaited me which needed to be tended to before Monday morning, so I turned TV's  in the bedroom, kitchen and family room so I could catch glimpses of the game and the commercials as I scurried around. Having just returned home from a weekend where we have the privilege of watching our daughter in law training Arabian horses, I will have to say the Budweiser commercial with the trainer of the Clydesdales really hit home with me. Folding napkins and getting plates out for our James S...

February 4 For I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content- whether well-fed or hungry, whether abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:11-13 The winds were blowing and the temperatures were brrrrrr in Smithfield, NC this past Saturday, but our grand-dog Piper knew the secret of being content. She found a sunny spot and settled there and enjoyed the warmth. Whatever our circumstances, we can find a sunny spot in the presence of the Lord for He is always with us.  His Word brings contentment to our souls. Twice this past week, I heard messages on Ecclesiastes 3:11. He (God) has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart;  yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. One pastor explain...

February 2-3 Visiting with someone the other day, they made a comment about someone and I said nothing back.  This person looked at me and inquired... "No, comment?"  I told them I had just been reading in the book of James that very morning and read this verse: My dearly loved brothers, understand this:  Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger.   James 1:19 The person asked me to repeat the verse, then said,  "There is a lot of wisdom in that verse!" Be completely humble and gentle be patient, bearing with one another in love.   Ephesians 4:2

February 1 I received a powerful email from someone in the James Bible study related to our tool of confession. She writes: "I began to call to mind the commands I frequently break. These are the ones that came to mind."  Love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. Not 95%, but 100%. (Matthew 22:37) Love your neighbor as you love yourself. Be as eager for things to go well for him as you are for things to go well for you. (Matthew 22:39) Do all things without grumbling. No grumbling—inside or outside. (Philippians 2:14) Cast all your anxieties on him—so you are not being weighed down by it anymore. (1 Peter 5:7) Only say things that give grace to others—especially those closest to you. (Ephesians 4:29) Redeem the time. Don’t fritter or dawdle. (Ephesians 5:16) Don’t know about you, but I am printing off this list as a confession guide. I am also adding some of Romans 12 to my list to help with my heart inspection. Maybe it helps to think of our sin ...