Boojoyful

A GOOD Time! The water aerobics class I attend is a serious workout.  I lightened the mood one day by bringing an array of bathing caps!   July 31 Jesus met me in the shower again.  He said, "Caution! When you start to wonder about certain situations, your mind tends to wander . Do not let it stray from my principles. Remember God's Word  is Wonderful.   "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness." 2 Timothy 3:16   or in The Message   "Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another-showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God's way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us."   "God means what he says. What he says goes. His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeons' scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying ...

July 28 The fish in our boathouse are going to go through popcorn and kernel corn withdraws with these two having headed back to Nashville.  They were fabulous fishermen this summer. "And He said to them, 'Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.'"  Matthew 4:19 May we all be hankering the Word of God as much as the fish hanker a dishing out of treats.

July 27 The month of June spoiled us here in the mountains of Virginia with cool temps. The heat and humidity the past week has had us longing for a reprieve. We talked with the children about the power of the sun, but also about the amazing power of shade.  A place of refuge from the heat. The Old Testament, especially in the Psalms,  is filled with references to God being our refuge. Refuge:  "A condition or being sheltered or protected from pursuit, danger or trouble." Not only can we run to God as a refuge, but He can equip us to be that protected place for others. " But let al who take refuge in You be glad, let them ever sing for joy; and may You shelter them, that those who love Your name may exult in You. " Psalm 5:11 "  God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."   Psalm 46:1 " But as for me, I shall sing of Your strength; Yes, I shall joyfully sing of Your loving kindness in the mornin...

There have been some great jumps this summer! July 26 It takes courage to jump the first time. This summer we've had a lot of people join us here for Bible study for the first time. That takes courage too. "For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart."  Hebrews 4:12 

4th of July Cupcakes in matching aprons. Love this little helper. July 25 To the majority of the grands I am "Mama Boo", but this little one calls me Mommy Boo Boo! I call her a lump of love!  She's such a little helper. Who do you call God? This summer I've been working through Tony Evan's book Praying Through the Names of God. Not only is it an excellent resource for learning 85 names of God, but it is a powerful prayer tool training us to pray based on the acronym ACTS: adoration confession thanksgiving supplication Here's a little taste of one of the entries.  Elohim Ozer Li-God My Help. "Surely God is my help (Elohim Ozer Li); the Lord is the one who sustains me.  Psalm 54:4 Adoration: "When I am in need, you are there.  When I am alone, you are near. When I don't know my way, you guide me or come alongside me to walk with me as  I find it...You provide me with all I need to carry out the purpose for which you h...

This little one loves his bird mask creation so much that he slept in it and awakened with smushed tissue paper feathers clinging to his face July 24 "My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me."  Psalm 63:8 (NASB) "I hold on to you for dear life, and you hold me stead as a post."  Psalm 63:8 (MSG) The other day I had an emotional sinking spell.  The devil took over my thoughts and life began to spiral.  I knew who to cling to, but Jesus didn't seem to be in reach. Finally getting off by myself He said, "You are a mess!  You are buying into the enemies lies.  Everything you prescribe to others you need to take a big dose of yourself!" The summer Bible Study I have been apart of is called "FaceTime-Seriously Seeking God."  I needed to bring to remembrance our memory verse. "Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His face continually."  Psalm 105:4

Flex that muscle! July 21 Our son blushed as his 90 year old grandmother asked to feel his muscles. It was her thrill for the month I believe!  The grandson pictured here is loving strutting his stuff! He's a great little athlete and knows hard work pays off. My muscles certainly aren't what they used to be and there are days my emotional strength is pitiful on my own.  Fortunately, there's help! "He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power."  Isaiah 40:29 "Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might."  Ephesians 6:10 "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."  Philippians 4:13 " Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

Grands and great grands enjoy a game of pinball with my 90 year old mother in law! July 20 "Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children." Proverbs 17:6 "Youth may be admired for vigor, but gray hair gives prestige to old age."  Proverbs 20:29 "Even to your old age and gray hairs I Am He, I Am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you."  Isaiah 46:4 Our grands have enjoyed visiting my husband's parents this summer. His mother is 90 and his father 93.  There is such a hope looking into the eyes of younger generations.  You wish you could save them from trials, but we all know there are life lessons to be learned from walking in hard places.

July 19 "The Mighty One, God, the Lord has spoken, and summoned the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting."  Psalm 50:1 Walking with my husband at sunrise one morning this week he exclaimed, "Here comes the big ball!" One of our favorite activities here at Shiloh is a sunset boat ride to watch "the big ball" say good-night. The other evening we ooed and ahhed over God's amazing brush strokes in the sky. I wonder if that will be one of the jobs in heaven...painting sunsets and sunrises. Sunrises and sunsets are two easy excuses to praise the Lord daily! "From the rising of the sun to its setting the name of the Lord is to be praised."  Psalm 113:3

These kiddos young and old were having a rip roaring good time racing around Shiloh. July 18 Life is a wild ride. There are unexpected twists and turns at every corner. Riding with someone you trust makes all the difference.  The Psalms are filled with exhalations of how David trusted in His Lord! "The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, and with my song I shall thank Him."  Psalm 28:7 "I wil say to the Lord, 'My refuge and my fortress, My God in whom I trust!"  Psalm 91:2 What area of your life have you yet to totally trust to God?

July 17 The word wouldn't leave my mind... compatibility.  It was no where to be found in Biblegateway, so I looked up the definition and likemindedness  was part of that.  Entering that word into Biblegateway this beautiful translation of Philippians 2:2-4 came forth. "If you've gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care-then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead.  Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand." What awesome advice for the body of Christ!

July 14 Acclaim  is defined as "to praise enthusiastically and publicly." In Jesus Always on July 5th Sarah Young wrote: "Walk in the Light of My Presence.  This delightful way to live involves acclaiming Me, rejoicing in My name, and exulting in My righteousness.  To acclaim Me is to praise Me in a very strong and enthusiastic way, sometimes with shouts and applause." Joyfully you’ll pull up buckets of water from the wells of salvation. And as you do it, you’ll say, “Give thanks to  God . Call out his name. Ask him anything!  Shout to the nations, tell them what he’s done, spread the news of his great reputation!  Isaiah 12:4   MSG Jesus returned to Galilee powerful in the Spirit.  News that he was back spread through the countryside.  He taught in their meeting places to everyone’s   acclaim  and pleasure.  Luke 4:14-15 Today let's be intentional to acclaim the worth of Jesus in our li...

This gang is heading into the woods to go on a monkey hunt!  It was a blast! July 13 What was the last thing you hunted for? Chances are your phone, sunglasses or car keys may make the top five list.  The grands and I had fun hiding stuffed monkeys in the woods for each other to hunt!  We misplaced a small pair of flip flops that same week out in the yard and it took days to find them. We didn't give up hope!  We persevered knowing they were out there somewhere, unless a deer ate them or a beaver was swimming with them on. Psalm 40 is a familiar passage where David exclaims he is waiting patiently on the Lord and tell us he trusts in the Lord.  As the Psalm goes on David writes of "all who are hunting for God" and elaborates on his real life testimony as to who God is. Love how The Message translation says God has what it takes and challenges us to tell the world God is great! "But all who are hunting for you-oh, let them sing and be happy. Let those ...

July 12 On Tuesday mornings there are usually 10 men who gather on our patio to study God's Word and pray.  This morning I whispered to two of our grandsons to go look out our bedroom window and they would see a powerful site.  What is it they inquired?  My reply, "Godly men praying!" "We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers." 1 Thessalonians 1:2 Years ago I recall a friend telling me that her neighbor asked what is was that she saw her husband reading every morning at the kitchen table as she peeked through their window.  "It's his Bible," my friend replied.  That had to have an impact on the neighbor. People are watching!

Loved seeing this uncle-niece team bond! July 11 Two attributes which make us more attractive as members of the Body of Christ are warm friendliness and generous love. These qualities make me think of Winnie the Pooh!  These two gifts, friendliness and love, are totally free to give away and they are such a joy to receive. “Friends love through all kinds of weather, and families stick together in all kinds of trouble.” Proverbs 17:17 “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”   John 15:13 “Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.” 1 Peter 4:9 “Be devoted to one another in love.   Honor one another above yourselves.”   Romans 12:10 “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up…”              1 Thessalonians 5:11 Friends in the faith are fabulous and help us flourish in ...

Fun having this gang around. July 10 I had sweet God moment with our granddaughter this past week. We've been talking about listening to God and being obedient to what He wants us to do and not being so "me" centered. We discussed how the follow up to living unselfishly is the fact that God wants to give us the desires of our hearts when they line up with his ways.  We were coming into the dock on the boat and I told her I would really like to see our cove turtle, Tallulah, or one of her babies. At that instance a baby turtle surfaced right beside us!!!! It's the first time all year we've seen one!  We were all amazed and praised and thanked God. I told her, "I'm telling you God is incredible!" That same day in Jesus Always , Sarah Young wrote,  "It's important for you to grow not only more trusting, but more thankful. A grateful attitude is essential for living near Me.  Ingratitude is offensive to Me, and it drags y...

My Man! July 7 The Merriman Webster word of the day last Friday was fidelity: the quality or state of being faithful. My husband and I are nearing 39 years of faithfulness to one another and feel so blessed. We remember regularly to thank God for what He has provided and ask for a hedge of protection around our marriage. Israel has experienced God's blessing in His promise to be faithful to them!  It's an amazing story and one we should take seriously and live out a supportive relationship with that nation.  God is on their side. "Here’s what will happen. While you’re out among the nations where  God  has dispersed you and the blessings and curses come in just the way I have set them before you, and you and your children take them seriously and come back to  God , your God, and obey him with your whole heart and soul according to everything that I command you today,  God , your God, will restore everything you lost; he’ll have compassion...

These two are just pure cuteness. July 6 I can't remember who sent me this, but it's definitely worth passing along. How many of these quotes have you found yourself saying at the start of the day or whenever you have a challenge facing your future? Abel would say, “The best portions is for the Lord.” Noah would say, “I will do exactly what the Lord has commanded.” Enoch would say, “I will not see death as I’m walking in close fellowship with God.” Abraham said, “The Lord will provide.” Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter.” Isaac said, “Where is the Lamb?” Jacob said, “I won’t let go of You unless You bless me.” Joseph said, “God has made me fruitful in this land of my grief.” Moses said, “Lord, if You don’t go with us or before us, we are not going anywhere.” Rehab said, “The Lord is the supreme God of the heavens above and the earth below.” Joshua said, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Gideon said, “Get up! For the Lord h...

July 5 Attitude-“ our mental and emotional response to the circumstances of life.”   Linda Dillow Chuck Swindoll writes in Strengthening My Grip : “Words can never adequately convey the incredible impact of our attitude toward life. The longer I live the more convinced I become that life is 10 percent what happens to us and 90 percent how we respond to it.   This may shock you, but I believe the single most significant decision I can make on a day to day basis is my choice of attitude.” Here are some "states of mind" which aide in our attitudes being ones of contentment. We should ask ourselves...Am I grateful for all God has done, confident in who I am in Christ and filled with humility? Gratitude-“ the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.” When we have an attitude of gratitude life looks a lot better!   Recently, I read about the importance of lingering longer in our thanksgiving.  ...

July 4th "God-devotion makes a country strong; God-avoidance leaves people weak." Proverbs 14:34 MSG

July 3 Things are a bit crazy here, but I love crazy with these people. We haven't forgotten Jesus loves us and he loves you too!