Boojoyful

Suddenly  it's August!  We talk about how life can suddenly " change on a dime".  Often that comment coincides with something tragic, but if you insert suddenly  into a BibleGateway search you see some pretty exciting positive things that happened suddenly. How about the angel suddenly appearing to the shepherds in the field and announcing the birth of Christ. Then suddenly there was a multitude of angels.  Luke 2:8- 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying... .   Saul/Paul had a sudden blinding shock on the road to Damascus in Acts chapter 9. Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. The great escape in Acts 16:26 where Paul and Silas were praying and singing in prison came suddenly. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bo...

High Winds and Hail This past spring we had new gutters installed and as Winnie the Pooh would say, “It was   blustery day.”   There were high winds and reports of hail.   I looked out and our friend, doing the work, was on a very high ladder.   I stopped and prayed prayers of protection over him. My mind cannot wrap around the danger our military faces for our freedom every day, but the maneuvers which were carried out in “Midnight Hammer” on June 22 had many people praying. I cannot even imagine the fears that arose in Texas this summer as the flood waters stole so much from those communities. Scripture tells us to not fear, but remember that the Lord our God holds onto us. Here are powerful verses to turn into prayers when high winds and hail come your way and fear rears its head. “The Lord will fight for you, and you won’t have to do a thing.” Exodus 14:14 “You will keep in perfect pea...

Another wonderful summer week of cousin fellowship at the lake. Ending a very hot day with an after dinner swim. Listening to the Matthew West song below gave me reason to pause and ponder the magnitude of God.  I asked myself, "Do my husband, any of my children or neighbors have me on their minds right now?  Possibly.  How about our governor or the president whose authority I am under?  Probably not. But God Almighty is capable of keeping all of us on His mind all the time. David, a man after God's own heart, has a lot to say about God's knowing in Psalm 139 (CEV).  This is such a rich, rich Psalm and worth regularly meditating upon. Here are a few takeaways to remember. You have looked deep into my heart, Lord, and you know all about me. You know when I am resting or when I am working and from heaven you discover my thoughts. You notice everything I do and everywhere I go.  Before I even speak a word you know what I will say, and with your powerful arm yo...

  Our son and his daughter heading into the great unknown at a horse show in OK. A girl and her horse is a powerful relationship. Two of our granddaughters, 10 and 11 years old, live the horse show life. One in Utah is part of the Arabian world, the one in Minnesota a hunter jumper.   Before the younger was heading to Youth Nationals the horse she had shown for three years came up lame and could not go to the show.  A week later that horse had to be put down.  A broken heart can't begin to describe the devastation this was. A family at the show, hearing the story, offered their horse and this brave, sweet girl got on a horse she had never ridden and won a national title! Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 As you listen to these song lyrics today my guess is either you or someone you love is dealing with heartbreak.  My husband and I have been in a season of seeing and feeling it over and over again with people we lov...

The horse moms in our family make our granddaughters' riding experiences magical. "I have a future and it's worth living. I wasn't made to be tending a grave. I was called by name...A fountain of grace is running my way....I know who I am. I know who You are."  From the song "Made for More" My guess is that in your lifetime your thoughts of what your future will be have changed.  This song reminds us that with God  our future is and will always be worth living.  Think about this...our future is never unknown to God. The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.  Proverbs 16:9 The Song "Made for More" Josh Baldwin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ov9Ls4npIrc

Sitting down for a summer supper on our deck we realized how blessed we are. Three different friends had made our meal special by sharing their flowers, beef from their herd, and another the macaroni salad she had made.  Time had crept up on me. In twenty minutes a couple would be coming to our home seeking advice. All I knew was that it was not marriage related.  I sat down and asked the Lord, "What is it You want me to share?" Opening a devotional I'd been using, I turned to that specific day and found this statement. " Lord, I don't come to you often enough with my questions. But I long to hear your voice. Open my ears that I migth hear you speaking.  Holy Spirit, help me hear.  What is it you wnat for my life God?"  John Eldredge My first thought was to set Q-tips out for them to signal a need to "open" their ears. Instead, I took that advice for myself and sought the Lord's advice as to what I should say. The Lord led me to use that quote...

  There is so much to say about the 3rd person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit. He indwells all believers and is at work in us as much as we will allow him access.  He is my constant companion!  When I became a believer at sixteen years of age, I wish I had been taught more about Him and surrendered and listened to Him.  He’s called God ( Acts 5:3-4 ). He’s called the Spirit of God ( Gen. 1:2 ;   Judg. 3:10 ). He’s considered God ( Acts 28:25–27 ;   2 Cor. 6:16 ;   Heb. 3:7–9 ). He’s treated as equal to God the Father and Son ( Matt. 3:16 ;   28:19 ;   1 Cor. 12:4–6 ;   2 Cor. 13:14 ;   Eph. 2:18 ;   4:4–6 ;   1 Pet. 1:2 ). He’s eternal ( Heb. 9:14 ). He’s self-existent ( Rom. 8:2 ). He’s omnipresent ( Psa. 139:7–8 ). He’s omniscient ( 1 Cor. 2:10–11 ;   John 14:26 ;   16:13 ). He’s sovereign ( Zech. 12:10 ). He was involved with creation ( Gen. 1:1–2 ). He enabled the writing of the Bible ( 2 Pet. 1:21 ). He hel...

  A friend has a pet squirrel named Scarlet.  This squirrel comes in her house for treats, but this particular morning Scarlet joined my friend during her quiet time as she was reading God's Word! On a Monday morning, following two nights of tossing and turning due to too much on my mind,  I told my husband I was going to try to go back to sleep and hopefully would fall asleep before he left for work.  I listed off several things I thought we needed to accomplish that particular week. A dermatology appointment, getting new glasses following an optometrist appointment, talking to a landscaper and tree person, meet with our home security company concerning some issues...At that point he stopped me and said, "Not this week. I have a lot on me work wise."   I knew he had, as he'd been one of my first prayers in the middle of the night. With the kindest spirit he said, "Let's get out our prayer books and pray over each other."  We had neglected that for ove...

Summer boat ride. The topic on my brain is wooing.  There are numerous definitions for woo.   I chuckled at some of the more contemporary sites like this one...vocabulary.com  (Especially the last example!) "When you woo  someone, you are being charming because you think that it will make them love you more.  You want to win their heart, so you woo  them, you flirty dog you." "Poetry is a great way to woo someone, because who could resist such beautiful words? Wooing requires a romantic heart and a lot of focused attention on the person you desire.  But wooing isn't always just done for love, and you can woo someone because you want their support, like when a rock band woos a record label to release their album, or wooing your grandmother because you need to borrow some money ."  LOL. Can you remember a time you were wooed or that you wooed someone?  It's fun to think back upon those times.  Maybe you need to do some wooing tonight....

  Camo Camp 2025 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give all of you into our hands." 1 Samuel 17:47 And Moses said to the people, "Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today.  For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again.   The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent. " Exodus 14:13-14 What are up against and trying to resolve in your own power?   This week I have friends in serious health battles, grief  battles, court battles, and employment battles.  Exodus 14:14 can be claimed in all these situations. There is victory in Jesus!  Amen! The Song "The Battle Belongs to You, Lord"  Phil Wickham https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtvQNzPHn-w&list=RDqtvQNzPHn-w&start_radio=1

New SeaDoo drivers at Shiloh.  Congratulations on passing your boaters course! An an old one who still enjoys the thrill. A Bless Every Home prayer popped up in my inbox and had nibbling on the phrase  "You've go to hold it together."  When have you said or received that phrase.  This summer I think I've used it twice with grandchildren loosing it when needing to have a tick and a splinter removed.  "Take a deep breath.  You need to trust me, be still and hold it together while I help you." Ha! I've also heard it when we have jerry rigged things together this summer.  One of the funniest was my husband asking me for a safety pin. I said, "Why do you need it?" His childlike response, "I just do."  "Okay, what are you up to?" I replied.  The hem had come out and fabric split in one of the legs of his work pants in which he weed eats and mows.  He knew it was a hazard, but didn't want to take time for me to hem them. Gettin...

  And let us consider how to stir one an other to love and good works,  not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some,  but encouraging one another,   and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.   Hebrews 10:24-25 I adored my grandmother. She lived one block over and about five houses down. In elementary school, any day I didn't have an after school activity I went by her house for a popsicle and a game of Crazy Eights or Seven Up. E very Sunday when we both were in church I would snuggle up beside her in the pew.  At least a couple nights a month I would spend the night with my grandparents.  Starting in 1961 Sunday nights were a plus because they owned a color TV and I could watch Disney's "Wonderful World of Color"! When I stayed overnight, Grandmama would come in the room to awaken with a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice.  Th photo below is of one of the glasses she would use. I still use them to this day. When I wa...

A summer view from God's creation  in Utah This summer I watched the movie Miracle from Heaven. It is based on a true "Life is a lot" family experience with a very ill child. A few days after this an email came from  Billy Graham Ministries on the topic of  "Why do Christians suffer?" "Rest assured that there is a reason for Christian people being afflicted. One reason why God’s people suffer, according to the Bible, is that it is a disciplinary, chastening, and molding process. From the Scriptures we learn that the chastening of affliction is a step in the process of our full and complete development. Affliction can also be a means of refining and of purification. Many a life has come forth from the furnace of affliction more beautiful and more useful than before." PRAYER FOR THE DAY  "Lord, whatever I have to face, through it let me learn more of Your love and compassion. "  BGM Years ago, a very close friend was in a drug induced coma and ...