Boojoyful

And my God will meet all your needs  according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:19  Looking down at my phone Saturday afternoon, I realized I'd missed a call from the husband of a long time friend.  Concern crept in immediately. He was letting me know his wife had been diagnosed with an inoperable tumor on her esophagus and the attempts at chemo were not helping and making her feel awful, so she had requested hospice.  This was 10 years to the day that our mutual friend, whom I wrote about Saturday, had died. Our eldest children met in kindergarten and we mommas became quick friends, as did all of our children.  She's the type of friend who is comfortable walking in your house unannounced and doesn't allow the chaos of a household of six children phase her at all. If she had to wipe a runny nose or change a diaper, she'd be on it.  The kind of friend, who when your mother just died, takes over your kitchen and has lunch f...

Ten years ago I lost as good a friend as anyone could want.  A Jonathon and David sort of deal.  More than  year after her death, I was leaving our library parking lot.  Someone had upset me and  I was in the car, fighting back tears, when my phone came on through the car speakers. It was an old voicemail from Kaye and she said, "Where are you?"  I have no idea how God did that, but it startled in me a chuckle instead of tears.  It was as if she was calling from heaven saying, "Get up here, it's great!" I still have that voicemail on my phone. Kaye, I miss you and thank God for you.  See you soon! She Fought the Good Fight   -  February 26, 2012 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him .  1 John 4:9 A fitting verse for the day my everyday friend, soul sister, monster of the faith and mischievous partner in crime, Kaye, left this world beh...

While doing a study on David and Goliath with some of our grandsons one drew this awesome sketch! Delving into 1 Samuel chapters 16-17 got me fired up.  God's Word tends to do just that. Walking with Him is so exciting. Bible teacher, Paige Brown, was teaching on the David's encounter with Goliath while including sideline stories on Samuel and Saul. She starts out stating:  " We live in a world where physical beauty outranks spiritual depth…Charisma is prized above character."    She reflects on how often we look on the outside physical stature and good looks of an individual, as well as their crowd appeal and self confidence when looking for leaders. Even Samuel, who walked so closely and obediently to the Lord, went to the oldest and strongest physically when God sent him to inquire of Jesse's sons.  Jesse himself had not even invited his youngest son, David, to the feast. Brown points out that when churches are seeking individuals for...

 Our 10 year old grandson and his seasoned instructor. Opening  my eyes from an early morning prayer time on 2/12, I looked out the windows to see the white birds had  return!   Ev ery February these birds descend upon our cove very early in the morning.  I don’t know where they are on their journey, they never stay long, but they always return here along their way. In a similar pattern we have a little hummingbird that comes back to our deck each year. These birds are such a sign of God’s guidance and consistency.   Usually there are only three white birds, this year there was a fourth.  The first time I saw one flying towards Shiloh I thought, here comes the Holy Spirit. For me the three birds represent the Trinity. The presence of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The word  return  set me thinking about life here  in a summer resort community where so many people  return each year to create memories and en...

  Two girlfriends have requested prayer for their husband's BP issues this past week. As I was praying for one, God said from now on when you see BP remember you are Blessed People! I heard a sermon once that we shouldn't say, "God bless you," because God has already blessed us all by simply being God and giving us his Son.  People tend to think of blessings in material ways.   God blessed me with this family, with this college scholarship, with a car, etc. “The Greek word translated blessed in the passages below is makarioi which means to be fully satisfied. It refers to those having God’s favor, no matter the circumstances.”  You will notice in these verses there is no mention of material prosperity. Blessed are the poor in spirit. . . . Blessed are those who mourn. . . . Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake . . . Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you. Matthew 5:3-4, 10-11  Blessed rather are those who hear the word o...

I like projects/studies that can be completed in a reasonable amount of time.  Knitting, sewing, painting, cooking, teaching, Bible studies and even devotional writing. There is something in my selection process that leans towards things that afford the comfort of a realistic completion.   Paul speaks with confident encouragement to the his fellow believers in Philippians 1:6                God is the one who began this good work in you, and I am certain that he won't stop before it is complete on the day that  Christ Jesus returns. Oh, my.  The process of God's transforming work in me is SLOW. I am so thankful for his patient love and that his timing is an all together concept of my timing.   Salvation from the penalty of sins is immediate upon the acceptance of Christ, but becoming more like Christ (sanctification) is whoa...slow for God's creation called Boo. The pine trees in our yard...

One of the funniest activities around here has been watching our grandchildren attempt to use this rotary dial telephone.  None of them have had any idea you have to pick up the "receiver". They don't even know what a receiver is.  When they did they all say, "What is that awful sound?"  A dial tone!  The first attempt at making a call starts by sticking their fingers in the hole and pushing, sometimes pushing really hard.  Then add the concept of the cord and being wired into the wall and not able to walk anywhere you want. Technology changes, but praise the Lord, our Receiver never does! He is available to us the very same way He was to Adam and Eve.  Call upon His name! I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purposes for me. Psalm 57:2 In our need we call upon God whom we can trust is using all things that come into our lives for a divine purpose for us.  The purpose isn't to make life easy, the purpose is to make us like Christ. F...

                                          And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.                                                               Hebrews 10:24 Fifteen dozen Valentine donuts from Krispy Kreme stirred up some sweet fellowship before church last Sunday.  Every single one was eaten in a twenty minute span of time. My husband, the campus pastor, got nervous that people were enjoying breaking bread together so much they were not going to go into the worship center for the service!  God created people to be together.   Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 More...

Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life. Proverbs 13:!2 It is God's will for everyone to be held He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction. Psalm 107:20 My son, be attentive to my words;  incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their lfesh. Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life .    Proverbs 4:23 The Lyrics to today's song "In Jesus Name" are beautiful. Receive the blessing. I speak the name of Jesus over you  In your hurting, in your sorrow  I will ask my God to move I speak the name cause it's all that I can do  In desperation, I'll seek heaven  And pray this for you I pray for your healing  That circumstances would change I pray that the fear inside would flee  In Jesus na...

  Are you drawn in by a deal?  This popped up on my in box last week and I thought really?  Someone is going to spend $50 to get free popcorn.   There is a much better deal.  The cost? Faith and surrender. And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Acts 16:31 The Songs for Kids https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2VgD0drsSc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MK3lRGVw1Kw

Our little 1 year old is coming to visit soon!   A friend was in my dreams last week and then the next morning her name popped up on PrayerMate, so I texted to see what I could specifically pray for.  Her request clarity.   I wrote her a prayer and have tweaked it a bit for you and for me! Father, only you understand the choices we each face.  You see what is going on in each of our  lives at the deepest level.  Fill us with discernment and clarity of mind as we make decisions as to what honors You.  Don’t allow us to be influenced by the world, but guided by the Holy Spirit in all that we are called to do. Keep us from growing weary, unless You are using weariness as a tool to lead us elsewhere.  Help us rest well at night and awaken each day to live out Romans 12:2 and “be transformed by the renewing of our minds” so that we work out your will in every situation we are called to speak into. Remind us this battle is not agains...

  These two Jesus loving sisters are adorable in their Valentine attire.  They come into church every Sunday with a smile. When was the last time you asked, "Jesus if you are there...?" Maybe in the midst of a trial you have even asked the Lord, "Are you kidding me?" as the trial got even harder.  But the great part of our faith stories is that we keep calling out because we know He is with us and will see us through the storms of life. Check out Peter's walking on water story.  On earth God is going to call us to get into the boat and go places that may be rough, but he wants us to remember we are not alone.  Just like the disciples, we can call out, take heart, and not be afraid, for those who have called out have been saved.  So, what do we do? We worship and praise God that a particular test is over and file it into our memory as a grand remembrance for when the next one comes.   Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before h...

Our Charlottesville, VA sweet hearts. Life comes with so many unknowns... ...the weather,  college acceptances,  who we will marry , if we will have children, what will happen going thru airport security and whether flights will arrive and depart on time, if we have to wear masks or not, the outcome of medical procedures, and certainly what God is up to in our world. Unknowns often equate to anxiety, but we know anxiety is not from the Lord. So, what does God's Word tell us to do? Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3 Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand .  Isaiah 41:10 Faith makes us sure of what we hope for and gives us proof of what we cannot see .  Hebrews 11:1 What do we know? Jesus Christ never changes! He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8 My ...

  Our Virginia Beach sweet hearts. "How’s your heart?"  I think that will be my greeters question at church tomorrow.  That's a good twist from "How are you?" Our hearts can be soaring or sinking for everything flows from our hearts.  Our fears and forgiveness.  Our anger and anxiety.  Our hurts and hopes.  Our doubts and dreams.  Our love and loneliness. Our greed or generosity. The heart makes you who you are, so God reminds us... Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." Proverbs 4:23  "A heart submitted to Christ in prayer is protected by Christ with peace." Boyd Bailey Cupid is said to have arrows that penetrate our hearts.  I'm known for saying, "The devil has darts" that he tosses at us. Therefore, we need the shield of faith to hold up against those incoming darts. Recently, my heart was wounded two days in a row through different scenarios. My first instinct was to pick up the phone a...

  The youngest of our 12 sweet hearts. We are so quick to forget who God is, what he has done and what he is going to do. Write a Valentine to God and include five remembrances of what He has done in your life. Even the disciples who walked side by side with Him forgot what he could do. But Jesus, aware of this, said,  “O you of little faith, why are you discussing among yourselves the fact that you have no bread?   Do you not yet perceive? Do you not remember  the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? Matthew 16:8-9 The Song " Remember to Remember" Steven Curtis Chapman https://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=102CC1NU

Our Minnesota Sweet Hearts Our First Love As we continue doing life in “heart month” let’s do a little heart check. Do we seek God first? But seek first the kingdom or God and his righteousness. Matthew 6:33 When our eyes open in the morning are our first thoughts on God, even thanking him for seeing us through the night? When there is reason for jubilation do we share the exciting news with God or pick up the phone and text another. When we have been tested to the max and are so frustrated by another to whom do we take our grumbling?  To the One who can change the grumbler’s heart or to an earthly listening ear. When panic, fear or anxiety set in, where do we go? Do we talk about Jesus constantly and share His Word? Whoever speaks is to do so as one who is speaking actual words of God; whoever 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 through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever a...

Conversation Hearts I should have been on the treadmill hours before, but on my way to get dressed for a workout, I picked up some fabric which had been sitting in the corner of the kitchen for months waiting for me to use it and recover some stools. The distraction almost grabbed me when I felt the prodding from that still small voice that I should be working out. The conversation with God went like this. God: "Go work out." Me:  "It takes too long. God; "It takes 30 minute and could save your life." Me:  "You already saved me life!" God: "Right! For MY purposes, now go work out." Whew, Jonah didn't walk the way God told him to and remember where he ended up.  Honestly, I wish digging into God's Word was the only workout we needed. But this is what I commanded them, saying, ‘Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you will be My people; and you will walk in all the way which I command you, that it may be well with you.’   Jeremia...