OK, it’s Friday afternoon. I’m not feeling so hot (TMD, rainy gloom, sinuses). BFF Sarah came home from work early. And I’ve got less than 25 minutes to sneak in a blog post. Why 25 minutes (or less), you ask? Because I’m dying my hair! (Even we natural blondes need to rely on a bottle to get us through the lack-of-sun winter months. Don’t judge me!)
(My pics won’t post right, so I’m typing something here to fill up the space. La-dee-dah! Doesn’tJOSH WILSONrock?)
If I ever try online dating again, I should use this at my main profile pic. Love me as I am!!!
Being a woman on a schedule, Friday Faves is going to be ever so brief this week. So, why don’t you share some of your faves in the comment section? Share a post from your blog, someone else’s blog, an interesting news article, or a silly video (go ahead and Rick Roll us!)
Look at all the faves I managed to sneak into that intro. It’s time to wash out my hair dye (BFF Sarah says I’m five minutes overdue!!!), so share, share, share your faves so this post isn’t a total flop!
We have more excuses than ever not to send cards for birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions: The price of stamps just increased. Again. Cards aren’t eco-friendly (even though they can be recycled and are often made out of recycled materials). And, of course, there just isn’t enough time to buy a card, address it, and pop it in a mail box. Besides, e-card are often free…and nothing says, “I love you, Mom” like canned music and a mouse jumping out of a birthday cake.
In our tech savvy society, do conventional cards really make a difference? That was the question I sought to answer with my brand new DaySpring cards—the Hope & Encouragement by (in)courage’s Holly Gerth My test subjects? The ladies in the Monday night Bible study that I lead.
First, I needed a control card to ensure that each member of my Bible study received a card that is equal in value and appearance. I chose “Thank You For What You Do” from Holley Gerth’s collection. What better want to tell the ladies in my flock how much I care about each and every one of them and thank them for the support they offer me weekly, as their fearless shepherdess. As I addressed each card, I asked God to help me write a pithy message to each lady. Despite using the same card, I didn’t want to express exactly the same sentiment to the varying personalities present at Monday night Bible study.
Second, I wanted to give my Bible study a chance to spread the blessing to others. I went through all my DaySpring cards, picked out about 12 (admittedly, it’s hard to part with any of my beautiful cards, but I was on a woman on a mission!), and placed them on the table at Bible study telling the ladies to pick a card or two to send (or give) to someone else.
After receiving their personalized cards from me, the ladies were more than delighted to choose cards for their own use. I overheard comments like, “Wow, these are really nice cards!” “Amy, did you buy all these cards for us?” “They sell DaySpring cards at the local Bible bookstore!” Most of all, they were excited that cards geared towards Christian women were relevant, beautiful, and affordable! Someone remarked that the cards were great for anyone—Christian or not!
One lady asked us to help her find a card that would be appropriate to encourage a friend whose mother just died. Another wanted to use her card to uplift a co-worker who is going through an incredibly rough time. A few ladies picked out cards and didn’t disclose how they would be used…yet. Since one member of our group was unable to attend our “card shower,” we decided to sign and send her a card to let her know that we love her and she was missed! Naturally, the choice of card was a group decision!
{This card, featuring a crown and a bookmark, was my favorite. Oh, how I need to remember these words!}
While my experiment was wholly unscientific, I can safely say that greeting cards are still relevant. There’s something about the tactile sensation of opening a card, especially when unexpected, knowing that the sender thought of you! I like to save my cards and read the messages again and again—a reminder that people do love me when I feel unloved and unlovely or celebrated when I feel defeated. Will a card change the world? Probably not. But it can make someone’s day, and I’m grateful that DaySpring cards gave me the opportunity to bless others, who in turn, will use DaySpring cards to bless even more.
Yes, friends, cards really do make a difference. Get a book of forever stamps, make a list of people who could use a beautiful card, and head over to the DaySpring Online Store to nab a few cards of your own. And, ladies, check out (in)courage for uniquely feminine musings as well as the fabulous(in)spired deals to get cute cards like mine!
Win a $20 code to use at DaySpring’s Online Store!
And I’m going to make it even easier for you to bless others with DaySpring cards, simply enter my giveaway to win a $20 coupon code to DaySpring’s online store,which offers a bounty of cards as well as other inspirational products. To enter, simply fill out THE FORM. For an extra entry, leave a comment about how a card cheered up your day OR how you used a card to bless someone else. The giveaway will end at 11:59 PM EST on January 31, so get entering.
*If you really want to win, then head on over to my friend’s blog, Shari’s Sentiments, for another chance to win a $20 gift code. Imagine if you win both of our giveaways…$40 can bring a lot of cheer!
*To my dearest FTC, I selected and was provided with theHolley Gerth Hope & Encouragement Packfrom DaySpring, free of charge for review. These opinions are my own and do not reflect those of Dayspring in any way.* (P.S. I totally copy/pasted this disclosure from Shari’s blog.)
Note from Amy: While I’m working on my DaySpring review, editing a post that will appear later this week, and gathering material for Friday Faves, I hope you enjoy this article by my friend, Christa Banister, about Kari Jobe. Kari is an incredibly talented artist whose dynamic voice really packs a punch. And I should note that Christa, who has contributed to BSW before, did not write this article exclusively for BSW!
Kari Jobe: Where I Find You
By Christa Banister After being established as one of the industry’s premier worship leaders with her Dove Award-winning, self-titled debut, Kari Jobecontinues to serve as a worship pastor at Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, and will release her highly anticipated follow-up album, Where I Find You (Sparrow) on January 24, 2012.
Produced by Ed Cash (Chris Tomlin, Chris August) and Matt Bronleewe (Natalie Imbruglia, Josh Wilson), Where I Find You, which includes Kari’s new hit radio single “We Are,”is an engaging departure from her previous effort—both sonically and thematically speaking.
Rather than simply emphasizing the beauty found in God’s presence, Where I Find You is a clarion call for listeners to experience His presence to the fullest. And not surprisingly, the accompanying soundtrack is just as bold with a buoyant mix of fresh musical textures and timbres.
“After singing about the importance of making time for intimate worship on my first album, I wanted to take the next step on Where I Find You,” Kari shares. “These songs come from such a honest place of praising God for what He’s done—and what He’s continuing to do in our lives—because of His grace and goodness.
“Ultimately, it’s about declaring who He is and enjoying the simplicity of knowing the Lord is near,” she continues. “He’s for us, He loves us, and sometimes, we need to just stop, enjoy His presence and take that in.”
While recording the album, Kari says she was often reminded of that very truth—a theme that resonates through the lyrics of “Here,” a reminder to press pause, even when our culture insists we constantly keep moving.
“There were many instances when we had to stop whatever we were working on because I needed to go outside, take a walk and have my own time with God for a few minutes,” Kari remembers. “Again and again, I was so overtaken by how present He was while we were recording, and it’s my hope and desire that people really feel the strength and intercession that was taking place while I worked on the album.”
Another decidedly counter-cultural idea that resonates in these new songs is how God never lets believers, including worship leaders, get too comfortable in their faith or permanently reside on the proverbial spiritual mountaintop.
“This past year has been the season of being completely uncomfortable and going through things I didn’t understand that were really hard,” Kari shares. “I was literally having to hold on in my heart and trust He had everything in control. You can even hear that a little in my vocals, especially on songs like ‘Love Came Down,’ ‘Run To You,’ and ‘What Love Is This.’ It was a season that stretched me.”
Even through all the growing pains, however, Kari says she was continually reminded of God’s faithfulness.
“I think there are times as believers when we feel entitled and that life shouldn’t be hard. We live in this culture of convenience that says we can do everything ourselves and find all the answers on Google,” Kari says. “But if we can learn to fall more in love with the Lord and trust Him in the middle of every storm, we build our endurance to keep running the race.”
Naturally, these declarations of God’s faithfulness couldn’t help but make their way onto her album.
“‘We Are’ is a song of commission for us as believers,” says Kari, “to be reminded of what we’ve been called to, and that is to impact people’s lives in everything we do.”
In the track “One Desire,” which she co-wrote with Jason Ingram, Kari uses simple, heartfelt language that reminds her of one of her favorite worship anthems when she was young.
“During our writing session, Jason and I were talking about the simplicity of worship; how it doesn’t always have to be so ornate,” she explains. “When I was a kid, I remember how much I loved singing the song ‘I Love You, Lord’ because it was this sweet, simple song straight from Scripture.”
In stark contrast to the straightforward worship of “One Desire,” another key track, the aforementioned “What Love is This,” features powerful imagery of the Centurion soldier’s reaction to discovering that Jesus was the Son of God after He’d been crucified.
“I often think about what it would’ve been like to experience that and to say ‘Truly, you are the son of God,’” Kari shares. “You realize you were part of His death, you were the one of the people who’d nailed Him to a cross. He must have felt so incredibly broken—to believe the lie and then experience the truth. I really think that’s like all of us. We’ve got to have the perspective that without the Lord’s presence, we’re all in darkness, and ‘What Love Is This’ is my love song to the Lord for His love song for my life.”
Also serving as a grounding force for Kari when life gets complicated is her tight-knit Texas family. Although she turned 30 this past year, she still considers being a daughter one of “life’s greatest blessings.”
What’s also been a blessing is a new dimension to her ministry. In addition to ministering in churches, arenas, theaters, festivals and conferences across the globe, Kari has also found another outlet for sharing God’s love in partnering with the A21 Campaign, an organization dedicated to abolishing human trafficking in the 21st century.
“I’ve become really invested in that ministry and strongly believe that we all have to play a role and do our part to fight against the modern form of slavery that affects 27 million people and growing,” Kari says. “It’s so incredibly dark, and I feel a responsibility to do what I can. Most of these victims are girls like me, and I can’t imagine what life would be like to be stuck in that place.”
Along with her sister, Kris, Kari has created an exclusive line of jewelry and t-shirts where all the proceeds go to the cause of bringing an end to human trafficking and injustice.
“Whether I’m participating in an effort like this or leading worship, it’s all about making a difference,” Kari concludes. “That’s the reason I’m doing what I’m doing at this specific moment—to see God’s name lifted high, to encourage the hurt and the broken and to remind everyone to draw close to Him because He really, truly does care about each and every one of His children.”
And that’s ultimately the message behind Where I Find You, enjoying the beauty of God’s presence, praising him with your whole heart and letting your light shine in a world that needs to experience the true grace and hope found only in Jesus.
For more information on Kari Jobe and her ministry, please visit www.karijobe.com.
I like to tell people that I have a Master’s degree in counseling. When I’m with Christians, I like to add that my degree is in “biblical counseling” from a seminary. All this makes me feel terribly important, like I’m super smart and super spiritual…also that I once did something with my life. As I’ve mentioned before, that counseling degree is sitting at the bottom of a storage bin somewhere in my closet. I don’t use it vocationally and I sometimes wonder why I got it at all. I realize that the things I learned in seminary (you know, like humility) do matter and that I don’t need to wear my “I have a Master’s degree” pin all the time. Or at all. One day I hope it’ll sink in.
This week Shari and I started taking a Sunday school class required for Congregational Care at our church. Caring for the congregation?! I love caring for people! I’m awesome at crying! This will be great, I thought. For the most part, the Congregational Care Team visits sick people and shut-ins. My fear of the hospital, hypochondria, and fear of doctors, doesn’t make visiting the ill at all appealing. And shut-ins? I feel empathy for shut-ins. I really do. But the elderly, especially lonely elderly people, make me very weepy (told you I was awesome at crying) as I remember my grandparents. Instead of launching happy hormones, I go home and cry.
But I love caring for people and I’m awesome at crying?!
I *AM* awesome at crying, but do I really love caring for people?! When my mom had her hip replacement, I was panicked for a month ahead of time. What if I had to clean up pee? Or puke? What if she fell? I was in a tizzy!
I really like babies, but not their diapers. I mean, I’m not sure how to change a diaper (I have the basic principle down, just not a lot of practical experience) and the thought of changing a diaper makes me dry heave. I am even disgusted by little kids with snotty noses. (Those of you who are wondering why I don’t have kids now understand.)
Besides crying, I’m really good at talking, too. I’m probably even better at conversing than crying. BFF Sarah says that I can talk to anyone anywhere about anything. I suspect she thinks it’s my superpower. A simple window transaction at the bank leads to a conversation about the teller’s engagement ring (and the story of the proposal. I’m such a suck for romance) or a long line is an opportunity to talk to lady behind me about her amazing purse. (Admittedly, I am a bit shyer around guys, especially ones my age…who are single. I get all tongue-tied and speak like a woman with verbal Tourette’s. Those of you who are wondering why I’m not married now understand.)
I also like to laugh. And smile. Depression sometimes sucks those attributes out of my life, but they’re important (Choose joy!!!). One of my favorite quotes from Elf is when Buddy says, “I just like to smile. Smiling’s my favorite.”
So I’m good at smiling, crying, and talking. I can do all three at the same time actually. But where does my spiritual giftedness lie within these personality traits?
My little flock tells me I’m a good Bible study leader and I do love teaching about the Bible and God.
Deep within me, I fear that teaching and perhaps leadership (or shepherding) are my strongest spiritual gifts. I’m not sure how a woman can use those gifts in the Church today. I’ve been told (even by pastors) that I talk too much and try to take over when there’s no defined leadership (OK, I’ve been told that I try to take over, but I think it’s when there’s a lack of leadership). I don’t want to believe the lies that women don’t make good teachers or leaders. But I’m also not going to head up MOPS (lack of mothering and a pre-schooler), a bake sale, or speak at Women of Faith (for these reasons)…so what am I to do? I’m asking God where my gifts would be best used.
I thought by the time I turned 31 I’d have it all figured out, which is funny because I totally thought I had everything figured out when I was 23 (until I realized I was terribly wrong). Still, at 31, I didn’t think I would still wrestle with that age-old question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”
My answer: Whatever you want me to be, Abba. My life is Yours.
What are your spiritual gifts? What do you do when you realize what gives you joy is the hard thing to do? How has God used your gift for His glory? Are you good at talking to single guys or gals your age? Is one of your gifts being good at wrapping Christmas or birthday presents?
Even though I’m an Independent and feel that my personal interests in social programs might be best served by a Democratic President, I still eye the Republican candidates with interest. As an INDEPENDENT thinker, I like to look at all the candidates and chose the one that I feel can best serve my country.
I’ve already said that Newt Gingrich makes me sick.
I like what I’ve heard from Ron Paul.
And I’m not sure about Mitt Romney.
Well, friends, I am now sure that I will NEVER vote for Mitt (and not just because “President Mitt” sounds silly). Apparently, Romney is an animal abuser. According to several sources (check out this Huffington Post article), in 1983, Romney strapped the family dog, an Irish setter named Seamus, to the the top of the car in an airtight container for 12 hours.
If you’re a dog lover like me, you probably just screamed, “WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?!”
Of course, we all make REALLY STUPID mistakes. So Romney has a chance to redeem himself when questioned about this incident by Chris Wallace, host of “Fox News Sunday.” Watch the clip below.
Well, that clears *THAT* up!!!
Because Seamus LIKED it…apparently. Umm, my dogs also like run freely off the leash IN THE STREET…that doesn’t mean they should do it! Besides, just became a dog is trained to go into the kennel doesn’t mean the dog likes it!
And, why doesn’t Romney know Massachusetts law?! I mean, isn’t it the President’s job to KNOW the law and ENFORCE it, at least by example?
Perhaps this law wasn’t in the books in 1983, or perhaps Romney was ignorant of the law. I mean, who of us hasn’t violated a law on purpose or pled ignorance?
I can understand if Romney humbly admitted that he made a mistake and said that he no longer does this sort of thing. I’d still feel uneasy about a man with such poor judgment.
But, no, Romney laughs at this “silly misunderstanding” leading me to believe that he’s a pompous, arrogant fool.
Look, Mitt, dogs are trusting creatures, who think that you have their best interest at heart. You didn’t have Seamus’ best interest at heart, don’t admit that you made a mistake in tying your dog to the roof in an airtight container (Exactly how does a dog breathe in an airtight container anyway?), and you went to the Grinch’s School of Dog Care.
As the owner of two precious canines, I can confidently say that you lost my vote. Not that you ever had it. If you can’t treat a dog humanely, how am I supposed to trust you to treat the American people any differently?
The first week of January is the most depressing week of the year. For me. I’m sure there are some people who are thrilled to jump into a new year. I’m not one of those people, which is probably why I always (and only) have a drink on New Year’s Eve (this year it was Seagram’s Berry Wine Cooler).
But I usually have a pretty good idea where I’m going, at least with my writing.
Not this year.
Not at all.
Seriously, people, I am wide open to suggestions from you, the readers. I feel like 2011 opened me up, ripped everything out of me, and I’m like, uh, I have a blog? What’s a keyboard? Fortunately, I do know what a pen, journal, and a Bible are…
Admittedly, I became fairly delinquent in promised book and music reviews (as the piles around my desk would suggest.) Sometimes I just don’t want to read anything but my Bible or devotional books (Jesus Calling is a favorite) or listen to anything but Bebo Norman (and the other artists I hold close). Naturally, this makes it difficult to review the latest and greatest when I’m stuck in a nostalgic past. As I’ve mentioned before, I was reviewing books and albums and whatever else just to get free stuff, and it amounted to nothingness. I mean, some of the products were excellent, others subpar, but I didn’t do it for the love of the craft. Lack of passion will really suck the life out of anything.
Now it’s 2012. I’m listening to Jesus Calling: Songs Inspired By (right this very moment.) I just started to read One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp, but I might read something else. I’m not really committed to anything at present.
I am passionate about writing and reading and taking pictures…but I am more interested in being still, listening to God, and pursuing things that will make me well (physically, emotionally, spiritually). Sometimes choosing what is better is choosing not to blog and not to write. Yes, it’s crazy talk for a writer! My identity as a Child of God trumps writer every time.
Recently, in Jesus Calling, I read that others may not understand times when God’s children draw close to Him—to listen, to love, and to find rest. It may seem that we’re simply lazy because blogs aren’t updated, Twitter accounts are silent, and emails are returned in a few days instead of a few hours. But I’m CHOOSING what is better for me.
And in choosing what’s best for me, I want to nurture my readers as well. Tell me, what do you like to read? What do you want to see more of? Less of? Clearly, Friday Faves is a keeper, and you do seem to like my photography and personal posts. Music reviews or book reviews? Do you generally like them or do you only want me to talk about books I choose to read? (Even if that means buying them myself?)
Please leave me some helpful commentary. Or, if you’re shy, shoot me an email. Friday Faves will return next week. Probably.
Tonight I watched a two year-old in my church’s nursery during the 5 PM service. Besides dropping off cereal for the food pantry (now that I have TMJ I can’t really eat it), this is my first act of service at my new church. Well, tomorrow I am handing out bulletins for the 4 PM New Year’s Day service as well.
A year ago today—last New Year’s Eve—I never imagined I would be ending 2011 with a church to call my own or that as the last few hours of the year slipped by I would be caring for a little one in the nursery. I had no idea that on New Year’s Day I would once again serve as a greeter/bulletin hander outer at any church, least of all one that I can call MY church home.
I tend to reflect on all the bad things that happened in 2011—that horrible bit with my student loans, infections of all sorts ( particularly my bad tooth infection), the depression and anxiety, my friend’s continuing bout with health problems, and all the drama that comes from having relationships with human beings. And though I’m not one to make resolutions, I resolve to do better, try harder, and make something of myself next year.
In 2011, I “rediscovered”God, found my identity in Him and through Him, and learned to live with His purposes in mind. I participated in “One Word 2011” and chose the word “live” so that I might have life. It took until September to really and truly achieve “living.” And it’s something I have to choose everyday—to play an active part in the world around me.
I am starting to realize how much of living involves a choice. Therefore, my “word” for 2012 is choose so I can challenge myself to choose life, choose joy, and to choose what is better.
Choose life…it comes from Moses’ final speech to the Israelites (Deuteronomy 30:20). Moses knew that the people could easily choose the path that brings eternal death and destruction. After leading these “stiff-necked” people in the desert for 40 years, he had seen a generation comes to a sinful physical death. Moses end drew near and he would not enter the Promised Land. So he pleads with the Israelites to choose life long after he has experienced physical death, so that they may live, both spiritually and eternally. Choosing life is akin to choosing God’s plan for my life.
Choose joy…being a generally depressed extrovert (a weird combination, I know), I was fascinated to learn of Sara Frankl’s life and her death. Suffering from a genetic disease, Sara was known around the interwebs for her slogan “choose joy,” which I’ve decided to adopt into my life. Succumbing to complications from her illness, Sara’s last moments were filled with eyes looking heavenward, and yet her life, which was full of physical pain and unrealized dreams, was also saturated with joy. Even when it wasn’t the easy thing to do, even when her body ached, and she couldn’t leave her condo because of her weakened immune system, Sara chose joy. Joy, for Sara, wasn’t a plastic smile, but rather a deep understanding that God would use her life in miraculous ways, that He would do immeasurably more than she could ever know. And He has. I didn’t know Sara, but I love her story. Sara died in September, so I am going to take up the “choose joy” banner to the best of my ability.
Choose what is better…remember Mary and Martha, those sisters from Bethany? When Martha is preparing the meal for Jesus and his hungry friends, Mary sits at Jesus’ feet and listens to His teaching…like she is a man! The nerve of that girl! Martha is not pleased and tells Jesus that He should make Mary help her peel potatoes. Jesus tells Martha to take a break and that Mary has “chosen what is better.” Truth be told, I’m definitely more of a Martha than a Mary. Things need to get done and I need to do them. Like Martha, I also like to tell God how He should do things and how He should make people act. Also like Martha, I want to learn to choose what is better. It is, after all, a choice.
So much of life is wrapped up in what we choose to do and whether we choose to live for God or not. I want to choose what is better so that I may live with joy. How ‘bout you? What do you choose to do in 2012? (Please let me know in the comments section. Or if you picked a word for 2012, share that, too.)
Amy’s note: One Word 365founder,Alece Ronzio, also picked “choose” as her word for 2012. Alece was good friends with Sara Frankl and even has a “choose joy” tattoo to remember Sara’s life. No doubt this is one of the reasons Alece picked the word. Read her full post here: “One Word-Choose.“
“Maddy! Stop jumping on the wrapping paper,” I yelled at my shih tzu, who thought it was playtime. I was attempting to wrap Christmas presents. Undaunted, Maddy ran to and fro across my open roll of paper engaging her sister, Cassie the Peekapoo, in a rigorous game of “Catch Me If You Can.”
Half-amused and half-frustrated, I said, “You two better knock it off or Santa Paws won’t bring you any presents!”
It was a bold-faced lie. BFF Sarah and I had already purchased doggie delights for the two little scamps on our mega-Black Friday shopping extravaganza. (Usually, we are the only two people running into PetSmart with unadulterated glee on Black Friday! Half-priced candy cane bones! Score! Well, we weren’t the *only* two people this year because there was a hot deal on kitty litter.) My dogs don’t know who Santa Paws is anyway. If a bearded old man did somehow break into our house on Christmas Eve, Cassie would probably bite him and Maddy would give him a tour of the apartment. (And I refuse to leave my chocolate chip cookies out for anyone, even Santa.)
See, they can’t even behave long enough to get a cute Christmas picture taken! Maddy the Shih Tzu instigated an attack on Cassie the Peekapoo.
Then it struck me how often I’ve heard parents tell grouchy youngsters to behave or “Santa won’t come.” As if he really wouldn’t come! I mean, there are a few cruel parents out there who may abide by this principle, but for the most part, it’s a lie. No matter how terrible your kids are, like my dogs, they are going to get some awesome gifts come Christmas morning.
The “be good, get gifts” myth is further propagated by the emergence of “Elf on a Shelf.” For those of you who haven’t been acquainted with this marketing tool, let me explain. For $30, a family can get a cheaply made freaky-looking elf that spies on kids and reports their misdeeds to Santa. Oh, and he comes with a book. You can also buy a skirt to make “him” a “her.” But it really just looks like a boy elf wearing a skirt. Personally, “Elf On a Shelf” freaks me out. (And it also disproves the myth that Santa is omnipresent. I mean, “he sees you when you’re sleeping. He knows when you’re awake”? Is Santa stalking me?)
It’s no wonder that people think they have to earn their God-given salvation. I mean, when everything we get is based on our behavior, how can the free gift of grace actually be free? Surely, there is a cost for entrance into heaven! What’s the catch to this whole “broken curse of mankind” thing? In a culture obsessed with good works, earning potential, and extreme couponing, free only comes with hard work, smarts, time, and a bit of creativity.
Yet the gift of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection is very costly indeed. It costs everything—our minds, souls, bodies, and spirits. But if you’re like me, you’re a mental mess, a failing body, and a spiritual disaster. There’s not much to give a God who created everything and everyone, including me. A renewed relationship with God, a broken curse, and spending eternity in a place where God’s glory lights the place in exchange for an earthly life given to God’s use and for His purpose? There’s no comparison.
This awesome cake was created by Sugar Weave Custom Cakes.
And I can never, ever, ever be good enough to get that. No matter how many dogs I rescue and return to their owners, how many times I help out my elderly neighbors, or how many Bible studies I lead, I’m still carrying the curse of Adam and Eve. Or I would had I not accepted the hand God held out to me so very long ago.
I will never be good enough—not for Santa’s gifts or Christ’s salvation. But, fortunately, even if I’m on Santa’s Naughty List, there will always be a heavenly scroll that bears my name and I will always be close to the heart of a God who has “Amy” written on His very palms.
Apparently, I’m not the only one who finds Santa’s Naughty List disturbing. When looking for funny pictures of Santa, I came across Amy (doesn’t she have a lovely name?) Henry’s post, “The Flawed Theology of Naughty and Nice Lists.” She says it beautifully, but doesn’t talk about shih tzus or Elf On A Shelf, so you’ll have to read mine, too.
Two days!!! The Big Event is a mere two days away!!! Are you freaking out yet? Are you making a mental list of all thing things you have yet to do in preparation for Christmas Day in your head as you read my post? (Because I know that “Friday Faves” is must-read. It’s the gift I give you every week!) My adrenalin starts to churn up when I think about things that just NEED to get down. And then I realize there really isn’t that much to do. I want to join the last-minute insanity, buy gifts I don’t need (as I carefully budgeting buying for everyone on my list months in advance), just so I can have a wrap-a-thon with all my pretty Black Friday deal paper. Darn that anxiety disorder of mine!
Breathe in, breathe out. Relax. On Monday morning, no one will care that you shoved that last 10 presents you wanted to wrap in lovely bags with sparkly tissue or that you didn’t have time to make the spinach dip. Everyone will remember that great time they had with you, how Uncle Bernard fell asleep after drinking too much eggnog (which you suspect he may have spiked), and you’ll marvel at the beauty of the Christmas Eve service at church and that the wondrous celebration of Christ’s birth has turned to commercial. You will swear that next year will be less busy, less hectic, and more focused on Christ’s birth–maybe you’ll buy a blow-up nativity at an after-Christmas sale to let the neighbors know how much you love Jesus.
But all the resolutions you make won’t last and next year you’ll do the same thing again. And the year after, too. Because you want to make the best Christmas possible for all that you love and all that love you. And you, my friend, would have it no other way. I love you for that. You’re my kind of gal/guy.
You need a break, so sit down and let me share some of the amazing things I’ve found in the last week of advent…
*I’m not sure I’m going to get a chance to do my “official Christmas post” this year, so I’m sharing Downhere’s “How Many Kings” song/video now. I shared this song with my small group at our Christmas party last Monday. It was a big hit with the ladies. Listen to it a few times and let the song soak in. I highly recommend Downhere’s How Many Kings Christmas album. If you need some last minute cheer, check out How Many Kings(the album download is only $7.99 at their online store).
*Speaking of spiffy Christmas jams, I’d be remiss if I didn’t tell you how much I’m enjoying singer/songwriter Justin McRoberts’ Christmas Songs: Volume 2. How did I acquire this album? Who knows? But I found it on my iTunes “holiday” selections and I love it! I particularly dig “Born Beneath These Stars” and McRoberts’ unique take on my FAVORITE classic carol, “O Holy Night.” (You’d better do a darn good job on “O Holy Night” to impress me…and Justin did!) Justin McRoberts isn’t just a great musician; he’s also a thoughtful blogger. I don’t always agree with him, but I do enjoy his blog. And harassing him on Twitter. So, check out Christmas Songs: Volume 2 (and Volume 1. I haven’t heard it, but I’m sure it’s good), read his blog, and harass Justin on Twitter. He’ll love me..I mean, you, for it. I think he’s *TRYING* to change the holiday to “McChristmas.” Eye roll. Really, Justin, do you have to Mc-Everything?
From the National Wildlife Federation website.
*Did you ever wonder about those reindeer that supposedly FLY Santa’s sleigh across the world in just ONE night? Well, it didn’t seem so outlandish when I was five, but these days I can’t believe I was so naive. However, to clear up misconceptions about reindeer the National Wildlife Federation wrote a fun little piece called “Reindeer: Twelve Fascinating Facts About These Amazing Creatures.” I learned that caribou *ARE* reindeer (which I secretly suspected all along) and they used to live in Idaho. How ’bout that, Santa? Not the North Pole…Idaho!!!
*The other day I shared “Amy’s Christmas Playlist” and told you that I just adore the song “His Favorite Christmas Story” by Capital Lights. Well, between then and now, I found a short film based on the song, which is so very cute. It has nothing to do with Baby Jesus. It’s just a cute story.
*If I have your phone number, then you were the recipient of a very special phone call from Santa! For those of you who want to pay me back for phone spam or just want to get in the holiday spirit of spamming all your friends and family, then head over to SendACalFromSanta.com to send a personalized phone call OR video from Santa to all your friends. They will just LOVE you for it! Seriously, it’s funny. Do it! (By the way, put in YOUR BIRTH DATE, not your child’s. Santa wants to make sure you’re old enough to spam everyone you know…and their children.)
Have a safe and merry holiday season! Eat lots of cookies, make a wrapping paper mess, and remember, that it’s all about that little baby born in Bethlehem! (And BFF Sarah came home early from work, so I’m not sure that Christmas message is going to get done. Sometimes I need to choose what is better–and that’s spending some quality time with my friends.)
How are you spending Christmas? What are you doing to keep calm during the last two days of chaos? Did you send someone a call or video from Santa? What is a Christmas album that you recommend to me? (Since I’ve been recommending so much music to you lately!) What is your favorite Christmas cookie? Do you like reindeer? Would you like one as a pet?
Every year I make an iTunes playlist of my favorite Christmas songs–some have been on the album every year since its inception, while others are happy new editions. There are several versions of my playlist before choosing the 20 or so songs that will fit on a CD for the enjoyment of my friends and family. (And I make like 6 copies of the epic mix album for people. Don’t get the piracy police after me!)
So, here it is…my 2011 mix, which I call “Joy Is Born.”
Joy Is Born Christmas Mix 2011
1. “Star Of Wonder” – JJ Heller, Wake Up The World [My good friend, Shari, told me that about JJ's Christmas album and we both love it! JJ's version of "Star of Wonder" is the perfect lead-in to any album. She imagines to capture the wonder of seeking Christ--"Messiah was worth every mile.]
2. “Heaven’s Got A Baby”-The O.C. Supertones, Happy Christmas Vol. 3 [This song is a cheery proclamation and it's on the mix every year. Sometimes it's first, but I'm going for awe and wonder this year, so I needed something a little more subdued.]
3. “Born to Die” -Bebo Norman, Christmas: From the Realms of Glory [As if I would ever make a playlist without a Bebo song. That would just be ridiculous! I assume you already own this album, so I'm not even going to tell you to buy it because you already know how awesome it is!]
4. “Adorn” -Alli Rogers, The Silent Stars [If you don't own The Silent Stars or anything by Alli Rogers, you need to rectify that RIGHT NOW! Go, buy, download, and prosper!]
5. “Ring The Bells” -Travis Cottrell, Ring The Bells [Did you know that Travis Cottrell is the worship leader at Beth Moore's church? Or at least he was.]
6. “I Celebrate The Day”- Relient K, Let It Snow Baby…Let It Reindeer [Relient K's Christmas album is one of my favorites, so this song is ALWAYS on my playlist. Let It Snow Baby is available as a $5 download on Amazon right now!]
A bunch of fans made this music video for “His Favorite Christmas Story.” Love it so much I had to share it here!
7. “His Favorite Christmas Story”- Captial Lights, X Christmas- Various Artists[I haven't heard anything from Capital Lights since their debut album. This song tells a cute story that make me tear up. Every. Single. Time.]
8. “You Gotta Get Up (Christmas Song)”- Rich Mullins, A Liturgy, A Legacy & A Ragamuffin Band [I play this song as soon as I get up every Christmas morning for as long as I can remember.]
9. “Feliz Navidad”- David Crowder Band, X Christmas- Various Artists [David Crowder Band + silly Spanish = mucho bueno.]
10. “A Christmas Song For All Year Round” Aaron Sprinkle, Happy Christmas Vol. 3 [I wanted to marry Aaron Sprinkle so I could be "Amy Sprinkle," as it turns out Aaron is already married. I suppose I could legally change my name to "Amy Sprinkle" anyway. Santa, bring a name change for Christmas!]
11. “How Many Kings”-Downhere, How Many Kings: Songs For Christmas [I'll be talking more about this song on Friday Faves. I. Love. It. So much that each word was its own sentence. I played this at my small group's Christmas party "reflection time" and they loved it, too.]
12. “Welcome To Our World”-Chris Rice, Deep Enough to Dream [What is Chris Rice doing these days? Has anyone heard from the guy since he got married? He needs to make more theologically relevant music for the masses.]
13. “The First Noel (Instrumental Version)”-Josh Wilson, Sing: A Christmas – EP [Josh Wilson + instruments of any kind = magic.]
14. “Hallelujah (Light Has Come)”- BarlowGirl, Home For Christmas [The Barlow sisters are always wonderful, and this song is exceptional. Their vocal arrangements make my heart happy.]
15. “What Child Is This”- PLUMB, (Free Download) [Sometimes the best things in life really are free! Plumb's version of "What Child Is This" is an older version than the one we usually sing. Personally, I prefer this version. It was prettied up to celebrate the birth only, and completely revised of the implication of the cross Jesus was to bear.]
16. “Bring A Tourch, Jeanette, Isabella”-Downhere, How Many Kings: Songs For Christmas [It's Downhere again! Their version of this classic makes me want to grab a torch and look for the Christ child myself. I mean, there is a plastic Baby Jesus in the nativity down the street. But I just don't that elicits the joy of the actual event.]
This is the version from his self-titled album, not the Christmas EP. I put the Christmas version on the mix. Josh makes the best facial expressions when he sings. Love, love, love his guy and his beat-up gee-tar!
17. “Sing”- Josh Wilson Sing: A Christmas – EP [What a shock! Another song by my friend, Josh Wilson. I played this at small group two weeks ago when we talked about the LONG-AWAITED joy and expectation of God's timing. "We could never get back home with broken hearts, so Home has come to us." Lyrical genius!]
18. “Snow Globe”- Matt Wertz, Snow Globe [We had a whole Friday Faves dedicated to the hilarity that is this song. See "Friday Faves: Snow Globe Living Edition."]
19. “Mary Did You Know” – Spoken, Happy Christmas Vol. 4 [All punked up like it should be.]
20. “Drummer Boy”-Jars Of Clay, Christmas Songs [I never truly appreciated this song until Jars of Clay recorded their version. Then I researched how the drummer boy is the lowliest of all shepherds, and still he came, and offered what he had--the gift of his playing. I mean, I'm not sure how drumming helps a newborn baby. I would think that would elicit much screaming and sobbing. But I still like the song. It's not like Baby Jesus didn't cry either, so "Silent Night" is a farce, too. And yet I enjoy both songs.]
21. “Jesus, King Of Angels”- Fernando Ortega, Christmas Songs[Oh, Fernando, I love your music.]
This is the video that launched Straight No Chaser into a music career years after graduating from college.
22. “The Christmas Can-Can”-Straight No Chaser, Christmas Cheers [Because I like to end things on a hilarious note, I included this song from acapella group, Straight No Chaser, who became "famous" after their "12 Days of Christmas" video from college re-emerged on YouTube years later. So they recorded a second album, Christmas Cheers.]
I was going to tell you why I chose each and every song, what the song means to me,but that’s entirely too much work, so I added a few notes, a bunch of links, and a handful YouTube videos for your viewing enjoyment.
Have a question about why I chose a song, leave a comment! Tell me what songs are on your “list.”
"Writing, to me, is simply thinking through my fingers." Isaac Asimov
Under the Hood
All About Amy
Amy Sondova is a writer specializing in media writing, including interviews and reviews, as well as blogging. Having interviewed over a gazillion of the top musicians, writers, and speakers in the Christian media, Amy has also written countless columns, reviews, and articles on various topics including mental illness, self-injury, working with teenagers, and Christianity. She lives with BFF Sarah and has two dogs and a cockatiel named Kylie.
OK, it’s Friday afternoon. I’m not feeling so hot (TMD, rainy gloom, sinuses). BFF Sarah came home from work early. And I’ve got less than 25 minutes to sneak in a blog post. Why 25 minutes (or less), you ask? Because I’m dying my hair! (Even we natural blondes need to rely on a bottle to get us through the lack-of-sun winter months. Don’t judge me!)
Another decidedly counter-cultural idea that resonates in these new songs is how God never lets believers, including worship leaders, get too comfortable in their faith or permanently reside on the proverbial spiritual mountaintop.
Two days!!! The Big Event is a mere two days away!!! Are you freaking out yet? Are you making a mental list of all thing things you have yet to do in preparation for Christmas Day in your head as you read my post? (Because I know that “Friday Faves” is must-read. It’s the gift I give you every week!) My adrenalin starts to churn up when I think about things that just NEED to get down. And then I realize there really isn’t that much to do. I want to join the last-minute insanity, buy gifts I don’t need (as I carefully budgeting buying for everyone on my list months in advance), just so I can have a wrap-a-thon with all my pretty Black Friday deal paper. Darn that anxiety disorder of mine!
HONK YER HORN