Boojoyful

We are coming off a wonderful time with these grandsons at what we call "Camo Camp." Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.  And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4 Can you remember times in your life where you felt as if you were in a doctoral level course titled "The Testing of Your Faith"?  My prayers have been going out to the families of the victims of the recent flooding in Texas that claimed so many lives.  How do you stand steadfast in your faith after seeing so many lives literally swept away? In 2003 our son was in a horrible car wreck resulting in a broken neck.  He didn't want us to tell his younger siblings and ruin their time at a Young Life camp.  We said, "If one person comes to know Christ from the sharing of our faith related to this accident, then that is a life saved ...

A Shiloh Scripture Sign A recent sermon series at our church was on "Living With Hope in a Broken World."  One week, three key points on how to do that were: (1) Life a Holy Life  (2) Life With Fear of God  (3) Love One Another Earnestly With a Pure heart. One of my favorite young mothers at church texted after the sermon and said, "Could I come speak to you about the sermon?"  She came the next day and said, "I want to live a life that is holy, but how do you do that?" Before she and I looked into God's Word in  1 Peter 1:13-24 where  Peter packs a purposeful punch on this topic I said, "Think about this. Daily we wash dirty dishes and clothes, we wipe out messy sinks and potties, we squish spiders found in the corners, pick up after ourselves and others, pull up weeds in the yard and clean up debris that has blown in the yard. Physical clean up is none stop.   Likewise, being Spirit controlled isn't just a daily choice, it's a moment by ...

From the Mountains to the Oceans... Our granddaughter at a surfing camp in Hatteras Island, NC Do young couples go steady anymore?  I haven't heard the last few generations use that term. Our oldest granddaughter is a passionate surfer. She's been blessed to surf in Hawaii, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico and the east coast. Steadying yourself must be an important surfing skill. What throws you for a loop?  What interrupts your awareness of God being near? One Sunday morning at 7AM I received two disturbing voicemails from a women in our community. Over the years we've come to realize she is most likely Bipolar. The calls definitely threw a snag in my Sunday morning as I texted my husband, already at church, to alert our security team.  Instead of greeting church members with joy and getting lost in the beauty of our time of worship, instead my eyes were roaming throughout 500 people wondering if a disturbance was just around the corner.  I was unsteady for sure. Sarah Young...

Remember my post "I Needed to Hear That"  with this prayer by Stormie Omartian for a husband to pray for his wife? "Lord, as much as I love my wife, I know You love her more.  I realize that I cannot meet her every need and expectation, but You can.  Help Boo to increase her knowledge of You today.   May she turn to You first for everything  as You become her constant companion.  Give her discernment and revelation and enable her to hear Your voice instructing her to stay focused on You, no matter how great the storm is around her, so that she never strays off the path You have for her.  I pray You would keep me aware of when she needs a fresh filling of Your Spirit so that I will be prompted to pray for her.  In Jesus' name. "   John 4:14 Well, it came to mind and I called out to God for about 4 miles and then I picked up the phone and unloaded my sobs on my husband.  Living a life, trusting the Lord and turning to Him is a pr...

Our daughter, a professional harpist, playing for a sweet friend nearing her final destination. Oh, the places the Lord takes this brain of mine. The house was abuzz with family for the 4th and the dishwasher was getting a workout.  I've come to learn over the years that loading the dishes, especially cups/glasses from the back helps the process a bit throughout the day.   That thought led to me thinking the same thing about loading airplane passengers. And that thought led me to think of the flight attendant announcements when they say, "If this is your final destination ..." This thinking process occurred at the end of the day where a long time friend had texted to say this about her mother, who had battled Stage 4 ovarian cancer for 2 years. "Mom is joyful and fighting as always, but her body isn't cooperating. We are moving her to palliative care later today. Keep praying." My husband, her pastor, headed straight to the hospital.  He adores this woman an...

  Happy 4th of July with the Ice Cream Boat It's a gorgeous day on Smith Mt Lake Americans, as we praise the Lord for living in a nation where we are free to worship as we choose, let's celebrate with thanksgiving flowing from our mouths on this day decked in Red, White and Blue. Christ has set us free!  This means we are really free. Now hold on to your freedom and don't ever become slaves of the Law again.  Galatians 5:1 The Songs "Praise God for That"  Jordan Feliz https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNNz4qrYtik&list=RDSNNz4qrYtik&start_radio=1

A friend shared these gorgeous photos from their Colorado vacation! God's creation is reason to praise Him. Once again we had left life's BUSYness keep us from our prayer time together. Opening our "Power of a Praying Husband/Wife" books by Stormie Omartian and reading to one another tears welled in my eyes and I said to my husband, "I really needed to hear that." Here is the prayer he prayed over me... "Lord, as much as I love my wife, I know You love her more.  I realize that I cannot meet her every need and expectation, but You can.  Help Boo to increase her knowledge of You today.  May she turn to You first for everything as You become her constant companion.  Give her discernment and revelation and enable her to hear Your voice instructing her to stay focused on You, no mater how great the storm is around her, so that she never strays off the path You have for her.  I pray You would keep me aware of when she needs a fresh filling of Your Spirit so...

  This is a private road that intersects our private road. It makes me think of the path of life. Life is not smooth. It has bumps, dirt, cracks and even pot holes, but the end looks hopeful. A couple days after I had watched "Miracles From Heaven," I was cleaning up the photos on my phone and came across this story that I had screen shotted.  I cannot remember the source. (It sounds like "Jesus Calling.") "At the end of your life-path is an entrance to heaven. Only I know when you will reach that destination, but I am preparing you for it each step of the way.  The absolute certainty of your heavenly home gives you Peace and Joy to help you along the journey.  You know that you will reach your home in My Perfect timing not one moment too soon or too late. Let the hope of heaven encourage you as you walk along the path of Life with Me." From the ends of the earth I call to you. I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For ...

While replacing batteries in this digital clock, which sits in a little kitchenette in our basement, I thought..."Hmm, maybe I should move this into the great room where we lead Bible studies.  In an instance I sensed the Spirit say "No, time can be a distraction." Isn't that true!  When we can see the minutes ticking away, we are prone to think about where we need to be next and not about what God is teaching, speaking or calling us to!!! Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk-not as unwise people but as wise- making the most of the time , because the days are evil.  Ephesians 5:15-16 I met a woman who visits our church when they are staying at their second home on Smith Mt Lake.  We were trying to find a time to get together and our schedules where not matching up.  She texted one morning that she was available the next day.  I had several things on my schedule getting ready for two weeks of various festivities and overnighters, but I decided to mak...

Can you spot the ice cream boat through the trees? Gotta love the simplicity of a child's heart.  Our Minnesota grands are coming for their summer visit, so a few days before their arrival I videoed the Ice Cream Boat blasting it's music as it came into our cover and sent them a text saying, "Name that tune?" The response I was expecting was "The Ice Cream Boat Song," but instead our grandson sent "Good Day" by Forrest Frank. Yup!  It's a good day when the it's 97 degrees outside and the ice cream boat shows up. Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father who created all the lights in the heavens.  He is always the same and never makes dark shadows by changing.  James 1:17 Let's name 10 good  things that happened last week and praise the Lord. Now, in a minute, I can actually name 15 bad things   that happened the past two weeks, but I am choosing to rejoice and focus on the good. The Song "Good Day" Forrest Frank h...

Following an 89th birthday luncheon a few of us hosted for a friend I had a lot of "pressing" to do. It was such a joy for me to use linens, china and silver that belonged to Deke's and my grandmothers. As I was ironing, the word pressed   came to mind and I thought of a passage in the Luke 6:37-38.  Luke chapter 6 finds Jesus exhibiting purpose in prayer, confronting the Pharisees, selecting the final Apostles and teaching, teaching, teaching. Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you.  Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.  Luke 6:37-38 The Message translation puts it this way. Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults-unless, of course, you want the same treatment.  Don't condemn those who are down; that hardnes...

Photo from a friend of God's creation. Can you find the cross creation created on this woodland acreage in Boones Mill, VA It was one of those days God kept showing up. One of my younger sisters in Christ was coming by to sit by the lake and discuss spiritual things. Before she got here the Lord had prompted me to give her a tongue depressor in which I had added James 1:19. My dear friends, you should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to grow angry.   As our discussion progressed and we were referencing ways not to "blow our tops," I said, "Ah, this is why I was to bring the tongue depressor. After that she asked me what the word sasquatch   meant on the notebook I was jotting things into. I told her I had no clue. I guessed it was a notebook left here by a grandchild and it only had a about 20 pages of paper in it. I had just quickly grabbed it up. Flipping the back cover open I found two pages of random notes I had written at some point.  It could have bee...

  3 generations of long snappers You can barely see the ball in the photo below. "What's a long snapper?" a friend inquired of my husband hearing him explain why he was at VA Tech the previous day.  His reply, "It's a guy who throws a football between his legs."  My husband who was a long snapper at UNC and our son who was one at UVA, went with our grandson, a rising junior who snaps for his high school team, to a special teams day camp at VA Tech.  They all had a great time! Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.   Acts 16:31  It's a snap. No works required.  Jesus made the sacrifice and did all the work for us out of love. The Song "Flawless" Mercy Me https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjLlLPZderk

Roanoke, VA   The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.  Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.  Psalm 19:1-2 Whew!  God does speak through his creation and it is evidence of his great knowledge. Let's add a twist to Boojoyful and involve you readers the next couple weeks.  Y'all live in so many different areas.  Send me a photo of where you see God's glory being revealed in nature.  I won't share your name, but with your permission the city from where the photo was taken.   Email photos to boojoyful@gmail.com God has been showing up and confirming choices I have been making in such evident ways.  As I was typing this, a sweet friend emailed a link to this Crosswalk article. Oh how majestic is His name! https://www.crosswalk.com/slideshows/awe-inspiring-signs-of-gods-majesty-in-the-world-around-us.html The Song "God of Wonders"  Third Day https://www.youtube.com/watc...

  Every time I see a can of PAM I chuckle at the remembrance of a time when we were housing a couple British professional tennis players who were in our area for a tournament.  These young girls were delightful and so kind to our children.  I was making them pancakes for breakfast one morning and sprayed the skillet with PAM.  One exclaimed, "Fat in a can? I've never seen such a thing." I often pick up the can and say to myself, "Fat in a can!" While these two cans look identical, there is a huge difference. One is empty and one is full.  The empty one is of no use to me, but the one that is filled up has a very specific purpose it can perform in my kitchen or out on our grill.  God has created each of us with a specific purpose. For God is working in you, giving you desire and the power to do what pleases him.   Philippians 2:13 We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to...

The flag pole at a near by country club. July 22nd, the day after the bunker busters hit Iran, I used this closing in an email that included a friend whose Army son is stationed in Hawaii.  " Life is a lot, but we can be joyful always because of what Jesus did on the cross for us!" Five minutes later, I opened my emails to a devotional that had this passage from the book of Luke.  Such confirmation from the Lord for what He was stirring in my heart. Why are you trouble, and why do doubts rise in your minds?  Look at my hands and my feet. - Luke 24:38-39 Next I opened the Sunday prayer on Proverbs 31 Ministries.  My guess is someone from that ministry wrote that prayer this morning. "God, thank You for Your mercies that are new every morning.  As I breathe in this fresh day, I also breathe in Your love for me.  There are things from yesterday that I can't change and tomorrow hasn't happened yet, so give me the wisdom to focus simply on today.  Please st...

The title isn't referring to the kind of exhaustion that first came to your mind.  I am talking about literal exhaust fumes that make you want to gag.  A plethora of various forms of stench that have crossed my path in my get away with Jesus time. Going to my screened porch, tree house getaway, I opened the door to the smell of skunk and quickly retreated back inside.  Two days later, heading to the same spot I settled down for some listening to the Lord, and moments afterwards whiffs of cigarette smoke infiltrated the air from across the cove.  In 27 years I have never encountered that nasty smell on this property with the exception of one construction worker.   Taking to the pavement, for an early morning walk in a nearby country club neighborhood, I first encountered the exhaust of 4 large lawn mowers heading out to manicure the golf course.  That was mild compared to what next took to the usually fragrant country air...a garbage truck gathering the...

  The artwork above is by Charlotte, NC artist Anne Neilson. Four friends of mine are on a mission trip in Puerto Rico. Each morning I have lifted their names to the Lord in various capacities.  The prayer I sent them this morning is a prayer I want to pray over each of you readers as well. Lord, in the powerful name of Jesus, I pray for the people reading this devotional to experience an unexpected blessing today. Fill these people with the Holy Spirit and may each word they speak over others touch the hearts of those people in a way that makes them long for a deeper relationship with You. Please place a hedge of protection around them wherever they travel today and bring a smile to their faces as they remember You are with them. May they make friendships that are empowered by the Holy Spirit and used to make an impact for Your kingdom. Whisper into their ears how deeply they are loved by You.  Thank You for Jesus in whose name I ask these prayers. Amen For we are God's ...

The magnolia tree in bloom!   Along with the Mama Boo quotes of: "Lawsie, lawsie."  "It's not of eternal value." "Pray it, don't say it." ... is one that I find myself saying when God shows up in an indisputable way: "He's the real deal!" The day I wrote "The Void" entry was June 16th.  After writing, I continued in my quiet time with the Lord.  Opening John Eldredge's devotional book Restorati0n Year  to that date, I was blown away by the follow up to what I had written... "Love Jesus. Let Him be himself with you.  Every day,  allow his life to fill yours... .You'll find it hard to receive his life in any great measure if you, as the branch, keep running off on your own, leaving the Vine behind in order to do life as you please... If you are not drawing your life from Jesus, it means you are trying to draw it from some other source. I'll guarantee you that it's not working...If you want to experience t...

Let's celebrate. One of our sons recommended a TV series for us called "Heartland".  He said he thought I could handle it for the most part, but there certainly would be "cowboy brawls" that would send me running out of the room.  When on the run recently my husband said, "You know it's going up okay. Just stay." I explained the issues was the hurt it puts in my heart and then the nightmares that causes me to have. Here is one problem we have with this Canadian series.  There are currently 269 episodes and a new season coming this fall.  We will certainly be dead before we make it through all these even with our binge watching. The acting is phenomenal, the scenario spectacular and western wear costuming intriguing. It's one of those shows that leaves you praying for the characters.  But here's my problem.  The storyline so far has a Jesus VOID that leaves me feeling empty. So far the characters have been seen through some tragic times, but...