Boojoyful

August 31 Pillowland is the place where all our couch cushions come off and create a cozy landing pad! It's a place where you can sore, giggle, cheer one another on, and have your day brightened! God wants us to live in that kind of joy and be an encouragement to one another. Listen to these words penned by Paul concerning daily living. He would have loved Pillowland. Let the peace of Christ keep  you  in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and  do ing  you r own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in  you r lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing  you r hearts out to God! Let every detail in  you r lives—words, actions,  whatever —be  do ne in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way. Colossians 3:15-17

In all 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 the proven genuineness  of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire —may result in praise, glory and honor  when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1 Peter 1:6-7 August 29-30 This has been a whammy of a week for us.  Beyond the shootings, you'd never believe me if I shared the totally unrelated pain, total despair, grief and fear we have walked through with nine others. By Friday, we were saying "Come back Jesus!" Walking on Thursday morning I plugged into some music and this song ministered to my spirit. I hope you find solace in the words of this song by Sidewalk Prophets. The music is beautiful.   http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=9M2CJCNU It's called "These are the Words I Would Say" I love all of you and Deke and I have prayed this morn...

August 28 These are our "Eggpressions." When grieving, as so many are in our community after the shootings, the first four of these eggpressions become quite visible.  When I was sixteen years old, my grandfather was murdered in broad daylight in a parking lot.  This week's shootings have brought back to mind many of my emotions at that time.   Sadness       A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, But when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken.                     Proverbs 15:13 Anger         In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. Eph.4:26 Fear             Do not fear...for I am your God. I will strengthen and help you .  Isaiah 41:10   Shy/Timid   For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.           ...

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast,  because they trust in you. Isaiah 26:3  This morning, I'm awaiting the arrival of the senior class from the school where my husband works. Today is a special retreat day for them here at our home and the highlight was to be a boat adventure to Bridgewater Marina for lunch. Life can change in a moment. August  27 Thanks to all of you who have texted, emailed and called.  It has been a tragic time for our laid back, out of the way lake community and our hometown, Roanoke. As our granddaughter would say, "I was an early bird" yesterday.  By 6:50AM I was headed out on a morning walk.  Moments later I heard sirens, which is quite strange out here in the country.  At 7:00 my phone rang and my husband said he'd had 12 sheriffs' and state troopers' cars fly past him on the way to work.  We both knew something was very, very wrong.  By 8:00 he called telling me a shooter was...

August 26 My feet hit the pavement for my morning walk, but it's not nearly as much fun without my boyfriend.  Taking every thought of quitting captive, I persevered and asked the Father what business he had today. (My usual question for my husband.) A woman, who was plugged into her head phones, passed by and said, "Awe, all alone."  That tugged at my heart.  Sensing a bit of sarcasm, I wondered if I was widowed, divorced or single (as she is) if she would have said that to me. Only a few yards further, I passed the home of a widower whom I have rarely seen come out of his house.  With a theme of loneliness on my heart I began to pray for a friend who called recently to say her husband had asked for a divorce.  Whew. These thoughts weren't putting a bounce in my step. As I watched the pavement pass below me, I remembered walking to elementary school.  The walk always started off alone, until I met my girlfriend a few blocks down the mountain. ...

August 25 Jesus and I have been doing our Daniel study together in front of this window.   Yes, you guessed it, He gave me the comfy chair! Take time for a few quiet minutes and listen to how real David's relationship with God was. Psalm 27 Light, space, zest-that's God! So, with him on my side I'm fearless, afraid of no one and nothing. When vandal hordes ride down ready to eat me alive, Those bullies and toughs fall flat on their faces. When besieged, I'm calm as a baby. When all hell breaks loose, I'm collected and cool. I'm asking God for one thing, only one thing: To live with him in his house my whole life long. I'll contemplate his beauty; I'll study at his feet. That's the only quiet, secure place in a noisy world, The perfect getaway, far from the buzz of traffic. God holds me head and shoulders above all who try to pull me down. I'm headed for his place to offer anthems that will raise the r...

Our daughter, Jiewon's, self-portrait painted from the perspective of looking to God. August 24 Just the other day, I was telling a friend about a time when God told me to turn my face from one person, whom I felt was on the attack towards me,  to another person in the room and I would see who the real accuser was.  Oh, how often we "get it wrong" when we are left to our own understanding. A couple hours later I opened my email and there was this verse from a godly, godly woman. Turn us again to yourself, O God.  Make your face shine down upon us.  Only then will we be saved. Psalm 80:3 We need to take the example of our fore fathers and keep turning our face towards God and seeking His face for understanding. I have set the Lord continually before me;  because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Psalm 16:8 The Psalms and Proverbs are filled with David and Solomon's thoughts on understanding.  Just plug the wo...

 These photos are of a childless widow,whom I met in 1978 and invited her into our family. She lived to be 104! I told her our children would be her children.  They loved her well. August 22-23 While picking through some produced, one of the grocery store workers said, "Finding everything you need?"  "The red onions," I replied, "they are no longer on the refrigerated shelves."  Then I said, "You and Fred are without a doubt the friendliest, most cheerful and helpful employees here at Kroger."  Looking at his name tag, I said, "Doug, my name is Boo." Bless his heart, he fumbled and said, "Doug, you don't know about Fred do you?  Fred, didn't show up for work one day last month and he's never done that.  We called his mother in law and she sent someone to the house who found him dead in his bed." Shocked and saddened, I looked at Doug and told him that ever since Fred's wife died last year we had...

YUM! From a neighbor's garden! August 21 I do not want summer's harvest to end.  It's easy to be a vegetarian in the summertime!  Currently, I'm in a study on Daniel through She Reads Truth. The author of an article posted there the other day made an excellent point.  Daniel's desire to abstain from the King's food  Daniel determined that he would not defile himself.   Daniel 1:8 ...is not to call us all to be vegetarians, but is much richer than that.  The author states the lesson is not about what Daniel could do, but: "God working in him and through him." She places the emphasis on verse 9:  God had granted Daniel favor and compassion from the guard. "Who granted Daniel favor and compassion from the guard? God. God did!  And that is the point. God had a plan that he accomplished through this faithful servant Daniel." SRT Oh sweet brothers and sister in the faith, just think...God has a plan he wants...

August 20 A sweet sister in Christ stopped by to share this book,that a friend of her made of steeples in our county. What amazed me was how many churches I had never even noticed. That got me thinking of how my mind is often on other things and not what God has placed right in front of me.  I think we miss so much of the Father's business, because we are consumed with our busy-ness. Proverbs 12:11 says, T hose who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense. We could head out on a steeple chase today, but what would be more impactful is if we chased, raced with our Bibles to our quiet spot with God and listened for instructions and for the work He has planned for us to do today. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.   Psalm 32:8

Three tough footed little ones venturing off to visit a neighbor on our gravel drive. August 19 On one of our last summer walks together, before the faculty reported back to full time duties and my husband's job requires him to depart for work in the dark, we encountered a younger man we had not seen all summer.  After exchanging pleasantries and catching up on his family we turned to continue on our way and his departing words for these two "old" folks were..."Y'all be good!"  My husband chuckled sarcastically in my ear, "Oh, we'll be good alright."  I on the other hand was honored that his comment suggested we could still get into trouble! Immediately my mind shifted to the Lord and I contemplated if we listened clearly enough during prayer would God possibly exit the conversation saying..."Y'all be good today." "Let the message of Christ dwell among your richly as you teach and admonish one another with all ...

August 18 This 35 year old three wheeled tryke was a fun purchase of my father's.  His great grandchildren are still enjoying it.  These pictures teach such a lesson.  The younger grands hold onto their Papa for dear life, but as the children have reached six and up they start wanting to take the controls! We come into this world dependent on God for that first breathe and on our parents/care givers for the the formidable years to follow, but gradually along the way our independence surfaces and we head off the track into our own adventure,  We forget to hold onto our creator and connect to the fellowship He designed us for. Yesterday, I started a 17 Day online Study of Daniel.  You know the guy in the lion's den and the one whose three friends were tossed in the fiery furnace. (Check out Shereadstruth.com and Hereadstruth.com).  The author writes this introduction: "In 606 BC, the Babylonians captured Judah and Daniel was included in this capt...

August  17 Roasting S'mores is a treat no matter the season.  It's a fun word! If you use it as southern slang you might say...I'll take s'more pecan pie please! What s'more do you want from life? To know Jesus more deeply.  Follow Him more sweetly, day by day!  :-) Solomon knew what to ask for! God said to Solomon, "Since this is your heart's desire and you have not asked for wealth, possessions or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you.  And I will also give you wealth, possessions and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have." 2 Chronicles 1:11-12

August 15-16 An alert popped up on the computer screen notifying me our keyboard batteries were VERY LOW. Fumbling around, I finally realized I needed a coin to open the battery cover.  Inside were two  rechargeable batteries.  Hmm, where do I recharge them? Not willing to Google the solution and living no where near an Apple store,  I placed two regular batteries inside and received the screen flash message:  connected!   My mind wandered, as it often does, to consider where we go to recharge. There are many options and our various personalities cause us to find relief from a barrage of activities. A luxurious vacation, a trip to a local spa for a massage, or a simple "Calgon take me away" bath. A long run, a good book, etc.  The question is...To whom do they connect us? Listen to Jesus' advice. "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion?  Come to me.  Get away with me and you'll recover your life.  I'll show you ho...

I have no clue why today's August 14th post is posting below the 13th There are things about God that leave us clueless as well! "Take a long hard look. See how great he is-infinite, greater than anything you could ever imagine or figure out!"  Job 36:26

LOL.  These little fellows took over our granddaughter's tea party tent! Filling up cups is fun whether they are pink or blue! August 13 What good is filling ourselves up, if we aren't willing to be poured out? Jake Sumner wrote an excellent article on being "filled up" in "Blueprint for Life."  He states, "The secret to getting full is to empty yourself...The secret to fulfillment is twofold.  You must regularly spend time filling yourself up and you must regularly spend time emptying yourself out.  If you spend all your time filling yourself up, you're lazy and selfish.  if you spend all your time pouring yourself our, you're exhausted and headed for burnout." Leslie Basham wrote, "A joyful, fulfilling life begins at the point of surrender." When was the last time you evaluated what/who you are putting into your life? Personalize the categories below and consider each from the perspectives of priority and pe...

August 14 Some colored leaves are already falling from a few trees in our yard, reminding me the changes of a new season are nearing.  God changes the seasons of our lives as well.  Normally, by this time He has given me a women's study for Monday mornings in the fall, but I haven't received that direction from him. What I have received is a prompting to be intention to seek out fellowship each month with a friend who challenges me to go deeper in my knowledge of who God is and my relationship/identity with Christ. Such a friend has been here with me this week and it has been such a blessing.  She never leads me down the wrong path, but always gently sways me back if she sees me heading in an ungodly direction. Although staying in the very same house, we emailed insight back and forth to each other after we got in bed or before we got up.  The other day she shared a devotional which she had received from a ministry called The Father's Business.   The write...

August 12 Took this photo high in the Allegheny Mountains! There were some busy bees on this flower! I hate to see summer coming to an end.  The buses were rolling through our community Monday, as the public schools resumed and began a new school year. This summer I vowed to be a Mary not a Martha and my house looks like it!  A house guest this past weekend felt guilty leaving with things so askew, knowing I had more guests arriving. Her final offer was..."Do you have a bucket I could use to go through the house and pick up all the toys!"  I assured her there would be rainy or maybe even snowing days ahead when I could get things back in order, but right now I wanted to enjoy people and not worry about the house or food! "The Lord answer her, 'Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but one thing is necessary.  Mary has made the right choice, and it will not be taken away from her.'" Luke 10:41-42

August 11 Not everyone is given a sibling.  Not every sibling is kind to the other.  When push comes to shove, it may be off a wall or dock, but usually a protective element kicks in when dire situations arrive.  Years ago one of our sons was falsely accused of something, by a teacher in elementary school.  His brother, who is 4 years younger and was in kindergarten at the time, passed the teacher in the hallway and looked up at her and said, "Why were you mean to my brudder?" Going on the defensive the teacher went to the principal and reported the incident. I was called into a meeting with the principal, who told me we should not discuss such situations as a family with all our children. She also wanted me to make our kindergartener apologize to the teacher. Politely, I explained we were a family who shared joys and sorrows and prayed through difficult situations.  Also, I expressed my decision not to discipline our son for sticking up for his brother, by...

August 10 We had the privilege of traveling with these two grandchildren last weekend and stopped at an overlook to gaze at the mountain views and talk about God's amazing creation.  The wild flowers were also incredible.   Creation gives such testimony to the glory of God!  While I hate to see summer ending and will miss my summer swims, there is something quite exiting about the anticipation of fall bursting forth! "Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy." Psalm 98:8

August 8-9 This tightly wrapped youngster came for a visit last week and his mama wrapped him snuggly and placed him on the rocks near our beach for a nap.  Nearby we found a caterpillar who resembled the babe! Thinking about things that are wrapped, I went to scripture and Dr. Luke writes that not only was Jesus wrapped in swaddling cloths at birth, he was wrapped in linen cloths and laid in a borrowed tomb at the end of his life. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. Luke 2:12 Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which now one had yet been laid.    Luke 23:53 Wrap is defined: cover in soft cloth; clasp, embrace.    I look forward to the day when I am wrapped in the warm embrace of Jesus!

August 7 Last weekend we watched this precious couple vow to love, honor and cherish one another until death do they part.  It was truly one of the most Christ centered ceremonies I've ever attended. The bride walked down the aisle to Psalm 23 being sung!  The pastor held back no punches in the charges he made to this two, their attendants, families and friends in the congregation. A charge given to the wedding party and wedding guest was to vow to do everything in their power to strengthen this union and to abstain from any comments or actions that might create division.  He also said that more importantly than this being a legal union, this was a spiritual union between two professing believers and thus was a " holy" union before God almighty. Just before the end of the ceremony and the much anticipated kiss, another pastor shared the gospel and gave any guests, who had never prayed to receive Jesus as their savior, the opportunity to do so.  One guest did s...

August 6 Our camilla bushes took a hard hit this past winter.  The buds turned brown and never bloomed.  At some point I started the process of removing the dead buds, but spring chores set in, the company started coming to Shiloh and I forgot the bushes. I realized over the years one of the bushes had grown and was partially blocking a bedroom sliding door.  As I began to cut it back, God began to work in my heart. When sin/death enters our relationships/churches we not only lose our appealing appearance,  we stifle the movement of the Spirit.  New growth can still spring forth, but there isn't the vibrance God intended. Working my way through the branches I came across a bird's nest. That signified that even in a broken state God can use someone for good, until they are restored to a flourishing state. Also, as I began to prune away the dead branches and damaged ones, I had to use great care not to disturb the new buds. If I just whacked away wit...

Our favorite butterfly of the season. August 5 Earlier in the summer, I nicknamed one of our yellow butterflies, Buddy .    We’ve had grandchildren with us all summer and Buddy has become a daily presence. I go out and sing for him in the morning and there he is!   He follows us from one side of the property to the other and even got on the inside of a covered raft with us one day.   I’m prepared to find Buddy dead one day and have to go through the learning experience of a burial or memorial with the butterfly mounted in a glass box.   Hmm, we may even include a field trip to the funeral home.   I thank God for the simple joy this butterfly has brought us this summer and the reminder he is of God's presence. “ At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place.   The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them.   But he said, “I must proclaim the good news o...

August 4 Our grandsons had a wonderful day exploring along our creek bank and our woods.  Frogs jumped out in front of us, spiders crossed our paths and caterpillars, beetles and wiggly worms prompted squeals of delight.  I"m not sure our granddaughters would have found as much enjoyment getting stuck in the mud and rummaging through the dirt for critters, but they would have loved picking dandelions! We are all different, but our differences can't compare to how different we are from God.  This verse in 1 Samuel 16:7 MSG is a good remaindered that God's perspective on us comes from a level which we really aren't even capable of comprehending. "But God told Samuel, 'Looks aren't everything.  Don't be impressed with his looks and stature. I've already eliminated him.  God judges persons differently than humans do.  Men and women look at the face; God looks into the heart."

Our blackberry bush! August 3 Paul says in Philippians 4:11-13   " I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.   I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through him who gives me strength .” “True contentment is not having what you want, but wanting what you have.” Karen Ehman What a fun list to make…A “Thank You, God,” list for what I have. A few Sundays ago our pastor shared a statistic that 80% of what we say is negative. That has really stuck with me and I’ve tried to capture those negative thoughts before they fly out of my mouth.   Not being content is a negative status. I’m working on allowing the Spirit to keep me living more in the positive column!   Those living ar...

August 1-2 Liz Curtis Higgs writes: Whenever I lose sight of His staggering creative powers, I take a page from Isaiah and walk outside on a clear summer night. “Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name” ( Isaiah 40:26 ). The One who names the stars calls you by name and calls you His. When He  knit you  in your mother’s womb, our creative God was just getting started. In due time, you were born—a miracle!—and then, Lord willing, you were  born again . Another miracle! “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come”  (2 Corinthians 5:17 ). He is not finished creating you, beloved. You can be “confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” ( Philippians 1:6 ). Especially in those moments when we feel undone, isn’t it comforting to know He’s n...