Boojoyful

Our daughter's home decked out for the holidays. December 1-2 How did Christmas morning begin in your home?  Did you have to wait for the entire family to gather before you could head down to the tree?  We had the ole "gather on the steps for a photo" tradition with our children and then my husband would come and let us know if Santa had come.  As a child, the rule at my home was no one could go to the living room until everyone was awake.  Being the MUCH younger sibling, who still believed in Santa, the anticipation mounted during the long wait for my high school and college siblings to lumber out of bed.  An iPad would have helped the minutes tick away. The computer dictionary definition of  anticipate is:                                "r egard as probable, expect, predict or look forward to." Can you imagine Mary and Joseph's anticipation of what giving birth to G...

November 30 Doesn't it seem that over the holidays the heartaches of life escalate? The past week I've prayed with a friend who had a runaway teen, sat with another friend whose 82 year old husband fell backwards hitting his head and now has a brain injury, taken a "get through chemo bag" of goodies to a neighbor with breast cancer, listened to a toddler mom beg for our church to do a parenting/marriage course, texted and tried to encourage a friend who is making a decision with her husband whether he should have heart surgery that could buy him 3-4 more years of life or might kill him.  (Those are only the ones I can reference without betraying a confidence.) Do the real life struggles we walk through personally or rub up against in the lives of others cause us to wander away from God mumbling..."A loving God wouldn't allow this" or do they stir our minds to wonder..."What is God trying to teach me through this trial?" I'm holdi...

This charmer turned 10 yesterday! November 29 When the opportunity comes to share the gospel are we prepared to pass it on?  Plans shifted and we ended up being blessed by three of our grandchildren for the week. It was a last minute plan, so I didn't have any time to set big plans in motion. There is a fabulous children's book called The Treasure Tree  about four best animal friends who are celebrating their birthdays together.  Lance the lion, Honey the golden retriever, Giggles and Otter, and Chewy the Beaver.  A wise old owl gave them the gift of a treasure hunt for four golden keys as their present. The adventure can only be completed by the four applying their God given strengths to tough situations and by learning to appreciate one another's individuality in the process. Each day we read one of the six chapters and embarked on our own adventure as we recognized one another's strengths.   We began our time together memorizing Jam...

Thanks to my husband who has served us this past week in so many ways. Too much turkey for this little fellow. He's thankful for his Papa's lap. November 28 "When you have a servant's heart, you are humble. You do as you're told.  You don't rebel. You respect those in charge. You serve faithfully and quietly....A servant doesn't care who gets the glory.  A servant has one goal, and that is to make the person he serves look better, to make that person even more successful."  Charles Swindoll "Each of you has been blessed with one of God's many wonderful gifts to be used in the service of others.  So use your gift well."   1 Peter 4:10 Thankful Thought Thank God for the people who served you this past week and for the opportunities you had to serve others! There are more on the horizon.

These friends went beyond the call of duty as friends and brought Thanksgiving dinner to our house and engaged with us and three of our grands. November 27 When on an elevator do you look stoically ahead or engage the other passengers in conversation? Recently, my husband and I needed to go to a nearby city to make a hospital visit. It had been a jam packed day and there were more things to be accomplished.  After leaving the patient's room we entered the elevator with another gentleman.  Our conversation went like this. I said to my husband, "We have visited this hospital so many times."  His reply, "Most of them sad."  Then I said, "Well, we did give birth here five times! Those are happy memories."  As I glanced at the gentleman standing beside me I realized he had a grin on his face.  I said, "You noticed I was gracious and said 'We'."  He laughed, "Very."  As the elevator doors opened he added, "Although,...

Thankful this crew spent Thanksgiving with us. November 26 While baby sitting a few weeks ago, one of our grandsons came into the room where I was sleeping and said he couldn't get to sleep.  I suggested going through the alphabet and thanking God for something that begins with each letter!  It worked! Our granddaughter was staying with us for the Thanksgiving holiday and we tried the same trick. Her choices brought such joy to my heart... A-Angels C-Christ E-Eternity F-Faith, Food and Forgiveness G-God J-Jesus L-the Lord R-the Resurrection " I sleep and wake up refreshed because you, Lord, protect me."   Psalm 3:5 Thankful Thought Thank you Lord for childlike faith and the refreshment that comes from sleep!

We missed out on this fun trip to Arizona. November 24-25 Lauren Daigle's voice is a favorite of mine.   Her lyrics in "You Say" have really spoken to my heart. The other day I told my husband, sometimes I feel like I'm not doing anything worthwhile.  I have friends running major companies, some working 12 hour days, others volunteering multiple days a week at local charities or training for marathons! I said, "I feel like all I do is write devotionals, baby sit, answer emails, listen and pray." He said, "Stop listening to the devil." Sarah Young wrote in Jesus Calling "When you are around other people, you tend to cater to their expectations-real or imagined.  You feel enslaved to pleasing them, and your awareness of My Presence grows dim.  Your efforts to win their approval eventually exhaust you.  You offer these people dry crumbs rather than the living water of My Spirit flowing through you.  This is not My way for you!  ...

These fake mustaches changed two of us! November 23 " Put on then new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness." Ephesians 4:24 Sanctification is an ongoing process!  Change is possible though.  Thank You, Jesus "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13 John Piper wrote that God gives us commands that free us and change our lives. " Be imitators of God, as loved children."   Ephesians 5:1 ""Love!" is the command and being loved  by God is the power." " Be tenderhearted and forgiving just as God in Christ forgave you." Ephesians 4:32 "This kind command means you can change." "Walk in love as Christ loved. " Ephesians 5:2 "Christ's love for me makes me a new kind of person." Let's put on the Holy Spirit and pull out the power that is God has made available to us for this transforming process of becoming...

November 22 "Let them give thanks to the Lord for his faithful love and his wondrous works for all humanity." Psalm 107:8 The Pilgrims, the turkey, the stuffing and pumpkin pie...what about God?  Isn't He the main event? It is to God we are giving thanks, but someone He gets lost in the preparations. As the campus pastor's wife, I try to be present in the lobby as people arrive and engage them in conversation with an open ended question each week.  People are probably starting to come in the back door to avoid me! Two Sunday's ago the question was "What have you given thanks for recently?" One women's answer gave me chill bumps from my toes to the top of my head. "I'm so thankful that our three children, my siblings, every member of my family,  loves the Lord. I know that is not the norm for most families and recognize I am so blessed." Well, friends, that topped any answer I heard that morning. As you gather today wit...

Bucky is peering out from behind the pompous grasses. If animals prayed, he'd be praying for God to direct his path away from hunters. November 21 Are you on the path of life guided by your own wiles or do you have a spiritual GPS showing you the way?  Jesus wants to be a part of all of our decisions, we just have to slow down long enough for the consultation process to take place through prayer and delving into His Word. In this season of gift giving, decorating, and party going are we praying over the options? I sometimes find myself playing a "tag" game.  If I see an item I'm drawn to I'll say, "If it's under $10 or $20 (whatever my budget) I'll get it."  Instead I should be praying for God to direct me to the gifts that bring Him glory and will bring joy and be of purpose to the receiver. "Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you a...

This little one loves going to work with Dad. November 20 This time of year I'm taken back again and again to the story of Martha and Mary's priorities and I have to remind myself to "Choose what is best." In the hustle and bustle of all the preparations it's easy to exclude our time with Jesus.  We are doing good; serving, feeding, giving, but is Christ a part of it.  Are we giving of ourselves through time spent or just clicking a "place order" button? While praying with my husband last week my heart was heavy for six friends, whose holiday priorities have changed.  Decorating, cooking and shopping are not on their schedules, watching their spouses battle huge health hurdles has become a 24 hour endeavor.  What is best,  what is of value, what matters  is time with them. The older I get the more I realized things  hold no eternal value, but our relationships do.  For it is within the realms of  time spent  that the things...

These two live life to the fullest! November 19 Here's the song I was looking for when I came upon the "Hallelujah" one. "Good to be Alive" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4omFQJEAAVc If we knew today was our last day on earth how would we spend it?  My guess is that many of us would spend it encouraging others to make the choice that would guarantee they will be coming with us on the ultimate journey!  Today's Biblegateway verse in The Passion Translation is Psalm 1:1-2 "What delight comes to those who follow God's ways!  They won't walk in step with the wicked, nor share the sinner's way, nor be found sitting in the scorner's seat.  Their pleasure ad passion is found remaining true to the Word of 'I Am,' meditating day and night in his true revelation of light." Thankful Thought: Thank God that the best is yet to come!  Heaven is going to be out of this world!

Cutest puppy face! November 17-18 If you know me well at all, you know I love the word "Hallelujah!"  My favorite family video is of one of our granddaughters floating in the bathtub singing "hallelujah" over and over again.  When I hear of an amazing answer to prayer I've been known to break into my "hallelujah dance." Accidentally, while searching for another song I came upon this video.  It is totally worldly and has nothing to do with Jesus, but it's a fun hallelujah theme from the world's perspective. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDu93pdyBDE While this next song, "Hallelujah" doesn't carry a Christ centered message, although it has Biblical references, it is about loves gone sour. The way the music moves is mesmerizing. This Pentatonix version is masterful.  I'm able to listen to this song, "Hallelujah" and imagine singing it regularly in heaven. "After this, I heard what seemed to be the l...

November 16 One of my greatest fears when entertaining is not having enough food.  When preparing for dinner guests I like to get my ducks in a row by setting the table a couple nights before and creating any party favors I plan to give out.  (Usually just a scripture verse placed on some little item.) These preparations allow for cooking, cleaning and praying the day of the event.  This process requires receiving RSVPs,  which seems to be a lost curtesy these days.  I should just be joyful at the chance to offer hospitality to whomever shows up, but the Holy Spirit needs to work on me in that aspect. The worst scenario I've experienced was several years ago, when we were having a seated dinner and serving soup.  The number of soup bowls we owned was limited and a major mistake was not having any plastic bowls on hand. Thirteen women, who had not accepted the invitation, showed up and one woman bringing a pot of soup was lost!  Whew, Miss Martha w...

This sister in Christ is a blessing to many! November 15 We are blessed beyond measure because we are children of God!  Peter Lord's book, Bless and Be Blessed,  addresses the fact that when we bless others, we get a blessing back!  The next six weeks are a joyous season for some, but heart wrenching for others.  May we find joy in being a blessing the next six weeks to others. Paul's exuberance  for his fellow believers is evident in Philippians 1:3-6.  They've blessed him! “ E very time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer. I find myself praying for you with a glad heart. I am so pleased that you have continued on in this with us, believing and proclaiming God’s Message, from the day you heard it right up to the present. There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the...

Daddy's helper! November 14 " We have not stopped praying for you since the first day we heard about you.  In fact, we always pray that God will show you everything he wants you to do and that you may have all the wisdom and understanding that his Spirit gives."   Colossians 1:9 Monday night I was giving our six month grandson his evening bottle and whispering Colossians 1:9 into his ear, along with the good night song I sing to my grands which goes like this.... "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, angels watching over you.   Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, I'm not scared!" Then yesterday, I opened Biblegateway and there was the Colossians passage again extended to verses Colossians 1:9-12  It makes a powerful, powerful prayer. Father, for everyone reading this devotional today I commit to pray that You will show them everything you want them to do and that they will have all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives.  Then they will live a life that hon...

This grandson has lost his two front teeth. This grandson experienced loss after his first team experience of going to the playoffs. November 13 Two friends have lost their breasts to cancer. Two have lost their jobs recently. Two have lost their husbands and now carry the new title widow. One has just lost his home to foreclosure. Were you ever told, "Be brave!" "Keep a stiff upper lip."  "Put on your big girl pants." "Wipe those tears off your face." "A real man doesn't cry."   All those instructions require self-reliance.  How blessed those of us are who put our sufficiency in Christ, not self. "The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him."   Psalm 28:7 Thankful Thought: Thank God for a person who has pointed or currently points you to Christ. Thank God for a time in your life He was your sust...

Our UNC graduate son is proudly sporting his father's UNC football jersey from the 70's! Our ten year old grandson, #27, listening to his coach after losing in the semifinal playoff game. November 12 When you think of team work, what comes to mind?  Participating in a team sport, being part of a group project assigned at school, working daily with a team  at your place of employment? We ate at a Chipotle restaurant this weekend and I was amazed with the team work that went on to manufacture so many meals in such a short time.  And they were doing it with smiles! Currently, I'm in an Old Testament Bible study and there is battle after battle for the Israelites. War requires immense leadership, teamwork and discipline. The holiday season is upon us and the Body of Christ is gearing up as Jesus' team to provide Thanksgiving and Christmas for so many in our world who are unable to purchase food and gifts on their own.  Look for those opportunities to serve ...

Touch a Truck! November 10-11 I don't remember any descent between my parents and their friends of another political party. Certainly, I can't remember hate being spewed out of people's mouths the way it is today. They voted differently, but they loved and respected one another.  My heart continues to break over what our children and grandchildren see in the way people treat others with regard to political differences.   Paul had so much wisdom to pass onto his beloved, Timothy.  We need to listen to his words. " First of all, I ask you to pray for everyone. Ask God to help and bless them all, and tell God how thankful you are for each of them. Pray for kings and others in power, so that we may live quiet and peaceful lives as we worship and honor God."   1 Timothy 2:1-2 Thankful thought: Thank God we live in a democracy and have the privilege of voting. 

Our shrubs are dressed for the holidays! November 9 A couple Sundays ago I was challenged by our pastor's sermon on what it means to  "Bring Glory to God." " So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."  1 Corinthians 10:31 1) Bring God glory by trusting Him.           "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding."                                                                                                                 Proverbs 3:5 2) Bring glory to God by being thankful.             "The one who offers thanksgiving as his s...

Our four year old granddaughter dressed as a dragon slayer riding through downtown Park City. November 8 About six weeks ago I embarked upon a serious time of morning prayer for our grandchildren using Stormie Omartian's book The Power of a Praying Grandparent.   The prompts to pray are excellent and praying against evil is in several sections of the book. "Lord give my grandchildren the wisdom they need to determine the true character of the people around them so they don't allow evil people into their lives... Cause them to seek You for wisdom and give them wisdom to walk away from danger and evil. Help them hear Your voice telling them which way to go."  (Isaiah 30:21) " Wisdom will control your mind, and you will be pleased with knowledge. Sound judgment and good sense will watch over you.  Wisdom will protect you from evil schemes and from those liars." Proverbs 2:10-12 (CEV) Thankful Thought Thank God for someone who invested in yo...

These two make me smile. November 7 The past two weeks we've been surrounded by a lot of life threatening situations, not life giving kind. Our painter's fall, three other friends whose husbands are fighting major health battles and then a call to check on a possible suicide.   As I road with my husband to meet police officers to assist us in checking out this particular situation I was encouraged by opening Jesus Calling  and seeing these scripture verses. "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19 " For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."   Romans 8:38-39 Philippians 4:12 always has to be tweaked a little bit for me. "I have learned ...

Pray for peace in our nation. November 6 I'm not an everyday Facebooker.  Keeping up with photos of the grands was my original intent in signing up.  Now I get my grandmama fix more on Instagram.  Yesterday, I received an apology on Messenger for an offensive politically based comment a friend from my high school days made.  I'm still pretty clueless as to what was said, but wish I hadn't gone on Facebook yesterday to glance at all the slashes being slung about. Our nation's media and political sparring are an embarrassment. Many Facebook members are right there in the mess. My husband has always said I would never make it as the wife of a college football coach or politician. Too much of a softie! Oh, that we could be respectful and kind to one another. One of the devotionals I did with our grandsons this weekend should be nibbled on by some adults I've encountered.  Let's memorize James 1:19. I think I will pass this verse out at the polls tomorrow...

I think that is Mt Rainer in the background. November 5 These two in the photograph love living life on the "edge,"  Often their photos make me gasp and think, "What are they thinking?"  The enormity of their faith and passion for Christ bring a peace that passes  understanding though, because I am certain of where they will spend eternity when they die. Jesus paid it all. At first I wrote, "should they die," but the reality is we are all going to die. "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die. " Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 My husband gets a chuckle at my need to leave the house as if I might not return. I'd hate for someone to have to come in and do the dirty laundry and dishes, make beds, vacuum or put toys/crafts away and bury me.  Currently, I know four women, right here in my neighborhood who have been watching their husbands face life threatening health cr...

Our daughter in law in her protective onion chopping gear! November 3-4 On our early morning walks, my man is always looking out for me, whether it is a dead snake or squirrel in the road or a fox, deer or car coming too close he's got my back!  He will also give me a little throat clearing action or a kick under the table if he senses me going down the wrong path in a conversation. I love living under his protective care. " I run to you, Lord, for protection.  Don't disappoint me. You do what is right, so come to my rescue. Listen to my prayer and keep me safe.  Be my mighty rock, the place where I can always run for protection. Save me by your command!  You are my mighty rock and my fortress.  Come and save me, Lord, God, from vicious and cruel and brutal enemies!  I depend on you, and I have trusted you since I was young.  I have relied on you from the day I was born.  You brought me safely through birth, and I always praise you...Come cl...

Brightens my day. November 2 Jesus was a joy spreader! A friend sent me a daily devotional he read the other day. "Walk with Me in close, trusting Love-bonds of joyful dependence. The companionship I offer you sparkles with precious promises from the Bible. I love you with perfect, everlasting love. I am always with you-every nanosecond of your life. I know everything about you, and have already paid the penalty for all your sins. Your inheritance-kept in heaven for you-can never perish, spoil or fade. I guide you through this life, and afterward I will take you into Glory! "  (I'm thinking this is Sarah Young writing.) Well, read that again and tell me if that is a boost to your spirits message! Bring on the Joy because Jesus is our Joy Giver and with us every nanosecond! Jeremiah 31:3 says, "Some time ago, the Lord appeared to me and told me to say" Israel, I will always love you; that's why I've been so patient and kind." Thankf...