Boojoyful

These daffodils are ready and waiting to burst forth and give God glory! February 28 I'm laughing. While working on this devotional earlier in the week, our alarm went off.  It said "error" "reset."  Then I looked at the clock and realized it was time to leave for church and I was still in my bathrobe and needed to get READY !  I needed to reset my morning and heed that signal! " Moses answered the people, 'Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today.  The Egyptians you see today you will never see again."  Exodus 14:13 Yet, being led into the Rea Sea seemed more like a death trap than a form of deliverance. Are we ready to reset to trust mode and follow wherever God leads? Are we ready to follow to the point of death, like Christ, knowing where that leads? "So you also must be ready , because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. " Matt...

February 27 Recently, I read Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth's book Adorned.  It is a study of Titus 2 and the importance of older women passing on wisdom and godly teaching to younger women.  It's full of "To Be's" Nancy says, "Our calling is to make His love and His truth visible, believable, and beautiful to skeptical observers.  We are to showcase the loveliness of Christ...To be adorned with another's love is to develop a greater capacity to reflect love and beauty to others." Now that's an awesome calling.  It's an "out of this world" reference point.  Oh, that we might develop minds that see life from God's perspective. " Let us rejoice and exalt, and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine line, bright and pure." Revelation 19:7-8 💗Today's Biblegateway love verse " Dear children, le...

The end of April these two will be getting a baby brother. February 23 Siblings!  Life can be a lot with them! A lot of joy, a lot of love, a lot of reliability, yet also a lot of jealousy and jostling for position.  It's been that way from the beginning of time. Hebrews 13:1 says, " Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters."   Hmm. Like Cain and Abel? " The Lord said, 'What have you done? Listen! Your brother's blood cries out to me from the ground.'" Genesis 4:10 Like Jacob and Esau? " Esau held a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing his father had given him.  He said to himself, "The days of mourning for my father are near; then I will kill my brother Jacob.'" Genesis 27:41 Like Joseph's brothers? " Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more." Genesis 37:5 The New Testament is more encouraging where we see brothers called to...

This is artwork from our youngest son...23 years ago! I still pull it out every winter! February 22 Where did our snow go?  We were in Florida and missed the little one in January.   Feeling a little cheated, yet I must confess I'm enjoying these 80 degree temps in February.  A girlfriend said the other day, "Winter is not over!" There's an anonymously written poem called "Whatever the Weather." "Whether the weather be fine or whether the weather be not,   Whether the weather be cold or whether the weather be hot.   We'll weather the weather, whatever the weather, whether we like it or not."  Monday we received a call from a neighbor friend from our past who had moved to the Fort Lauderdale area. Heart broken he told us his wife had been battling colon and pancreatic cancer, which took her life way too soon.  He said, "Boo, Pam asked me to call you with this news.  She has died. She was an amazing Christian to the end. You w...

February 22 Whew! Billy Graham, a life well lived for sure!  He said when he saw God he wanted to hear,  "Well done, good and faithful servant." (Mt 25:23) No doubt that's what he heard yesterday. I heard one reporter share a quote which is written on literature at The Cove Retreat Center: "Someday you will read or hear that Billy Graham is dead. Don't you believe a word of it. I shall be more alive  than I am now. I will just have changed my address. I will have gone into the presence of God."  Billy Graham   Last night, when we walked towards the house after being out to dinner, I was staring up at a star lit sky and said to my husband,  "Life is so short!"  Then I came inside and saw that Billy Graham felt the very same way as I read this Washington Post article:   "Once when he (Billy Graham) was in his mid-60's, a teenager asked him what surprised him most in his "old age."  He answered without...

We had a major blowout on the highway Monday.  Thankfully my husband was driving and we were able to get off the road to safety.  My man did an impressive job of changing the tire after giving up on AAA finding us. My scripture card verse that morning was..." Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid: do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9 February 21 The past week of letting God be in control with this house sale situation has been so freeing. It has caused me to hit my knees and watch what God is doing.  One friend said, "He's not finished yet."  No, He never is! Saturday morning I felt led to go to iTunes and listen to their Top Ten songs in the genre of Christian and Gospel. I went expecting God to speak and it was a glorious time. This particular song,  Control,  by 10th Avenue North really hit home. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFfztu8-bBQ " Oh,...

5 year old grandson's cow painting! February 20 " The same God who gives freedom also gives perseverance, purpose and peace." Erin The text came from our realtor, instead of an offer, they had decided to pursue other properties. " The Lord continued to appear at Shiloh.   1 Samuel 3:21 " You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in you." Isaiah 26:3 More to come...It's God who is on the move, not us...this week! 💗Today's Biblegateway love verse " He who conceals a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates intimate friends."   Proverbs 17:9

February 19 Last week I shared how I missed the mark on having a heart like Jesus.  I missed out on being totally sold out for Jesus.  The flesh was ruling! God gave me several opportunities to confess my heart condition and fleshly actions to some sisters in Christ.   Most of them graciously said, "You reacted perfectly normal." Later, my Bible Study Fellowship leader called and asked if I had any prayer request. I shared my journey and choking back tears said, "I don't want to be normal." Thirty minutes later a call came from our realtor saying the clients were reconsidering and would like us to have an appraisal done.  Really Lord?  Was this because I had confessed my sin and repented? We were not open to doing an appraisal and said, "Just make an offer." The waiting and wondering set in once more.  I began to journal and read God's Word. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not on your own understanding, but in all your ways...

We just stayed out of the surf! February 16 "Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things."  Colossians 3:2 Yesterday, I shared how a scripture card with this verse confirmed a conviction from the Lord. Last week, I returned home late one afternoon from my elder care run in Roanoke to check on my in laws. One is at home with caregivers, the other in a nursing home.  Upon arriving home, I  noticed we had a voice message on our landline.  A realtor was asking to show our house, which is not on the market, the next day.  We only had a few hours to prepare, but decided to go ahead and let it show. In the hours between the showing and receiving a call back from our realtor, whom we had asked to be involved, I abstained from the temptation to go on Realtor.com and look at where we would possibly go, but my mind went to wondering. Would we buy, would we build, would we take the money and run? An offer was not made, but an offense to God was...

February 15 This is a thought provoking,  precursory post of one to come about how God used a birthday gift of beautiful painted scripture cards with faceless angels to speak a confirmation into my life. Given the feminine resemblance I don't want to stir up controversy.  If you study about angels in the Bible you will learn that they are all referred to in the masculine gender.  Study more and you learn that they are unique created beings, who are most likely genderless. Humans don't become angels.  Angels were created before the creation of the world. God asked Job, ' Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation...and all the angels shouted for joy?' "  Job 38:4, 7 Read more: https://billygraham.org/answer/when-were-the-angels-created-3/ Here is an article on how female angels came into the world of art. https://www.christianitytoday.com/history/2008/august/why-are-there-female-angels-in-art.html This is one of those areas I don't...

February 14 As we enter the Lenten season, this time of preparation for our hearts to reflect on our sin and fill with gratitude for the gift we have received from our Savior, we can look back at the amazing promises of God.  For those who love the Lord become children of God's promises. What a Valentine! A promise-"A declaration or assurance that one will do a particular thing." My guess is we've all broken promises and we've all experienced the pain and disappointed of a promise broken to us.  That's not possible for God. He is the Promise Keeper! And boy does He make some good ones! I recently read this article by Russ Ramsey, a Nashville, TN pastor. "Exodus points to how Jesus would save us.  We see Him in the Passover Lamb, in the bread from heaven, in the water that flowed when the rock was struck, and in the burning bush which spoke the name “I AM.” We see Him in the liberation of a people oppressed by tyrann...

Missing the sun and this little one. February 13 While in Florida last month, we had a lovely visit with a couple originally from Puerto Rico, who have been like second parents to us.  The father, who is now 89, has had his second stroke and while it was a blessing he had regained his voice the day we visited, he spoke to us in Spanish the first hour!  When he switched to English he told all of us who had gathered there how proud he was of us and our families.  What precious words to hear from our parents and grandparents. When our grands visit I try to schedule activities which give opportunity for joy and laughter, find the opportunity to be alone with each one and whisper God's truths into their little ears, and also discipline with love when necessary.  (If their behavior could bring harm to themselves or another.) In my book of grand parenting, loving well doesn't mean turning an eye to everything!😉 More than once, I've caught a smuggler i...

February 12 Walking along the beach one day, passing person after person, I had the urge to walk up to someone and say, "Do you ever think about the day God chose to create you?"  I look down at all these shells and think how he made each one, how he made every grain of sand, every drop of water and every little crab crawling along. When I think of the individuality He places into each human he creates, I exclaim his greatness and love. "It is I who made the earth and created mankind on it.  My own hands stretched out the heavens; I marshaled their starry hosts. "  Isaiah 45:12 " For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb."   Psalm 139:13 " So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and femle he created them."   Genesis 1:27 💗Today's Biblegateway love verse. " Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always ...

February 9 Rounding a mountainous road, I saw these clouds from a paper mill.  My first thought was "Lord, you have sent a cloud to guide me today!"  How many times do we long for God to send a cloud, the fire by night, a text, an email or a letter of direction! " By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night."   Exodus 13:21 What we have is even better. It's readily on hand and we don't have to rely on anyone else to deliver it.  When we welcome Jesus into our lives, it's like those offers on TV...  "Act now and receive a second one at no charge!"  The second one comes in the form of the Holy Spirit. Our Helper, our guide! "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you."  John 14...

February 8 "It's not up to you to be the god of your circumstances. It is for you to give thanks to the One who is greater than any circumstance you will ever face."  She Reads Truth Instagram Post Oh dear friends, I needed to hear that today.  Give thanks and give it up to the One who is able! Y'all know I love me some 1 Thessalonians Chapter 5. Hold onto what is good! " Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens.  This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.  Don't suppress the Spirit, and don't stifle those who have a word from the Master. On the other hand, don't be gullible. Check out everything, and keep only what's good. Throw out anything tainted with evil.  May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together-spirit, soul, and body-and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Ch...

Bathing his cousin!  Training for bathing his baby brother to come this spring. February 7 Years ago, when our children were under seven years of age, I embarked on what we've called our college pin pal . It ended up involving more than writing letters. It involved investing deeply in the lives of these young people.  One of those pin pals is still a part of our family. He was such a training ground for me as a mom.  I learned college kids don't always show up when they say they are coming, but they still love you.  One weekend we were expecting four football players, so I had cooked for three days in preparation.  Something else came up and they didn't come to town. The next stage was job hunting. Then we walked through the dating and engagement stage of life with him. Such good preparation for what was to come for us.  Now we've watched and prayed as this godly couple has parented their three children into the college years, so it's grandparent t...

February 6 Visiting this girlfriend recently we observed gorgeous white pelicans floating by! This friend has a passion to take the gospel to children and has been very intentional to be involved in churches or ministries where she can do just that!  She has observed the difference Jesus makes in a child's life and is committed to sacrifice her time for the furthering of the Kingdom. " Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." These members of our small group are also taking the gospel to children. They volunteer weekly for one of the Good News Clubs in our area.  When you observe the life giving power found in a life with Christ, you want to spread the Word! 💗 " Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor. "   Proverbs 21:21 NIV " Whoever goes hunting for what i...

February 5 We were sitting around the table praying with our church small group.  From deep within me the words came... " ...for I know whom I have believed and I am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have entrusted to Him until that day."   2 Timothy 1:12 When we put God's Word in our heart it stays there and the Spirit can bring it to remembrance at any time!  Isn't that exciting. The verse goes on to say, "Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igC3fYB5AOU  This is the Message translation. "I've been set apart to proclaim as preacher, emissary, and teacher.  It's also the cause of all this trouble I'm in. But I have no regrets. I couldn't be more sure of my ground-the One I've trusted in can take care of what he's trusted me to do right to to the end.  So keep at your work, this faith and love rooted...

February 2 Walking through the hospital corridors while caring for my in-laws, I saw door after door with contamination gear handing over it. DO NOT enter without notifying a nurse. You must be masked! Cans of hand sanitizer hung on doors and walls waiting to be squirted.  Leaving each day, I felt like I needed a shower and to get my clothes immediately into the wash. Contagious means to spread from one person to another and affect that person. While we tend to think of this word with a negative "watch out" connotation,  , especially during flu season,   when applied to our faith it can point to a very positive process. Check out these excerpts from an article by Marty Cauley. "I am a Christian, a servant of Jesus Christ, because I was exposed to people who were infected with the presence of Jesus Christ their lives. I caught it from someone else. It altered my spiritual DNA. It changed my worldview. It affected the way I thought of other people and of mys...

This cute fellow has been celebrating being 1. February 1 Everyday is a reason to celebrate. Stop and ponder the intricacies of creation and that God made each of us! woot! " This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."   Psalm 118:24 Hmm? Does the Bible tell us to celebrate birthdays?  The Israelites had a calendar of feasts of God to celebrate. " Moses posted the calendar for the annual appointed feasts of God which Israel was to celebrate." Leviticus 23:44 At one of Herod's birthday parties his daughter, Herodias danced.  There is record of Pharaoh making a feast for all his servants at one of his birthday parties, so these celebrations did exist and record must have been made of birth dates. The wisemen came to celebrate the birth of Jesus, but I haven't read any mention of Mary baking a cake each year! Googling the history of the birthday cake I learned that in classical Roman culture flat cakes mad...