Boojoyful

Glad to have had this part of the gang here for cousin camp. Missed those who couldn't make it. Prayers for our Minnesota gang, as their mom is in the hospital again fighting an infection. December 31 I took a little Psalm time out yesterday. " With all my heart I praise the LORD, and with all that I am I praise his holy name! With all my heart I praise the LORD! I will never forget how kind he has been. " Psalm 103:2 What makes you feel this way?  It may simply be watching the sunrise another day.  Maybe you've been studying in the Old Testament and watched God redeem his people time and time again and been filled with hope. How kind!  Possibly you've experienced a prodigal return home over the holidays or rejoiced with someone who has made it through another year of recovery of some sort.  I find praising the Lord to be exhilarating and life giving. As we look back on 2018 we can certainly say, "The Lord was with me!" It is a gift fro

December 29-30 This year we spent Christmas in New Orleans with our son and daughter in law. Her father is from there and it was such a delight to get to see this city from a local's perspective.  While the trip down encountered quite the delay, we were fortunately not rerouted. I'm still in "studying the Christmas story" mode.  Matthew 2:7-12 "Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared.   He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”   After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.   When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.     On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.  Then they opened their treas

Loving spending time with our NFL quarterback and some of our family in New Orleans. We've loved this one since the day he was born and his love for the Lord exudes from his heart! December 28 Being a quarterback at any level takes confidence.  I've watched this particular QB train hard since he was a youngster. Our ten year old grandson plays little league, so to get to have dinner with an NFL football player was quite the Christmas gift. This young man has learned at the high school, college and professional levels that every new program presents adjustments and a continual commitment to learning.  Isn't our faith a lot like that? Life is constantly changing and forever having us face new scenarios that require us to stop and seek the Lord with a heart willing to learn and adjust before we continue.  As in the game of football, we are not out there alone, it's a team effort. Part of the learning process is trusting our teammates and being confident in C

December 27 I realize I'm in the NFL (Nuts for the Lord), but I can't help going with the flow when the Spirit moves. Last week we got to the airport 2 minutes before our flight was to board for us to visit one of our sons and his wife. The dreaded announcement came that they were taking our plane back to the hanger for some repairs. Needless to say we missed our connecting flight.  While sitting in the Roanoke airport I spoke to a man across from us who looked familiar and asked if we had gone to PH together. He was from South Africa and had no idea PH was a local high school.  Then a boy walked by with script tattooed on this leg and I told my husband I thought it was scripture and wanted to ask if I could take a photo for the devotionals I write. He said emphatically , “No, leave him alone.” A few minutes later I said, “I’m really sorry, but the Spirit is telling me to talk to him. I’ve got to do this.” He rolled his eyes! The South African man laughed.

December  26 Earlier in the month we had our BIG snowstorm, Diego.  My favorite tree is the magnolia tree and we have a very large one in our yard.  Looking out the weight of the snow almost had her branches touching the ground. I thought, "She is laden with snow!"  Laden is defined as " heavily loaded or weighted down." What are you laden with right now?  Take it to Jesus! Isaiah 1:4 takes us back in history to learn from the Israelites.  Bless their hearts, their sin issues have been recorded for all to read throughout time.  What if ours were posted on Facebook for all to read as they popped up.  UGH " Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, children who deal corruptly!  They have forsaken the Lord, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are utterly estranged." There is nothing we, ourselves, can do to rid ourselves from sin.  What we can do is fall on our knees confessing our need for

December 25 Merry Christmas...Jesus' birth is such a reason to rejoice. Hanging out in Luke 1 and 2 filled with me such joy as new lessons and insight unfolded before me. I told my husband my quiet time in the Word had been like going to Jesus' birthday party! Two short prayers I wrote after reading in Luke were: Oh, Lord, that I would be found to be a faithful servant like young Mary.  May I give testimony to the belief that "nothing is impossible for God."  Wait!  Luke 1:37 says, "Nothing is impossible WITH God."  Help me remember that You are always with me and no matter how hard the mountain before me seems to climb or how deep the pit is I found myself in, I'm never alone in my travails. Thank You this Christmas Day for being YOU and all that encompasses.  Thank You that you satisfy and send help! Thank you for angels, like the ones the shepherds saw and Mary and Joseph listened to.  Thank You for sending the Holy Sprit and for your mercy th

He is so hoping he can get to one of those ornaments. Such joy and sense of accomplishment! A brand new crawler with high hopes of going where he wants! The playpen is on the way. December 24 Hope "a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen. " We have cut way back on the gift giving aspect on Christmas.  We no longer gather as a family, so the joy that comes in watching someone open what you have given doesn't exist.  The pressure of fulfilling all those expectations of what someone is hoping to receive is gone and we long to just spend time with those so precious to us. This year our church led us into a process of giving to our community.  It has been so much fun to give in a wide variety of ways to people who are not hoping  or expecting anything, but truly surprised by the generosity.  Six different giving opportunities took me to some places I've never been.  As we entered one trailer park, a man came out to m

December 23rd Rarely do I post on Sundays or use names, but this young woman, Rachel, is like a daughter to us. She and one of our daughter's have remained best friends since college.  She is currently a professor of voice and theatre at a VA College and went home to Kentucky for the holidays. A routine doctor's appointment led to a concern for ovarian cancer.   She goes to a cancer center December 26th. Please pray it is not cancer and that God is already healing her body.   There weeks ago our daughter went on a trip with her to celebrate her 40th birthday!  Life can change in a moment. " Never stop praying, especially for others. Always pray by the power of the Spirit. Stay alert and keep praying for God's people."   Ephesians 6:18 It is a gift from God  to be able to pray for one another.

Some of the things that thrill my heart...time with these three! Thank You Lord! December 22 (Somehow I missed posting this back in November, but it's a great reminder as the enemy loves to stir up strife at family Christmas gatherings.  Put on your armor and let the Spirit lead you these next few days.) October and November were months where we saw the enemy at work bringing discouragement into the lives of those we love. Runaway children, cancer diagnosis, divorce, cures for other diseases not on the horizon, marriages on rocky ground, alcohol and drug addictions, infertility battles seeming endless, prayers for loved ones to come to the Lord still unanswered. One precious friend emailed for wisdom on how to encourage an adult child in a tough situation. My husband said, "I don't have wisdom for that particular situation, so tough." Paul has some great advice. "And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong.  So take everything

I followed these reindeer around town wondering where their path might lead. A tired soul needing to be refreshed. December 21 Often people ask me if I am the same after the stroke.  Definitely not. Sometime I laugh and ask Deke what I am like now, because with a brain injury there's a great probability we don't know what we are like! I choose to believe Genesis 50:20. " What Satan...meant for evil, God meant it for good!"   Life is slower now, but also more precious because I know it can change in an instant. The biggest difference I am aware of is that various things fatigue my brain and I have to recharge. Just getting to a quiet, dark place for about 20 minutes (or as in the case of the photo that was taken of me this week putting a blanket over my head) allows the Lord to refresh not only my soul, but my brain. " He leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.  He guides me along the right paths for his name's sake. Even though

December 20 It's so hard to not get caught up in the hustle bustle the world dangles in front of us this season.  It happened to me yesterday.  I was out the door early without my Jesus time. I ended up perusing the aisles of Kroger and the Dollar Store for over an hour for items for our grandchildren and our upcoming "Cousin Camp."  Then I came home and wrapped thirty plus tiny treasures for another hour.  After that the day slipped away with visits from friends, chores and changing the downstairs decor from a Christmas theme to a snowman theme. Not once did either of my current Bible studies or Jesus Calling get opened.  Flash forward to 3:45AM and I'm up with Jesus.  Flipping back a page in Jesus Calling  I found the words I needed to have read yesterday. "Don't be weighed down by the clutter in your life: lots of little chores to do sometime, in no particular order. If you focus too much on these petty tasks, trying to get them all out of

December 19 What Christmas tradition keeps you coming back to this time of year again and again with enthusiasm? Here at Shiloh there is a sugar cookie recipe that is a taste to savor. Last week we stacked the cookies up to make a tree. Others were adorned with festive sprinkles, but they were scarfed up before I got a picture. I need to interview our grandchildren and ask what it is they each run through the door to when they arrive at Shiloh, because each of them takes off as they cross the threshold heading towards something their little mind has been anticipating. For some it's heading to a favorite toy up in our loft play area. Others know where the snack drawer is, while some head to the craft table in our bedroom hoping to find supplies for a project they've been contemplating making.  Some make a run around the kitchen island to see if they favorite cookie or muffin has been baked or if in the little drink refrig there is that beverage their parents would neve

December 18   There are so many good things to eat in December!  Peppermint milk shakes, egg nog ice cream only found on the shelves this month, cookies galore and homemade candies we look forward to popping in our mouths.  While we savor the tastes of Christmas they do not fulfill our longings. "Jesus answered, 'I tell you for certain that you are not looking for me because you saw the miracles, but because you ate all the food you wanted. Don't work for food that spoils. Work for food that gives eternal life.  The Son of Man will give you this food, because God the Father has given him the right to do so. "What exactly does God want us to do?" the people asked.  Jesus answered, 'God wants you to have faith in the one he sent...' "I am that bread from heaven! Everyone who eats it will live forever."    John 6:26-29, 51 My declaration: O Bread of Life, thank You for coming down from heaven as our Provision!  You have given us food that

December 17 Snow days give way to times of great contemplation.  December lends itself to thinking about why the whole Jesus thing happened.  Somehow I landed in Hebrews chapter 2 in the CEV translation and it tells the story so well. When we conjure up the "what if's" in life, wishing ours was different from what it has become, let's remember the sacrificial love of the whole Jesus thing. God created himself to come to earth as Jesus to die for us, so we could be His chosen ones. Maybe we wanted to be a mother, but God called us to something else. Maybe we wanted to have our name in Hollywood lights, but instead we are burning the light at each end to make ends meet for our family. Maybe we just want to be appreciated and loved...does Jesus feel like that? I know your days are busy, but if you want to make time to read Hebrews 2 you will be blessed. I picked out several verses that I've gone back to again and again. It is a gift from God  to be a

Night versus day after the snow view. December 15-16 " On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, 'Peace be with you." When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.  Then the disciples were glad when the saw the Lord.  Jesus said to them again, ' Peace be with you . As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.'"   John 20:19-21 " For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace ."   Isaiah 9:6 Many churches have a time in their service titled "Pass the Peace."  You are to turn to someone near you and say, "Peace be with you."  And how is that possible?  Not in our own strength, but by welcoming the Son, that was given, the one who

December 14 Oh, how I hope you've had time to sit by your tree and read from Luke.  My church "greeter" question this month is "Besides Jesus, who is one of your favorite personalities from the Christmas story?" As a woman who treasures friendships, my heart thrills when Mary and Elizabeth gather and rejoice together over their unexpected pregnancies.  We are told that Elizabeth was much older, than teenaged Mary.  We are also told that they are cousins on some level.  Elizabeth was from the Jewish tribe of Levi, a daughter of Aaron (Mose's brother) and Mary was from the tribe of Judah. Elizabeth is such an encourager. She had kind of a southern girl "Bless your heart!" moment when Mary arrives at her home. The Spirit literally moved within her having her speak that Mary was with child. God was so gracious to give these two pregnant gals, who needed encouraging time together! "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of

December 13 Some of the grands and I were talking about how amazing God is.  The discussion started with how intricate our bodies are.  Eyes to see, ears to hear, tongues that taste and hands that feel.  Then we went on to talk about how God knows everything we are thinking and has ways to speak to our minds and hearts.  Wait!  But at the same time He's doing that for his creations all around the world.  No, wait!  That's happening in universes we don't even know about. WOW!  There is no way we can begin to comprehend the vastness and depth of God. "How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!  How vast is the sum of them!" Psalm 139:17 It is a gift from God  to be intricately woven together and known by Him personally.

A real Christmas blast from the past. 1988 Our little stair steps. December 12 December is a wonderful time to delve into Luke.  Chapter 2 tells the story. The what, where and why of Jesus being born in a manger. "In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria.  And all went to be registered, each to his own town.  And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn." The past couple weeks I've been waking up at 3:00 in the morning, unable to go back to sl

My girlfriend's barn the night of the storm! December 11 Wowzer!  We got socked with an enormous snow storm named Diego on Sunday. While these storms are gorgeous " magical " our daughter said, having you feeling as if you are living right in the middle of Narnia, they can be paralyzing. "God's majestic voice thunders his commands, creating miracles too marvelous for us to understand. Snow and heavy rainstorms make us stop and think about God's power, and they force animals to seek shelter ."  Job 37:4-7 In an attempt to help another, my husband's truck ended up in a ditch and he needed help to be towed out.  Later, the home of that very friend who had helped us was without power for fourteen hours and night time tempts dropped into the low 20's.  Brrrr. It's not until we are without power that we realize all that power affords us.  Light, heat, running water, not to mention our electronically fueled sources of information and

I love lights and keep these up year round. I just change out the decor around them. December 10 (We've been so thrilled by the snow I forgot to post the weekend devotional thought.  See if below.) Oh the joy doing an Advent study brings me! This year I'm doing three!  Somedays time affords me the luxury of curling up in a recliner by the tree with a fuzzy blanket and basking in the love of our Lord. One study used scripture referencing Jesus teaching the crowds that He is the Light of the World. " Jesus spoke to them again: 'I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.'"  John 8:12 "Jesus answered, 'The light will be with you only a little longer.  Walk while you have the light so that darkness doesn't overtake you.  The one who walks in darkness doesn't know where he's going. While you have the light, believe in the light so that you may become chil