i <3 advent

advent is from the latin word adventus, meaning “coming.”  it’s a season of expectant waiting and preparation for celebration of the birth of Jesus.  this season is so critical for me.  it is so easy for me to go crazy over the commercialism and materialism of christmas.  it makes me grumpy, irritable, and judgmental.  and so, i attempt to be pretty intentional during this season, guarding my heart and my mind.

make room.  prepare.  expect.  reflect.  ponder.  meditate.

some things i will do to be intentional this year
>  scribe the christmas story (http://read.ly/Luke2.1.NIV)
>  attend ‘behold the lamb’ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Behold_the_Lamb_of_God)
>  use a couple of advent devotionals (http://blog.goshen.edu/devotions/2009/advent-intro/)  ( http://www.adventdevotions.net/dailydevotions.asp)
>  purposed quiet time in front of the fire, surrounded by some good music, my christmas tree, and coffee
>  planned community time with family and friends (i.e.  mixed nuts party, mom in town, friends gathering to make cookies with the boys, etc.)

helpful music
>  behold the lamb cd
>  bebo christmas cd
>  the nativity story:  sacred songs
>  rose of bethlehem, selah

i will not…
>  overspend money
>  covet or pine for a gift
>  judge

 

let every heart prepare Him room.

party at my house

this is my only form of invitation, but everyone is welcome

saturday, december 5

nebraska vs texas (big 12 conference championship)

kickoff:  8 pm

you are welcome to bring party food.

disclaimer:  i will not be much of a host as i’ll be wrapped up in the game.

gratitude

Send some rain, would You send some rain?
‘Cause the earth is dry and needs to drink again
And the sun is high and we are sinking in the shade
Would You send a cloud, thunder long and loud?
Let the sky grow black and send some mercy down
Surely You can see that we are thirsty and afraid
But maybe not, not today
Maybe You’ll provide in other ways
And if that’s the case . . .

(Chorus)

We’ll give thanks to You
With gratitude
For lessons learned in how to thirst for You
How to bless the very sun that warms our face
If You never send us rain

Daily bread, give us daily bread
Bless our bodies, keep our children fed
Fill our cups, then fill them up again tonight
Wrap us up and warm us through
Tucked away beneath our sturdy roofs
Let us slumber safe from danger’s view this time
Or maybe not, not today
Maybe You’ll provide in other ways
And if that’s the case . . .

(Chorus)

We’ll give thanks to You
With gratitude
A lesson learned to hunger after You
That a starry sky offers a better view if no roof is overhead And if we never taste that bread

Oh, the differences that often are between
What we want and what we really need

So grant us peace, Jesus, grant us peace
Move our hearts to hear a single beat
Between alibis and enemies tonight
Or maybe not, not today
Peace might be another world away
And if that’s the case . . .

(Chorus)

We’ll give thanks to You
With gratitude
For lessons learned in how to trust in You
That we are blessed beyond what we could ever dream
In abundance or in need
And if You never grant us peace

But Jesus, would You please . . .

scratchy gratitude

to be grateful for the good things that happen in our lives is easy, but to be grateful for all of our lives–the good as well as the bad, the moments of joy as well as the moments of sorrow, the successes as well as the failures, the rewards as well as the rejections– that requires hard work. still, we are only truly grateful people when we can say thank you to all that has brought us to the present moment. –henri nouwen

i am thankful for…

nutter butters, scripture, ginger ale, fireplaces, creativity, grace, popcorn, snail mail, photos, hymns, my guitar, paintbrushes, fresh cut grass, opportunity, tough moments, pumpkin flavored creamer, robbie, aaron, michael, steven, kyle, mariam david, anderson, zoma, steven, craft room, conversation, colored pencils, french horn, compassion, the hand-drawn pictures on my fridge, graph paper, harmony, and parmesan cheese

noel

i have a lot of christmas music in my library, but this is the playlist that i listen to predominantly.

Go Tell It ~ Lee McDerment
O Holy Night ~ BarlowGirl
Holiday ~ Shane Barnard & Shane Everett
Light Of The Stable ~ Selah
Joy (To The World) ~ Avalon
Christmas Medley ~ Boston Brass and the Brass All-Stars
Love Came Down At Christmas ~ Jars of Clay
Elf’s Lament  ~ Barenaked Ladies & Michael Bublé
Angels We Have Heard On High ~  The Brian Setzer Orchestra
Midnight Clear (Featuring Carly Simon) ~ Andreas Vollenweider featuring Carly Simon
Behold the Lamb of God ~ Andrew Peterson
The Night Before Christmas ~ Carly Simon
Sleigh Ride ~ Ella Fitzgerald

fortunate

Three fortunate events have happened to me on this Friday the 13th.

1.  i received some free bismuth

2. i scored a graphic design job

3. i bought some chips from a vending machine.  it said they cost .80.  i put a dollar in and got .40 back.

the making of breakfast casserole (in photos)

fort mountain

we took a trip to fort mountain today.  the trees were amazing.  the weather was perfect.  great experience.

my first trip to michigan

i’ve felt a bit spoiled the last couple of days. i made a little journey to grand rapids, michigan to visit a friend.

:.: bit o honeys on the table next to my bed make for a delightful breakfast.

:.: within the first hour of my arrival, i’m served bread.

:.: within the first couple of hours i’m there we are off on a journey to play bingo at the local vfw.

:.: all around the food has been wonderful. i’ve not been allowed to help do anything, except to grate some parmesan cheese.

:.: speaking of cheese, i love it. and there has been a lot of great cheese incorporated into the meals here.

:.: we got to go bowling.

:.: affirmation and encouragement for the ministry i’m in

:.: yellow trees

:.: I got to hang out with a couple of way cool boys who have the most infectious smiles.

:.: mars hill

:.: the days have been gloomy, those are my favorite

i miss some parts of home, but this has been a wonderful trip.