Sunday, December 11, 2011

Shepherds? Why shepherds?

As we are walking daily through this beautiful season, Jesus is faithful to teach more about who He is and what He is about.
Everyday we read Luke 2, soaking up each treasured word, His words. They are words that are living and active. This I love.
There came in conversation today, talk about the shepherds. We have long taught our kids on this subject. Long in their young years.
If you are not familiar, here is the verse:
Luke 2: 8 "And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 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. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you; you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger."

What's your take on why the angel appeared to the shepherds? Have you heard that it was because they were poor, stinky, lower-class men? Have you heard that they were the lowliest of low? I have. I don't believe this to be the case. Sure they may have been a little stinky. Sure they may have been poor...but there just has to more than that.

Why were these shepherds watching over these sheep? Before the Christ Child was born, do you recall the sacrificial reason for sheep? See it is highly likely that these sheep were the temple sacrifices. The shepherds were in the same region, watching over these sheep that would be used in the temple as sacrifices for the forgiveness of sin.

Here is where it gets good. Beautiful. But isn't it all?

Jesus is our Sacrifice.

Did you hear that? Jesus, the spotless Lamb. The One who would come, live a sinless life, absorb all of our sins, die and resurrect Himself on the third day...HE IS THE SACRIFICE!!!

Do you see it? The picture? Luke goes on to tell us that the shepherds left in haste to go find Mary, Joseph and the baby lying in a manger. What?? How could they leave the sheep? And in haste??The innocent ones that would be slaughtered for the sins of men in their region?? This was their job. How could they just drop everything and go to find this baby?

They got it.

The angel of the Lord appearing to the shepherds is a beautiful picture of Jesus, our ultimate and all encompassing Sacrificial Lamb, arriving. Hope. Born in the city of David...just as it was told.

Don't miss this picture. Please don't hesitate to share it with your children. If the picture was to represent going to the lowliest of low, wouldn't it make more sense for the angel to appear to a leper colony?  I am not sure that is the picture that the Lord is trying to portray. Absolutely there are other passages in the Bible where we see Jesus visiting the lowly or less desirable, like the lepers, poor and the prostitutes. Passages that give examples to follow for the believer. But in this case, He chose shepherds. I think this is something we should consider and find very significant.

I grew up thinking that the angel appeared to the shepherds because they were lowly. I thought that was a beautiful picture...
The picture I have now, it is grand. It is majestic. It causes me to sit in wonder at our great God and King.
Oh that we would grasp the significance of our Savior's birth! To fully know that with His birth, came true forgiveness of sins. His blood poured out to cover ALL of our sins...all of them. His blood. No longer a need for the sacrificial lambs of old. My Jesus paid it all.

Jeremiah 33:3 "Call to Me and I will answer you, and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Wordless Wisdom Wednesday...

Working diligently:)

Another diligent student:)

Luke 2:7-9 Jacob and Emma's verse for the week.

An absolute MUST for a homeschooling day!Can I get an Amen??!!






Thursday, November 17, 2011

The Pink Stuff

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, many people have been reflective and...well... thankful. I am enjoying reading all the posts on Facebook about what friends are truly thankful for. I love reflective times and love hearing what is being brought to mind of others as they ponder their many blessings.
I also love to ask our kids what they are thankful for. Of course they always give the answers  like "Jesus, family, a home, food, etc". They will sometimes throw in a seemingly random thankfulness, like "rocks, gum, hangers, light switches, etc".
A few days ago, Jacob was writing in his journal. He was thinking aloud of Thanksgiving Dinner and all that he couldn't wait to eat. Ok, this may sound strange, but do you have a favorite dish that you have been eating every holiday of your life? A dish that your family just HAS to have at holiday meals? We do. It's lovingly called "The Pink Stuff". I think others outside of our family call it a cherry salad, or something like that. I googled it and found names like "Heavenly Pink Salad" and "Pink Fluff". PINK FLUFF?!? Hahaaaa! This is a super sweet and super yummy dish. It is also super rich in calories! It is joked that this can be a deal breaker in relationships. Confused? Let me explain. If a family member is dating and brings this person to a holiday dinner...the whole family will watch to see if our new guest will eat the "Pink Stuff". If new person eats it, they are in! If not, well let's just say they hear about it for the rest of their lives! (Right Angela??)

I will say that David ate the "Pink Stuff" right away. In fact, he KNEW what it was! What?!? This secret Wilson Family Dish?? He KNEW about it? He says he grew up eating it too. I just knew he was the one for me! :) Oh how I love this man. He loves Jesus in a way that inspires me, he is kind, smart, gentle, a great father, the cutest guy on the planet, hilarious, a lover of books, protector, spontaneous...what? This post isn't about David? Oh, right. The Pink Stuff...

Anyway, it was fun to hear my kids talking about Thanksgiving Dinner and how excited they were to eat the "Pink Stuff". :)  I love that they call Thanksgiving at Granny's the "Thanksgiving Party". It seems that it is a crazy party at my Granny's for all the holidays and we love it! There is also a deep, rich tradition in my family called "Quarters" It used to have a different name that changed for some reason. :) That's a different post for a different time...but sooooo worthy of sharing! But, family members, remember your four quarters next week!

In one week, this delicious~ness will be on the table. Thankful!
Recipe:
One tub of Cool Whip (DO NOT get the low fat Cool Whip!)
One can of cherry pie filling
One small can of Eagle Brand condensed milk
Optional: Nuts of choice ( almonds, pecans, walnuts)
Also optional: Diced pineapples, coconut, or marshmallows...or all of the above!

Place all ingredients in a bowl and mix together.
Yes, it is that easy. Yes, it is that fattening. Yes, it is delicious.

Sunday, November 13, 2011

"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy."

Sunday is our Sabbath. It is a day of rest. A day of worship. A day that is set apart, and does not look like the other days of the week.
Many folks have asked what our Sabbath looks like. I think that is a fabulous question and one that I will try to answer here.
We worship corporately on Saturday nights at The Village Church. This allows our Sunday Sabbath to be completely free of time restraints, "getting ready", and traffic just to name a few things that can sometimes take our focus off the Lord.
On Sunday, everyone can wake up whenever they want. :) As one who loves to sleep in a little, I love this part! Although as a mommy to three little ones, sleeping in means sleeping to maybe 8:00a.m. There will be a day, or so I am told, when I can sleep in as long as I want...but until that day, I rise early for my sweet little ones:)

We gather as a family everyday for Family Worship time. David leads us through a book of the Bible, we sing and we pray. This is the same on Sunday, except we are allowed more times throughout the day to gather as a family for teaching, praying or singing to the Lord. Now you may be thinking, don't you do this every day? Yes! We do teach and sing and pray to our King everyday. But gathering as a family throughout the day is not always an option during the week. Thankfully, David works from home and we part-time homeschool. This allows for Family Worship time to occur more often on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. But in general, our Sabbath has a different feel. Those times are not dependent on time frames. For instance, we can gather as long as we wish because David does not need to return to work by a certain time. It is a sweet, savored time with our Lord as a family.
It is great to plan for this day throughout the week. Perhaps on the Sabbath more time is spent around the table, rich in food and conversation. On this day, we have favorite slow-cooker recipes that we enjoy. Special meals that may be favorites of the kids. Ask one child during the week what they may want to eat for Sabbath that weekend. And prepare it with a joyful, thankful heart with said child teaching how Jesus is the true Bread of life. John 6:35 "Jesus said to them, 'I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.'"
Watch as this particular child beams at the dinner table ready to eat his/her chosen meal.  Set apart...

Some have asked if we "work" at all on the Sabbath. We are not strict with the "do-nots", but rich in the "do's". Do praise Jesus in song often on this day. Do eat slowly, remembering that Jesus is the true Bread of life, the Bread from heaven. Do read your bible slowly and thoughtfully....hanging on to just one verse if that is what you feel the Spirit calling you to do. Do find times throughout the day to serve other family members. Do encourage one another in the Lord. Do share your memory verse with us and tell us what the Lord is telling you through His word. Do take long hikes discovering all of His creation. Do sit and read as long as you want to...
I do cook on the Sabbath. I do go to the grocery store on the Sabbath. I do clean up spills and vacuum if it is needed. I do care for my children in areas where they need help. We do discipline and train on this day. But all of this is done with a remembering of the day and NOT with an attitude of "I shouldn't be doing this because this is my Sabbath day!" Jesus says in Matthew chapter 12 verse 11 "Which one of you who has a sheep, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out? Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath."

Our children know when it is the Sabbath. They joyfully exclaim that "Today is our Sabbath!" We have set this day apart not because WE think it is a good idea, but we do think it is a good idea.  We set this day apart because it is a commandment from God. A commandment in the same list as "do not murder...do not lie...do not commit adultery...do not take the name of the Lord in vain...do not steal." Many times the Sabbath is overlooked as a commandment. People often seem weary, burnt out, in despair. In talking with many believers who have come to this point, it is interesting to note that they are/were not observing the Sabbath day. Please do not hear me saying that if you observe the Sabbath ALL will be well in your life. But when you know that it is sin not to, but you still chose not to practice it, you are living in sin...and it will eventually be brought to light. See, the Lord knows that we need rest. His ways are good. He is faithful. Trust Him.
"Oh taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!"Psalm 34:8

The Lord is faithful and has blessed our family with sweet memories and joy on this day set apart...this holy day. There is no magical way that we practice the Sabbath in our home. We do talk of it often. Teaching our children, and ourselves, that this is good for us and brings glory to the Lord.

My hope and prayer for you, is that you would be obedient to our great God and King and remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Just as you know that lying or stealing or committing adultery is a sin against a holy God...so is not remembering the Sabbath day. And now you know...and knowing, I have heard, is half the battle. :)

May you find rest in Jesus. May He bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you...

Saturday, November 12, 2011

"Look at My Eyes"

If you know me, you know that when my children speak to me I ask them to look at my eyes. I also learned from a wise mom and friend, Jen, to not speak to family in the house if you cannot see their eyes. This means no yelling upstairs, no "disciplining" from another room in the house, no apologies unless you are looking the person in the eyes, as well as forgiving with eye contact. It is such a great communication tool.

There have been times when I am speaking to other adults when I want to say this: "Look at my eyes." I have had conversations with adult friends, mommies themselves, that have a hard time focusing on conversation and really listening. It is a sad thing to be speaking while watching the wandering eyes of a friend.  It is also convicting as a listener. To listen with my eyes as well as my ears. To let my friend truly know that they matter. That I am thankful for the time I have with them.

I know that as mothers our children are always on our mind while we are with other mommies. What are they doing? Where are they hiding? What is THAT they are putting in their mouth? Is that MY child crying? What could that be dripping from my child's leg? And oh, how this list could go on and on.

My point is, when your friends are speaking to you, offer the same respect to them as you would want offered to you. Look at their eyes. Listen. Listening is a beautiful part of friendship.

May all of our conversations be heard today and may we all be better listeners!

"Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future." Proverbs 19:20

Friday, November 4, 2011

InstaFriday

Linking up with  http://liferearranged.com/

These are old pics from the phone...but seeing as I am just getting started with Insta-Friday I think it is ok:)
A walk down to the pond:)

I have loved this sweet profile since I first saw it in my very first sonogram...

A boy, his hat and a tractor. Love him!

This child wants to learn to play guitar! And.I.am.not.kidding.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Thoughtful Tuesday: Oh, that my food, my daily bread would be to do His will!

John 4:31-38 
"Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, saying, Rabbi, eat." But he said to them, "I have food to eat that you do not know about." So the disciples said to one another, "Has anyone brought him something to eat?" Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work. Do you not say, 'There are yet four months, then comes the harvest'? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. For here the saying holds true, 'One sows and another reaps.' I sent you to reap that which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor."

Monday, October 31, 2011

A Princess, a Cowboy and a Chicken...

All the babes are tucked sweetly into their beds. Visions of M&Ms, Hershey bars, and lolipops dancing in their heads.
Wow.
My.Kids.Got.A.TON.Of.Candy.
I cooked a yummy lasagna for dinner. Sounded just perfect for a night of Trick'or'Treating. While it was cooking, the big kids and I made cakeballs and crack, I mean Apple Crackle. (recipe in previous post)

We have the sweetest neighborhood. Seriously, the sweetest neighborhood. We have been blessed with amazing neighbors. If we ever move, it will be super sad to leave these people. Let's not even go there.

A gaggle of neighbors and their children all ventured out to see if we could indeed overload on sugar.
*Did you know that a "gaggle" is a "disorderly or noisy group of people"? I didn't either! I knew it meant a flock of geese, and I was being silly by using that word. But upon looking it up, I found how truly appropriate the word really was:)

A little known fact about my kids' chosen costumes: They already had everything you see them wearing! Ben, the little chicken, is wearing the same chicken costume that Emma wore when she was his age. The same chicken costume that Jacob wore as well. I LoVe it when something pays off like that chicken costume! Emma's beautiful princess dress is the same one seen here. Yes people, that was in 2008. And sweet Jacob decided he just wanted to be a Cowboy, as he "basically already is a cowboy anyway". Hmm, yea, ok!

Here are some pictures to document our fun night...Enjoy!
Apple Crackle and EyeBall~CakeBalls

This is as SpOoKy as it gets over here!

Our crew...Love them! (Ben is chowing down on a cake ball!)
Beauty.

My Cowboy

Sweet Chick


Please...don't ever grow up!

Enter precious neighbor friends:)

Here come two more...

Minnie did NOT want her picture taken! Carrie, I want to see your picture!!

Typical of each child. Notice Ben is eating a RingPop:)

Yoda

Bye! Hope you all had a Happy Halloween!

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Apple Crackle...Also Known As: Crack




I first had this dish straight from Heaven at a homegroup gathering. A sweet and talented friend, Tara, brought this for us to enjoy...and enjoy we did! Tara shared with us that she calls this "Apple Crack"because it is just that addictive. I had to change the name when we made this for an apple recipe for my child's kindergarten class. Call me cautious, but I didn't think they would appreciate the name "Apple Crack" coming from a 5year old. Anyway, this is like a caramel covered apple, but with a twist. It is now a MUST at our family gatherings. My family insists that I bring it, and gladly I do!:)
Enjoy!
Ingredients:
3-4 Granny Smith Apples
Powdered sugar to taste. (1/4-1 cup)
8oz Cream Cheese (Room Temp)
16oz Caramel Apple Dip (Room Temp)
4oz Heath Toffee Bits
In a mixer, combine cream cheese and powdered sugar until creamy. Add as much powdered sugar as you wish...we add a bunch to take away the cream cheese taste and make more of a frosting taste. I trust you to decide when it is sweet enough:)

For a visual, since I can't seem to find any photos of it, this dish presents as a layered dip~like goodie. Just wait...you are going to LoVe it!
Spread this cream cheese mixture on a medium size platter.

Stir the tub of room temperature caramel. Then spread it on top of the cream cheese...you are close to finding out why my friend Tara calls this Crack!

Sprinkle the toffee bits all over the top of the caramel.

Wash and cut the apples into bite~size slices. Place all around the edge of the platter...Enjoy! Oh, and you are welcome. I know. It is really delicious. :)

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Love These Lil' Pumpkins

Tummy bug of '11 hit our home. Ugh. When you have three little ones, you are just praying and praying that it stops on the first child. Only to find yourself praying that it doesn't hit the third. Only to find yourself on your knees praying it doesn't hit YOU...I.Hate.Throw-up.

When the kids were not throwing up, they felt great. Today we decided it would be best not to go to church and share our yucky germs with sweet friends. We are all about sharing, but not tummy bugs. No, thank you.

So we bought some adorable pie pumpkins and painted them. The kids had a blast until they went crazy thinking they were famous French artists and started slapping their brushes FULL of paint all around. Yep, it ended then.

The famous French artists' results:
My sweet Jacob

Joyful Emma

If you only knew!






This child was a HUGE mess...and I love it!

He looks like he is concentrating. He kept saying, "I need quite a bit more brown.":)

My sweet girl and me.
Getting near the finale...the messy finale!

Friday, October 28, 2011

InstaFriday

                                                                             life rearranged
Linking up with Jeanette with Life Rearranged today!  
Ben in the backseat with a Pull-up on his head. He kept saying,"Mommy, I got hurt! Mommy, I got hurt!"

It was Grandparents Day at the kids' school. I made delicious Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread.:)
Sweet boy practicing the Ten Commandments on the driveway.

That's all I have for this week! Have a great Friday!