Luke 7-8
I love how Jesus shows such compassion for the hurting, the poor, the sinful who want to do better. He shows that pride of wealth is a dangerous position to be in because we don't hunger for hope outside of ourselves.

Like Allan Jackson's song about "Where were you when the world stopped turning" referring to 9/11/01, he's not sure the difference in Iraq and Iran, I'm not sure when I'm reading a parable or a true story many times. I liked how the centurian was concerned for his servant and sent for Jesus to come with his elders saying the man deserved help. Jesus is amazed at the centurian's faith that a command alone would do the healing without Jesus actually coming. Mostly, we are always amazed at Him.

I loved the compassion for the widow's whose only son dies. "...his heart went out to her."
The Pharisees were not keying into the Savior among them and thought him to blasaphem by saying he could forgive sins. I wander if the sin for no forgiveness could be related to one who says he is God and takes pride in trying to take God's authority??

The woman who comes and anoints Jesus' feet with perfume after her tears wet his feet and her hair wipes them, is told "your faith has saved you; go in peace". "In peace" is a special way of making "peace" a deeper release to me. I like that combination. He says her love has resulted in her sins forgiven. Love little and we forgive little. Love is so key throughout the Bible. I want to strive for love in my heart.

In the parable of the seed being sown on different types of soil and the results, I pondered which soil I have. Many times it was the thorny soil because I allowed growth to be choked out by life's worries, business seeking the "better life" and did not mature in his word. Now I want "to retain it" with a heart desiring to hear, retain, and produce a new crop.

The lamp shining and disclosing all into the open is how I am trying to expose myself, faults and all, so I can carefuuly listen to His word. I want to be given more to hear, soak in and
grow in wisdom.
The woman with the bleeding issue for 12 years touches him and is healed from power going out to her because her faith----he told her to go IN peace. I want less of me, more of him in me!

I never knew (if I read it correctly) that along with the 12 apostles, several woman went from town to town to help support them. These women were not the cream of the crop. They had been the demon possessed and cured of dieases. That makes me so proud that he came for sinners to heal who listened and wanted to repent and change , knowing the prideful ones who knew it all themselves and lived only by the strictness of the LAW would not turn to him easily if ever.

The widows only son, Jairus's daughter, and Lazarus were the three asleep He raised back to life from death. Sometimes he told those he helped to go tell what God had done for them, other times he said to keep quiet about it. This must have depended on how the news would have affected his progression in that area. Any thoughts?

Luke has 28 parables listed and 20 miracles. Jesus is referred to "Son of Man" 25 times. His emphasis is on the Holy Spirit, praising God, the poor, sinners, stress on the family circle, the role of women, the joy for the "good news", the power of prayer and the recognition of Gentiles as well as Jews in God's plan. And what a plan it is!!! Paise the Lord oh my soul!!!!