Boojoyful

  Join our daughter, BettyAshton Mayo, The Praying Harpist, as she shares from God's Word and calls you to be still and listen to the Lord. In this episode she is sharing from John 20:21-23 and the beauty of forgiveness. After Jesus had greeted them again, he said, "I am sending you, just as the Father has sent me." Then he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone's sins, they will be forgiven. But if you don't forgive their sins, they will not be forgiven." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNa0euIuOwQ

My mother died 25 years ago February 17th.  Both she and my father died in peaceful confidence that John 14:2-3 is true. There are many rooms in my Father's house. I wouldn't tell you this unless it was true.  I am going there to prepare a place for each of you. After I have done this, I will come back and take you with me.  Then we will be together. My husband was delayed having to go into work, due to a short snow storm we had recently. Before the sun came up or the snow started we enjoyed sitting in bed snuggling and chatting. My thoughts drifted to how our lookout on life changes as we age.  Like years ago to the days with six little children at home and what a snow day meant!  Exciting and exhausting for parents. Now we are content to just sit in bed and watch it.   I went on to reflect on how 46 years ago we had no clue of all that was ahead for us. Now, as we look at where we are in life, we know each moment together is precious and this earthly...

This little one knows she is perfectly loved by God and deeply loved by her family. The song "PerfectlyLoved" came on the radio. The title led me to Google, "What does it mean to be perfectly loved by God?"  Check out some of these top Google responses. "Perfect love is an expressions of God's love for us, and it is only complete (or perfect) when we reflect it back onto Him. We can know no greater love than the love God has for us.  By receiving that love, He offers us the power to give it - to become the perfect expression of it and bask in the gratitude of His love." "Human love is fickle and changing; even the strongest human love is tested in life's trials.  But God's love is perfect, steadfast, and unchanging, and in His love, we can have strength as we face the challenges of the world as well as hope for eternity." "As believers, we are fully loved, fully known in Jesus. His new covenant with us is unshakeable. He is no su...

I've been knitting hearts this month. A sweet remembrance that God has knit us together in love. Do you have a Paul in your life? You know, someone who is so full of joy and excited to tell you about God's love. Who does God have you loving and encouraging in that way at this time in your life? I started nibbling on Colossians 2:2-3, but then ended up going back to the beginning of Colossians and rejoicing that I know people who are passionate about the love of Christ like Paul and want to pray for and encourage others. I want you to know what a struggle I am going through for you, for God's people at Laodicea, and for all of those followers who have never met me.  I do it to encourage them.  Then as their hearts are joined together in love , they will be wonderfully blessed with complete understanding.  And they will truly know Christ. Not only is he the key to God's mystery, but all wisdom and knowledge are hidden away in him.  I tell you these things to keep you ...

  What a week. A trip to the ER Friday for a very sick grandson with strep, a son staying here with his family because they had no power for 4 days and now my husband has the horrible stomach flu for the second time in two weeks. I have my plastic bowl by the toilet in ready for it to knock me out, but praying for a passover. Last week's snow and ice storms were topped off this weekend with flooding rains and high winds.  Whew, there has been some damage, but like the title of today's song, "Who Am I to Not Worship You. Lyrics "I'm losing sight of all that matters.  Blinded by questions I can't answer. I'm paralysed by what I don't know t hat holds me hostage and won't let go. Breathe out, breathe in   Raise my hands and remember You're the one, You're the one   Who makes mountains move Stars will not shine  Unless You tell them to, tell them to Conquered the grave  To make all things new So, who am I, who am I  To not worship You? I wi...

These Valentines are from a watercolor paint project our card ministry team held recently. Aren't they beautiful! The best Valentine card we can receive is the Word of God. The best Valentine love we can ever have is Jesus. It is a steadfast love. Steadfast- here are some Google definitions. "-to be fixed or firm in a direction or purpose- unwavering. The word for steadfast in the original Hebrew is chesed   and refers to God's devout loving-kindness, mercy, and faithfulness at the very core of His character and actions." "Someone can be steadfast in a belief, an effort, a plan, or even a refusal. Whatever it is, it means that the person will calmly hold firm to the chosen position and follow through with determination." Listen to David's words in Psalm 36:5-12   Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.  Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; your judgements are like the great deep; man and beast you...

  Join our daughter, BettyAshton Mayo, The Praying Harpist, as she kicks off a new podcast series. She shares from God's Word and calls you to set aside time to be still and listen to the Lord. I will try to link you in from here once a week. In this episode she is sharing from  Ephesians 1:15-23 I have heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God's people.  So I never stop being grateful for you, as I mention you in my prayers.  I ask the glorious Father and God of our Lord Jesus Christ to give you his Spirit. The Spirit will make you wise and let you understand what it means to know God. My prayer is that light will flood your hearts and you will understand the hope given to you when God chose you.  Then you will discover the glorious blessings that will be yours together with all God's people. I want you to know about the great and mighty power that God has for us followers. It is the same wonderful power he used when he raised Christ fr...

46 years ago, on my first Valentine's Day as a young married, my husband came home with this silk rose in a silver plastic vase. He said, "You can pull this out every Valentine's Day to remember how much I love you."  Well, that vase and flower have held up better than I have for 46 years.  The other night he came up to me, knelt in front of me and said, "Boo Andrews, will you accept this rose?"  He is certainly loveable. We all want to be pursued by someone and feel they have a passionate love for us.  Do you believe God is running after you in passionate pursuit for your love? Hmm. Sending his only son to die for us points to that fact.  Then, better than the gift of roses and actually all of creation, God have given us the gift of the Holy Spirit to guide and teach us through all the things we will encounter in this earthly life.  Yup, God's love is sacrificial and truly incomprehensible when we consider how unloveable we can be at times. God's lo...

  When our five year old granddaughter was walking out the door to head home the other day grabbing the crown on her head she said, "Oops!  It's not my crown" and handed the crown to me. The crown had been sitting in our kitchen for a week and every time I saw it I thought..."What am I picking up that isn't mine.  What am I carrying away from a gathering, that I should be laying down." Burdens and worries came to mind first. Relationships and healings I want to fix, but only Jesus can. God loves to carry our burdens, it's a breeze for him, so let's lay them down. Cast your burdens on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.  Psalm 55:22 The Song  "Burdens Down" by  Tasha Cobbs Leonard https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPC8b3tPIwk

Both of our one year old granddaughters are up and walking, but someone is always on their heels to grab them if they start to fall. The baby gates on our stairways keep them from tumbling down the stairs and they are actually rather quick to bounce back up when they go down on their bottoms.  One of them was wearing little UGG boots when visiting the other day and she came running across the yard to me like a prancing Arabian show pony.  I wish I'd taken a video, but I was keen on getting to her before she made it to the gravel driveway in an attempt to keep her from falling. Ever since my stroke left me with left leg weakness, my husband is gracious to stay close by my side.  Sometimes he grabs my elbow/arm getting a firm grip.  I usually say, "Just hold my hand. Don't hold on to me like you used to do your elderly mother."  While I am concerned with appearances, all my husband wants to do is protect me and keep me from falling. God feels the same way. He prom...

Sick with the flu I decided to put on my spider woman pajamas to cheer me up. Whew. This flu season has been brutal. We had 12 people have to regret a luncheon at our church this week.  When I was sick I kept a six year old grandson who had the same virus while his mama drove a carpool for her older children. He was in bed with me and said, "Mama Boo, this has been the worst day of my life." We all know people who are battling cancer.  The concern of a return or metastasis is always on their minds.  While praying for one friend in particular the word "whole" came to mind.  It was in a positive frame as if God was saying, "I have made her body whole." Searching scripture for more insight I came across these wonderful words which make a perfect prayer. May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together-spirit, soul, and body-and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ.  The One who called y...

  In The Bible Recap , read through the Bible program, host Tara Leigh Cobble referenced this exchange between God and Moses in Exodus chapter 3:13-15. Moses answered, "I will tell the people of Israel that the God their ancestors worshipped has sent me to them. But what should I say, if they ask me your name?" God said to Moses: "I am the eternal God. So tell them that the Lord, whose name is 'I Am,' has sent you. This is my name forever, and it is the name that people must use from now on." Ms Cobble says "I AM" can translate as THE SELF EXISTENT ONE." That title says so much.  Say  Psalm 90:2  out loud to God, with belief in your heart... Before the mountains were brought forth,  or ever you had formed the earth and the world,  from everlasting to everlasting you are God.  Let's simply meditate, with deep belief , on Acts 17:24-25. Then when someone asks us what God's name is we are able to describe the Great I Am. The God who mad...

Three of us having some fun.   Day 33 of the Bible Recap references Exodus 10-12. Tara Leigh Cobble leaves these thoughts about the Trinity. Initiator - God the Father initiated the plan to sacrifice his Son. He also initiated a relationship with us and saved us from ourselves. Mediator  - God the Son Sustainer - God the Spirit sustains us and fulfills His work in us. In these ways we are united with God. The Song “I Believe” Phil Wickham https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOx_gUY4bQY

  Last week the white birds returned to our cove on my birthday!  It was a little gift from God, reminding me of his faithfulness.  These migratory birds have a destination unknown to me, but their respite here at Smith Mt Lake each winter is always a welcome return.  It brings to remembrance Jesus' promise that he is coming back. There are many rooms in my Father's house. I wouldn't tell you this, unless it was true. I am going there to prepare a place for each of you.  After I have done this, I will come back and take you with me. Then we will be together.  John 14:2-3 Look! He is coming with the clouds. Everyone will see him, even the ones who stuck a sword through him. All people on the earth will weep because of him.  Yes, it will happen!  Amen  Revelation 1:7 If we fail to put God's Word in our minds we miss out on the recognition of when he is speaking to us in the clearest ways.  God speaks through creation, through song, through...

Two of our sons are enjoying living in the same city again raising their children together.  There is plenty of story telling going on. Something led me to listen to the audio book Gabriel's Angel , written in 1989 by Nora Roberts.  It's about a pregnant widow on the run from her wealthy in laws who want to take the baby she is carrying.  I cannot stand any scary storyline, so I've been trying to decide whether to stop listening.   True confession. I was unsuccessful in an online attempt to try to find a spoiler to let me know what the in laws do to her. What I like about Hallmark movies and the Bible are that we know how the story ends!  There is no need to live in fear filled with worry and anxiety. The best is yet to come! Jesus has the final word for all eternity. John writes to us in Revelation 21:1-7 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.  And I saw the holy...