Boojoyful

August 31 There is something sad to me about summer slipping away.  At this season of my life, I guess I'm just more and more aware of the fleeting aspect of life. "Live happily with the woman you love through the fleeting days of life, for the wife God gives you is your vest read down here for all your earthly toil ."  Ecclesiastes 9:9 We had a busy, busy day at church last Sunday, came home and grabbed a nap and my husband headed back out for the baptism of 56 people from church.  All of a sudden I asked myself "Where has the day gone?" and wrote this short poem. The Day Has Slipped Away Did I praise Your name this morning and stop to worship and adore my King? Did I stop to help another, touch a shoulder, shake a hand, give a hug or simply hear a bird sing? The sun is almost setting and I question if I valued today and truly had my eyes open and took time to say..."God I love you!" "From the rising of the sun to its setting t...

  August 30 "The sweet smell of incense can make you feel good, but true friendship is better still."   Proverbs 27:9 " Just as iron sharpens iron, friends sharpen the minds of each other."  Proverbs 27:17  " Jonathan liked David so much that they promised to always be loyal friends."   1 Samuel 18:3 Sincere friendship is a true treasure.  You can get together with a childhood friend, whom you haven't seen in years and spend hours reminiscing or you can make a new friend and find excitement in the freshness of that new adventure. These new friends gathered to support our daughter and her family in a ceremony to dedicated their son to the Lord. It brought tears to my eyes to see the friendships the Lord has in place for them. God knows the importance of steadfast friends in our lives. Let's take time today to thank the Lord for new and old friends!

August 29 Our children like to make up nicknames for their siblings and their spouses by combining their names.  Britton and Maggie = Braggie! It would be so easy to brag about the accomplishments of our 3 year old granddaughter in this photo. She can snowboard, ride a horse, dive into a swimming pool, roller skate, and last week rode a Harley with her other grandparents and their friends!  But... "The Scriptures say, 'If you want to brag, then brag about the Lord.'  You may brag about yourself, but the only approval that counts is the Lord's approval."   2 Corinthians 10:17-18 Stop and consider what it is you want to brag about the Lord today! Just so you know... The Lord comforts me when I'm feeling down and gives me a peace that passes understanding. The love of the Lord fills me with joy. The Word of the Lord instructs me and teaches me the way I should go. The Lord is ever lasting. He is amazing and more than worthy of our praise, ...

August 28 I had the privilege last week of spending the night with a couple of our grandsons before their first day of school.  Excitement was in the air! So many unknowns, but it was precious to see the older brother encouraging the younger one as they pressed on into this adventure and were looking forward to a new school year. "Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. "  Philippians 3:12 Our Pastor said, "Everyone goes somewhere in life. Care more about making a difference for Christ, than of your reputation, of what others think of you." " Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do : forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead."  Philippians 3:13 Paul has a fierce concentration on that one thing!  Be healthy spiritually! Are we heavenly, eternally, and spiritually minded?  

Our bedroom housed Legos, art projects and Hotwheels race tracks all summer! August 27 They are off! It's exciting! It's a grand accomplishment! It's heart wrenching! It keeps us on our knees! Colossians 1:9 is a great reminder for the parents of college students to pray without ceasing. For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.    Shifting Gears Freshman year my college roommate called in a panic. She had gotten herself in a predicament and needed me to bring her car to her.   Grabbing her car keys I headed out of the dorm and into the parking lot excited over the fact I was going to drive a Mustang instead of my very well used Ford Falcon.   (Don’t get me wrong, I was thrilled to have a car of any kind.)   The minor element of this rescue effort we had failed to address was the fact that I had ...

A show stopper on the road to our house!  I was ready to see an angel standing there. August 25-26 When we think life isn't fair we can read this verse and remember how precious we are to God and how deeply He loves us. An enormous ransom was paid for us.  " Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lomb without blemish or spot."  1 Peter 1:18-19

Taking care of this precious one and joining him at nap time is good for me! August 24 One of my  besties,  who died five years ago would say to me "We so good for each otha!"  That is God's plan, right?  For us to build one another up.  When looking for friends, be sure you look for an encourager in the faith. "God didn't set us up for an angry rejection but for salvation by our Master, Jesus Christ.  He died for us, a death that triggered life.  Whether we're awake with the living or asleep with the dead, we're alive with him!  So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you'll all be together in this, not one left out, no one left behind.  I know you're already doing this; just keep doing it." 1 Thessalonians 5:10-13 " But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin."   Hebrews 3:13 College stu...

Made room for these two cousins to spend a week together this summer! August 23 A She Reads Truth writer writes in a study on hospitality called Making Room "I realized all the ways people had already made room for me: Here is my time—it’s yours now. Here is this meal—I want you to be nourished. Here is my forgiveness—I know what a gift is to be forgiven. Here is this space to sit—I’d rather you have rest than me. Here I am entering into your sorrow—I was comfortable, but you need comfort more than me. Even more extravagantly than the hospitality offered to me by others is that offered by the Father Himself: I was an orphan—He called me His daughter ( John 1:12 ). I was a foreigner—He made me a citizen ( Ephesians 2:19 ). My sin made me unclean like a leper—He did not cast me out ( Ephesians 2:13 ). Hospitality, I am learning, is often untidy and almost always inconvenient. But making room is not about my own comfort. It’s about taking something I p...

A new way to serve vegetables! August 22 I'm blessed to be spending the night with a couple grandsons who have their first day of school tomorrow!  New teachers, new friends and new things to learn.  It is such a exciting time of year.   Isaiah 43:10 is exciting too! "For I am about to do something new.  See, I have already begun!"  This is such a "hooyah" verse, filled with hope and refreshment! We must open our eyes and see the new things God is doing. God is always up to good and He's always up to new things! Just think about our bodies and the new hairs popping out! Lamentations 3:22-23 reminds us God's compassion and mercy are new every day as well. " The Lord's loving kindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness."  And the ultimate newness of life in heaven awaits us!  It's going to be incredible!

The other day we pulled up our private road and were brought to a standstill! My jokester! August 21 Showstopper!  There was no getting around this 36 inch diameter, fallen tree on our road.  There are three homes at the end of our road and eleven of us where trapped!   Fear is a trap! Sin is such a trap! " Sinners are trapped and caught by their own evil deeds."   Proverbs 5:22 Just as we had people come and rescue us from the fallen tree dilemma, we who know the Lord are called to help others trapped in sin to get back on the right path. "My friends, you are spiritual.  So if someone is trapped in sin, you should gently lead that person back to the right path.  But watch out, and don't be tempted yourself."   Galatians 6:1 Father, You send Jesus to set the captives free.  Hallelujah! Help us be Holy Spirit driven and able to stay alert and free from the traps the enemy sets for us.  Guard our hearts, our minds and o...

Escaping the heat and taking a reading break on the pontoon! August 20 The conversation began with my husband telling the grands this joke.  A little boy was in the cafeteria line and took two apples when the sign said, "Only one apple."  The teacher said, "Johnny put the apple back, God is watching." So, Johnny went over to the cookie table  and told his friend Billy he could take more than the allotted one cookie, because God was busy watching the apples. Our grandson laughed and said, "God sees everything."  I chimed in, "Isn't it amazing that God knows what people are doing in China, in Africa and right here in America all at the same time?" A half an hour later our grandson came back to me and said, "Maybe God is the sun, because it is so powerful?"  My reply, "Oh, no. God is so much bigger than the sun.  Remember there are suns and universes we don't even know about.  That's huge!  The Bible tel...

August 18-19 Whether it's bedtime, medicine taking, eating vegetables or maybe taking a long car ride, we've heard some "I don't want to's" this summer.  The other day I caught myself telling the Lord something I really didn't want to every have to do and became quickly convicted of sounding like a whining child. I thought of the trust Noah had, the faithfulness of Daniel, the joy with which Mary served the Lord.  Tossing the negative behavior, I switched to positive mode and said, Lord, I want to serve you with gladness.     " Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing."   Psalm 100:2 Lord, I want to trust you with all my heart.     " With all your heart you must trust the Lord and not your own judgment.  Always let him lead you, and he will clear the road for you to follow."   Proverbs 3:5-6 Lord, I want to be found faithful.    " The other men tried to find somethi...

August 17 Years ago, we were visiting Disney World and had such a great time, I wanted us to find a way to move there and be a part of the magic. Working there day to day probably drains the magic away! Each time we visit one of our children in the marvelous, yet diverse cities in which they live, I click on Realtor.com and imagine us living there. Two very close girlfriends have moved away and sometimes i think, maybe we should move to where they live.  We aren't called to follow people, we are called to follow Christ. So, I will be content and trust that He knows where I need to be for His purpose! Die to self and live for Christ, follow Him! " And He said to them, 'Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men."  Matthew 4:19

This Florida boy has the bluest eyes! August 16 The sapphire is one of my favorite stones.  Reading in The Book of Mysteries  I learned the Hebrew root of this word is  sapphire which means to speak, to tell, or to declare.  Jonathan Cahn goes on to write that the most precious treasure or jewel one has in the world is the Word of God and we should receive it as if we were receiving a priceless jewel.  He also says we should consider God's Word in the same manner when we give it away.  Isn't that a beautiful thought? "Let every word that comes out of your mouth be a precious jewel.  Give jewels to those in need, jewels of encouragement, jewels of strength, jewels of forgiveness, jewels of joy, and jewels of hope."  J. Cahn " Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whosever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified thro...

When she licks ice cream her dimples pop out! August 15 Some of the grands and I have had a wonderful time studying Corinthians this summer. Last week we learned a lot about love. " Love is kind and patient, never jealous, boastful, proud or rude. Love isn't selfish or quick tempered. It doesn't keep a record of wrongs that others do. Love rejoices in the truth, but not in evil.  Love is always supportive, loyal, hopeful, and trusting. Love never fails!"   1 Corinthians 13:4-8 Placing this verse in our hearts has been a great "trigger tool."  As a parent/grandparent when you see less than loving behavior popping out you can simply pull the reminder trigger..."God commands us to love one another. What is love?" It's a great grown-up, self check reminder trigger as well.

August 14 There are some amazing splash pads and waterparks in our country.  We stood watching the bucket in this particular park, which eventually brings about an enormous DUMP ! How often in life we feel parched and dried up spiritually, mentally and emotionally. Oh, how we long for refreshment.  David, while in the Desert of Judah, expresses so well what our souls long for! " You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water." Psalm 63:1  Just as Jesus told the women at the well that he would give her water in which she would never have to thirst again, Isaiah 44:3 points to the water God pours out. "For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour our my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants."   May we take time to drink of this water today!

Cousins enjoying an evening pontoon cruise! August 13 This time of year mama's are saturating their children with sunscreen to hopefully prevent sunburn and the skin cancer which so many of us now battle because of over exposure to the sun.  At this stage of life you hear of many tricks of the trade to prevent saggy and wrinkly skin.  Lather on that coconut oil, rub on olive oil and let it saturate your skin. If only we were as concerned about preventing sin from infiltrating our lives.  There is a safe guard! Saturate our minds with scripture.  How many times a day do we apply scripture to our situation.  How often do we pour it into our minds, so that is what will pour out of us when a response is needed. "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 "Your word is a lamp that gives ...

There's a harpist in the house and an amazing vocalist too! August 11-12 Such talent, such poise, such friendship.  Our daughter and one of her fellow Vanderbilt college graduates spent the week together here at Shiloh.  We asked them if they would put together a little impromptu concert for our neighbors.  It was amazing.  One gentleman asked how they were able to experience this without paying admission. His wife said it was the best performance she'd seen in a long time. I thought...these two have freely poured out their talents onto these people and been a blessing! Just thinking the phrase poured out took my mind to another free pouring out seen in Matthew 26:28 " This is my blood, and with it God makes his agreement with you.  It will be poured out, so that many people will have their sins forgiven."   He poured out His life for us.  May we be quicker to pour out ourselves sacrificially for the lives of others and p...

Life is so short. It makes me sad our family is so spread out. It's fun to get together and encourager one another though. August 10 Recently I was introduced to the CEV translation of the Bible and really liked how  Hebrews 10:24-25 was phrased. "We should keep on encouraging each other to be thoughtful and to do helpful things.  Some people have gotten out of the habit of meeting for worship, but we must not do that. We should keep on encouraging each other, especially since you know that the day of the Lord’s coming is getting closer. " Life is going so quickly.  How do we prioritize our week?  Where does gathering to worship with other believers fall into our planning?  Do we look at Sunday as the beginning of our week and see worship as a way of charging up and encouraging our fellow believers in what is ahead?    Do we plug in date night, exercise, chores, or hobby time onto our calendars before weekly worship, praying...

August 9 I know I posted this verse the other day, but I need it again. "But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate and the hope of salvation as a helmet."  1 Thessalonians 5:8 " So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world."   1 Peter 1:13 There are so many aspects of life in which we need self-control...how we spend our money, what we take into our bodies, what we allow to come out of our mouths, etc.  I think Peter and Paul are encouraging us in the necessity of spiritual control.  We have a choice daily whether or not to put on our faith and to experience the hope of the grace that comes to us through Christ. To daily prepare our minds for action  in this world we need to live with the truth of Scripture.   Paul reminds us in Romans 15:4   "And the Script...

August 8 One of the sweetest eye witness accounts is of watching adults cheer on children.  Whether it's encouraging them to smile, to turn over, to crawl, to walk, to ride a bike, to hit/kick/pass a ball...we can become great encouragers to little ones.  Why do we lose that trait as we age?  We become more like self-centered competitors. "Don't be selfish; don't try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves." Philippians 2:3  "Encourage each other and build each other up."   1 Thessalonians 5:11 Ask the Lord to point out someone who needs to be cheered on today.

August 7 This summer we were introduced to the movie The Greatest Showman.  The story of P.T. Barnum. We had fun researching circus acts and then dressing up!  Later thinking about God, I thought "He's the Greatest Showman!" Listen to what the Psalms say about all God shows. "You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasure of living with you forever."   Psalm 16:11 " To the faithful you show yourself faithful; to those with integrity you show integrity." Psalm 18:25 " Remember, O Lord, your compassion and unfailing love, which you have shown from long ages past."   Psalm 25:6 " The Lord is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray."  Psalm 25:8 God shows us his love time and time again.  He shows us his majesty consistently as the sun rises and sets over all he has created.  What a blessing it is to know God and be known by God.

The bouncer is tethered, but not the boy! August 6 Ruth Chou Simons wrote-"Sin's worst lie is that it promises relief and satisfaction while we grow blind to its wrecking ball of destruction. The deceitfulness of sin hardens the unguarded and untethered heart.  We are to be tethered first and foremost to Christ Himself, but God also uses brothers and sisters in Christ to keep us hemmed in...We need encouragement so that sin doesn't harden us." Isn't there a secular song called "I need somebody to love."  Well, Christians need to love somebody! In her book Gracelaced,  Simons lists the "One anothers" of scripture! love one another                      John 13:34 pray for one another                James 5:16 forgive one another                 Colossians 3:13 bear with one another             ...

Night time snuggles on the dock! August 5 Day 5 Why don’t some people worship? Worship Bow or kneel today and worship the Lord with a humble and contrite heart.  " Come let us worship and bow down."   Psalm 95:6 Kneel “ Shout joyfully to God, all the earth; Sing the glory of His name; Make His praise glorious.“   Psalm 66:1-2 “Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth, Sing praises to the Lord.” Psalm 68:32 Nibble “Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; Sing praises to our God on the lyre, Who covers the heavens with clouds, Who provides rain for the earth, Who makes grass to grow on the mountains. ”  Psalm 147:7-8 Nourish “Why do people not worship the Lamb? It is because they have never had a true vision of the Lamb or a true concept of God, for to know Him is to worship Him.”  Joseph Carroll “Love can only be cultivated adequately in aloneness with the one you love.”  Hudson Taylor King David knew this so well....

Worshipping in my bootie on the dock. August 4 Day 4 Does worship come easily? Worship “Come, let us sing to the Lord!  Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come to him with thanksgiving.  For the Lord is a great God, a great King above all gods. He holds in his hands the depths of the earth  The sea belongs to him, for he made it. Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord our maker. ”  Psalm 95:1-6 NLT Kneel “ Be exalted, O LORD, in Your strength; We will sing and praise Your power.” Psalm 21:13 Nibble " The LORD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation; This is my God, and I will praise Him; My father's God, and I will extol Him.” Exodus 15:2 Nourish  " Pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart."   Proverbs 4:20-21   We have to be intentional.  "Worship require...

Worshipping together at our church. August 3 Day 3 Why Do We Worship? Worship "Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. " Psalm 96:9 Kneel  “ Oh give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples. Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; Speak of all His wonders.” 1 Chronicles 16:8 -9 Nibble O LORD, You are my God; I will exalt You, I will give thanks to Your name; For You have worked wonders, Plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness.   Isaiah 25:1 "He is your praise and He is your God, who has done these great and awesome things for you which your eyes have seen.” Deuteronomy 10:21 Nourish We worship because He’s our Lord. “ Because He is your Lord, worship Him .”  Psalm 45:11 We worship out of obedience. “ Honor the Lord for the glory of his name. Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness. ” Psalm 29:2 NLT We worship because God is worth it! “ You are worthy, O Lord our God, to rece...

August 2 "Jesus said the Father is seeking those who will worship Him "in spirit and in truth” But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way." John 4:23 “True worship is a valuing or a treasuring of God above all things.”  John Piper Day 2 Who is God? Worship Make it all about God.  Journal some of your thoughts about God.  “ The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard .” Psalm 19:1-3 Kneel “ Then I will go to the altar of God, To God my exceeding joy; And upon the lyre I shall praise You, O God, my God.” Psalm 43:4 “O my strength, I will sing praises to You; For God is my stronghold, the God who shows me lovingkindness. ” Psalm 59:17 ...