Reading Through the Word in 2010

The journey's begun and I'm so excited!  A few weeks ago, a dear friend (thanks Brandee!) asked me to join with her and other women from around the globe in reading through the entire Bible this year.  I've always wanted to read God's Word from beginning to end, but would always fall behind, get discouraged, and end up doing regular daily devotions - which really weren't that 'daily' if I'm being honest.  This invitation was just what I needed. . . I have a built-in accountability group, prayer warriors, encouragement, and new friendships all ready to be inspired by the active, living, and Holy Word of God.

Today marked Day 2 of our journey as we read the One Year Chronological Bible - NLT.  I wish I could describe to you all of the amazing things the Lord is revealing through the Scriptures.  Accounts of creation which I have read many times are becoming new and alive. . . my cup overflows!  One of the things that has blessed my heart the most is reading what other women on this journey are learning as well.  We all follow Wendy Pope's blog (Experiencing The Real Meaning of Free) and leave comments as the Lord prompts with what He has shown us that day.  Monday-Friday, Wendy also posts a message with some encouraging words and Scripture and leaves the weekends for Open Blog.

  

I have a journal to record my daily thoughts, questions, Scripture references, prayer requests, praises, and other pertinent information.  I thought one journal would be enough, but I'm finding that I may fill two or three by the time the year comes to an end :)  Something all of us ladies are journaling are three points to ponder as we read the passage for the day. . . 

1) Name something I read today that was familiar but heard in a new way  

2) Name something that I did not know before today's reading

3) Name one truth or 'nugget' from today's reading that I can apply to my life 

This has been easier than I thought. . . I always have two or three things to scribe :)

Along with reading our passage for the day, Wendy has encouraged all of us to DIG in the Word and truly seek what God has for us that day.  She gave four websites which I've already begun to use in my study - check them out!

* www.biblegateway.com - allows you to look up verses in other translations (important since we're reading the NLT)

* www.studylight.org - research the original Hebrew and Greek origins of words.  

* www.ewordtoday.com/comments - commentaries on every verse of the Bible by noted Biblical scholars

* www.easyenglish.info - for those words/terms/phrases that you may not understand

Talk about digging in the Word, I just HAVE to share something that a fellow reader commented today.  We read Genesis 4-6 (a lot to learn from those 2 short chapters!) and one part recounts the lineage of Adam to Noah.  This can also be found in 1 Chronicles 1:1-4.  I've read over this many times and have to admit that I didn't give it much thought today - until I read this comment by a lady I know as Grace and Peace. . .

Dr. Missler said that proper names are not translated in the Bible so they retain their Hebrew origin. But if you derive the English meaning of each name we see this:

Adam - Man
Seth - Appointed
Enosh - Mortal
Kenan - Sorrow
Mahalalel - The Blessed God
Jared - Shall come down
Enoch- Teaching
Methuselah - His death shall bring
Lamech - The despairing
Noah - Comfort, rest

Man (is) appointed mortal sorrow; (but) The Blessed God shall come down teaching (that) His death shall bring the despairing comfort (and) rest.

The summary of the Christian gospel tucked in Genesis. It shows that God's plan of redemption is not a knee-jerk reaction, according to Chuck Missler. He also said that this is further evidence that the origin of this message is from outside of our dimensions of space and time. He could not imagine a bunch of Jewish Rabbis inserting that in the Torah.

Is this not AMAZING!  What a Glorious God we serve!

This is only a taste of what the Lord is revealing through His Word.  I invite you to join with us on this journey (visit Wendy's Site and click on Read Thru The Word) or begin a journey of your own.

"For the word of God is ALIVE and POWERFUL.  It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow.  It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires."  Hebrews 4:12

Falling in love with God's Word, 

Adrian

Christmas Day

This Christmas Day was truly a wonderful one for our family.  It was relaxed, meaningful, and FUN!  We awoke Christmas morning, ventured into the living room, and read the story of Jesus from Luke.  While reading, Cole enjoyed naming the characters and acting out the story with his Nativity.

Next, it was time for presents!  Cole opened his first and was so excited with each gift he received.  His favorite things were his Blue's Clues 2010 calendar and his Lightening McQueen wallet - the little things always seem to be loved the most :)  

It was my turn next and I was shocked. . . new copper-bottom cookware!  Yay!!!  I've been in need of new pots and pans for sometime, but couldn't find a set that I liked.  Michael found the perfect set (Paula Deen) and I can't wait to put them to good use!  I was also shocked by this gift b/c Michael had sent me to the Relache Spa at Opryland hotel for a full spa day the Friday before Christmas.  Needless to say, he went WAY over our set budget :)

Daddy followed next and enjoyed new clothes, Harley memorabilia, and office supplies. 

After our at-home fun, it was time to head to Mom G's house for our traditional Christmas morning breakfast/brunch.  Kyle and Laura came by just in time to begin presents :)

*Notice the ice-pack on my neck.  I woke up with a pulled muscle/pinched nerve and couldn't turn it for most of the day. . . yuck!  Thank goodness for Icy Hot - that stuff works wonders!  

Yay for M&Ms!!

We then headed next door to my parents (nice being so close :) and laid Cole down for a nap.  While he napped, we relaxed as well :)  That evening, pizza and salad was the dinner of choice and another round of gift-giving began.  Cole loves his new tent/tunnel and will really love his new Big Wheel - as soon as he can reach the pedals LOL!  What can I say?. . .he gets it honest :)  Such a fun Christmas!

Spotted the Big Wheel!

Twas The Night Before Christmas. . .

I know I should be posting all things 'New Year', but I couldn't leave out our Christmas adventures :)  Christmas Eve, we headed to my grandmothers home for our traditional soup dinner. . . a few years ago we decided on this menu instead of the usual turkey/ham.  It has been a big hit!  Chili, broccoli/cheese, and sausage/potato were the soups of choice this year with veggies/dip, Mama Jo's DELICIOUS country ham and biscuits,  and cheese/crackers.  Desserts consisted of homemade German chocolate cake and coconut cake.

After dinner,  it was time to pass out the gifts.  This year was precious as Cole took the role of delivering the presents.  I remember when that was MY role and how I used to help Kyle and my younger cousins read the names on each package.  It's amazing how quickly life evolves. . .

After we all opened our gifts, Mama Jo brought out Cole's special surprise - a replica of an antique fire engine to ride.  He was so excited!  It has a bell, hose, and pedals underneath to race to a fire and save the day :)  We can't wait for the weather to warm up a little so we can get outside and play without running into furniture and doorways :)

I do think the fire engine was Cole's favorite, but a close second was this pajama shirt my mom received.  Cole loved its 'coziness' and wore it for the remainder of the evening.  

The past few years, we've spent the night at my parent's home on Christmas Eve, but this year, we wanted to spend it at our home.  Now that Cole is getting older, we want the intimate memories of waking up on Christmas morning in our house with new traditions.  So. . . to finish out the night, we read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, bid Buddy the Elf goodbye until next year, and read "What God Wants For Christmas" (highly recommend!).  Next year, we are going to begin the tradition of baking a Happy Birthday Jesus cake on Christmas Eve and leaving it for Santa so that he will know the true meaning of Christmas :) 

We can't believe how the night flew by. . . it seems as if we gear up for this 'event' all month and then in a blink, it's over.  We pray you had a blessed Eve as well! 

The Johnson Christmas Carol

As I was downloading our Christmas pictures from this year, I couldn't help but go back and look at pictures of holidays gone by.  Joy filled my heart as memories of family and friends captured my thoughts with each image.  In the classic Christmas Carol, Scrooge saw many things that he regretted in his past, present, and future. . . I'm happy to report that the "Johnson Carol" is filled with happiness and laughter in all three stages.  It's amazing how quickly the years pass us by and how life evolves over the course of time.  Here is a small glimpse of our holidays over the past and present, and hope for the future in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Christmas 2006

What a whirlwind!  I was a sleep-deprived new mom of a one month old precious boy savoring the memories of our first Christmas as a family of three :)

My precious Dad G holding Cole for the first time. . . how we miss you. . .

Christmas 2007

Every year, my family rotates which home will host our Christmas Eve gathering.  This year was our turn!  What fun it was watching Cole (13 months old) open his presents - with a little help from mom and dad.

Oh how I miss those precious CHEEKS!

The sky on Christmas Eve - it was beautiful!

Christmas 2008

Sharing the holiday with a toddler (25 months old). . . what fun!  Cole LOVED looking at Christmas lights this year and would quickly yell "there some!" in the car when we would pass a lit-up house.  The presents were opened without help and decorating our home was a definite favorite.  Rearranging the Nativity was also a fun pastime :) 

Christmas 2009

Bye-Bye toddler and Hello preschooler!  Cole just turned three and has really begun to understand the true meaning of Christmas. . . what an exciting time!  He would greet family and friends with a joyful "Merry Christmas!" and then begin singing Happy Birthday to Jesus :)  Christmas trees were the favorite this year (I'm dreading taking ours down . . . tears may ensue) and the wonder of Christmas morning was priceless :)

(Check future posts for more pictures and tellings of this year's Christmas adventures.  We had so much fun and can't believe how quickly the season is coming to an end.)

Christmas 2010, 2011, 2012 . . .

Who knows what the Lord has in store for our family?  We trust in His goodness and know that His unfailing love and faithfulness will follow us all the days of our lives.