Boojoyful

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...

Father/son enjoying the examples of leadership the scouting life provides. Did you ever play the childhood game of "Follow the Leader" where a person is selected to lead the class around an area and the others mimic the direction and motions of the leader? Have you followed the flag of a tour guide, totally trusting the direction you are being taken? Maybe just this week you have clicked on YouTube and followed a DIY instruction video. If you ever played sports you certainly followed the instructions of the coach if you wanted to remain on the team.  Add to that if you or a loved one has been in the military it's all about following the commanding officer. We are quick to trust a total stranger to guide us, pilot the plane we are on, captain the ship we take out to sea, but often we are slow to open our heavenly Father's guidebook and sit listening for his instructions. The One who created us did so with a specific plan for our life in place. It's a good plan with...

  A switch isn't something you wanted when I was a child. This grandson had been saving his money knowing that on his 13th birthday the new Nintendo Switch game console (honestly, I had to Google to find out how to even define the device) was coming out.  He had shared earlier that all he wanted for his birthday was $ and for me to take him shopping. My husband drove us to the city and I was searching, Target, Best Buy and Walmart on my phone to see if the thing was in stock.  Every site in store and online said, "Sold out." Dreading the disappointment to possibly come on this special birthday I said, "Let's pray and ask the Lord to guide us to the right place if this is what He wants for  you."  I'm thinking...It's probably NOT. Never had I ever been in a "GameStop" store. It was definitely foreign territory.  The lines were long. People had obviously lined up early to get their hands on this new video game gismo. My husband and I stood in...

This group of friends gathered at Shiloh for a 13th birthday celebration for one of our grandsons. At one point in the midst of the party   our daughter realized she had lost her phone. She couldn't remember where she had left it. She had searched inside the house and out.  We went to an area in the yard where I'd seen her taking pictures with the phone and I said,  "Let me call your phone."  Reaching in my left skirt pocket I pulled out HER phone!  My phone was in my right pocket.   She hadn't left it anywhere. It was truly lost.  Lawsie, lawsie!  We had a good chuckle. Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid...for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you.  He will not leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6 Day 37 of The Passion Code  made a very good point differentiating between something being lost and something being left. "One of the most misquoted verses in all the Bible is found in Revelation ...

We had an unexpected Saturday alone at Shiloh.  I said, " Let's pretend we are vacationing on the lake like all these people around us.  And let's pretend we are dating so we won't say grumpy things." One load of laundry was done and two more loads put in.  A delicious brunch had been devoured and the dishwasher starter.  Groceries had been purchased and put away when I remembered my morning "vacation" declaration. Looking at the clock I said, 'We need to hurry up and start our vacation day, it's already 1:30. Pretend vacations  can be tough to carry through, but we did manage a low key afternoon and evening.   Radio station Life 90.5 FM from Wilmington, NC posted this quote on Facebook. "Faith is't a fake smile plastered over a broken heart. It's not saying, 'I'm fine,' when you're anything but.  True faith doesn't ignore the storm-it clings to Jesus in the middle of it.   Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego didn...

Many years ago I received a prayer request from a friend in Mississippi.  The ask was for a young mother of four who had been diagnosed with a very rare eye cancer.  Ocular Melanoma.  I rarely share names when writing, but Ashley McCrary, is such a Princess Warrior, I want you to have the ability to follow her story on Facebook. Here is a link to an article about how many people from Auburn were found to be diagnosed with this rare disease.  https://eyecancer.com/dr-fingers-desk/ocular-melanoma-mystery-rare-eye-cancer-found-36-auburn-university-graduates/ Ashley's cancer has spread throughout her body. She has been fighting the good fight and truly lived sacrificially traveling weekly from Auburn to Philadelphia, enduring treatments and trials in hopes of a cure being found for this deadly disease.  Her faith inspires me.   She recently wrote some very wise words we should all print off and share with others. Psalm 90:12  Teach us to number our da...

The words hit me right between the eyes while reading Day 32 of The Passion Code. "The first evidence of this demise (the fall from the garden) came when Adam and Eve saw 'that they were naked' (Genesis 3:7). They had been naked all along, but not until sin came did they take their eyes off God and put them on themselves.   This is alway what sin does. Before, God had been the center of their attention and devotion. Sin entered the picture, and their focus became centered squarely upon themselves."  O.S Hawkins The addictive quality of social media makes me go nutty at times. When I need to go on to look someone up (the church snoop) the temptation to keep scrolling is a real pull. I praise the Lord that the majority of my life was lived before the cell phone became an appendage. Admittedly, I was spoiled and had a pink trimline landline in my bedroom and didn't have to stand in the hallway or kitchen like our six children did to take a phone call. The algorithms...

Camaraderie- mutual trust and friendship among people who spend a lot of time together. That is the word that comes to mind when I watch videos of the group Sons of Sunday. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 A Sons of Sunday Song  "God Did"   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrhhYWU6BGE "If you've got a hallelujah, let it fly and sing like you know the Most High" If you know your Bible stories you will recognize these lyrics highlighting prison doors opening, the Red Sea parting, Lazarus being raised up, healing happening, David slewing a giant, and Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego make it out of the fire through these lyrics.  A Sons of Sunday Song  "Miracle on Your Mind"   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgekF7DyrGA Truth-"You've got a way that's higher than mine. You got a miracle on your mind."

When our hearts are overwhelmed what at a blessing it is to have friends, like the Sons of Sunday group, who lead us to the Rock who is higher than we are. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock in who I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.  Psalm 18:2 Check out these lyrics that remind us who Jesus is. "So much stronger So much greater. So much wiser. So much higher.   Where else would I go? Who else would I run to?" Sons of Sunday Song "Higher Than I"    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPkg_vW4yE0 and Sons of Sunday Song "Exchange"   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJy9Skh9Qt0 "Riches for rags. Glory for shame. What a wonderful exchange my Savior made for me."

In January 2025,  contemporary Christian worship leaders,  Brandon Lake, Chandler Moore, Chris Brown, Leeland Mooring, and Pat Barrett along with Pastor Steven Furtick formed the group…“Sons of Sunday”      While the music and lyrics of their new songs are fantastic, what captivates me is the evidence of the Holy Spirit moving among them and the love, respect and appreciation they have for one another. In a time in our culture when self  is of utmost importance and being an influencer is the desire of many hearts, it is heart warming to see the coming together  of these young men in what appears to be sincere humility. The next couple days enjoy some of their songs and pray for them. For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls yuo into his own kingdom and glory. 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 The Song "One More Day"  Sons of Sunday  (Wa...

Took this moon photo from an airplane window and thought about God's majesty. It was a sleepless night. Normally, on these nights instead of counting sheep, I pray through the family's needs and others who are heavy on my heart. Then, if still awake, I head on to ABC prayers.  This particular night I knew it was the enemy attacking my mind, so after praying to be able to take every thought captive to obey Christ  (2 Corinthians 10:5) my mind launched to  Philippians 4:8 (ESV)   Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever us lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. Then I checked it out in the CEV translation.  Finally, my friends, keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly and proper.  Don't ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise. That was a mind boggler, because as I tried t...

  Photo moment. Someone is always watching.  Our grandson had no idea while he was floating in his pool that a pair of eyes were upon him. The "are you kidding me" look came at me from my pastor husband's eyes!  After God had just shown up for us in a big way I inquired, "Do you believe God is real!" He simply said, "I am assuming that is a rhetorical question." My statement should have been "No, one can tell me God is not real and aware of our every thought and every need." After stressing over the best way to approach an issue that needed to be addressed he finally said, "Let's pray our prayers." (The ones from The Power of a Praying Husband/Wife by Stormie Omartian). Rather reluctantly, knowing how God gently disciplines, we grabbed our books. He read first: "Lord, I pray that you would bring Boo and me to a new place of unity with one another. Make us be of the same mind.  Show me what I need to do in order to make that...

  Click, click, click! Many of our lamps and decorative lighting features are on remote control switches in various rooms in the house.  Lately, it has been a struggle to get the living room lights to come on.  I've found myself even walking across the room and aiming the remote right at the box in the electrical socket. (That defeats the purpose.) In a lightbulb moment, I remembered that the remote requires batteries and maybe the issue was that they had weakened.  Removing the specialty battery, I placed it in my battery strength checker and there was my answer.  "Weak" We can weaken spiritually. It is so easy to replace  the power available to us through God's Word and the Holy Spirit and walk towards what the world has to offer to soothe our souls.  We forget who God is... He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names.  Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure. Psalm 147:4-5 Let...

Two of my favorite seven year olds sharing in the joy of baptism!  What a wonderful memory these two besties have made. Micah 6:8 is a clear, crisp, and simple summary of what God expects from you and me. These things that matter so much to God are the things God wants to see in us: fairness, kindness, compassion and love, and humility.   The Message puts it this way... But he's already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women.  It's quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, and...  don't take yourself too seriously- take God seriously. One of the primary responsibilities of the believer in Christ, the first commandment we are given in Matthew 22:37  is...Love the Lord your God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength!   Basking in that love relationship makes the tough days easier to walk through. The Song "First Commandment"- Sean Feucht https://www.youtube.c...

Bedside table books. For years,  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, has been my life verse. It's a survival code. Be joyful always, pray without ceasing and in all things give thanks.    Be joyful simply because of what Jesus did on the cross for us and for the consistency of God's loving presence. Pray without ceasing knowing with confidence that God hears our prayers and created prayer as a way of communication with him. Give thanks in all things because God is always working things together for his glory, which equates to working for our good. Looking at my beside table and the resources I am currently using to grow in Christ, the hardest one to pick up somedays is the 5 Minute Gratitude Journal.    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....

  Flowers from a loving neighbor. What if I could prophesy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge? And what if I had faith that moved mountains? I would be nothing, unless I loved others.  1 Corinthians 13:2 Today's song is mesmerizing.  It taps into our core need to be loved,  Hallelujah! God is love! (1 John 4:8), and He challenges us to pour out that love. Listen to these lyrics. "Without love it means nothing. I want to love my neighbor like I love myself.  I want to move when my brother cries out for help." One day soon I want to pick up my camera and go searching for love offerings.  Things like... The nurse or pastor holding the hand of the patient by their hospital bedside who has no family to come sit with them. The child in need of security who hugs their teacher with a thankful heart because they know he/she will be there on the other side of the door when maybe a parent won't. The young person who holds the door or offers to carry a pack...

This one popped up in my photo memories. Such love bugs, now young ladies. Life goes by so fast. Let us stop just saying we love people; let us really love them, and show it by our actions.  1 John 3:18   We are perfectly loved, so let us pour out that love to others.   Who do you know who needs to feel loved today?  It's a free gift we can give away. The Song   "Perfectly Loved"  Rachel Lampa and Toby Mac https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfUkEgG5rEk

  Ugh!  It was one of the moments when you KNOW it's God's voice. Six months ago my husband's 2005 truck died. We really miss owning a truck! Our  new car has bells and whistles we will never discover. Sunday, while standing by the car in the church parking lot, a woman stopped me to visit. As we talked the lift gate at the rear of the car kept opening on it's own.  She politely said, "I think you are standing to close to your car."   The technology of this car is intimidating.  I thought...Like with my phone, I will  never use this vehicle to its full potential. The phrase just bounced back to me and I realized that is how God must feel about us. He created us with a purpose and has plans for us everyday that bring him glory, but like car and phone I am not surrendering to the full potential God has planned for me. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. ...

  Do you start the day with gratitude or longing?  We choose our outlook. All around, there is goodness to be found and God is with us. I've enjoyed the accountability of this gratitude journal. Honesty can be found on some pages where I say, "Father, I'm not feeling very grateful right now, change my heart."  And He quickly does just that when we make it now all about us! A song, new to my soul, popped up on Pandora.   Chew on the lyrics and see what words of truth God has for you today. "I Thank God" "Wandering into the night w anting a place to hide  This weary soul  This bag of bones And I try with all my might b ut I just can't win the fight  I'm slowly drifting  A vagabond And just when I ran out of road  I met a man I didn't know  And He told me that I was not alone He picked me up, He turned me around  He placed my feet on solid ground I thank the Master, I thank the Savior  Because He healed my heart , He changed ...