Boojoyful

  People for centuries have tried to figure out how to get to God.  Christianity differentiates itself from all the other religions in the world in that it doesn't require human effort to get to God, but it's the grace of God coming to us. Jesus said, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him."  Revelation 3:20 God not only comes to us with an invitation, he has formatted a way to be with us; for us; and in us.  We just have to RSVP with a "yes." God with us.   And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. Matthew 28:12 Jesus answered him, "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him." John 14:23 God for us. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.  Exodus 14:14 God in us.  You, are no longer ruled by your desires, but by God's Spirit, who lives in you. People who don't...

Proud of #2 for being ready to step in and lead his team to victory last Sunday. Excited for these two young leaders to be named captains next year! “Your giant wakes you up with words of worry and talks more trash than what you   hear on the basketball court.... Face your giants you stumble. Focus on God your giants tumble."   Max  Lucado In the 14 munute video below  (instead of a song today)    Lucado teaches that David took five stones with him to face Goliath. #1 Stone of remembering the past.            David remembered the strength God had given him  against lions and bear.   Remember his miracles and all his wonders and his fair decisions. I Chronicles 16:12 #2 Stone of Prayer Be good to me, God- and now I’ve run to you for dear life. I’m hiding out under your wings until the hurricane blows over. I call out to High God-the God who holds me together . Psalm 57:1-2 God will keep in perfect peace all ...

  Thank you to the women in our church who cooked and set up for a wonderful Thanksgiving feast to feed our SENTry group as they gathered to sign up to bring "Christmas Joy" to children in our county. This is coordinated by our Sheriff's Department. Our phones can suck the life out of us. While they are a great convenience, they also are an enormous distraction and temptation. I don't even want to go down that rabbit hole with that discussion. Most days, I start by saying "Good morning Lord, what's in store for today?" But before I listen to Him, I grab my phone and check my messages before posting "Boojoyful."  The intent after that is to turn on praise music and start my Jesus time, but dang that phone can grab my attention and the next thing I know an hour has passed. On this particular day there was only one urgent message to attend to and I quickly went to praise music and there was my much needed reminder in the song title "First Thi...

Our red tips are showing off a brilliant pop of fall color.  The deer have devoured the bottom half of these tasty shrubs. Up doing the middle of the night thing, which seems to be a normal occurrence when you get older, I opened Jesus Calling.  The entry title was "As You Look at the Day." It was 3AM on a Sunday morning and the first line read, "As you look at the day before you, you see a twisted, complicated path, with branches going off in all directions.  You wonder how you can possibly find your way through the maze."   I chuckled because that describes Sunday mornings for us as a pastor and his wife. It's unbelievable what all goes down on a Sunday morning.  Stop right now and pray for the pastors and their families at your church. For that matter, we have a BIG God. Let's pray for God's stamina, guidance and protection over all those in ministry. Yes, I am always with you, you hold me by my right hand.  You guide me with your counsel, and after...

  Our youngest grandson had a solo part in his school's Veteran's Day program. I am so thankful these children are being taught that our freedom isn't free and to respect those who have served, given their lives and those now serving in our military. Billy Graham told this story about visiting a veterans' hospital. "I once talked to a man who had lost a leg in World War II.  When I remarked about the price he had paid, he said, 'It was worth it, wasn't it?'"  Ugh, y'all, that tugs at my heart making me realize I don't pray enough for our servicemen and women, nor be intentional to find ways to show appreciation. I challenge you to read...  A Veteran's Day Message from Billy Graham https://billygraham.org/articles/a-veterans-day-message-from-billy-graham    Here are a couple snippets from the article related to the "It was worth it" quote and what it means to be a servant and join the Lord's army. "Out of this comes a...

  What delights you?  Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.  Psalm 27: 4 Our across the cove neighbors sent these fall photos of Shiloh. God's creation delights me as it reminds me God is here. What inspires you? All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable  for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16 God's Word inspires us to live a life pleasing to Him. Our God who has always been and will always be.   The magnificent water's reflection in the photos  causes me to pause for a heart check.  Do I reflect someone who has been taught by God's Word? Someone who loves the Lord with all their heart, forgives quickly, loves others deeply, serves the Lord with joy and thinks more highly of others than myself.  It's not possible in my own flesh, but I thank God for Jesus' example, for the equipping of the Holy Spirit and for daily "Do overs." The Son...

The Roanoke Valley God meets us in the valleys of life, in our suffering, our brokenness, our rebellion and He calls is back to Himself.   What a glorious Lord!  He who daily bears our burdens also gives us our salvation.  Psalm 68:19 Because of Jesus we can choose joy even in the suffering. Whew! I came across a whole page of takeaways jotted in a notebook related  to walking through tough times.  Now I'm clueless as to where I read/heard these references  Most likely they are from CBS lectures or church sermons.  They are worth implanting in our hearts.  God remembrances. “Suffering increases my capacity for God” “I trust Your purposes for my life.” “Our souls are made for eternity with God.” Some favorites- “Focus on God and see a shift.” “Your life is shared by who you cry out to." Ask yourself- "Is God enough for me?” The Song "Meet Me in the Valley" Tasha Layton https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLas2emT-SY&list=RDuLas2emT-SY&star...

Gathering with a group of friends,  we made time to sit and write answers to these 15 gratitude prompts.  It was a blessing to carve out the time to be still and turn our hearts to thankfulness.  The next day we selected a few prompts for discussion around the dinner table with family.   It was a sweet time and we wanted to share these with you and encourage you to print these off and use during the upcoming holidays. 15 Prompts For When You are Stuck on What to be Thankful For Simple Blessings:  Write down three simple things you often take for granted (warm cup of coffee, a cozy blanket, the sound of birds in the morning). How do these small blessings brighten your day? God’s Provision:   Reflect on a time when God provided for you in an unexpected way. How did that experience shape your faith and gratitude? Meaningful Connections:   List three people who have positively impacted your life.    What specific qualities about them do...

  Check out this artwork in creation. It's easy to miss the beauty before us. A crepe myrtle tree. In the current Community Bible Study on The Psalms, Lesson 9 on Psalms 13, 35, 70, 140 is titled "Dealing With Hurt".   Think about Jesus' few years of ministry on earth, about David hiding in caves in the Psalms,  about sitting rulers around the world, the teen in the high school cafeteria who is being ignored or bullied and even the elementary child who is never invited to another's birthday party . These people were and are living with enemies looking to hurt and destroy them.  Usually, the enemies are hurt people wanting to hurt people. It makes me sick to my stomach to watch. You may feel as if you are in the same boat with them, but from what I've witnessed in my lifetime sincere joy is lacking in unforgiving, revengeful people.  Bitterness stinks. The CBS writer of this lesson says, "In our attempts to defend ourselves against others' attacks, we ...

She's harping away at some amazing venues. All who want to live faithful lives will...     *hate sin, as God does (Psalm 5).     *live righteously as a response to God's grace (Psalm 15; 24)     *long to dwell in the presence of God and with His people (Psalm 26)     *ask God to test their hearts and minds (Psalm 26)     *seek intimate relationship with God over half-hearted religious performance (Psalm 50) and     *listen to God and obey His commands (Psalm 81) ...desire a close, personal relationship with God. The Song “How Good It Is” Chris Tomlin https://www.youtube.com/watchv=a_H4bNsmQvc&list=RDa_H4bNsmQvc&start_radio=1

A picture can say a 1000 words and it also can make you think about Jesus. #22, our oldest grandchild holds a big piece of my heart. Persevere We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed-always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.  2 Corinthians 4:8-10 The Hand Off Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 Look Up, God is watching. The Lord looks down from heaven; he sees all the children of man; from where he sits enthroned he looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth, he who fashions the hearts of them all and observes all their deeds. Psalm 33:13-15 Facing our enemies, remembering God (The Referee) is with us. For the...

A friend owns Smith Mt Lake Sourdough Company. Look at this gorgeous and delicious creation. Hoop Dee Doo!  Scripture never grows old!  My current Bible study sent me to Luke 6:27-36.  Yup, the familiar "Loving Your Enemies" passage.   Here's a check list. Verses 27-31 in the CEV Love your enemies, and be good to everyone who hates you.   Ask God to bless anyone who curses you, and pray for everyone who is cruel to you.   If someone slaps you on one cheek, don't stop that person from slapping you on the other cheek.  If someone wants to take your coat, don't try to keep back your shirt.   Give to everyone who asks and don't ask people to return what they have taken from you.   Treat others just as you want to be treated. Verses 35-36 But love your enemies and be good to them. Lend without expecting to be paid back.   Then you will get a great reward, and you will be the true children of God in heaven.  He is good even to people...

  Moonriver Lane dressed for fall. 6AM on a Saturday morning, as my husband came inside from hauling tarps of leaves in the woods in the dark, wearing his trusty headlamp, I said, "Come back to bed. I actually believe we have a "do nothing" Saturday." He showered and climbed in to bed. 7:35 AM a text came in from a neighbor telling me a friend's husband had died. Texting said friend, I said, "Would you like for me to come over?"  She said, "Yes,  come eat breakfast with me, my nephew is cooking." 9:45 AM Leaving our friend's house,  we headed to the grocery store, because the night before a sweet widow friend texted she'd been in the ER all day and was home and not doing well, so we offered to bring her soup.  She shared that there are moments she starts coughing due to this lung disease and she thinks "Surely I'm going to die this time."  Her faith is so strong and she looks forward to joining her husband in heaven. Two...

Praying for four grandchildren with sporting events this particular week,  I felt the Lord say, “ Tell them to keep their heads on.”   Hmm, was that meant literally or figuratively. This is what I sent. Looking for verses about keeping your head about you, what first came up was the poem "If" by Rudyard Kipling.  “ If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you ... If you can fill the unforgiving minute with sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,” It reflects timeless Biblical principles like perseverance and humility. The line, ‘If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs,’ brings to mind Philippians 4:6-7: Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God… will guard your hearts and your minds. Here’s another great verse for this week’s games. But I want you to keep your head no matter what happens.  Don’...