Boojoyful

Sarah Young wrote in Jesus calling: "Do not feel guilty about taking time to be still in My Presence. You are simply responding to the tugs of divinity within you. I made you in My image, and I hid heaven in your heart. Your yearning for Me is a form of homesickness: longing for your true home in heaven." It makes sense that the One who created us instilled is us a desire to be with Him.  As an artist signs a painting or an author a written piece of work, God has put his signature within our hearts in a way that causes us to long to know Him.  Our minds were made to wonder! How wonderful  it is when that inclination  causes us to wander  home to the One who loves us most. As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?  —Psalm 42:1–2 Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.  —Psalm 34:5

So, the crazy bluebird was banging away on my window while our precious grandson was engaging in my devotional time with me.  This particular day he was learning to use Biblegateway and chose the word " love" to search. So many verses came up that he decided to narrow his search with "love your neighbor." Reading the first verse he said, "What? 'Hate your enemies.'" I replied, "Read on." " You have heard people say, 'Love your neighbors and hate your enemies.'  But I tell you to love your enemies and pray for anyone who mistreats you.  Then you will be acting like your Father in heaven. He makes the sun rise on both good and bad people. And he sends rain for the ones who do right and for the ones who do wrong.  If you love only those people who love you, will God reward you for that? Even tax collectors  love their friends.  If you greet only your friends, what’s so great about that? Don’t even unbelievers do that...

Jumping into the belly of the shark! My heart is heavy for several marriage situations where infidelity has occurred or is nipping at the heels of a husband or wife. Genesis 2:16 says " The Lord God commanded the man, 'You are free to eat from any tree in the garden.'"   Now I do not know how many types of trees there were in the Garden of Eden, but I'm certain there were many.  Verse 17 simply adds ONE exception..."from the tree of knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat." There was purpose and protection in God's limited restriction, but Satan flaunted that temptation in front of Adam and Eve. God has a restriction for married couples that is for our good!  One man and one woman!  Committed  to one another and commanded to be faithful to one another.  We enter into the marriage covenant and make these promises by our faith in Jesus Christ. " Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen...

These two love evening swims in their underwear! Thank You Lord for summertime! Sorry for the delay today. For two and a half weeks I've been struggling with what we think is vertigo.  Im hunkering down this afternoon and tomorrow and trying to be still.  Please pray these head issues go away.  I know several of you have battled this and know how debilitating it can be. The next study I'm embarking on is one on worship!  In preparation for that August 5th She Reads Truth event I'm being intentional to sing to the Lord every day! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvSuGyJQ6oM I love You, Lord For Your mercy never failed me All my days, I've been held in Your hands From the moment that I wake up Until I lay my head Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God And all my life You have been faithful And all my life You have been so, so good With every breath that I am able Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God I love Your voice You have led me through...

One of our scripture signs. "Be still and know that I am God. The original Hebrew root of be still doesn't mean 'be quiet'; it means 'let go.'  That's very different, don't you think?  Let go and know that I am God!  Let go of trying to control your spouse!  Let go of your worry about you finances!  Let go of your unforgiveness! Let go of you past!  Let go of what you can't control-and rest in the knowledge that God is in control."   This is from a  website called she-rises.

These parents are divorced and although it breaks my heart and I wish it was not so,  I admire the way they have chosen to live at peace with each other for the happiness of their daughter. "God is the one who makes us patient and cheerful. I pray that he will help you live at peace with each other, as you follow Christ. Then all of you, together will praise God."  Romans 15:5-6 What area of your life is less than cheerful? Where is the enemy stealing patience from you? We need to put away our tool belts, our "I can fix anything" attitudes and allow God to be the Master of peace and us to where the cap that says, "I will praise Him."

This series of photos, which I captured between our two youngest grands, thrills my heart.  He is checking her out! Exploring her from mouth to toe! It's okay to be curious! Curiosity- eager to learn or know something . The young man singing for my youth group in 1973 shared at the end of his performance if there was anyone interested in knowing how to have a personal relationship with Jesus he'd be happy to talk to them.  I was curious and now so thankful I asked more questions.  I'm still asking questions! Likewise, after a number of Jews saw Lazarus come out of his tomb they were curious about Jesus. John 11:45-48; 53-57 " That was a turnaround for many of the Jews who were with Mary. They saw what Jesus did, and believed in him. But some went back to the Pharisees and told on Jesus. The high priests and Pharisees called a meeting of the Jewish ruling body. 'What do we do now?' they asked. 'This man keeps on doin...

Easy to love this one. “Your life creates an impact.” “ Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity, show yourself an example to those who believe.”  1 Timothy 4:12  A thirteen year old girl attending our ladies summer study spoke up recently and shared how she and her best friend are very much alike, thus they argue a lot.  One recent argument had led to a parting of ways.  This girl has a very godly mother who pointed her to the fact that this relationship would be greatly missed. She suggested her daughter pray about taking the first step towards reconciliation.  Praise the Lord this gal listened to her mother's advice and her apology was received and reciprocated, saving the friendship.  A good example for us all! In Priscilla Shirer's book Awaken  she challenges us to recognize those who have been examples for us and remember we are being watched to see how people might patter...

Our two youngest sons. Our July festival of family ended with a treasured flashback for me.  Our two youngest wanted to go out for an evening of wake boarding. Watching the joy and unity of these two encouraging one another flashed back twenty-one years to when we began this lake living adventure.   Now they are husbands and fathers living far apart.  They no longer sleep in rooms next to one another sharing a bathroom or ride together to school and play on the same sports teams, but the laughter, love and respect is still inside them.  Getting to glimpse that is a blessing to a mother's heart. "Behold, how good and pleasant it is  when  brothers dwell in unity!" Psalm 133:1 " Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another."   Proverbs 27:17 The next generation. These three brothers escaping the summer heat.

Our oldest and youngest granddaughters. The phrase " passed by"  clamored in my head. Our grandsons were attending a children's lecture on reptiles at a national monument.  Our daughter watched from the back of the room as they politely raised their hands with questions and were passed by again and again. Years ago my father drove his car off the side of a curvy mountain road and said he could see the headlights of cars passing by not stopping to help. We've all experienced the disappointment in being passed by whether in small scenarios such as  elementary school kickball team selection or event invitations; or possibly large life impacting situations such as job promotions or as an adoptive parent by placement agencies. Moses had to be covered while the Lord passed by him!  " And the Lord said, 'Behold, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock, and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cove...

Loved having these Charlottesville women and a couple more for a weekend of refreshment. "Stand still!"  How many times as a mom/grandmother/wife have those words left my mouth. Whew! I've applied a lot of sunscreen this past month and when doing little faces that's a frequent refrain. When I'm taking a fish off a hook for someone, cutting fingernails, getting out a splinter or a tick off those words spew out. A friend sent this Daily Moments with God post. "If you are looking for a word today to stand on, I'm going to give you two. Those words are ... "stand still".  Remember today no matter what goes on, to "stand still". Stand still and know that God is your Father. Stand still and know that  God is well able to deliver you. Stand still and know that God is watching over His Word to perform it in your life. Stand still and know that greater is He that is in you than anything coming against you in this world.   Stan...

Love having  my bundles with me on Sunday mornings. Melanie Rainer is the editor for Kids Read Truth out of Nashville, TN.   A post from April 1st popped up on my phone and I thought parts of it were simply beautiful and wanted to share.  The article is titled "Elihu's Appeal to Wisdom." Elihu who? The name had me stumped. Elihu was a young counselor who responded to Job's cry for help in Job chapters 34-35.  As with some other "friends and family" members of Job's, this fellow isn't oozing with compassion, but Rainer relates he is speaking truths about God. "It is impossible for God to do wrong and for the Almighty to act unjustly."  Job 34:10 Rainer writes, "Sometimes God is silent.  Sometimes He speaks. But He is always just, the standard of all that is good and holy and right. He is almighty, the all-knowing, the only Author and Creator and Sustainer of our faith." This author goes on to ask, "Do you trust Hi...

Shake your tambourine and shout hallelujah, but remember sin and our need for a Savior are lurking right around the corner.  In the She Reads Truth study I'm working through this summer there are several sibling rivalry stories represented. Moses, Miriam and Aaron expose one of those situations. Miriam was a woman of conviction, faith and praise who had seen some major God miracles starting at a young age, as she watched her brother Moses float down a river in a basket.  We have moments of jubilation when we want to shake our tambourines and rejoice as Miriam did after she walked through the Red Sea on dry land! " Sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted; he has thrown the horse and its rider into the sea."   Exodus 15:21 You would think after seeing the Red Sea part you would never question God, but she and Aaron began to grumble a bit as they felt God was showing preference to Moses.  How quickly we all can forget. Erin Davis wrote this on the...

I love the smile on this one's face when he messed up a trick on his wakeboard! She Reads Truth has a study this summer titled "Women and Men in the World-Old Testament." I've been working my way through the mess Laban created by tricking Jacob into marrying his oldest daughter when Jacob was in love with the younger daughter, Rachel.  Laban ended up allowing Jacob to marry both sisters. Such a mess! This father was thinking about no one except himself and having these girls married off. Beyond the lifetime of strife that occurred between these sisters was the devastation and jealousy, resulting in some life threatening plotting between the eleven sons of these two women against the youngest son, Joseph. The schemes of these brothers landed Joseph in a "pit" of despair. Recalling the story, it was the love of the earthly father for Joseph and possibly this young man's arrogant telling of his dreams from his heavenly Father that were a perfect ...

Infant life jackets. Whew! Hard to cope with. What is it that has you at your limit?  That thing that finds you saying, "I just can't deal with this!" I"m sure for many of the 23 people sleeping here last week there were times they thought..."I can't do this anymore!" Sarah Young wrote in Jesus Calling  "Invite Me into your thoughts by whispering My Name. Suddenly your day brightens and feels more user-friendly.  You cannot dread a day that is vibrant with My Presence.. . Anxiety stems from asking the wrong question: 'If such and such happens, can I handle it?' The true question is not whether you can cope with whatever happens, but whether you and I together can handle anything that occurs." Life can change in a flash. We've already seen that over and over this summer in tragic ways. The question is not whether we can cope. The question is whether we will cope with Jesus! In the morning, O Lord, you hear m...

It's a joy to watch how these cousins are learning to love one another and to recognize the "Devil Darts" that come our way. Paul teaches us... “Let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this-not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way.”  Romans 14:13 The timing was perfect as I turned the page and read one of Priscilla Shirer's devotionals from her book Awaken.    I was in a setting where I was prone to judge and I found it spiritually therapeutic to personalize one of her thoughts. "Through my human bent toward unrighteousness and my antagonism to God’s ways, I’ve given the Devil plenty of ammunition to launch a judgement attack against me for all my sin. But my kind, kind Father ' made Him who knew no sin to be sin on my behalf, so that I might become the righteousness of God in Him .'”  (2 Corinthians 5:21) “There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus .” Romans 8:1   Priscillas ...

The heart tugs of motherhood can be horrific.  Last Sunday, after I traveled to the Roanoke airport to put our beloved Tampa family on a plane, I then rushed back over the mountain to pray with our greeter team at church. Grief jumped up and unexpectedly bit me.  As I began to pray for the category of  church members traveling my voice choked up and I couldn't go on. Then the tears began to drip down my check as my heart ached to have to say good-bye to our children and grandchildren whom we love so dearly. My husband and I were blessed to live in the same hometown in the same neighborhood as both sets of our parents.  Seeing them was a daily occurrence.  None of our seven children live in the same town as us. As I drove away from that airport that morning the word farewell  came to mind.  The dictionary defines it as "good wishes when parting".  To me it also breaks down as fare  "perform in a specific way over a period of time...

  Lake life will do this to you! I could share some grown up shots as well. There have been times I've wondered why God created us to need rest.  Likewise, with the chore that grocery shopping and food preparation can be I've wondered about the necessity of eating. Both of these activities require us to stop and be replenished by a heavenly Father who loves us and is the Master of Restoration and a God who desires relationship.  These often only occurs when we slow down. My guess is either you or someone you know can be encouraged today by these verses related to exhaustion. You know, the times we are worn to a frazzle physically or emotionally. " For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish."   Jeremiah 31:25 " He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength."   Isaiah 40:28-29  " But they who wai...

A group of us gathered recently to hear the testimony of a sweet friend who had waited years for a baby.  Many of us had been praying for over three years for God to bless this couple with a baby through adoption and our prayers came to fruition!  The tears flowed as we heard how God had been weaving the pieces of this answered prayer together for years through amazing connections. " Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." Matthew 7:7

Happy 4th of July, God please bless America and find us governed in a way that honors You. In Jesus' Name, Amen "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. "  Galations 5:1   Freedom-the power to act, speak or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint. "Freedom is doing what you love to do if you love to do what you ought to do. If you want real freedom like this, then be transformed by the renewal of your mind." John Piper Here is a short 4 minute clip by John Piper on how being transformed by the renewal of our minds brings real freedom. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a786V49ZQWw Another great verse found in  John 8:30-36 helps us focus in on our freedom from sin which is only found in Christ.  " So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him,  “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,   and you will  know the truth, and the truth  will...