Life is a learning process. I have always felt that the moment I stop learning is the moment I begin dying in two ways: inside and mentally. Sometimes that learning is earth-shattering; sometimes it is plain common sense; and sometimes it is more on the fun side. This past weekend I learned a little of all three. I thought I would get back into the swing of things by sharing with you some of the little tidbits from my weekend.
#1: Spending Christmas with my family is the ultimate gift (other than the remembrance of the birth of Jesus).
#2: Spending time with my four-year old grandson is a hoot. He had us in stitches at times with his comments and reactions all weekend, but especially when unwrapping his gifts. To hear him say, “WOW! I never even asked for that!” had us laughing and wondering where in the world he came up with that.
#3: Spending time with that same four-year old proves that children were meant for younger people. 🙂
#4: And…Spending time with that same four-year old grandson makes we want to echo the old adage: “If I knew having grandchildren were this much fun I would have had them first.”
#5: I learned that traveling wears a person out…the older you get. Our original 8 hour trip (shy of 500 miles total) wound up being more than double that when plans changed and we made a detour to pick up my sister-in-law. Almost 1000 miles in a few short days.
#6: I learned I would do #5 all over again if it meant family can be together.
#7: There is nothing like your own bed.
#8: It isn’t just traveling that wears a person out. My son-in-law bought my daughter a Wii and it has already bought hours of fun. I played a little bowling but found out that lifting weights and doing an elliptical 3 days a week does not prepare one for boxing. I had protesting muscles from going over 15 rounds of boxing with my son-in-law (I think we came to a draw) and grandson (whom I lost to). I NEED a massage!!! Too bad the Wii doesn’t do that.
#9: I have just got to see the whole Toy Story 3 and Iron Man 2 movies now. Braden started watching them both and asked me to watch them with him but then he tired and wanted to do something else leaving me in the lurch.
#10: Driving over 16 hours and being with family on a pretty regular basis is not conducive to quiet time. My habit of missing out on spiritual learning times by getting away from it all didn’t change. (See #6 above).
#11: While listening to the radio on the way home I heard a Bible teacher (gasp!)…but one I can trust…say, “God shows up in the most unexpected ways.” He was using Mary & Joseph as the example.
#12: When God does show up in the most unexpected ways, something ALWAYS happens. Case in point: the birth of Jesus.
Well…that is enough for now. I am tired again just from reliving it. If I wasn’t headed to the Y for some exercise I just might head back to bed for more recovery. 😛 What lessons did you learn this past weekend? I would love to hear how your Christmas weekend went…funny or serious. Even if you choose not to comment, I do hope you had an enjoyable weekend.
Well, I learned, for the last time in a long time I hope, that being an ocean away from family dampens my spirit a bit.
I also learned that Christmas with my wife and 3 babies proves He is still good.
Also, when your house is empty, with borrowed furniture, a miniature tree and very few present (anything that wouldn’t fit in a suitcase was shipped) allows you to focus on the True Reason for the Season and was enjoyed more by all of us because of it.
Not too much longer before you are here Toby. But it sounds to me as though you and your family focused on the True Reason. Maybe we miss out on something with our emphasis on so much. 🙂 Thanks for commenting.
It was a great weekend. Ethan was so much fun. But what was awesome is how he kept telling us that Christmas was for Jesus.
That is fantastic Michael on both counts! That also shows that you and April are making a strong effort to teach him the right focus. Thanks for the contribution.
Hi Bill,
My days from the 24 to 26 were quiet. Too quiet.
My son did come around with his fiance to show me their engagement ring! 🙂 They were here in my area to spend Christmas with her family this year. It’s complicated. Both sets of their parents live in this area and we have all been divorced. Some parents are living with new spouses etc. Makes for a lot of houses for the kids to get to on the Holidays.
Your Christmas sounds like it was really busy!
I did a little thinking about the Kingdom teaching going on in churches at this time. I don’t really know the teaching but I think it is to do with believers being royalty. That we need to act and think like royalty.
I haven’t studied it but I tried to think of some scripture verses about the Kingdom in the Bible. What I thought about was
1) God’s Kingdom is not of this world. It’s from another place. Jesus said if it was of this world his followers would fight to protect Him from arrest. John 18:36
2)The Bible says that the Kingdom of God is within the believer. Luke 17:21
3) The Kingdom may not be manifest unitl the return of Christ (the King).
II Timothy 4:1
I think if we are talking about a Kingdom in the here and now it will be a very different kingdom from worldly kingdoms. If we are taught to behave and think like a worldly king then I would suspect something not being right in the teaching. Just some thoughts.
Thanks for coming by Linda. There was a divorce in my family also but my father decided to be AWOl so there wasn’t that frantic pace plus they lived about 9 hours away. We were definitely busy! I am sure you will study more about the Kingdom in the future. I do agree that His Kingdom is definitely not of this world.
Welcome home my friend. Was a great weekend with family. But God is also revealing how quickly I can turn to my flesh which isn’t pretty! God is great and it was great being with everyone and I know I need Him and am so thankful for the birth of Jesus! Now to shake this cold and get back to some excercise!! Happy New Year!
Tom: thanks for the welcome home. It is good to be back but hard to get back in the swing of things right now. Call it holiday hangover. Hope you start feeling better. Glad you stopped by.
I too played Wii boxing this weekend and when i was done and walked in the other room. I had blood on my finger. somehow in the punching I cut my thumb with my finger nail or the controller or something! It is rough.
jay: we are a sorry lot aren’t we? Imagine how we would be if we really boxed or did UCF! Hope you had a good celebration.
I learned my recliner is the exact width of the hallway from my children’s bedroom to the living room. I also learned I don’t sleep very well in that chair when being a human shield for the tree and gifts on Christmas morning. 🙂
I read that on your blog jason. Funny that Ian was staring in your face. 😛
We had a great weekend–full but great. Lots of family, food, and friends. Had a wonderful service on Sunday and then my wife’s birthday party on Sunday night (she’s a Christmas baby). Anyway, very memorable and enjoyable time!
Sounds like you had a pretty incredible time too. 🙂 thanks Bill!
sounds like an awesome day Jason and topped off with your wife’s birthday celebration. Glad yours was a good one. Thanks for coming by.
It sounds like you gained wisdom over the holidays – Grandpa. As one who is your age (I’m guessing) but without the grandkids, I am happy for the joy it brings to you. And Wii boxing is the worst – I feel your pain. My Christmas was quiet, reverent, reflective – and thank you for asking. God Bless.
Craig: I am 58 and figure that is somewhat older than you are. I am still feeling the effects of that boxing. Least I hope it is that and the chiro can make it better!! sounds like your Christmas was what you needed. always appreciate you coming by.
Haha – sounds like you had a great holiday! I’m so glad.
We had a really nice holiday too. As you know from my blog my husbands parents got to make the trip up from Georgia this year, so the kids have been so so happy. I’ve had a few days off, so have felt rested for once which is really nice.
Not sure yet what I’ve learned other than a reaffirmation that God hangs in there with me thru all of my highs and lows. And that is beautiful to me.
Kim: sounds like you had the exact kind of Christmas you needed. Glad the in-laws could make it your way as well. That is fantastic and the kids will remember it. Love your affirmation. Thanks for coming by.
Hi Bill,
I did a quick study of the Kingdom.
It appears that it begins with people receiving the kingdom as a little child. John 18:7? Trusting in riches is a stumbling block and it is very difficult for those people to enter the kingdom of God. Acts 14:22
We much be born again or we cannot see the kingdom of God. John 3:3 Repentance is a part of entering into the kingdom of God. Matt 4:17 Righteousness will be the scepter of God’s kingdom. Heb 1:8
Jesus says that it is his kingdom. That we will eat and drink at his table. That we will be sitting on thrones judging. Luke 22: 27to30 The kingdom seems to equate judgment. The kingdom on earth will be the same as the kingdom in heaven. Matt 6:10 The kingdom comes with power. Mark 9:1, I Cor 4:20
The kingdom seems to come in its fullness at the end of the age at the harvest time. (the parable of the sower and the seed in the gospels.) The kingdom will be weeded of everything that causes sin and all who do evil. Matt 13:41
There seem to be some other facets to the kingdom.
1. Jesus was tempted by the devil with the possession of the kingdoms of the world and all their glory. matt 4:8 The answer Jesus gives is ‘worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’ We have been made to be a kingdom and priests * to serve our God *. Rev 5:10 and we will reign on the earth.
2. Jerusalem is called Sodom and Egypt. Rev. 11:8 The Kingdoms of the world have become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ. The Lamb was the one to open the scroll of God’s wrath. Rev 5 and Rev 6:16 The kingdom of God will be taken away from the Pharisees and Sadduces and given to a people who will produce its fruit. Matt 21:43
3. Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God. I Cor 15:50. At the last trump we will be raised from the dead imperishable or we will be changed if we are not dead. We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God. Acts 14:22 We are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken. Heb 12:28 The word receiving seems to indicate an ongoing process until some end or completion is attained.
God calls us into his kingdom and glory. I Thess 2:12 Crowns of glory are experienced in the presence of the Lord Jesus *when he comes*. At the time of his coming. I Thess 2:19 Crowns of love and compassion. Psalm 103:4
4. I went into the book of Daniel 7:18.
A fourth kingdom is going to appear on the earth. It will be different from all other kingdoms in that it will devour and destroy the whole earth. It is made up of part clay and part iron. It has strengths and weaknesses.
What’s coming to my mind is the philosophy that I’ve heard of coming shortages of food and water in the earth as time goes on. The solution according to this philosphy or plan? To not interfere with famine, disease, etc. Let the people of the earth die off by these disasterous situations so there is enough food and water for the survivors.
10 kings emerge from this fourth kingdom. There’s another king who comes along. Different from the other 10. He will subdue 3 kings. he will speak against the Most High and oppress the saints. His power will be taken away and completely destroyed.
The kingdoms under the whole heaven are handed over to the saints. They will possess it forever and ever. This kingdom will not be given to any other people at any time.
I hope I haven’t written a book.
I think that about covers it Linda. 😀
I learned again this year that kids don’t need everything we think they need…nor do they want everything they think they want.
we had a great time celebrating with all my seven grandchildren and 3 great-grands. I sound old but I’m not. ha. selahV
selahv: how true that is! Glad you had a good time celebrating. Old? Nah you sound like you are just getting started. Thanks for visiting.