Boojoyful

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in he beginning. All things were created through Him and apart from Him  not one thing was created that has been created. Life was in Him, and that life was the light of men. That light shines in the darkness, yet the darkness did not overcome it. John1:1-5 January 1 I've jumped onboard with She Reads Truth for their four week study of Genesis. The introduction reads that Genesis is a book of "beginnings, covenants, and fresh starts!"  Oh, I do love fresh starts! These studies give you a scripture passage to read and then a "response" page to write down what God has impressed upon your heart from the reading.  The first three chapters of Genesis provoked these thoughts: "In the beginning of this year Father, I know not what is ahead, but I know there is nothing that will surprise you. I know there will be tribulation, but also that Your Word pr

I paid a huge price for you... That's how much you mean to me! That's how much I love you! Isaiah 43:4 December 31 What a great verse with which to close out 2015.  God loves us so much.  We are valuable and precious in His sight. For years I've contemplated what I would grab should our house catch on fire.  Would I go for the most valuable items monetarily or those irreplaceable items such as pictures and handmade keepsakes.  If the grandchildren were around, I'd just grab them and run! I'm finding the older I get the less value there is in "things."  I've started parting with some treasures and passing them on to the younger generation to enjoy. The wonderful thing about our greatest treasure...our faith in Christ...is that we can pass it on and keep it for ourselves at the same time!

December 30 I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. Jeremiah 31:3 Sitting at the piano, this song ushered me into the Presence of the Lord. As a deer pants for water, so my soul longs after you. You alone are my heart's desire and I long to worship you. You alone are my strength, my shield, to you alone will my spirit yield. You alone are my heart's desire and I long to worship you. I want you more than gold or silver, only you can satisfy. You alone are the real joy giver, the apple of my eye. You're my friend and you are my Father, even though you are my king. I love you more than any other, so much more than anything. Thank You, Father, for loving me and for drawing me to You!

As the Father has loved me,  so I have loved you. Now remain in my love. John 15:9 December 29 Coloring is so relaxing!  I am so enjoying this coloring book gift.  Reflecting on this verse and writing to God I said, " Remain in my love"... That's a choice Father. In Jesus Calling  on November 5-6th Sarah Young wrote: "You can live as close to Me as you choose...Put more energy into trusting Me and enjoying My Presence.  When My Presence is your deepest delight, you know almost instinctively what will please Me. Delight yourself in Me more and more; seek My pleasure in all you do." You are my happy spot  Jesus.  You are my first love.  As I sat outside Sunday, in balmy temperatures listening to the birds sing, I felt loved by You.  When the world starts to suck me away from Your Presence, may the Spirit direct me to scamper back to You and remain in Your love! Health Journal Update per instructions from the Queen of Strokes at St Thomas Hospital

One of my favorite Nashville steeples. December 28 It was so good to be back in church yesterday. Paul David Tripp wrote: "Corporate worship is a regular, gracious reminder that it's not about you.  You've been born into a life that is a celebration of another... We gather together to celebrate the One who created, controls, and sits at the center of all things...It's not wrong to desire personal happiness, peace, a healthy body, and healthy relationships.  The issue is this-these things must not rule our hearts, because when they do they place us at the center of our world and make it all about us.  It is sad that many people, even professing Christians, live in a way that is God-forgetting and God-replacing.  We put ourselves in the center, we decided for ourselves what we want life to be like, and we reduce God to little more than the delivery system for our catalog of self-oriented dreams." Does this theology keep some from coming to Christ, because

  You know you are old when your daughter takes over Christmas! December 26-27 There's just been so much meat in my Jesus time this week.  I have to go back and share some thoughts about the wisemen.  In She Reads Truth , one author paraphrased Mt. 2:8 in this way: "When you find him," Herod told the visitors, "come back and tell me where He is, I have a little something of my own I want to give Him." The wisemen had the good sense to sum up Herod's character and realize he'd not be worshipping another king, also they had a noteworthy notice in a dream that Herod was not up to good.  So, they secretly slipped away for home avoiding Jerusalem.  Oh, how I want to be that good a job of character.  There have been times in my life I realized someone wanted me to share news with another and it was not for good!  There have probably been just as many times I was suckered in. Here's another wise guy nugget from SRT: "He (the new born king) wa

Brothers by the tree! " May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him,  so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."   Romans 15:13 December 25 Merry Christmas My first thought this morning was about Mary in labor.  Having gone through that process six times I'm quite sympathetic to women in active childbirth.  I thought about this teenage girl chosen  by God for this important role.  While the trinity can be a challenge to grasp I recognize that Jesus was God, yet in earthly form he had choices to make.  God chose  Jesus to carry out a critical role on earth.  From early on in my days on the playground in elementary school and kickball teams being selected, I learned how good it feels to be chosen!   Those anticipations went on into jr and high school when it came time for dates for dances, then college admittance and sororities, right up to job searches. Now as I look ahead to life after death,

Beautiful artwork from the children's book "B" is for Bethlehem . December 24 Not being able to sleep a few nights ago,  I decided to chat with Jesus and began to sing to him... "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, there's just something about that name. Master, Saviour, Jesus, like the fragrance after the rains. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, let all heaven and earth proclaim Kings and Kingdoms will all pass away, but there's something about that Name!" I love what the name of Christ evokes in my soul.  Holiness, hope, joy, love, compassion, security, truth, righteousness. Turn on the news and the headlining names most likely stir up some different emotions.  Chat at the Christmas/Holiday office party and chances are a colleagues or competitor's name may surface that thrills your heart or makes it flutter due to dislike, distrust or jealousy. There is power in a name. While the name of Jesus truly is the most precious name to me it has riled many others

December 23 We had a wonderful time walking around the Opryland Hotel. Around every corner was something to delight the eye!  And all the escalators were like a Disney ride for these two little fellows. Watching them JUMP on and off definitely made my heart skip a beat!  The cardiologist called yesterday and said she had reviewed the monthly heart monitoring I was on and saw no signs of an A-fib event, so she'd like to have an implant placed under my skin that can remain for up to THREE years.  I asked if when they were taking out my gallbladder the same surgeon could stick that in...negative.  The first of the year we will have a pow-wow with my Primary Care physician and come up with a plan, for no one has the answers we'd like to have.  The concern still exist if the current blood thinner they have me on is the correct drug and are any of the symptoms I'm having medication related. One praise is how much better I'm doing in the sequencing area.  I do see g

Enjoying supper out with a couple of our grandsons. December 22 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,  and she gave birth to her firstborn,  a son.  She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger,  because there was no guest room available for them. Luke 2:6 OK, I'm sure the inn keeper was stressed from all the travelers in town and an overbooked inn, but where was he sleeping?  If a pregnant girl showed up at my door in active labor on a busy weekend at Shiloh, would I: A) Send her to the garage. B) Send her to the pontoon boat. C) Tell her to deliver in the backseat of her car. D) Give her my bedroom. Without the manger incident we wouldn't have "Away in a Manger." Continuing in this contemplative mode I have to ponder if the inn keeper had enough on his plate with the guests he was caring for and really didn't want to get involved with labor and delivery that night.  Which is the perfect segue int

Our Minnesota granddaughter is full of Christmas cheer! December 21 "And Mary said: 'My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,  for the Mighty One has done great things for me-holy is his name.'" Luke 1:46-47, 49 For a young, pregnant, unwed teen, Mary had a fabulous attitude!  Yes, I'm sure her angel encounter was quite persuasive, but she had to have a mighty faith to walk the walk as Jesus' mother.  Desiring to go deeper each day this week, with the emphasis on who Jesus really is the Luke passage above helped direct me to some self-evaluation. Does my soul glorify the Lord? Does my spirit rejoice throughout the day in God my Savior? Do I give testimony on a regular basis to the great things the Mighty One has done for me? Yesterday,  I went a six hour stretch of minimal activity without a break and without having brain discomfort!  I continue to thank God for his healing power!

December 19-20 Being an educator supplies an individual with enchanting tales to tell!  My husband carries out the proper protocol of not telling names and tales together.  The other day he shared the story of a young student in Bible class who responded to a teacher's statement by saying,  "Wait!  That means Jesus is God." What a profound concept for a youngster to grasp.  God came to earth in bodily form as the Baby Jesus. "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,  and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority ."   Colossians 2:9-10 As we proceed into this fourth week of Advent may we stop each day and reflect on Jesus as... "Wonderful Counselor.   Mighty God.   Everlasting Father.   the Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

December 18 Ok, so I haven't been totally honest this week because I didn't want to stir up concern or be drug back to the ER.  Tuesday afternoon I started having some left upper arm pain that would come and go.  It didn't register with me, but that evening when my daughter saw me grab the arm, she said, "Mom, do you think you need to go to the ER. That's a heart attack sign.  Stroke, gallstones, why not heart attack?"  My response was that I really wasn't up for another ER visit. She said, "Oh, you'd rather die?" That's an affirmative!   Jesus Calling  that day even said, "Your longing for heaven is good!" Four of my power hitters began praying for me, I'm staying in contact with my favorite nurse and taking my blood pressure!  Wednesday, my neurologist here in Nashville gave me a cardiologist referral, but I really felt the prayers for healing have been working.  The pain is pretty constant now, which would lean m

My sister in law needle pointed this pillow for me over 30 years ago! December 17 Feeling terrible, on occasion lately, there have been times I asked the Lord to just take me home if I wasn't going to get to where I felt and functioned better.  The other night I told my husband what I was praying.   His reply was that we'd just see whose prayers God was listening to, because he was praying the opposite! At one point, when I was suggesting to God it might just be best if he would have my heart stop right then and take me quickly home, he spoke a soft kindly reminder that He was God and it was best I not tell him what to do. When I opened Biblegateway the next morning and read the "Verse of the Day" the words " when the set time had fully come " jumped off the page.  God knows exactly what He's doing with my life, so I need to just chill and be thankful He's walking alongside me. But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born o

"Even in laughter the heart may ache, and rejoicing may end in grief." Proverbs 14:13 December 16 I don't remember reading this Proverb before, but it is true. Ministers do a great job of finding a way to bring laughter into a funeral service, for they know the benefits.  My man knows how healthy laughter is for our souls.  My Christmas shopping has been minimal this year, but I have attended a couple activities which required bringing a wrapped gift. I have one coming up where you are to bring "something to read."  Feeling totally wiped out after the gallstone attack, I asked my husband a HUGE favor.  He's not a rapper or a wrapper, but I asked if he would please go downstairs to where the wrapping paper was hibernating and wrap this simple gift for me. I was on the phone with our daughter in law when he came in the bedroom proudly displaying his handy work in the photo on the left! This is the same man who placed my gifts, on our first married Chr

"So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea,  to Bethlehem the town of David. because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary,  who was pledged to be married to him  and was expecting a child." Luke 2:4-5 December 15 Thinking back to how I felt ten days before I delivered my babies, I am sooooo thankful I did not have to get on a donkey and ride anywhere.  Supposedly, the 80-100 mile trip to Bethlehem took Mary and Joseph 8-10 days.  The link below tells how you can make a similar trek on a trip called The Nativity Trail .  I wish I'd done this 40 years ago! http://jesustrail.com/blog/hiking-the-nativity-trail-from-nazareth-to-bethlehem Yesterday, I made the journey back to my stroke site.  It took about ten hours instead of ten days, with lots of stops along the way to avoid clots.  I saw my primary care doc in the morning and she said, "Take your pain meds with you and go for it

December 14 When you hear: "That's not a reason to arrest me. Do not arrest me!" "Trauma alert, transport is six minutes out." "We are receiving a patient with a gunshot wound from a 22 to his face." "Stroke alert, transport is five minutes out." "We will do an EKG and then are sending you for X-rays, several CT scans and an ultrasound..." You know you are not home in your own bed anymore. Saturday, my husband and I went out for a walk on a beautiful 75 degree day.  About a mile into the walk I had acute upper abdominal pain.  I asked him to please go get the car. Unfortunately, neither of us had our phones with us, so he had to leave me and run uphill for the car.  We headed right for our local Urgent Care center, as the pain was not subsiding.  Evaluating my history and the fact that I'm on Plavix, they tossed me into an ambulance and sent me to the ER in Roanoke. I pleaded with my husband and the doctor to not send m

December 12-13 Thursday night I watched Dolly Parton's movie called "Coat of Many Colors."  It was refreshing and filled with a  faith message that is missing in mainstream America.  The only review I read was a "worldly" one and wasn't overly complimentary. The writer referenced "the audience" that would want to watch this sort of film with a snicker in his writing voice.  (Yup, this is where I'd stand up proudly in a crowd and acknowledge being a part of that audience, but of course we taped every "Little House" episode that ever crossed our TV screen and found valuable lessons for our children and ourselves as parents in those shows.) The review writer also used a word which I never have:  schmaltzy-" overly sentimental." I tell you what, I'm so thankful Jesus is schmaltzy towards me!  I'll take me a scoop of overly sentimental, oozing with God's love, and emphazing the importance of family any time someon

Our Christmas cactus are shaking their tail feathers!   December 11 I'm still in my mode of amazement at the intricacies of God's plan...The Master's Plan.  Yesterday, I was studying in SRT about the comparison of Moses, the mediator for the Israelites, and Jesus, our mediator today. I wrote "Sweet Jesus, You are the most compassionate mediator a girl could ask for. Thank You for compassionately carrying our causes before the throne of God. Ah, the Master's Plan is perfect!" For there is one God and one mediator between God and humanity, Christ Jesus, Himself human, who gave Himself- a ransom for all, a testimony at the proper time. 1 Timothy 2:5-6

December 10 Another week of laying low has helped my headaches. A close friend said, "You may actually learn to like this slower pace of life!"  Just four more days on the heart monitor, but whose COUNTING!!!! Take time today to appreciate God's plan to come to earth in human form, as Jesus, and participate in "real life experiences."  What a way to relate!  Jesus went through everything from a birth canal to being buried in a tomb.  No, ladies, I know he didn't personally experience childbirth, parenting or a spouse, but he walked closely beside it.  Jesus makes an awesome advocate for us because of his first hand human experiences.  We can't cry out, "God, you don't understand!" Jesus is called our High Priest, who sits on the throne of heaven and can sympathize with us.  All God's plans are brilliant! Do you trust in Him today? "Since the children are made of flesh and blood, it's logical that the Savior took on fle

December 9 The Friday after Thanksgiving I used my credit card in Virginia Beach to purchase a birthday present for a friend.  It wasn't until the following Monday I needed it again and it was not in my wallet.  The hunt began.  I must have gone through my wallet at least five times and search every article of clothing I had taken on the trip.  My patient husband scoured the car and called every place we had stopped to use the bathroom, eat or shop on the way home.  Our son and daughter in law were on the lookout at their home as well.  I was certain I had shopped with it in my pocket, not wanting to be burdened down with a wallet on top of my heart monitoring equipment I had to tote around.  We began monitoring our account several times a day to be sure the card wasn't being used.  We wanted to be patient and see if it would surface, as it is the card all our automatic payments are on and changing the card would birth a tedious time consuming task. Yes, we prayed several

Our Minnesota grands mesmerized by the light up snow globes we sent! December 8 The depth of God's love for us is pretty mesmerizing in itself! A friend mailed me a card titled: "10 Things God Wants You to Remember" I am for you. I love you. I believe you. I will not fail you. I will be with you. I will provide for you. I will bless you. I will give you rest. I will strengthen you. I will answer you. Inside the flap it says:  "He is our Father and we are His children-that is on thing He never wants us to forget." "You received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father."        Romans 8:15                

Hope and Love December 7 Waking up yesterday feeling pretty good for a change, we reflected on how the last two Sundays had worn me out.  I love my church and wanted to be there early for fellowship and then stay afterwards and help serve in little ways.  Then each week we'd do the grocery shopping afterwards and we've realized I was spent by that time. So since the headaches had been so bad we decided to have church alone together at Shiloh!  Pulling out an old piano book with praise music, I began to clink away at the keys.  My husband found a microphone we have here (didn't plug it in) but used it as a prop as he was our praise leader. The angels who encamp around Shiloh had to be hooting outside at my piano playing and his singing.  God says to make a joyful noise  and that we did! Next I shared about realizing in taking my worship to a deeper level, sometimes I just need to get on my knees or even on my face.  While down there I heard the Lord speak his lo

December 5-6 In the early hours of the morning I was chatting with Jesus and he gave me this poem. If I could fill a stocking with gifts from heaven's store. What are the precious treasures I'd go asking for? Solomon asked so wisely for knowledge and wisdom. The birds don't even worry asking from where their meals come from. Hannah wanted a baby, then gave him back to God. David wanted Bathsheba, so to his servants he gave a nod. Earthly treasures eventually tarnish and don't fulfill the soul. So I think I'll ask for things intangible, which aren't found at the North Pole. I'd really like continued forgiveness, which was established on the cross. Compassion, love and mercy, which can be obtained and never lost. The hope of life eternal and kneeling at Jesus' feet. Those are gifts out of this world, which really can't be beat! Please add an ear for wisdom and the ability to unfold God's plan for me. And a heavy helpi

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said,  "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12 December 4 We have not put a tree up, but we do have some major twinkling going on here in the house.  The love of Jesus puts the twinkling in our lives. It never goes out for it's an eternal, everlasting love. " I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with lovingkindness ." Jeremiah 31:3 Laying low seems to have helped the headaches.  I'm still having zingers, but not the constancy that they were last weekend.  Thanks for praying.  The Christmas carols are resounding through the house.  This morning I was listening to Brandon Heath's rendition of Bleak Midwinter.    The last line where he contemplates what would I give the baby Jesus, he sings.... I would give my heart. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKpF_fypFWE Let's pray today fo

December 3 I think this down time is making me nutty.  Sitting on my bed I found myself cheering... I love Jesus, yes I do. I love Jesus how bout you?"  I think it made Jesus smile!  In reality, I should feel blessed to have a few days at home alone to just hang out with Jesus.  Yesterday, we danced together to Christmas carols! When my sister came from Florida to visit she brought along a bottle of "JOY" perfume. It's the perfume our mother wore.  For 14 years, I kept a small bottle from her dressing table in my bathroom, but then it turned a dark yucky color, so I parted with the treasure.  While it's not my choice of scents, it is a reminder of her and my favorite word! What makes your joy  complete?  Would you answer as Paul has in Philippians 2:1-3 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy compl

Our son and daughter in law, hosting us for Thanksgiving Our youngest grandson thoroughly enjoying the top of the dining room table and  some leftover Godiva chocolates.  He's a climber! December 2 Whew let me tell you I am struggling with this stay at home, do nothing event.  A treasured friend, whom I backed out of an activity with emailed me saying: "I think you're truly submitting to God's will in this; I think He wants you to rest and "be still" so that He can draw you closer to Him. Be at peace dear friend!" Those words "so He can draw you closer to Him" resonated as a happy thought! Today's Biblegateway goes right along with this train of thought. In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many time and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.   Hebrews 1:1-2 There is the power

December 1 Since the children are not coming home for Christmas this year, I'm only pulling out a few decorations.  Front and center is the nativity we've had for over 35 years.  While setting it up, I realized.."We are missing Mary and a wiseman!?  Why would those two be off alone?"  I found them wrapped up together, hiding in a corner! Each year it is a thrill to unwrap the Baby Jesus.  But that is not so for everyone.  There are homes without nativity scenes.  There are people who couldn't begin to tell you the first Bible story or sing a Christmas carol.  What do we do with that? In the current Advent study I'm doing we've started off studying the sins which Adam and Cain were involved in. Who looks at the baby in the nativity and thinks about sin? We all should! The reason Jesus had to leave his heavenly home and come to earth was to be the propitiation for our sins.  So when we lay Baby Jesus in the manger, be sure to say "Thank Yo