Boojoyful

Just made sense to me to serve them their ice cream in the tub! June 30 It just makes sense to accept God's invitation! "So, friends, confirm God’s invitation to you, his choice of you .   Don’t put it off; do it now.   Do this, and you’ll have your life on a firm footing, the streets paved and the way wide open into the eternal kingdom of our Master and Savior, Jesus Christ."   2 Peter 1:5-11   The fact that you are seeking God means that He is seeking you! Woot!!!! It doesn’t get better than that sweet sisters!   The more we know Jesus, the more we know God. If you’ve never RSVPed to his invite and established what Peter calls “basic faith,” today’s the day.   All you have to say is “I need you Jesus.   I know I’m not perfect and sin is always trying to creep in.   You are perfect and You have taken the punishment for all my sins. Thank You, thank You.   Today, I accept the love You have poured out upon ...

The amazing duck water race my sweet husband built for our grands. It's a real hit! June 29 “I am making you new in the attitude of your mind.  Living close to Me is all about newness and change.  I am transforming you by the entire renewal of your mind.   This is a massive undertaking; you will be under construction till the day you die!"   Sarah Young And do  not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”  Romans 12:2  There was a song we used to sing to our children that goes like this… He’s still working on me. To make me what I ought to be.  It took Him just a week to make the moon and the stars, the sun up above and Jupiter and Mars. How loving and patient He must be, He’s still working on me!!! Love all you fellow works in progress!  

June 28 These cool mornings have been such a summer blessing.  This was the amazing view out of our bedroom window. The morning myst was mystifying.  These fishermen look as if they are floating in the clouds and not on the water. Sarah Young wrote: "Look for both the pleasures and responsibilities I've placed before you on your path."   That quote left me rather mystified at the reality we have a Creator who has a plan for every moment of our life.  We often miss what He has planned, because we don't stop and seek His face. "My times are in your hands."  Psalm 31:15 "For whoever wishes to save his lie will lost it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it." Matthew 16:25 

June 27 Happy Birthday to our first born! She's an amazing daughter, wife, mother and friend to many. It's such a blessing to have her here in the summers.  This year I've been less than spunky and she's been having to mother me. She asked Jesus into her heart at 8 years old.  We had a dinner at our home for family and friends before heading to the church for her baptism. Our pastor was at our home and he suggested he take her on ahead to church so we could clean up and get all our family there.   Knowing she'd need an extra pair of underwear to change into after the baptism, she cheerfully looked up at this man and said, "Just let me get my underwear and I'll be right back!"  That took us all off guard! It has been such an answer to prayer to watch her grow in her relationship with Christ and be sold out for Jesus.  She is a fabulous listener and knows how to speak the truth with compassion in a way it hits right at your heart.  I love ...

June 26 The three acres of trails in our woods provide a luscious escape.  Every time I go out there I sense the Presence of the Lord.  I think I've shared a link to the song "Surely the Presence of the Lord is in this place." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAOL70S-8TY You may not have wooded trails to hike today, or a mountain top to stand upon, your feet may not be able to stand on the ocean's edge and watch a raging sea, but you can simply feel raindrops upon your face, the sun upon your head or a cool breeze at your back and know that God is present and watching over you. Sometime this week, set aside fifteen minutes to listen to Francis Chan's video, "Stop and Think" https://kingdavid.wordpress.com/tag/francis-chan/ You’re all I want in heaven! You’re all I want on earth! When my skin sags and my bones get brittle,  God  is rock-firm and faithful. Look! Those who left you are falling apart! Deserters,  the...

My husband pulling a couple of our grandsons behind a Seadoo with not a police escort, but a geese escort. June 24 Our summer Bible Study is looking at characteristics of a dedicated Christian. One which is sometimes hard to swallow is discipline.  Boy, geese have discipline when it comes to staying in line or flying in a "v." “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.”   2 Timothy 1:7 Paul tells his beloved Timothy: “Stay clear of silly stories that get dressed up as religion.   Exercise daily in God-no spiritual flabbiness, please! Workouts in the gymnasium are useful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today and forever.   You can count on this. Take it to heart. 1 Timothy 4:7-9 Here I am Lord, basking in Your love and ready to receive good counsel and correction, even though it doesn’t feel good at the moment. I know Your discipline is for my eternal good and yields th...

Oh, the patience that is required. Money in hand, watching and waiting. "Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord." Psalm 27:14 June 23 There are 142 verses in the Bible which reference waiting!  There are probably that many categories in our lives where we have had to wait.  Waiting can be difficult.   On our lake we have a wonderful young man who has had an ice cream boat business for 17 years! He started the business at 15 years old. For years you had no idea if he was even working on a particular day, so your wait could bring great disappointment.  Now you can go online can track him with some accuracy, but due to the nature of the business you never know how many stops he will make before he reaches your dock. The boat plays a monotunous song, which carries over the water giving you a heads up he's in your area.  Then when he is actually in eye sight you wait and wonder how many people w...

June 22 Growing up on Smith Mt Lake I became accustomed to the occasional training routes of a pair of army fighter jets out of NC.  Their flight pattern included them making a turn around over our dam. Yesterday, for the first time I saw a army chopper fly over our home and towards the dam around 5PM.  Our grandson was on the dock with me and said, "Why is it here. The war is over." I was stunned.  What does this 6 year old know of war?  Then my heart ached for the children throughout the years who have seen "war" of various kinds on a regular basis. My reply to our grandson was "Our military is always on guard protecting us." Around 10 PM we heard the fighter jets coming. Usually their pattern is a little south of us, but last night they were flying closer. The vibrations were intense as one went quite low right over the house. Like earlier with our grandson, I continue to thank God for our military, pray for the protection of each soldier, fo...

We were each loaded down with a bundle of love as we made our way home last evening on the pontoon under a pink striped sky. June 21 Bring on summer! What a wonderful day it was laced with cool breezes. We played on the beach, fed fish, swam together, napped, let the boys play Putt Putt and boated home cuddle up under blankets, with a bright star guiding the way, while we all admired how God had painted the sky with pink stripes! We thanked God for being so amazing!  Praying you all have lots of summer nights to slow down and simply be amazed by God and his wonders. "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty." Psalm 91:1 The Message is a bit more descriptive. "You who sit down in the High God's presence, spend the night in Shaddai's shadow, Say this: 'God, you're my refuge. I trust you and I'm safe!' That's right-he rescues you from hidden traps, shields you from deadly h...

Sitting on the dock I had the urge to take photo of these ladder handles. Without them it would be very difficult to get out of the water. I'm thankful I have them to hold onto. When we feel like we are sinking or have been thrown into a pit, there's a way out.   His name is Jesus! June 20 We've all said it, "What do people without faith do when heartache, tragedy and adversity come into their lives?" Our hearts go out to the Warmbier family as they mourn the tragic death of their son, Otto.  As parents we want to be able to protect our children.  The greatest protection we can give them is the knowledge of Christ's love and the exhibition of a vibrant faith that is lived out on a daily basis. "Hold onto Jesus" by Erin O'Donnell https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oe4ucy9c7rY "For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? Mark 8:26

June 19 "Because You are my help, I sing in the shadow of Your wings,  My soul clings to You: You're right hand upholds me." Psalm 63:78 I'm participating in a summer study and we just did a week's focus on adoration and shared praise music with one another.  A friend sent a link to Shannon Wexelberg's song Cling.  I was not familiar with the song or artist, but both have packed a punch in my praise time! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyxUb2MfPls What an awesome song.  Love the lyric “ you’re my enough ”. Looking up all the lyrics, I decided to print them off for my journal.  Powerful. Cling When the night is long, when I yearn for deep peace to come, I strain to hear Your song, but suddenly I'm not alone for  you settle over me, dispelling all my fears. My Father, I know You are here. Chorus May Yours be the only smile I need to see, may You be the healing washing over me. With You...

The little people are starting to arrive for the summer,  so I think I'm going to start taking off Saturday in addition to Sunday with these posts. Hope you can see the dragonfly that landed and remained contently perched on my husband's hat! Creation makes me smile! June 16 “ There is a point in true worship where the mind may cease to understand and goes over to a kind of delightful astonishment-to “transcendent wonder,’ a degree of wonder without limit and beyond expression. It is always true that an encounter with God brings wonderment and awe.”  A.W. Tozer This week of our women's summer study is on Adoration.  I took my ABC prayer game and switched it to a worship game. Then challenged the women to take some of these characteristics and descriptions of God and journal how they have been evident in real life.   A-     Awesome. Abba, Ancient of Days, Alpha and Omega, Adoni, Advocate, Almighty, my All in All, the one I ...

 Sunset above the clouds from Adonai, Master over all.  “The splendor of Jehovah!  Mountains and valley in the clouds!  June 15 I'm multi-tasking this summer and for me, that's not an easy anymore.  If I've already shared these photos forgive me.  The girlfriend who took these is reading through Tony Evans' book  Praying Through the Names of God    with me this summer and texted the above comments related to the photos and the chapters we are reading. For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the Lord made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before Him, strength and joy are in His place." 1 Chronicles 16:26-27 "Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, You are very great; You are clothed with splendor and majesty."  Psalm 104:1 Listen to Amy Grant sing the beautiful song. El Shaddai. You will see references to Adonai and El Elyon. When you see the Hebrew work Erkamka, it means, “I love you.” ...

June 14 I've been having good days/bad days health wise and yesterday morning was a real struggle. My husband was outside leading the kick off for a summer men's Tuesday morning Bible Study. I'm sure Satan and his demons were ticked. I went into the bathroom and lost my balance. I must have bumped into where this plate was on a stand. It crashed to the floor and broke.  When I learned over and read the verse I smiled at the Lord! "Have faith in the Lord your God and He will hold you up!" 2 Chronicles 20:20 Can't tell me God isn't aware of our every move!  I couldn't have made this up or picked a more perfect verse!

Grandchild handprint bookmark June 13 Picking up this bookmark, I curiously typed in the phrase "his hand" into Biblegateway. The experience was overwhelming.  526 references popped up. There was Noah bringing the dove back into the ark with "his hand" and Abraham picking up the knife with "his hand" to sacrifice Isaac.  Jacob deceived his father by making "his hands" appear to be hairy like Esau's. Moses took the staff of God in "his hands." The actions our hands take on can give life or even kill. Just think of all the things your hands have done today. Maybe they've held a tooth paste, taken food to your mouth, dressed you, opened God's Word for starters.  Our hands are busy!  They get a much more strenuous workout now that we have cell phones and computers. To me the grandest thing our hands do is provide touch to another. Have you ever held a newborn's hand?  How about rubbed the back of a trembling to...

June 12 This summer I'm leading a Bible Study called  FaceTime-Seriously Seeking God.   The first week was on our Approach  to God.  The dictionary defines approach  as "Coming nearer or near to someone or something."  In order to know God we need to be intentional about being with Him.  The best place to learn about Him is in his Word. Do you open your Bible everyday, expecting Him to speak? “Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always . ”    Psalm 105:4 At our first gathering I shared how I worked for a private flying service one summer during my college years. In exchange for my secretarial/receptionist work they gave me flying lessons! It was awesome!  Take off and soaring through the skies of Virginia were exhilarating. Making the  approach  back into the Roanoke airport which is encircled by mountains was the most difficult part with all those obstacles.  Every second ma...

Our front door sign this month! June 10 Delight-"to take pleasure in." What we are taking pleasure in influences the desires of our hearts. Hanging out on the lake your desires can turn to "give me's."  Give me a great body! Give me a boat like that, the newest fishing gear and gadgets, a new tube or paddle board, oh, how I'd love to have that house or that landscaping.  I get an Instagram notice of the cutest clothes from a favorite dress shop, it's a terrible temptation.  Fortunately, this year the majority of the clothes are off the shoulder and require you to wear a strapless bra or none and I'm WAY past those years, so I just scroll on down the entries and resist the temptation to shop. It's when we are taking pleasure in the Lord, when serving Him is our heartbeat, that our desires align with God's and He is happy to fulfill those longings for they bring Him glory. God knows what He desires our hearts' desire to be. Matt...

June 9 Oh, brother!  Brothers have been getting into a mess since the beginning of time. Jealousy and greed are two instigators of family turmoil. The first twins mentioned in the Bible, Esau and Jacob, had a little tiff of their own and physical desires won out over spiritual ones when Esau gave up his birthright in exchange for a bowl of stew.  A conniving Mama helps weave deception into this story, which results in having to send her son Jacob packing in order to save his life.  (Years later there is reconciliation.) While camping out Jacob has a dream and hears the Lord. "Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised to you." "Then Jacob awakened from his sleep and said, "Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it." Genesis 28: 15-16 Haven't you been in places and felt the same thing?  Maybe you even said to yourself, ...

June 8 Our daughter in law, Amanda, has started writing a blog.  She is a professional BMX rider and God is really at work in her life.  Keep her in your prayers as she professes her faith in a lost world. Changing Cycles by  Bare Strength "Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord." Proverbs 16:20 I have always had this glimmering idea of success, that one day I would finally achieve my goals and be handed a big fat platter of happiness and satisfaction, never to suffer or strive again. Each goal would come and pass and the same feeling of emptiness would ensue, resulting in the next goal set. This cycle is quite possibly the most confusing and frustrating portion of each intricate human experience...mine anyway. We climb these mountains again and again only to get to the top to find the same thing that was at the top of the last one... crickets. What gives? The moment this cycle ended for me was the momen...

June 7 I laughed out loud as I typed an email to my summer study buddies saying, "Check out this awesome verse."  Then it hit me...every Word from God is an awesome word!  I took the passage and turned it into a prayer for each of us. My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you’ll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.   Ephesians 3:17-19   MSG    So I pray for each of us today:  Father, I love you!  I love these sweet sisters who gathered last night too...

June 6 We tend to get in "go" mode here at Shiloh and work/entertain all summer.  This year we are going to make some attempts to try this recipe where we put our feet up, eat ice cream from the ice cream boat and nap under the umbrella!   There is another recipe for life that is beneficial.  It's found in Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust God from the bottom your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he;s the one who will keep you on track. Don't assume that you know it all."