Watch-It Wednesday: Let It Go!

You don't have to have watched the wonderful new "Frozen" (although, seriously, if you haven't - do it) to appreciate the dazzling qualities of the soundtrack. This specific single has absolutely exploded in the musical world.

...And the not-so-musical-but-equally-adorable world.

Just let it go this Wednesday. :)

Watch-It Wednesday: If I Stand

Have you noticed that "Watch-It Wednesdays" are more frequently "Listen-To-This Wednesdays"? I considered re-titling them "Wordless Wednesdays," but then I'd feel compelled to not write anything and, well - we all know how much I like to talk, right?

This is an old song. An old song raw with a time-transcendent longing for heaven. An old song fresh with the realization of who we are before Christ. An old song marveling at the mystery of beauty around us, refusing to be enraptured even by the "good," in the precious hope of the perfect.

If you stand, stand on the promise. If you fall, fall on the grace. If you sing, sing for the Lord's joy. If you weep, weep with longing.

Have a blessed Wednesday!

Five Minute Friday: Song

"Sing unto the LORD," I am told. "Sing unto the LORD the glory due to His name."

 

How can I sing, when my words do not rhyme?

When my harmony is discord?

When my melody is aimless?

How can I sing, when my lyrics fall shallow?

When my verse is confusion?

And my climax is chaos?

How can I sing?

Gently, He takes me, the Master Musician, and the chords of my heart vibrate.

Sweetly, He plays the forgotten tune of my spirit.

Passionately, His works lift their voices and sing, to the melody He makes in my soul.

His words.

His music.

His song.

 One word. Five minutes. No editing. It's Five Minute Friday!

{photo credcit}

When We Have Something Nice To Share

When I was a Little, Mama had a whole set of "Rules of This House" coloring sheets that my siblings and I were habitually amused by coloring. Many of those pictures, and the rules they accompanied, are permanently stamped in my brain - "When we make a mess, we clean it up," "When someone is sorry, we forgive him," "When we open something, we close it" - that sort of thing. We said them while we colored. We said them when mama would quiz us on them. And we said them when they gave us authority to get something from another person {ugly sin nature, I'm afraid - just goes to show that rules without a renewed heart won't get you too far!}. Anyway, one of the most-repeated rules was "When we have something nice to share, we share it," and it is in the spirit of this well-learned rule, that I share these things with you today:

 

~ A Laugh ~

 This picture...it just...I mean...the longer you look at it, the funnier it is!



Photo Credit

 

~ An Article ~

I was really impressed and encouraged by this review of the the 'Hunger Games'. Most articles I've read before either angrily ranted against the story, or mindlessly defended the entertainment of the tale. Douglas Wilson sensibly analyzes the novel and it's moral implications ~ certainly worth reading!

~ A Song ~

This song is "The Megs'" favorite song at the moment. She roams the house singing it, requests to listen to it, and lip-sings along while it plays. Good thing it truly is beautiful! :)

 

A lovely weekend to you all!



Watch-It Wednesday: What Money Can't Buy

We all know that the best things in life can't be bought with money.
Yes, come along, nod your head - you know it's true.

...Unexpected smiles...

 

...Autumn colors...

 

...Late-night talks...

 

...Quiet moments when it's just you, God, and a star-filled sky...

 

...Sunshine...

 

...Every-day songs...

 

...Special memories...

 

...Rainy downpours perfect for twirling...

 

 

...and this song Daddy inadvertently discovered over Christmas break (to list a few). The more you listen to it, the more it grows on you. I will certainly be keeping Christmas year 'round with this song!

 

 

*sigh*

 

Isn't that beautiful? Like all truly good things, it cannot be bought for any price. (Seriously - but if you ever find I'm wrong, keep me posted!) So add it to your list of "un-purchase-able happiness", and have a lovely Wednesday!
 

Watch-It Wednesday: Christmas Craziness

*Sigh*

 

Yep.

 

Another video.

 

I had just about decided not to post another "Watch-It Wednesday" until I had a good number of "normal" posts up, but then...this happened.

 

The Goofs

It was a lovely evening, Sunday night. Daddy had set up the tree a few days before, and it stood in the great room, bare, waiting to be dressed in the safely-stowed ornaments and lights by its side. Hot apple cider scented the house, Rescue's First Christmas (an all-time family favorite) set the mood, and the Littles were positively giggling (as we did when we were little) at the prospect of hanging the ornaments. 

 

Daddy & I with our cider

Mama handed out each of our personal family ornaments - each child has a small red heart with his/her full name and birth date, written in mama's lovely hand, inscribed upon it. These are the first to go on the tree each year, but the rest quickly followed: sparkling glass balls, two thick, clumsy-looking iron nails (to remind us of the reason for Christ's birth), the cheap beaded star I got at an ornament exchange as a girl that made me think of Narnia, and many, many more.

 

Gracie, waiting to decorate

And then it happened. The Littles were rushing around, hanging up the stockings, and setting up the Nativity Scene. Maddy made a point (after a talk we had several days ago) to place the three wise men in a different part of the room (each day they will move a little closer to the scene, until they finally arrive on January 6). Someone acting as DJ had, upon the conclusion of our original CD, turned on Strait No Chaser's Christmas Album, and Ben and Josh were hanging our Great Room indoor lights (a tradition since we added on to the house 5 years ago), when "the song" hit. The song our family was in stitches over when we first discovered it years ago. The song that takes full credit for Daddy introducing me to Toto's "Africa". The song which gave us our only reason for purchasing this CD. And Josh stopped working. And Ben stopped working. And I had to grab our bleh-quality point-and-shoot camera to capture the moment before it slipped away.

 

hanging stockings

Because the wee camera is so "bleh", I had to redo the audio, but as you can tell, their timing was pretty impeccable...At least, I hope you can tell ~ I'll try to remember to grab the better-quality camera next time! :)

 

 

So that is why I had to post a "Watch-It Wednesday" today...You know what? Starting tomorrow, there are only twelve days 'til Christmas. Crazy, huh?
 

Watch-It Wednesday: Our Identity

This isn't the post/video I was planning on posting today, but sometimes you are just so surrounded with a theme, that it's impossible to ignore, you know? Lately, the LORD has been teaching me so much, I feel like I don't have enough pens and paper to be writing it all down - and I'm filling out sheets and sheets!

 

Here are some beautifully encouraging lessons on God's love and grace; which, as He has bestowed them upon us, give us a whole new identity: that of a child of the King. First, you really should read Alistar Begg's devotional here. (And while you're there, sign up for the daily emails - they are such an encouragement to read each morning.) Are you, like Daniel, a "man greatly loved"?

 

And here's a song I've been listening to over and over again...it's become my theme song, this last week, echoing precisely my thoughts and prayers as, daily, I realize more and more just how badly I mess up:

 

 

Beautiful, isn't it? Our Father's love and grace - there is nothing as lovely and glorious. He is so sufficient for all we could ever need. Rest joyously in this, and have a wonderful Wednesday!

 



Watch-It Wednesday: Blessings

Leiah showed me this song the other day...it reminds me of James 1, and seems to be a theme I've been surrounded with, lately. From the sermon I heard Sunday, in which the pastor encouraged us to always "meet frustration with expectation" (specifically, in "petty" frustrations), to the novel I'm reading which spent nearly an entire chapter on the subject, I feel like I'm being possibly prepped for a trial - whether it is of mountain or mole-hill size.

Even if I'm not, this song is a beautiful reminder to not view things through the worldly eyes of immediate circumstance. I hope it blesses you all!

Have a blessed Wednesday!

Watch-It Wednesday: Stethoscope

If every-day things, without mouths, had a song...

...which one would your heart hold?

Watch-It Wednesday: Songs My Parents Taught Me (part II)

In contrast to last week's song list, I had the most difficult time narrowing down these wonderful songs that permeate the list of "songs my parents taught me".

Daddy introduced us to Keith Green. When I was little, my favorites were "So You Wanna Go Back to Egypt?", "The Sheep and the Goats", and "The Prodigal Son" - the story songs. As I got older, however, I realized just how wonderful his other pieces were - especially the prayers. Amazing lyrics and beautiful piano parts (I love it when the singer really plays an accompaniment to his singing. No such thing as "just chords" for him!). It's so hard for me to choose only two... If you haven't heard Keith Green before, do listen to other songs of his!

Mama introduced me to Michael Card. His lyrics always amaze me - deep, (sometimes) tear-inducing thoughts, contained in simple rhymes. Another singer I really struggled with picking only two songs from!

(try not to get seasick... :)

*sigh* Good songs, no? I love living in a family who loves good music! :)

Watch-It Wednesday: Songs My Parents Taught Me

In my house, we all live and breathe music. At any given time, you can walk into our home and hear CDs, singing, whistling, practicing, playing - or (more often then not) a combination of some or all of the above. One of the first things we notice about a new movie is the soundtrack (when Fireproof came out, the first thing Maddy said was "Dis music is weally good!"). If a store has obnoxious "noise" playing - regardless of the volume - we find it nigh impossible to remain for more than a couple minutes. Repetition of musical motifs drive me insane (Ugh - Bolero. Ravel was mad), and I find it impossible to think originally if I have listened to the same CD more than twice in a row.

But there are some songs that, like it or not, are just a part of you: the songs your parents sang when you were little. The songs they knew are not necessarily ones we listen to every day, or would latch on to if introduced to them now. And yet...well, maybe, if you'll permit, I'll just share a couple:

Dad's -
 Africa: no, it doesn't make sense, but there's something beautifully catchy (haunting?) in the music! :p

Mom
Warning: ... I don't know how to prepare you ... :)

1. Dad I Gotta Go

2. Cow Patty
please excuse the two words in this...

3. Match-Maker, Match-Maker

Except for...the words changed somewhere between the movie and the mother. As I remember, the words were...

Mess-maker, Mess-maker make me a mess

Spill me some milk

I need some stress...

Yep, there are apparently many different versions out there! :)

Of course, they also sang us lovely, beautiful, serious songs...but I'll save those for next week.

It's a Question of Music

This is hilarious! I was blog-surfing and ran across this post idea. I thought it was funny, so here we go! :)

Instructions:
1. Put your iPod or MP3 on shuffle (Hmmm...I just put my iTunes on "shuffle")
2. Press "Next" for each question
3. Use the title of the song to answer the question
4. No cheating (Well, I shan't really cheat, but if the shuffle comes up with one of the sermons I have downloaded, I will skip it...that's not my music).

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
"Hope" - Michael Card

Hmmm, that's a good thing to feel, I suppose.

WHAT'S YOUR OUTLOOK ON LIFE?
"My Father's Favorite" - Sense and Sensibility soundtrack
Yes, because I am my father's favorite, dontcha know. hehehe

WHAT DOES YOUR FAMILY THINK OF YOU?

"All the Better for Her" - Sense and Sensibility soundtrack
I have a great support team here...

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?"
"Joy in the Journey" - Michael Card

Just ask 'em, I'm never stressed, depressed, or sad...just don't talk to me about my upcoming birthday or student recital halls!

WHAT DO STRANGERS THINK OF YOU?
"Impromptu No. 3 in G flat" - Schubert

Because I'm so spontaneous.

WILL YOU GET MARRIED?
"Recovery" - Miss Potter soundtrack

Uh-oh, that doesn't sound promising.

WILL YOU HAVE KIDS?

"Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini" - played by Jenny Oaks Baker
I'm really not sure how to interpret this one, it's a beautiful song, though!

ARE YOU GOOD AT SCHOOL?
"There is Nothing Lost" - Sense and Sensibility again

Meaning, of course, that nothing is lost on me. Even though I have technically graduated, I continue to absorb information the way a sponge absorbs water.
What was the question again?

WHAT SONG SHOULD THEY PLAY ON YOUR BIRTHDAY?
"Walking on Water" - Ever After soundtrack

No. I shall not attempt it.

WHAT SONG SHOULD THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
"The Parish Church Aflame" - the Patriot soundtrack
O goodness me.

THE SOUNDTRACK OF YOUR LIFE:
"God of All" - Twila Paris
Hey, good one!

YOU AND YOUR BEST FRIEND ARE:
"Love Divine, All Loves Excelling" - Herbster Trio
hehehe - well...kind of...I suppose...

HAPPY TIMES:
"God's Own Fool" - Michael Card
It is a good song! Don't be weirded out by the title.

SAD TIMES:

"Waiting for the Lights" - Tangled soundtrack

What?? Why am I still answering these questions??

EVERY DAY:
"She" - Celtic Thunder

Ok...

FOR TOMORROW:
"Oh, Father of Jesus" - Michael Card
Hmmm, another good one.

FOR YOU:
"Home" - Michael Card

Apparently iTunes shuffle likes Michael Card

WHAT DOES NEXT YEAR HAVE IN STORE FOR ME?
"Come By the Hills" - Celtic Thunder
Suweet! I knew it!! Ireland, here I come!

WHAT DO I SAY WHEN LIFE GETS TOO HARD?
"A Time for Us" - Jenny Oaks Baker
I can see it now. The car breaks down, a tree crushes our house, I loose all my music students and break both arms, Joshua switches to viola, and I look around and say "A Time for Us" hehehe.

WHAT DO I THINK WHEN I GET UP IN THE MORNING?
"Cinderella" - Ever After soundtrack

Naturally.

WHAT SONG WILL I DANCE TO AT MY WEDDING?
"Not a Beau for Miles" - Sense and Sensibility soundtrack

Hahaha! I may have no beaus, but I will have a husband!

WHAT DO YOU WANT AS A CAREER?
"The Family Farm" - the Patriot soundtrack

Actually, that would be fantastic!

YOUR FAVORITE SAYING?
"The Park" - Miss Potter soundtrack

Yup. I say it all the time. In fact, said it this morning as I was getting dressed. (???!!!)

FAVORITE PLACE?
"Patience" - S&S soundtrack

Um - this is a flat-out lie. To quote Inigo Montoya, "I hhhhate waiting."

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR PARENTS?
Haha! The sermon came up "From Trials to Triumph"...but like I said, I'm skipping sermons so...

"Like a River Glorious" - Herbster Trio
Yes, they are like a glorious river that flows...flows... um, yeah ok, it flows.

DESCRIBE YOURSELF:
"A Song for the Night" - Michael Card
No comment. I have no idea what to think of this.

WHAT DO I LIKE DOING MOST?
"To Die for Love" - S&S soundtrack
"To die for love? What could be more glorious?"

WHAT IS MY STATE OF MIND AT THE MOMENT?
"Come to the Table" - Michael Card

there are cookies! and tea!

HOW WILL I DIE?
"Escape Route" - Tangled soundtrack
Note to self: don't bale out of a second story window to evade a spider.

THE SONG THAT YOU'LL PUT AS THE TITLE?
"Marching to Zion" - Herbster Trio
That somehow seems wrong to put as a title for such a post as this. I don't think I will.

Well, you're amazing if you read through all that...It was amusing for me, at least! If you have a couple spare minutes on your hands, it would be fun(ny) to read your lists (but more because I get to know the kind of music you listen to, than because these questions make any sense!) Happy Wednesday!

A Routine's a Routine

Every evening I babysit, this little lady requests two very specific songs to have sung to her before she goes to sleep. Last night was no exception (although she did add "Yankee Doodle" to the list this time).


The first song is hilarious, and I can't for the life of me sing it right - but I blaze through anyways as penance for introducing it to her. She calls it "De Tacow Sowng":

The second, "Fawthew Dod," is ten times sweeter, and always has me leaving her bedroom with a renewed outlook on life... She learned it at Family Camp last year and, as I sing, she watches me, mouthing the words.

(this isn't exactly the same version, but...)

Her taste in genre combinations, and her strict adherence to the routine always makes me grin!