Monday, November 14, 2011

Hardworking Sloths: Disguising Spiritual Laziness | Christianity Today | A Magazine of Evangelical Conviction

A Hardworking Sloth?
Yeah, I know it sounds like a contradiction.
This is an excellent article written by Carolyn Arends. She is one of my favourite singer/songwriters. She's Canadian. She's insightful, inspirational and a fellow pilgrim -- someone who lays out profound thoughts with the simplest turn of a phrase.
*sigh*
She completely nailed me to the floorboards with this one....

Hardworking Sloths: Disguising Spiritual Laziness | Christianity Today | A Magazine of Evangelical Conviction

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Blessings

I've posted this once already.
But I think we all need a reminder.
It's essential to remember this, that difficulties of every sort are precisely what God uses to draw us near.
Away from our small mindedness, our hand-wringing short sightedness to Grand Canyon type perspective.
On the one hand, I weary of needing constant reminders of the FACT that God is 100% in control.
On the other hand, a daily reminder packaged in a song as beautiful as this one isn't so hard to take.
Listen and Live well.
For His Glory.
Blessings by Laura Story

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Carols & Classics

In August just past (it did just pass didn't it??) I took action with a positively ancient pledge to organize the music in our music room.   By 'ancient pledge' I mean: a good intention verbally expressed far too often and lain dormant for about five years, give or take a few.
I have more music than could ever be useful to me.   I stare at shelves, boxes, binders, cupboards & corners FULL to be more precise and yet I can throw none of it away.  I tried.
I just can't bring myself to do it.
The very idea is akin to discarding that collection of RSV bibles shelved unreachably in the home library.
Classified unthinkable in terms of squeamishiness.
But I digress so conveniently.
I sort of stumbled across a copy of Carols & Classics which I opened at the keyboard and to which I lost the remainder of that afternoon.  Here's the online product description:
A rich treasury of choral works and Scripture for concert, pageant and service; suitable for choir and/or congregational singing, individual medleys during the season of Advent and Christmas, and in the retelling of the Christmas story. Blending the most cherished Christmas classics with beloved carols in powerful and unique combinations by Tom Fettke; ideal for medium sized choirs. 96 pages.


96 pages of sheer musical beauty.  I was captivated entirely.


I blush considerably a bit to admit this.
Compelled in ways convicting but difficult to explain, my reality is such that I am now immersed (almost exclusively) in a new Community Concert project for December and thus.....
still staring at shelves, boxes, binders, cupboards and corners of music waiting to be organized.

A girl's gotta do what she's compelled to do.

That's my story and I'm sticking with it.
Details to follow, stay tuned.

Monday, October 31, 2011

As per typical,
behind by almost a full season...

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Songs & Stories Tour USA



We're in Valparaiso, Indiana -  "investing" in our marriage and other loves like golf, music, used bookstores, coffee shops, Amarone - the list goes on and on.  There are just so many good things about this life isn't there?
We are drawn to this place in particular, 8 hours from home, to attend a concert at the Valparaiso Nazarene Church, one of the stops in a ten week Songs & Stories tour through the USA by Steven Curtis Chapman along with Josh Wilson and Andrew Peterson.
*sigh*
It was SOOOooo good.  Man!  Was it GOOD.
But I have to go to sleep first before I launch headlong into a recap.  I have to golf tomorrow with my hubby and I want to beat him.  On the scorecard that is.  That's what I meant of course.
Here's a few snapshots we managed to snag tonight...

 Andrew Peterson of Counting the Stars fame.   He was OUR drawing card for sure!
 This dude below with the cool hat played so many different instruments, he boggled the senses with his multi-talent.  His cello playing alone was enough to render one weeping - it was 'plugged' and the sound of it resonated so deep I felt it rumbling in my chest.  (We were in row 4:)
This Synthesizer man (pictured below) is Ben Shive, trusty sidekick to Andrew Peterson - shows up on all his albums including a soon to be released kids album called Slugs & Bugs Vol. 3  So much fun to watch in action.  That little blue thing at his elbow is a teeny miked xylophone (like a Fisher Price toy!) that peeled out sound like church bells. 





A long shot down the centre aisle of tonights venue.
These pic's tell a certain story about Daddy's Cinderella - perhaps I'll share that story tomorrow when I'm feeling a little less raw. There's a version of this song on Youtube as well.  I'll post that tomorrow too.  Tomorrow.  What am I saying?  It IS tomorrow already and I have a score to settle on some nearby fairways that require a good nights sleep!  *sigh*  

.....zzzz... shhh.... more tomorrow...

Thursday, October 13, 2011

A first born son...

.... for a first born son.

Announcing the 'early' arrival of Kaelan Eli - the stunningly adorable new life that has just increased the world population by one - swiftly changing the status of every single family member to which he is connected and enlarging hearts to dangerous proportions.
             Welcome to our world you wonderful little world rocker.
Like many before you, you are born to a specific plan and purpose.  May you grow to be as beautiful inside as you are right now on the outside.
 But listen up now.  We've brought in your cousin James (otherwise known as J.B.)
for comment on this extraordinary event...  
Well, there you have it - limited vocabulary and all.
 Cousin James is almost four months ahead of you in this family scenario - and he is obviously pleased 
(it's written all over his face) that you have finally made your appearance and that you are (quite clearly) 
his equal in charm, gender 
AND good looks.  
Size?  
Don't sweat it.  You'll measure up in no time!  

Monday, October 3, 2011

Galactic God

Got a free hour today?
This video will change you.
You will never be the same afterward.

The Global God Who Gives the Great Commission

Thank you Jon for sharing this.
It is a worship experience like none other....
All Creation Sings.
The Universe is His Symphony...
Praise him, all you shining stars!  Psalm 148:3

Song of the Whales
Praise him, you great sea creatures and all deeps.... Psalm 148:7

Seriously, you cannot remain untouched by this... this... uhm... "experience" ??
Watch it and go have a blockbuster week!