Beverly Joy Roberts

Early in my marriage, my husband and I came to an understanding about scaring each other. We agreed that we would not do that!  However, on a few rare occasions while rounding a corner, I may have done the unthinkable and startled the 'big guy' with a "Boo!"  He didn't like it--not one little bit! He really hates...and I mean HATES to be scared and especially with a "Boo!"   When this happens, either by mistake or...possibly premeditated. ( I admit nothing!)    His arms will flail about in the air as he's yell out, "Jesus!"  It is kinda funny. Fear!   We all battle this foe in some form. Fear will rob us of our peace and joy. It will cause us to settle for less than God's best and it will keep us from following the plans God has for our lives. The phrase “fear not” is used more than 80 times in the Bible. God is driving home an important fact that the enemy will use fear to pull our focus away from the peace that

Not too long ago, I had a bad night's sleep.  Actually, that happens two or three times a week, then when morning rolls around, I'm less than excited to get up.   On one of these mornings, I woke up to the sound of my bedroom door opening slightly and then closing.  Each time the door opened, the daylight from the other room would creep into my dark room and illuminate it.  There would be a slight pause and then the door would close again.    I quickly realized my granddaughter was anxiously anticipating my getting up.  It was Saturday morning, and she was excited to spend some time with me.  As I drug myself out of the bed, it was one of those moments where you know the Lord is speaking to you.   The word "Arise" came into my mind and a song I sang as a young adult came flooding into my heart. Arise, shine for your light is come Arise, shine for your light is come And the glory of the Lord is risen The glory of the Lord is risen Upon me! D

My 2 year old grandson who lives with us, says these two words no less than 20 times a day.   "I go?"    When he sees me first thing in the morning, he says, "I go?"  When I get home from work, he's there to meet me with these words, "I go?"   When I open the bathroom door, he's waiting with expectation in his voice as he says, "I go?"    These two words are his greeting of choice whenever he sees me.   It's a bit sad to listen to his voice become more desperate as he sees everyone hurrying about each morning to rush out the door for work or school.  He will stand  his ground with so much hope in his voice, as he calls out to those around him, "I go?"   My grandson's relentless pleas to ' go' got me thinking about my own desire to 'go.' The comforts of this life can be alluring to the Believer, but God clearly told us that this world is not our home.  We are simply passing through. 

It's cold and flu season--AGAIN.  I'm always on the fence about those pesty flu shots.  Should I or shouldn't I?  My doctor tells me it's a  no brainier,  and I should absolutely do it.  Then I read an article on a reputable medical website that tells me, I'm sure to contract some horrible life altering disease if I do.  What's a person to do to stay healthy?  I guess I could beef-up my hand washing.  Because I really hate being sick!    I've noticed in my life that when I'm healthy and get sick, I can kick that sickness much faster than when I'm already sick, rundown and physically depleted.  When I'm already sick, it seems I attract more sickness.  It could take 6-weeks to shake a bad cough when this happens.   Ugh!  I really hate being sick.  And the crazy thing about sick people is, they can easily make other people sick too.  Wash your hands--people! When we are spiritually sick, rundown and depleted, it can be a lot li

Not too long ago, I took two of my grand-kids to the store.  It was four stores to be exact, and they were troopers.  It only cost me two bags of sour gummy worms.   When I shop alone I only have one thing in mind--getting the items I need and getting out of the store as quickly as possible.  However, when I take any of my grandchildren--anywhere, my mind is always occupied with protecting those babies from harm.  I am  on guard  at all times with that one purpose in mind.  Nothing is gonna happen to them on my watch.  NOTHING! Moving from the car to the parking area to the store, I'm constantly taking mental note where they are at all times.  I have been given a job to keep them safe, and there is no way I'm going to leave my post or shirk my duty.   I've got this.    There is a story in the Old Testament that my husband has preached on many times.  It's about a little known Bible character who understood protecting what was entrusted to you.  This Bi