Boojoyful

The Minnesota Gang June 30 Flying to Minnesota for a birthday party for our grandchildren, we made great time and then the pilot came on and stated air traffic control had put us in a holding pattern.   Me, oh, my!  Life does that sometimes too.  That's a perfect way to express so many stages of life! Holding on for healing. Holding on for a job. Holding on for a spouse or a child. Holding on for Jesus to return! What holding pattern are you presently enduring? I think God intends for us to live abundantly, while in the holding pattern by holding onto Him! Do something radical right now! Something out of the ordinary.  Stop and sing a praise song! Step outside and tell God his creation is amazing!  Open your Bible and turn a Psalm into a song! I have our windows open and our fans on allowing the fresh mountain air to permeate our house. Just as I typed do something radical a cardinal flew onto the branch of a tree outside my win...

It took no persuading to get this 3 year old to ride a pony at his birthday party! June 29 Sometimes I get a word and it just won't let go, so I head to the dictionary and to Biblegateway and start searching for what God might be trying to tell me.  He had me chuckling with the last Message passage!  Blockheads! The dictionary defined persuade  as "causing someone to believe something, especially after a sustained effort." We have had to do a lot of persuading the past two weeks, with our loved ones, to help them agree to the medical care they have needed.  When we are faced with situations needing persuasion, we need the Holy Spirit in full operation. Paul had a ministry of persuasion!  Dig in! When Barnabas and Paul finally realized what was going on, they stopped them. Waving their arms, they interrupted the parade, calling out, "What do you think you're doing! We're not gods!  We are men just like you, and we're here to...

 Rainy days have purpose! June 27-28 I told you all about the "scripture note hunt" the Bible study gals left in the house.  It was a day later before I saw this little fellow!  His tag reads:  "Even when the rain comes down...the Shepherd is making blessings bloom just for you! " We can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good." Romans 8:28 The Message AMEN! That particular morning I also had a chat with God.  My thoughts sounded like this..."Why do you pile so much on us?  Like when my sister in law was found dead, then days later I had to watch my Daddy die, and two days after that Moses, our beloved bulldog, had to be put down.  God, the past two weeks have been a boat load to handle."  Ugh...here comes the response: "It's your tendency to lean towards self-sufficiency.  Sometimes it takes that much for you to really need ME.  Remember, I am a jealous God who want...

June 26 When these sweet grands were visiting last month Papa brought home a turtle he found in the road. They named him Snappy and caring for him brought them great joy. They took him out for walks a couple times a day. In the last photo they are sitting patiently in the rain as they watch him stretch his legs! Sitting in the hospital this past week with my father in law, watching his 91 year old body try to recover from complications after surgery due to a fall; and staying in contact with our son in the hospital in Puerto Rico, as we patiently awaited his blood and hydration levels improving to where he could be discharged home to Tampa has taken lots of patience. It's been similar to Snappy out on a walk. While we were in shock the first few days, our minds finally acclimated to the situation and we were able to trust in the Lord and believe He is always up to good.  Now we are looking beyond the obvious and asking God to show us where he is at work.  We've...

"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed,  for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning: great is your faithfulness. I say to myself; 'The Lord is my portion, therefore I wait for him.'" Lamentations 3:22-24 June 25 You may not want to hang with the whole 4 minutes of this Mandissa video, but after a minute you will be steppin' higher into this day. http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=WPZ7LPNX&utm_source=GodTube+Today&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=06%2f22%2f2015 Yesterday morning, we had some Shiloh chores to address. One was towing a boat over two hours away with our SLOW pontoon.  My husband began the hook up process around 5:30AM and by 6:20 we were on our way.  I took my camera along and it was such a time of refreshment for us both. We left the boat at a marina, where a dear friend agreed to pick it up and take it even further up the river for us, allowing my husband to  arrive at work on time and make it t...

June 24 As a child, my two favorite activities to do with my grandmother were Easter egg hunts (year round) and coloring together.  Monday night, even though we were at the hospital, I told the Bible study ladies to let themselves in and have study at our home.  We arrived home before they departed and got to say a quick hello.  They cleaned up all their dishes and headed for home, so we could head to bed. Remembering I had started a load of laundry 5 days and forgotten about it, I texted a couple of the ladies and asked if they would start the wash over. I headed down to see if it needed to be placed in they dryer and there on my dryer was a sweet note and Psalm 91 "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord-'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.' "  Psalm 57:1b " I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed." Next I came upstairs to t...

A couple of our granddaughters. June 23 I'm devouring the She Reads Truth  study called Women in the Word .  The beauty of women's Bible study is learning from all the different perspectives which God reveals to us.  There were three key women surrounding Moses' life.  His mother, Jochebed, who put him in the Nile in a basket in hopes of saving him.  The princess who rescues and adopts him as her own and his big sister, Miriam.  You can read about the amazing rescue in Exodus Chapter 2. The Nashville based author, Annie Downs,  who wrote the entry on Miriam for this ministry took us on an interesting twist as we gazed at Miriam's big sister role.  She stayed a paramount influence in Moses' life from infancy until his death.  Downs takes us to Numbers Chapter 12:1   Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married.    God became angry with them for not recognizing Moses' dep...

June 22  I thank God for the Father of my children and for his reliance on his heavenly Father.  We sat in the hospital all day yesterday as doctors prepared us for the passing of Deke's father, but he has pulled through so far. We are headed back to the hospital after a good night's sleep.  We praise God that our son has been released from the hospital in Puerto Rico and today should be returned to his home and a doctor's care there. Each day God has provided me amazing verses on which to cling.  Sweet remembers of who He is and how much he loves us and knows what is best for us.  Today's verse is perfect: The Lord will keep you from all harm-he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. Psalm 121:7

June 20-21 When hit by unexpected tragedy, we often go mentally numb.  Not knowing what was going to happen with our loved ones in two hospitals the past few days, I've had three bags packed and in the car. One for Puerto Rico, one for Roanoke, VA and one tote with my purse, computer/iPad and Bible study books.  Nothing has been utilized.  I feel like all I did yesterday was watch my phone for messages from PR and stare at heart rate and blood pressure numbers on a vitals machine in ICU.  Somewhere along the way, I think I realized my brain couldn't even pray coherently and I hoped my spirit was. My flotation divice has been the scriptures people have texted and the sustaining email devotionals God has sent, which have reminded me He is still aware of my situation.  Prayerfully, today I will move out of shock mode be used by Him. This exert from the devotional below pricks our senses to remember the faithfulness of God.   For years I’ve w...

Pillowland makes for fun on raining days or when you need your spirits lifted! I'm headed there. June 19 More details to come. Right now just pray. Our son working in Puerto Rico was hospitalized yesterday with Dengue Fever.  We were trying to get flights to PR yesterday when a call came that my husband's father had fallen and been taken to the ER.  He broke two ribs, which ruptured his spleen.  The trauma team debated operating on a 91 year old, but felt it was necessary.  He made it through surgery and we are headed back there now.  Just talked to our son.  His wife is flying there now and his company has offered to air ambulance him home if he wants.  God has provided an amazing doctor and a fairy godmother in PR to care for him. I just opened emails and read the In Touch devotional for today about our "Caring Father."  I hope you can go to their site and read it. Intouchministries.com

Three of our grands running on a friend's horse farm. June 18 We have no idea what the road ahead holds for us or our children, but we can have faith in the One who holds those plans. "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord,  "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 The greatest gift we can give our children is  the knowledge of our faith in God and our genuine love for Jesus. Today's Biblegateway verse is Ephesians 6:4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children;  instead bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Our son is waiting to be taken to a doctor today. I had to share this beautiful scriptural prayer sent by one of the teachers from the school where my husband works.  She said it came from Stormie Omartian's book The Power of a Praying Parent. "Lord, because You have instructed us in Your Word that we are to pray for one anothe...

June 17 Your baby is always your baby.  Have no clue what spiritual insight I was supposed to impose upon you today, but after a 6AM text requesting me to call our son, who is working in Puerto Rico right now and has been battling an illness since Friday, my time turned to prayer and figuring out ways to get him the best medical help. He was in the ER Sunday, but is still battling fever and needs to see a good doctor. So, life stops its normality for the moment; and as my heart aches, it also thrills at his latest text which read "Your prayers help the most." Please pray for God's healing hand to be upon him and for his company to get him excellent medical attention immediately. Here on my desk lays a copy of the lyrics to "What Faith Can Do."  Time to put on some praise music and pray the promises of God. "Everybody falls sometimes, gotta find the strength to rise, from the ashes to make a new beginning. Anyone can feel the ache, ...

This child is exquisite! June 16 "Isn't it exquisite to trace the hand of God in history?" She Reads Truth. In addition to being defined as extremely beautiful,  "exquisite" can mean intensely felt.   Studying the Old Testament is an exquisite experience.  It is like a watching the stitches of an elaborate tapestry come together.   God's timing of a princess finding Moses, as an infant, in a basket.  Esther being chosen as queen at just the right time in history to save the Jews.  Manna falling from the sky and sea waters parting to save God's people.  We need to reflex back and remember who God is and all that he can do! My earthly Father had a daily ritual of going through a couple scrapbooks he had made. While the process brought him great joy, it also helped his mind to remember  life, as he lived into his 90's.  I need to make such a scrapbook. God has given us his scrapbook in the form of the Bible. We need to read ...

June 15 A week ago we had the privilege of entertaining 26 Winshape (Chick-Fil-A) Counselors at our home for the day.  While these young people had impeccable manners and hearts full of gratitude, they also exuded strong character and evident integrity.  In addition to all those qualities, which had landed them these summer jobs with a very reputable company, they also had depth and were trained to ask open ended questions.  These questions, which took me back and produced a head nodding of approval and respect, are a great example of how we should all be living. Surface questions of where are you from, where did you go to college and what do you do, afford an opportunity to connect, but they really don't go deep. Two questions posed to me made me think! 1) What do you see as the greatest need in your community? 2) What did you like about your job as a teacher? Jesus asked open ended questions.  One website I went to added a modern day translation to so...

7 of the 8 June 13-14 http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=0CME9MNU&utm_source=GodTube%20Must-See%20-%20Mobile&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=06/11/2015 The Kirk Cameron video above includes a clip of him sharing the gospel with a group of gang members.  What is revealed five years later is exciting!  Keep sowing.  We may get to do some reaping, but it is God who will provide the increase!  Be joyful that the kingdom is growing! Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together.  Thus the saying, "One sows and another reaps is true.  I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have down the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.   John 36-38

 Precious  Pensive Perplexed Petrified June 12 We are children of the King and we have very real emotions.  God's Word addresses all the adjectives found in this photo shoot with one of my favorite princesses. Precious in the sight of the Lord...  Psalm 116:15 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.   Psalm 139:2 And the peace o God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.   Philippians 4:7 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.    Isaiah 41:10

These are three gifts we received in 2014. Some of the older ones were not certain about sharing "lap time." June 11 Even better than loving on a litter of puppies, are the hugs and cuddles from a lap full of grandchildren in soft pjs!   I tell you what…this is my kind of happy! The other morning, this body was moving a little more slowly than usual. My husband overheard me say, "Me oh, my!"  He replied,  "Nehemiah?"  Ha!  They do sound similar. Our women's summer study series is on the Book of Nehemiah.  The past three days we've been digging into chapter one and there are some mighty applicable lessons within. So, "Me oh, my, Nehemiah…You have left us some snippets of wisdom. Thank You." Sorry this would not cut and paste…I'll put in the snippets from Nehemiah chapter 1, The Message later today!  It's a great story. Nehemiah 1 The Message The memoirs of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah. It was the month of Kislev ...

Seven of our eight grands. This one year old's first ice cream cone! June 10 Taking the afternoon to be in the Word with Jesus was more yummy than ice cream! She Reads Truth is currently doing an online study called "Women in the Word."  Yesterday's entry was about the life of Rebekah.  I just had to pass along the meat of this message. "The truth is, we are all Rebekahs, assuming control of circumstances that are not ours to control.  We are all Esaus, wondering what we've done wrong when the "not fair" moments of life come our way. And, praise the Lord, we are all Jacobs, given the Father's blessing when we've done nothing to deserve it. Sisters, our plans do not save us!  Our mad hunting skills and Bible-reading savvy do not merit the Father's blessing.  Certainly, our scheming and our sin, no matter how well intentioned, are not our hope.  Our salvation only comes from the hand of our good and sovereign God- ...

June 9 The excitement was exhilarating, as if we had all just returned to summer camp after being apart for a year!  The setting…Women's Summer Bible study at Shiloh!  The rains let up enough for everyone to get out of their cars and come inside for supper.  Afterwards the praise began. Our study is Nehemiah  by Kelly Minter.  The topic…"A Heart that Breaks."  We sang "Open the Eyes of my Heart Lord" and then "What Faith Can Do" by Kutlass.  We finished by basking in praise through the words of the song "Hosanna!" "I see the king of glory, coming on the clouds with fire. The whole earth shakes, the whole earth shakes. I see his love and mercy washing over all our sin. The people sing, the people sing. Chorus: Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest. I see a generation, rising up to take their place. With selfless faith, with selfless faith. I see a near revival, stirring as we pray and seek. We're on our knees....

June 8 Walking out of a post office one day a lady said, "Is your name Joy?"  I was baffled at first and then she pointed to the license plate on my car.  Ha Ha! " No, I replied my favorite scripture verse is 1 Thessalonians 5:16   Be joyful always!" The plate is an accountability tool.  Another day in the Kroger parking lot a young woman commented,  "I like your license plate."  I needed the reminder, as I'd just left the checkout line, frustrated by they lack of joy in the check-out girl.  One grumble bumble can take you down quickly.  Our joy is not dependent on our circumstances, but on what our Savior has done for us! Today's verse on Biblegateway is an excellent correlation: Though the cherry trees don't blossom and the strawberries don't ripen. Though the apples are worm-eaten and the wheat fields stunted, Though the sheep pens are sheep less and the cattle barns empty, I', singing joyful praise to God. I'm turnin...

June 6-7 Summer is upon us! Here at Shiloh it is HIGH SEASON! We've already had a family reunion and are hosting our first ministry event today.  As we age, it becomes a bit more difficult to keep up and we have begun inquiring of the Lord just exactly how long we are to continue in this stage of life.  These scripture passages remind me that God is totally aware of what is happening and will direct my days! For you created my inmost being; your knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me where written in your book before one of them came to be. Psalm 139:13-16 A person's days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limi...

This Dad,  fun uncle and Papa are training the next generation in water balloon launching. June 5 Three more days and we launch into our 13th summer of women's Bible study here at Shiloh! This year we are studying the book of Nehemiah and having "a heart that can break." I've also launched into the newest She Reads Truth study called Women in the Word , daily taking a peek at Old and New Testament women.  After studying a bit on Noah's wife, who had to be a REAL trooper and devoted to her man, the study directed readers to meditate on Psalm 37. I scripted a list of wise instructions from this writing.  Mrs. Noah probably did all of these. Don't fret. Don't be envious. Trust in the Lord. Do good. Dwell in the land (ha, or on the boat) and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord. Commit your way to the Lord. Be still before the Lord. Wait patiently for the Lord. Refrain from anger. Turn from wrath. Don't fret or worry. Inste...

Love these bathing beauties! ,,,in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 1 Corinthians 15:52 June 4 This past week some very dear friends have had their lives changed "in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye."  One's son was in a car wreck, another's husband had a stroke, and another listened as his father took his last breath. Cherish the moments we have together and use words and actions which leave warmth after we are gone. Here's a funny aside related to life everlasting and honesty of feelings.  Two of our grandchildren are spending the week. Today, I realized maybe there was a bit of controversy brewing as they have been vying for my participation in different activities. While I was cleaning the kitchen, I overheard the sweet younger sister saying, "Let's play a game where I kill you and send you to heaven with God....

June 3 Six, four, four, three, three, one, nine months, eight months!  Those are the ages of our grandchildren with whom we've been hanging out the past week.  As I've tried to assimilate how I find such elated amusement in this chaotic compilation, it hit me that it mirrors a fraction of what God must experience when he looks down on the interaction of his children fellowshipping with one another. These little ones live miles away from one another, but their parents are committed to bringing them together a couple times a year so they can establish a family connection.  How much fun would it be if they ended up in college together!  I pray over the years they and their parents will encourage one another and listen to the wisdom Paul passed on to the early Christians… Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12:10 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. Romans 15:7...

June 2 But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children- with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts. Psalm 103:17-18 Today, I give thanks for this past weekend and our children's children experiencing life together!

June 1 This sawfish is amazing!  Another over the top creative moment for God! I would hightail it out of the water though if I saw him approaching.  Interesting to stop and think what are the dangers facing us today and what are we doing to curtail the threat. The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty. Proverbs 22:3