Joy Bowser- A Wife and A Witness

09/15/2026

Worship in Spirit and Truth
Ephesians 4: 17-24
"17 So I say this, and affirm in the Lord, that you are to no longer walk just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their minds, 18 being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; 19 and they, having become callous, have given themselves up to indecent behavior for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness. 20 But you did not learn Christ in this way, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, 22 that, in reference to your former way of life, you are to rid yourselves of the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, 23 and that you are to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth."

Thoughts- I am continuing on in the who's who at the birth of my great-grandson, but today I am sharing about 2 important individuals. The prayer team- NOW don't get me wrong there were a lot of people praying for this little baby and from all over the United States. California, Florida, Texas, MI, you name it! But there were 2 who never gave up in prayer- one who was on sight in Cincinnati and another who was miles away in Napoleon, OH. My husband, Bill Bowser and the other Jeanne Miller, the other great-grandmother. Jeanne and I attended school together and have both always had a Biblical foundation but sometimes when we are young we get into wrong relationships and we hurt ourselves spiritually by those decisions. I think I can speak for both of us by saying we have a shared history in doing things on our own and then coming back to our faith when we were older.
Bill's story is different in that he came to the Lord after marrying me and he has become my spiritual head, my prayer warrior and he probably prays more than me on most days. (Not that it is a contest)
I know that Jeanne was praying for a complete healing before Dalton got here, and the reality was although he was not completely healed, the outcome was better than we had expected. He continues to amaze us and we praise God for every step of the healing process.
Bill and Jeanne prayed through the delivery process, from before we left home for Cincinnati, honestly at 5 am as they were leaving for the hospital to be induced. Again as we left the driveway to go to Cincinnati to be with them and every step of the way.
What is important in this passage to know beyond the prayers is that God does not leave us where He finds us! He lifts us beyond our darkened understanding and brings us into His light. A place where we see ourselves and others as He (God) sees us. We are not who we once were. We have learned about Christ and have experienced Christ in other ways. Ways that we are being taught daily by the Holy Spirit to emulate and imitate in our own thoughts, actions and reputation. It is coming through that new birth that we pray for others to receive the same and come to that same salvation!

09/14/2026

Worship in Spirit and Truth
Ephesians 4:14-16
"14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of people, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; 15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, that is, Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love."

Thoughts- Continuing in the story of my great-grandson's birth. Today the focus is on our 23 year old granddaughter. Born with a congenital heart defect herself, she is no stranger to a cardiologist. She's had 6 month check-ups or annual check ups all her life and earlier testing in the pregnancy showed all was well. Until it wasn't.
Our granddaughter took the news of a congenital diaphragmatic hernia with the right amount of concern and hope, trusting in what she was told in advance. When she found out that the first plan would not happen because of her own health, she did what she could to plan in her heart and her mind for a couple worst case scenarios because that's what I generally do. What is the worst, then whatever less happens is a blessing,
I watched this young woman go through most of 18 hours of very intense contractions on day one. We left after about 10 hours of it because my husband's heart was breaking for his little "monkey-toes", a nickname from her own infant days.
Fast forward another 12 hours of not as intense labor (there was an epidural involved) but much frustration and fatigue. The promise of a c-section in an hour. The reality of a baby in distress with every contraction and the urgency of others needing more emergent care than our granddaughter in the busy hospital, became another 4 and a half hour wait for her "turn" for the operating room for her delivery.
There is nothing like mother-hood to grow a young lady into a new "maturity." On the day after her baby's birth, with the baby in a different hospital altogether in a NICU awaiting surgery, this young mom is looking ahead despite her own limitations. Swollen legs and feet, from too much fluid- her own cardiologist visits, still tethered to an IV stand, she and I worked on the breast pump and feeding the baby in the NICU after surgery and hopefully once she is able to hold and nurse her precious baby boy for as long as she wants to do that. She advocated for herself with the doctors she dealt with, on a facetime meeting with her son's team at Children's hospital she spoke out her own questions about his care. She did things that were difficult in order to go and visit for a few hours before being released from her own hospital the next day, which was also the day of his surgery.
Spiritually speaking about this passage- growing up spiritually requires an influx of the Holy Spirit. That nudge that says " It's Time to make a change." Whatever that change might be- we need to take action and follow through with the course of action needed. We may be still tethered to sin, God will deal with it in his time. We may not be confident in how to carry out all of the aspects of it, we will be directed day by day.
Just as my granddaughter doesn't have all the answers this week, the love for that baby will guide her into the day by day needs and concerns. We walk this earth one day at a time with a promise of an eternity when we are done- we choose where we will spend that eternity. As we grow up in Christ we put aside the foolish young desires and they are replaced with Godly virtues and wisdom, compassion, grace and faith as we rely on the blood of Jesus to save us from our sin and learn to walk in God's ways by the power of the Holy Spirit.

09/13/2026

Worship in Spirit and Truth
Ephesians 4:4-13
" 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you also were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.

7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore it says,

“When He ascended on high,
He led captive the captives,
And He gave gifts to people.”

9 (Now this expression, “He ascended,” what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.) 11 And He gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelists, some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ."

Thoughts -picking up today where we left off yesterday. Things I learned about God while waiting for a baby to be born. I found out that our son-in-law is more like my husband than I thought. Sometimes the greatest leaders are not the men who cry out "look at me" but instead are the "quiet strength" that you need in all of life's uncertain moments. The man who books the hotels and the air b and b's, orders the groceries to be delivered to the same while everyone else is on baby watch at the hospital. While he's waiting he's watching the grand-puppy who has missed her family while they were waiting in Cincinnati the past 3 weeks. He's the guy that drives the baby's father to the NICU following birth at a different hospital. Tries to be at the hospital for his own wife and asks "Do you need anything?" Every time he leaves the room.
It isn't that I've not known these things about him, I knew that he loved my daughter (adored her) from a time in her life when she was the one in the hospital. He had asked me to stay with her while he went to a friend's house who was watching our granddaughter while our daughter was in the hospital and took our granddaughter (his step-daughter now) to McDonald's and home to play for a few hours- for some normalcy. I said absolutely.
Sometimes this is exactly what love looks like. You don't find it during the family meal or the birthday parties. No, you find it in the hard times. You see it in the quiet face that wants to do something but doesn't know exactly how. So he does what he knows how and what to do. Keep the wheels spinning. Do the next thing that he knows to do, and then do the next thing after that.
In the body of Christ this comes down to relying on the Holy Spirit telling you what needs done. We may not all be preachers but some of us are the quiet strength. Andrew, Jesus' disciple compared to his brother Peter. seems overlooked sometimes. But Andrew followed after John the Baptist, seeking Truth. Then he introduced Simon to Jesus! What a day! It was also Andrew that found the food from the little boy when the disciples were called on to feed the five thousand.
Sometimes we need to encourage the Andrews in our lives. Thanking ours as soon as I can do so without making everyone cry!

09/12/2026

Worship in Sprit and Truth
I'm BACK!
Ephesians 4:1-4
"4 I, therefore, the prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live worthily of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, putting up with one another in love, 3 making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you too were called to the one hope of your calling, 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."

I apologize for my disappearance. I am a new great grandma and our one day inducing labor became 36 hours of labor followed by a c-section. Followed by staying the extra day to help with logistics with mama in one hospital and great-grandson in the other. We were needed to help mama get her things done for the baby while grandma and daddy were at the NICU with the baby and facetimed mama so she could take part as well.
As we were watching things transform on Thursday afternoon after two days of frustration as we waited and prayed repeatedly, I was able to get some sense of some spiritual equations and thoughts and although I wanted to share them- time was limited.
I may use these for a few days as I continue to think about things.
We knew that this baby was going to be born with a serious health issue that would require almost immediate repair. We found out about 10 days before birth that Momma had some issues of her own that negated the original plan of having him at Children's Hospital in Cincinnati, now momma needed to be at University of Cincinnati for the best care for her during and after delivery.
Yet, knowing that, this little boy's daddy had so much love and concern for his boy and his baby's mama- that it was written on his face and in his eyes as he waited to be taken into the operating room for the unplanned c-section which finally happened after such a long effort.
Reminder #1- God knows that we aren't perfect, not even close, but he loves us with that same adoring look of concern and anticipation even when he knows how it is all going to work out. We DON'T know how things will turn out. Life is scary and life is hard, yet, many times we think that we need to 'handle this on our own." Or we think that man did I mess up, there's no way God will forgive, fix, understand, will love me after I've done this! I'm here to tell you that God has, will and does NO MATTER WHAT! I see it in the eyes of fathers here on earth and I know that they are made in God's image! To be loving, kind, understanding, and to do what is right.
This father sacrificed time with the woman he loves to be with his baby at the NICU for a good, long time the first day after his son was born. God calls on all of us to love each other the same exact way- not on our own power and strength but in the strength of the Holy Spirit.

09/10/2026

This morning my phone had a message on it from my fitness app.."you may have had a challenging night with your sleep"
My first thought..."Duh....do you think?" My second thought was how I could use this today in my meditation.
I KNOW what kept me awake last night. If you've ever waited for a child or grandchild to have a baby that is taking his/ her time arriving, you know. Our little fellow and his momma both have health concerns that will be addressed either by delivery and medication for her, or surgery shortly after his birth. We appreciate all who are praying.
But I quickly thought about what other things challenge our sleeping. Maybe a disagreement with someone, the Bible says to "not let the sun go down on our anger. " Get rid of the conflict before closing your eyes.
Maybe we've done something we know is wrong and can't believe God will forgive us. The Bible says "if we confess our sins He (God) is faithful and just to forgive us." Faithful because He will do it every time, just because he doesn’t take our atonement for our sins but Jesus, who pays it for us!
Maybe we are worried about our finances, God tells us to test Him on this, bring our first fruits to Him and see if He won't provide. It also says He clothes the flowers and feeds the birds, we are much more valuable to Him than they.
Today we are leaning on God's understanding of what is happening with our granddaughter and great- grandson. We are believing that he is preparing the perfect team for our special delivery.

09/09/2026

Worship in Spirit and Truth
Ephesians 3:20-21

"20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen."

Thoughts- today looks to be a special day. A day that will.be recorded in the family Bible later on. It is a day that has been prayed over, rejoiced and celebrated at every milestone.
Today we expect no different. We've had some last minute changes in the location that it will take place and some complications that will be addressed as soon as possible. Last night as our DAR group joined hands in prayer with us, Jeanne Stinehart Miller 's great grandson and ours, was prayed for again. The faith and the hope in that room in a local library was the same faith and hope thar was felt in church Sunday morning.
We have big expectations from God today. We expect our God to show up in great glory and to redeem this day. We will rejoice in it no matter what happens. Our God is good. Sometimes we don't understand they why's or the how's but we never doubt the Who!

09/08/2026

Worship in Spirit and Truth
Ephesians 3:20-21

"20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen."

Thoughts -sometime we pray for things that seem so difficult for us to fathom happening. Yet, God is able to do far beyond all that we can think. Today would you join me in praying for a miracle that goes beyond human comprehension? Would you pray for salvation for those that are lost? Would you pray for God's gracious hand to show up in ways that only He can? I thank you for praying with us today! To God be the glory for all that He has done and all that He WILL do. We know that God is not done with us! Amen!

09/07/2026

Worship in Spirit and Truth
Ephesians 3:8-19
" 8 To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, 9 and to enlighten all people as to what the plan of the mystery is which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things; 10 so that the multifaceted wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him. 13 Therefore I ask you not to become discouraged about my tribulations in your behalf, since they are your glory.

14 For this reason I bend my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner self, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled to all the fullness of God."

Thoughts- What is your "work"? Today is Labor Day here in the United States- For some it is a day to honor unions that made factory work, trucking, retail work safer and more profitable for workers within their industry. For others it is a day to contemplate what we do for a living as we enjoy a well deserved day off. For most, it signals the shift from summer to fall. It used to mean the start of school but for many that is a distant memory as some states have shifted to year around schools with only the month of July off. ( An we didn't even notice it!)

Paul starts off this passage Paul call's his labor, preaching- a grace! A riches that he participates in because of Christ! A blessing, a calling, specifically preaching to the Gentiles! ALL the other apostles were preaching to the Jews, to God's chosen elect- those who had also rejected Christ. But Paul was allowed to bring Christ to those who had no claim to Him! He speaks of His preaching as "sharing unfathomable riches" with them. We spoke the other day of "every Spiritual blessing" and today we are embracing sharing unfathomable riches. On one hand we are receiving all that we need Spiritually and today we are sharing unfathomable riches with those who have no claim to it, just as Paul did! To enlighten for ALL people what previously God had hidden the plan of salvation that became obvious and sure in Christ's death, burial and resurrection as announced by those who witnessed it and spoke of it to all who would listen and understand and accept! Especially to the Church at Ephesus and the early first century churches and also to us who read God's word today. Our "work" is our eternal purpose through the Will of God carries out in Jesus and carried out in us to the glory of God the Father! In Him we have boldness and faith through the Holy Spirit, confident that our worship is done through our service to Him.
Paul asks his readers to not get discouraged in the struggles of Paul but to give glory to God for them. Sometimes our biggest discouragements become our greatest testimonies! Our biggest fears bring out our greatest times of faith,
We've found that in times of financial struggle, cancer diagnosis, relationships and in our doubt. We are just like Paul asking that you give the glory to God as you look at us with all that happens to us and around us. May God use these times as encouragement for yourself and for others. May God bring those to salvation that need to see Him. We cannot survive spiritually without God walking beside us in every heartache and every joy. May you find him if you don't know Him. May you be bold and courageous in your work as you worship in your service!

09/06/2026

Worship in Spirit and Truth
Ephesians 2:11-22
Come near and worship in a holy temple
"11 Therefore remember that previously you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision” which is performed in the flesh by human hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, [m]excluded from the people of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who previously were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, 15 by abolishing in His flesh the hostility, which is the Law composed of commandments expressed in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two one new person, in this way establishing peace; 16 and that He might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the hostility. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near; 18 for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit."

Thoughts-Because of Christ those who were circumcised and those who were not have both been brought near to God by the blood and forgiveness of Christ. He is our peace and has broken down the wall that divides us from God and His holiness and the wall that keeps us apart from His people. He makes the two into one new person, establishing peace in all who believe. We all have access to His Spirit in whom we reach the Father, through prayer and spiritual gifts so that we grow nearer and nearer to Him.
Today, take the opportunity to join with your fellow citizens even though they may seem like strangers to you, they are your brothers and sisters in the household of faith. Fine a building that is being used as a temple for the Lord, and build yourselves together in Christ into a dwelling for God to live among His people. I invite you to find a place to do that! If you don't have one already. Come to church with us if you are in our local area. Christ's Church In Bowling Green . See you there!

09/05/2026

Worship in Spirit and Truth
Ephesians 2:1-10
"2 And you were dead in your offenses and sins, 2 in which you previously walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. 3 Among them we too all previously lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the rest. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our wrongdoings, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the ages to come He might show the boundless riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them."

Thoughts- There is a Christian song out right now called "Breath On It" The direction the song leads us in is this: we are dead and we need the Holy Spirit to breathe life to us.

My thoughts are very few this morning. We have a busy weekend and an even busier week. We are praying for the Holy Spirit to breathe life over ever part of our busyness! For salvation, for healing, for restoration, for life!

Let me just leave you with this beautiful song today.

If you are questioning whether you or someone you know is in an unh...