Joy Bowser- A Wife and A Witness

Joy Bowser- A Wife and A Witness Ursula Hill Gorman ‘A Wife and A Witness, Loving your spouse to the lord’ by Joy Ellen Review Bo

06/08/2026

Worship on Spirit and Truth
Read God's Word
Thoughts- I've been taking a Boblical Studies class at our church. I thought that I knew a lot about the Bible before I started the class. I've authored 2 non-fiction books based on scriptural references and how God's word has changed my life. It has and continues to do so in many ways.
The syllabus for this study of Acts has us reading the New King James version and the New Living Translation and two books that are commentaries on Acts. We are reading the entire book, pulling apart the 24 sermons of Acts and the 3 missionary journeys of Paul.
I would be lying if I told you that the study I have done prior to this class could compare it anyway to how I study for this class.
Now my life does not depend on me finishing this course. I could quit tomorrow, no money has been wasted. I would be as saved as I am today, but I would miss out on the words, the encouragement, the instruction from my teacher.

Do you know that we each have a greater opportunity than we know when it comes to learning the scripture? The Holy Spirit guides us through and to scriptures that challenge us daily. When we don't take time or make time. The ones we are hurting are ourselves. We miss out on learning and loving our God who provides all that we need.

06/07/2026

Worship in Spirit and Truth
And tell your story
Acts 23:1-21
"22 “Brothers and fathers, hear my defense which I now offer to you.”

2 And when they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew dialect, they became even more quiet; and he *said,

3 “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated under Gamaliel, strictly according to the Law of our fathers, being zealous for God just as you all are today. 4 I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and putting both men and women into prisons, 5 as also the high priest and all the Council of the elders can testify. From them I also received letters to the brothers, and started off for Damascus in order to bring even those who were there to Jerusalem as prisoners to be punished.

6 “But it happened that as I was on my way, approaching Damascus at about noon, a very bright light suddenly flashed from heaven all around me, 7 and I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’ 8 And I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said to me, ‘I am Jesus the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting.’ 9 And those who were with me saw the light, but did not understand the voice of the One who was speaking to me. 10 And I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Get up and go on into Damascus, and there you will be told about everything that has been appointed for you to do.’ 11 But since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I came into Damascus being led by the hand by those who were with me.

12 “Now a certain Ananias, a man who was devout by the standard of the Law and well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, 13 came to me, and standing nearby he said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight!’ And at that very moment I looked up at him. 14 And he said, ‘The God of our fathers has appointed you to know His will and to see the Righteous One and to hear a message from His mouth. 15 For you will be a witness for Him to all people of what you have seen and heard. 16 Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins by calling on His name.’

17 “It happened when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I fell into a trance, 18 and I saw Him saying to me, ‘Hurry and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about Me.’ 19 And I said, ‘Lord, they themselves understand that in one synagogue after another I used to imprison and beat those who believed in You. 20 And when the blood of Your witness Stephen was being shed, I also was standing nearby and approving, and watching over the cloaks of those who were killing him.’ 21 And He said to me, ‘Go! For I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’”
22 They listened to him up to this statement, and then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a man from the earth, for he should not be allowed to live!” 23 And as they were shouting and throwing off their cloaks and tossing dust into the air, 24 the commander ordered that he be brought into the barracks, saying that he was to be interrogated by flogging so that he would find out the reason why they were shouting against him that way. "

THOUGHTS- TELL YOUR STORY! Your story of grace can only be told by YOU! Someone may need to hear it. You may not have to give it as a defense like Paul before this mob, but God may be placing you with a person or a group of people that may need to know Him through what He has done for You!
Your story may have some ugly parts to it, but tell all of it. Paul had chased the first Christians had them killed and thrown into prison. He stood and held the coats of those who killed Stephen! Yet he fully disclosed the evil that he had done thinking that he was righteous in his actions. But het also tells of where, when and how Jesus met him on the road to Damascus and saved him.
There may be parts of your story that may anger people as his mention of the Gentiles being saved does in this passage! They are wanting to kill him and had it not been for the Roman guard and soldiers they may have succeeded. Some of my family members mock me in telling my story. I forgave them for it a long time ago. Some tell me to "just get over" some parts of it. Your story is your story. It may bring someone else to Jesus. Don't be afraid to speak out!

06/05/2026

Worship in Spirit and Truth
Begin with Prayer
Acts 2:42 "They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."
Acts 4: 31 "And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness."

Thoughts- I started out this morning thinking about the privilege we have to pray. In my studies of Acts I am amazed by the number of times the church prays together, the apostles pray for one another, the apostles pray for those that they are ministering to, the number of times there is a vision and God tells someone "I have heard your prayer." When we take what is in our heart and in our mind and give voice to them either in word, or in print or in thought toward our God, He hears us! When we do it out loud or written in a text or a message for the person we are praying for, there is such joy in sharing the prayer. Even the prayers for the most serious issues of our life become less heavy when we know that someone is praying with us and for us. And in those times we are also reminded of the needs of others as well. And we "return the favor of God" to our brothers and sisters as well.
Today as God brings someone to mind- pray for them. If you are comfortable doing it, share with them what you prayed. Be as specific as you can. If someone is having health issues pray for absence of pain if applicable, doctors to have wisdom in identifying the issues, for good transitions between insurance and providers- pray for all aspects of the situation. Then it is easier to see God's hand at work as you see things come together for our good and His glory. Wait for the stories to come in. When we share our prayer with one another, it makes a bond. You KNOW exactly what that person prayed for and how they spoke with God. When we hear others intercede on our behalf we are reminded that where two or three are praying God is in our midst. Even in text.

A friend of mine took a page from my own prayer book on Wednesday night and texted her pray to God for me, to me. I was humbled and I was excited to see how God is changing her from the inside out. She was confident, she was exact and she knew me well enough to know exactly what I needed to receive from God in that moment. Her prayer took my eyes off the problem, the anxiety that I had in that small amount of time and focus on how God was working in my friend's life amidst all the difficulties that I know she also carries. I was so blessed! This is how we bear one another's burdens and hold all things in common- through prayer!

06/04/2026

Cast your burdens on Jesus for He cares for you.
""Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken" Psalm 55:22
Thoughts- Have you ever cast our your line as you were fishing? Depending on what kind of reel you have will determine the wrist action that you will use as you put the line and hook in the path of the fish that you want to catch. Where you put your weight on the line will determine how low your hook will sink below the water-line. There's the little bit of fishing knowledge that I have, One other thing that I know for sure- when David was talking about "casting" he wasn't talking about fishing. When you cast out your fishing line- you reel it back in. When you "cast your cares" you toss them away. Think about the flick, the strength, the control as you cast your line. That is the same effort it takes to cast our burdens and cares to the Lord. Many times we "pass" them back and forth. Handing it over for a bit of respite. But then we take them right back again. God's desire is for us to cast the cares upon Him! Just like casting the nets- the fish line-(hook line and sinker) anything that we would "cast off". Doing so in deliberation. Conscious of what we are doing and willing to release our ownership over it. Casting upon Jesus gives it fully and completely over to Him. Relying on the Holy Spirit for the Power over the situation and the control over us in not pulling it all back to us in an hour or two.
Today, we are casting our cares upon Jesus. We'll have an update a little later on. We have friends and family already lifting us up and pray that you will as well. God knows our need. Thanks everyone for your prayers and support!

06/03/2026

Worship in Spirit and Truth
Acts 21:27-40
"27 When the seven days were almost over, the Jews from Asia, upon seeing him in the temple, began to stir up all the crowd and laid hands on him, 28 crying out, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who instructs everyone everywhere against our people and the Law and this place; and besides, he has even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place!” 29 For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him, and they thought that Paul had brought him into the temple. 30 Then the whole city was provoked and the people rushed together, and taking hold of Paul they dragged him out of the temple, and immediately the doors were shut. 31 While they were intent on killing him, a report came up to the commander of the Roman cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion. 32 He immediately took along some soldiers and centurions and ran down to the crowd; and when they saw the commander and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. 33 Then the commander came up and took hold of him, and ordered that he be bound with two chains; and he began asking who he was and what he had done. 34 But among the crowd, some were shouting one thing and some another, and when he could not find out the facts because of the uproar, he ordered that Paul be brought into the barracks. 35 When Paul got to the stairs, it came about that he was carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the mob; 36 for the multitude of people kept following them, shouting, “Away with him!”

37 As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he *said to the commander, “May I say something to you?” And he said, “Do you know Greek? 38 Then you are not the Egyptian who some time ago stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?” 39 But Paul said, “I am a Jew of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no insignificant city; and I beg you, allow me to speak to the people.” 40 When he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the stairs, motioned to the people with his hand; and when there was a great silence, he spoke to them in the Hebrew dialect, saying,"

Thoughts- We began this study on the Holy Spirit sometime last fall if memory serves- maybe earlier than that. Only God would know what the future would hold for me, for our family. We don't have a crystal ball, I wouldn't look into it if I did. Only God can know with surety what we will be charged with, go through, endure for our good and His glory. I am pretty sure if we knew in advance we would question the why's prior to our struggle and maybe not be as prepared as we just find ourselves in the struggle.
Paul through the Holy Spirit knew before he ever entered Jerusalem that he would be arrested and things would happen. Yet, he went there, he spoke up and he did not hide.
I am sure that he was unaware of how he would be protected and by whom. This story has always intrigued me. It is not lost on me that "coincidentally" as we get to this chapter of Acts in my morning meditation, I am also reading this chapter of Acts as part of a School of Biblical Studies program that I am participating in at my local church. I tell people that it is "kicking my butt!" Before you cast judgment for my choice of words in a meditation, I hope that it kicks yours too.
When I look deeply into the sermons (there are 24) in Acts (and we are looking at each one and identifying them according to five things 1. Length and Prominence 2. Content and Themes 3. CONTEXT* 4. Style and Composition 5. Function and Significance)
I am amazed at the depth of scripture the Holy Spirit brings into each word that each evangelist speaks. I will admit that many times I look for the miraculous in Acts and overlook the sermons- what the Apostles spoke specifically and to whom they spoke. It has been mind bending to see the acts of the Holy Spirit more so than the ACTS of the apostles. They could have done nothing without the power of the Holy Spirit.
Today I want you to look at who is in this picture of Paul in the temple. Jews from Asia. The very place that Paul had been trying to go to, but the Spirit didn't allow him to. ( Acts 16) We may have wondered why back then. Maybe it was for Paul's protection. Maybe they needed to go to Europe first. At any rate we find the Asian Jews in Jerusalem are very much opposed to hearing anything that Paul wants to say. By the intervention of the commander of the Roman Cohort- Paul will get to speak to these people and they will have the opportunity to listen whether they want to or not. What keeps you from speaking to those around you? Are you concerned that what you say will offend someone? Are you afraid that harm will come to you? We still have liberties that many around the world do not! The Holy Spirit will guide and protect as we do God's will in our world. Just as he did Paul. Don't step away from doing what God calls you to do.

06/02/2026

Worship in Spirit and Truth
Acts 21:15-26
"15 After these days we got ready and started on our way up to Jerusalem. 16 Some of the disciples from Caesarea also came with us, taking us to Mnason of Cyprus, a disciple of long standing with whom we were to stay.

17 After we arrived in Jerusalem, the brothers and sisters received us gladly. 18 And the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present. 19 After he had greeted them, he began to relate one by one the things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. 20 And when they heard about them, they began glorifying God; and they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed, and they are all zealous for the Law; 21 and they have been told about you, that you are teaching all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to abandon Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs. 22 So what is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come. 23 Therefore, do as we tell you: we have four men who have a vow upon themselves; 24 take them along and purify yourself together with them, and pay their expenses so that they may shave their heads; and then everyone will know that there is nothing to what they have been told about you, but that you yourself also conform, keeping the Law. 25 But regarding the Gentiles who have believed, we sent a letter, having decided that they should abstain from meat sacrificed to idols and from blood and what is strangled, and from sexual immorality.” 26 Then Paul took along the men, and the next day, after purifying himself together with them, he went into the temple giving notice of the completion of the days of purification, until the sacrifice was offered for each one of them.

Paul Seized in the Temple"

Thoughts- I remind you that I very frequently remove the headings from the Bible passaged that I share in my meditation. It is important to remember that the original scriptures were not written in Chapter and verse form. This is new- It has happened in the past 800 or so years. Here's the AI breakdown on the Biblical timeline-
"The Bible’s original manuscripts did not contain chapter or verse divisions; these helpful navigational aids were added by scholars and printers centuries later to make the text easier to navigate.Chapters: Developed around A.D. 1227 by Stephen Langton, a lecturer at the University of Paris who later became the Archbishop of Canterbury.Old Testament Verses: The Hebrew text was divided into verses by a Jewish scholar named Rabbi Nathan in A.D. 1448.New Testament Verses: Divided in 1551 by Parisian printer Robert Estienne (also known as Stephanus).The first complete published Bible to feature both chapter and verse divisions as we know them today was the Geneva Bible, published in 1560."

So we see that in spite of the conditions that were place on Paul regarding how he should act in response to the opinions and attitudes of the "believing Jews in Jerusalem." Although the brothers in Jerusalem absolutely understood the blessing of God upon the Gentiles and their salvation, they had to live in Jerusalem and they were concerned for how Paul would continue to be received by the Jewish believers.
When Paul goes to the temple- He is seized! Spoiler alert for tomorrow. Was Paul wrong to listen to what the apostles told him to do? Would it have made a difference if he would have remained with them and not gone to the temple? (Paul loved to go to the temple!)Could God have kept this from happening? Why didn't God protect Paul?
So many questions and so few concrete answers. BUT DO YOU REMEMBER what was said in Chapter 20? DO you remember Paul's goodbye to his friends at Ephesus? How about the 10- 14th verses of this chapter?"10 As we were staying there for some days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 And he came to us and took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands, and said, “This is what the Holy Spirit says: ‘In this way the Jews in Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and hand him over to the Gentiles.’” 12 When we had heard this, we as well as the local residents began begging him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul replied, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14 And since he would not be persuaded, we became quiet, remarking, “The will of the Lord be done!”
Sometimes we go into situations that we perceive through the Holy Spirit as necessary, yet we know that the outcome may not be easy to endure. This is the time of year when we celebrate graduations and commencements. We pray that all those who are celebrating their educational milestones have blessed and wonderful futures and we celebrate their transitions with them. But we are not God. Those who are found in Christ and are following His call on their lives may endure struggles as they follow the Holy Spirit's leading on their lives. Such as Paul in this trip to Jerusalem.
Today, are you tuned into the Holy Spirit? Are you aware that sometimes the things we pray to avoid are exactly the paths that we are called to take? Those are difficult times to understand. I pray that if today is a difficult time for you that you will feel and see God's presence beside you as you walk through God's plan for your life.

06/01/2026

Worship in Spirit and Truth
I Peter 5:6-7
"6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time, 7 having cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares about you."

Thoughts- I am taking a brief pause from the books of Acts today. Something is heavy on my heart and as one who often shares too much- yes-today is probably also that day!
What is the most selfish prayer that you have ever prayed?
I have one. When we were studying in Wednesday night ladies group I voiced a prayer that I could go back to "Wife status" and not "Caretaker status." It seemed like a prayer of faith at the time- we were waiting for a CT scan and PET scan to be done soon. I was praying for a positive result. I think it was in April or early May. We didn't have the CT scan for another couple of months yet. My prayer was answered exactly the way I wanted it to be answered. Our God is good and He is faithful. He would have been as good and as faithful if the prayer had not been answered the way it was.
I would have just accepted or learned to accept the answer in a different way.
Over time I have often thought about what a selfish prayer I had verbalized in front of my sisters in Christ. It is one thing to quietly think something but I said it, in front of about 15 women if memory serves correctly. But our God knew where I stood emotionally at that time. He also knew where I stood spiritually. God would have known my thoughts (and he did) Had I not spoken it out loud. Regardless of how I feel about that prayer now, or whether or not I should have verbalized it, God heard my cry and He responded in a way that still blows my mind! I have had two years of being Bill's wife and not his "caretaker." For that I am so very grateful and humbled. NOT EVERYONE RECIEVES THIS GIFT! I know that full well.
But God does meet us exactly where we are. He does not leave us in that same place. He carries us in our need, He shares in our joy, He comforts our pain. He brings people into our lives to smooth us and to "rough us up" when we are worn down. "Iron sharpens iron,"
When we voice our need and our cares, He hears us as a loving father and tenderly ministers to us through every situation. He does not judge whether the prayer was selfish or not, it was a need, it was a care that was weighing on me. He answered my cry. So today if you think of a prayer that you thought wasn't important, or seems selfish now- don't! Don't ever feel that way! God loves each of us. He knows our thoughts, He knows our needs before we even ask. He wants us to ask anyway. When we tell him our need, our desire- He then can plan how best to answer beyond what we can imagine.

05/31/2026

Worship in Spirit and Truth
Thoughts- today I want to remind you of the book of Acts as we have read so far. How many times have we found the apostles confronting those engaged in idol worship? How many times have they been in cities full of statues, temples and places of wickedness and gods and goddesses?
Times aren't much different today. Our idols have different names
Our gods and goddesses may have human flesh rather than made of expensive metals or jewels. Today I have a granddaughter who is on a mission field. Not in the Congo, no where overseas. Right here in the U.S.A. she is dancing in New Orleans. She is interacting with Black Swamp Fine Arts Gratitude Dance company in the heart of New Orleans. She and others will see things that most young ladies shouldn't. Especially those of the faith. But they are going to shine God's light in a dark world. They are bringing what they do (contemporary dance) to a
world that relates to Dance and the arts.
Will you pray for them? Pray for their health and safety. One is having a bad case of the hives this morning. Satan doesn't want them there. He fights against successful missionary trips tp his biggest strongholds. Pray for strength. Fourteen hours to get there yesterday. Growling schedule of events for the week. Pray for relationships both between the members of the group and those at home. Those that they are ministering to.
Above all pray the God is glorified above all else! Mission NOLA!

05/30/2026

Worship in Spirit and truth
Acts 21: 1-14
"21 Now when we had parted from them and had set sail, we ran a straight course to Cos, and on the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara; 2 and having found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail. 3 When we came in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left, we kept sailing to Syria and landed at Tyre; for the ship was to unload its cargo there. 4 After looking up the disciples, we stayed there for seven days; and they kept telling Paul, through the Spirit, not to set foot in Jerusalem. 5 When our days there were ended, we left and started on our journey, while they all, with wives and children, escorted us until we were out of the city. After kneeling down on the beach and praying, we said farewell to one another. 6 Then we boarded the ship, and they returned home.

7 When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, and after greeting the brothers and sisters, we stayed with them for a day. 8 On the next day we left and came to Caesarea, and we entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. 9 Now this man had four virgin daughters who were prophetesses. 10 As we were staying there for some days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 And he came to us and took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands, and said, “This is what the Holy Spirit says: ‘In this way the Jews in Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and hand him over to the Gentiles.’” 12 When we had heard this, we as well as the local residents began begging him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul replied, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14 And since he would not be persuaded, we became quiet, remarking, “The will of the Lord be done!”

Thoughts-Picking up where we left off yesterday. Paul's people are having a tough time letting Paul go to Jerusalem. Extending his plans through the Holy Spirit they knew that what was going to happen in Jerusalem was not going to be pleasant for Paul. Kind of like Peter with Jesus, "May it never be!" Yet, Paul in his own spirit and his own mind asks them "Why are you breaking my heart?"
Sometimes we prolong the misery of those we love by not accepting what the Holy Spirit tells us will be part of their journey. There is a time for speaking up if we know that someone is in the wrong place; walking a path of disobedience or sinfulness, but when we are unsure of what God's plan is for that person or if the Spirit has shown us the path that someone is going to walk for God's good and God's glory, in spite of our own feelings, we need to let them go and do it!
Missionary families come to mind. We may be concerned for the climate- weather and political. We may be concerned about someone's health and their abilities. We may be concerned about the finances. We may find a hundred reasons to be concerned about their calling but God will be with them! So it was with Paul. Those that were with him became quiet and gave him over to God's will for him.
Today is there someone that you are close to that needs you to "be quiet" about what they are doing for the Lord? Take a moment and think about that question. Is there someone that you are maybe judging in some way for doing life differently for the Lord than what you may have expected them to. Maybe someone has left your congregation to move to another one or to start another one, how has that affected your relationship? Are you still close ore has it driven a wedge in your friendship? Just a few thoughts today. Lessons from Paul as he lives through the many things that have affected his life with Jesus at the helm. We have the same opportunities with those around us. May we encourage in every circumstance.

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