Bunched Ornaments-Children Christmas Truth

When my kids were young, our tree started out looking like this, with all their favorite and personal ornaments bunched in a group on their side of the tree. (Who knew trees had sides?) Once all the ornaments hung on the tree, I tried to discretely move some of them up higher or around to make a more balanced looking tree.


But you can guess what happened when they caught me. Oh, the whining and personal affront! You would have thought I'd eaten the last Halloween candy, or kicked the dog out in the cold.


I tried to reason with them, you know, I wanted a beautifully decked out tree and with company coming-so it would look nice.... Well, we came to a compromise, and I'd move the ornaments a bit closer to where they were put, and they would stop whining. After all, it was Christmas and I did not want to be Mrs. Scrooge, bah-hum-burger. So my tree was a bit "decorative-challenged" at Christmas.


"And she gave birth to her first-born son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." Luke 2:7


Did God care that Jesus was born with out mid-wives or clean cloths or a nice pallet? Yes, I think He did care, but to reach us, He chose to limit His creativeness and come to our level.


Thank you Father, for making Your Son accessible to all.


Long live the unbalanced tree.

Jesus' Star-Children and Christmas Truth

"I found it," two -year-old Jeremy said, "it's Jesus' star!" Held in his grandfather's arms, Jeremy pointed to the brightest star in the December's eastern sky and wiggled with excitement.


His grandfather told him throughout the day about Jesus and the events surrounding His birth. He talked about all the things that a two-year-old could understand, and that they might get to see the star.


"Before you go to bed, we'll look for the Christmas star, okay?" his grandfather said.


Nighttime came and Jeremy picked out the star, just as his mom did when she was a toddler.


"He called a little child and had him stand among them. And He said: 'I tell you unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.'" Matthew 18:2-3


During this Christmas season, I want to be like Jeremy and see wonder anew in each part of the Christmas story. I want to wiggle with excitement and point others to the bright star of Jesus.


May I be still long enough to listen as Jesus whispers His story again in my heart. I might just go out tonight and start to look for that star. (If only it wasn't raining...sigh.) Well, maybe tomorrow.


I'm star gazing!

Children and Christmas Truth

Herod marched down from his throne to a car full of kids and their grandparents. "I am looking for that Christ child. Have you seen him?" he demanded. "I want to know where he is," he said with all the authority given to a volunteer Herod.


The car, full of Christmas viewers visiting a drive-thru Christmas story, had just come from the manger scene and now arrived at Herod's palace. One of the children, a five year old, was near the car window. His eyes grew big and his grandparents could see that Herod frightened him with his gruff questions.


But he raised himself up in his seat and yelled out the window, "Yes, I know where he is, but I'm not going to tell you!"


It was Herod's turn to look surprised.


"For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed, when He comes in His glory." Luke 9:26


This little boy, though scared, did not back down when asked about Jesus. He was going to defend him. Of course, he had the security and love of family with him, but wasn't that darling?


Will I yell out the window for Jesus this Christmas? When others say "Happy Holidays," will I say, "Merry Christmas?" Will I invite my friends to Christmas functions or church, knowing that Christ will be proclaimed? The list could go on and on, but will Christ look at me this Christmas and smile and be happy at what I've done?


Say, where is the Christ Child? Will you yell with me?


Side note: I did finish nano, whew!

Photo: Gerard von Honthorst (1620), bing photos

Saturday Slump

No post today, I'm in a slump,

I'm sorry to say,

My fingers are typing the nano way.

10,000 words is all I lack,

To finish before December's back.

My mind is mush, I think I'll hush,

because I don't know how to end this.

Wonder if I'll make it?

Have a wonderful weekend. I'll let you know how I did either Monday or Tuesday.

Blessings to All

Photo: karenevans

Thanksgiving is Forever

Without going into a litany of all the many blessings I am thankful for, I will try to sum it up in one sentence. I am thankful for the air that I breathe all the way down to my grandchildren's toes. Well, I think that about encompasses everything.


But my soul will never tire to thank the Lord for what He has done for me. I'll use this poem written years ago by a dear family friend to express some of what I feel.


October winds do gently blow
The oak tree stands secure
But, now and then a leaf will fall
To knock on earth's green door.




God made the tree; He stirred the winds
Oh! marvel, man, and cry
For this same God has saved my soul
Dear God, I wonder why?




Why, my Savior? Why choose me?
Oh, I was so unworthy.
Overwhelmed by Thy love,
My heart cries out, "Such mercy!


I love you, Lord, with all my heart
For what you've done for me,
And, like the gallant, stately oak,
I'll stand secure in Thee."





My Strength is Made Perfect in Thee by Bill Magee

Have a Joyous and Happy Thanksgiving All!

Bill Magee on the left accompanied by his pastor, Bill Stowell. Picture taken this year.

Photo: karenevans

Water Drops

You won't believe this video! You can only see it because the camera takes the pictures at 2,ooo frames a second. Please watch it all the way through. I'm amazed at how much we still have to learn about our world.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5bsQ_YDYCI

Water acts like elastic? When it rains each drop bounces several times before it submerges with the whole puddle? Wonder what a rain storm really looks like to God? Does His ears hear each drop like the sound effects on that video? To me that is soooo cool!

But the shower picture and the comments really hit me. Waters elasticity is what holds the water drops together. Otherwise, how would it behave? Would the water be like a solid wall crashing down on us?

So many questions, but this I know,

"For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things have been created by Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together." Colossians 1:16-17

Our God holds each drop and holds each of us. Some of what's invisible to our naked eyes, we can now see with technology. How many more surprises does our Creator have in store for us?

All I gotta' say is: Way to Go God! You are Awesome!

I'm so glad water's soft.

Photo: karenevans

Clean Up My Act

I can't believe it, another award? Oh, no, I couldn't, really you shouldn't, okay I will, and thank you dearest Melinda! I love her blog and this award is a small look representing her mother/child reality blog. If you haven't visited her, she's witty, charming and digs all the dirt out from her kids antics. Blessings to you, dear friend.

Because this is a clean award, I guess I must tell something dirty and come clean. Here it is. When I was a child I hated taking baths. I thought what a waste of good playing time. If I wasn't too dirty, I would swish and splash the water around like I was in the bath, but never get in. You know, all that time soaping and drying and stuff. Unless I was actually "looking" dirty, I did not bathe. (This was before I needed deodorant--I'm almost positive.)

"The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the judgements of the Lord are true; they are righteousness altogether." Psalms 19:9

This reminds me of how I act toward the Lord sometimes. I wait until I can see the dirt and then I go and confess what stares me in the face. And what about the grime I don't see, or think about? I believe I need to confess anything that might hinder my relationship with Him-even asking forgiveness for unconscious sins. And you know what? He then usually shows them to me. I'm sure He would rather not walk with a "stinky" child. But, hey, you know what, He does.

Lord, clean me down to my toe nails.