Boojoyful

April 30 The devil plays dirty pool.  I shared how grief took a bite out of me yesterday concerning my father's birthday.  Jesus and I were having a growing time and I was getting to a good place when the phone rang.  We are facing a  home repair issue and it was the builder with the quote.  The quote was five times what we'd been told to expect!  I wanted to vomit. It's obvious this builder didn't really want to take on this tedious task, but I felt as if I'd been slapped across the face.  We had been taken advantage of by the first builder, which has caused this current issue. Here's the kicker.  What I would have done is called my father, who always had the answer to all building problems and loved solving them.  My initial reaction was…The devil is playing really dirty on this day when I'm already hurting.  The lesson for me is…You still have a father to go to, go to your heavenly Father.  (I of course called my husband an...

My father, son and grandson's hands the day he died. April 29 Today would have been my father's 94th birthday.  I think I will make his favorite coconut cake and lemon ice box pie and eat them both!  I thought I was doing pretty well with the idea of him celebrating this birthday in heaven, until my Bible Study buddies closed out our time together yesterday, holding hands and saying the Lord's prayer.  As soon as we said, "Our Father, which art in heaven,"  I lost it.  For my earthly father, art in heaven with my heavenly father. Originally, I'd asked a friend who just lost her father if she'd like to get away for the day, but she had a previous invitation.  What I decided to do next was to think about the things I miss most about Daddy and allow God to fill the void.  That sounded great and spiritually mature, until I got to what I desired most.  His touch. The way he held my hand, touched my forehead, kissed my check, and put h...

April 28 This past weekend was one of our favorite's of the year, when a youth group from Harrisonburg, VA comes to the Lake.  They are a polite, appreciate, refreshing group of young people, who have a genuine hunger to know more about Jesus.  Last night we sat under the stars by the fire pit and didn't want the evening to end. Today, as I dug into a new study called Divine Design , I found myself just as excited as these youngsters to be learning more about the Word and the Lord. Author Nancy Leigh DeMoss was sharing that the Hebrew word for woman is ishshah, which comes from the root word soft.   This was new to me.  She writes: "Softness is at the core of what it means to be a woman.  If you look up the dictionary definition of "soft," you'll find that it means not hard; yielding readily to touch, flexible, pliable, delicate, graceful; not loud; quietly pleasant; calm, gentle, kind, tender, compassionate, and sympathetic."  (I maybe qualify i...

April 26-27 God created us with free will  and allows us to choose our path in life…and into eternity. This past weekend our daughter was visiting from Minneapolis.  One evening the around the table  discussion led to the gender neutral issues she faces on a regular basis in that city. One of our daughter in laws laughed as she said I have the most perplexed look on my face as I tried to comprehend the gender neutral language, which our daughter was saying these friends of her's preferred she use when addressing them. It saddens me that people have not experience the love of God, which allows them to see that they were fearfully and wonderfully made by a Creator. Whether  we are born male or female, black or white, with limbs or not, with downs syndrome or born blind, God see immense value in our life.  I know this is a tough topic.  My point in this devotional is not to address the topic, but to share with you the path God just directed me down,...

Do you recognize us in our wild west get up in 1991?  I had a short perm! April 25 Last night we had dinner with a precious young couple.  As we were praying together, the word recognize , came clearly to mind.  I prayed that God would speak to each of us in reference to what that word might represent in our lives. We talked about how important it is to have discernment and recognize  when the enemy is slinging dirt our way.  A couple of us confessed we had recognized  we might not be totally listening to God, because we don't want to go in total obedience to where he was leading us.  I prayed we would recognize the depth of God's love for us.  My husband counseled these two, who are dating, on the importance of recognizing  marriage is a commitment.  Earlier in the day, the recognition of the power in prayer came to mind as I committed to extend my daily prayer time. 1 John 4:1-3 has powerful words related to recognizing Christ....

April 24 My man is seriously struggling with allergy issues and has had very little sleep the past few nights.  At 4:00AM he was still in bed, an answer to prayer, but at first I panicked that he might be dead sleeping that long. (Sad, I know. Yesterday, he gave up and got up at 2:30AM)  I decided to get up too and pray for him and others facing struggles. The word that immediately came to me was relief. Looking up the dictionary definition I found this: a pleasant and relaxed feeling that someone has when something unpleasant stops or does not happen.  The removal or reducing of something that is painful or unpleasant. Ease, alleviation.  That fits the needs of so many categories in which I'm praying for others.  Cancer, allergies, back pain, head aches, surgery recovery, loneliness, spiritual attacks, false accusations, homes to sell, etc. Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God.  Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear...

What's to come! April 23 I knew this morning I was to write about how we can become frozen  in our faith.  Trying to log onto my site, it became…..FROZEN!  I took that as confirmation.  Our granddaughter's currently favorite movie is a cute Disney movie about two princesses. The title Frozen.  One princess possesses powers, she wishes she didn't have, but she causes the world around her to freeze.  Hmm, we all know some people whose presence places a chill in the air, don't we? While sprucing up the yard on Monday I came across my beloved camellia bushes.  This time of year I enjoy doing a centerpiece with them floating in a beautiful crystal bowl, but last week's frost had harmed them.  Leaves and buds had turned brown as well as the blossoms which had been early birds and opened.  As I plucked the discolored buds from the branches and tossed them in the trash can I thought of what happens to our faith when we freeze up.  We are...

 Following bunny prints for prizes  Quiet walks in the woods  SLOW tractor rides with Papa  Hunting dinosaur eggs  Chasing bubbles Popcorn and a good movie April 22 The house is silent again, as all the little footsteps have headed to their homes. Most of the toys have found their way back into the closets or up to the loft.  My heart tugged as I put away the Winnie the Pooh plates,   Hello Kitty flatware and Nalgene water bottles.  Oh, no! We forgot to make the homemade play dough and I never finished the matching Peter Pan costumes. I received so much joy in coming up with fun activities for our grandchildren.  Today Matthew 7:11 came to mind. If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!  As I go through grandmother withdraws this week, I hope this verse will come to mind and I will spe...

April 21 Our hallelujahs have been sung, eggs have been dyed and hunted and some have done the bunny hop.  The Easter story has been remembered, most likely followed by a delicious brunch, so where do we go from here? As I packed our Easter decorations into the tomb of our holiday closet, I said to our son in law, "Well, I guess I don't have to come in here until Thanksgiving/Christmas."  So what do we do with our remembrances of Christ from April to December?  Are there still celebrations of His life, His love, and His ultimate sacrifice in our "off" months?  When people enter our homes is it easy to tell we love Jesus or do they reflect a love of self and the things of the world? He paid it all!  He paid the price for the sins we commit 365 days a year.  May a day not pass that He is not remembered in our homes/lives. Here is a song which was new to me, called He Paid It All . http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=0E00JCNU&utm_source=...

Now is the time for judgement on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth , wild draw all people to myself. He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die. John 12:31-33 April 19-20 Day after day, I learn lessons from watching our grandchildren.  Yesterday, as I watched our son lift his children up in the air to make a basket on the basketball court, elation spread across their faces with the realization of their success.  We are so similar, as we are quick to accept the accolades for our success and don't acknowledge how our heavenly Father lifts us up in all we do.  Without Him nothing is possible. I rejoice with you all this weekend as we celebrate how the Son Of God was lifted up and reigns on high at the right hand of God the Father.  We are grateful, that not only has He been lifted up, but that He left Word that he has gone to prepare a place for us!

What I think we will look like when we see our heavenly Father. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing,  but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18 April 18 "Christianity is for the weak.  People who cling to Jesus, just haven't been successful in their own lives. A loving God wouldn't have only one way to heaven."  You've probably heard these statements from people who see the story  of Jesus on the cross as foolishness.  Paul's words in Corinthians address this specific issue.  When you actually come to a place of acknowledging your sin and experience Jesus in an indescribable relationship you can say…. To those of us who are being saved it is the power of God. What's good about Jesus dying on a cross? Without His death there would be no resurrection and defeat over death.  The most incredible VICTORY, which has ever occurred, is better than any sporting event or military...

Knitted Eggs April 17 Have you ever thought about how a loved one spent their last week before they died?  For many people they are quite ill and the days and nights are long and drawn out…heaven can't some soon enough. For others death comes unexpectedly, but I've seldom considered what went on in their lives the week before their last breath. With Jesus, we have a written account of his final Holy Week. He certainly was not on vacation. Sunday the palm branches were waving as the cheers of "Hosanna in the highest" brought a sense of jubilation.  Monday, the tables were over turned and Jesus was ticked that what was to be a house of prayer had been turned into a den of robbers.   (Matthew 21:12-13)  Tuesday, he amazed the disciples with his power to make a fig free immediately wither and he challenged their faith saying, "If you believe,  you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."  (Matthew 21:19-22) Then he went on an entered the temple cou...

April 16 While preaching this past Sunday our preacher stated, "Jesus GAVE his life, no one took it." The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life-only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord.  I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again.  This command I receive from my Father.   John 10:17-18 Whether you watch Law and Order, NCIS, or another detective related show…when the bad guys/gals are being apprehended there is usually an intense chase, sometimes some fence climbing or a dart into a dark alley.  When Judas leads the authorities to arrest Jesus, Christ walks TOWARD them.  He was doing what his father sent him to earth to do.  Certainly He had built relationships, which would be hard to leave (his own mother for example) but Jesus knew his purpose and although he dreaded the process ( If it's possible remove this cup from me. ), he went willingly. Each nig...

April 15 Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand.  For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.   1 Corinthians 15:1, 3-4 The words  I want to remind you of the gospel  keep resonating in my mind.  Each morning I want to wake up being reminded of the gospel, of what Christ did for me. I don't ever want to take that for granted.  Yesterday, in the Dollar Store, a lady had taken a really long time with her checking out. Several items had been wrung up and then she wanted to go exchange one item. It seemed to take forever, then she let her adult daughter and her two granddaughters, who had been shopping, come up to the counter in front of me and pay for all their items.  When they ...

Original artwork by our oldest grandson. April 14 The palm branches are done waving, HOLY Week has begun. Jesus knew what was ahead and he was WHOLLY committed to God’s whole plan.  Today my heart has headed to take a look at what it means to be holy. An now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good? Deuteronomy 10:12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.  May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.  1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 A sweet, sweet friend received a bridge lesson from her 88 year old father last Wednesday aftern...

 Hair slicked down before leaving for school. This young man with a spikier hairdo.  Our grandson working frantically with his fingers to spice up his "do" like the older boy. April 12-13 I watched quite an interesting phenomenon unfold yesterday during an elementary school program. Our son has taking great efforts to style his son's hair neatly,  before he left for school. Sitting in the audience I saw our grandson watching some of the older boys on stage for this Grandparents' Day program. All of a sudden he began picking at his hair.  The teacher's assistant sitting near him was baffled as to why he was doing this.  I realized it immediately. He liked this young man's style  and desired to imitate him. Actually, he did a pretty amazing job of transforming his hairdo. Admirations brings about imitation.  Advertising is always setting a trap for us.  We need to be aware of what/who we are imitating. The Old Testament warns...

April 11 Sorry to be so late today, but last night we drove five hours to be able to be present at Grandparents' Day in VA Beach this morning.  The love this young fellow bestows upon us is just plain sweet. To listen to these children recite scripture and sing praises to the Lord blesses the soul. I count it a privilege to be called Mama Boo. The other day I read a sweet, sweet story by Karen Kingsbury about honoring the older generation. She is intentional in training up her children to visit nursing homes at Christmas time…spreading joy. I'm praying our grandchildren will still love us when we can't roll on the floor with them and hop like a bunny. Here is Karen's story. They were singing Silent Night. It occurred to her that the nights were all too silent for many grandmothers.  She writes: "Done with their mothering and even their grandmothering, these women are often lonely and afflicted, the people in their lives too busy for them.  As we...

Spring is trying to pop out! April 10 Priscilla Shirer's has some powerful teaching in her Gideon study and warns of making her readers a tad uncomfortable, as she leads them to name some habits in their lives as idols. Gideon got in a bit of a jam with God over his obsession(idol) with earrings.  (Hope I've peaked your curiosity!) I'm stepping back a day or so from my Bait of Satan …take no offense study and really dwelling on these pointers and passages from Shirer.  The song Lead me to the Cross just popped into mind. Let's listen to that first. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdq9Q8wJdjc&feature=kp So, Lord lead us to the cross where we can take Priscilla Shirer's suggestions and... 1) Pinpoint your tendencies. Ask the Lord to clearly show you where you normally turn for comfort, acceptance, approbation (praise), and connection during good and bad times in your life. Put me on trial Lord, and cross-examine me. Test my motives and my heart.  ...

April 9 I have to share this funny, yet convicting story with y'all. Back in February I was in a restaurant with one of our grandsons.  On the buffet was a huge ceramic rooster and when our grandson went around that end of the buffet he said, "Cock-a- Doodle Doo!"  Right then I set out upon a search for a large solid white ceramic rooster for our kitchen. I thought it would be a good reminder for me when my "Peter tendencies" arise, as well as bring pleasure to this cute grandson. Yesterday, while doing Bible study, Priscilla Shire, posed a question similar to:  "Is there anything I am mastered by, obsessed with, consumed by, allowing to get out of line, or that is offensive in my life?" Immediately, I thought…"My rooster search has become an obsession."  This past weekend I hit every TJMass/Marshalls/HomeGoods between Nashville and Virginia.  I'd run in, look for a rooster and run out.  At one point I found one for $9.99, but put hi...

April 8 Does Easter morning excite you as much as Christmas morning?  This is an emotion packed song three sisters recorded for Godtube!  Be blessed. Funny, an old cheer just came to me…."Get fired up for VICTORY!" http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=WGKPGLNX&utm_source=GodTube%20Must-See%20Video&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=04/07/2014

April 7 “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”  Proverbs 11:25 Attending a women's conference recently, I was the recipient of a couple good shoulder massages.  After the break, the hostess had us turn and rub the shoulders of the person to our left and then the woman to our right.  My husband would call this "team work".  I would call it do unto others as you would like them to do unto you! As we approach the cross this Easter season, we focus on the amazing act of Christ…dying for our sins….enabling us to receive forgiveness from God.  God wants us to do unto others as we have had done unto us in the area of forgiveness.  Are we willing to forgive 70 times 7? Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?"  Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy times seven.   Matthew 18:21-23 For if you...

Our grandson hitting the courts! April 5-6 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this,  not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother's way. Romans 14:13 Serving, "Love-Love". Growing up as a competitive tennis player, I never did figure out the sense in the scoring of that game.  Love, fifteen, thirty, forty? Wikeapedia has several interesting theories worth checking out, if you are curious . The latest chapter I studied in John Bevere's book, takes a look at Christ's attitude as he came to earth to serve.  Bevere's writes of these light bulb  key differences between a slave's attitude and a servant's. (Funny, I'm thinking back to yard and household chores, which mount up this time of year, and I see myself needing a little attitude adjustment.  I don't have to pull those weeds, I'm blessed to have a yard where I get too.  I'm not only going to wash all the windows, I'm...

April 4 Life is not fair, but how we process those treatments of injustice establishes how we go on living life. My mind is swarming with remembrances of unjust treatment in my own life, in friends' lives and in the world. I just started to list some specifics and realized…NOPE, not going there. Walk into any work place and I guarantee you can get an earful of how unfairly some employees feel they have been treated.  The same is probably true in most homes/classrooms, where students feel a parent/teacher had his/her favorites.  Sit with a group of friends around coffee and most can tell of when they felt mistreated, misunderstood, or misrepresented. These life experiences make it tough to keep on keeping on as we persevere through life trusting in the Lord. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen new, who cry out to him day and night? Luke 18:7 The alternative to trusting in the Lord is to allow the offense to erupt in anger and our hearts to harden...

Looks like he might be saying, "Them's fightin' words." April 3 Nary a day has past, since I started this Lenten season study on not taking an offense, that some occurrence has popped up and started to offend me.  The good news is I've been quick to say, "I will not take an offense!"  The flip side of the coin is that nary a day has pasted that I haven't offended someone!  Sorry, not my intent. Jesus certainly offended the Pharisees.   Then His disciples came and said to Him, "Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying? Matthew 15:12 (He called them hypocrites.) Jesus offended some of His closets friends.  Martha and Mary were a bit offended when Jesus didn't come immediately and heal Lazarus. So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was.   John 11:6 My bold expression of my faith has offended many, but in reality, if I love Jesus and don't shar...

April 2 What a beautiful day it was yesterday!  I pulled out the water table for a couple of our grandsons and filled it up. Then I went inside to get the water toys. When I came out all the water had drained out of the boat, because I had forgotten to put the stopper in the drain. Immediately, I thought about the Holy Spirit and how easily he is drained from our lives. We have to replenish our surrender to His ways daily and ask Him to fill us up! In the Spiritual Disciplines group, of which I am a participant, this week's exercise is related to the Holy Spirit. I'm to take 15 minutes a day and wait on the Spirit to enter every corner of my life. My secrets, desires, failings, victories and my all! When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. John 16:13

 Tinker Bell singing praise and Peter Pan being contemplative Tinker Bell is whispering that Jesus loves Peter! April 1 Be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." 1 Peter 5:5 "Trials in this life will expose what is in your heart-whether the offense is toward God or others.  Tests either make you bitter toward God and your peers, or they make you stronger. If you pass the test of humility, your roots will shoot down deeper, stabilizing you and your future. If you fail, you become offended, which can lead to defilement with bitterness…Christians who experience hurts and disappointments often become offended with the Lord because they believe He should give them special consideration for all that they have done for Him. They are serving Him for the wrong reasons.  We should not serve the Lord for what He can do, but rather for  who He is and what He has already done for us."   John Bevere This pas...