Boojoyful

The  Star City of the South, Roanoke, VA What big event, landmark or tourist attraction is your town/city known for?  I was raised in the Star City of the South. On top of Mill Mt, in Roanoke, VA, is this enormous neon star that lights up at night. The Biblical recording of the Bethlehem Star and Jesus' birth place has probably had a bigger impact as a tourist attraction than the star has upon Roanoke. Bethlehem, chosen by God as the birth place of the Messiah, has taken an obscure town which didn't even have sufficient lodging for a census and made it popular pilgrimage site for Christians. Every December thousans pack into Manger Squae for a Christmas Eve celebration, followed by Midnight Mass in the Church of the Nativity. https://www.gotquestions.org/star-of-Bethlehem.html Gotquestions.org states: "The Star of Bethlehem in Matthew 2:1-12 was likely an angel or manifestation of the Shekinah Glory.  The Shekinah, which literally means 'dwelling of God,' was the v...

Painted by one of our daughters. How would you respond if someone asked you, "What are you seeking?" There was a some  seeking going on at the time of Jesus' birth. Some of the definitions of the word  seek  in Merriman-Webster are: to go in search of; to ask/request; to try to discover; to attempt; to try to acquire. Here's a fun challenge. With honesty in your heart go back in 10 year increments and ask yourself, what was I seeking in my teens, my twenties, my thirties, etc.   My mind flashed back to seeking the presence of my earthly father. It was usually in want of something. Those desires held a wide range over the years. A hug, a puppy, snow skis, math help, constructing something (from a school project, to a playhouse for our children, to guidance with a home remodel).  My wants and desires changed as I saw my father age and acknowledged he wouldn't be here forever.   I am so thankful he lived less than an hour away and every few days I co...

Our daughter, who lives in France, sent this photo of a light show inside Bordeaux's cathedral! Missing having her here at Christmas we've decorated the area around her self portrait. December is upon us. The lights and decorations abound. The radio, the nightly news casts (if you even listen to them) announce how many shopping days remain before the 25th.  If you stopped random shoppers (who aren't simply shopping online) and asked, "What are you celebrating?" and they replied " Christmas ," and you asked, "What is that about? "  I think the responses would be very interesting. The other day while in Target I issued two people this challenge..."If you can recite a scripture verse to me, besides John 3:16, I will give you $50."  Neither could do it.  To one I said, "You may want to go to the book section, maybe they have a Bible and you can select a verse to quickly memorize and come find me before I leave the store."  It di...

  Our daughter completed her outdoor decorations with this festive doormat that will carry her through winter. I completed our hallway decorations with some new touches to my maternal grandmother's chest and mirror.   I like activities where I can see completion in a reasonable amount of time.   Whether reading a book, working a puzzle, cooking/baking, knitting/sewing or holiday decorating.  It's nice to step back and see a finished project.  Back in the DVD days one of our sons had an account where a rental DVD of the series "Friday Night Lights" would be mailed to us here in Franklin County.  There was a limit on how many you could order without making a return. It was so hard to WAIT to see the completion of the story.  Oh my, seasonal cliff hangers are such a tease. Each one of us is a work in progress, God changing us, maturing us in Christ along the way. We are a story to be completed, culminating on the day of Jesus' return. And I am sure o...

Photos from the first snow. Last week it was another sleepless night for me. At 4AM the snow was blowing with a flurry. M y husband had turned on the floodlights so we could watch this magical event.  Looking through a wall of windows in our bedroom made it look like we were in a snow globe. Knowing I needed to get some sleep, the only way that would come was to stop thinking about worldly things.  So, after lifting up a boat load of prayer requests I simply said, "Lord, I want to know You more."  In that light (in the dark) I turned to going through the alphabet saying names of Jesus. "You are Almighty and Before all things which You have Created. Being Omniscient You knew we would need a Deliverer who would eventually usher us into Eternity with You, as our Heavenly Host."  Stopping right there, my mind turned to our friend who is actively dying from pancreatic cancer and the thought that Jesus is the host who will soon welcome him with open arms into heaven. With...

  Christmas cactus Did you ever own a "names for your baby" books? Googles says: "Popular baby names in 2025 included Olivia, Amelia, and Emma for girls, and Noah, Liam and Oliver for boys." Not realizing we would have six children to name and one to adopt whose name followed suit fitting in perfectly, we began with two family names in which both just happened to end in "on." The third child came along quickly and I made up the name, "Braydon," to flow nicely with my maiden name which begins with the letter B and ended in "on" keeping the tradition.  We fudged a bit on the spelling of the sixth child to make it work. Did you consider the meaning of the names you selected for your children?  Searching names that have bad meanings, I wish I hadn't.  I won't list those because chances are your's or the name of someone you love may be on that list.  I found out the name of a beautiful little girl I adore means "Crooked nose...

  This December I am heightening my attempt to slow the pace and be intentional to make space for cherished relationships.  One of my challenges is to schedule in Christmas "story time" with children of all ages! Sunday night I sat by the tree with a seven year old and we took turns reading the pages of  Kate DiCamillo's Great Joy . I don't want to give away the story, but the emphasis is on the young protagonist who TAKES NOTICE of someone else and INVITES them in. That is a challenge I have given myself.  May I be a person who takes time, to TAKE NOTICE of others and INVITE them in...be it to our home, to our church, to an event taking place in our community, or maybe just into a restaurant for a cup of cheer. And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people."  Luke 2:10 Spread Great JOY! The Song "Joy to the World" From The Chosen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vnB8xAqzjE

Somehow, in previous years, I've missed the blessing of today's song, " Emmanuel" which came out seven years ago on Hannah Kerr's album called "Christmas Eve in Bethlehem." Emmanuel, God with us is actually a mind boggling concept. For today's devotional, read the lyrics below before you listen to the song and select the lyrics that give you pause. "He was not the opne we thought would come. We were looking for a King, but He didn't come in glory. The Author of the oceans and the sun , still he chose to be written in our story so He could fill our flesh and blood and we could know His love. Chorus Emmanuel, a manger for a bed, no crown upon His Head. He came like us instead. Emmanuel, He meets you where you are. He holds your heavy heart. Our God is with us all. Emmanuel, Emmanuel. It was no mistake that He arrived lost without a home, helpless as a baby.  So, if we're feeling lost in our own lives we are not along. He had felt the sa...

  Over the wing airplane photo shot of the heavens. The heavens keep telling the wonders of God, and the skies declare what he has done. Psalm 19:1 And yesterday's verse again You have been raised with Christ.  Now set your heart on what is in heaven ,  where Christ rules at God's right side.   Think about what is up there, not about what is here on earth. Colossians 3:1-2 I never gave a lot of thought about what is in heaven until I read Randy Alcorn's   book,  Heaven.  At my age I admit I think about it, even long for it, a whole lot more.    As we boarded a flight recently and flew up above the clouds, I shared with my   husband how I wished God gave us an approximate earthly departure date upon our  arrival to earth.   Yes, Psalm 90:10 gives us a hint and I know God's timing is nothing like ours...  We can expect seventy years, or maybe eighty, if we are healthy, but even our best years bring t...

This screen shot is from a sorting game I play on my phone.  I'm using it to represent the four chambers of the heart and a thought challenge of what we put in our hearts. What is your heart most full of? Football, food, and family, there's been a lot of that for most people this past week. Add to that travel time for some and much needed napping for others. Then the gears switched to decorating and shopping for Christmas, which brought about the need for more napping. Where does time for Jesus to fill your heart fit in? Colossians 3:1-2 says,   You have been raised with Christ. Now set your heart on what is in heaven, where Christ rules at God's right side.  Think about what is up there, not about what is here on earth. Let's make a commitment to give Jesus several parts of each day in December.  Realize He is present and just waiting for the opportunity to speak to our hearts and possibly clean them up a bit.   Consider making a December journal of ...

  Chilly and snowy on the outside, but warm and welcoming on the inside of this sweet home. Well, I could just stay all day in John chapter 17 and bask in the love of Jesus' prayer to our heavenly Father. I chose the ERV translation.  Take time to read the whole thing, but verses 13-19 brought me to remember that we are called, sanctified, set apart for God's service. "I am coming to you now. But I pray these things while I am still in the world.  I say all this so that these followers can have the true happiness that I have.  I want them to be completely happy. I have given them your teaching. And the world has hated them, because they don't belong to the world, just as I don't belong to the world. I am not asking you to take them out of the world. But I am asking that you keep them safe from the Evil One . They don't belong to the world, just as I don't belong to the world.  Make them ready for your service through your truth. Your teaching is truth. I ha...

Praying Paul's prayer for you this Thanksgiving For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to   be strengthened with power through his Spirit  in your inner being, so that   Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith —that you, being rooted and grounded in love,  may   have strength to comprehend with all the saints   what is the breadth and length and height and depth,  and   to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge , that you may   be filled with all the fullness of God .  Now to   him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think ,  according to the power at work within us... Ephesians 3:14-20 Song "Thank You for the Cross"- Tauren Wells https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lj0TRkV- j4o&list=RDLj0TRkV-...

  We gifted these two grands with magnetic buddy socks! These smiles increased my joy. God has lots to say about JOY in his Word ! "The joy of the Lord is your strength."  Nehemiah 8:10 Years ago, 1994, I read an excellent take on where our joy comes from by John Piper. https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/where-does-joy-come-from Nibble on what Piper says here: "What is extraordinary about Paul is how unbelievably durable his joy was when things weren’t going well. For example:   “I am overflowing with joy in all our affliction ” ( 2 Corinthians 7:4 ). Or “ Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake ” ( Colossians 1:24 ). Where did this come from? First of all it was taught by Jesus: “Blessed are you when men hate you ...   Be glad in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven ” ( Luke 6:22-23 ). Troubles for Jesus compound your interest in heaven—which last a lot longer than earth." Real joy comes from the love God has poured out over...

This was the view from a pew during the beautiful celebration of life service for a friend's beloved father. Sweet Friends,  This devotional below came in my inbox via FaithGateway and is so powerful.  Way too many of you are dealing with deep grief in a variety of forms or praying for loved ones walking in grief. For some of you this is the first holiday season without a beloved person for various reasons and that comes with so many longings. Every Christmas I long for my Daddy to let me help him once again put the silver tinsel on the tree…one piece at a time😂🎄 There is a healing challenge at the end of this devotional. I am praying that this brings you  comfort. Reading this will make some of you sob, but Jesus will grab your tears and put them in a bottle. You keep track of all my sorrows.  You have collected all my tears in your bottle.   You have recorded each one in your book.  Psalm 56:8 Love and prayers, Boo The Dance of Grief and Grati...