Boojoyful

June 1 Are we experiencing all the gusto God intends for us to partake of in this earthly life or are we allowing the enemy to rob our joy? " The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."   John 10:10 Wikipedia secularly defines abundant life this way: " Abundant life refers to life in its abounding fullness of joy and strength for mind, body, and soul.   Abundant life signifies a contrast to the feelings of lack, emptiness, and dissatisfaction, and such feelings may motivate a person to seek for the meaning of life and change their life."   I have several friends whose happy place is being on African missions.  They say the people they serve there live in such sparse communities, yet they live with a much more abundant joy than we do. So what did Jesus mean when He promised us abundant life? The word abundant  in Greek is  perissos  and means "exceedingly, very h...

These two little spidermen are out of this world. May 31 Those of you who know me well, know my quote when something gets broken or squabbles start... "It's not of eternal value!"  If the occurrence isn't keeping someone out of heaven, just forgive and get on with eternal issues! Our pastor is doing a verse by verse study of Philippians and it is excellent.  Sunday he pointed out that Paul lived his born again life with an eternal perspective.   "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."   Philippians 1:21 A passage that is a real show stopper for me...a meditate on this one, is... " I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel."   Philippians 1:12 So, how can shipwrecks, beatings and painful imprisonment advance the gospel?  By the guards watching and listening to how Paul handled hardship and worshipped the Lord these men came to know the Lord and spread the Word...

"Bunz" has lived at Shiloh for at least three years. I caught him praying on our patio the other morning! His mama must have taught him to pray without ceasing! May 30 Our seven year old grandson ran up to me exuding excitement..."Mama Boo, Mama Boo!  I was trying to drive my tractor (battery operated) up the hill and it wasn't going, so I prayed and asked God to help me and He DID!!!" Those of you who know me, know I talk to God a lot.  The grands have heard me pray for scrapes, head bumps, splinters, stuck zippers, directions when we are lost...etc.  My heart thrilled to hear this one calling out to the Lord. Prayer is much more than a plea for help. " Hear my prayer, O Lord! And let my cry for help come to You."  Psalm 102:1 "The righteous cry, and the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles."    Psalm 34:17 It's our connection to our creator and I thank God for creating the access! "B...

May 29 (I found this old piece I had written in March, but somehow never posted. I really needed to read this today.) Recently, I mumbled to the Lord how there is nothing that is constant.  Three dear friends from our church small group are moving away, a sweet neighbor is actively dying of cancer, and our children's lives and locations keep changing.  While taking a prayer time out God said, "I AM constant!" Yes, Sir, you certainly are. " Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews 13:8 Plugging the word constant  into Biblegateway, the majority of the time it was used as an adverb in a negative context. Then I saw what God wanted me to see! " At one time you all had your backs turned to God, thinking rebellious thoughts of him, giving him trouble every chance you got.  But now, by giving himself completely at the Cross, actually dying for you, Christ brought you over to God's side and put your lives together, ...

It was a treat to have my sister visiting from Florida. May 28 When was the last time you prayed for wisdom?  I include it regularly in my prayers for medical doctors who are trying to make a diagnosis or determine treatment. As a parent it is invaluable! Solomon, James, and Paul all knew the importance of asking for wisdom. "Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her and she will watch over you.. ."  Proverbs 4:5 "If any of you lacks wisdom let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. "  James 1:5 “ My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, in whom are hidden the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”   Colossians 2:2-3 I feel like doing a cheer... Give me a "W...

Three little feet fighting for a foot massage! May 25 There's no grass growing around these little feet when I visit.  They are Johnny on the spot...the spot being Mama Boo's lap longing for a foot massage! When we are young we want so desperately to grow up.  I was texting with a neighborhood boy the other day and the topic of some of our grandsons being around for the summer came up.  I asked this young man if he liked to baby sit.  He said, "You know I'm only twelve, right?  But I will be thirteen soon!"  He's probably counting the days until he can get a boating license and a driver's license. Are we eager to grow up in our faith?  Peter is challenging believers to be disciplined in their faith.   Peter says... "So don't lose a minute in building on what you've been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, an...

Camping "in" with a battery operated camp fire. May 24 So, I've been hanging out in Nehemiah's book recently.  A side note in my Bible says, "God ignites a spark of revival in his servant Nehemiah. Nehemiah stokes the fire with prayer and a willing heart. Then God's power works through this caring and capable man to spread the revival fire over 500 miles to Jerusalem." That excites me!  I want to be part of something like that! Nehemiah cries out to God,  "O Lord, God of heaven, and great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel."   Nehemiah 1:5-6 Let's take this a part... Nehemiah acknowledges who God is and what he does. Also, how He loves and who He loves. Then he clarifies who he is...a servant...and who he is praying f...

Our grands captured this snapping turtle in their backyard... he set himself free! May 23 We had a long discussion about taking critters captive.  Especially ones that can scratch and BITE! Jesus explains to us that his purpose in coming was to set us free...free from the sins that bind us. " The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free."   Luke 4:18 Paul puts purpose to our freedom in Christ.  We have to constantly remember...it's not about us. " You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love."   Galatians 5:13

The fort that kept on being built! A camp in with disco lights at the next baby sitting gig! Hat's off to tent and fort building. May 22 While staying with some of the grands recently, we popped up a turtle tent they found in their storage room. As the week progressed they kept finding more and more additions! Boxes, card tables, pop up tunnels...if it could be crawled into we attached it.  Never has a fort had so many rooms!  Occasionally someone would come through and terrorize a sectipon and it would have to be rebuilt. The same scenario went on with their Lego and Duplo creations.  Devastated at first to find something torn apart; usually there was enough gumption to give it a go again. Nehemiah needed more than gumption. He needed God's grace and miraculous provisions to rebuild the wall of his beloved Jerusalem.  God cleared the path and used Nehemiah's tender heart and his qualities of being a wise leader, people motivator and team builder t...

Peonies make me happy! I was overjoyed when this little one made it home from the hospital and am FOREVER grateful for all the prayers. May 21 Baby sitting this weekend, our granddaughter asked me how long I could stay. When I said I was sorry, but I had to leave Sunday she said, "That's okay because with Jesus in our hearts we are going to be together FOREVER! I know I will see you again. Also, I'm coming to spend two weeks at the lake with you this summer!"  Oh, the joy and confidence eternity because of Jesus brings! Aretha Franklin’s  song “I Say A Little Prayer,” makes me want to get up and dance. The chorus goes like this: Forever, forever, you’ll stay in my heart  And I will love you  Forever and ever, we never will part  Oh, how I’ll love you  Together, together, that’s how it must be  To live without you  Would only be a heartbreak for me.   Don't we all long for a  forever  love?   God offers ...

May 19-20 Who are you for?  It's fun to hear those words come out of our grandchildren's mouths when a sporting event is television.  At their nine and under ages, I find the uniforms to be the most influential aspect of their choices.  They are learning to make choices though and that's a vital life lesson. Mark Batterson writes in his book, Draw the Circle:  "When Christianity turns into a noun, it becomes a turnoff.  Christianity was always intended to be a verb-more specifically, an action verb.  The title of the book of Acts says it all, doesn't it? It's not the book of Ideas or Words.  It's the book of Acts... we should be known for what we're for than what we're against. Prayer that doesn't lead to action isn't try prayer; it's self-talk." Do our actions match our Sunday pew sitting? People may know we are a fan of a breed of animal, of a certain university or sport, of a particular form of exercise, but do t...

May 18 We have some majorly creative grandchildren. Our daughter has come up with a great way to display her sons' artwork. (See above.)  Curtain rods with clips!  I added Spider Man for fun! God is The Creator!  The one who makes masterpieces!  We are each a personalized art form! "For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago ." Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) "Maybe you and I struggle to see God's great workmanship in our lives because we forget our purpose.  We weren't created masterfully so that we might shine brighter than others, look more beautiful in the latest fashions, or make a name for ourselves. We were lovingly created in Christ Jesus for good works designed by God, just for us. You are beautiful.  You are unique and treasured, and He's not even through with you yet!  You are an expression that flows from what is most valuable to the Creator,...

This just popped up in an email. I need to send this to our grandson and tell him about all of you who prayed. May 17 Praise God from whom all blessings flow.   Whew! What a long 20 hours.   Our son texted: "The MRI could not have looked better. No fractures or torn ligaments. Based on 6 doctors' reviews.  We may go home tomorrow." Thank you so much for standing and praying with us at this time. I told our son that God certainly has an exemption clause for parents and grandparents and that Philippians 4:6 thing about not growing anxious. He did create this Mama Boo’s heart and trust Him as I do, there were anxious moments and huge doses of heartache for our youngest experiencing the trials of parenthood  and not being able to fix everything for his child. I wish this child could talk and tell me about the angels watching over him! Love and deep appreciation for your prayers, Boo and Deke

Pray for Lee. May 17 Another word was impacting me recently. Separated. Not joined or touching physically.   Separation can be difficult. A prayer request came for a young couple who had just experienced a miscarriage of twins. My heart tugs every time I have to say good-bye to grandchildren. Visiting with a close, close friend who is battling breast cancer had me not wanting to walk away. We've walked alongside a child who has experienced the devastation of separation and divorce. Yesterday, we received a huge heart tug, our one year old grandson in Tampa had fallen and was vomiting, so they took him to the ER.  CT scans last night showed he has a brain bleed. There was concern about a break in the neck, but that scan looks alright.  There will be an MRI at 7:30 this morning.  We hate living so far away from our children.  My husband had minor surgery two days ago and cannot travel for two weeks.  Fortunately, another s...

This three year old was very appreciative of her Daddy attending her first dance recital. May 16 This quote by Elyse Fitzpatrick challenged my soul. "It is only an appreciation of His love that can motivate genuine obedience." I'm not sure that I stop enough times during the day and express that appreciation. If I did maybe my obedience would come more quickly.  Maybe His love would reflect from me out to others more readily.  We are not outcasts, we are well loved children of the living God, created to love God and others. That simple fact is reason to say "Thank You." " Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God."   John 1:12-13 "The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.  Now if we are children, then we are heirs-heirs of God a...

This made me laugh out loud! He said, "Cast the nets!" May 15 Y'all, I've just got to tell you my mind is blown over how God's Word excites me.  He took the definition of the simple little word  abide, and thrilled my heart and encouraged me. I've seen movies that leave me in a contemplative state, heard songs that made me dance right that moment, but God will take a word of scripture and I can feel him wrapping his arms right around me. Abide -"continue without fading or being lost; live, dwell, wait." Oh, Lord, there are days where we feel like we are fading away and totally lost.  Days when we don't know how we can possibly go on, but these abiding  verses point us to your plan of sustenance. " Abide in Me, and I in you.  As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. "  John 15:4 "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever yo...

May 14 My daughter and I came home exhausted from her first day out with her newborn.  We'd been on the go from 8:30-2:00.  We laid on the couches, while a deluge of rain and hail pounded away outside.  I was so impressed that her six year old was quiet and entertaining himself, while we rested. This sweet family is currently living in a construction zone with new houses going up on every side, it makes for a wonderful mud play ground after a rain storm though.  This young fellow came to the door an hour before he was to go to kindergarten orientation and said, “I think I'm going to need a bath.”  He had rubbed red clay all over his arms and legs.  So much for why he was playing quietly. The storm had knocked the power out for 4 hours, so we had no hot water to bathe him. I put him in the kitchen sink, soaped him up with Dawn liquid soap and got him to a presentable state. I told our daughter that when someone asked her which child wa...

May 12 Simply bask in this time of worship with the God of Everything! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5-6gwssX0Y

Vintage ski pics from Weather.com These girls knew how to have fun. May 11  Somehow I forgot to post these pics back when the snow was falling!  We are in for a strand of temps in the mid 90's the next few days here in Virginia.  I'll be thinking of snow! Historic photos can stir such an array of emotions.  The two gals being towed behind the car could easily be my mother and one of her college buddies! History teaches!   HIStory teaches as well. The Bible is a very old book that is very relevant for today and for tomorrow. All we have to do is open it and we learn an applicable lesson if we allow our hearts and minds to absorb what we are reading. Today's Biblegateway verse holds a very teachable truth. "Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk.  Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you."   Ephesians 4:32 MSG So, let's equip oursel...

Plumb tuckered out and we have a busy, busy day tomorrow, so I'm trying to post a day ahead. May 10 Testimony! First hand experience!  Probably the greatest single tool in spreading the gospel, yet how often do we hear it done? "If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is  with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved ."  Romans 10:9-10 A testimony goes even further than a profession of faith. Giving testimony to God for answering prayers and showing up in our lives increases the faith of others.  When God places someone on your heart and you pray for them; take it a step further and call them and tell them you have them on your heart. Time and time again, I'm blown away by their need for prayer at that moment and by sharing the Spirit's moving you to pray; that other individ...

These two young men have led very disciplined lives to become college scholarship football players.   Now the older one is off to the NFL. It wasn't by chance, he has worked diligently. May 9 Discipline is for our good. "But don’t, dear friend, resent  God ’s discipline;   don’t sulk under his loving correction. It’s the child he loves that  God  corrects;  a father’s delight is behind all this." Proverbs 3:11-12 “So, what a blessing when God steps in and corrects you!  Mind you, don’t despise the discipline of Almighty God! " Job 5:17 MSG It's been such a joy to spend time with our grandchildren.  There are so many teachable moments to take advantage of.  While waiting at the bus stop with one of our grandsons, we've looked up a Bible verse each morning to talk about.   I can't wait to talk about Proverbs 3:11! My husband coached middle and high school sports for twenty years and he often...

Little brother cheering on the big one at a lacrosse match. May 8 Years ago, when training up our children in the ways they should go, we would remind them that when they stepped out of the house, not only were they wearing a jersey that said, "ANDREWS" but also one that said, "CHRISTIAN."  We are representatives of Christ every moment of every day. "Because of this decision we don't evaluate people by what they have or how they look.  We looked at the Messiah that way once and got it all wrong, as you know.  We certainly don't look at him that way anymore.  Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new.  The old life is gone; a new life burgeons!  Look at it!  All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other.  God put the world square with himself th...

May  7 " I know that when we come together something beautiful will happen as we are encouraged by each other's faith."   Romans 1:12 What do you do by faith? By faith we get on an airplane and trust it will fly through the sky. By faith we get in a dental chair and trust the person with the drill. By faith we eat food from the grocery store having no idea where it really has been. By faith we drop our children off at school each day to be educated. The Word of God calls us to faith... By Faith I can count it all joy when I face trials of various kinds. By Faith I can love my neighbor as myself By Faith I can forgive others By Faith I can submit to my husband By Faith I can believe my sins are forgiven. By Faith I can believe I will spend eternity in heave because of the price Jesus paid. By Faith I can trust in the Lord with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding. ''...for we walk by faith, not by sight-...