Luke Chapter 19

It is Christmas Sunday! December 19, 2010. This month this year has flown by. In just a few days we will be unwrapping presents, watching the yule log and celebrating the child like commercial side of Christmas. Don't get me wrong we love all of that. I love guessing what time my kids will wake up. Trying to take their picture and everyone comes out blurry because they are running around in excitement. It is hard to believe that is only 6 day away.

We have been focusing on more of the meaning of Christmas. We went to Jesus's birthday party. They ask me quite often how old is he? We have spent much time together as a family and seen their grandparents more frequently. We have seen Santa I believe 6 times now. They think he is watching them closely and they keep teetering back and forth on the naughty or nice list.

I have started everyday off by reading my bible. Joining in the one chapter a day in Luke. 24 chapters in 24 day Rediscovering Christmas challenge.



I try to wake before the children do have the house all quite to myself and read. I have very much enjoyed this. It gives me time without distraction to read. It is easy to do in the morning where my mind is not racing with I need to get this started or finishes this or just turning on the tv and mindlessly watching something. I have time to reflect and absorb it.

I really enjoyed the first few chapters they were so powerful. Touched me and put me in the true Christmas spirit. The middle chapters have been nice. Many stories I knew, many points reinforced. Today in chapter 19 were a few other points that just jumped out and touched me more. The first was at the beginning of the chapter in the parable of the ten minas. A king trusted a few servants with a little and the ones who made a lot with the little with what they were given were reward with the care a a lot. There are many verses in he bible addressing children as blessings, gifts, and rewards. But this verse spoke out to me as another one pertaining to Gods children. I am very aware that my boys are first his kids. He entrusted me with them to raise them in the path they should go to honor him serve him and be little Christ. I hope I am doing well in his eyes, I believe so even though I know I can do better. I believe that because I am doing well he continues to reward me with more.

He blessed the world with his son and gave us the gift of eternal life. As his birthday approaches may we all have a wonderful time, keep the real meaning in our celebrating and have a wonder week. Happy Christmas Sunday!

Continuing in Luke

I have continued to wake up early each day going down stair to quietly read a chapter a day from Luke. It is not always easy. One day I feel asleep on the couch. Two days I had children up running around while trying to read. Which lead me to reread quite a few times. The weather has been so cold my house is too when I am up early. But everyday I read. I am very much enjoying it.



Chapters 5-10 have been showcasing when Jesus is an adult and performing many miracles. The theme to these miracles seams to be follow me, believe in me and my father. There are many verses and stories that we have heard since childhood. Summing up to you need to go out and be good do good. Love everyone especially the sinners for they are who need it most.

Of all the chapters a verse from the parable of the good Samaritan is what I want to focus my life on. A law expert was talking with Jesus and asked 10:25 "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" That is what we all want. The lawyer answered his own question 10:26 "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and love your neighbor as yourself." 10:28 Jesus replied" Do this and you will live"

It is not that hard. I do love the Lord with all the above and I want to go to heaven. I as most people struggle with making my actions match. I want to carry myself in a manner that matches loving someone so much. I will pray for God to keep working in me and I will keep working for him.

Luke Chapter 5

It is cold this morning and was very hard to drag myself out of bed. I hit the snooze button in my mind and laid there debating with myself wither to get up or not. I thought up every one was sound asleep all snug and warm I can take a few extra minutes. As I kept trying to talk myself in to sleeping in the time was passing and my son woke up. "Good morning Mommy" his sweet voice said. With that I took him downstairs and started reading. But now there was a child asking for things, Disney on in the background and I wish I had just got up and read when the alarm went off.

Luckily this a short chapter of 5 paragraph size stories. It is really hard for me to read with the kids around. In three of them Jesus said to the people get up and follow me. Is not the bible amazing. The Lord knows you and what you need to hear. What a message for me today, get up and follow me. Okay I will. I will no longer wrestle with getting my tired body out of bed but do it joyfully and dive into your word.

Off to continue in my morning. I now have a baby on the couch, the smallest in my arms, everyone else is still in bed, ( it is not even 7am yet) I pray may this be a good and peaceful day for my family and yours.

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Luke Chapter 4

Jesus is now grown. In this tiny chapter he encounters Satan and his demons two times.
In 4:34 Jesus was faced with a demon and the demon knew who he was. "Ha! What do you want with us Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come down to destroy us? I know who you are-the Holy One of God!"

If even a thing as nasty as a demon could see and believe in Jesus, at first glance, then why do we have such trouble. We are His chosen his sheep he wants us and we don't acknowledge him as certain as a demon. Something is wrong there. Could you imagine if we could all stand up to the darkness as sure as the demon stood up to Jesus. And we could all answer to them as Jesus did "Be quiet!" 4:35

At the beginning of the chapter Jesus stood against the devil himself. Jesus is the strongest person and did not let the devil temp him. He fought back with scripture. The devil fought back with scripture too but Jesus triumphs over him.

I don't ever want to stand against the devil. I am not like Jesus I would crumble. When talking to my pastor while going through hardships in my life he told me I probably have never been against the devil. He told me that the devil is not omnipresent. I did not know that. I assumed all evil comes from him. That might be true but it is not himself doing it. He has multitudes of demons to do evil work. And they are strong and they are powerful and I can't always stand against them. I don't want to stand against the devil. But if I do I know the Lord is with me. He knows what will happen. Did you know Satan has to get God permission to do anything? I did not know that until this year.

The devil is real but so are Jesus and God. They are more powerful and they are in control. And stronger than the demon said to Jesus I will go out and say to the world I know who he is the Holy One of God, he is my savior and he is yours.

Luke Chapter 3

A very short chapter but it contained the lineage and baptism of Jesus. Really the lineage was not that long to get to the connection between Jesus and Adam, son of God. Even though Jesus is directly Gods son he is also connect to him down the line as well.

The baptism of Jesus and others by John the Baptist is at the beginning of the chapter. I noticed how this baptism was very different than mine. For Jesus, John told of warnings to come called the people vipers, accused them of fleeing from wrath, and told them that even though they are the children of Abraham God can and will still raise up against you. If you don't act accordingly and produce favorable "fruit" God is ready to let them go and throw them into the fire.

That would not have made me hesitate to get baptized, I want to be on the team that is not on in the fire. But it is such a harsh words to the baptism of welcome and love that I received. Maybe because different preachers maybe because mine was after the resurrection of Jesus. One verse was fitting into my baptism and made me smile. It was God speaking to Jesus.

3:21-22 When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was being baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven opened and the Holy Spirit came down on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."

God, his father say I am so proud of you.

I was baptized on October 22, 2006. What a great day. I was surrounded by friends and family. It was such jubilation and love. And my father to told me he loved me and was proud of me. He also told me that day would have been his fathers 90th birthday.




Giving my testimony


My parents and me


My husband and me

Luke Chapter 2

Wow one of the greatest chapters in the Bible.

Today in the town town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11

Salvation. God gave it to us in the form a tiny baby his birth, his birthday. It is what we celebrate, (his indescribable gift 2 Corinthians 9:15), the reason for the season.

Nothing could but me more in the Christmas spirit than the nativity story. We have nativities all around our house looking at them today I will carry over the cheerful tears that came from reading this passage.

Some of the questions I have always had about Jesus were:

What was he like as child, a baby?
Did his parents just stand in awe over him?
Did he do any wrong?
How would you discipline the Lord?

There is not much there about it but except two small verses at the end of the chapter. 2:52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and favor with God and men. to me this means everyone like him and God smiled as he watched his son grow. I can imagine him as one of those kids you are just drawn to that everyone loves.

The second glimpse into Him as a child is the preceding verse. Where Jesus was at the temple and his parents had not realized it and when they found Him he was studying. 2:51 He was obedient to them [his parents]. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. Is this his mischief? Did he have normal little boy characteristics? I think so. This passage leads me to believe that there probably were a lot of circumstances where he did not think he was doing wrong but his parents had to look at it from a different angle to know he was right. And how great that Mary treasured it all! How blessed she was.

As a mother of 3 boys I know how wonderful they are. They can be so sweet. They can be so challenging. Last night as I was leaving church with my three I had my hands full. My oldest besides me my youngest in my arms in his big fluffy coat. Along with a diaper bag the two older boys bags and my purse. My middle child was running ahead up the winding stairs. By the time I got to the next floor he was no where in sight. I sighed I don't need this right now little one where are you. He is old enough I was not to worried. I was thinking this would just add extra time and messing around we don't need. It was snowing outside I thought maybe he went to see the flurries. No. My oldest asked 3 other kids sitting by the door have you seen my brother go outside they said no. I heard a piano playing in the auditorium I went to check and see if that was him. No. I guess he went back down stairs to find us. Maybe just riding the elevator up and down as the kids like to push the buttons. But my oldest handled it all for me. He waled to the stairs and in a 7 year old fashion yelled EVAN! It worked Evan came running up. When I told him not to run off he said I had to pee. Unlike Mary I was not amused. I did not treasure that. I scolded him for not staying with us. The patients she had. I want to be more like Mary.

Last night at AWANAS the children dressed as a Bible character. Mine were little kings. They love to dress up and anytime they can carry a sword it is a better day.


King Evan the wanderer



King Gregory and King Evan

Luke Chapter 1

Today is the first day of December! I realize most of us have all ready started celebrating Christmas in some form but now being December we can start opening up those advent calendars and really count down. I am excited. I love Christmas and am really looking forward to this one. It is the first Christmas in I have not worked since 2002 with the exception of one in 2004. Some of those years I did not mind it but every year I wanted to be home with my family celebrating and enjoying the holiday with the boys. To me that is the best gift I am receiving this year. Christmas at home with my husband and kids.

This December I am also very excited to try something new. Along with many others at Welcome to our wonderland, we are reading a chapter a day out of the book of Luke. I could not wait to do this. I have always wanted to start the day off right and get into scripture first thing in the morning but have had trouble with it. Sometimes I was to tired, or to busy, and other times I did not know where to start. All of those excuses lead me to sometimes reading and sometimes finding reasons why not to. But never having a plan on how to. This time it could not be easier. 1 chapter everyday for 24 days. So easy and by joining up there is also the fact of accountability. I would do it today no matter what. Like I said I am excited!So if you would like to join us you are welcome.



I grabbed my little pink Bible that I received last year as a Christmas gift from my husband of 11 years to read this challenge out of. I thought it would be appropriate. What I enjoyed most from chapter 1 is the joy of pregnancy. Two women touched by God in the specialist of all ways told they are having a baby, a son. As a mother of three boys and another baby on the way I am overjoyed to be pregnant. Another connection I had with the chapter was with my first child, like Elizabeth I struggled with infertility. Like both women, with the other 3 pregnancies I have had another Christian women as a pregnancy partner. They are all so special to me and it is extra enjoyable to share your pregnancy with someone going through the same thing at the same time.

I can't wait to continue reading tomorrow and plan to carry a since of peace, of the true meaning of Christmas with me throughout the day. Hug your blessings and have a wonderful day.

Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. Psalm 127:3

Day 8: Least favorite thing about the Holidays

Day 8: Least favorite thing about the Holidays



The easiest of all answers: STRESS! Every holiday has some but why is it Christmas has so much? People look forward to the idealistic illusion of Christmas through out the year. Family coming together, lights strung around the house, a beautiful trimmed tree, all of the kids clean posed perfect for the Christmas card shot, snowflakes and sugarplum fairies. When reality hits them that Christmas is coming it most often is met by a sigh of not yet.

Now each year retailers bring it on earlier why? I do know the monetary answer but it does not make sense. People seem to shun the thought of Christmas in July or August. When you next start seeing the Christmas decorations mixed with Halloween pumpkins shoppers remark "isn't it to early?" The stores do not seem to please people by bringing it out earlier and earlier.

Now as we just passed black Friday and are in full and only Christmas season anxiety hits and stress levels go up. Why... the pressure. To make the idealistic version reality.

This year I personally fell more stressed out than others. I honestly think it has more to do with the fact I am pregnant but there are also many other normal contributing factors. I don't want that type of holiday. I don't want to be the person that stress makes me. I am not going to have it from this day forward.

People find stress in the appearance and consumerism of Christmas. When it is not all about that. Like the saying goes Jesus is the reason for the season. We need to redirect our focus. December is in one day. And I saw a familiar verse tonight that could not be better.

I Peter 5:7 "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."

He cares for me! This is the season to rejoice and give thanks in Him, celebrate the birth of the Christ. When I focus on the Lord I am not stressed out by the pressure. Instead I am dreaming in the nativity. I am at peace and joyful. I am who I want to be at Christmas and all the time. For this reason I am going to try two additional challenges.

The first is reading a chapter out of Luke each day. There are 24 chapters. I am going to set my alarm 40 minutes earlier from now on. I am going to wake up and read while the house is silent. It will start my day on the right foot and let me lead through out that day in the right spirit. If you would like to join in on this too you are so welcome. Welcome to our wonderland is hosting it:



Secondly I am going to join in at Women living well. She is suggesting 5 easy and free things this December that give us a moment to calm down and relax. So easy and so many benefits. To find out more about her's and join in check it out:

Women Living Well Blog: Peace On Earth December Challenge - Come Link Up!:


When relaxed and re focused the rest will fall into place. I plan not to spend time worrying but doing. I am not going to worry about decorating, shopping, cleaning I am going to get it done. I love the glitz of the holiday and I don't plan on ignoring that I plan on enjoying it. I am excited and ready not to be stressed.

I wonder how many people are gonna say fruitcakes?

Rediscovering Christmas Bible Challenge

Rediscovering Christmas Bible Challenge: December 1-24

A great challenge is soon starting. You have a day to clear your hearts and clear your mind. Starting December 1, myself along with some fabulous other bloggers, will be reading a chapter a day in the book of Luke. Luke has 24 chapters, perfect.

If you would like to join in the challenge then come read and share at Welcome to our Wonderland: